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Pastor Jessilou Vaccarelli
Mail: PO Box 152 North Greece, NY 14515
Current Missions
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These are missions we currently support. See below for different ways you can help or contact us to volunteer or help with us with one of our Missions.
Local Missions:
Grace House – Father’s Day Offering: Click here to Donate
What: Grace House has 5 transitional homes in the City of Rochester with 44 beds for people who have been recently released from incarceration and have no means of support. They provide food, clothing, hygiene products, medical linkages that provide all medical needs including mental health and prescriptions.
Who It Helps: Men transitioning after incarceration.
When: Father's Day
Coffee Connection - The coffee used at Parma Greece UCC is purchased from the Coffee Connection in Rochester. The Coffee Connection provides employment training and job creation for women in recovery from addiction and as a not-for-profit business sells fair trade, organic coffee to retail and wholesale customers. In partnership with Project Empower, they provide comprehensive, continuous support for women on their journey toward sustainable recovery.
What: We purchase the coffee used at church from the Coffee Connection in Rochester
Who It Helps: The Coffee Connection empowers women on their journey to sustainable recovery from addiction. We create jobs and train women for sustainable employment as a not-for-profit business selling fair trade, organically-grown, and sustainably-farmed coffee to retail and wholesale customers
When: Coffee Connection provides services year round
Hilton Clothing Closet – Collected clothing throughout the year and participated in "Undy Sunday" to address that specific need. Please check their page for items they are currently in need of and their hours.
What: Provides free clothing
Who It Helps: People in the Rochester area (no residency requirements)
When: Clothing gathered throughout the year; Closet open varying hours
Hilton CROP Walk – Canceled due to the pandemic.
What: Annual Church World Service walk to benefit hunger; Sponsored locally by the Hilton Parma Community Council of Churches; Congregation participates in the annual walk
Who It Helps: Funds raised help fight food insecurity worldwide, 25% of all funds raised go to the Hilton-Parma Emergency Foodshelf
When: Usually in the First Sunday in May
Hilton-Parma Emergency Food Shelf ​- Our congregation supports this effort by contributing food and monetary donations throughout the year. Please check their page for items they are currently in need of and their hours.
What: Congregation donations of food throughout the year; Food pantry part of the Hilton Parma Community Council of Churches; Located in the Hilton Community Center; also sponsors the Annual Thanksgiving Basket Program
Who It Helps: those struggle with food insecurity in the Hilton School District
When: Provides services year round
Hilton Parma Community Council of Churches - PGUCC provided food and gifts for Christmas Baskets to help families have a blessed and happy Christmas.
What: Non for Profit umbrella organization of Hilton Parma Emergency Food Shelf, Hilton Helps, and Clothing Closet
Who It Helps: Those struggling with Food Insecurity in the Hilton School District (Hilton Emergency Foodshelf); Those in the area who need help getting clothing, also sponsors the Annual Christmas Basket Program
When: Services provided throughout the year; Christmas baskets at Christmas time
Lenten Offering Boxes
Although our Lenten mission was interrupted by the closings, we did collect $118.26 from the Lenten Coin boxes. These contributions were designated for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.
What: Free will offering collected during Lent
Who It Helps: Folks in need in our congregation
When: year-round
Linus Project
The handmade blankets that were collected throughout the year were donated to the Linus Project in June and were then given to area children who were in need of comfort, security, and a warm blanket hug.
What: Blankets donated by the congregation
Who It Helps: Children in area hospitals
When: Year Round
Salem Nutrition Center- Prior to the COVID pandemic, our volunteers served lunch to the guests at Salem on the 2nd and 5th Mondays each month. We donated some of the clothing and goods for the clothing distribution on the 5th Monday of the month.
What: Congregation has provided financial support and food donations; In December, we collected men’s socks for Christmas Gifts
Who It Helps: Homeless folks in Rochester
When: Donations throughout the year; members of the congregation also volunteer at the Center every second and fifth Monday(Pre-Covid)
Thanksgiving Baskets - Our donations filled three baskets given out to families in Greece. We also donated food to the Hilton Emergency Foodshelf.
What: Sponsor Thanksgiving holiday food baskets
Who It Helps: Food insecure in Greece and Hilton
When: Thanksgiving
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Community Ink Cartridge Recycling
What: Printer cartridges, cell phones, PDAs, or portable electronics (Collection bin in church office)
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Who it Helps: Proceeds go to PGUCC general fund
When: Ongoing collection
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Glasses, Contact, and Hearing Aid Donations
What: Glasses, Contact, and Hearing Aid Donations. Given to the Hilton Lions Club (Collection bin in Missions Room)
Who it Helps: Recycled items are distributed to people in need in low and middle-income communities where they will have the greatest impact
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When: Ongoing collection
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Box Tops for Education
What: (Collection bin in Missions Room or download the app)
Who it Helps: Distributed to local schools to purchase supplies that teachers and students need
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When: Ongoing collection
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Cans and Bottle Returns
What: Cans and Bottles with redemption to 5 Cents Fast in Hilton and mention Parma Greece UCC.
Who it Helps: Proceeds go to PGUCC Pastor Discretionary Fund
When: Ongoing collection
Wider Church Missions:
New York Christian Conference - Each year a small group of representatives from area churches meet. This year we received $455.95 for attending this gathering. These funds went to the Coalition for Migrant Workers.
What: Financial donation to the coalition
Who It Helps: Area migrant workers
When: Fall of each year
Pennies for People - Any church that collects "Pennies for People" can nominate deserving organizations to get funding grants. These grants are for non-profits that do not receive government grants and may "fall through the cracks" as far as funding is concerned.
What: Congregation donates pennies; UCCNY Conference Fund
Who It Helps: Non-profit are selected each year; nominated by the Association
When: Year round
5-for-5 Congregation - Parma Greece UCC is proud to be a longtime 5 For 5 Congregation. Of the over 4,900 churches in the UCC, about 33% (in 2018) are "5 for 5" churches.
What: One Great Hour of Sharing, part of Our Church’s Wider Mission, is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water, food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons, and emergency relief and rehabilitation. One Great Hour of Sharing also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Who It Helps: This is one of the special offering that the congregation contributes to each year
When: March each year. Click here to Donate
What: Invests in the vision of the United Church of Christ.
Who It Helps: Existing churches, new church starts, programs for youth and young adults
When: Offering June Click here to Donate
What: Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.
Who It Helps: In 2021, Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities.
When: Fall Click here to Donate
What: The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years,
Who It Helps: Provides emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.
When: Christmas Eve. Click here to Donate
5. Our Church’s Wider Mission
What: Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) funds the work the UCC does in its Associations and Conferences, and in the national and global church.
Who It Helps: OCWM funds are invested in programs, resources, and tools needed to keep local UCC churches strong, effective, and growing.
When: Year Round. Click here to Donate