I Heard the Bells Before Christmas Day
Christmas cheer was spread by all the FPC folks who rang the Salvation Army bells during the Candlelight Walking Tour. Bill Acklin organized 10 shifts for this important ministry fundraiser. Thank you to Fred Abraham, the Acklins, Doug Bibee, the Boyer kids, the Carrington family, the Colins family, the Dickinson family, Jeff Kurtz, the Kraus family, and Bob Thornton.
Special Treats for Special Families in our Community
Our families with young children baked homemade goodies for young children in foster care. Village Network, an agency in Newark, provides support for families with foster children. For the agency’s annual Christmas party our families, the Carringtons, Chamberlains, Colins, Kesslers, Meenachs and Swishers baked home made cookies to bring delicious joy to the celebration. Thank you, families!
Hurricane Helene Adult Work Trip: Before and After
Picture One: A family of four children and FPC volunteer Wilson Foster on the adult work trip to Asheville, NC in July 2025.
Picture Two: The same family 6 months later, in their newly renovated and repaired home.
Hunger Network of Ohio: Advocacy in Advent
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at 12 p.m.
Join other FPC members and carpool to Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbus to learn how to advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves. Our friends in poverty can use our help amplifying their voices.
Participants will receive a policy briefing before heading to the Ohio Statehouse for legislative advocacy meetings, which will continue until 5 p.m. No experience is required; training will be provided.
Email Ellen at eclark@granpres.org if you are curious or interested.
Turkey Trot Devotions
Thanksgiving Thursday was a chilly morning. Many of us gathered in the sanctuary before the race to understand more fully the impact of this fundraiser for our community.
It Was a Lovely Thanksgiving
The Drop-In Center fed about 45 people on Thanksgiving Day. FPC provided the table décor, which brightened up not only the room, but people’s hearts.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The Salvation Army bells have begun ringing around our community. Would you like to be part of this hands-on ministry, helping raise money for our unsheltered neighbors? December 6 is the day; CVS Pharmacy is the place. We have 5 times available. The commitment is one hour. Are you available and interested? Please contact Ellen at eclark@granpres.org and thank you!
Thank You from Starting Strong!
Forty gift cards and festive Christmas treats were delivered to the offices of Starting Strong bright and early (just like Santa) this past Monday morning. The director’s eyes lit up as the packages were unpacked. Your gifts will make a young adult’s heart light up, too. Thank you for always caring, especially during this blessed season when caring is what it’s all about.
Planning to walk/run/stroll in the Turkey Trot this year to benefit the Food Pantry Network? If you are, please let Ellen know and come to our third annual FPC Turkey Trot Dedication before the race. We will meet in our sanctuary at 9 am. We will hear stories about our neighbors who use and benefit from the pantry. We will gain greater insight into the meaning of Thanksgiving and this particular fundraiser. Around 50 of us have gathered in the past two years, let's do it again! The food pantries need our support, as do the neighbors the pantries serve. SEE YOU THURSDAY MORNING at 9 am. We will be finished by 9:15 am, in time to join fellow walkers/runners/strollers.
I'm thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! This past weekend, we held our SSI Winter Clothing distribution event, and it was a huge success. We had over 50 students come by, and we were able to distribute a total of 145 items from the 179 clothing pieces that were generously donated.
After the event, we received even more requests from students who are in need of winter clothing. We're thinking of organizing it next semester in January since the temperatures are expected to drop even more. Thank you ALL!
Seven groups from within our church (i.e. Youth, Deacons, Session, Mission, etc.) have scheduled backpacking parties with the YMCA Healthy Backpack program. Justin Cowie, senior at GHS, met with church groups to inform and invite them to participate. He then coordinated all the "packing parties." This program feeds children identified by their schools as having food insecurities. Food is sent home with nearly 500 students, from 23 schools, every weekend. We are grateful to Justin, the people volunteering, and this important program in our community.
WARMING CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The chill is in the air as temperatures drop. We thank God for the Drop-In Center which provides warmth, food, safety and rest from 9:30 – 4:30 M-F. But, our unsheltered neighbors are in the elements the rest of the time, all through the night. When the temperature falls below 10 degrees the Warming Center opens. Volunteers are needed. Orientation is provided, and you could work shifts alongside other FPC members. If you would like to know more, please contact Greg Bossart or Ellen Clark (other members to talk to include the Apackis, Mark Atchison, Amy Dell, Nancy Price, and the Qualls). Let us know about your interest!
BLESSING BOX
Thank you to everyone who supports the Blessing Box at First Presbyterian, Newark. We receive cash donations from members, which is used by Melissa Mautz to buy needed items when we run low. The congregation continually donates items, and many members deliver these items every week. This ministry has been in operation over three years, consistently, intently, and generously. Thank you!
NOVEMBER 19 – MISSION FOCUSED WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY
Please join us at Wonderful Wednesday to hear updates on Fostering Further and Starting Strong. Yvonne Williams, the co-founder and beloved Executive Director retired. Come welcome and learn from the new Executive Director, Shelby Conley, who has picked up the mantle along with other staff new to the organization. FPC has supported and continues to support Starting Strong in many ways. Come, find out more about their future direction and how we can be involved.
On Tuesday, November 18, FPC is sponsoring an important event in our community. The event will build on the momentum of last month’s screening of Beyond the Bridge. We will look at Licking County’s potential risk for housing instability called Living on the Edge: Financial Stability in Licking County. We’ll look at the cost of living in Licking County and discuss where those costs may trend in the future and how that impacts the ability of local residents to pay for basic necessities. Local experts on housing, childcare, food access, and healthcare will be joining us for the conversation. Next week’s event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, located at 50 N. 2nd St., Newark, OH 43055, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. You do not need to have seen the movie to benefit from attending. Registration is free at https://www.unitedwaylc.org/events/.
The Drop-In Center is Getting Ready for Winter
Here is a list of items needed to keep our neighbors fed and warm in the coming months. You can drop these items off at church during work hours or leave on the table at the bottom of the sanctuary red staircases every Sunday. Thank You!!
Men’s Pants (jeans and sweatpants) Sizes 32, 34, 36
Men’s Socks
Men’s Underwear – Sizes M, L and XL
12 oz. paper coffee cups
12 oz. paper drink cups
12 oz. paper bowls
Lunch size sturdy paper plates
Forks
Napkins
Drink mixes
Lunchmeat
Breakfast cereal
Margarine
Canned veggies
Instant potatoes
Wonderful Wednesday – An Eye Opener
Greg Bossart and Donna Gibson, directors of the Community Drop-In Center gave us a powerful presentation about the center, its history, its growth, and the continual needs it faces daily, serving the unsheltered of our community. There is a FB page that we can visit to see what current items and volunteers are needed as the weather turns cold. (20+) Facebook
Everyone can do hands-on ministry, no matter the age or amount of time you have. Our young people learned about the center and made placemats for the upcoming Thanksgiving meal that will be served later this month. Let’s all learn ways we can be involved, because every one’s gift matters! Want to know more? Keep reading!
Ways to Serve Over the Holidays
After worship, take a minute to create a Thanksgiving placemat for the meals FPC serves at Thanksgiving. Both at Second Presbyterian Community Thanksgiving Dinner and at The Community Drop-In Center (mentioned above).
And, while you are coloring, take a look at the GIVING TREE. (see below)
The Giving Tree is Back
Starting Strong, the agency serving teens who have aged out of foster care, is preparing to provide practical, festive Christmas cheer to these young adults who are on their own. FPC has committed to provide this cheer for 40 ! We’ve been asked to provide one $25 gift card, a festive Christmas card (provided) and a small holiday treat or decoration. Beth Hall, Rob Drake, and Karen Philips will be packing all the bags. Join in wishing others the love of Christ, born in a manger, for us all.
AND, So is the Turkey Trot
FPC will be holding its THIRD ANNUAL TURKEY TROT devotion before St. Luke’s Thanksgiving race, with all proceeds going to benefit the Licking County Food Pantry. Sign up for St. Luke’s event (bar code on the table at the bottom of the red staircase), then come 30 minutes early, 9 am., to FPC sanctuary. We will devote our participation to the men, women and children who will benefit from the food this race provides. Come, be part of this fun community event, but even more…..come early, delve into the purpose behind the race!
Team 78 on a Mission
Last Friday, Team 78 filled 300 bags with food to go home with children on Fridays, ensuring they have food for the weekend. This was supporting the mission of Y Healthy Kids Network. Several groups in our church have signed up to do this hands-on mission over the next few months. Thank you to GHS Senior, Justin Cowie, for organizing these mission opportunities. Interested in being a part of this hands-on ministry? Contact Ellen at eclark@granpres.org.
Beyond the Bridge
About 30 members of First Presbyterian Church attended the movie, BEYOND THE BRIDGE: A Solution to Homelessness held at the Midland Theater on October 7.
Whether you attended BEYOND THE BRIDGE movie or not, you may be interested in the follow-up discussions. These three events will give us better understanding of the poverty here in Licking County as well as ways to move forward in creating affordable housing for our unsheltered neighbors.
The first of these will be on Wednesday, November 18, at 6:00 PM, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Newark: Living on the Edge: Financial Stability in Licking County.
Homelessness is real in our community. Come, be a part of finding a solution to reduce or even end it.
MISSION FOCUSED WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY - DON'T MISS IT!
On Wednesday, October 22, FPC member Greg Bossart and Drop-In Center director Donna Gibson will give updates on the current reality of the Drop-In Center for the unsheltered in our community. As the weather turns cold, the needs will increase and become more challenging. Come find out what the needs are and how you can share the load.
