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Community Outreach: Serving God by Serving Others

We are a Mathew 25 Congregation:

By accepting the Mathew 25 invitation, First Presbyterian Church of Waverly is helping our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world by:

  1. Building congregational vitality by challenging congregations and their members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community as they share the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
  2. Dismantling structural racism by fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and breakdown systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
  3. Eradicating systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor, and showing our understanding as Presbyterian Christians that we are “saved to serve.”

Through our Mathew 25 annual grant and other funds, we support programs that work on long term solutions to improve the lives of Pike County children and youth who experience long term multigenerational poverty.

Matthew 25 Grant:

COPE (Waverly Schools) - working with parents and kids to have teens successfully graduate from High School,

HOPE 180 - Afterschool program at Western High School

Pike County Outreach Council – Bridgehaven (Homeless families with children.)

 

We are a Certified Hunger Action Congregation: Ending Hunger and its Causes:

First Presbyterian Church of Waverly is active with:

  • Annual Hunger Walk
  • Advocacy through Bread for the World letter-writing campaign
  • COPE Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday meals
  • Library Summer Program snacks
  • COPE store
  • Souper Bowl Sunday

Pike County Outreach Council of Churches:

First Presbyterian Church was a founding congregation of the Pike County Outreach Council of Church and continues to be a strong supporter. Founded in 1968 the Council operates two programs:

  1. Bridgehaven Homeless Shelter:Pike Outreach operates the only Homeless Shelter in the county. The shelter is called Bridgehaven and is a multi-bed family shelter that offers comprehensive case management to each resident to assist with securing not only housing, but also education, employment, medical care, and life skills. Bridgehaven staff are dedicated to preparing each resident for independent living while also working to restore their faith.

 

  1. Food Pantry:Pike Outreach Food Pantry has been serving Pike County for over 50 years, providing healthy and nutritious food items. Pike County residents can visit the food pantry every seven days and receive enough food to prepare meals for each member of their household. In addition to food items residents can also receive personal care items, when available. The pantry is staffed with dedicated volunteers who individually assist each person in selecting foods, often while providing guidance, cooking tips, and support.

(Pentecost Offering for Pike County Public Library, Children)

FPC Missions Committee coordinates “special offerings” throughout the Church year for the following:

  • “The Least We Can Do” – Local initiative for missionaries.
  • “One Great Hour of Sharing” – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self Development of community individuals to help reduce hunger.
  • “Pentecost Offering” – Assists children at risk, young adults, and adults.
  • “Christmas Joy” – For Church leaders past, present, and future.
  • “Alternative Giving” – Local Missions.