First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell

Mission Statement

We come together in community to praise and glorify our Creator God. This community seeks to pitch its tent where God is dwelling and where Christ is acting - i.e., in the world around us, wherever people need justice, love, the basic goods of life and faith, and release from violence and oppression.

We believe that God calls us to a two-fold mission. First, we seek joyfully to embrace the diversity of God's creatures, inclusively to welcome all people into one fellowship as full partners in our ministry, and to be a family for all those in our fellowship. We seek to offer mutual support for all members of that fellowship in times of joy and trouble. Second, sustained by this mutual support, we seek lovingly to be the body of Christ for a suffering world, and to provide generous assistance to those beyond our fellowship seeking to sustain themselves and improve the lives of their families.

We seek faithfully to apply God's Word to the pressing social issues of our time; intelligently to study and discuss issues affecting our community, country, and the world; and enthusiastically to develop and implement plans that address those issues.

Mission Activities

Local Mission

These local services receive community-wide support in Grinnell.

Food Pantry: Once a month, non-perishable food items are collected and delivered to the community distribution center.

Meals on Wheels: During six weeks of the year, our members deliver noon meals each weekday morning. We team up with St. Paul's Episcopal Church to cover the six routes throughout our community.

Christmas Share: In December, members select individuals from eligible families, and shop for their Christmas presents.

Community Meal: This program, begun by a group of college students (including some of our church's college students), provides a Tuesday evening meal at Davis School. Everyone is welcome, and usually more than 100 people attend. Our congregation plans, cooks, and serves two Community Meals each year.

Global Mission

Church World Service: We observe an annual Blanket Sunday and participate in the community CROP Walk to raise money to reduce hunger in the world.

Annual church offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking, Rural Harvest, and Joy Gift all receive generous support.

Our Sister Parish: The Presbytery of Des Moines established a relationship with this community around Berlin, El Salvador, and the Presbytery has a pastor serving on the staff of the parish ministry. Several churches in our Presbytery have established relationships with small cantons surrounding the town. Our Grinnell congregation has chosen to provide support for the salary of the psychologist who comes to the community regularly to work with families dealing with the violence they have experienced. This year, we have committed to providing funds to cover six months of the psychologist's salary. Information about the work in El Salvador can be found on their website www.oursisterparish.org

Heifer International: Following World War II, this organization began sending animals to other countries where healthy stock was needed. The animals may provide eggs, milk, honey, or labor. When they reproduce, the young animals are passed along to neighbors along with instructions on their care. In 2004, Heifer International won the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for work creating sustainable solutions to hunger. Members of First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell have been sending their financial support since 2003. One Sunday a month, the children collect quarters to fill our heifer "bank." Some of our members have begun the practice of contributing the cost of an animal in honor of loved ones on special occasions. In the spring of 2005, we were recognized for reaching and passing the $5000 cost of a Gift Ark, which includes two each of the following: cows, sheep, camels, oxen, water buffalo, pigs, beehives, goats, donkeys, llamas, flocks of chicks, flocks of geese, trios of guinea pigs, trios of rabbits, and trios of ducks. We are already well on our way toward the purchase of a second Ark.

First Presbyterian Church Grinnell, Iowa
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Mission Mission Statement We come together in community to praise and glorify our Creator God. This community seeks to pitch its tent where God is dwelling and where Christ is acting - i.e., in the world around us, wherever people need justice, love, the basic goods of life and faith, and release from violence and oppression. We believe that God calls us to a two-fold mission. First, we seek joyfully to embrace the diversity of God's creatures, inclusively to welcome all people into one fellowship as full partners in our ministry, and to be a family for all those in our fellowship. We seek to offer mutual support for all members of that fellowship in times of joy and trouble. Second, sustained by this mutual support, we seek lovingly to be the body of Christ for a suffering world, and to provide generous assistance to those beyond our fellowship seeking to sustain themselves and improve the lives of their families. We seek faithfully to apply God's Word to the pressing social issues of our time; intelligently to study and discuss issues affecting our community, country, and the world; and enthusiastically to develop and implement plans that address those issues. Mission Activities Local Mission These local services receive community-wide support in Grinnell. Food Pantry: Once a month, non-perishable food items are collected and delivered to the community distribution center. Meals on Wheels: During six weeks of the year, our members deliver noon meals each weekday morning. We team up with St. Paul's Episcopal Church to cover the six routes throughout our community. Christmas Share: In December, members select individuals from eligible families, and shop for their Christmas presents. Community Meal: This program, begun by a group of college students (including some of our church's college students), provides a Tuesday evening meal at Davis School. Everyone is welcome, and usually more than 100 people attend. Our congregation plans, cooks, and serves two Community Meals each year. Global Mission Church World Service: We observe an annual Blanket Sunday and participate in the community CROP Walk to raise money to reduce hunger in the world. Annual church offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking, Rural Harvest, and Joy Gift all receive generous support. Our Sister Parish: The Presbytery of Des Moines established a relationship with this community around Berlin, El Salvador, and the Presbytery has a pastor serving on the staff of the parish ministry. Several churches in our Presbytery have established relationships with small cantons surrounding the town. Our Grinnell congregation has chosen to provide support for the salary of the psychologist who comes to the community regularly to work with families dealing with the violence they have experienced. This year, we have committed to providing funds to cover six months of the psychologist's salary. Information about the work in El Salvador can be found on their website www.oursisterparish.org Heifer International: Following World War II, this organization began sending animals to other countries where healthy stock was needed. The animals may provide eggs, milk, honey, or labor. When they reproduce, the young animals are passed along to neighbors along with instructions on their care. In 2004, Heifer International won the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for work creating sustainable solutions to hunger. Members of First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell have been sending their financial support since 2003. One Sunday a month, the children collect quarters to fill our heifer "bank." Some of our members have begun the practice of contributing the cost of an animal in honor of loved ones on special occasions. In the spring of 2005, we were recognized for reaching and passing the $5000 cost of a Gift Ark, which includes two each of the following: cows, sheep, camels, oxen, water buffalo, pigs, beehives, goats, donkeys, llamas, flocks of chicks, flocks of geese, trios of guinea pigs, trios of rabbits, and trios of ducks. We are already well on our way toward the purchase of a second Ark.
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