Outreach and Social Justice
Together as an Open and Affirming community of faith and through our good works, the Old Sloop church helps homeless families, works with asylum seekers, and focuses on issues of immigration. We help support, educate, and take an active role in LGBTQ issues throughout the world. Locally, we participate in walks and parades organized by North Shore Pride. The Old Sloop helped to establish and continues to support Cape Ann’s Open Door, which operates food pantries and other food delivery services in the area. On Wednesday evenings we hold community potluck suppers where good food and fellowship are on the menu. In 2009 representatives of our church met with other North Shore faith groups to discuss homelessness in the area. These meetings led to the creation of Family Promise North Shore Boston. As a host church for Family Promise we provide a week’s housing and meals for up to four families four times a year.
For more information on what we believe and our mission we urge you to visit: United Church of Christ and the Southern New England Conference of the UCC.
Social Justice
Here at the Old Sloop we actively support the historic role of the United Church of Christ in working for social justice throughout the country. On May 20, 2007, our congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming church. We welcome all who wish to join in our celebration of faith.
If you are interested in helping with our Outreach or Social Justice programs, please contact us.
In the summer of 2020 our Outreach Committee helped to organize a rally and vigil on the front lawn of the church in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. These events were held in conjunction with local interfaith clergy and the Rockport Police Department to raise awareness of racial injustice and police brutality across the country.
Through our giving we help to support the following agencies:
Action, Inc.
www.actioninc.org
Beverly Bootstraps
www.beverlybootstraps.org
Big Brother, Big Sister Foundation
www.bbbsfoundation.org
Church World Service
www.cwsglobal.org
City Mission Society
www.cmsboston.org
Family Promise North Shore Boston
www.familypromisensb.org
Grace Center
www.lifebridgenorthshore.org/locations/grace-center/
Healing Abuse, Working for Change
www.hawcdv.org
Heifer International
www.heifer.org
Lifebridge
www.lifebridgenorthshore.org
Mass Coalition for the Homeless
www.mahomeless.org
Mass Council of Churches
www.masscouncilofchurches.org
North Shore Health Project
www.healthproject.org
Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry
www.foodpantry.org
Refugee Immigration Ministry
www.r-i-m.net
United Church of Christ
www.ucc.org
Wellspring House
www.wellspringhouse.org
Community Suppers
As part of our faith mission, we serve potluck suppers every Wednesday night for anyone who wants or needs a meal. Bringing a dish is optional. All ages are welcome to share food and fellowship around our communal tables. Please join us for good food and laughter after pandemic restrictions have been lifted and the weekly meals have resumed.
