Our Ministry Partners

DAYS Long Beach

DAYS Long Beach has served low-income, under-served families in Long Beach, California, for 50 years. In 1970 Dorothy Baker started a summer day camp program at First Congregational Church for low-income children. The former church ministry is now  an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) which continues to serve children in the neighorhood and their families.

DAYS Long Beach supports achievement by providing children and families with opportunities to develop skills, apply concepts they have learned, and build positive relationships.

DAYS Long Beach provides services in three key areas: Youth Education and Support; Leadership and Academic Success; and Parent and Family Support.  Through a holistic approach to helping youth and families of Long Beach, DAYS Long Beach provides the needed support to build future success for our members of our community.

Urban Community Outreach

On the Sunday after Christmas 2006, First Church member Janet Rhodes, with support from the Rev. Jerry Stinson (now Senior Minister Emeritus) and other members of FCCLB, opened the church campus to those experiencing homelessness and offered cold cereal, sandwiches and a safe place off the streets where guests could relax, socialize and use the computer lab.   These simple acts of kindness were the genesis for Urban Community Outreach’s drop-in center, and in 2008 UCO officially incorporated as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

A nurse and her team of volunteer nurses provide monthly wellness screenings. A doctor and her team of college students make monthly visits to the center and provide private consultations to drop-in center guests. Case managers help clients apply for government ID cards and provide referrals and funds for shelter/housing and other services. The drop-in center has an operations manager, a chef, and an army of volunteers to prepare hot meals using primarily rescued food for 130 to 250 guests every Sunday afternoon (except in July).  In 2019, the center provided over 17,000 meals.

Organizations Housed at First Church

Un Mundo de Amigos Preschool

Owned and operated by EDUCATE, a 501c3, Un Mundo de Amigos Preschool offers free and fee-for-service preschool education living in the City of Long Beach. Their mission is to develop active thinkers in a safe, loving, dual- language, and balanced learning environment that inspires children of diverse backgrounds to fulfill their unlimited potential, while changing the shape and availability of preschool for children living in Long Beach, through a focused pre-k program and partnerships with parents and community members.

Musica Angelica

The church is proud to announce the growing partnership with FCCLB and Musica Angelica. They have performed here several times over the past couple of years and have scheduled four more shows over the next year. Below is more information about Musica Angelica:

Musica Angelica is a distinguished Baroque orchestra based in Long Beach, California, renowned for its historically informed performances using period instruments. Founded in 1992 by lutenist Michael Eagan and gambist Mark Chatfield, the ensemble has been under the artistic direction of Austrian conductor Martin Haselböck since 2005. Musica Angelica’s repertoire spans from well-known masterpieces by composers like Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi to lesser-known works from the Baroque and early Classical periods. The orchestra has garnered international acclaim through collaborations with esteemed institutions and artists, as well as through its innovative productions that blend traditional Baroque music with contemporary elements.

Beyond its performances, Musica Angelica is deeply committed to education and community engagement. The orchestra partners with the Long Beach Unified School District and California State University, Long Beach, to provide educational outreach programs that introduce students to Baroque music and period instruments. These initiatives include school visits, masterclasses, and complimentary concert tickets for students and their families. Additionally, Musica Angelica offers free community concerts at local libraries, making classical music accessible to a broader audience and fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form.

Musica Angelica continues to enrich Southern California’s cultural landscape with its dedication to artistic excellence and community involvement. Through its performances, educational programs, and outreach efforts, the orchestra not only preserves the rich heritage of Baroque music but also inspires new generations to explore and appreciate this timeless genre.

If you would like to learn more about Musica Angelica, please check out their website here: https://www.musicaangelica.org/