Community Outreach Ministry
At BUCC, we believe that the heart of Christianity is about loving others and doing good in the world. We are passionate about helping those experiencing housing and food insecurity, and helping families in need . We care about protecting the environment. As ways of sharing our gifts with each other, our neighbors and the world, we participate in the following community service and outreach projects.
Back to School Supply Drive
๐ BUCC School Supply Drive โ๏ธ
Help us ensure local students begin the school year with the tools they need to learn and succeed!
Collection Dates: July 5 – August 16
We are collecting:
๐ Sturdy backpacks
๐ Composition books
๐ Binders & dividers
๐ Index cards
โ๏ธ Erasers
๐ Pencil boxes or pouches
๐๏ธ Bottles of school glue
๐คง Boxes of tissues
๐งด Clorox wipes
๐ Hand sanitizer
๐๏ธ Fine-point Expo markers
Don't have time to shop? Monetary donations are also welcome! We'll use your gift to purchase the supplies that are needed most. When using Venmo just enter "Linkages to Learning" and the amount.
Every donation, whether it's school supplies or a financial contribution, helps students and teachers start the new school year prepared and ready to learn. Thank you for supporting our community and sharing God's love in action.
Donations may be dropped off at Bethesda United Church of Christ during the collection period.
Helping Unhoused Neighbors
For one week each year, BUCC provides all the meals and kitchen supplies for the residents at the Interfaith Works New Leaf Shelter in Rockville. In addition to “Shelter Week”, BUCC provides Sunday dinners for shelter residents several other times during the year. BUCC provides financial support to Bethesda Cares, a nonprofit organization which assists unhoused persons in the Bethesda area.
Rebuilding Together
On multiple Saturdays each spring, BUCC partners with other congregations to do gardening, painting, and general home repairs to make homes safer and healthier, more energy efficient, and more accessible for low-income, elderly, disabled, and otherwise disadvantaged homeowners.
Thanksgiving
BUCC, through a collection of donations from our members, annually provides Thanksgiving Dinner for families in need who are served by Linkages to Learning Social Workers at a local elementary school
Mitten Tree
Every December, BUCC covers a Christmas tree with gloves, hats, scarves, and other warm apparel for elementary school aged children. These are delivered to a local Elementary School served by Linkages to Learning Social Workers.
Christmas Toys and Gifts
Toys and presents are collected annually each December for children and youths served by the National Center for Children and Families, a nonprofit located near BUCC which serves foster children as well as families experiencing homelessness.
Advocacy Resources
Members are invited to respond to timely social justice concerns through various forms such as signing petitions and contacting our local representatives. Prior examples are healthcare issues, marriage equality in Maryland, the Dream Act, Black Lives Matter, gun violence, and support for a name change for the Washington football team. We keep people informed about advocacy resources available through the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries.
