Pumpkin Patch
For the past 20 years, First Christian Church has sponsored a Pumpkin Patch during the month of October. This is a fund-raising project where profits are donated to various charitable community groups. Over the 19 years, approximately $50,00 has been donated.
This past year, we donated $840 checks to four community agencies. These agencies were: The Shawnee Rescue Mission, Jim Thorpe Academy, The Volunteer Medical Center, and Youth and Family Resources (Hope House).
This project requires a tremendous effort on the part of our church family and friends, but the benefit to many of these agencies just before Thanksgiving and Christmas has been a much appreciated benefit to our community.
Ground Hog Dinner
We hosted our 24th Annual Community Ground Hog Dinner on Tuesday, February 2. This year’s dinner was co-chaired by Mary Ann Luman and Gaye Shepherd.
Over the past twenty-three years we have raised approximately $50,000 which has helped various community agencies. This year the profits from our Ground Hog Dinner were shared with: One Safe Place of the Family Justice Center, Salvation Army Boys-Girls Club, and Project Safe. Each agency received $1,200.
This is an annual event and will be held on Ground Hog Day in 2017.
The menu will remain the same with fresh ground pork patties ground hog, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, rolls, pie, and drink. The meal will be served in Fellowship Hall with two serving times. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Dinner service will begin at 4 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for everyone to become involved in one of our great outreach programs. Help will be needed for: publicity, ticket sales, set-up, cooking, serving, and clean-up. Members and friends who are able, are also asked to provide pies for the dinner.
Faith 7 Basketball Breakfast
Every year (except one) of the more than 50 year history of the Faith 7 Basketball Game between Oklahoma and Texas All-Star high school players our church has provided breakfast for both teams on game day.
The meal has varied little over those years with eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, cereal, fresh fruit, and plenty of milk, orange juice, and apple juice.
For the past 21 years, the coaches and player who participate in the game sign a new basketball each year which is then displayed in the church’s historical area. Each year the basketballs from previous years are brought out for the current players to see the signatures of those who have played in the past. Many of the high school athletes who have played in the game went on to outstanding college careers and many became stars in the NBA.
Providing Space for Outside Groups
First Christian Church has a long history of providing space for non-profit groups to have a place to meet.
Overeater’s Anonymous
Overeater’s Anonymous currently meets at the church on Monday’s and Thursday’s at 11 a.m. The group follows the 12-Step program much like Alcoholics Anonymous and is open to anyone who wishes to lose weight and overcome an addition to overeating.
Sine Nominee Community Choir
The Sine Nominee Community Choir holds rehearsals in our Fellowship Hall each Monday evening beginning at 7 p.m. The choir involves singers from throughout the local area and perform two concerts each year.
Boomer Bridge
The Boomer Bridge Club meets in our Fellowship Hall each Wednesday from noon until 5 p.m. This is a contract bridge club which reports results to the national organization for determining rankings. While most players are experienced players, the group does welcome beginners and less-experienced players who wish to improve their games.
Square 8’s Dance Lessons
Periodically, the Square 8’s square dance club schedules dance lessons on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The lessons are normally held in the spring and begin at 7 p.m.
ONE SAFE PLACE OF THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
In 2015 we opened our church for a new community agency that battles child and sexual abuse. It is based on a successful program out of San Dago, CA. We are currently providing four offices for the start-up efforts to establish a location which provides comprehensive services to those who are abused. The center will include law enforcement officers that investigate abuse cases, assistant district attorneys who prosecute abuse cases, forensic interviewers, and examination facilities for collecting and protecting evidence. A fund-raising effort is underway for construction of a stand-alone facility that will also provide protective housing and other services.
Others
This is not new to First Christian Church as over the past 60 years our church has evolved into a church of community service. Dozens of groups and causes have been served by the congregation. A partial list of these would include: SPAR, Camp Fire Youth, The Red Cross Blood Bank, Alcoholics Anonymous, Emergency Food Bank, the Grief Group, Faith Seven School, Project Safe, Emotions Anonymous, and Senior Fellowship, among others.