MISSION & OUTREACH

Mission & Outreach

Within Our Walls

Loving care is provided to members and friends of the church through the Deacons, our Prayer Shawls and Basket Ministry.

Care is also provided to our families with young children or grandchildren through our "Last Friday Night Out" program. Scheduled the last Friday night of each month from 6:00-9:00 p.m. adults and youth volunteer their time to watch your children (infants to age 12) here at the church, in a safe, familiar environment with people they will recognize. Light snacks, age appropriate games and fun crafts are planned. There is a sign-up in the nursery and on the bulletin board outside the office. Just ask for the LFNO clipboard. Signing your kids up in advance helps the organizers plan how many adults and youth to have on hand.

Local Missions

Oak Park Elementary School
The year 2005 saw the emergence of a wonderful local mission. In partnership with Oak Park School, many members of First Presbyterian began mentoring/tutoring students at this, our neighboring elementary school in areas of math and reading. This special mission grew out of our desire to be in ministry with the children in "our neighborhood," especially those who would benefit most from having the special care and attention of a loving adult. The children blossom with one-on-on attention from First Pres' tutors and they improve their reading and math skills in the process. On the other side of the equation, the tutors insist they get back much more than they give. The tutors work with the children one day a week and then enjoy lunch together. The Mission Ministry Team invites you to support this partnership through your prayers and by becoming part of our tutoring team. Orientation and training, joy and satisfaction are all provided!

Last Sunday Supper
The Last Sunday Supper continues to grow in size and energy. This is a cooperative ministry with Ascension Episcopal Church and Trinity Lutheran, serving dinner to families and individuals on the last Sunday of the month. Supported by a grant from the Presbytery and time and energy from members of the congregation, the Last Sunday Supper is a wonderful outreach that allows us to provide a meal and fellowship when money is in short supply at the end of the month. It is also an opportunity for families and individuals to serve others. Those wishing to help may sign up on the bulletin board outside the office or talk with Bev Spark or Mac Barlass, who have generously assumed responsibility for coordinating this mission.

Regional Missions

Kwanzaa Community Church
We have a long-standing mission partnership with the Kwanzaa Community Church in North Minneapolis -- helping with meals for the Freedom School and after school programs, providing support for the on-going ministry of the church including the development of a new outreach in the area of AIDS/HIV ministry. Kwanzaa is a community of faith doing amazing work preaching the gospel and seeking to implement the peace and justice of Christ's rule in a difficult area of the city. Led by our Presbyterian Women's organization, members of our congregation have helped serve meals for Kwanzaa programs, have given gifts for special needs, and provided on-going financial support through the Mission budget. Our congregation is deeply enriched by the life and faith of our friends at the Kwanzaa church and the partnership offers us the opportunity to give of our prayers, talents and resources to meet some very special needs.

Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and
Synod of Lakes and Prairies
In addition to our directed giving to Kwanzaa, our congregation supports the unified mission budget of the Presbytery and Synod.

Other Regional Mission Support
The need for good, clean, affordable housing for all God’s children has been an emphasis in our regional giving, with support for Habitat for Humanity, Metro Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH), and Presbyterian Homes. Gifts to the St. Paul Area Council of Churches help them with their work on housing the homeless, feeding hungry families, persuading public policy makers to address poverty and injustice, studying racism and taking steps to dismantle it, visiting people in prison, and tutoring and supporting children towards success in school.

Worldwide Missions

Reaching out to our brothers and sisters across the globe helps bond us as a single family under God. In World Wide Missions, First Presbyterian has chosen primary partnerships with people in Guatemala.

Common Hope — Mission and Ministry to Guatemala
Teams of individuals travel to Guatemala to develop friendships and to work in the areas of housing, education, and health care, as part of our on-going mission partnership with the people of Guatemala. Working with Common Hope, a Minnesota based organization committed to individual and family development, bridges of love and understanding are being built from Stillwater to New Hope Village and Antigua. The mission teams help to educate the congregation about the Guatemalan people — their joy and sorrow, their faith and hardships. Many Guatemalan children and families have access to education and health care through the “sponsor a child" program supported by individual members of the church. This partnership enables us to see the face of God in the Guatemalan people and to discover how the Spirit of God is at work transforming lives in Minnesota and Guatemala.

General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA)
Other worldwide mission giving was directed through the General Assembly of the PC(USA). Donations included: shared gifts, with no restrictions, used to support the entire PC(USA) mission budget; directed gifts to Frontero De Cristo, the Presbyterian Border Ministry along the U.S.-Mexican border in Arizona; and special offerings. The special offerings include:

One Great Hour of Sharing supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Self-Development of People.

Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians in their churches, presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly to walk in God's paths of peace.

Pentecost Offering supports children at risk, youth and young adults.

Christmas Joy Offering supports assistance programs of the Presbyterian Board of Pensions and racial ethnic schools and colleges of the PC(USA).

Church Info:
6201 Osgood Avenue North, Stillwater, MN 55082 • e-Mail church@fpc-stillwater.org
Telephone (651) 439-4380 • Fax (651) 439-4388
© 2005 First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, All Rights Reserved • Questions about this site, e-Mail church@fpc-stillwater.org