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Mission at Concord Presbyterian

"We will serve the world around us, sharing in the concerns and struggles of its people."

We believe God calls us to be active participants in addressing the needs of the community in which we live, as well as the greater global community.  Following are some of the local missions in which we participate with both our time and money.  Our activities are coordinated by the Church & Society Committee.  If you would like to join us in any of these missions, call the church office at (302) 654-9652.

Mission Activities

Blanket Sunday (February): Concord Women sponsors a special offering which is given to Church World Service to support a blanket purchasing program. Because the blankets are bought in large quantities, Church World Service can provide a good wool or cotton-blend blanket for a modest $5. These blankets are distributed by The Presbyterian Disaster Fund to areas who have been hit by disasters, such as earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, and revolution. This mission has been so successfully supported by your generosity that Concord Women has been recognized with the presentation of a Church World Service banner.

Camelot (December): For several years Concord Women have been contributing homemade cookies, blankets, games, and underwear to the boys home, Camelot, in Bellefonte. The residents are young boys who have been sent there by Family Court and are hoping to be placed in foster homes. Our gifts provide them with necessities and let them know that others care.

Clothing Bank of Delaware: The Clothing Bank of Delaware has been very successful in providing clothing free of charge to those in need. Donations of clean, used clothing in good condition are accepted throughout the year and may be taken to the Boy Scout closet where it is stored until it is delivered to the CBD warehouse. Often when the church is sponsoring an event such as a garage sale, you will find the Clothing Bank van in the parking lot. Feel free to fill it up during the designated times!

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Concord Quilters: Concord Church hosts this ecumenical group who are contracted to do the intricate hand stitching which turn pretty pieced tops into treasured heirlooms. Their handwork has been displayed in many shows. Proceeds are used to support Concord's mission projects, like Holiday Family Offering. The quilters meet along with Concord Sewers each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Jessie's Room (A108).

Deacon's Fund: The first Sunday of each month we receive the offering for the Deacons' Fund, which is used to help those of our community in times of need. The Deacons Treasurer receives referrals from social service agencies, community centers, and other churches seeking assistance for individuals who are unable to pay for utilities, rent, medical expenses, and other basic necessities. We are often able to offer some help; however, many requests are turned away because no monies are available. On the first Sunday, all loose offering goes to the Deacons' Fund. Designated checks (memo: Deacons Fund) can be placed in the offering basket at any time. Please give generously!

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Emmanuel Dining Room Meals: The Emmanuel Dining Room facilities in the area are served by volunteers from local churches in an ecumenical effort to provide hot meals for the needy. These supplemental meals are not just for the homeless but also those with low incomes, and no one is ever turned away.

• Emmanuel Dining Room East, 226 North Walnut Street: Usually on the 29th of each month four volunteers meet at 9:30 a.m. in the church kitchen to prepare spaghetti sauce which they deliver and serve to about 200 guests. Eighteen dozen hard-boiled eggs are also included with this meal and egg cookers are always needed. Ellin Foote coordinates this project and would like to have your help.
• Emmanuel Dining Room South, 500 Rogers Road, New Castle: The first Tuesday of each month a hot meal is prepared for approximately 130 people. Four volunteers are needed for each Tuesday but you do not have to commit to every month. Preparation begins at 9:30 a.m. at the EDR and you are finished by 1:00 p.m. Clean-up is done by the EDR staff. Dottie Lund is always anxious to have new helpers.
• Emmanuel Dining Room Cookie Bakers: Last year our oatmeal cookie bakers produced over 4,000 cookies for dessert served at the EDR locations. Concord supplies the oatmeal, the recipe (which makes at least 50 cookies), and the cookie tins. These items are kept in the church kitchen, and when you return with the cookies they are kept in the freezer until a meal day. This is a great way to donate your services if you find it difficult getting out of the house. Please call Jan Jewett  to help because we can never have too many cookies!

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Fellowship of the Least Coin (Spring): Sponsored by Concord Women, this mission activity links prayer and “least coins” in a very significant way, as the least coin becomes the symbol of prayer for peace and reconciliation. It was begun in 1956 by Shanti Solomon of India who considered that women anywhere could have a sense of being a part of a worldwide family of faith, as they prayed for peace and reconciliation, and set aside the least coin of their country as a symbol of that prayer. As coins are gathered from around the world, they become sign of oneness in the common quest for peace, justice, and reconciliations.

Friendship House Activities

• Andrew's Place Suppers: For many years, Concord has answered the call to provide dinners on the fourth Friday of the month to Andrew's Place, a men's shelter. For this evening meal, a group of volunteers prepare a hot, single-dish meal - usually soup, stew, chili, or pasta - for 25 to 30 people. The meal includes bread, rolls, or crackers and fruit, cookies, or cupcakes for dessert. The dinner is delivered to Saints Andrew and Matthew Church, located at 8th and Orange Streets, where there is free parking in the lot next door. The staff and residents serve and clean up by 6:30 p.m., and that's when we leave. 

• Breakfast: Concord Church provides breakfast every eight weeks for Friendship House at Saints Andrew and Matthew Church, 719 North Shipley Street. We are always anxious to have new volunteers help with this worthwhile and rewarding project. Please consider spending from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Saturday for food preparation and/or from 7:00-8:30 a.m. Sunday to serve breakfast.

• Women's Center Breakfast Closet: Thirteen times a year we sponsor breakfasts for a week at the Women's Center of Friendship House with deliveries of coffee, tea, sugar, creamer, bread, jelly, and juice. Donations of these items are collected annually on Breakfast Sunday and can also be left in the church office.

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Hanover Food Closet: Concord Church members regularly contribute food gleanings to the food closet maintained by Hanover Presbyterian Church, which serves needy folk in the Wilmington area. Non-perishable foodstuffs are collected each Sunday in the Sanctuary narthex and are dedicated during worship as part if the offering. A volunteer transports the food offering to the food closet.

Harlan Elementary School Mentoring: Concord members serve as mentors for students in grades 3-5 of Harlan, and upper elementary school in Brandywine School District. Mentors meet on a weekly basis with one student who has met the program requirements. Meetings occur for one hour and are usually scheduled Monday-Thursdays between 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mentors assist with reading and other schoolwork, while providing emotional support, nurturing and encouragement through ongoing contact. Extra curricular activities and contacts with the child are encouraged but not required. The program normally runs from October-May.

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Holiday Family Offering: Each year, shortly after Thanksgiving you will find the Giving Trees in the Narthex and throughout Concord church. The Giving Trees branches are heavy with gift tags for needy families. Our members select tags and make purchases. Many volunteers are then needed to make this project a success and there is a place for everyone who is willing to become involved. We need sponsors, organizers, shoppers, wrappers, and deliverers. Concord Preschool joins us with very generous donations from the preschool families and the weekly offering collected in our Sunday School classes goes to buy coats. Each year we help to make the holidays special for as many folks as we can.

Migrant Worker Health Kits (Spring): Church Women United, a national movement through which Protestant, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other Christian women may express the ecumenical dimensions of their faith and work, sponsors this project in the spring. Each family is encouraged to prepare a personal health kit for the migrant workers in Delaware. These migrants usually travel from the south to the north during the growing season and bring very little with them. Health kits include: a bath towel, a washcloth, a bar of soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and a comb and brush. Place these items in a large zip-lock bag and wrap it in the towel and tied it with a pair of long, boot-length shoe strings. Mark it for a man, woman, or child.

Missionary Support: Each women's circle is assigned a missionary with whom Concord maintains contact through the circle's correspondence and prayers.

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Scholarship Programs:

• The Concord Presbyterian Scholarship Program (C.P.S.P.) committee has the responsibility of distributing and reviewing applications for funds in the form of a scholarship for educational purposes to both members and non-members of Concord. Scholarships are made to only financially needy students who have demonstrated an interest in undergraduate or specialized educational programs.
• Concord Preschool & Childcare administers a scholarship program for families in financial need with preschool children.  

Church and Society Committee

The Church and Society Committee meets regularly (see the on-line calendar). It is the responsibility of Church and Society Committee "to lead the congregation in participation in the mission of the whole church in the world in accordance with the Book of Order.

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