Donate now
You can make a gift using our secure online portal. You can make a one-time gift or set up a monthly contribution. Please consider giving directly from your bank account (rather than by credit card) to avoid additional fees.
Ways to give
General Operations
The general operations account supports the whole of First Church’s vibrant worship, community life and ministries. Contributing to general operations ensures that your gift can be used where it’s most needed.
Reparations
We are committed to the ongoing work of making reparations for racial injustice. In 2022, we are building relationships and sharing reparations funds with three organizations: the Anishinabe Academy, Black Men Teach and Makoce Ikicupi (Dakota Land Recovery)
Long Term Building Maintenance
Our beautiful, historic building is in great shape! And the needs for maintenance are many and ongoing. At the moment, our sewer line is in need of a major repair. Gifts for building maintenance supplement budgeted funds and enable us to provide safe, comfortable space for the community to use.
The Preservation Project
In recent years, we have completed a series of major building improvements. Currently, we are working on plaster repair and painting the sanctuary and gathering hall. In the future, we hope to be able to restore a stained-glass window from the Tiffany studio which is now in storage. We are grateful to have received several grants from the MN Historical Society. Gifts to the Preservation Project allow us to provide matching funds when applying for these grants.
Monthly Special Offerings
Monthly special offerings are dedicated to various needs in our local and wider community. Here is our 2022 calendar of offerings:
January: ISAIAH — a community of congregations of thousands of Minnesotans who are motivated to act for justice and equity because of love for God and belief in the dignity and sacredness of all people.
February:
MN Foodshare March Campaign / Community Emergency Services Food Shelf. All donations go the CES food shelf in Minneapolis.
March: First Church Little Free Pantry. All donations go toward stocking the pantry, which is located on the 8th Ave. side of the building.
April (received on Easter): One Great Hour of Sharing. This is one of four special offerings of the United Church of Christ. It supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries.
May: MN Interfaith Power and Light. MN-IPL works in partnership with faith communities to build transformative power and bring the lights of people’s unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis.
June: Strengthen the Church. This is one of four special offerings of the United Church of Christ. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.
July: University Area Sanctuary Coalition. This is a group of churches in the University Area who are committed to immigration justice.
August: Marcy School Weekend Meals (through Everymeal) This organization provides weekend meals to elementary-aged students experiencing food insecurity. Your dollars go to the Everymeal organization, but First Church works directly with nearby Marcy School to pack the meals.
September: Eastside Meals on Wheels. Serves nutritious meals to seniors 60 years of age or older who cannot prepare their own adequate meals, and allows individuals to remain in their own homes longer, without the trauma and significant cost of nursing home care.
October: Neighbors in Need. This is one of four special offerings of the United Church of Christ. It supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States.
November: Good Neighbor Offering. Divided between Southeast Seniors and Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association , organizations with whom First Church has a longstanding partnership.
December: The December offering is split between two organizations: UCC Christmas Fund, one of four UCC Special Offerings provides emergency grants, supplementation of annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to lower-income retirees. Friends of San Lucas supports development in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala through programs that impact the lives of more than 25,000 people each year.