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.

BEYOND THE BRIDGE MOVIE

About 30 FPC members attended this movie at the Midland last week.  Much was learned about solutions to homelessness.  There will be three informational follow-up meetings in the upcoming months.  Watch for details.  In the meantime,  we would like to get your feedback, concerns and ideas after viewing the movie.  Please let Ellen know if you attended the movie, so she doesn't miss anyone as the meeting is scheduled.  eclark@granpres.org

1500 Trees

1500 Trees for Life is continuing to expand our public tree planting sites across Licking County. With the generous support of hundreds of church members and community volunteers, we've now planted 655 healthy, native trees. We partner with a variety of local organizations to determine the best native trees for each location, considering soil quality and land use. Each site is committed to maintaining these plantings.

Current planting sites include:

• Granville High School Grad Grove

• Otterbein at Kendal

• Karen Chakoian Grove at Watkins High School

• Bryn Du

• Maple Grove Cemetery

• Raccoon Valley Park

• Licking Park District at Infirmary Mound

• Denison University

• The Works

• Ohio State University at Newark

• Central Ohio Technical College at Newark

For more information, visit https://www.1500trees.org

Center for New Beginnings

Steve Stilwell and his neighbor, Chris Kenah, built shelving to enhance storage at New Beginnings furniture storage unit.  The Center for New Beginnings is now accepting new or gently used mattresses, bed frames, sofas, love seats, chairs, dressers, dining room tables, coffee tables and end tables. Your donations help people establish a new home and prepare for their ‘new beginnings’.

A zoom class is being offered Mondays, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, beginning October 13 – November 24.  These classes will help participants understand people who live in different economic environments.  Come learn more about how different socioeconomic groups make decisions, what motivates each group, and how we can all become less judgmental of others.  Curious?  Want to know more?  Contact Ellen Clark at eclark@granpres.org.

Judy McNeish attended a “Lunch and Learn” last spring at FPC.  And something clicked!  She realized that she was being called to be part of the Whole Living Recovery organization- to support people recovering from addiction.  Judy consulted with Carol Apacki (who had done similar work to support New Beginnings) and formed a board of six people with Judy’s same interest.  They are now called “Friends of Recovery.”  This board, which includes five FPC members, will work to raise funds and awareness, helping people live a full life, free of addiction. These pictures are from a recent picnic with residents of Whole Living Recovery and the Friends of Recovery.   For more information, talk to Judy or Ellen Clark at eclark@granpres.org. 

Pam Carey, Reed and Mel Fraley, Cheri Misel, and Polly Schneider made the apartment at Starting Strong sparkle for the new tenant, aging out of foster care.  Thank you, congregation, for stocking the apartment with new items to start adult life after high school.  The Director of Fostering Further, the parent organization for Starting Strong retired recently and will be missed. The Assistant Director of United Way, Shelby Conley, will take over for Yvonne Williams.   We pray for the organization and will continue to support it through this transition.

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to Rise Against Hunger on Sunday, September 21.  We had 50 FPC members of all ages, packing 13,000 meals.

This plaque is on the furniture shed at New Beginnings in Newark.  It expresses thanksgiving for the support of our church in financing the construction.  There will be a dedication in a few weeks, and we will get you that information. Larry Murdoch serves on the New Beginnings board and connected us with their need for more storage space.   Steve and Sally Stilwell will manage all furniture donations and deliveries to individuals and families making a new start after experiencing domestic violence

Whole Living Recovery will be featured at our next Wonderful Wednesday on September 24, at 5:30 PM.  Our own Judy McNeish will be telling her story of how she and other church members have become involved in this important ministry.  Please come, eat dinner and hear about the positive impact Whole Living Recovery is making in our community for people struggling with addiction.  And you will also learn ways you can be involved if this speaks to your heart. 

Diana Avila Callejas is a senior at Denison. She is the co-founder of the Seasonal Support Initiative. 

This organization collects winter clothing for students with financial constraints. They have asked our church for donations of winter clothing, especially winter coats/jackets/vests, mittens, gloves, hats, earmuffs, scarves, cozy socks, and winter boots.

There will be a collection bin in the fellowship area of the Sanctuary until Sept. 28. As you prepare yourselves for the chilly/frigid weather, please consider making donations to the Seasonal Support Initiative for Denison students. Thank you!

Come one, come all, to Second Presbyterian Church on September 21 from 12:45 to 3-ish. 

The more, the merrier, and the more meals can be distributed to those in need. In 2024, all 10,000 meals were donated to Ukraine. There are jobs for everyone, ages 8–80+. Please join us for this hands-on mission opportunity and fellowship with each other and our community. Please let Ellen know you are coming! eclark@granpres.org.

The Drop-In Center Needs You! 

Did you know that our area food pantries are experiencing shortages?  Did you know we are experiencing growing numbers of food-insecure individuals in our county? Would you be willing to help our community members who have no kitchen or means to prepare a meal? Please consider cooking a meal for the Drop-In Center once a month. We feed about 40 – 50 people every day, breakfast and lunch.  You could drop the meal off, or we would be happy to come get it. Contact Ellen eclark@granpres.org know of your interest.

If baking is more your thing, the Community Dinners are always in need of delicious desserts.

  Please contact Ellen for more info. Thank you!

Do you wonder about the unsheltered living in our community? 

Do you wonder if there is anything that can be done? Would you like to know more? Please consider attending “Beyond the Bridge – A Solution to Homelessness” at the Midland Theater, October 7 at 6:30 pm.  Sponsored by several community organizations, this movie will help us understand the importance of supportive housing, with follow-up time for discussing how it applies to Licking County. Please ask Ellen if you have any questions, or go to the United Way website to let them know you are coming. It’s free!

 Please put on your calendar …

• September 12: Deadline to sign up for the Adult Work trip to Jonesville, VA.

• September 12: Club 78 on a Mission Kickoff 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

• September 21: Rise Against Hunger

• September 24: at Wonderful Wednesday – Come hear about FPC’s involvement with Whole Living Recovery

• October 7: Beyond the Bridge movie at the Midland

The apartment we sponsor at Starting Strong is being vacated. 

The young woman lived there for almost two years, doing everything she needed to become more independent. Congratulations to her and welcome to the new occupant. New occupant?? That means we need to get the apartment ready for the next young adult who has aged out of foster care. Please look for the “Giving Tree” in the sanctuary for the next 3 weeks. It will be adorned with items needed to stock the apartment. We also need a crew of 5-7 to clean the space to make it welcoming. Interested? Please contact Ellen at eclark@granpres.org.

All ages 8–80 can join our friends at Second Presbyterian to pack 10,000 freeze-dried meals. About 40 of us have come together the past two years, working alongside other churches, to make this event fun and fruitful. Be part of the FPC team this year!! Contact Ellen if you need more information. eclark@granpres.org