The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on June 2 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited a number of mission partners to join us for the fellowship hour after both the 9 am and 11 am services. The congregation will have an opportunity to talk with some of our partners about their upcoming projects and ways that the church get involved. Please join us to check it out!

On Saturday, August 26, Habitat for Humanity will be dedicating 6 homes at their Diamond Park community in North Philadelphia at the 1600 block of Page Street, and Members of First Church are invited to be part of the celebration, alongside families, Habitat staff, supporters, and community members.  FPC’s support has helped to make the dream of homeownership possible for these families.  The celebration will be from 11 AM - 2 PM; there will be music, water ice and good block party fun!  RSVP to Deidra Duncan by August 18.

First Church mission partner Urban Mosaic just launched a Back-to-School initiative as students in Mexico return to in-person classes. As a kick-off to this initiative, UM is hosting a “Zoom In: Kids and Culture Exchange” gathering on September 11 at 11:30 AM. The event is for girls and boys ages 5-10ish (and their families) who are curious to learn what it’s like to go to school in another country. We will have several kids and their moms from communities where we serve on the Zoom call, and will do some fun cultural exchange/language exchange activities. Please RSVP at urbanmosaic.net/zoomin/ by September 8.

The Sojourner Truth Walk: Celebrating Girls' and Women's Leadership

The Sojourner Truth Walk is the annual fundraiser for our mission partner Camp Sojourner Girls’ Leadership Camp. First Church again has a team this year, and we hope many can participate!

This event is named in honor of Sojourner Truth, an African-American woman who escaped slavery and then fought to end it, while also speaking out for women's rights and economic justice. She, along with many others, has served as an inspiration and role model for generations to come.

Funds raised through the Sojourner Truth Walk will be used to provide scholarships for girls to go to camp, and to help fund year-round leadership activities which are free for girls and families.

You can participate in the walk virtually or in person (masked), at the Meadow at Bartram’s Garden, where there will be many fun activities and all ages are welcome. Please see event details page for more info.

Honoring Healthcare Providers and other Frontline Workers

Please help build the leadership of Philly girls by joining or sponsoring the FPC team in the 8th Annual Sojourner Truth Virtual Walk on Saturday, May 2!  All proceeds benefit Camp Sojourner, Girls’ Leadership Camp, and help to fund scholarships for summer camp and year-round leadership activities. 

Click here to join or sponsor the FPC team.

For more event details, please visit the Sojourner Truth Walk website.

Everyone is invited to join us on a field trip to The Arc of Philadelphia to learn more about our Mission Partner.  We’ll meet at the church at 10:45 am, leaving by 11 am for the 20-minute drive to The Arc at 2350 West Westmoreland Avenue.  We’ll take a tour led by Joe Mancini, Executive Director, followed by lunch.  We plan to be back at First Church no later than 2:30 pm.  The trip is a great opportunity for education, inspiration, and fellowship!  Please RSVP to missions@fpcphila.org.

The Arc of Philadelphia advocates with and for all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, to promote active citizenship, self-determination, and full inclusion.  Visit their website (arcphiladelphia.org) to learn more.

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church has invited congregants of First Church to a joint mission trip to the most vulnerable communities of Mexico City from October 12 - 19, 2019. We would be working with Urban Mosaic, an organization our church has supported for a number of years, and to which we have sent mission volunteers in the past few years. Working with the people in their communities is an amazing experience. On this trip we will be doing light construction work to build up their communities, and helping to organize health-care centers. We need to set a team by September 7. Please contact Beverly Cowart if you are interested.

The Missions Committee is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive that will be held at the church in Old Buttonwood Hall on Monday, June 3, from 3-8 p.m.  The need is great!  To schedule an appointment, call 800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “First Presbyterian Church.” Walk-ins are also welcome.  Homemade snacks will be provided.  Contact Susan Davis for more information.

Join or Sponsor the First Church Team!

For the 5th year, FPCP’s Missions Committee is sponsoring a team of walkers for the 7th Annual Sojourner Truth Walk. This 3K walkathon will take place on Saturday, May 4, beginning in Clark Park (45th Street & Chester Avenue) at 10 AM. It is named in honor of Sojourner Truth, an African-American woman who escaped slavery and then fought to end it, while also speaking out for women's rights and economic justice. She, along with many others, has served as an inspiration and role model for generations to come. We are walking in their footsteps!

Please help build the leadership of Philly girls by sponsoring or joining our team! This is a family-friendly event--all are welcome!

All proceeds benefit Camp Sojourner, Girls' Leadership Camp, and help to fund scholarships for summer camp and year-round leadership activities.

On January 27th, our Adult CE class will be led by Tommy Campbell, Director of Kirkwood Camp, a long-time missions partner of First Church.  Kirkwood is a joint camping ministry of the Lehigh and Philadelphia Presbyteries.  Its mission is to strengthen the church of Jesus Christ by enabling children, youth, families and adults to begin or deepen their experience of God in the context of nature and a caring Christian community centered on the Word of God.  Please join us in the MacColl room.

The Missions Committee is sponsoring a Missions Fair during Fellowship Hour on Sunday, November 4. Eight or nine of the ministries and non-profits we support through your generous donations will be available to talk to you about the work they do and volunteer opportunities they have to offer.  As an added inducement, special refreshments will be available.  Please take this opportunity to get to know our missions work better!