Service Missions

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, Virginia

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church
136 East Main Street
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
276-628-3361

office@sinkingspring.org

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Shoe Box Project

2008 Shoe Box Ministry
Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan's Purse

One of our projects in 2007 was a shoe box project where church members filled boxes with needed items for our military personnel stationed overseas. A wrapping party was held at church to individually wrap each box. The boxes reached their destination and are greatly appreciated by the military recipients. Following are an email from a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, a picture of him and a link to his website. We are receivng more such emails from others daily.

LT Tim Sommers, USN

I want to say thank you all so much. It was wonderful to receive your Christmas gift today and it truly brought smiles to many of our faces. It contained so many helpful items. In fact it's hard not to eat everything in there. The hood and socks will be used a ton since it is really cold here most days and every night. I appreciate it once again and to say thank you in my own unique way I thought I would take a few fotos and send them your way along with my website if you'd like to see what some of us are experiencing out here first hand. It is not professional by far but I do what I can do.

A special THANK YOU to Lovis Ball, Glenda Calver, Ecumenical Faith in Action, Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, William Venable and Steve Smith. Please pass my warmest regards to all of them for their efforts as well.

Thanks and God Bless you all!
LT Tim Sommers, USN

www.xanga.com/smily31

Local Ministries

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church participates in several mission type projects in our local area such as Faith in Action which sponsors a local food bank.

In the summer of 2006 some of our youth accompanied by Elizabeth Lowe went on a mission trip to West Virginia. Another young person went on a mission trip to a Native American Reservation in the western United States.

We have also hosted events including suppers and holiday celebrations for the local Social Club whose members are handicapped in some way.

Our Presbyterian Women Circles participate in many outreach missions.

Satellite Ministries

Satellite Ministries- Our congregation serves two of the local health care / retirement facilities as beyond the church door ministries

Worship at Grace Health Care Center - 1st Thursday of the month, 2:00 p.m.
Worship at Westhaven Retirement Center - 3rd Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m.

These opportunities to care for some of our shut-ins, as well as to spread the Gospel message to those in need, but who are unable to attend their own churches on a weekly basis.

Ministriesalso include raising funds for worthy causes such as cancer research through the Relay for Life.

Chritmas Mitten Tree

Mitten Tree

Each year mittens plus hats, gloves and daily living supplies are collected for our Mitten Tree. These items are donated to Ecumenical Faith in Action.

Food Pantry

SSPC collects canned fruit for the food pantry.

Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me adrink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...

Ecumenical Faith in Action

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church is one of several local churches who sponsor Ecumenical Faith in Action. Two ways SSPC helps the food panty is by bagging groceries and contributing canned fruit that can brought to our church.

The following is information from the EFIA brochure.

Phone: 276-739-9992 or 276-628-4813

Email: efia@naxs.net

P.O.Box 2419
Abingdon, VA 24212

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35,36

The two little boys came in to the office hoping to get some food for their family, but it was Medical Mission day and the pantry wasn't set up for food distribution. The volunteers felt compassion for the boys and went about gathering a few things into bags to hand to the children. They sorted through the bags and found a big jar of peanut butter. As they were leaving, a volunteer ran after them and handed them a loaf of bread. As the boys started walking towards home the younger one looked up at his brother and said, “Oh, Bryan—did you see this? We'll get to have supper tonight.”

EFIA is Ecumenical Faith in Action. Congregations and Community, Working Together, Reaching Out in Love

Programs Include:

Stone Soup Food Pantry: serving about 700 families each month. The Pantry is open on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 1p.m. and Tuesday nights from 6 until 8 p.m.
Volunteer Caregiving: matches volunteers with people living with chronic illness. Caregivers provide transportation to medical treatments, friendly visitation, light housekeeping, and advocacy.
Pharmacy Connection: assists the uninsured to get access to free medication programs offered through 88 Pharmaceutical companies.
Faith in Action provides a variety of programs that respond to the needs of families living in poverty or crisis in Washington County, Virginia
Crossroads Medical Mission: A team of volunteer Physicians and Nurses provide quality care to the uninsured or underinsured. A fully equipped mobile medical van is at the Pantry every Tuesday.
Emergency Financial Assistance: Limited assistance is given to people experiencing financial crisis such as the unexpected loss of employment, sudden illness, death or family member, etc.
Needs Ministry: provides free used clothing, appliances, furniture, and household goods to families who cannot otherwise purchase these items.
Advocacy and Referral: Volunteers and staff help people find resources and benefits that are available to them and guide them through the process of applying for the benefits.
SeniorNavigator Site: Where people can find services for seniors throughout the state of Virginia.
Volunteer Placement: Provides training and placement for people who wish to use their gifts and talents in service to their community.

The mission of Ecumenical Faith in Action is to network congregations of all faiths and the community at large, to care for people in Washington County, Virginia whose circumstances leave them with significant emotional, physical, social, or spiritual needs. This is done in a way that serves Christ and allows people to maintain their dignity and independence.

Our Values Are:

Caring
Humility
Respect
Integrity
Servanthood
Trust

Background Image by: Inspired Images by Mandy

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church Abingdon, Virginia