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Who Is My Neighbor?
Luke 10:25-37
I was a stranger,
and you welcomed me.
Matthew 25:35
At a time when many of us feel helpless, divided from our neighbors by forces seemingly beyond our control, what is God asking us to do for our neighbors?
Our Hightstown community is no exception to the damaging effects of fear, hostility and injustice. Hightstown is home to a large immigrant community, and in 2010 Latinos made up over 30% of the population.
In response to these conditions we have made a commitment to active participation in a solution that will help those of our neighbors who are at risk. First Presbyterian provides free ESL classes on Wednesday evenings, and our outreach to our community has included a Block Party and a free bicycle clinic (the only form of transportation for many of our neighbors).
What is needed? Your help and your time. It is surprisingly easy to get involved. There are no certification requirements, no tests or applications to fill out. The rewards are the knowledge that you are making a difference, and an antidote to helplessness. There’s much that is needed, and there is much that you can do.
For further information email Dave Teich or call 609-273-7850.
The Clothing Bin is Open
As the warmer weather returns and you are shifting your wardrobe, consider bundling up your unwanted items, bagging them up, and putting them in the clothing collection bin in the corner of our large parking lot. All donations are either re-used or re-purposed. All monies raised are put into the CE budget to offset programming costs.
LOVING NEIGHBOR
Mission
15% of our pledges are designated for mission. The Mission Committee is searching constantly for causes, needs and organizations to support with donations, prayer and/or labor. Input from the congregation to identify new causes is encouraged.
Across our 150-year history, we have supported missionaries in Africa, China, Korea, Venezuela, Iran, Tibet, Brazil, Chile and Thailand. Our mission activities have also extended to worthy causes here at home in the United States, including working with programs such as Habitat for 
Humanity, Campus Ministry, and Compassionate Friends. Our Senior High Youth Group has continued this tradition through their Mission Trip over the last several years.
Our commitment to service has extended down to a local level as well, continuing to support the Better Beginnings School and Day Care which we helped to found in 1974, through the Stop Gap Fund, and through ongoing support to numerous local programs.
Our strength as a church has always been grounded in our unwavering desire to serve God and his Kingdom here on Earth.
What Can I Do?
Volunteer Opportunities at First Presbyterian
Community
Dinners
First Presbyterian has been providing free community dinners since May of 2012. We have fantastic volunteers who make the work enjoyable we serve 200 meals each Monday even during the Pandemic! When we are indoors
(pre-pandemic) we give folks a non-threatening, safe place to come and socialize and just be with people who care for them. We spend a lot of time talking to our customers with respect for our patrons being the key. They are our neighbors after all!
Everyone is welcome to come out and help serve our neighbors on any given Monday. If you wish to join our fun group, please contact us at 609-448-0055 or email Mark Dahlinger or Robin Reeves.
Mission and Outreach at First Presbyterian
LOVING GOD
Outreach
Outreach's charge is to answer God's call to do his work and build Christ's ministry:
- To bring good news to the poor
- To proclaim the release to the captives
- To bring recovery of sight to the blind
- To Let the oppressed go free
- To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
- Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.... Amen.
Due to the constraints of the Covid virus, we have not been able to sponsor many of the activities that we have enjoyed in the recent past. Such as "Church Has Left the Building", where the congregation joins together to "Be The Church" by dividing into teams and doing work in and around town; gathering with our neighbors and with each other to break bread at shared dinners; holding movie nights, showing films on such topics as immigration
("The Genesis of Exodus") and "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", a documentary about the life and philosophy of Fred Rogers, creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood; a free bike clinic for our neighbors who use their bicycles for transportation.
We look forward to being able to resume these activities.
In the meantime, weekly ESL classes have continued, new member classes were held virtually, and five new members were received into the congregation of FPCH.
Outreach meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm (currently on Zoom), where we brainstorm and discuss ideas on how to reach out to our brothers and sisters within the community and beyond to share the good news of Christ's love for all.
email Outreach
email Mission
Better Beginnings
Mission
To provide high quality, affordable child care program that contributes to the educational, physical, social and character development of individual children in a safe and healthy environment, while giving their parents the ability to remain employed or attend a full time training/education program, thereby having the opportunity to be self-supporting and contributing members of the community. 
Vision
Our vision is to provide the children of working parents with an affordable, enriched early childhood educational program that is diversified and developmentally age-appropriate and that will provide a pathway for strong, healthy self-reliant families.
Core Values
- We celebrate and embrace the gift and richness of diversity.
- We foster an environment that allows us to create and embrace new ideas.
- We believe in the value of parenting and team work.
- Strong commitment to serving low and moderate income individuals and families.
- Dedication and integrity in everything we do.
