We will return to UTC on Saturday, September 25 to help with the harvesting of their crop, which feeds local residents in need through neighborhood food banks. In 2020, Urban Tree farms and gardens provided 5760 pounds of food to the neighborhood. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Karl Miller (karl.miller@fpcphila.org) or Jen Johnson (jen.johnson@fpcphila.org).

Participants are asked to dress comfortably, bring water along with the completed CDC FACILITIES COVID-19 screening form. (If the temperature is over 90 degrees or raining with thunder/ lightning, the event will be rescheduled.)

The Urban Tree Connection (UTC) is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization, whose mission is to build a neighborhood rooted food and land system through community leadership development and land-based strategies in West Philadelphia. Over the last two decades, UTC has partnered with residents of West Philadelphia's Haddington neighborhood to develop and sustain community-driven greening and gardening projects. Their network of garden and farm sites are spaces for communal growing, gathering and education that fosters deep community engagement and leadership development of residents all ages, to build healthy sustainable community.

First Church will serve dinner at Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission (SBRM) on Saturday, September 18 at 4:30 PM. Volunteers will help SBRM's kitchen team plate and tray up food in preparation for their daily dinner service. They will also walk out trays to guests during the service and assist with various cleanup tasks afterwards. Click here to sign up. Volunteers must be 18 years of age.

Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission (SBRM) provides housing, meals, and a range of services to support the spiritual and well-being of individuals who are homeless in Philadelphia. For additional information contact Chris Tibbs or missions@fpcphila.org.

Members of First Church are invited to help at one of UTC’s Community Gardens, 5417 Pearl Street, West Philadelphia on Saturday, August 7 at 11 AM.   We will be hosted by Mike Jones, a CCP graduate and UTC’s Community Land Steward.  Participants are asked to dress comfortably, bring water along with the completed CDC FACILITIES COVID-19 screening form. (If the temperature is over 90 degrees or raining with thunder/ lightning, the event will be rescheduled.)

Email Karl Miller (or text 610-864-2340) for more information and to volunteer!

First Presbyterian Church has supported this organization through its Mission Committee for a number of years.  Many of us have enjoyed volunteering at their Neighborhood Foods Farm or in one of their 27 Community Gardens and Pocket Parks.

The Urban Tree Connection (UTC) is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization, whose mission is to build a neighborhood rooted food and land system through community leadership development and land-based strategies in West Philadelphia.  In 2009, a group of people in a working-class Philadelphia neighborhood had a vision: In an abandoned lot littered with toxic waste, car parts and other trash, they saw a lush garden that could help sustain the area residents.

Over the last two decades, UTC has partnered with residents of West Philadelphia's Haddington neighborhood to develop and sustain community-driven greening and gardening projects. Their network of garden and farm sites are spaces for communal growing, gathering and education that fosters deep community engagement and leadership development of residents all ages, to build healthy sustainable community.

A casserole blitz will be held from 9-10:30 AM on Saturday, March 14 in the church kitchen; ring the buzzer and enter through the 21st Street door.  As always, the 30-40 casseroles we make will be used to feed those in need through the University City Hospitality Coalition.  We have a lot of fun, enjoying coffee, doughnuts and fellowship—and leave knowing we’ve accomplished something good for our community.  

If you can help, please contact Beverly Cowart.

All are invited to join First Church in bringing holiday cheer to the residents of Riverside Presbyterian Apartments. Volunteers are needed for entertainment—singing, playing an instrument, reading a story or poem, or being a song leader.  We also need volunteers to provide food (baked goods, hummus/pita, crudités, pretzels or crackers). If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jordana Woodford or the church office.

Our final casserole blitz of the year will be held from 9-10:30 AM on Saturday, November 2nd in the church kitchen; ring the buzzer and enter through the 21st Street door.  As always, the 30-40 casseroles we make will be used to feed those in need through the University City Hospitality Coalition.  We have a lot of fun, enjoying coffee, doughnuts and fellowship—and leave knowing we’ve accomplished something good for our community.  

If you can help, please contact Beverly Cowart.

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.

Our summer casserole blitz will be held between 8:30 and 10:30 AM in the church kitchen. (Ring the buzzer and enter through the 21st Street door.)  As always, the 30-40 casseroles we make will be used to feed those in need through the University City Hospitality Coalition.  We have a lot of fun, enjoying coffee, doughnuts and fellowship—and leave knowing we’ve accomplished something good for our community.  

If you can help, please contact Beverly Cowart.

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.

Are you interested in gardening and helping those who live in a food desert provide for themselves?  If so please join our group as we clear fields for cultivation in the Haddington section of Philadelphia. We will meet at the Memorial garden 536 North 56th Street about one mile west of the Philadelphia Zoo on Saturday May 11th from 10:30-2:30.

For more information contact Bruce Rapsher .

Our second casserole blitz of the year will be held between 8:30 and 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 11 in the church kitchen. (Ring the buzzer and enter through the 21st Street door.)  As always, the 30-40 casseroles we make will be used to feed those in need through the University City Hospitality Coalition.  We have a lot of fun, enjoying coffee, doughnuts and fellowship—and leave knowing we’ve accomplished something good for our community.  

If you can help, please contact Beverly Cowart.

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.

The Missions Committee is embarking on its fifth year of quarterly casserole blitzes to provide meals for the hungry through the University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). On March 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m., we plan to make 30 casseroles (which will provide a hot dinner for 8 times that many people) by 10 a.m. We could use your help! It’s a fun, gratifying way to spend a Saturday morning (and we have coffee and very good donuts).  Please contact Beverly Cowart if you can participate.

All are invited to join First Church in bringing holiday cheer to the residents of Riverside Presbyterian Apartments. Volunteers are needed for entertainment—singing, playing an instrument, reading a story or poem, or being a song leader.  We also need volunteers to provide food (baked goods, hummus/pita, crudités, pretzels or crackers). If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jordana Woodford or the church office.

Our final casserole blitz of the year will be held between 8:30 and 10:30 am on Saturday, November 17 in the church kitchen (ring the buzzer and enter through the 21st St. door).  As always, these casseroles will be used to feed those in need through the University City Hospitality Coalition.  We have a lot of fun, enjoying coffee, doughnuts and fellowship—and leave knowing we’ve accomplished something good for our community.  If interested, please contact Beverly Cowart.

The Missions Committee will once again be sponsoring a casserole blitz next Saturday, August 25th, to provide meals for the hungry through the University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC).  This is the time of year UCHC is most in need of extra meals; we plan to make 40 casseroles, which will feed 8 times that many people.  We could use your help!  It’s a fun, gratifying way to spend a Saturday morning --and we have coffee and very good donuts. Please contact Beverly Cowart if you can participate.