Community Outreach & Events
Get Involved
Women’s Fellowship
Our Women’s Fellowship group meets monthly through the year and always enjoy getting together! All the women of the church and their guests are invited to attend the meetings on the third Thursday of the month at noon. Each meeting includes devotions, lunch, a program and a brief business meeting. Our church women also do an annual Salad Luncheon, create dozens of delicious pies and Lefse from scratch to sell at our various fundraisers. In addition, there are three circle groups that also meet monthly for those interested.
Salad Luncheon & Bazaar
On the second Thursday in July, the members of Women’s Fellowship hold their annual Salad Luncheon and Bazaar. Tickets are sold for the luncheon, which always features a salad buffet made up of salads prepared and served by the ladies of the church. In connection with the luncheon, the Bazaar gift shop sells handcrafted items made by Friendly Service. Also for sale are baked goods as well as items offered by the men of the church.
Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction
In November, members of Women’s Fellowship traditionally prepare and serve a spaghetti dinner, one of their largest fund-raising endeavors. With this, a silent auction is held.
Our “Friendly Service" Quilters
Each year our quilters create wonderful, original designs from colorful fabric either donated or purchased. The quilts themselves are then given away as a mission project to those in need here in Alexandria through agencies such as The Salvation Army, Some Place Safe or United Way. Last year over 40 quilts were created and donated to our neighbors in need.
Community Christmas Dinner
Each year, the church opens its doors to the community for a festive Christmas dinner, served on Christmas Day. Its purpose is to provide a special occasion for those who are alone or have no family with whom to observe this most special Holiday. Members of the congregation help to prepare and serve the dinner and serve as hosts.
Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast
Each Memorial Day our church members and friends whip together and serve a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast for the public to enjoy. The food and fellowship for all ages is wonderful!
Men's Fellowship
The men of the church meet regularly for coffee or breakfast as announced through the church newsletter and the bulletin. All men of the congregation are invited and encouraged to come. There is no formal program, just a time of fellowship. From time to time, a men and women’s breakfast is scheduled.
Men may also participate, along with members of five other churches in Alexandria, Forada, and Villard, in a Men’s Darts league that is active during the fall and winter. The meetings alternate in location and meet on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Men's Dart Ball League
Each year, beginning in the Fall and ending in February, our guys gather to practice throwing underhand darts. Monday night League games rotate between five churches and are a lot of fun. The challenge in Dart Baseball is to hit bases (1-3 and Home Base) on a paper baseball diamond hanging on a board 25 feet from the thrower. Sounds easy, not so much. But tons of fun for sure!
In February, one church hosts an annual Dart Ball Tournament where all the teams gather to compete for the Dart Ball trophy. In 2016, our boys brought home first place!
Youth & Student Ministry
The young people of the church frequently carry out community service projects such as Trick or Treating for the Food Shelf or Christmas caroling for shut-ins by the Youth Choir.
Vacation Bible School
The CE Board plans an Annual Vacation Bible School for Youth, Kindergarten - Jr. High, each summer. Activities include: games, art, camping, swimming, hands on mission projects and Bible study on a wide range of themes. Both Church youth and their friends are welcome to attend.
Camping
Pilgrim Point is our Minnesota UCC camp. It is located on Lake Ida near Alexandria. Each spring, a schedule is available listing all of the summer camps. Many youth attend camp as well as adults and families.
Support Groups
We seek to support one another in the midst of changing needs and experiences. Members and friends are encouraged to talk to the Pastor about the needs they see and interest they are willing to share.
It is the church’s policy to provide facilities for outside support groups as appropriate and feasible.
Angel Care Team
The Angel Care Team provides prayer and a caring presence for those who have experienced a sudden loss or a recent surgery. A care blanket and food is delivered to an individual or family if so desired.
Angels' Express
The “Angels’ Express” is a transportation ministry that can provide a way to Church activities and worship or to an appointment.
Good Cheer
A representative from Women’s Fellowship routinely sends out cards of sympathy, good cheer, or get-well wishes to those members in need of such remembrances.
Holy Hotline
Requests for prayers for church members who are ill are sent out from the office by e-mail. In case of a death, those members without access to e-mail are notified by a phone call.
Mothers in Sympathy and Support (M.I.S.S.)
The mission of this group is to offer comfort, hope, support, and friendship to mothers enduring the loss of an infant due to stillbirth, SIDS, or any other type of infant death. The facilitators are mothers who have suffered the loss of their own babies. Meeting on the second Tuesday of every month, it provides a place to come together, to listen, to share, to gather suggestions and information, and a place to begin to heal.
Fourth and Fifth Step Ministry
Many people, including a number of First Congregational members and friends, have found a new quality of life through various Twelve Step Programs based upon the principles and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. We want recovering persons to feel supported in this community. Our Minister is familiar with the Twelve Step Program and has been trained to hear Fifth Steps.