GLOBAL MISSION
We are blessed to have mission partners in Cuba, Haiti, Guatemala, the Czech Republic, and Rwanda. We have learned much from these partners and trust and hope that we have made a positive impact in their communities.
CZECH PARTNERSHIP
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been in partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren (ECCB) since 1993. First Presbyterian has been actively in relationship with the ECCB Letohrad church since the late 1990s. At first assisting in the physical building of its church with a group of laborers, FPC has furthered the relationship with its sister church with summer exchange experiences; the annual “English to the Church” Camp in Letohrad for youth; a choir tour; sabbatical visits; and prayer. This long-standing connection between the two church communities has been a source a mutual global understanding and depth in both faith and compassion.
REFUGEE COMMITTEE
In 2022 our sponsor family from Iraq celebrated its fifth year in Anne Arundel County. Over the years, the FPC community has assisted with tutoring, temporary and long-term housing, home ownership, employment training, transportation, music and sports lessons for the children, drivers education, health insurance and access, and more; the needs of a refugee family are abundant! The Committee is expanding its work to assist a family from Afghanistan. To join this group, contact the church office.
CUBA PARTNERSHIP
Since 2017, we have developed and nurtured our relationship with a small congregation in Caibarién, Cuba. We have sought innovative ways to connect including through gifts of cell phone minutes to pastors, contributions go into a pot that subsidizes all Cuban Presbyterian ministers and support, as needed, to Pastor Edelberto Valdés with parish missions, plans for a children’s Vacation Bible School, and through the PC(USA), a ship container of rice, coffee, sugar, and syringes. This intimate, faithful church community in Caibarién thrives in leadership, commitment and fellowship, as shared with us through a team of FPC members in close contact.
HAITI REFORESTATION PARTNERSHIP (HRP)
Burdened by political unrest, earthquakes, tropical storms, violence and kidnappings, FPC’s commitment to Haiti is in terms of the land for food for local people. The church’s involvement with HRP started in XXXX; this US-based organization financially assists and provides leadership to CODEP, a community of 750 Haitians that since 1990 has planted 15 million trees covering 6,000 acres of previously barren mountains. The trees provide fruit and coffee; leaves create garden compost and topsoil; the trees slow absorption of rain runoff creates clear streams and reduces flooding; and the trees consume carbon dioxide (CO2). Visit www.haitireforest.org to learn the number of trees to “sponsor” to offset one’s own carbon footprint!
CONNECT RWANDA
A outgrowth of one FPC family’s year living and working overseas, Connect Rwanda has grown into a non-profit that funds education, technology, and relationships with K-12 school communities throughout Rwanda. This robust nonprofit appreciates the support of FPC members in terms of board members, monetary, a summer teacher exchange, educational expertise, and the purchase of delicious Rwandan coffee which subsidizes its mission. Visit https://connectrwanda.org/.
GUATEMALA/CEDEPCA
We work through CEDEPCA, a nonprofit organization located in Guatemala City, which has a very positive 35-year history of helping their oppressed people. CEDEPCA depends upon cultural and religious connections with its many supporters. FPC has been working with the Guatemalan people for well over 15 years by visiting regularly in their Cultural Program, helping sell scarves and other items handcrafted there, and participating in a number of trainings between the parties. We work with other churches in the Baltimore Presbytery and there is a Presbytery Guatemalan Board that oversees this important work.
MISSION FAIR + ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET
This annual event takes place the first Sunday in Advent. At the fair, members have the opportunity to learn about the various missions of the church. In addition, items are sold by the mission subcommittees, proceeds from which then subsidize the work of the Mission Committee for year. Stuff toys and ornaments from Heifer International, coffee from Connect Rwanda, handmade scarves from Guatemala are but a few examples of the items and products offered at the Fair. Save the date and join us virtually and in person in Fellowship Hall!