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!
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
Our ministry’s presence at the Drop-In Center continues to grow.
Emma Allen, an FPC college sophomore, has invited her friend to volunteer weekly and cooked a meal for the 30–45 guests who attend the center. The garden planted by Riley Atchison, Greg Bossart, and the center guests is producing fresh vegetables for healthy meals. And FPC has purchased cots for guests to rest on, no longer having to sleep on the floor. We are grateful for the ways we can serve. Want to be involved? We need volunteers and meals. Talk to Ellen at eclark@granpres.org.
Zoom Classes are Happening!
Have you ever wondered why people in poverty make decisions differently than you would? Do you wonder why some don’t have a job with so many “Help Wanted” signs around town? These questions are valid and important, and there are answers! Check out the upcoming Bridges Out of Poverty training being offered via Zoom. Learn so many answers, lesson judgement, and understand differences all from the comfort of your own home! Sessions run about 6 weeks, an hour per session. Contact Ellen if you're curious and want to know more. eclark@granpres.org.
Justin Cowie, a senior at GHS and longtime church family member, is taking the lead in a very important ministry for our congregation.
Justin is meeting with many of our church groups (choirs, youth, Club 56 and Team 78, Mission, Finance, Session, Deacons, etc.) and inviting them to participate in a hands-on mission to ensure children have enough food to eat on weekends. The Y-Healthy Backpack organization sends backpacks home every Friday with children facing food insecurities. But first, the food has to be packed! That’s where Justin comes in. As he meets with church groups, he explains the backpack program and invites the group to a “packing party” at the Y’s warehouse. From there, the food is delivered to 22 area schools and into the hands of the children. If you haven’t heard from Justin and would like to be involved in this hands-on ministry, please email Ellen.
Two years ago, this past June, our church said "yes" to a large hands-on ministry partnering with Second Presbyterian, Newark.
Thanks to Deb Hibler, Leda Rutledge, and Liz Tietz, we begin our third year of feeding God's people who don't always enjoy a hot, balanced dinner. Every other Monday (holidays included), these ladies coordinate all the volunteers from our church to prep, cook, and serve 60+ meals and 40+ take-out meals. Thank you to Deb, Leda, Liz, and to ALL our FPC men and women who are nurturing this ministry into another year... so that all are fed.
