Posted on 11 Apr 2011
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Welcoming Friends from the Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network
There are wonderful opportunities this month involving the Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (NPIHN) and our church.
On April 17 we will begin our three-week hosting period; these generally occur twice a year. NPIHN families are neighbors in need of temporary sheltering. Families selected for the program are sheltered and counseled, and they receive an array of services designed to allow them to remain intact through NPIHN’s holistic approach to rebuild from homelessness and ultimately to achieve independent living.
NPIHN continues to mentor and provide support services to the families for as long as necessary after they have moved from the family shelter.
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Posted on 04 Apr 2011
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Responding to Needs, Reflecting God’s Love
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is working to respond to the massive earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan on March 10. Our denomination leaders have issued a call to prayer as Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk; Elder Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 19th General Assembly; and Elder Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council are urging Presbyterians to pray for all those affected by the disaster — victims and their families, aid workers, faith communities and leaders.
“The magnitude of this kind of tragedy is difficult to grasp. Yet, our faith leads us to affirm that in even greater measure is the presence of God in the midst of the devastation,” states the call.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding in a variety of ways and is accepting donations. If you would like to offer financial support to be used for the victims of this tragedy, send your gifts to The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown (FPCG), and mark them “Japan”.
Posted on 28 Mar 2011
Opportunities to Give
Food Collection
Let’s pack a punch in this month’s food collection with PROTEIN PRODUCTS like tuna, salmon, beef stew, peanut butter and legumes, etc. Did you know in 2010 nearly 1 in 2 children in Philadelphia received food from a food pantry? More than half-a-million people in the five county Philadelphia region now rely on food stamps to buy groceries. And more than half of food pantries in the area did not have enough food to meet demand, a fact Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry knows first-hand. (Philadelphia Coalition against Hunger)
Cents-Ability
The Mission & Outreach Committee invites everyone to support the Cents-Ability program, a small step that has a big impact in the battle against hunger and poverty. Last year our coins amounted to $1,284. With your help we can surpass that this year.
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Posted on 14 Mar 2011
“The Basement” serves community youth
by Christian Heyer-Rivera
We invite you to celebrate with us as you read how the center has moved forward with significant growth and achievements in the last 9 months!
Summer Outreach
After a brief period of infrastructure strengthening through staff acquisition and development, “The Basement” opened it doors in July to senior high students in the Germantown neighborhood. Every Wednesday and Friday from 6:30-8:30pm this past summer, the center served as a safe place for young people to gather, play, exercise, eat and build significant relationships. It did not take long in the summer months for young people to make the center a regular part of their weekly schedule.
In total, over 70 African American young people made their way into “The Basement”, and we consistently hosted around fifteen to twenty regular attending senior high-aged youth each time the doors of the center were open. The participants who attended were members of the Germantown community, although only a few were actually students at Germantown High School, our target school. The majority of our young people in the summer months attended high school outside the area.
Outreach Continues
The Basement continues to grow and develop, and has been serving youth during the school year as well. To volunteer, or learn how you can support this vital community outreach, contact Christian Heyer-Rivera at 267-972-5662.
Posted on 07 Mar 2011
Go deeper into God’s Word
Serendipity
This is a great time to join the Serendipity Bible Study which meets Sundays at 11:30 in the Jennings Room. The group is engaged in a 13-week survey of the book of Revelation.
Serendipity’s conversational format is designed to be enjoyable, informational, and inspirational for both those new to Bible study and seasoned veterans. It has grown in popularity at FPCG and is a wonderful way to get to know a broad cross section of our members and friends. Please bring your second cup of coffee with you after coffee hour and join us!
Lenten Bible Study: Gun Violence
Each year during Lent, FPCG offers a series of Adult Education opportunities intended to deepen our faith and our understanding of how our faith and public policy influence each other.
This year’s Lenten Bible study series will be an outgrowth of the Presbytery of Philadelphia’s commitment to “Heeding God’s Call”. Please see the literature table or contact Rev. Kevin Porter for more information.
