God is working and He’s invited us to be a part of His Story. Reality Sundays focus on what God is doing through First Presbyterian locally and globally. On February 28th, our Reality Sunday was focussed on our local mission partner, Grace Medical Home. For more information visit the Grace Medical Home website.
REALITY IS...almost one in four people in Central Florida lack health insurance. Many of these individuals may not seem ill, but are walking the plank toward major health issues because they lack consistent and preventative care from a physician. God has placed a desire to meet this need in our community on many people’s hearts and they have come together to create a medical practice that is fully reliant on Christ and reflects His character.
Thanks for being part of the story!
We were able to raise a total of
$64,817.11!
On April 7, 2010 Grace Medical Home opened it's doors to a community in need. Thanks to your generous gifts, they were able to purchase equipment which allows them to provide the highest quality of clinical care to those who could not otherwise afford it. The Board of Directors and staff continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of gifts of time and resources of the community!
FPCO Reality Sunday Gift: Grace Medical Home is committed to the highest quality of clinical care. To measure quality and accurately monitor health outcomes of each patient, Grace opened using electronic medical records that our gifts helped to provide. This software system ($50,000) will enable them to accurately report patient health outcomes, so that Grace Medical Home can continue receiving ongoing financial support. Our goal was to raise the $50,000, so that this system can be purchased--and we exceed it!
Through our first Reality Sunday, November 22, 2009,we raised $44,772 for use in the Urban Ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. Your gifts helped provide:
- 40 Scholarships to Kids Across America Camp for teens in the After-School Outreach Ministry
- 80 Gas Cards or 2-month Bus Passes for Jobs Partnership students
- 12 sets of dentures, 24 pairs of glasses, and 48 prescriptions to Compassion Corner
- 400 Bible study packets for inmates through the FPCO Jail Ministry
- 52 weeks of Tuition Assistance for families placing their children in the Infant Child Care Center
Praise God, that a generous matching grant, through the Heart of the City Foundation, adds another $44,772 for a total of $89,544 to be used in our urban mission work!
Thanks for making a tangible difference in the lives of so many people. We sincerely appreciate your offering to the Lord and pray for God’s blessing on your life as you continue to be a part of His great, unfolding story!
Case Thorp Carol Hafer
Mission Pastor Director of Mission
In the below video you can hear real stories about real people in our FPCO Urban Ministries.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the story!
FPCO Urban Ministries
After School Outreach Ministry (ASOM)
This ministry calls members of our faith community to provide spiritual, educational, social, and economic support to the inner city youth of Orlando. The ministry focuses around an after school program that provides a safe, loving environment for Howard Middle School students get help with their homework and receive support and interest that is often lacking from their home environment. The program also includes one-on-one mentoring, educational field trips, social events, bible study, and the opportunity to attend a transformational Christian summer camp for urban youth. For more, contact Jenny Arrison at 407.423.3441 407.423.3441 ext.2306 or jarrison@fpco.org.
Compassion Corner Ministry
All who serve at Compassion Corner Ministry seek to meet the spiritual and physical needs of those in life's most difficult circumstances. The essence of the ministry is restoration through relationship. Compassion Corner Ministry restores the mind, body and hopes of those who are "cast down" due to alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, and/or unforeseen circumstance. It has become a special place that our friends who live on the streets of Orlando can gather, feel safe, be welcomed, and experience Christ's love. For more information, contact Dawn Neff at (407) 617-3370 (407) 617-3370 or mslavelle@aol.com.
FPCO Jail Initiative
FPCO Jail Ministry works alongside chaplains at Seminole and Orange County Jails to provide biblical teaching, and spiritual and emotional support to male and female inmates and staff. FPCO members go into the jail to teach, counsel, and worship with inmates. They also help meet some transitional needs for those being released. For more information, contact Leigh Swanson at swannylb@aol.com.
The Infant Child Care Center (ICCC)
Over 30 years ago, the ICCC grew out of a response to an increasing number of mothers needing to return to work. Full time, quality care, in a Christian environment, at an affordable price was desired. In keeping with that mission, ICCC still offers partial scholarships to some of their families. Their goal is that ICCC would provide an environment in which all their children, families, and staff can live, love, and worship together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. For more information, Contact Sue Pollack at 407.423.3441 407.423.3441 ext. 2248 or spollack@fpco.org.
Mercy Corridor Initiative… Jobs Partnership
The Mercy Corridor Initiative is a unique collaboration between Heart of Mercy Church, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, and The Jobs Partnership. At the core is a 12 week Life and Work job readiness class for those unemployed or underemployed. It provides, biblical teaching, tools, mentor support, and resources to give hope and opportunities to those who are struggling to get their lives on track and provide for their families. A key to this ministry is the one-on-one relationships FPCO members form with the students. For more information, contact Cleat Simmons at cleat116@gmail.com.