 Pictured: The Rev. William Barber II, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, NC and founder of Moral Mondays.
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Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. ~Amos 5:24 |
Social Justice
reaching out into our community and the world beyond
For those folks who seek and find meaning in the words of Micah 6:8, "to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God," we offer many options. Join us in our efforts to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger.
Alternative Christmas Faire
The Alternative Christmas Faire has taken many forms, over the years, but has always given holiday shoppers an opportunity to spend their holiday dollars in life saving, world changing ways. In the past, we have gone BIG and partnered with local and international non-profits. Currently, for those who want tangible gift they can wrap, we offer fair trade coffees, teas, and chocolates from Equal Exchange. For those who prefer online shopping and making donations in honor of loved ones, we focus on Week of Compassion and Global Ministries. Through these organizations, shoppers are able to "purchase" items such as healthcare for families in India, education for girls in Africa, sponsoring micro-loans for women's businesses, helping to sustain families and communities around the globe, and building wells in villages where clean water is unavailable. For more info on making donations to these organizations, please go directly to their websites or contact office@bellinghamdisciples.org. Blanket Brigade Whether you knit, croquet, quilt or just stitch or tie panels of fleece together, your talents are welcome, as we create blankets for the children of Whatcom County. All blankets are donated to Lydia Place, Skookum Kids, and Blue Skies for Children. Please contact the office for more info. CAST Together with several other local congregations, we participate in CAST, serving coffee, sandwiches and soup to hungry folks at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Current location: outside the Bellingham Public Library. |
Clean Water Projects
It is estimated that 783 million people worldwide do not have access to safe and clean water. So, we at FCC B'ham, keep water jars in our homes to remind us that water is a luxury. Throughout the year, we toss our spare change into our jars. Then, each March, in honor of World Water Day, we send the money to Global Ministries to help provide clean water to those in need around our world. (Water jars are available in the church office.) Emergency Supplies In November of 2021, Whatcom County experienced significant flooding, which displaced 500+ families. In response, First Christian Church began collecting essential household & personal supplies to keep on hand for families in need. If you would like to donate supplies to our cupboard or find yourself in need, please contact us at 360.734.6820 or office@bellinghaminghamdisciples.org. 
Fair Trade Coffees, Teas, Chocolates and Other Food Items are available for purchase and order through our church office. Our congregation is part of Equal Exchange, supporting small farmers around the world.
Food Bank Collections Non-perishable food items can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex (foyer) and will be delivered to the Bellingham Food Bank on a regular basis. Justice Sunday The people of First Christian Church have found that we can serve God best when we're serving others. And we have fun when we're doing it. As such, we've designated 5th Sundays as our "do justice" Sundays. As we leave worship, we gather together to break bread at a potluck meal. Afterward, we break into teams, signing letters & petitions and doing good where we are able. (Please note that the shared meal has been suspended, due to the pandemic.) SOS There are few things in life more miserable than being cold, homeless, and having wet, dirty socks. Help us protect the cold, unhappy feet of Whatcom County by donating new, comfy socks to our Socks on the Street ministry. |
Finding Safe Space
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Disciples House/Family Promise Day Center
In 2006, one of our church members found a house that was slated for demolition. It took many $$$ and phone calls, untold visits to City Hall, and countless donated hours from local volunteers, but the house was relocated onto our church property and transformed into a home. Disciples House served as a home, offering safe harbor for Whatcom County families as they work with Opportunity Council to find their "forever homes," for twelve years. Then, during the winter of 2017-18 another transition began, as it was transformed into the Day Center and later family housing for Family Promise. |
