MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Supporting Afghan Refugees – Bicycles Needed!
FPC is partnering with Catholic Social Services RAIS (Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services)
to provide support for the Afghan refugees as requests arise. RAIS is currently looking for bicycles to give to the children and parents at an event that is being planned for April 27. Providence Hospital will also be present to distribute helmets and teach about bicycle safety. Donated bikes can be dropped off at the RAIS Welcome Center (4135 San Roberto Ave) on Tuesday, April 26 or Wednesday, April 27 from 8 am – 4 pm. The following are welcome: tricycles for toddlers, kids bikes, adult bikes and bike locks. Please do not bring any bikes that need to be repaired as the children will not be able to fix the bikes.
Supporting Families transitioning to permanent housing
First Presbyterian continues to support families who are without permanent housing by partnering with NeighborWorks and providing support to one of the families that is currently living in a hotel with the hope of getting into permanent housing within 90 days. We currently are supporting a mother and her two daughters; ages 13 and 14. We deliver a hot meal every Thursday and often a weekly gift basket with items the family could use. When the family gets permanent housing we will have an opportunity to help the family by donating furniture and household items for their home. Please contact Danna Larson (dllsitka@gmail.com) if you have furniture or household items to donate or would like to provide a meal. Donations for the gift basket can be left in the designated basket at the church.
Food Bank of Alaska and F.I.S.H.
We continue to accept donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Alaska and F.I.S.H. (Fellowship in Serving Humanity). We provide 60 pounds of pasta each month to F.I.S.H. as well as empty egg cartons, plastic grocery bags and paper grocery bags. The youth have begun volunteering at F.I.S.H. regularly to support this ministry.
Matthew 25 Initiatives As a Matthew 25 congregation we are called to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith becomes alive as we act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. Thank you for the many ways you have given generously and written cards to support our Matthew 25 Initiatives. This fall the mission committee is planning a series of gatherings to address systemic racism. We plan to use a video series created by Native Movement (www.nativemovement.org) called “Untangling Colonialism – Building a Decolonizing Framework”. We will offer a variety of small groups settings to view the videos and engage in discussion. Watch for more details about this learning opportunity in August.
SUPPORT OUR DEACON MINISTRY
The Deacon’s regularly deliver Goodie Bags to those in our congregation who are homebound or enjoy having visits from our church community. We will be delivering about 20 bags during the week of April 10-15 for Easter. If you or your family would like to help deliver a bag and spend about 30 minutes visiting with one of our members please contact George Ellis (907 382-8776), deacon moderator, or Danna Larson for more details.
Lent Resources