A Heart for Mission
At First Presbyterian, giving to others is a key part of our Christian witness. 10% of congregational giving goes directly to the mission causes we support. Additionally, special offerings and the Annual Mission Conference generate financial support. Each year First Presbyterian contributes over $75,000 to local, regional, and global mission.
Special Offerings
The congregation of First Presbyterian regularly contributes to a number of annual denominational offerings that further enhance the church's mission posture. These special offerings include:
The Joy Offering has been a mainstay for Presbyterians for more than 70 years. Received during the Christmas season, this offering supports the unmet needs of families who have devoted their lives to the mission of the PCUSA. Today the Offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical assistance to Presbyterian Church workers and their families, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gifts and find their calling.
One Great Hour of Sharing, another historical favorite of the Presbyterian Church, is an offering that supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People. The offering is normally taken during the Easter season.
The Five Cents a Meal project is part of Presbyterians Answer to Hunger (PATH). The partner groups that receive funding from PATH include: Alliance for International Reforestation (AIR), Society of St. Andrews (SoSA), Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Dan and Elizabeth Turk in Madagascar. Spare change from members of First Presbyterian Church is collected in an individual's "container" each quarter. This offering is a meaningful way to engage children in the mission of helping others.