Seven years ago, after a year-long discernment process, a number of us started tutoring at a nearby public school. Within a year, First Presbyterian Church and Giffen Memorial Elementary School formed a partnership that extended past tutoring. We helped build playground equipment, repaired instruments and organized a special day that brought several authors and illustrators each spring to do small presentations and sign books that the children received for free. However, we always wanted to do more. About two years ago, we formed a not-for-profit, free, after-school tutoring program. The students come twice a week and each works with his or her own tutor on reading, writing and problem-solving skills for 90 minutes. The Wizard’s Wardrobe uses a creative atmosphere to encourage our students to take risks and let their imaginations soar. Our goal is that every 1st and 2nd grader who starts with us will be reading on grade level no later than third grade. – Debra Fagans, volunteer … [Read more...]

Highland Presbyterian Church — Maryville, Tennessee Highland Presbyterian, which was founded by Maryville College students 65 years ago, is a small church with an active youth program today. Recently, Highland’s youth baked and sold bread for an alternative market to raise funds for refugees and held a diaper drive for a local women’s shelter. Highland may be small in numbers, but we are big on service. We are thankful our youth are learning to show God’s love through acts of kindness. – Courtney Webb, member Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by emailing it to [email protected] … [Read more...]

First Presbyterian Church — Donalsonville, Georgia Since 1898, Presbyterians in Donalsonville, Georgia, have been striving to be faithful to the great commandment and commission. Members visit in the county jail and communion is served there monthly. The congregation tutors students after school in the Friendship House of Jesus community ministry. A group of ladies meet two mornings a week to sew “Threads of Love,” and their creations from donated fabric are distributed locally, nationally an internationally. A mission trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, marked the church’s first international endeavor in 2017; and in 2018, 18 youth served for a week in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in a Youthworks camp. The church is a regional drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child boxes. We host one of Flint River Presbytery’s Stop Hunger Now’s meal packing locations. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! – Raymond Guterman Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by … [Read more...]

Westminster By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church — Daytona Beach Shores, Florida After reading Leslie Scanlon’s article about churches responding to the opioid epidemic (“Addiction and recovery” in the Sept. 3, 2018, issue), I was motivated to share what our congregation is doing. Tobias Caskey, a commissioned pastor, was a new member in 2011, looking to take his life experiences and make a difference in our community. He started the “Friends of Francis” program, collecting clothes, bicycles and other equipment to help homeless people in their quest for employment. That ministry grew into him becoming the chaplain for Solutions by-the-Sea, a ministry to 160 recently incarcerated or addicted men. From a new member, to a ruling elder, to a commissioned pastor, Tobias has stepped up to serve the Lord and be a valuable member of the church. Now he is under care of our presbytery and enrolled in Dubuque Seminary to become a minister.  — Jeffrey Sumner, pastor Share your 150-word story of … [Read more...]

Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship — Portland, Oregon Much attention this past summer was given to the plight of adults crossing our southern border with Mexico. They were then detained throughout the country, some at a federal facility in Sheridan, Oregon. Members of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship also learned about the needs of young people (between ages 12- 17 years old) when they attended a World Refugee Day Rally in Portland on June 20. These young people were either separated from their parents on our border, or had tried to crossover alone. They were now being held at the Morrison Child and Family Services in downtown Portland. We learned what the children needed, and we quickly acted. In a week we gathered over $500 worth of soccer balls, frisbees, crayons, markers, coloring books, arts and crafts supplies, along with children and young adult books in both English and Spanish. – Brett Webb-Mitchell, organizing pastor Share your … [Read more...]