What an amazing summer it was for our Freedom School Scholars, Servant Leaders, and volunteers!
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Freedom School Closing Program at First Pres
Volunteers Ben White and Donna Payne lead the Scholars in a groovy song
“Drop Everything And Read” outside in Vernon Park with Level 1a students and Servant Leader Val Solomon
Freedom School Scholars enjoy a Puppetry workshop
FPCG Fun int the Sun!
Over 20 “young” adults and families took a trip to Ocean City, NJ a few weeks ago.
The day was full of sun, swimming, and of, course, dinner on the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. A good time was had by all!
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For more info about “young” adult and family outings, email Sheila and Christian Heyer-Rivera at
Wayne A. Swift united with the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown in 1959 and is full of memories and opinions about the church.
He believes that Dr. Reginald Thomas (1955 1967) was “probably the most outstanding pulpit preacher in my tenure. His Welsh accented preaching style was to preach his sermons from memory, and he could make you laugh or cry throughout. He had great humor. His 1961 book Love So Amazing is still a good read to sense his style. Chapter 9, `Come Out Come In’ is still timely reading for First Church members.” Dr. Thomas was known throughout the country for his preaching on “The Bible Study Hour.” You can hear Dr. Thomas’ Easter message of April 18, 1965 here.
Wayne notes that his four children all attended Sunday schools that were set up by grades and totaled more than 100 children. Youth met Sunday evenings and probably had about 15 at the Junior High level. The Swift children and grandchildren were all baptized at First Church, and the family has had at least three wedding services in the sanctuary.
Support the Ministry of the John Gloucester House
The John Gloucester House, a Presbyterian Community Ministry in the Point Breeze Community in Philadelphia, will be the recipient of our August Challenge Offering on 8/29.
Dedicated staff, local community members and volunteers from around the Philadelphia area provide programs serving children and teenagers as well as programs for adults and seniors. The 50 Plus Club meets from 12:00 to 2:00 on Mondays for Bible Study.
Rev. Kevin Porter Decodes the Acronyms
As the Director of Adult Education and Community Life, one of my responsibilities is to bear witness to our congregation’s commitment to the quality of life in Germantown as a sign of Christ’s continuing presence in this community.
There are many organizations seeking to make a difference here, and many of them have opportunities for you to use your talents in ways that will give you a sense of joy and meaning as well as breathe life into our neighborhood. Here are just a few:
CGI = Creative Germantown Initiative, a new non profit entity whose mission is to strengthen the Germantown community through arts, education, and recreation, serving persons of all ages as they experience the joys and challenges of urban living. Its programs include the Freedom School, Bread and Cup Coffeehouse, the Drop In Center, the Concert Series, the basketball teams and drill team. Click here to read more about CGI.