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!

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.

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.

5-7 volunteers are needed for for exterior landscaping and house preparation in connection with Habitat for Humanity’s West Philadelphia Repair Initiative.  No skill or construction experience is necessary - just a readiness to help out!  The work day begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:30 or earlier.  For information or to volunteer, please email the Missions Committee.

Can you swing a hammer?  Would you like to learn how?

On Saturday, April 27th, First Church will be doing home repairs with Habitat's West Philadelphia Repair Initiative/Healthy Homes Initiative.  We need 5-7 volunteers.  No skill or construction experience is necessary - just a readiness to help out!  The work day begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:30 or earlier.  For information or to volunteer, please email Missions Committee member Cindy Elliott.

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!