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Local
Diaconal Mission
This mission, primarily a service to the congregation, includes transportation to church, arranging for ushers for weekly and special services, coffee hour hosts, chancel flowers and their distribution after Sunday worship, distribution of Sunday bulletins and sermon tapes as requested, visitation of the ill and infirm and a card ministry for shut-ins for birthdays and times of celebration. Coordination of church events like church dinners are part of this ministry. This mission also includes liaison with the Outreach Council and the Scouting program, below.
Community Ministries
Following the words of the prophet Jeremiah we at First Presbyterian Church Waverly "seek the welfare of the city [county]" where God sends us to live and serve. We "pray to the Lord on its behalf," knowing that "in its welfare, you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:7)
Our local ministries at the Pike County Outreach Council, and Pike County ‘Welfare House are ecumenical, done in cooperation with churches and organizations in our community.
The mission of the Pike County Outreach Council is to minister to the spiritual, economic, and social needs of Pike County residents in the context of Christian service. The vision is to bring together the resources of churches, community organizations, and government agencies to serve the needs of our community.
Our relationship with the Outreach Council goes back to 1968, when the First Presbyterian Church Pastor, the Rev. Roger Kelsey and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church’s Pastor Father Colby Grimes conceived the idea and later brought in other churches in Pike County to be the ecumenical agency expressing Christian love for those in need. In fact the entire community looks to the Outreach Council as its means of helping others.
Judy Dixon has served as Executive Director since 1989. It is governed by a Board of Trustees drawn from local churches and the community at large, and staffed by almost 50 volunteers.
The Outreach Council has two programs:
Emergency services, located at the rear of 107 W. Second St., gives emergency assistance in the form of food, hygiene and cleaning supplies; provides money to purchase medicine, work related clothing, pay utilities. They cooperate not only with churches, but with Community Action, the Department of Jobs and Family Services, Children’s services, Family and Children First Council, Mental Health and the Recovery Council. In the year 2003, more than 2950 emergency services, were provided, including food aid for 7345 people.
Bridgehaven Shelter is located in a renovated historic residence at 109 Second Street, Waverly, tel. 740-941-4348. Bridgehaven offers a) aid to homeless Pike Countians with a temporary place to stay, b) advice to residents concerning available resources including housing, health care needs, employment, human services, education and substance abuse, c) friendly personal interaction to determine real need over against felt need, and d) empowerment through optional opportunities for Christian worship, educational opportunities for personal enhancement and building of self-esteem. Opened in March 1997, there is a capacity for 12 persons which may include families. In 2003 the shelter averaged 63% occupancy with 3224 shelter nights. (pictures)
The Outreach Council depends on volunteers to sit at the emergency services desk five days a week, and to keep Bridgehaven open 24 hours a day, and to provide transport for food, furniture and other supplies, do bookkeeping, and work at food drives and fund raising events such as yard sales and pancake breakfasts. Contributions in money and also welcome.
The Pike County Welfare House was founded more than 40 years ago to provide shoes, socks and underwear to children to enable them to go to school, and to collect and distribute used clothing to needy families in Pike County. It is staffed by volunteers (54 in 2000) who sort clothing and maintain the premises at 107 West Third St. in Waverly, and help distribute clothing on two mornings each week. It is supported financially by the Pike County United Fund, as well as regular contributions from the Presbyterian and other churches, mission groups, individuals and corporations. Presbyterian Ted Bates treasurer. (picture).
Girl Scout Troop 1700 meets each Tuesday at 4:45 and 6:30 pm in the Presbyterian Church Community Room
Presbytery of Scioto Valley
Presbyterian Churches are organized into geographical groups called Presbyteriies. Our church is in the Presbytery of Scioto Valley which includes churches in central and Southern Ohio.
Click on the PSV link below to reach more than 150 other sites associated with the Presbyterian Church USA.