Dear fellow Hanoverians:
Members of First Congregational Church Hanover (FCCH) instantly mobilized
yesterday to answer the regional call to support the sudden arrival of more
than 100 unhoused individuals on the South Shore. Divided into two groups,
the arrivals include more than 60 children, transported with little notice
to temporary locations in Kingston and Plymouth by the MA Department of
Community and Development (MDHD), under its emergency shelter and
assistance programs. Many are undocumented immigrants originating from
Haiti or Central America, who speak little or no English.
“The call came from our regional UCC minister,” shares Rev. Peter
Johnston, lead pastor of FCCH. “There was no question that we would
immediately assemble and help. We serve as a community that welcomes all,
and this was an opportunity to fulfill that commitment, ignite compassion
and propel our faith into action.”
Rev. Johnston noted that the assistance request originated from the United
Church of Christ’s (UCC) Southern New England Conference (SNEUCC), of
which FCCH is a member parish. He was informed that the unhoused were
relocated to temporary locations, with 27 families diverted to Kingston and
12 families to Plymouth. With the region’s established shelters full and
services tapped due to high demand for housing, those transported were in
immediate need of meals, clothing and diapers. He immediately took action,
reaching out to five FCCH parishioners who jumped at the opportunity to
assist and volunteer their efforts to make a difference.
After contacting FCCH’s diaconate, the church’s Outreach and Service
Ministry, and speaking with Hanover Food Pantry Director Sally Boutin, Rev.
Johnston coordinated a food pantry pickup of donated groceries and coats.
He then mobilized the volunteers to meet him at the church’s kitchen.
Spanning just a few short hours, the group of half a dozen transformed the
groceries into a substantial prepared hot meal, packaging many servings of
barbecue chicken, rice, corn and freshly baked cookies. The group loaded
the food and coats into vehicles, creating a delivery caravan, and headed
to the Plymouth site.
“Our efforts have just begun. We’ve been in contact with other
Southern New England Conference churches and are coordinating lunches and
hot dinners to be delivered through Sunday night,” shared Rev. Johnston.
Another local UCC church is coordinating meals for the group settled in
Kingston. Today, FCCH volunteers are gathering more coats, as well as
preparing, packing, and delivering 50 lunches to the same Plymouth
location.
Pausing a moment to reflect on the sudden call to serve, and the
overwhelmingly immediate response by parish volunteers, Rev. Johnston
commented, “Jesus didn’t feed people based on their life circumstances,
Jesus fed people because they were hungry.”
To make a financial contribution to assist in FCCH’s effort to support
unhoused families and individuals, visit fcchanover.org/give-gift, click
the “other” category, and note the intent for your donation in the
comment field. To learn about FCCH’s charitable initiatives, to
participate, or to learn more about the parish, visit fcchanover.org or
follow First Congregational Church of Hanover on Facebook or Instagram.
About First Congregational Church of Hanover
Founded in 1728, First Congregational Church of Hanover (FCCH) was
established about the same time that the town of Hanover was incorporated.
A United Church of Christ (UCC) parish, First Congregational Church of
Hanover has long been a leader in equality. FCCH is committed to serve as
a community of inclusive love that has no walls or barriers, where all who
enter are loved, respected, and accepted for who they are, reaching beyond
social class, gender, race, and sexual orientation, welcoming all. It is a
community of growth and transformation, reaching beyond the status quo as a
community filled with the love and compassion of Christ, invoking our faith
into action and prayer daily.
First Congregational Church of Hanover’s sanctuary is located at 547
Hanover Street, Hanover. FCCH offices are located at Riley Hall, 17 Silver
Street, Hanover. For more information, call 781-826-4762, e-mail
office@fcchanover.org , visit fcchanover.org or follow First Congregational
Church of Hanover on Facebook or Instagram.
For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B
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