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!

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.

Do you ever wonder who is in the kitchen after the last person leaves Wonderful Wednesday each week?  Answer:

Jim and Sara Light! Jim has taken care of all the dirty dishes, pots, pans, silverware... for several years. Sara often joins him to help dry and put away all the aforementioned. Then, the next day, *poof* the kitchen is clean and ready to do it all over again.

Thank you, Jim and Sara, for quietly serving behind the scenes Wednesday after Wednesday. ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!

Do you have men’s pants, size 30, 32, 34, or 36 that are slightly worn? Or women’s sizes small, medium, or large?

If you are cleaning out your closets and need a place for these pants, we’ll gladly take them! Just label a bag “Drop-In Center,” leave it in Heritage Hall, and we will be sure to get them delivered to the center.

Thank you!

For over 10 years, FPC has collected food from the Granville Farmer’s Market each Saturday. 

Market vendors donate produce, baked goods, flowers, etc., and we take it all to the Salvation Army. With food pantries suffering from budget cuts, fresh produce is needed more than ever. This ministry takes about 1 ½ hours. You can sign up for as many Saturdays as you want.  It’s easy, it’s family-friendly, and it matters. If you would like to join this ministry talk to Ellen for more information or sign up here.

Several community organizations, along with Second Presbyterian-Newark and First Presbyterian-Granville, participated in building 53 walls for a home to be assembled in Mount Vernon.  The event was filled with saws, hammers, energy, and hope.

Thank you to all who participated in this amazing act of love.

Can you donate one?

Elder Greg Bossart serves meals every day to the people who attend the Drop-In Center in Newark. He would like to grill some this summer, engaging the attendees in good, old-fashioned picnic fun. All he needs is a grill. Do you have one that works well, and you no longer need? If YES, please contact Ellen or Greg. THANK YOU!

Have you seen the long line of trees planted on the Bryn Du polo field?

These were donated by community members, planted by 1500 Trees, and mulched by Wonderful Wednesday folks! What a great way to celebrate Earth Day and all that 1500 Trees is doing for our community and our world. Come to Heritage Hall Sunday after worship to learn more ways to support the Granville Grad Grove and 1500 Trees.

We collected over $1800 for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Thank you all!

This will support people recovering from disasters, like those in Asheville, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene.

Speaking of Asheville, we have four spots left for the FPC Adult Work Trip planned July 6-12. Please let Ellen know if you have questions or are interested in participating. 

Join us! July 6-12 in Asheville, North Carolina. Only 6 spots left!

We have a date for the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance work trip. We’ll be going to Asheville, North Carolina, from July 6–12 to do Hurricane Helene relief work. We have 6 spots left and would love you to join us. Please talk to Ellen or email her at eclark@granpres.org if you have questions or would like more information. Anyone 16 and older is encouraged to join this important work as people in Asheville regroup, recover, and rebuild. The cost will be around $250 to cover meals we cook together, lodging at New Hope Presbyterian Church, and traveling expenses. There are funds available if needed. Interested? Great! Email Ellen at eclark@granpres.org and we’ll get you signed up!

We are in our third year of filling the Blessing Box with food and toiletry items. As the seasons change, so does our invitation for donations.

Please check out the list below if you’d like to pick up an extra item or two next time you are at the grocery. Our cupboard is getting a little bare on proteins. Thank you, and thank you to the Mautz family for overseeing supplies and volunteers. Do you have questions, or are you interested in doing the Blessing Box once a month? Let Ellen know at eclark@granpres.org. 

*Please remember pop-top cans.

• Gatorade

• Powdered flavor packets for water

• Small toiletry items (like you get at hotels)

• Protein:  Beef Jerky, SpaghettiOs, Ravioli, Peanut Butter, Packets of Chicken or Tuna

• Diapers

• Body Wipes

• Fruit Cups

• Vegetables  

• Summer socks

• New and gently used caps

 Want to sign up?  Here’s the link: First Presbyterian Church: Blessing Box

WHEN:  April 25

WHERE:  Second Presbyterian, Newark (Across from the back of the Midland Theater

WHO:  FPC Granville, Second Pres. Newark, and several other Newark organizations are collaborating.

WHY:  80+ volunteers (disciples) are needed build walls to frame a house.  The walls will be installed at another location determined by Habitat for Humanity.  

Third graders and older are welcome!  If you don’t want to hammer, just come and be a cheering squad.  

HOW:  Sign up with Ellen

Shifts include – 10 – 1pm This is for the more skilled.  Cutting/Measuring all the boards for framing. 3-7 pm This shift if for the unskilled (and skilled are welcome).  You will assemble all the walls,under the guidance of a “team leader”.

Tools, Hot dogs, drinks, music, and camaraderie provided.

Thirty-Two Trees Are Planted at Bryn du – Come to the Celebration  

Hope to see you all April 23, at 5:30 pm., for a picnic and 1500 Tree/Earth Day and “mulching celebration”.  We’ll be in the pavilion in Bryn du Woods, right next to Mansion,( but not on the Bryn du grounds).  We can park on the pavilion road or Bryn du invites us to park in the gravel lot for this important occasion.  Don’t want to mulch?  No problem!  Come enjoy food, fellowship, celebration and thanksgiving!

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

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!

The Giving Tree found it’s way back to Heritage Hall, thanks to Karen Philips!

She made sure Starting Strong 2025 high school graduates have a chance to celebrate their huge accomplishment. FPC is supporting these teens with $25 gift cards and a note of encouragement. Come to Heritage Hall and grab a heart off the Giving Tree, purchase a gift card this week, and return by Easter Sunday, April 20.

We all find ways to give.

Pastor Wallace, daughter Sophie, and Molly Bruce made 8 dozen brownies to be shared with our neighbors at the Community Dinners! If you would like to bake for these meals, contact Ellen, and she will get you all the information you need.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Lunch and Learn last Sunday, and to Doris, Mark and Riley for all your help before and after!

Stephanie Penland and Mallory Meeker shared the history of Whole Living, their own stories of incarceration and recovery, and their conviction and joy in helping others with addictions. 

They were so grateful for how FPC people took genuine interest and showed compassion for their work. Many stayed after to talk with them about ways to be involved.

We are so fortunate to have people in our community doing hard work and making an impact in the lives of others.

Join us! July 6-12 in Asheville, North Carolina

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has reserved 12 spots for our congregation to do Hurricane Helene relief assistance. Anyone 16 and older is encouraged to join this important work as people in Asheville regroup, recover, and rebuild. The cost will be around $250 to cover meals we cook together, lodging at New Hope Presbyterian Church, and traveling expenses. There are funds available if needed. Interested? Great! Email Ellen at eclark@granpres.org and we’ll get you signed up!

Join us on April 6!

Stephanie Dunlap is the Executive Director of Whole Living Recovery and a compassionate reentry case manager. After overcoming years of homelessness and addiction, Stephanie joined Whole Living Recovery as a resident in 2019. Through resilience and dedication, she advanced to Administrator and now serves as Director. Committed to helping others transform their lives, Stephanie leads efforts to provide safe, supportive recovery homes, ensuring individuals have the opportunity to build the futures they deserve.

Part of our Mission initiative is to learn about the needs and services provided for our neighbors in Licking County. Positive things are happening, and we want to know more. Partnering with Jeff Kurtz’s class on Reimagining Church, we can learn about positive outcomes in Newark. On April 6, Stephanie Dunlap will share how she overcame homelessness and addiction. She will tell the story of a recovery program, Whole Living Recovery. We are all touched by addiction. Let’s learn how it is being addressed successfully in our own county. Join us, after worship, in the cellar. See you there!

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.