Ministries

Soup on Saturdays

Soup on Saturday is one of our more exciting ministries. In the spring of 2003, First Presbyterian Church joined with other local churches to bring a soup ministry to our community.

We are working with other area churches to provide a hot, nourishing lunch every Saturday to those in our community who are experiencing economical burdens or loneliness.

The local churches have agreed that we should have one site week after week for the soup ministry so that those in need will know where to go every week. Currently the site each week is the Friendship Hall of the Bloomfield United Methodist Church. We serve each Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Each Saturday a different church serves as host.

The soup ministry has grown from just a few churches to 12 churches, and the number of participating churches is growing.

Many of those who live in the Hi-Rise come every Saturday. The Hi-Rise is owned and managed by the Bloomfield Housing Authority. Meals on Wheels provides food during the week, but Soup on Saturday fills an unmet need on Saturdays.

We are trying to reach out into the greater Bloomfield and Greene County community to tell those in need that they are welcome at Soup on Saturday. Flyers have been distributed at housing centers, apartments, WIC office, Family Life Center, and the Division of Family and Children. We continue to reach out.

When we serve as host church we have many in the church who prepare soup, sandwiches, desserts, nutritious drinks. Others wait on our guests and greet and visit those who have joined us. Still others clean up and wash dishes. There is something for everyone to do, regardless of age and gender. And we have fun working together and knowing that our efforts are appreciated.

The Greene County Literacy Coalition

a cooperative educational endeavor of:

· Greene County individuals, clubs, churches, businesses, social services

· The public libraries in Bloomfield, Jasonville, Linton and Worthington

· The Greene County Step Ahead Council

· ReadIndiana

· The Indiana Adult Literacy Coalition

· And is supported in part by the Greene County United Way

PURPOSE:

The Greene County Literacy Coalition is composed of concerned citizens

interested in improving literacy in the county. The main purposes of the Coalition include:

· promoting public awareness of the problems of illiteracy in our country, and more specifically, in our county; recruiting, training and supervising volunteer tutors;

· attracting students who want to learn to read or to improve their current skills and matching them with appropriate tutors.

The Coalition serves all Greene County adults, 18 years of age and older who are not currently enrolled in a school program. The Greene County Literacy Coalition provides volunteer one-on-one private tutoring in:

· GED preparation

· Reading and Writing

· Basic Math

· Living Skills

· English as a Second Language

With a private tutor, students have the benefit of studying at their own pace, toward their own goals and with materials matched to their individual needs. They gain the friendship and support of their tutor, who is trained to teach and understand adult learners.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

recognizing that the task is to bring God's intended wholeness to disaster survivors so that they may be strengthened and encouraged for the task of rebuilding their communities and livelihoods. The task is greater than a single organization or program. It requires commitment to and support of the local community, and cooperation with ecumenical and interfaith councils and agencies that are working in the area. Most importantly for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the commitment is to strengthen as much as possible the local church and/or council. Many people and organizations come and go during the course of disaster response and recovery, but it is the local church that can become the enduring witness and reminder that love and support was found, help given, and wounds bound up. Therefore, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has committed itself to equip Presbyterians worldwide to effectively and efficiently serve disaster survivors in Christ's name so that out of the chaos of disaster they will find hope. Learn more at PDA

Glenburn Adult Residential Facility and Autumn Trace Assisted Living, Linton, IN

One every month, the pastor and several elders from First Presbyterian Church visit the Glenburn Adult Residential Facility and Autumn Trace Assisted Living in Linton, Indiana to share communion with the many Protestant residents who enjoy a time of worship and fellowship together.

Missionaries in Thailand

Nathan and Bethany Scott began Full Life Development in Thailand several years ago. God lead them to the decision to return to the United States as the team in Thailand was ready to carry on the work they began. Bethany is still very involved with Full Life Development and in constant contact with the staff.

Visit the Full Life Development website at www.fulllifedevelopment.com to learn more about their mission work.

Family Life Center

Family Life Center draws its directive from 2nd Corinthians 1:3-7:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

The mission of the Family Life Center is to assist all members of a family with the support required to enhance the emotional, social, mental, spiritual, and physical balance in their lives. Family Life Center provides many programs and services, including Upper Rooms where clothing is available, a Safe Shelter to protect families in crisis, counseling and tutoring, and other services.

For more information, please visit Family Life Center.