We actively support a variety of world mission programs, including:
Church World Service
Both Blanket Sunday and Crop Walk support Church World Service which assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, nurtures ecumenical relationships, and offers opportunities for people to join a network of local and global caring.
Heifer Project International
The Heifer Project helps millions of impoverished families acquire self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training. Recipients then" Pass the Gift" by sharing the offspring of gift animals with others in need.The project seeks long term solutions emphasizing community involvement. Check out kids' books on this ministry through our church library.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. Our church library has children's books on this ministry.
Fellowship of the Least Coin
The Fellowship of the Least Coin, an ecumenical prayer movement, believes that women anywhere can have a sense of being part of a worldwide family of faith by praying for peace and reconciliation. As a sign of our oneness in the common quest for peace, justice, and reconciliation, the women set aside the least coin of their country. The Least Coin Offering is supported by the Presbyterian Women and the Brown Bag Circle.
Cents-Ability
The Presbyterian Women of FPC participate daily in Lake Michigan Presbytery's Program, Cents-Ability (2 Cents A Meal). Currently the Presbytery is using donations to support 30 Patio Projects (a sustainable backyard nutrition program similar to the Heifer Project) through their Nicaraguan Partnership.
Youth Mission Trip
Each year, the FPC youth group travels to a spot in the US that can use their help cleaning, rebuilding, and engaging in the community. In 2008, the youth went to Coahoma, Mississippi to help clean and refurbish some abandoned homes.
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief
The FPC youth group travelled to New Orleans to help in clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
A complete set of choir robes was donated to the congregation of St. Paul AME church in New Orleans which, in addition to their personal tragedies, had lost everything in their church except for the shell of the building.
Colleen O'Tool is working for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as a liaison between need and church mission groups in New Orleans. Check out Colleen's mission blog.
Worldwide Health Ministries
Mission Workshop, a group of Presbyterian Women, rolls bandages from donated bed sheets for the Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital, a mission hospital near Sierra Leone.
Eyeglasses are collected for recycling by the Lions Club. Volunteer Optometrists distribute them on mission trips abroad.
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First Presbyterian Church of Niles (FPC) is very active in community outreach.
 Deacon's Food Delivery
Each
month approximately 35 bags of food are
delivered to needy families. Members
of the church have helped by supplying goods
and by helping to deliver the bags.
Thanksgiving baskets
The Deacons and church members donate food for Thanksgiving baskets and delivers them to families in the community
Christmas projects
Deacon Christmas
projects include: providing gifts for the
needy through donations from the congregation
from names on the annual Angel Tree and
Mitten Tree, donations to the Safe Shelter
and Department of Family Services (FIA),
donations for the Veterans and active Military
personnel, and 40 bags of snacks, mittens,
and other essential items for the Juvenile
Center. Smaller items are given to the hospital for those mothers in need of additional assistance.
Red Cross Blood Drive
The Deacons also arrange the
annual Red Cross Blood Drive.
REAP Mission Sewing Group
The REAP sewing group was started in 2006 with a some fabric and notion donations. Since then, the group has grown, and the number of projects and recipients have increased. the group makes bibs, baby blankets, lap robes, children's clothing, baby seaters, hats and scarves of all sizes, tote bags, slippers, hopsital gowns, and window and door draft dodgers. Each December the group makes 20 new baby bags for the Preganacy Care Center to distribute. New members to the group are always welcome.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a compassionate, Christian care giving, outreach ministry by lay people of the congregation. The group at FPC was commissioned in 1978, and is currently very active. The Stephen Ministers provide individual Chrisitan support to those in physical or emotional difficulties, including the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, divorced or separated. The Stephen Ministers also assist in conducting worship services at Westwoods of Niles, a rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility.
Presbyterian Preschool
For over 20 years, Linda Timm and her staff at the Presbyterian Preschool have taught pre-literary skills to the littlest members of the Niles community. Ouverssen by an advisory board, the Michigan State licensed program teaches children readiness skills in a safe, secure envrionment. A nondenominational Christain emphasis gives the children an understanding of God's love.
Vacation Bible School
Each summer, an action-packed week with a Christian theme and message is provided for kids through Vacation Bible School. Games, songs, and camaraderie based on Bible passages teach kids how to follow Jesus's path.
Other Community Groups
FPC offers meeting space for other community groups including:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Alanon
- Burgess Family Ministry
- Men in Crisis
- Niles Service League
- Niles Garden Club
- Reader's Club
- Four Flags Players
- Ladies' Historical Society
- Scrapbooking
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