Anchorage First Presbyterian Church

Justice

Matthew 25 Learning Opportunity

Matthew 25 logo

First Presbyterian Church is now a PC(USA) Matthew 25 congregation. A Matthew 25 congregation is one that calls us to see our neighbors through Jesus’ eyes (Matthew 25:31-46) and serve those who are marginalized or in need. The three focuses are: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. The mission committee is discerning ways we can live out our calling.

Several of us from the mission committee have signed up for an online being offered through the PC(USA) Matthew 25 Initiative and we invite you to join us!

Stony Point Center is working in collaboration with Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary to develop an online curriculum to support the Matthew 25 vision. The first Matthew 25 course, Awakening to Structural Racism is designed for those whose awareness of the dynamics of structural racism is being awakened due to the uprisings in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Tony McDade. This course is also for those who have been aware of these dynamics and for those who desire a brave space to deeply explore their participation in systems of white supremacy. 

You can learn more about the class and register at: https://stonypointcenter.org/get-involved/latest-news/11-latest-news/386-a-matthew-25-course-awakening-to-structural-racism

The class begins on Monday afternoon so if you are interested please sign up asap! Contact Danna Larson if you have questions.

Gardening Opportunity

First Presbyterian Church will be a part of the Community Garden that is being created on the corner of 14th and I Street (south of New Sagaya City Market).  This is a community garden that is being organized through Anchor Gardens and since our church is so close it is a perfect match for us to get involved.  The food we grow will be given to the Food Bank for distribution. 

All are invited to a work party (children, youth, adults)  this Wednesday, May 20 from 6-8 pm.  We will be working to help complete the lasagna beds for the garden spaces so we can begin planting next week.   One of the Anchor Gardens leaders will mentor us as we work together.

Wear gloves and a mask   (we will be social distancing) 
Bring your own water 
Bring your own tools:  wheel barrow, shovels, rakes   

Supplies needed:  cardboard, leaves, kitchen scraps-not dairy or meat,coffee grounds- call your coffee shop and ask them to save them for you, straw, aged manure, spent malt  grains (can get free from breweries)

If you cannot help with the build possibly you can bring supplies.  You can drop them off anytime at the Community Garden site.  Just pull up and you will find the bin or area for your donations.  

Contact Danna Larson if you have questions or to learn more about this opportunity.

One Great Hour of Sharing

We participate in the PC(USA) special offering, One Great Hour of Sharing, received during the season of Lent.

The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People – all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

You may send a check to the church (see address above) and designate it One Great Hour of Sharing, or you may give online here.

Stewardship & Justice through Palm Branches

We were unable to gather together in person for Palm Sunday, but our Palm branches order arrived in the mail right on schedule! Danna’s efforts last week made it possible for many of us to still celebrate Palm Sunday with palms!

Did you know that we purchase our palms from EcoPalms? Environmental stewardship and social justice are priorities for this company and you can learn more about Eco-Palm harvesting and the benefits of eco-palm premiums for small farmer communities in Guatemala and Mexico: