Rev. 9/09/08 Purpose The Mission Committee involves the congregation in showing compassion and seeking justice, to demonstrate the Good News of the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ. The Mission Committee, working in cooperation with other congregational committees, seeks to promote social justice, on a local and global level. This demonstrates that our congregation is true to its calling "to be Christ's faithful evangelist ... participating in God's activity in the world through its life for others" by: healing and reconciling and binding up wounds, ministering to the needs of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the powerless, engaging in the struggle to free people from fear, oppression, hunger, violence and injustice, giving ourselves and our substance to the service of those who suffer, sharing with Christ in the establishing of his just, peaceable, and loving rule in the world." [Taken from Book of Order, G-3.0300 c.(3)] Responsibilities Participating in both local and global mission opportunities. Responding to individual, community and global needs. Engaging in reconciliation and witness in our urban setting. Sharing Christ's compassionate message with those outside the church. Promoting social justice, human rights, and peacemaking. FOCUS is a major part of our involvement in the local community - a consortium of downtown churches now in its 41st year of operation! Local Programs FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry - provides a four-day supply of groceries to those living in downtown Albany who cannot meet their food needs. Over 275 households are served each month. FOCUS Extra Helpings - is a food buying service that offers selected groceries at sharply reduced cost compared to supermarkets - which helps those on limited incomes (isn't that all of us these days?). Advance orders are distributed at First Presbyterian on the fourth Thursday of each month. FOCUS Winter Breakfast Program - offers a hot breakfast and cheerful hospitality to 90-120 men, women and children on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from November through April. First Pres volunteers get an early start at 6:30 am, serving our hungry neighbors down the street at Westminster Prebyterian. School Kits and Computers for Kids - a recent effort to assist Albany's youngest citizens develop their talents, support them in their daily education efforts AND provide a landfill-free opportunity for you to pass on your tired old computer (which will find new energy in the hands and homes of young minds). Overflow Shelter for the Homeless - the Capital Area Council of Churches runs a 20-bed shelter at First Lutheran Church (on Western Avenue, downtown). During the cold months of November through April, the Overflow Shelter accepts guests when all the other shelters are full. First Pres volunteers prepare and deliver home-cooked meals for their guests. Equinox - is a local non-profit organization that helps people struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS and homelessness. First Pres provides both financial and volunteer assistance to Equinox. For more than 30 years, First Pres has opened its doors - and its kitchen - to the Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner, that feeds more than 6,000 Capital District residents. Equinox also provides after school tutoring and family court advocacy for victims of domestic violence. Youth Mission - teens and adult chaperones participate in volunteer programs to feed the hungry, provide warm clothing and blankets to the homeless, and repair homes for the poor. Programs include daytrips or overnights, in Albany or away, directed by First Pres and/or national youth camp organizations. Global Impact Fair Trade - First Pres is home to periodic Artisan craft sales, recognizing the true value and talents of developing countries. To sweeten the deal, we also provide an opportunity to buy fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate (did you say chocolate?) - at honest prices that reward the labors of those who toil in distant vinyards. CROP Walk - is an annual fund raiser to benefit the Capital District Food Pantries and Church World Service global efforts to fight hunger and its causes. Our energetic walkers collect pledges, then join hundreds of other participants who walk a marked course through Albany. By the way, since you asked CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. Guatemala Partnership - First Pres unites with other churches in the Albany Presbytery to support a partnership with the Presbyterio Mam of Guatemala. This global mission includes such diverse programs as Agra Maya, teaching farmers how to terrace their lands against soil erosion; domestic violence prevention workshops; a Women's Embroidery project; a youth-directed project building chicken coops; Mayan Spirituality workshops; and a Youth Ministry where children's artwork is exchanged. As part of the church's wider outreach program, the Mission Committee sponsored the documentary, "Precarious Peace: God and Guatemala," which was produced by members of First Pres Albany - in cooperation with Dennis Smith, a PC(USA) mission co-worker in Guatemala. This 72 minute video explores the involvement of faith groups in both the war and the peace process in Guatemala. Intended as a study project for churches and schools, it is being distributed internationally by Vision Video and Maryknoll. For ordering information, click on www.precariouspeace.com. About FOCUS - First Pres is one of six downtown urban churches known as the FOCUS Churches, who come together to worship several times a year and to work in unity to support several FOCUS sponsored programs, including the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry, Breakfast Program, Extra Helpings, and Project Love (an eight week Summer program in partnership with the Albany Boys and Girls Club).  It's Your Turn to Suggest  a Mission Opportunity Any member of the congregation may suggest a mission opportunity for FPC. Discuss the suggestion with the Mission Committee chair or any committee member. Then work with the committee to answer the following questions: How does the suggestion relate to the mission of FPC? How does the suggestion strengthen and expand the ministry and membership of FPC? How does the suggestion expand an existing program or start a new program? The Mission Committee determines whether to recommend the suggested mission opportunity to the Session. The Session then takes action on the committee's recommendation. The Mission Committee seeks ideas for new mission involvement, local and global and is always looking for new members. Monthly Mission Committee meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 in the church library. Tara Lindsley, Chair Marilyn Riddle, Secretary Carol Bullard Freda Gardner Susan Haney Peggy Schalit Alice Schrade Sheryl Sheraw Irving Smith For more information you can call the church office at 518-449-7332 or send an e-mail to info@firstpresalbany.org.