[Local Mission] - [Regional Mission] - [World Mission]

Outreach

Local Mission

First Presbyterian Church has a strong commitment to share God’s love with the community around us. We do this in a number of ways:

Friendship Table

For over ten years, First Presbyterian Church has provided a good, hot meal for anyone in the community who needs one. This ministry, which is run by volunteers of the church, feeds over 75 people every week. The meal takes place in our Fellowship Hall at 6:00 on Tuesdays. Working with Friendship Table is a rewarding way to have fellowship with other church members while serving those in need. Our volunteers cook, serve the meal, clean up, and provide transportation. If you would like to be part of this worthwhile ministry, please call Dawn Mayes in the church office.

Through our Community Ministries Committee, we provide financial resources for a number of community ministries. The committee also provides support for these ministries through special projects, such as food or clothing drives. If you would like to live out your faith through ministry in the community, please prayerfully consider one of the options below.

Good Neighbor House

The Good Neighbor House is a Christian ministry to the homeless in our community. It provides a place to stay and a new start for individuals and families. Volunteer opportunities include providing meals, driving guests to doctor’s appointments, making birthday party kits for children or adults celebrating birthdays while they are at the shelter, financial support, prayer.

Contact: Marina Robertson, Director, 770-607-0610

Advocates for Bartow’s Children

Advocates for Bartow’s Children provides many services to kids in need in our community, including operating the Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter. The mission of Flowering Branch Shelter is to provide a safe haven, counseling, and family treatment for abused, homeless, or runaway children and youth. Volunteers are needed to work with Jacob’s Ladder, a mentoring program at the shelter. You may also donate supplies or funding. Contact: Patty Eager or Terry Ramey, 770-387-1143.

Tranquility House

Tranquility House is a safe refuge for abused women and their children. They need donations of clothing, personal products, and other supplies. Contact: 770-386-8779.

Habitat for Humanity

First Presbyterian Church has funded and built three houses for Habitat for Humanity in Bartow County. Habitat always needs volunteers to help with construction and other aspects of their work in providing homes for deserving families. Contact: Robin Hooker, 770-382-6293

The Mission and Witness Committee of First Presbyterian Church works to connect our church family with people in need around the world. The committee has planned three adult mission trips in recent years. In the summer of 2006, a team of FPC members went to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi to do hurricane relief work. We anticipate continuing to send teams in the future, as the re-building in that area will go on for years to come.

In 2004 and 2003, FPC sent mission teams to Juarez, Mexico, to work with Presbyterian Border Ministries. We provide support for our church members, Todd and Tricia Reinschmidt (along with their daughter, Katelyn), who are PCUSA missionaries with Presbyterian Border Ministries at Pasos de Fe in Juarez and El Paso. You can learn more about their work at www.pasosdefe.net.

REGIONAL MISSION

The Mission Committee responds to disasters and other special needs, such as leading the church to assemble and send hurricane relief kits. It also involves the congregation in supporting things like Presbyterian Answer to Hunger and Presbyterian Homes of Georgia.

Our church’s Alternative Christmas Market is sponsored by this committee the first weekend of each December. At the market, people in the church and community have the opportunity to purchase beautiful hand-made gifts from around the world, with the proceeds going back to the craftspeople in their native countries. People can also give a gift in honor of someone through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or Heifer International.

If you would like to be part of the Mission and Witness Committee, or would like to be involved in any of its ministries, please contact Dawn Mayes.