Help Zia kickstart the school year by donating essential items on to help stock up their pantry and make sure children can show up well-fed and ready to learn this school year!
Volunteers are needed on Sunday, August 16th in Old Buttonwood Hall for a Casserole Extravaganza at 11:45 AM (after the 10 AM combined worship service). This popular volunteer activity provides an opportunity to bond with fellow casserole-assemblers while serving our neighbors in West Philadelphia. We put together 30 to 40 casseroles for the University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC), which provides free meals for those experiencing food insecurity. Join us for a time of fellowship and service! Contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
Throughout the month of July, Zia is collecting peanut butter and jelly to support weekly meal kits given to member families facing food insecurity in Philadelphia. These pantry staples are nutritious, shelf-stable, and can help create quick, satisfying meals for children and families in need.
Drop off your donations anytime through July 25 in the marked boxes. Every jar makes a difference!
You can also purchase directly off Zia's Amazon Wishlist and donations will be sent directly to the church.
The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on June 28 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited many of our partners join fellowship hour after both the 9 and 11 AM services to talk about ways that you can support their organizations. This will include Habitat for Humanity, The Common Place, the Welcoming Center, Christian Association at University of Pennsylvania, PhillyHouse, William Way, Interfaith Philadelphia, The Attic Youth Center, Stand with Iraqi Christians (SWIC), Camp Sojourner, and Tango Therapy Project. As before, there will be a raffle with three winners who will be able to choose which of our partners will be given a $100 contribution. Please join us!
Volunteers are needed on Sunday, June 14th in Old Buttonwood Hall for a Casserole Extravaganza starting at 10 AM (between 9 AM and 11 AM worship services). This popular volunteer activity provides an opportunity to bond with fellow casserole-assemblers while serving our neighbors in West Philadelphia. We put together 30 to 40 casseroles for the University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC), which provides free meals for those experiencing food insecurity. Join us for a time of fellowship and service! Contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
Join our team for the Sojourner Truth Walk on May 2nd! You can register to be a part of the team or support our team through contributions that go directly to Camp Sojourner, our mission partner who provides leadership programs for girls living in Philadelphia. Email the Missions Committee for more information.
First Presbyterian will join with Salt & Light Church on Wednesday, April 8, at 12 noon to lead a peaceful prayer vigil in support of immigrant respect and safety in front of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Philadelphia Field Office at 114 N. 8th Street (on the corner of 8th & Cherry Streets). This is part of a 40-week series of prayer vigils initiated by the New Sanctuary Movement (NSM) of Philadelphia and sponsored by various Philadelphia faith communities. NSM builds community across faith, ethnicity, and class in their work to end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status and to express radical welcome for all.
This vigil will be led jointly by clergy from First Presbyterian Church and Salt & Light Church, and will include words of inspiration taken from Scripture, song, and prayer. It will last approximately 45 minutes.
Our Lenten Donation Drive this year supports two of our mission partners:
Maternity Care Coalition - we are collecting donations of baby wipes, boxes of diapers of all sizes, and baby formula.
PhillyHouse - we are collecting men’s t-shirts, underwear, and socks.
Donations can be dropped off at designated locations in the sanctuary and Old Buttonwood Hall. We’re collecting donations through Sunday, April 12. For more information, contact the Missions Committee.
The Missions Committee is coordinating a winter clothing drive for our unhoused community. We will be collecting clothing to support two of our partners, Sunshine House and PhillyHouse. Donate new and gently used men’s and women’s coats, other winter clothing (hats, gloves, and scarves), and men’s t-shirts, socks, and underwear.
From January 11 through February 8 donations can be dropped off at a designated locations in the sanctuary and Old Buttonwood Hall. For more information contact the Missions Committee.
Philly House is a program for men that provides temporary housing and comprehensive services to support transitions to long-term housing. Sunshine House is a community outreach center that supports individuals experiencing housing insecurity located in the Kensington neighborhood.
Please join the FPC Peace & Justice Group on Wednesday, February 4, at 12 noon as we gather peacefully in front of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Philadelphia Field Office at 8th & Filbert Streets to hold a prayer vigil in support of immigrant respect and safety. This is part of a 40-week series of prayer vigils initiated by the New Sanctuary Movement (NSM) of Philadelphia and sponsored by various Philadelphia faith communities. NSM builds community across faith, ethnicity, and class in their work to end injustices against immigrants regardless of immigration status and to express radical welcome for all.
This vigil will be led by clergy from First Presbyterian Church, and will include words of inspiration taken from Scripture, song, and prayer. It will last approximately 45 minutes.
The Welcoming Center, a new mission partner, will be hosting a community event called Language Café: Our Voices in Community in Old Buttonwood Hall on December 7 from 3-5 PM. The Welcoming Center provides services to our immigrant communities in and around the city. Join us to spend time engaging with conversation, eating, and playing games to help others who wish to practice their English-speaking skills. For more information and to register to the event, please register!
Our mission partner Child Houses is hosting an event at First Church on December 3 from 5-7 PM to learn about the latest chapter in Child Houses’ work.
Child Houses invites you to experience the warmth of Syrian hospitality — and to be part of a mission rooted in one simple truth: Every child deserves the love and safety of family.
At Family is a Gift, you’ll step into the heart of a Syrian home: welcomed with tea, mezze, and music, surrounded by stories and traditions that make strangers feel like family.
The event is free; RSVP is required. Learn more here.
Visit the link to learn about the Mission Committee’s Giving Tree, in support of Valley Youth House:
Zia is holding a donation drive to collect hygiene items for their member families through November 22; donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and lip balm are requested. You may purchase items on your own, or order them from Zia’s Amazon Wishlist. The donation box is located by the 21st Street door entrance next to the box to donate grocery bags.
The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on October 19 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited a number of mission partners to join us for the fellowship hour after both the 9 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 can get involved. Please join us to check it out!
Our Casserole extravaganza was such a success that we’re doing it again! On Sunday, August 31, we need 15-20 volunteers to help make 30-40 casseroles for our mission partner, University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). We’ll set up after worship and fellowship (11:45 AM) in Old Buttonwood Hall. Please contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
On Sunday, August 10, we need 15-20 volunteers to help make 30-40 casseroles for our mission partner, University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). We’ll set up after worship and fellowship (11:45 AM) in Old Buttonwood Hall. Please contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on June 29 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited a number of mission partners to join us for the fellowship hour after both the 9 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 can get involved. Please join us to check it out!
Join our team for the Sojourner Truth Walk on May 3rd! You can register to be a part of the team or support our team through contributions that go directly to Camp Sojourner, our mission partner who provides leadership programs for girls living in Philadelphia. Email the Missions Committee for more information.
Our Lenten Donation Drive this year supports our mission partner Maternity Care Coalition. We are collecting donations of baby wipes, boxes of diapers of all sizes, and baby formula. Donations can be dropped off at designated locations in the sanctuary and Old Buttonwood Hall. We’re collecting donations through Easter Sunday, April 20. For more information, contact the Missions Committee.
The Missions Committee is coordinating a coat drive for the Sunshine House, an outreach center that supports the unhoused community in the Kensington neighborhood. We are asking for new and gently used men and women coats and other winter clothing (hats, gloves, and scarves). The donation drive will run from January 19 through February 9th. Donations can be dropped off at a designated location in the sanctuary. For more information, reach out with any questions or concerns to the Missions Committee. Thank you!
This Sunday we will celebrate 35 years of MANNA. We will be joined in our 11 AM worship service by Executive Director Sue Daugherty and founding board members. We look forward to celebrating this vital organization founded by members of First Church.
The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on October 20 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 can get involved. Please join us to check it out!
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!
FPCP’s Missions Committee is sponsoring a team of walkers for the 11th Annual Sojourner Truth Walk! Please join or sponsor the First Church team to help build the leadership of Philly girls. Contact Jordana Woodford for more information.
The 11th Annual Sojourner Truth Walk: Honoring Youth Leaders
This event is named in honor of Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist, women’s rights and economic justice activist, who escaped slavery and then fought to end it. She, along with many others, has served as an inspiration and role model for generations to come. We are walking in their footsteps! This year we are also lifting up youth leaders, as important contributors to political movements in Philadelphia and beyond. (Read more here.)
All proceeds benefit Camp Sojourner Girls' Leadership Camp, and help to fund scholarships for summer camp as well as free year-round creative arts and other leadership activities.
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.
Habitat for Humanity needs your help for the grand opening of a new ReStore at 3111 W Allegheny Avenue on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June, 24. Volunteers are needed this week to help prepare for the opening. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age; please wear closed-toed shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. There is plenty of parking available! Shifts are available every day, June 17 through June 24! To sign up please contact Amazjah Grant, Volunteer Coordinator (215-309-7273, ext 73). You can sign up for a whole shift or a couple of hours. Any help is greatly appreciated!
FPCP’s Missions Committee is sponsoring a team of walkers for the 10th Annual Sojourner Truth Walk: Growing Food Justice, Honoring Those Who Feed Us
This event is named in honor of Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist, women’s rights and economic justice activist, who escaped slavery and then fought to end it. She, along with many others, has served as an inspiration and role model for generations to come. We are walking in their footsteps! This year we are also lifting up Food Justice and the people who feed us, as an important political movement in Philadelphia and beyond (see more info here). This is a family-friendly event—all are welcome!
Please help build the leadership of Philly girls by sponsoring or joining the First Church team!
All proceeds benefit Camp Sojourner Girls' Leadership Camp, and help to fund scholarships for summer camp and year-round leadership activities.
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 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.
