As we journey through Lent and approach Easter, we reflect on Christ’s life and ministry—how He walked among the suffering, healed the brokenhearted, uplifted the oppressed, and challenged the powers that be. Before He went to the cross, Jesus showed us how to live.

This Easter season, we invite you to embody Christ’s mission by supporting organizations that bring healing, justice, and renewal to our community. Your generosity will make a direct impact on families, youth, survivors of violence, and the preservation of our sacred musical traditions.


Black Men Heal:
Just as Jesus healed the sick and restored the broken, Black Men Heal—a Germantown-based organization—provides mental health services to communities affected by gun violence and generational trauma. They work to destigmatize therapy and empower individuals through individual and group counseling. Their *Gun Violence Grief & Trauma* program gives middle school students a safe space to process their pain and, in time, become mental health change agents themselves.

EMIR (Every Murder Is Real) Healing Center
Violence leaves deep wounds, but EMIR works to support families grieving the loss of loved ones to homicide—particularly young Black men. Their mission, like Christ’s, is to stand with the suffering, offering advocacy, counseling, support groups, court accompaniment, and wellness services. This year, through your giving, they will send 50 survivors to Harrisburg to demand action from legislators—calling for policies that reduce violence and support those left behind.

Family Promise of Philadelphia (FPP)
Formerly Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, FPP addresses family homelessness in Northwest Philadelphia and throughout the city by providing temporary shelter, direct aid, and a variety of other supportive services, including intensive case management. FUMCOG helped found the organization in 1991 and has since been an active partner. In past years, federal contracts have provided significant funding for FPP’s shelter program, but uncertainty about that support makes your Easter offering more essential than ever.

Voices of Philadelphia:
Negro spirituals are more than music—they are a testament to faith, resilience, and God’s promise of liberation. Voices of Philadelphia, a newly formed community choir, seeks to uplift this sacred tradition. After blessing FUMCOG’s worship service with their powerful voices, they now hope to grow to 45–60 members and host a Juneteenth concert at FUMCOG, bringing the community together in celebration of the ongoing journey toward freedom and justice.

You may place your gift in the offering plate during worship, mail a check to the Church Office (memo: “Easter Offering for Community Needs”), or click HERE to give online. When giving online, enter your amount, and select “Easter Offering for Community Needs” under "Purpose of Gift" drop down. We are deeply grateful for your generosity.


— The Community Needs Committee