Mission:

For more than two hundred years, First Church has drawn its congregation from Jaffrey and nearby towns in the Monadnock region. The individuals in this community, members, associate members, and friends, come from a Congregational / UCC background as well as other mainline denominations. We are conscious of this diversity and seek to use it as a strength as we create a united fellowship of faith.

All statements of faith which stand within the tradition of the United Church of Christ are acceptable for use in this congregation. The members welcome seekers and all who desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to unite in Christian fellowship, worship, and service.

We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to proclaim the Gospel to all humanity, exalting the worship of God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge and truth, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realization of a global family.


WHAT THE FIRST CHURCH IN JAFFREY DOES FOR OTHERS

Service efforts to help those in need:

  • Spear-heading an interfaith initiative to create housing for homeless people in Jaffrey.  It is called “Shelter from the Storm.”
  • Contributing labor, materials, clothing and finances to the Biloxi, Mississippi Back Bay Mission (one week-long visit each of the past three years)
  • Knitting and distributing comfort through our Prayer Shawl Ministry (including both church members and non-members)
  • Knitting and/or contributing ready-made warm socks for orphans in Peru
  • Providing goods and labor for the Jaffrey Food Pantry
  • Writing cards to soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan and elsewhere
  • Providing a welcome place for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (weekly men’s group)
  • Hosting 12-15 seniors from the community, for twice a week free exercise 

Spiritual growth and renewal over and beyond that provided to members of our own congregation:

  • To nursing homes and assisted living facilities in our wider community
  • Credo, a group of 8-12 women discussing for 90 minutes each week selected key elements of faith and practice. (In addition to members of the First Church, this group includes an attendee of the local Roman Catholic Church as well as non-member participants who have recently begun to attend our own worship services.)
  • Prayer Circle involving daily prayers for over 30 people, some of whom are not directly involved with our own congregation
  • See also above references to Prayer Shawl Ministry
  • Provide liturgy and choral support to joint worship services with the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, the United Church, Jaffrey and representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities each Thanksgiving
  • Joint educational forums (two held each spring and each fall), as well as occasional joint worship services with our sister congregation, the United Church, Jaffrey
  • Men's Bible Study: Meets weekly. Thursday 7 pm.

Financial support over and beyond OCWM, One Great Hour of Sharing, etc.

  • CROP Walk  (Our congregation consists of many elder folk for whom walking the distances involved is out of the question.  Nevertheless, annually over 15 walkers receive sponsorships from virtually all of our regular church attendees.)
  • The Jaffrey Town Emergency Fund (Our congregation originated a fund administered by the Jaffrey Welfare Officer to meet emergency financial needs of individuals/families who did not qualify for other forms of support. Over time other sources of support for this fund have developed but for many, many years, it was the $2-3,000 from this church that was the sole source of discretionary funding for this purpose within Jaffrey.)
  • Proceeds in 5 figures from our annual summer fair (2009 will be our 93rd consecutive year) are distributed to over 15 different service organizations in our area (e.g. Day Care centers for seniors and for children; Hospice; ambulance service; food bank and others).
  • Scholarships to 2 graduates from the local high school for books and related college expenses
  • Scholarships for participation in service projects abroad (open to students and mature adults alike)
  • Annual Christmas offering (generally in excess of $2,000) typically divided between a local organization providing services to the community and a wider community service organization such as Heifer Project
  • “Fair Trade” coffee and chocolate sales