Providence Presbyterian Church — Gum Spring, Virginia Our historic, wood-frame structure has been in continuous use as a house of worship since 1747. But the brightly colored playground equipment situated directly behind the old sanctuary perhaps symbolizes what is most “right” about Providence. Our small, multigenerational congregation is dedicated to including children in the church’s life, as well as to serving the children of our neighbors, both near and far. Our “Backpack Blessings” program assists local children who are at risk of hunger when school is not in session. Last year, we offered a blessing as the youth returned to school and collected an offering that will provide over 20 students at La Gonave School in Haiti with lunch for the entire school year. For the last 29 years, Providence has also hosted and supported a vibrant, weekday preschool. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them” (Matthew 19:14a). The good folks of Providence have … [Read more...]

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church — Asheville, North Carolina Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church strives to follow Jesus’ example of radical love and welcome. We believe everyone should have equal access to resources and opportunity. The church’s work on race and power prompted us to look at church processes. We began to see how white supremacy impacts our practices and adversely affects how we live our values.  We looked at our funding process for ministry partnerships and realized that our procedures excluded many organizations led by people of color and groups being led by those marginalized in our community.  One qualification for grant eligibility required a church member to sponsor your application (for a white-dominant church, you can imagine who was left out!).  Our new process yielded 21 new ministry partners, many led by those in the communities their work impacts. — Kate Shem, session member and co-chair of SERVE committee Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” … [Read more...]

Presbyterian Church of West Salem — West Salem, Wisconsin For 25 years, the men and boys in the Presbyterian Church of West Salem have given the women of the church a mother-daughter-friend banquet like you have never seen before. They plan, cook and serve a delicious meal including “man-made” cake for dessert. They perform a themed program with lots of laughs. The men always finish the program singing several songs in harmony, including some they sing in church the next day. The evening ends with them singing “Good Night, Sweetheart.” Several hundred dollars received from ticket sales are given to Presbyterian Women who in turn give it to mission. Ben Baker plans and spearheads the event with help from his wife who plans the music and accompanies the singing. Someone asked, “Do other churches do fun things like you do?” I can’t answer that, but this church turns all its mission projects into fun. If you are in the area, be sure to visit and enjoy the banquet, which falls on the … [Read more...]

Markham Woods Presbyterian Church — Lake Mary, Florida We have a lot of folks at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church who respond to needs without hesitation. One example is our support of Love Missions, a local ministry that began as an organizer of short-term mission trips, but later focused on rescuing victims of human trafficking. Personal hygiene items are one of the immediate needs of those rescued — as is something to carry those items in. Tina, the founder of Love Missions, designed the first “Freedom Bag,” but she needed someone else to sew it. Her friend Patti, a member of Markham Woods, said, “Let me take it from here!” Patti organized a group to sew the bags. They meet regularly to fellowship and work together for this great cause. Tina fills the bags with the hygiene products, teddy bears and Bibles. Freedom Bags symbolize more than freedom — they are tangible evidence of the love of Christ. – Jody Mask, pastor (mwpcusa.org) … [Read more...]

All Souls Presbyterian Church — Richmond, Virginia In 1952 the Presbytery of East Hanover (now Presbytery of the James) and Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, approached a nascent African-American congregation about a joint witness. From that, All Souls Presbyterian Church was born — the first integrated congregation in the capital of the confederacy. Over the decades, All Souls has borne a vibrant witness to the reconciliation that we know in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:14), including founding the city’s first integrated Boy Scout troop and first integrated vacation Bible school. Today, the church building houses three ministries that continue to serve the local (and gentrifying) community: Northside Cares, which offers free breakfast twice a month to all; Into the Neighborhood, which ministers to homeless women and offers life-skills and job training to people re-entering society from incarceration; and Joe’s Bike Shop, which trains local youth to repair bikes, and … [Read more...]

Youth mission trips have been a big part of the church for more than 30 years. This congregation has enabled hundreds of youth to learn and serve from Carmichael to Belize and many, many places in between. These trips are life-changing for the youth mission team members. By working together, our youth bond and learn more about the people they serve and the world in which they live. Our youth mission team members (current and past) are grateful to CPC for their prayers and contributions that give them opportunities to serve and to see the bigger world outside of Carmichael. This year we were able to go to Honduras with members of University Presbyterian and the pastor and his wife from Elk Grove Presbyterian Church. This was an amazing trip. It was hot, hard and one of the most rewarding trips we have ever been on. We are grateful to Students Helping Honduras and the Presbytery of Sacramento for making it possible. — Lisa Torgerson, director of children and youth … [Read more...]