Granville Presbyterian has a long history with the Center for New Beginnings, a shelter for battered men and women. 

The center offers free confidential housing and multiple services to community members and residents who need help with a “new beginning.". FPC member Carol Apacki took part in the founding of this agency over 25 years ago. FPC member Larry Murdoch currently serves on the Advisory Board. FPC has now committed to funding the construction of a furniture storage unit on the center’s property. Sally and Steve Stilwell met with the center’s director and have agreed to manage the furniture inventory and deliveries. Community members donate the furniture.  When people leave the shelter, they may select needed items for their new dwelling. We will be looking for other FPC folk to help the Stilwells with this hands-on mission. If you’d like to know more, talk to Ellen, Sally, or Steve.   AND that’s not all!!..... Tricia Hufford, the center’s director, will be at FPC on March 9, right after worship, as part of Jeff Kurtz's “Reclaiming Faith and Reimaging Church” faith formation class. Come find out more about the center and how you can become involved!

That’s what it took to move furniture from a church member’s home to a young 18-year-old man, who has aged out of foster care.

Mark Atchison, Greg Bossart, Scott Heichel, and Keegan Kirwin didn’t hesitate when asked to load the furniture and make the trek to Lancaster. John Weigand lent his truck to complete the team. These men braved Saturday’s weather and set up the apartment. They were able to meet the young man and share the gratitude he felt. This young man has a place to lay his head and put his belongings thanks to Starting Strong, the donor, and the men who made it happen. What a blessing!

On the cusp of below-zero temperatures, we got a text during worship Sunday from the Drop-In Center.

The director, who coordinates all volunteers and food for the Drop-in Center had to be hospitalized. A call for food went out to the congregation after the postlude. Within 20 minutes, we had over 14 volunteers to bring food! Then emails and phone calls came in. We were able to provide a hearty, balanced lunch for 40+ people on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. In addition, several FPC members volunteered at The Warming Center so it could remain open. Without volunteers, it doesn’t operate.

The unsheltered are among us, and our congregation responded! Thanks be to God.

The class planned for after worship beginning January 12, has to be rescheduled.

If you are interested in learning more about poverty and the people who experience it daily, please contact Ellen at eclark@granpres.org.  Zoom options are available!

As 2024 comes to an end, we celebrate ending the year with a festive Christmas dinner for the community in Newark. Along with a meal of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, jello, and dessert, we gave out the “Warm Wishes” bags (the ones we made after church in Heritage Hall), and two men immediately commented on how they needed gloves!

We also celebrate the work done by 1500 Trees, highlighting the 25 live trees that lined Main Street all through the holidays. Ten of our church groups sponsored and decorated 10 of those 25. All live trees will be planted in Licking County, enhancing our environment for years!

As the calendar page turns to 2025, we will continue learning about poverty and racism, growing more in the understanding of how people live in our county, barely getting by. On January 12, we will begin a new class on Bridges Out of Poverty. If you haven’t had a chance to take this 7-week course, please join this one! We will meet after worship until 12:15. Interested? Please talk to Ellen.

In addition, we will have a 3-part series to answer the Biblical question, “Who Is My Neighbor?" Speakers from around the area will inform us about the conditions of poverty in Licking County. Watch for details to learn more.

Together, FPC raised $840.00 in one day for the Salvation Army. 

Together, FPC raised $840.00 in one day for the Salvation Army.  The Abraham/Tatham team, Acklins, Bibees, Burriss/Clark and Olaf team, Boyers, Collins, Kirwins, Krause, Kurtz, Misels, and Skeens.  You could hear joyful bell ringing and many a “Merry Christmas” at the Candlelight Walking Tour.  Grateful teamwork for an important ministry!

Around 70 “Warm Wishes” bags were made in Heritage Hall on Sunday.

As the saying goes, “Many hands (on mission) made light work"! Barbee and Jeff Lamp serve at the Community Dinners in Newark. Barbee thought bringing a little Christmas joy to the December 23rd meal might warm a few hearts. She gathered the items, and many hands put the bags together. Hands-on Mission happens in so many ways, from an idea to loving action—and so much in between.

Starting Strong volunteers packed 60 bags full of “Christmas Wishes” for young adults. 

The bags included the 60 Walmart gift cards that our congregation graciously provided. Other items in the bags were blankets, pillows, and household goods. Thank you, Rob Drake, Beth Hall, and Karen Philips, for making this happen.

FPC accepted the Turkey Trot challenge on Thanksgiving Day.

We had an enthusiastic group that gathered before the race to learn more about the Food Pantry Network and some of the people who experience food insecurity. By registering for the event, each participant provided almost $500’ worth of food for the pantry. (For every $1 donated, the pantry can buy $11 worth of food.) Giving thanks for all who came and donated!

ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET

Share a gift that continues to bless others all year long by supporting our local & international mission partners. It's one gift that spreads your love around the world.

What do you give someone you love who has all they need? Come to Heritage Hall after worship for some ideas. You will find 5 agencies that are local and global, where you can donate in honor of a loved one. Our church has supported these agencies, and now you can share their stories with others. A true gift. See you in Heritage Hall after worship on December 8, 15, and 22.

The Thanksgiving meal, headed by Liz Tietz and Deb Hibler, was heartwarming.

Over 112 meals were served, including takeouts. Steam rose from the plates, and the aroma of turkey, dressing, and homemade mashed potatoes filled the room. Our FPC volunteers, including ones making delicious desserts and table decorations, added to the festive mood. Conversations were uplifting, and spirits were high. Many “thank you’s” rang out from the guests. (And so many questions about who made the table decorations.) Our congregation, together with wonderful leadership, created a joyful dinner, complete with a topping of love.

Christmas Joy offering Dec 22!

The Christmas Joy offering is back! This year’s bulletin features someone near and dear to OUR hearts- our own Jenni Whitford! You can check out the incredible article on the PCUSA website here. We will be taking the Christmas Joy offering in worship on Sunday, December 22.

Thank you to all who supplied Walmart gift cards for young adults aged out of Foster Care. 

Sixty cards were delivered Monday morning to a very grateful staff at Fostering Further (Starting Strong’s parent organization). This Friday, Rob Drake, Mary Beth Hall, and Karen Philips will be packing sixty duffle bags for Christmas, which will include your cards. Thank you!

Job and Family Services

Job and Family Services reached out to FPC, asking if we would adopt a child this Christmas as part of their Families Helping Families program. And we said YES!  We have adopted a special needs 16-year-old male who has asked for clothes and a Switch game. Please come to Heritage Hall to see his wish list. Let’s lift this teen’s spirits at Christmas, sharing God’s blessings.

Families Support the  Y Healthy Backpack Program

One in five children living in Ohio face hunger.

In Licking/Muskingum County THE YMCA Healthy Kids Network Backpack program fed over 600 children in 23 schools. Several groups in our church have helped pack these backpacks to ensure children have food over the weekend. Last Saturday, our young families gathered for another “packing party”. Children as young as 3 were helping feed other children and learning what it means to live out Matthew 25.  Thank you, families!!

Let’s learn more about this important topic! Are you interested in carpooling? Talk to Ellen!

Thanks to Presbyterian Women, to Jenni, Rylee, Harper and to all the congregation for the delicious baked goods.

The PW Election Day Bake Sale supporting Presbyterian Mission worldwide and Hurricane Disaster Relief was very successful.

Many hands found wonderful ways to love our neighbors!

On November 3, Watkins High School had a celebration.

The students, who have created a landscaping plan for their newly built high school, shared their ecological vision and plan for the future.

1500 Trees was mentioned as their partner, and as one student said, “helped make this possible.” Karen was the keynote speaker and gave a beautiful explanation of how 1500 came to be. 1500 Trees continues to make a difference in our county. Thank you to Carol Apacki, Mike Flood, Amanda Love, and Steve Stillwell, who serve on this team from FPC along with Rebecca Mastrioni and Sarah Miller from the Granville community. The ripple effects of your vision will reach generations to come.

How much time do you have to share your blessings?

Every bit matters. Here is a list of upcoming ways to love your neighbor, please pick what fits your time and talents.  Interested? Want to know more? Email Ellen. Let’s make it happen!

• Election Day Bake Sale – November 5.  All proceeds benefit FPC’s Presbyterian Women’s annual gift to the Presbyterian Women of the wider church, PC (U.S.A.) which supports education and medical mission sites worldwide.

Also, donations will be made to Presbyterian Disaster Relief currently on the ground in hurricane-torn states.  Please drop off donated baked goods by 4 pm. November 4 AND come shop November 5!

• Packing Party - November 22, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Help pack Christmas bags for young adults who have aged out of Foster Care.  This is a one-time event.

• “Giving Tree” – Grab a tag off the tree in Heritage Hall on Nov. 3, 10, and 17. These gifts will be part of the Christmas bags mentioned above.

• Help Organize – put your “decently and in order” skills to work. Starting Strong AND The YES Club needs volunteers to organize their clothes/items closet. Time and date can be arranged with your schedule.

• Serve Meals – we need a volunteer to serve lunch alongside Sue Barton and Sandy Rinehart each Thursday from 11:15 – 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army.  Can you only do one or two weeks a month?  That works too!

• FPC Turkey Trot Team – November 28.  Come to Heritage Hall 30 minutes before the run begins.  We’ll gather, share a blessing, grab an FPCTTT souvenir, and then join the run as you wish.  Everyone is welcome whether you participate in the run or not.

The “Giving Tree” is back!  On November 3, 10 and 17, the tree will be in Heritage Hall.

Starting Strong will be creating “gift bags” for young adults. They would like to surprise each individual with a $25 Walmart Gift Card and a Christmas decoration in each bag. Please stop by the tree and grab a tag.  All cards and decorations will be delivered on November 18. Thank you for making these gift bags special!

Would you like to help pack these holiday “gift bags”? Starting Strong is looking for 4 volunteers to pack Christmas bags on November 22. Are you available? Let’s do this! Contact Ellen at eclark@granpres.org to sign up.