An unCOMMON MissionIn 2011, a generous giver in the church challenged the congregation to raise $3000 toward new, local mission projects. For every $1 that was raised, the giver would add $2 to it.
For 2012: The giver has once again challenged the congregation to support local mission! For every dollar raised up to $6000, the giver will match it 3:1. Thanks be to God for generosity and faithfulness! The congregation rallied around this challenge in 2011 and far surpassed the initial goal. By the end of they year, the congregation had raised $4750.40 in new funds. The total of matching funds was $9500.80 for a grand total of $14,251.20 given to local mission projects. The whole church was involved and hosted a range of fundraisers including a Euchre Tournament, a Bocce Charity Tournament, Souper Bowl of Caring, and a book drive. Wegave funds to Forgotten Harvest food rescue group, Second Mile Center community service agency in Detroit, Girls on the Run - a program that builds fitness and self-esteem in middle school girls, Families Exploring Down Syndrome, and Macomb County Literacy Partners. 
The First Annual Bocce Charity Challenge!
| Mission Throughout the Year This Diva Doll was the favorite for 2011.
The church takes part in mission and service activities throughout the year.
At the holidays, Presbyterian Women collect Goodfellow Dolls, which are distributed to children in need at Christmas. Each year, church members try to out-do one another with the dolls' cute and creative outfits. Before the dolls are donated, the congregation takes time to admire all the dolls and vote for their favorite. The Deacons host a drive for Christmas Baskets that provides food for families in the Warren community at the holidays. Youth groups offer leaf-raking to elderly folks during the fall months. Paper products and food donations are always being collected to support local area ministries. 
Youth Group leaf-raking project.
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Deacons' OutreachThrough mission outreach, Deacons serve our community, especially the homeless and the hungry. Throughout the year, we collect food for St. Mark’s Outreach Food Pantry, where it is given to families in need of emergency food. Look for the Pickle Barrel in the narthex (foyer) and drop off your food donations inside.
In May, the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST) comes to St. Louise Catholic Church, just down the street from us. We support their congregation in providing food, clothing, and shelter to those without permanent housing. 
We are always considering other needs in our community and support individual projects with funding when opportunities arise.
| Going Green
At the urging of the Deacons, First Presbyterian has undertaken an initiative to "go green." We believe that caring for God's creation is a Christian calling.
One major aspect of this initiative is our commitment to using environmentally friendly kitchen supplies. All of our cups, plates, napkins, and plastic-ware are compostable and biodegradable. We also support Michigan businesses by purchasing these products through Michigan Green Safe Products. Our church is a member of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, which is religious group seeking to respond faithfully to issues of global warming and climate change. They provide resources on energy conservation and efficiency, and offer educational programs for their members. To save energy, our church has installed motion-sensitive lights throughout the church and replaced old windows with energy efficient alternatives. |
