Social Justice & Outreach

“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God” (from Micah 6:8)

Forest Hill believes actions speak louder than words, but sometimes music speaks even louder. This music video from PlayingforChange pretty much sums up our passion for social justice and outreach.

OUR MISSION PARTNERS

From our own Forest Hill neighborhood to the larger City of Cleveland Heights and even wider regional-wide missions, Forest Hill Church is actively involved in faith-based organizations such as:

  • Interfaith Hospitality Network
  • NOAH (Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope)
  • The Covenant Network
  • We Believe Ohio
  • Boulevard School Tutoring Program
  • The Home Repair Resource Center

Read about the organizations we partner with to further justice, peace, and love in the world around us.

BENEVOLENCES

Forest Hill Church gives generously of its time, talent, and money. Read about the organizations currently receiving support from our congregation here. To learn more about these organizations, contact a member of the Ministry of Justice & Mission. We welcome anyone who wants to put their faith into action and become involved at any level.

MISSION NEWS

The Big Give

Following the example in Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, the congregation of Forest Hill Church embarked on a mission to double their “talents” and return them to God for mission and service. On Sunday, March 29th, each worshiper received $50 and was asked to return it on Sunday, May 31st, along with anything they earned with it. Read more about The Big Give here.

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Sherrod Brown and NOAH at Forest Hill ~ April 17, 2009

NOAH hosted a meeting at Forest Hill Church with Senator Sherrod Brown regarding national Healthcare reform. In addition to Senator Brown and an  audience of over 400, representatives from other Gamaliel Affiliates, union partners, and other healthcare reform advocacy groups participated. Community testimonies from clergy and people affected by the healthcare crisis were heard along with remarks by Senator Brown and other leaders. Read Plain Dealer article.   View Health Care Forum Video footage.

THE CHURCH’S BROADER MISSION

Forest Hill Church reaches beyond our walls, our city, even our country, by supporting individual members’ mission work and The Presbyterian Church (USA).

One Great Hour of Sharing

Since 1949, Presbyterians and other Christians have taken a Lenten One Great Hour of Sharing offering to minister to the needs of the less fortunate, as Jesus calls us to do. This year’s offering supports three programs of our denomination:

  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to aid victims of conflict and natural disasters in places like Gaza and New Orleans
  • Presbyterian Hunger Program to help with direct food relief as well as long-term development assistance in the U.S. and overseas.
  • Self-Development of People to make grants to the poor to create grass-roots community organizations and small-scale enterprises.

A portion of One Great Hour of Sharing offerings received here returns for projects in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve — for a Hunger Action Enabler working with local churches, or grants approved by our local Self-Development committee to groups as close by as the Council Gardens Tenant Association on N. Taylor Road for a cooperative fruit and vegetable gardening project. The need is great, especially this year. When the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is received on Easter Sunday each year, please give generously!

Mid-East Crisis ~ Presbyterian Disaster Relief

The current crisis in Gaza requires massive amounts of humanitarian aid. In many areas there is no safe shelter, medical care, food, water or electricity. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is making aid available. Here is what you can do:

  • GIVE - write a check to the PC(USA) and designate your gift with “DR000081-Middle East.” Place your check in the offering plate or in Becky Austin’s mail box at church and we will forward it to the PC(USA)
  • PRAY - for peace and reconciliation
  • STAY INFORMED - We will send periodic PC(USA) updates: watch your email

For more information:  www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09021
http://www.pcusa.org/pda/resources/gaza_bulletin_bw.pdf