Other Fellowship & Worship Opportunities
Sunday morning isn't the only time friends and members of PFPC get together for fellowship and worship. All are welcome to join these activities.
Many of these activities are captured in photographs and can be viewed on our web photo repository. Please click the link below to view all of the picture albums.
CHILDREN
Sunshine Nursery School
Director - Cathy Davis - Contact Cathy about Sunshine Nursery
Teachers: Cathy Davis, Teri Helt, Sherry Mills, Debbie Richards
Sarah Hill Brown Award for Early Childhood Education
In 2008 Sunshine Nursery School was honored with this award. Since 1975 SNS has offered a program for 3 and 4 year olds to develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, mentally, and physically within a climate of Christian love and acceptance. Known for its legacy of caring teachers and its waiting list, the nursery school has consistently provided high quality care for young children, meets a vital Christian education need in this rural community, and involves the church members in many aspects of its operation.Special events and activities take place throughout the year, September 2009 – May 2010, Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Brief worship services are held by Pastor Steve. Commencement is May 20, 2010. Open house for the following year will be September 12, 2010.
5 Cents-A-Meal: This feed the hungry program began in 1976 as "Two-Cents-A-Meal," a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. Over the years, presbyteries have developed similar programs entitled Pennies for Hunger, Nickle-A-Meal, etc. Many of these programs benefit local hunger ministries as well as the national and international projects of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. (PHP). At PFPC, immediately following "Time with our Children" baskets are passed through the congregation by the children to collect "5 cents-a-meal".
Vacation Bible School: For children AND adults. High Seas Expedition 2010 was held July 11 - 15th.
“Down By the Creek Bank” is a children’s musical that is being prepared. “Down By the Creek Bank” views the love of God through the eyes of children, but it is also very entertaining for adults. Practices are held each Sunday morning at 9:30. The children have been given a copy of the music on a CD in order to learn the music. Musical directors are Kate West and Marcia Gardy. Other members of the Christian Education Committee are contributing their talents to cover additional aspects of the production. The show will be presented on Friday, April 30th, and Saturday, May 1st, at 7:30 PM. General seating tickets ($5.00) will go on sale March 28th. A fundraising dinner will precede each performance. Dinner tickets will go on sale on March 28th also. Adult dinners are $10.00 each, while children under ten are $5.00 each. Reservations for both the show and the dinner are a MUST. (See Martha Martin, or call 932-3155).
Valentines Day Celebration took place on Sunday, February 28th. At the beginning of the month, the children and youth each decorate a lunch bag and place it in the windows of the sanctuary. Members and friends of the congregation leave notes (and sometimes, goodies) in the bags, reminding the young people of God’s love and the love of their PFPC family. Bags are distributed during Children’s Time on Sunday morning and no child is forgotten that day.
YOUTH
Youth Group
An active youth program provides opportunity for fun, fellowship and faith development. Meetings are usually held the 1st & 3rd Saturday. Check weekly events for activity and location. Retreats and mission trips offer challenges and training while interacting with others in a Christian environment and combine community service projects with Bible discovery and fellowship.
Annual Youth Yard and Bake Sale - Annually the Youth sponsor a PFPC yard and bake sale. Check calendar and upcoming events for scheduling details.
A Pageant of Victory is the older youths’ way of reminding Sunday School members of the meaning of the symbols of Easter. This performance took place on Palm Sunday, March 28th at 10:15 AM.
Youth Sunday coincides with Mother’s Day. This year PFPC had eight graduating high school seniors, who were recognized with the traditional gift of a Bible, which had written messages from PFPC to take with them as they leave home. The older youth lead the service on that Sunday. PFPC Scholarships were awarded that day.
Food for the Homeless is a program that is carried on by the youth in the Middle and High school classes. Each first Sunday, forty bag lunches are prepared and delivered to Southside Richmond for distribution to the homeless. Materials for the lunches are contributed by members of the congregation who have been contacted by the youth in charge.
PFPC Scholarship Program was established several years ago and has contributed several thousands of dollars to assist our youth with their higher education. Since it is not funded by the general church budget, the program relies on contributions from individuals. A committee prepares the application form, makes it available to anyone entering college in the fall or already in college, then meets to determine the distribution of the monies received. Applications are due on Easter Sunday. Awards are then made on Youth Sunday (Mother’s Day).
In God's Hands Service Camp 2010 is a youth service camp that is sponsored by PFPC. It’s aim is to assist our neighbors in New Kent and Charles City counties. The camp is housed at PFPC, but the youth and their leaders leave each day to go out and help our neighbors. Camp dates for 2010 were June 20th – June 26th. For further information or applications, call the church office, 966-2079.
ADULTS
Music Department – Melody Raef, Organist & Choir Director
All who desire to sing have the opportunity to develop and share their musical gifts through our choir that performs every Sunday morning throughout the school year. It also provides special programs such as Christmas and Easter Cantatas. The choir prides itself on the fellowship developed among members while they share their gifts with the congregation.
Practice is every Sunday evening, from 6:30 – 8:PM at church
Services at Olivet Olivet Church was PFPC’s “Mother Church” until 1934 when PFPC was created as a separate church. Two services are held there each year, one on Christmas Eve and the other on the third Sunday of May. Christmas Eve is held at 5:00 PM, just as the sun has gone down and so has the temperature. As friends and neighbors gather in the church without heat, a traditional service of scripture and hymns takes place by flashlight. In May, a homecoming service is held at 11:15 AM at the church, followed by a family-style picnic on the grounds. A business meeting of the Olivet Historical Society is also held that day. All members and friends of PFPC are welcomed.
Sunrise Service is held at 7:00 AM on Easter Sunday at Howard & Janette Gammon’s home. Hot drinks and donuts are available to those who brave the elements to attend. A service, that is often accompanied by a flock of geese flying over, consists of scripture, hymns, a homily, and prayer. Afterwards, an outdoor breakfast, prepared by those attending and the Gammons, is then enjoyed by all on the property. The youth of PFPC help by setting up the tables and chairs the day before.
Bible Study
There are two Bible Study groups: one on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 PM at various locations and the second on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Participants engage in a guided study of the books of the Bible. Check calendar for updates.
Wednesday's group will study "How to spell Presbyterian" by James W. Angell.
Tuesday's group will study "Miracles: Signs of God's glory" by Douglas Connelly
Bagels & Books
Pastor Steve Hodges invites adults to join him for an exploration of books with Christian themes. Friday mornings at 7:00 AM in the parlor. Currently studying the 100 Most Important Bible Verses.
Coffee & Conversation
Each Friday morning at 8:30 AM in PFPC’s parlor.
Friendship Breakfast Join this group for breakfast each Saturday morning at 7:30 am at Buster's Roadhouse Restaurant. Enjoy the Christian atmosphere as you eat.
Tuesday’s Food Program is part of the Central Virginia Food Bank program to help those in need. Adult volunteers pick up food from Bloom’s Grocery Store in Quinton. Other volunteers at PFPC repackage the food into bags that are distributed to those in the community. During vacation time, youth volunteers also help. If you are interested in helping, call Gilda or the church office.
Virginia Early Settlers began as a group of older members of PFPC, but has since branched out to include members of the community, as well. Each second Thursday they meet promptly at noon for lunch at a local restaurant. They try to keep their lunches within 20 miles of PFPC. Dues are $6.00, which they use toward mailings and their support of the New Kent Christmas Mother. In the Spring or Summer they have been known to plan a day trip.
Anyone who is willing to admit to being over 50 is always welcome - just show up!!! February’s meeting is Thursday, February 11th at Luca’s Restaurant on Route 60. Call President Jerry Sprouse for further information at 966-2897.
Souper Bowl Sunday is a covered dish-soup dinner held on the same day as the football Super Bowl. A donation is taken to feed the hungry. In recent years the funds have been given locally. Call Jim Wallace to offer to make a soup for this year's event on February 7th.!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Friendship Circle – members who are involved in Bible study and fellowship on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 PM at PFPC. They participate in local and world-wide missions.
Louise Perry Circle – members who are involved in Bible study and fellowship on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM. At PFPC. They too, participate in local and world-wide missions.
IMPORTANT DATES: 2010
February 28 – Children’s Valentine’s Day
March 6 – Youth Yard Sale
May 9 – Youth Sunday, Mother's Day
May 16 – Olivet Sunday
June 20 to 26 – Youth Mission Camp
July 11 to 15 – Vacation Bible School
December 12 – Sunday School Pageant
December 24 – Olivet Christmas Eve Service