Here’s what some Presbyterians say about mission:
“Mission is the heart of the Great Commission. Christians are to GO into all the world sharing the love of Christ.” – Rev. Betty Crawford, Corvalis, Oregon
“Mission, to me, is ‘walking the walk,’ an opportunity to be God’s hand extended to others, be they next door or on the other side of the globe.” – Kathie Sherman, St. Louis, Missouri
“Mission is worshiping God by helping people.” – Ladell Hemsworth, 15, Foley, Minnesota
Mission is about being sent to serve others, and sent to bring good news to people. Another way to look at it is that in mission we reach out to others. At Sixth Church our mission efforts cover a broad range of needs and causes:
Sixth Church Food Closet
Sixth Church provides food on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month to those from our community who have an emergency need. A pre-packed bag of food is provided containing a variety of basic food items, such as canned food, frozen meats, bread, juice, cereal, pasta and fresh produce. The food that we distribute comes from the Capital Area Food Bank, as well as from regular donations from members. Food bags are distributed beginning at 12:30 p.m. and continuing to 2:00 p.m. Those who wish to receive a bag of food should call the church office on the morning food will be distributed to reserve a bag.
Ingleside Resident Supporting Fund
Ingleside at Rock Creek is a Presbyterian faith-based retirement community in Washington, DC. The mission of the Ingleside Resident Supporting Fund is to provide financial assistance to residents in need with monies raised through annual charitable appeals. These subsidies permit low-income residents to live comfortably with dignity and self respect and receive necessary health care so essential in later life.
Theological Education Fund
The Theological Education Fund is how the congregation supports the ten Presbyterian theological seminaries in the United States. This is a way to help prepare people for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. A seminary education is designed to provide tomorrow’s pastors with a solid biblical foundation, historical perspective and understanding of Reformed theology.
Metro DC Kids Konnection
Kids’ Konnection is a non-profit organization that ministers to 1,500 children a week from public housing in Southeast DC. Some of the specific services and programs include:
- Sidewalk Sunday School: sharing God’s love, providing role models, home visitations, counseling, intervention in abuse or neglect situations, substance abuse prevention, and sharing life skill.
- Summer Camp
- Back to School Supplies
- Thanksgiving Baskets
- Christmas Stocking, and Christmas Toys
The Rev. Alice Winters, Colombia
Alice Winters is a Presbyterian missionary who teaches Bible and biblical languages in the School of Theology of the Reformed University of Colombia. She has translated several Old and New Testament textbooks into Spanish and has numerous publications in Spanish and English in the areas of biblical studies and mission. In response to the violence in Colombia, Alice has become involved in the struggle for human rights.
A lawyer specializing in tax law, Alice heard the call to the gospel ministry when she was involved in an inner-city Washington church. She worked as pastoral assistant at Sixth Presbyterian Church in Washington before her studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Alice was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1977 it Sixth Church, which has supported her ministry in Colombia for many years.
Christ House
A 34-bed health care facility, Christ House is a temporary residence for those who are homeless and sick. It is a place where they can receive medical care, social services, nutritious meals, and plenty of rest. On December 24, 1985, the first patient came through the doors of Christ House. Since then, Christ House has been continuously serving those who are homeless and sick.
The Mission of Christ House is to provide comprehensive health care for sick, homeless men and women and assist them in addressing critical issues to help break the cycle of homelessness.
Christmas Joy Offering
The Christmas Joy Offering is split between two causes. One-half goes to the Presbyterian Board of Pensions for assistance programs for retired and active church workers. And one-half goes to support Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges: Barber-Scotia College, Cook Native American Ministries, Knoxville College, Menaul School, Presbyterian Pan American School, Sheldon Jackson College, Stillman College.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering received annually on the Sunday before Easter. The offering goes to help people throughout the world through the Self-Development of People Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program.
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering
Received annually on the first Sunday in October, World Communion Sunday, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports peacemaking efforts through the church at all level: local, regional, national, and international. It is a part of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
From floods in West Virginia to the humanitarian crisis and drought in Darfur, Sudan. If there is a natural disaster anywhere in the world, Presbyterians can help by giving through any local Presbyterian church. Assistance from Presbyterians helps provide for basic humanitarian needs. Food, water, medicine, shelter, and other critical supplies bring hope to a struggling community.
Basic Mission Support
Some of the mission funds that are distributed by Sixth Church are not earmarked for a particular program or effort. Instead, we support Presbyterian mission through our undesignated Basic Mission Support. That is how we share in all of the mission efforts of the Presbyterian Church (USA), including the work with partner churches and organizations in more than 90 countries and Presbyterian mission co-workers who serve in more than 50 countries.
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