Upcoming Events
Farmer's Market -
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 -
3 - 7pm
Communion Service -
July 18 -
10:00am
Pantry -
July 9 & 23 -
10 - Noon
Visit our
Calendar of Events
Through gifts, offerings and the grace of God, First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale reaches out in many directions to help those less fortunate and those in need. This is some of the many projects the church is involved in locally and around the world.
Caring Fund
There is a special fund in our budget for emergency aid to people in need. We have in the past helped with travel expenses for stranded motorists, made one time utility or rent payments and provided other help to those who call our church in need. On Communion Sundays, members are asked to make contributions to this fund, using the special green envelopes in the bulletins or in the pew racks. To make a donation directly to this fund at other times, just note your intention on the comment line of your check or attach a note with your special gift. The notes or the green envelopes will help insure your giving account is properly credited for tax purposes. On Communion Sundays, we also still receive your 2 cents a meal offerings to be used to fight hunger.
The Outreach Team thanks those for their generous support of the Caring Fund. Your tithes and donations have made it possible for us to help others when emergencies occur.
Cents-Ability (Two Cents a Meal)
Have you ever noticed the fishbowl in the sanctuary or narthex with pennies in the bottom? This is displayed on Communion Sundays to receive offerings to the “Cents-Ability” mission giving program. Cents-Ability was originated in 1972 as “Two Cents a Meal” by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger.
Cents-Ability is a small first step in the battle against hunger and poverty. We invite each family to collect 2 cents per person at each meal. This simple act is an expression of thanks to God for what we have received. It is also a commitment to share with others in response to Jesus’ command, “You give them something to eat.” When you bring your offering to the fishbowl on Communion Sundays, all of these coins will “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” as they are received and dedicated.
These small acts of faithfulness add up! Right here in Dimondale we collected over $540 in 2005 to benefit local hunger ministries as well as the national and international projects of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. That’s a lot of pennies! Watch for special collection cans in the Great Room so you can add your 2 cents worth to this program.
CROP Walk
In a spirit of one with neighbors near and far, individuals, congregations, and community groups support the work of Church World Services each year during the start of the fall harvest by walking for world hunger. Each year our congregation is joined by people from other Dimondale and Eaton Rapids area churches as we walk to stop hunger.
“The Pantrys”
“The Pantry” has begun! Due to increased requests and the need for more holistic support for those requesting assistance, we morphed our successful Community “Pantry” into an ecumenical venture with Dimondale United Methodist Church. A well-respected and experienced agency, Christian Services, now assists us by taking all calls for help. They are expert at linking people with programs that truly benefit them long term. Then two times a month, our wonderful, dedicated, efficient, and loving volunteer members, fill the orders for food that Christian Services has faxed to us and the people come pick up their orders.
All individuals requesting assistance are referred to Christian Services where staff discuss the situation, offer support services, and then set up a time for them to pick up their orders.
The number to call is 354-5411.
Please know, though, that if members of our congregation have a special request or know of a family member or friend in need, feel free to contact Rev. Sharon, Monty Whipple or Jill Brown directly, and we will gladly provide assistance.
Holiday Fruit Plates
During the Christmas Holidays, our church puts together fruit plates for seniors in Windsor Township, the St. Lawrence Dimondale Center and local Adult Foster Care Homes. Additionally several area families usually receive food boxes at Christmas. This holiday project is made possible through the church, the Dimondale Lions Club and others.
One Great Hour of Sharing
For mare than fifty years, Presbyterians have joined with Christians throughout the nation in supporting One Great Hour of Sharing, responding to Christ’s love for all people by joyfully sharing that love with people in need. The refugee and the stranger have found food and safe shelter; those stunned by the aftermath of disasters have found relief and help rebuilding; and communities seeking to take control of their future have found partners in development. Presbyterians’ gifts support the work of the Presbyterian Committee for the Self Development of People, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. The hundreds of millions of dollars Presbyterians have given over the last half century have enabled a powerful witness to the love of the One who came that all might have life more abundantly.
When you ask someone about the miracles of Jesus, probably the one most people think of first is the feeding of the multitude, “the miracle of the loaves and fishes.” The story offers us this simple but powerful truth: When we offer what we have, God uses our gifts in ways far beyond what we could have imagined. This is a message that resounds particularly in One Great Hour of Sharing. A small change in our lifestyle can mean a gift that when multiplied by millions of other givers can enable transformations that none of us could have predicted.
SIREN/Eaton Shelter
Within our local area the Outreach Team and members of our congregation have worked with this homeless and domestic violence organization, collecting clothing, household items and money to aid those fighting this terrible battle. Additional information regarding this organization can be found on our Links of Interest page or at the SIREN web site.
Spartan Food Barcodes, Campbell Soup Labels and Box top for Education Collection
Our church collects Spartan food labels and redeems them for cash to support our church programming. Only the bar code portion of the label is needed. We also collect Campbell soup product labels and Box tops For Education coupons which are donated to a local community school. Place these in the container in the Great Room.
Winter Heating
A concern that has been discussed by the Outreach Team and other members of the congregation is the potential needs of members of our congregation and residents of our own community this winter in the face of rising heating and gas costs. Please consider giving to the Caring Fund to those in need. Consider tithing (10%) of what your normal utility bill, gas bill, etc. is during the winter months so we can build up this fund and prepare for emergencies. Envelopes are available in the pews. Prayerfully consider how God has blessed you and how you can use your gifts to help others.