SERVE
God calls us to give ourselves away. We seek to give our time, talents, and resources to the benefit of the common good in our local community. We do that through opening our building for outside groups to use and through supporting various local ministry partners. For more information about our Serve Ministries, please contact Pastor Randy.
Hosting at Home
God’s love is alive at First Presbyterian Church. One way we live out God’s love is through hospitality. A major emphasis of the Hosting Ministry Team is to open our doors and welcome groups to our campus to meet the diverse needs of our community. The Hosting Ministry Team serves as a liaison between the community groups and First Pres Salisbury to facilitate building rental and recruit welcoming volunteers. These groups include, but are not limited to, Three-Wide Ministry, the Salisbury Senior High School Breakfast, Rowan-Salisbury Schools Summer Meals, and Kids at Work. The team is always looking for more help in hosting. Click here to download our First Pres Facility and Building Policy and Building Rental Request Form.
Showing Up to Serve
Jesus invites us to meet him in the world as we care for those in need. The Showing Up Ministry Team seeks to lead the church in hands-on local mission by organizing opportunities to volunteer with the Overton Project or at local ministries who are doing effective work. God is already present in and among those in need. When we serve, we get to encounter Jesus through these people and grow in faith, hope, and love as we do so.
Overton Elementary Tutors
The Overton Project is a tutoring program at our local Overton Elementary school. Our church has partnered with Communities in Schools and Rowan Salisbury Schools for many years, providing reading tutors for children identified as needing extra support. Annually, we have over 50 church members committed to regularly reading tutoring with students at Overton. In addition to tutoring students, First Pres Salisbury provides support and encouragement to the teachers and staff at the school throughout the year. Often our volunteers who spend time with these children come away stating that they were blessed beyond measure by this experience. We want to provide this assistance for as many children at Overton as possible. Church member Lynn Hales coordinates our First Pres Tutoring team.
Rowan Helping Ministries
Many members of First Presbyterian Church have been and continue to be involved in many volunteer roles of this community ministry. Some of the areas where members assist are: Food Pantry, Crisis Assistance, Second Helping drivers, Jeannie’s Kitchen, Shelter Laundry, Food Pantry, and School Backpack Program – to mention a few! Join us!
Jeannie’s Kitchen
Jeannie’s Kitchen at Rowan Helping Ministries got its start in the basement of the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Salisbury before becoming a part of the outreach ministries of RHM. Currently, our members serve monthly in the kitchen (at Rowan Helping Ministries), which helps to feed the hungry in our community. Many of the volunteer groups that serve are Sunday School classes; however, there are other organizations and groups of friends that also step up to serve dinner or breakfast to members of our community in need.
Meals on Wheels
Meal on Wheels provides nutritious meals and more to homebound seniors in Rowan County so that they can maintain their independence and continue to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. Our volunteers deliver more than just a meal, they also provide a safety check and friendly greeting. First Pres Salisbury includes Meals On Wheels in its benevolence giving and several church members volunteer their time in a variety of capacities from administration to delivering meals.
Benevolence Tithe
God has been generous to First Presbyterian Salisbury. In response to the good gifts that God has given to us, we give a tenth of what we receive to good causes. Each year we review applications from local ministries. These are evaluated for work in the community and how church members can be involved. Recent recipients of our benevolent tithe include Rowan Helping Ministries, Communities in Schools, Meals on Wheels, Community Care Clinic, Family Crisis Council, Teens with a Mission and Rowan One Church One Child. We also have seasonal giving campaign to support denominational hunger initiatives.
