Let’s celebrate 20 young teens at Starting Strong as they complete their high school education, overcoming major obstacles.

Starting Strong’s director, Yvonne Williams, says it best, “Graduation for any teen is a big deal, but it is especially momentous for our young friends who have been in foster care. 25% of kids in foster care never graduate or get their GED, so we want to CELEBRATE the ones who do!

Each year we gather signed graduation greeting cards and $25 gift cards for our graduating seniors. We would love to have First Pres join us“!

The Graduation Giving Tree will be in Heritage Hall on April 6, 13, and 20. Let’s join in and celebrate Starting Strong graduates!

In partnership with 1500 Trees, a dedicated group of Granville High School students has broken ground on an ambitious conservation project: the Grad Grove. Since Fall 2024, these students have cleared over an acre of land, removed invasive plants, and planted 28 white oak trees - laying the foundation for a lasting environmental legacy. Their ultimate goal? Adding more than 400 trees to restore and enrich the local ecosystem.

With your support, the Grad Grove will serve as a space for conservation, education, and community connection for generations to come.

Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone!
📅 April 27th @ 3 PM
📍 Grad Grove (Upper Practice Football Fields, Granville High School)

Be part of this momentous occasion and witness the dedication of a project that will grow for years to come!

FPC traditionally collects the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday

This offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People.  Our church is planning a work trip this summer with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We will see firsthand how our dollars help fellow Americans who have suffered loss through national disasters.

Join us on April 6th for “Lunch and Learn” during Faith Formation Hour after worship.

All are invited to the cellar as we learn more about the positive things going on in our community to aid our neighbors with addiction. Stephanie Dunlap, director of Whole Life Recovery, will share her personal experience and how 5 recovery houses in Newark are giving people the tools, skills, and support needed to improve their lives. One resident, who became a house manager, commented, “Newark saved my life.” Come, listen, learn, and grow together.

Several FPC folk helped organize a basement at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Newark which is home to the Warming Center AND the daily Drop-In Center for people experiencing homelessness. 

Alex Boyer, Cheri Misel, and Jackie Toothman spent many hours sorting, discarding, recycling, and bringing much-needed TLC to the church basement. It is now freshly labeled, organized, and clutter-free. This is extremely helpful for volunteers navigating people’s needs for clothing, toiletries, bedding, pet supplies, etc. Alex, Cheri, and Jackie used their talents and time available to make life a little easier for our neighbors. Thank you!

Let’s build a house together…..well, at least the walls. 

On April 25, we are collaborating with Second Pres/Newark and local Newark groups to build the walls for a Habitat for Humanity home. The walls will be transported to the homesite after construction. This is for everyone, skilled and not. This project will take 80 people to get it all done in a day. What’s the commitment? We need people to measure and cut 2 x 4’s from noon to 3. Then, from 3 to 7 pm, we will hammer the boards together as the walls take form. All you need to know is how to use a hammer. We will be working in the parking lot at Second Pres, and hot dogs/drinks will be provided. Let’s build a house... no, let’s build someone a home - together.

What is the Y-Healthy Backpack program? 

How many schools does it serve?
How many children are food insecure in Licking County?
What is a Backpacking Party? 
Can I be involved?

Come find out the answers to all these questions on Wednesday, March 26. Sarah Bowles from First Presbyterian, Newark, will be at Wonderful Wednesday. Sarah coordinates the backpack program for the YMCA, to ensure that all area children have food to eat on weekends. Liz Adams will share their family’s positive experience (yes, 3-year-old Lucy participated!) and invite others to “the party”!

There was great energy in the Cellar on March 9, as part of the Faith Formation class being led by Jeff Kurtz.

The focus was on community mission and the positive things going on in our community. Tricia Hufford, the director of New Beginnings, shared with us the history of New Beginnings, a shelter for men and women experiencing domestic violence. She continued with where they are now and how FPC is partnering with the agency. Many questions were asked during the question-and-answer time as we learned more. Please watch for ways you can be involved with New Beginnings as we continue this partnership. Next “Lunch and Learn” is April 6. See you there!

Second Presbyterian Newark, has invited us to join them on April 25 to build walls for a Habitat House.

Yes, that’s right. In one day, we can build the walls that will be assembled later on location. Families with children in third grade and older can participate. (We’ll be doing lots of hammering!) Please save the date—April 25. From 3-7pm. Come after work and join the effort to provide affordable housing where it is needed most.

Pastor Wallace spent Monday afternoon “touring” our partnerships in Newark.

He stopped at the Starting Strong apartment, Market Street Food Pantry, Blessing Box, Y Healthy Backpack at 1st Presbyterian, Community Dinner at Second Presbyterian, the Warming Center/Drop-In Center, YES Club, and New Beginnings. He’ll do part two of the “tour” to see the Salvation Army, Together We Grow Gardens, and Coalition of Care. The Mission Committee plans to hold tours for the congregation too! Watch for details!

Yvonne Williams, Director of Starting Strong,…

…gives us a big thumb’s up on how the young woman living in FPC’s sponsored apartment is doing. The young adult has filed for an extension to stay in the apartment. Yvonne reports that “she is doing everything she needs to do.” She is a student at OSU Newark and making positive progress. How wonderful that she has a safe, reliable place to come home to, do her studies, and find positive ways to move forward. Thank you, FPC!

Please Plan to Attend

The Mission-Focused Light Lunch & Learn begins at 11:15, right after the service. We'll have the chance to learn about our community partner, the Center for New Beginnings. You can read about the Center's important work here.

This luncheon is part of the work of our Mission Initiative and also is an extension of the work and good thinking we have done in our class. Please let me know if you have any questions or reach out to Ellen Clark. If you do plan to attend, and I hope you will, please confirm via email with the church office or by calling 740.587.0187.

Best wishes for your week,
Jeff

“Happy to Report…

The sandwiches and decorated sacks were a big hit. I believe the turkey/cheese and ham/cheese were a much appreciated addition from standard PBJ. Please thank the “Wonderful Wednesday peeps.” Greg Bossart (Drop-In Center kitchen guru)

Wonderful Wednesday focused on temperatures last week, as the Warming Center in Newark opened for 5 frigid nights. We heard from 5 FPC disciples (we listened to the sermon!) who have had positive experiences as volunteers at the center. Thank you to Carol Apacki, Mark Atchison, Greg Bossart, and Peggy and Verne Qualls for sharing your stories. veryone at the dinner pitched in to make 50+ sack lunches for the next day’s lunch for our unsheltered neighbors. If you are interested in knowing more about the center, please reach out to any of the names mentioned above. You’ll be glad you did.

Want to support Starting Strong and Fostering Further celebrating 10 years?

Several of us do, too! Let Ellen know if you’d like more information or if you want to carpool.  eclark@granpres.org

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Want to support Starting Strong and Fostering Further celebrating 10 years? Several of us do, too! Let Ellen know if you’d like more information or if you want to carpool. eclark@granpres.org

March 9   Mission  “Lunch and Learn” with Tricia Hufford from New Beginnings

Right after worship as an extension of Reclaiming Faith and Reimagining Church.

We NEED YOU!

FPC is in its second year of providing balanced meals to community members twice a month.  AND, topping it off with a homemade treat.  Would you like to be part of this important ministry at Second Presbyterian, Newark, but can’t commit to being there?

We really need bakers!  Could you commit to baking several dozen dessert servings once or twice a month?  This is a great opportunity for busy families and working individuals.  If this is something you would consider, please talk to Deb Hibler, Liz Tietz or Ellen. It’s a sweet thing!

OSU Care Packages

All school year, members of our congregation have been sending college care packages to a Starting Strong graduate currently attending OSU Main Campus.  The Director of Starting Strong told us this, “She is in a suite with several other girls, and they were all talking about getting care packages from their families.  She thought she would never receive care packages like the other girls.”

Thank you to Jim and Sara Light, Doris and Patty, Jenni and the children, Kristin and the youth, the Cherneys, Presbyterian Women and Nancy Bovenizer for agreeing to send love her way, packaged with care.

Summer 2025!

FPC is making plans with our Presbytery to participate in a Presbyterian Disaster Agency sponsored work trip.  We are looking into sites in Kentucky and North Carolina.  Let Ellen know if you would like more info and how to be involved.

Please mark your calendars for a light lunch and learn more about our community, the services offered to the underserved, and the successes enjoyed. 

On March 9, we will hear from Tricia Hufford of New Beginnings, a domestic violence shelter complete with services. Come hear how we are partnering with their organization. Then, on April 6, we invited Stephanie Dunlap to speak about Whole Living Recovery and how it is addressing addiction in Licking County. These speakers are in conjunction with the Faith Formation class: Reclaiming Faith, Reimagining Church, led by Jeff Kurtz. You do NOT have to be part of the class to attend these lunches. We hope you will join us!