Settegast Heights Village       

Settegast Heights Village (SHV) is a low-income subsidized apartment village which helps needy families on their journeys from low income to moderate income. FCC  in the 60's saw the need for this type of facility and sponsored it.  Tom Greacen, the architect for our church, and Gary Long, a member of FCC and an architecture professor at Rice U. designed it, the first air conditioned low income housing property in Houston. Each home was made to look a little different to give individuality for the families living there. Now it is rated high as a sterling example of what  HUD housing projects should be.

 It is kept clean; the yards look good; the people decorate their doors at Christmas, and people take pride in living there.  When asked if they would like to go somewhere else, the say a definite no.  Rules are enforced and no drugs are tolerated. 

SHV has a learning center which provides classes in computer, tutoring, after school opportunities for school age children, recreational events including basketball tournaments, domino tournaments.  It has counseling and preparation for job interviews, job training and referral, mandatory parental involvement for families with children from ages 13 to 17.  For cross generational fun, it provides seasonal special events at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. 

Sister UCC churches across the city cooperate in helping provide much of this, and FCC is at the top of the list in its effort. We have a history of board members who have served there, and currently Sue Earl  is on the board and Bill Fairchild is board member emeritus.  The Earl family has been heavily involved in computerizing the list of hundreds of children to whom we have provided Christmas presents.  The company who oversees all the operations off SHV is headed by the very able and dedicated Josh Allen.

Memorial Assistance Ministries

Our ministry to the needy on the west side of Houston is Memorial Assistance Ministries. MAM is supported by 28 churches in the Spring Branch/Memorial area. Its Emergency Services Office provides help and referrals by volunteer counselors to those facing eviction, utility termination, and/or persons who need help securing health care, clothes, food, and assistance in finding job training and/or job opportunities. MAM’s resale shop raises money to finance its services and programs.

ESL adult classes need teachers - no foreign language needed. Language is a rewarding ministry and volunteers make a difference in their student's lives by opening up a future for them.

Classes: September through May on a school calendar.

For additional information, call Wendell Zumwalt, ESL Volunteer - 713-464-1724 or Peggy Croke, MAM Volunteer Coordinator - 713-574-7540.

Westside Homeless Partnership

Westside Homeless Partnership (WHP) serves families with children within the Spring Branch I.S.D. who are homeless or who are facing eviction. These families are stabilized through a housing program with assistance for rent and utilities for a limited period. The children are encouraged to stay in school for the remainder of the calendar year. During this time, the assisted parent(s), WHP staff and volunteers work toward a self-sufficiency program (including job training and placement). This program is designed to empower families with children within the Spring Branch Independent School District area to achieve self-sufficiency and permanent housing through personal effort, education, and growth. They have an 80% success rate. Ten percent of these clients also become homeowners!

FCC members Dianne Bub and Barbara Woodard (deceased) founded WHP.

Financial support is needed to ensure the success of this program.  There is a need for donated items, such as household furniture, house-wares, and clothing.  Many of these people start out as truly homeless and have NOTHING.  They also have a need for volunteers, either in the office, mentoring or simply picking up donated furniture and delivering it to a client.

Gateway Academy 

Gateway is a specialized, non-profit private high school located in Houston that facilitates and encourages adolescents who have learning differences to reach their highest academic potential and to prepare for a successful future.  The Mission Board is proud to support Gateway Academy.  Gateway opened in 2006 with a goal to provide a safe environment where adolescents can fully develop.  Gateway focuses on mastery of academic skills and has a dedicated staff that uses the latest research and technology to customize curriculum to meet each student's needs.  As tuition covers only 80% of the school's operating costs, Gateway looks to the community to help with the remaining 20%.  FCC is proud to help Gateway reach this goal, and thus continue to provide this unique and critical tool for success to teens in our community with learning differences. In 2009, FCC purchased an interactive smart board for Gateway's students.

Eden Home

FCC endeavors to support a broad spectrum of mission activities, and Eden Home (EH) is our mission to the elderly. Located just north of New Braunfels, Texas, on a beautiful wooded hilltop, Eden Home provides many activities for the residents – crafts, current events discussions, group games, Bible study, a choir, a library, and more. It provides different levels of care. Entertainment often includes our church young people from Slumber Falls Camp nearby, another FCC mission project.

United Campus Ministries

Our church has long been a key supporter of this ministry to the students, faculty and staff of universities in Houston. UCM is supported solely by the UCC, the Presbyterian churches, and the Disciples of Christ (the Christian church). It provides bible study, fellowship, and counseling at the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the Medical Center, and Houston Community College. FCC members are active in the programs at the Main Campus of HCC and at Rice University and have been managing the programs at these campuses for several years.

The ministry to TSU was established by a two-year grant in 2006 with hopes that permanent funding would be found to support an on-going ministry. The Rev. Winford R. Flakes was hired and has proven to be a pure gift from God. His ministry to a student body in crisis has been a blessing for all of us involved with college students. He is paid an annual salary of $6,000 to work two days a week each semester, counseling, advising, advocating and befriending students at this embattled school.

For additional information and to make a donation, contact Rev. Guinn Blackwell-Eagleson at 713-743-5940 or the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, The University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204

Back Bay Mission

Special Offerings

Each Year, the church supports special offerings:

One Great Hour of Sharing, World Wide Communion, Neighbors in Need, and The Christmas Fund.