Mission Updates

Fostering Further - Starting Strong Annual Report and FPC Update

In 2024, our church committed $130,000 to Starting Strong to help transform lives of young adults aging out of foster care.

We also offered a $50K match to begin an endowment for the organization as they plan for their future. If you are interested, please read the Annual Report from Fostering Further/Starting Strong. It takes no more than 10 minutes, is easy to read, and you'll see many positive things that happened in 2024. FPC is highlighted in the report. We are blessed to be a blessing.

https://mcusercontent.com/03b5340b774471647f2e87918/files/5687afcc-30ad-2222-b601-10b20d3ac5f1/_2024_Annual_Report.pdf

Ellen ClarkComment
Adult Work Trip to Asheville, NC. 

We are ready to go back!

What started as "the unknown", 11 folks traveled to Asheville, NC, to assist with Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief. We hardly knew each other, and we had little idea of what we would be doing. We started out thinking about what we would be "giving", yet ended up remarkably surprised by what we received. Our theme was "A Ministry of Presence," and it was the guiding force.

 After five days of sweat, drywall dust, insulation, sawdust, and paint, we came away with more than results.  The 11 of us came away as friends, 20-year-olds to 78-year-olds. And we formed relationships with the two separate homeowners, Melanie and Jessica.  Plus Jessica's children: Taylor (16), Zepplin (6), Olivia (4), Sierra (1), and Bentley (3 weeks). 

New Hope Presbyterian was our "host," who made us feel comfortable and welcome! We are already looking into our next trip, maybe this fall and/or spring.  Talk to us, ask any questions, and join us in the next transcending “unknown”! 

Pictures -  ”From this……to this”

Emma Allen, Mark Atchison, Ellen Clark, Haley Eggert, Wilson Foster, Judy McNeish, Rachel Schmidt, Tom Stoltz, Bob Thornton, Aaron Tripp, and Jenn Wilkinson.

Ellen ClarkComment
Backpack and Duffle Bag Donations

We took four of your donated bags to the Drop-In Center this week.

The guests were thrilled because many carried their belongings in plastic grocery or trash bags.  ALL four backpacks/duffle bags were distributed before we even got inside the building.  THANK YOU!

We’ll continue to collect any donated bags.  You can leave them in the Robing Room (the little room outside the sanctuary doors), or Ellen is happy to come get them.

Ellen ClarkComment
Families Raise $1000 for Wildfire Recovery
Kristin ReamComment
Drop In Center In the News!

Please take a moment to read this incredible article featuring our own Greg Bossart and the Drop In Center.

https://www.thereportingproject.org/community-drop-in-center-open-in-newark-as-heat-wave-stresses-licking-countians/

Ellen ClarkComment
Celebrating our Third Year!

Thanking God for Deb Hibler and Liz Tietz, who are completing their second year of preparing meals for our neighbors in Newark.

Twice a month, these ladies collect the food to feed 60-plus people, devise a menu, and then prep and organize a delicious dinner. Other FPC volunteers are dedicated to helping serve dinner, making about 25-40 “takeout” meals, plating desserts, making drinks, and then cleaning up all the dishes at Second Presbyterian, Newark. Leda Rutledge rounds out the team as she organizes all these volunteers. About 30 FPC members are involved in this Matthew 25 ministry each month.

As we begin our third year, we are grateful to Liz, Deb, Leda, and ALL the volunteers (disciples).

 

 

Ellen ClarkComment
Backpack and Duffle Bags

Do you have an adult backpack or traveling duffle bag you no longer need? 

Please consider donating to our unsheltered friends. This is how they carry all their belongings, which they always need. With all the construction, here’s how you can donate: Call or text Ellen, and she’d be glad to come pick them up or arrange a time to bring them to the church. You can also bring your item on Sunday and leave it in the robing room (at the back of the sanctuary) to be picked up and delivered.

Ellen ClarkComment
Collaborative Garden at the Drop In Center

A beautiful thing is happening at the Drop-In Center, a place for our unsheltered during the day.

Our church is supporting a vegetable garden with the help of those who attend the center. In addition, the next-door neighbor of the center is providing water and sprinklers for the garden. And Hope Timber provided mulch at a much-reduced price. Fresh produce will be planted to provide needed nutrition for meals prepared at the center. Produce has been harder to get from local food pantries and is expensive to purchase. Want to know how you can be involved at the center? Talk to Greg Bossart or Ellen!

Ellen ClarkComment
Share the Harvest Needs You!

Share the Harvest is a hands-on mission that takes about 1 ½ hours any Saturday you choose.

It’s great for all ages!

Collect items from vendors at the Farmer’s Market and deliver them to the Salvation Army. Produce is scarce now at local food pantries, so it’s even more important to provide healthy food options. We really need help in July/August. Please contact Ellen with any questions or training needs. 

Ellen ClarkComment
SAVE THE DATE – JUNE 28

Our families will be selling their wares once again, the Saturday of the Great Granville Garage Sale. 

This year, the families want to support people affected by the country’s devastating wildfires. “Yard Stands” will be set up at each family home, with some set up on the church lawn. Families decide what to sell, like lemonade, baked goods, popsicles, cotton candy, and jewelry. Maps will be provided for the congregation to shop at the family stands that morning. Please support this hands-on mission ministry by visiting all the families on June 28!

Ellen ClarkComment
UPDATE on NEW BEGINNINGS PARTNERSHIP

The furniture storage unit is nearing completion at New Beginnings, the shelter for domestic violence victims. 

FPC is funding this construction. Sally and Steve Stilwell will manage the unit inventory. They will arrange for an “FPC Moving Team” to collect donated furniture, then deliver needed furniture to safe homes when residents leave the shelter.

Ellen Clark Comment
Got Pans?

Whole Living Recovery, housing for individuals in recovery, is looking for frying pans to stock their kitchens.

Do you have a set of gently used frying pans you’d like to get rid of? If so, give Judy McNeish a call at 740-258-3033. She will take them off your hands and deliver them to neighbors who will use them. Thank you!

Ellen ClarkComment
"Evicting the American Dream"

June 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Overbrook Presbyterian Church

"Evicting the American Dream," a documentary that amplifies the voices and stories of children and families confronting eviction and homelessness in Dayton, OH, will be shown on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Overbrook Presbyterian Church. It is produced by Counter Stories Production, an arm of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. They hope to have it on streaming services by the fall. More information and a trailer can be found here: https://pcusa.org/evicting-american-dream. Sign up to attend by contacting the presbytery office, 614-847-0565 or dagmar@psvonline.org

 FROM ELLEN:  Would anyone like to carpool?  Let me know at eclark@granpres.org.

Ellen ClarkComment
Do you like to organize?

We are looking for two people to help organize a clothes closet for Starting Strong.

The date is June 20, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. If you’d like to do this hands-on mission event, please email Ellen (or call the church office) at eclark@granpres.org.Thank you!

Ellen ClarkComment
Family Stands are Back!

Our young families will be doing “yard stands” again this year - selling goods of their choice on Saturday, June 28. 

This is the day of the Great Granville Garage Sale. Last year we raised over $1400 for the children of Haiti. This year the families want to support areas in our country affected by the recent wildfires. Maps will be provided to the congregation so you can “shop” and support this critical cause. You’ll have fun finding the different locations, shopping their wares, and helping our families help others. 

Ellen ClarkComment
Check It Out!

One way to be better disciples is through awareness and understanding of how others live and the choices they face.

Compassion can grow when we see through different lenses. FPC has a special library table in Heritage Hall that displays books on poverty, homelessness, and racism. Many members have taken advantage of this by checking out books. They are here for you, and we hope you will take a look, borrow one, read it, and share what you learn. 

 

Ellen ClarkComment
Progress at New Beginnings 

FPC has financed the building of a new furniture storage unit at New Beginnings, a place for people escaping domestic violence. Construction has started. The facility will be up and running soon. Steve and Sally Stillwell will be managing the inventory, donations, and delivery of items. This allows residents to have furniture when they move into a new living space. We are blessed to be a blessing to these individuals and families who deserve a safe, warm, sheltered place to lay their heads.

 

Ellen ClarkComment
Let’s Help Support the Drop-In Center and Greg Bossart as he works there daily. 

How?

Read Below.

The Drop-In Center serves breakfast and lunch to 20-40 unsheltered neighbors, M-F. Our own Greg Bossart coordinates all these meals and builds relationships with the attendees. He has a list of items needed to keep costs down and people fed. If you want to pick up items on your next shopping trip, we thank you! Just leave the items under the Blessing Box table in Heritage Hall, and Ellen will do the rest.

  • Clear cups for juice

  • Large, insulated coffee cups

  • Plastic spoons

  • Aluminum foil

  • Paper bowls 12 – 14 oz.

 What else, you ask?

  • Talk to Greg or Ellen about donating a home-cooked meal or sack lunches.

  • Come to Trek Brewery on May 29th.  Trek is donating 10% of all proceeds to the ministry at the Drop-In Center!

Ellen ClarkComment
Starting Strong

Over the past few years, FPC has built a relationship with Starting Strong.  Starting Strong supports young men and women who have aged out of foster care at age 18 and have no family support.  We sponsor an apartment at Hope Landing by sharing in the rent payment, plus stocking and cleaning the apartment every time a new resident arrives.  Some of our men have moved donated furniture to other apartments where the young adults are starting their independent lives.  We give graduation gift cards every year, too.  As part of our commitment, we have donated $130,000 in 2024-25.  We have pledged to help Starting Strong build an endowment by providing matching funds up to $50,000.  This thank you note is from the director, Yvonne Williams.  This thank you is for you, FPC.  May God continue to bless us to be a blessing.

Ellen ClarkComment
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