The Giving Tree found it’s way back to Heritage Hall, thanks to Karen Philips!

She made sure Starting Strong 2025 high school graduates have a chance to celebrate their huge accomplishment. FPC is supporting these teens with $25 gift cards and a note of encouragement. Come to Heritage Hall and grab a heart off the Giving Tree, purchase a gift card this week, and return by Easter Sunday, April 20.

We all find ways to give.

Pastor Wallace, daughter Sophie, and Molly Bruce made 8 dozen brownies to be shared with our neighbors at the Community Dinners! If you would like to bake for these meals, contact Ellen, and she will get you all the information you need.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Lunch and Learn last Sunday, and to Doris, Mark and Riley for all your help before and after!

Stephanie Penland and Mallory Meeker shared the history of Whole Living, their own stories of incarceration and recovery, and their conviction and joy in helping others with addictions. 

They were so grateful for how FPC people took genuine interest and showed compassion for their work. Many stayed after to talk with them about ways to be involved.

We are so fortunate to have people in our community doing hard work and making an impact in the lives of others.

Join us! July 6-12 in Asheville, North Carolina

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has reserved 12 spots for our congregation to do Hurricane Helene relief assistance. Anyone 16 and older is encouraged to join this important work as people in Asheville regroup, recover, and rebuild. The cost will be around $250 to cover meals we cook together, lodging at New Hope Presbyterian Church, and traveling expenses. There are funds available if needed. Interested? Great! Email Ellen at eclark@granpres.org and we’ll get you signed up!

Join us on April 6!

Stephanie Dunlap is the Executive Director of Whole Living Recovery and a compassionate reentry case manager. After overcoming years of homelessness and addiction, Stephanie joined Whole Living Recovery as a resident in 2019. Through resilience and dedication, she advanced to Administrator and now serves as Director. Committed to helping others transform their lives, Stephanie leads efforts to provide safe, supportive recovery homes, ensuring individuals have the opportunity to build the futures they deserve.

Part of our Mission initiative is to learn about the needs and services provided for our neighbors in Licking County. Positive things are happening, and we want to know more. Partnering with Jeff Kurtz’s class on Reimagining Church, we can learn about positive outcomes in Newark. On April 6, Stephanie Dunlap will share how she overcame homelessness and addiction. She will tell the story of a recovery program, Whole Living Recovery. We are all touched by addiction. Let’s learn how it is being addressed successfully in our own county. Join us, after worship, in the cellar. See you there!

Let’s celebrate 20 young teens at Starting Strong as they complete their high school education, overcoming major obstacles.

Starting Strong’s director, Yvonne Williams, says it best, “Graduation for any teen is a big deal, but it is especially momentous for our young friends who have been in foster care. 25% of kids in foster care never graduate or get their GED, so we want to CELEBRATE the ones who do!

Each year we gather signed graduation greeting cards and $25 gift cards for our graduating seniors. We would love to have First Pres join us“!

The Graduation Giving Tree will be in Heritage Hall on April 6, 13, and 20. Let’s join in and celebrate Starting Strong graduates!

In partnership with 1500 Trees, a dedicated group of Granville High School students has broken ground on an ambitious conservation project: the Grad Grove. Since Fall 2024, these students have cleared over an acre of land, removed invasive plants, and planted 28 white oak trees - laying the foundation for a lasting environmental legacy. Their ultimate goal? Adding more than 400 trees to restore and enrich the local ecosystem.

With your support, the Grad Grove will serve as a space for conservation, education, and community connection for generations to come.

Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone!
📅 April 27th @ 3 PM
📍 Grad Grove (Upper Practice Football Fields, Granville High School)

Be part of this momentous occasion and witness the dedication of a project that will grow for years to come!

FPC traditionally collects the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday

This offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People.  Our church is planning a work trip this summer with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We will see firsthand how our dollars help fellow Americans who have suffered loss through national disasters.

Join us on April 6th for “Lunch and Learn” during Faith Formation Hour after worship.

All are invited to the cellar as we learn more about the positive things going on in our community to aid our neighbors with addiction. Stephanie Dunlap, director of Whole Life Recovery, will share her personal experience and how 5 recovery houses in Newark are giving people the tools, skills, and support needed to improve their lives. One resident, who became a house manager, commented, “Newark saved my life.” Come, listen, learn, and grow together.

Several FPC folk helped organize a basement at Holy Trinity Lutheran, Newark which is home to the Warming Center AND the daily Drop-In Center for people experiencing homelessness. 

Alex Boyer, Cheri Misel, and Jackie Toothman spent many hours sorting, discarding, recycling, and bringing much-needed TLC to the church basement. It is now freshly labeled, organized, and clutter-free. This is extremely helpful for volunteers navigating people’s needs for clothing, toiletries, bedding, pet supplies, etc. Alex, Cheri, and Jackie used their talents and time available to make life a little easier for our neighbors. Thank you!

Let’s build a house together…..well, at least the walls. 

On April 25, we are collaborating with Second Pres/Newark and local Newark groups to build the walls for a Habitat for Humanity home. The walls will be transported to the homesite after construction. This is for everyone, skilled and not. This project will take 80 people to get it all done in a day. What’s the commitment? We need people to measure and cut 2 x 4’s from noon to 3. Then, from 3 to 7 pm, we will hammer the boards together as the walls take form. All you need to know is how to use a hammer. We will be working in the parking lot at Second Pres, and hot dogs/drinks will be provided. Let’s build a house... no, let’s build someone a home - together.

What is the Y-Healthy Backpack program? 

How many schools does it serve?
How many children are food insecure in Licking County?
What is a Backpacking Party? 
Can I be involved?

Come find out the answers to all these questions on Wednesday, March 26. Sarah Bowles from First Presbyterian, Newark, will be at Wonderful Wednesday. Sarah coordinates the backpack program for the YMCA, to ensure that all area children have food to eat on weekends. Liz Adams will share their family’s positive experience (yes, 3-year-old Lucy participated!) and invite others to “the party”!

There was great energy in the Cellar on March 9, as part of the Faith Formation class being led by Jeff Kurtz.

The focus was on community mission and the positive things going on in our community. Tricia Hufford, the director of New Beginnings, shared with us the history of New Beginnings, a shelter for men and women experiencing domestic violence. She continued with where they are now and how FPC is partnering with the agency. Many questions were asked during the question-and-answer time as we learned more. Please watch for ways you can be involved with New Beginnings as we continue this partnership. Next “Lunch and Learn” is April 6. See you there!

Second Presbyterian Newark, has invited us to join them on April 25 to build walls for a Habitat House.

Yes, that’s right. In one day, we can build the walls that will be assembled later on location. Families with children in third grade and older can participate. (We’ll be doing lots of hammering!) Please save the date—April 25. From 3-7pm. Come after work and join the effort to provide affordable housing where it is needed most.

Pastor Wallace spent Monday afternoon “touring” our partnerships in Newark.

He stopped at the Starting Strong apartment, Market Street Food Pantry, Blessing Box, Y Healthy Backpack at 1st Presbyterian, Community Dinner at Second Presbyterian, the Warming Center/Drop-In Center, YES Club, and New Beginnings. He’ll do part two of the “tour” to see the Salvation Army, Together We Grow Gardens, and Coalition of Care. The Mission Committee plans to hold tours for the congregation too! Watch for details!

Yvonne Williams, Director of Starting Strong,…

…gives us a big thumb’s up on how the young woman living in FPC’s sponsored apartment is doing. The young adult has filed for an extension to stay in the apartment. Yvonne reports that “she is doing everything she needs to do.” She is a student at OSU Newark and making positive progress. How wonderful that she has a safe, reliable place to come home to, do her studies, and find positive ways to move forward. Thank you, FPC!

Please Plan to Attend

The Mission-Focused Light Lunch & Learn begins at 11:15, right after the service. We'll have the chance to learn about our community partner, the Center for New Beginnings. You can read about the Center's important work here.

This luncheon is part of the work of our Mission Initiative and also is an extension of the work and good thinking we have done in our class. Please let me know if you have any questions or reach out to Ellen Clark. If you do plan to attend, and I hope you will, please confirm via email with the church office or by calling 740.587.0187.

Best wishes for your week,
Jeff

“Happy to Report…

The sandwiches and decorated sacks were a big hit. I believe the turkey/cheese and ham/cheese were a much appreciated addition from standard PBJ. Please thank the “Wonderful Wednesday peeps.” Greg Bossart (Drop-In Center kitchen guru)

Wonderful Wednesday focused on temperatures last week, as the Warming Center in Newark opened for 5 frigid nights. We heard from 5 FPC disciples (we listened to the sermon!) who have had positive experiences as volunteers at the center. Thank you to Carol Apacki, Mark Atchison, Greg Bossart, and Peggy and Verne Qualls for sharing your stories. veryone at the dinner pitched in to make 50+ sack lunches for the next day’s lunch for our unsheltered neighbors. If you are interested in knowing more about the center, please reach out to any of the names mentioned above. You’ll be glad you did.

Want to support Starting Strong and Fostering Further celebrating 10 years?

Several of us do, too! Let Ellen know if you’d like more information or if you want to carpool.  eclark@granpres.org

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Want to support Starting Strong and Fostering Further celebrating 10 years? Several of us do, too! Let Ellen know if you’d like more information or if you want to carpool. eclark@granpres.org

March 9   Mission  “Lunch and Learn” with Tricia Hufford from New Beginnings

Right after worship as an extension of Reclaiming Faith and Reimagining Church.