Outreach
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We provide many opportunities for members to grow spiritually by being the hands and feet of Jesus at work in the world as we use our time, talents, and prayers to serve our local community, our country, and our world.
Refugee Support Our Church is also actively involved in the support of Montignard families who have been able to come to the United States and settle in New Bern. Several of the Montignard families have become members of our church. First Pres supports with time, talents, and treasures, many local organizations that serves the needs of our community. The organizations we support and serve include: Local
We are active in international mission through our support of missionaries in Haiti and Thailand. First Presbyterian was the originating foundation for Haiti Fund, Inc. and our membership continues to support Haiti and our mission there with funds, prayers, and team visits.
Announcing a new mission partnership!
The Mission Commission is excited to announce a new mission partnership with Presbyterian Mission co-workers Ian Vellenga and Jhanderys Dotel-Vellenga. Jhanderys and Ian serve in Nicaragua with the Council of Protestant Churches in Nicaragua (CEPAD), which works to improve the lives of economically impoverished communities by promoting justice and peace. Working closely with their Nicaraguan colleagues and supervisors, Ian and Jhanderys assist in CEPAD’s international partnership program, helping to coordinate U.S. church delegation visits; developing new partnerships as requested by CEPAD leadership; facilitating communication between partner bodies; and encouraging and accompanying partnerships as they deepen their connection and understanding of doing mission together. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, but in recent years it has been able to increase access to potable water, boost life expectancy, reduce infant and child mortality, and raise immunization rates. The PC(USA) began its involvement in Nicaragua in 1972 in response to a massive earthquake that devastated the capital city of Managua. Ian and Jhanderys are currently members of Nutbush Presbyterian Church in Townsville, North Carolina. Learn more about them and their work at: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/vellenga/ 
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Outreach
News & Opportunities... Faith Connection - Arts to End Genocide Heeling Our World workshopFaith Connection will be sponsoring Arts to End Genocide (ATEG)s Heeling Our World workshop to support their project to relocate 500 children out of a garbage dump in Bamako, Mali.
This year’s workshop will teach African Jewelry Making. You will be making bracelets, earrings and chokers for women and men using African trade beads, recycled glass, bone, and wood. Workshop is on Saturday, August 21, 2021. There will be 2 sessions– 12:30-2:00 PM and 2:30-4:00 PM. Each will be limited to 125 participants. The event will be at the First Presbyterian J. Murphy Smith Center, 508 Middle Street, New Bern. Depending on the weather, and the pandemic, the event will be either indoors at the Center, or outdoors. This is a benefit to help relocate 500 children and their families These IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) are victims of terrorism who were driven from their homes in Central Mali. They fled to Bamako in search of a safer life, but for the past two years have been living in a garbage dump under the most deplorable conditions. They are facing major health, nutrition and safety issues. The ATEG team is planning to resettle them to a safe, clean living environment. We will train the community to produce crops and raising poultry and small livestock for consumption and sale at local markets. They will also get income generation training. The program will improve their nutritional status, help them realize food security, provide a source of income, and help them regain their independence and dignity. For information about the project, call ATEG at 252-481-4772 or email- artstoendgenocide@gmail.com. Backpack Blessings End-of-Year BuildWe ended the 20/21 school year Backpack Blessing snack build with a bang! Friday, March 26th, we packed 3,300+ snack packs for kids weekend food supplements. This covers school children in three counties through Middle School age. This school year it should come as no surprise that our list of kids keeps growing.
This last build was an 'all ages, all stages' pack with many of our youth participating, about 25-30 First Presbyterian folks in all. Ruth Powers, who spearheads the ecumenical ministry, made the point that churches totally funded our efforts this year. I am pleased to report that, once again, our Presbytery Hunger Grant committee made Backpack Blessings one of its targeted ministries this year. A summer food program is in the works. As more information is available, our congregation will be informed. Below you can find our morning group of First Presbyterian volunteers assembled. Many folks are 'old hands' at this, having served in this capacity many, many times in the past. We were delighted to welcome some new faces too. A whole different crew of First Presbyterian volunteers arrived for the evening build....but I don't have a photo of them. I would personally like to to say to each and every one of you, your persistence in serving this year has been such an inspiration to many. Thank you, thank you! Stacey Griffith 
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