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, from working for world-wide peace to ending hunger in our own communities.

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 and other non-profit 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.

Fighting Hunger

Hunger Sundays, the FHC Food Cupboard, Grocery Certificates, and now our latest hunger initiative–Abundance Acres–an on-site vegetable garden to feed the hungry.

Providing Housing

Four times a year we open our church and our hearts to guests of the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Read more here.

Peacemaking

There are all kinds of ways to support peace–throughout the world and in our own homes and families. Learn about Forest Hill’s commitment to civility to all areas of life.

Sustainability

Going green is a major calling for churches and other religious groups. Biblically, we’re all called to be good stewards of God’s creation. Forest Hill has long recognized the importance of showing how the green movement is God’s way. Read about the decades-long program to increase sustainability at Forest Hill Church and throughout our region.

The Big Give

(Living out of Abundance, not Scarcity)

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.

Health Care Concerns

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

In April 2009 the Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope 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 Gamaliel affiliates, unions, and 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 3 Presbyterian programs:

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

A portion of local church One Great Hour of Sharing returns to 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 such as the Council Gardens Tenant Association on N. Taylor Road’s 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!