MISSION

December 2005

As Christians, we desire to contribute to benevolent projects, both church-related and secular, outside the boundaries of First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills.

Below is a brief summary of how the First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills participates (including 2005 contributions) in outreach ministries through a wide variety of avenues:

HURRICANE KATRINA

SHARED MISSION SUPPORT
These are undesignated gifts to support the mission work of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the U.S. and around the world. The single largest part of our benevolences goes to this work.

DIRECTED MISSION
Leadership Development - having many small congregations spread widely throughout the intermountain West, quality continuing education for our pastors and other leaders of congregations is at a premium.

Church Officers and Lay Leader Support - Provide new training materials and educational resources in printed, audio-visual and web-based formats for elders, deacons, trustees, new members and other congregational leaders.

African-American Leader Development - Develop leadership training program and models for ongoing leadership training of African-Americans in Congregations and Presbyteries. Special emphasis is directed toward the spiritual nurture of church officers, elders, deacons, and ministries of word and sacraments because they are the spiritual leaders of the congregations they serve.

Young Adult Volunteer - Young adult volunteers experience a year of Christian community through spiritual formation and volunteer service.

Mission Trip USA - Mission trips and work camps provide an invaluable opportunity for youth and adults to directly experience the mission of the church and to connect with others Christians around the country.

EXTRA COMMITMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Habitat for Humanity - Habitat works with churches and other groups of volunteers to provide labor and material to build single-family homes, which are purchased by qualified families through no-interest loan programs.

Decade of the Child - Challenges PC(USA) congregations to continue to be engaged in ministries and initiatives that benefit children.

Affordable Housing Ministries - Presbyterian congregations around the country are involved in a wide variety of efforts to provide decent, affordable housing. These include efforts with specific populations such as elderly, mentally challenged, homeless families and others.

Homeless Ministries - Contributions to this program will directly sponsor congregational and presbytery efforts to house and provide support services for homeless persons.

Young Adult Ministry - At a time in the life of our denomination when individuals 18-39 years old comprise a tiny percentage of our membership, the question of outreach to this demographic must be taken seriously. Your contribution to the office of Young Adult Ministries, will provide a means for the development of much needed programs and resources.

Build a Village - Tell stories, and other activities provide a way for children of all ages to learn about the struggles of impoverished people to make a better life themselves.

Tools & Blankets - Provide blankets, tents, and emergency supplies in the wake of disaster to material assistance, education and training.

Project VIDA - Aa nationally recognized Presbyterian program providing health care, housing, childcare, after school programs, community clean-up and economic development in El Paso, Texas.

Project Burning Bush, - High School youth with emerging gifts for ministry are identified and invited to participate in several experiences over two years at Montreat Conference Center, Union-PSCE’s campus in Virginia and their local church. (After our gift last year the pastor received a thank-you call from the seminary president, Dr. Louis Weeks!)

HIV/AIDS Education and Awareness – the face of AIDS is changing; there are new demographics, new treatments, and new pastoral responses. Our gift will enable the national church to create up-to-date AIDS awareness resources for congregational leadership.

Presbyterian Youth Connection – The Presbyterian Youth Connection, a youth ministry initiative seeks to provide young people ages 12 – 18 with an identity as believers in Jesus Christ, a sense of belonging in the church and skills as leaders. The Presbyterian Youth Connection offers resources and events for youth and youth leaders.

LOCAL NEED

Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. – The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps is a non-profit emergency ambulance provider to the communities of Forest Hills and Rego Park, New York. It also responds to incidents outside this area as directed by the New York City Fire Department Bureau of EMS, which has requested them at multiple vehicle accidents, fires, and disaster scenes.

La Vida International - La Vida is a non-profit adoption agency licensed in Pennsylvania. They place children with loving couples and singles living throughout the United States. La Vida has been working with the Chinese government since 1992 and are one of the largest and most experienced, China child placing agencies in the United States.

ChaRosa Foundation – ChaRosa foundation Corporation is a non-profit agency which offers free counseling to victims of domestic violence and criminal acts, including children who have witnessed family violence, a crime, or who has been victims of a crime themselves.

SEED – Provides learning experiences that promotes fundamental shifts in frames of reference so that community groups can imagine what it looks like to operate on a larger scale and act from this broadened perspective.

The Presbyterian Center at Holmes – Our center, a special place apart to connect with God, to connect with creation, and to connect with each other.

Alberta Alston House - A Presbytery of New York City federally sponsored housing program for low-income senior citizens. The pastor is on the board. The money goes to social service assistance at the 150-unit building in Corona, Queens.

The Queens Federation of Churches – Enables effective ministry among all of God’s people through emergency services, pastoral care and training of church leaders. Our monthly food collection also goes here. We receive regular letters of thanks from the Queens Federation and our monthly food collection for the hungry goes there. The Federation sponsored the 10 Commandments Hike.