First Presbyterian Church partners with the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) in Vsetin, Czech Republic to provide mutual support through worship, mission, and fellowship. For several years we have planned a joined worship service, using the same scriptures and sermons, plus some liturgy, music, and traditions of the other. Both congregations support “This Child Here”, a ministry with orphans in Odessa, Ukraine, as well as Vsetin’s summer camp. Three Cumberland church members have attended the triennial conferences of the partner churches, held alternately in the USA and Czech Republic. The next conference will be in Czech Republic in 2022.
The Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan,
PC(USA)’s Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan (PEB) is currently providing high quality education to almost 6,000 students in 24 schools and 4 boarding houses in Punjab Province. Enrollment is 60% Muslim and 40% Christian. There are five women’s empowerment projects also.
In 2005, our congregation raised enough money to pay for a third of the second floor of Kinnaird Academy in Lahore. In April 2006, two church members attended the dedication of the school and toured others. Seven students receive scholarships from the Mission budget and extra giving through Reason for the Season. The Executive Director, Veda Gill, has spoken FPC several times.
More information at www.friendsofpeb.org, on Facebook, and YouTube.
Lalitpur – SHANTI Nepal, is a Christian social development organization established in 2003. It was started from a shared vision of Christian community health and development professionals with a passion for helping people in need. Dr. Richard Harding, the brother of a church member, was one of those professionals.
It’s mission is to bring about physical, social, and spiritual transformation to all, particularly to poor and marginalized people.
Towards this, Shanti Nepal will:
For more information: www.shantinepal.org.np ; Facebook
Welfare Association for Children Tikapur (WACT), Nepal is a non-government organization started by Dr. Richard Harding in 1996, working in the areas of child well-being, community health, education, peace, and transformational development.
Qholaqhoe Mountain Connections, QMC’s mission is to provide financial assistance for sustainable food, water, and education programs for the people of Qholaqhoe, Lesotho, Africa. First Presbyterian supports five scholarship students and the Emergency Food Fund. Lynn Mindermann, a director for QMC, has visited FPC and remains in close contact with our congregation.
For more information: www.qmconnect.org; Facebook.
The Mulanje Mission Hospital, Malawi, originally founded by the Church of Scotland, MMH provides public health and primary care services to about 80,000 people living in 72 villages around Mulanje.
More information at: www.mmh.mw; Facebook
This Child Here was started in 2006 by a former interim pastor of FPC, Dr. Robert Gamble, after seeing the children and youth who lived under the streets of Odessa, Ukraine. Today, the nonprofit trains foster families and mentors of orphans, teaches peacemaking skills and attitudes, and works with families displaced by the war. Our Czech partner church sent 3 youth to the peace camp one summer.
More information at: www.thischildhere.org; Facebook
If you are interested in giving to any of these organizations please contact the church office at 301-777-3700 or by email at Firstpresbyteriansecretary@gmail.com.
Updated 7/22/20