Mission Committee Work
Hunger. Poverty. Homelessness. Economic and Natural Disasters. These are just some of the challenging issues facing today’s world. RPC’s Mission Committee is committed to raise awareness of the most critical of these needs and to energize our congregation to help. We prioritize projects and solicit funds and volunteers for these causes, whether local or global. As Mission volunteers, we look to celebrate the personal gifts God has given us and to share those gifts with those most in need. Because missions we annually support are numerous, the committee welcomes the help of all whose passion is serving others. More than ten missions and projects need our support:
- Higgins Brothers Surgi-Center for Hope in Haiti is an ongoing mission that RPC supports financially and with supportive visits by members. Using financial contributions and visiting surgeons from abroad, the Center supports a medical ministry that provides Haitian surgeons and staff with current equipment and training in vascular and general surgical techniques–hands-on training that will enable them to save many lives on this struggling island.
- The Central Brevard Sharing Center receives continual congregational support through financial contributions, donations to its food pantry and thrift shops, and knitted hats and mittens supplied by our Comfort Ministry Team. Additionally, the Team crochets many large mats from plastic bags that serve as sleeping mats for the homeless. To help the Society of St. Andrews, RPC members often participate in gleaning missions, most recently harvesting fruits and vegetables, the bulk of which went to the Sharing Center.
- Meals on Wheels provides an excellent connection to less fortunate seniors in the community. For many years, delivering daily nourishing lunches to these seniors has been a weekly mission for some RPC members.
- One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterian Disaster Aid, and 2 Cents A Meal are dependent on donations from the congregation, reaching monetary goals which offer relief in times of natural disasters and other crises. In 2017, RPC was among the top three contributors to the OGHS effort in our Presbytery.
- Special Gathering enjoys office space at RPC and also receives monetary gifts from us in its annual retreats. These monies support this group of special needs adults whose ages range from 21-65. Members of the congregation were also involved in the restoration of a nearby apartment building where seven who belong to the Gathering live.
- Community Outreach: RPC provides meeting space for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Girl Scouts. Home to two troops, the church provides its bus for transport to Scout events and support for fundraisers. Narcotics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous also hold their meetings at the church.
- Habitat for Humanity has long been an organization that RPC supports. In the past, members have contributed their talents to build homes for those with low income. Circle members have provided lunches for these workers.
- Special Projects, as they are brought to the committee’s attention, are acted on by the committee. The congregation has contributed food to the Rockledge High School Food Bank. As an outreach to the poor, RPC youth and adults worked together to create Manna Bags designed to hand to the homeless and hungry when members encountered them. Bags contained things such as non-perishable foods, socks, and products for hygiene. Congregational support was solid, and many bags were distributed and gratefully receive
There is a Mission bulletin board on the west wall in the hallway between the Narthex and the south end of the church. Take a few minutes one Sunday to check it out. There you will see some of y(our) mission activities and can read heartfelt thank you notes and letters from some of the beneficiaries of RPC generosity. If you are interested in joining our group of capable and dedicated folks who each take responsibility for one of our mission efforts, we would love to have you join us. We typically meet the first Monday of the month for dinner at a restaurant to enjoy social time, sharing our joys and concerns, as well as conducting the church’s mission business. Come, get to know us, and get a taste for what this important committee does. You just might find that you can’t stay away!