Mission Ministries

At First Presbyterian Church, our primary example for Christian mission in the world is Christ himself. As his followers we seek to make the world a better place by sharing God's compassion for all people through acts of witness and service.

GV-CR-08-1 163.jpg OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THROUGH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Happy Learners Preschool - A pre-school program for low-income children that meets at our church. We pay the teacher and assistant and provide volunteer helpers. Three year-olds meet in the morning, four year-old in the afternoon. The cost is determined on a sliding scale based on household income and number of children you inroll. Classes begin in September with an orientation time. If you shop at Albertsons, stop by the church office to pick up a “community card” so that a percentage of your spending will be donated to Happy Learners.

Quilters - We help provide materials for this dedicated group of our own church members who make and donate quilts to a number of agencies in our gautier carpet removal in churchp1010091.jpg community.

Friends of Jesus Neighborhood Outreach Program

Presbyterian Peacemaking Program (year 'round)

Anti-Hunger Action, including

Presbyterian Hunger Program

Bread for the World (Interfaith anti-hunger lobby)

Local Food Banks

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY OF BEND & CENTRAL OREGON

Family Kitchen - Our church works ecumenically with other local churches to provide a free meal for up to 100 people three times a week at Trinity Episcopal Church. The third Thursday of each month is our responsibility; cooks, Jell-O makers and servers are always needed.

Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers - A coordinating agency that trains and supports volunteers from local churches who provide support for members of the community.

CROP Walk for the Hungry (combating local & global hunger)

COBRA and Grandma's House - Central Oregon Battering and Rape Alliance provides shelter and support for abused women, and Grandma's House provides a temporary home for pregnant teen-agers.

Habitat for Humanity
Our church was instrumental in starting Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, and in addition to providing a Regional Director, several board members and FPC car wash 006.jpg volunteers, we provide support to both Bend Area affiliate and the Newberry (LaPine and Sunriver) affiliate.

EMO and IMCO - Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Interfaith Ministries of Central Oregon are ecumenical and interfaith associations to which we relate; they provide a way for us to cooperate with other churches across denominational lines. Our pastors have served on the boards of both organizations.

Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Warm Springs Presbyterian Church - A neighboring Native American Church which our presbytery considers a mission church. We have provided monetary gifts as well as work parties.

Bethlehem Inn - First Presbyterian was one of the initiating churches of this shelter for the homeless that used to rotate from church to church. The Inn has secured a 72-bed facility owned by Deschutes County that is now open 24 hours per day, year-round. First Presbyterian has provided hosts and meals for the of week November 6-19 and is now looking for volunteers for January 1-14. Look for a place to sign up at the display in the Commons.

guatemala07-album 238.jpg OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT GLOBAL MISSION

Adult Mission Teams (Guatemala, Cuba, Middle East)

Mission Partnership Giving (Presbytery of the Cascades and Presbyterian Church, USA) and Extra Commitment Opportunity giving

Special PCUSA Offerings (One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Offering, Peacemaking Offering)

Theological Education Fund (supports Presbyterian seminaries)

Joining Hands Against Hunger, a Presbyterian Hunger Program that our recent missionaries, Bob and Julie Dunsmore, will be working with in Bolivia. We have recently designated $1850 to this program. http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2004d/112604/112604a.php and http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger/

THE JOY OF SHARING

Here are some of the local mission activities supported by First Presbyterian Church.

Bread for the World - We are a Covenant Church of Bread for the World which is a national Christian lobby dedicated to alleviating hunger by mobilizing its members to work for public policies that benefit poor and hungry people.

Local Food Banks - We cooperate with local agencies in meeting the needs of poor and hungry people in our community.