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... 
Annual Sock Tree
The Sock Tree is in the rear of the sanctuary and will be there until after the first of the New Year! Donations of new men's, women's and children's socks will be accepted and then donated to RCS for the homeless shelter. The shelter very seldom receives socks when clothing items are donated. You may also drop off socks during church office hours Monday - Thursday 9 am to noon. Gifts from the Heart
What is a “Gifts From the Heart?” A Gifts From the Heart is an alternative gift by offering a donation to a worthy cause either in honor of a friend or family member or simply a donation from you to a cause you care about. For example, instead of giving your neighbor a box of chocolates, you could help support a child going to Camp Albemarle in their honor or help support someone who needs medical treatment but cannot afford it. Each year, the Outreach Commission highlights three different ministries. This year, the Outreach Commission recommends Camp Albemarle Camper Scholarship, MERCI Clinic, and Coastal Women’s Shelter. Past supported ministries also are available and can be purchased. Gifts from the Heart Brochures will be distributed at the Fellowship Meal on December 6th to provide you with more information.
Each year, Camp Albemarle strives to serve children and families without regard to their financial ability. This year, Gifts From the Heart's goal is to help fund those scholarships for campers who desire to participate but whose family financial situation does not allow it.
Coastal Women’s Shelter offers intervention and assistance to the many victims of domestic
violence. Your gifts to CWS will help support the running of the Shelter Home. Many victims leave a threatening situation with only the clothes they are wearing. Your sponsorship will help fund the purchase of those necessary items for the residents of the shelter. 
MERCI Clinic provides free medical, dental and pharmaceutical assistance to the medically uninsured of three counties-Craven, Jones and Pamlico. Like other agencies, the funding has decreased while the need for services has increased. Your gifts provide the dollars that fund those services. For every dollar that is donated, MERCI Clinic can provide $10 worth of care.
To Order Gifts From the Heart:
Cards will be available for purchase/pick up after services on December 6th, 13th and 20th. Please order by contacting Julia Speight at Juliawcs23@gmail.com or Stacey Griffith at sgriff4930@yahoo.com Child’s card $5.00 Adult Card $10.00 Operation JammiesOperation Jammies will kick off our 10th year of collecting jammies for the Coastal Women’s Shelter on November 30, 2020. This year has been an especially challenging year for so many and the Coastal Women’s Shelter is no exception. Each year we collect “new” pajamas for every mother and child receiving services from the Coastal Women’s Shelter. For the children, size 6 months to 16 for both boys and girls are needed and the sizes needed for women range from Small to XXL. This year there will be a collection bin inside the main entrance to the educational building. There is someone in the building Monday-Thursday, from 9am-12pm, and someone will let you in for pajama drop offs since the door remains locked for safety reasons. You can also drop off the pajamas on Sunday morning if you are attending Sunday services and pajamas will collected until December 22, 2020.
Also, remember that you can always donate to Coastal Women’s Shelter through Gifts of the Heart. Thank you in advance for always helping to make this worthy cause a success. Gratefully yours, Lynn Hand Backpack Blessings
First Pres, along with 21 other partner churches and organizations, just successfully completed our fall 'build' of snack packs to send home with students who experience food uncertainty at home. 3,000 snack packs were put together over the three day period, with our members present at all three builds. Our own Jane Moon Dail, a Board Member for Backpack, was present along with team leader Sarah Moeller (who came with 'muscle' in the form of her dad, George). The grocery store ALDI contributed mightily to our supplies of food for packing. This is an issue as many of our usual sources could not supply us with 'snacks'. COVID and our community response to same, made builds smaller by necessity. Only 35 folks could 'pack' each of the three nights. We normally have well over 100 at each build. But Ruth Powers, who is the driving force behind Backpack, was agile and accommodated all the necessary changes with grace and good humor. It was an all ages, all stages event as we had youth participating as well as those of us in the 'elder' range. And everything in between. A tip of the hat, to all our members who support this important ministry through their labor, funds, and prayers.
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