Mission and Ministries
Cambridge Outdoor Church
On the 3rd Sunday of each month, volunteers from Harvard-Epworth prepare and distribute sandwiches to persons in Cambridge who are homeless. Volunteers (individuals or groups) from the church are invited to provide sandwiches as well as to distribute them. There is also an opportunity to provide and/or distribute sandwiches every 3rd Saturday of the month. A sign-up sheet can be found in the entrance hall of the church building for those interested in being a part of this vital ministry. For more information go to https://theoutdoorchurch.org
Friday Cafe
Our church is actively involved in the homeless ministry of the Friday Cafe. The Friday Café is a welcoming space where homeless and housed neighbors can gather and get to know each other. It offers food and coffee, rest and resources to people living on the margins – but most importantly it offers community. At the Friday Café, people experiencing a wide variety of life circumstances can relax, share a meal and talk together as friends. This takes place at First Church UCC right across Cambridge Common from Harvard-Epworth. From now on, during this time of COVID, to minimize face-to-face participation by volunteers, Friday Cafe will be shifting to a bag-lunch format, offering lunches provided by caring neighbors like you! For more information go to https://www.thefriday.cafe
The Harvard Square Meals program began in 1982 as an ecumenical ministry of ten churches in Harvard Square. It continues to serve a nutritious, sit-down dinner every Thursday at Christ Church, Zero Garden Street to over 100 needy people. We invite you to volunteer with us on a Thursday: food preparation starts at 2:00 P.M. and dinner is served at 6:00 P.M. For more information, contact the church office.
Multiple times a year our church forms groups who will go on hands-on mission/outreach trips in the Boston area, around New England and even farther away. These may be day trips, overnight excursions, or week long projects. We go not just to help others, but to help ourselves and to share in the joy of service together. The locations and length of these trips are determined each year.
Each Wednesday morning, some of the Harvard-Epworth congregation gather by phone for meditation and prayer. This gathering is a wonderful way to begin the day and to hold the concerns of our congregation in prayer. The meditation and prayer begins at 7:45 A.M. and concludes at 8:00 A.M. All are invited and welcome to join in this mid-week gathering. People dial-in from bed, from the breakfast table, and occasionally even from an office or out of town. You are free to state your prayer needs, or not to say anything at all but rather dial-in and listen. To join the call, dial: 712-432-1690, a voice will prompt you to enter code: 658031#