First Presbyterian is actively involved in the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry, an
ecumenical consortium of congregations that assist community members in need of food and other types of emergency assistance. We are also a member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a program in which churches host homeless families on a rotating basis for up to six weeks a year. The families are given food and overnight accommodations in the church building while they receive rehabilitation counseling to enable them to find work and permanent housing. Sixty volunteers from the congregation take part.

First Church’s summer day camp serves nearly 90 neighborhood children each year. The program includes breakfast and lunch, weekly swimming and field trips, crafts, music, and Bible study, all for a nominal fee.
The church offers financial support for 21 local community agencies and free use of the building by Alcoholics Anonymous and The Samaritan Counseling Center. The building is used by many community organizations for special meeting and events.

Our worship, our mission and educational programs of the church are consciously geared towards an urban perspective. We are acutely aware of the urban crisis and of the nervousness with which many people enter our neighborhood. Emphasis is laid on the importance of a caring Christian presence in the city and all of our programs are designed for the sake of bringing hope and giving reason for people of principle and faith to remain in the city. An atmosphere of hospitality and welcome has been developed that allows members and worshippers to touch one another across the barriers that once kept them apart.

Mission Programs-
Mission outreach from First Church is concerned with local and international needs and concentrates on a variety of neighborhood causes as well as some specific overseas projects and the mission programs of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry-
This new organization is based on the long term ministry of our congregation's parish social worker. It is supported by a large number of local churches of all denominations and an independent board drawn from churches in Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Germantown. Over 100 clients are interviewed each month as help is sought for food, clothing, shelter and medical assistance.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network-
This organization is an ecumenical enterprise with an independent board but its operation depends entirely on the volunteers from various member congregations. First Church was the first Germantown congregation to enroll in this program and with the support of over 50 volunteers from the congregation provides six weeks of shelter per year for homeless individuals and families who are welcomed into the church as guests. The guests sleep in the Sunday School rooms of the church and receive two meals a day as well as counsel to help them find permanent housing and, if necessary, employment.

Alcoholics Anonymous-
Daily meetings attract approximately 50 people who depend on this well established ministry to rebuild their lives and maintain sobriety.

Samaritan Counseling Center-
This group makes use of pastoral counselors to meet the psycho-spiritual needs of local residents. Programs for clergy support are included in this ministry. Future plans include outreach to people who need to develop skills to help them deal with crises in their personal and family lives. Space for individual and group counseling is provided.