Church Supported Programs
Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County – www.habitatforindianacounty.org
The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate homelessness world wide and to
make affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. The goal is to work with
people in partnership everywhere to develop communities for God’s people in need. Our congregation is a partner with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County. In 2014 all offerings from our Bible School were donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Family Promise of Indiana County – www.familypromiseindianacounty.com
Family Promise of Indiana County is a network affiliate of the Interfaith Hospitality
Network which is a national program. Please visit the national website at http://www.familypromise.org. Churches throughout Indiana County sign Covenants to become host congregations. A host congregation provides services at their church for one week several times a year for individuals and families who have been accepted into the program. This includes providing meals, setting up sleeping quarters, providing drivers for transportation to and from the host congregation to the Day Center. Family Promise brings the faith community together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity. It also offers an opportunity for volunteers of all faiths to reduce homelessness and transform lives.
Compassion International – www.compassion.com
Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Our children’s Sunday School classes support three Compassion Children each month through their weekly offerings. Compassion gives the children a firsthand look at a child from another country and the opportunity to communicate with that child through hand written letters.
Wee Kirk Conference – www.pfrenewal.org/small‐church
The Wee Kirk Conference is a ministry provided to small membership congregations through Presbyterians for Renewal. The purpose of the conference is to mobilize biblically faithful, mission minded leaders in small membership congregations. Nine regional conferences are offered including worship, teaching, leadership development and networking.
Rwanda Partnership – www.kiskipby.org – Mission/Ministry – Rwanda Partnership
God brought the Kiskiminetas Presbytery into a spiritual and ecclesiastical partnership with the Gitarama Presbytery in Rwanda. Various churches in the Kiskiminetas Presbytery have partnered with the churches in the Gitarama Presbytery in the country of Rwanda Africa. Our congregation has partnered with the Gitarama congregation.
Board of Deacon Supported Programs
Deacon’s Food Pantry
Through generous donations made by our congregation as well as individuals in the community, the Deacons have a pantry that is stocked with non‐perishable food items that are distributed to individuals and families in the community who are in need of food. When supplies run low, the Deacons use funds from their account to purchase items to restock the pantry. There is no specific eligibility requirement to receive the food; however, it is distributed at the discretion of the pastor and secretary.
Torrance State Hospital
On an ongoing basis, greeting cards (excluding Christmas Cards) are collected and donated to the hospital for use by patients. At Christmas we collect items to be used for the Christmas stocking program. The hospital tries to provide each resident with a Christmas stocking filled with treats, games, personal care items, etc.
St. Andrew’s Village
A Deacon serves as liaison for our ministry at St. Andrews Village. That individual visits church members that are residents, attend auxiliary meetings, and keeps the congregation informed of events the auxiliary is sponsoring. The Auxiliary plays a vital role in helping residents know they are remembered at Christmas. Our liaison coordinates the collection of Christmas stocking stuffers as well as individual gifts requested specifically by the residents.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Each year we prepare 25 baskets or more that are distributed to needy families in the community. The boxes include a turkey and everything needed to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for a family. Donations of food items come from members of our congregation as well as cash donations to purchase all the items that are needed to fill the baskets.
Annual Donations to Charitable Organizations
Each December, the Deacon’s designate local charitable organizations and ministries and make monetary donations in support of these organizations.
Community Partners
Blairsville Area Food Program – www.iccap.net/services.html
Residents of Blairsville Borough who need food assistance are encouraged to come and sign up at the Indiana County Community Action Program Food Bank which distributes food on the first Tuesday of each month at the Blairsville United Presbyterian Church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. If you are attending for the first time, it is suggested you come between 12:30 ‐ 1:00 p.m. in order to sign up. You must be a resident of Blairsville Borough to receive food at this food bank (see below*). You will need to bring documentation with your current address to sign up (driver’s license or utility bill or medical or other official material is fine.) *Residents of Burrell Township and Black Lick who are in need of food assistance are directed to the Burrell Township/ICCAP Food Bank which also distributes food on the first Tuesday of each month at the Black Lick Presbyterian Church between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Bring documentation of current address with you. First timers should arrive around 12:30 p.m. to sign up.
Boy Scouts ‐ http://www.scouting.org/
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values‐based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Girl Scouts Daisies ‐ https://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/what_is_gs/daisy.asp
Girl Scout Daisies are in grades K‐1 and meet in a nurturing, inclusive environment. They go on trips, learn about nature and science, and explore the arts and their communities. Girl Scout Daisies can also earn Learning Petals and receive participation patches. Girl Scout Daisies that belong to a troop or group are guided by leaders—community volunteers who are parents or other adults trained by the local Girl Scout council. Leaders work with girls to determine interests and decide on activities within the framework of the Girl Scout program. Parents are asked to support the leader by helping where needed, such as with transportation, group snacks, or family outings.
Blairsville Area Historical Society – www.blairsvillehistoric.com
Operated under the auspices of the Historical Society of the Blairsville Area (HSBA), the Museum was established in 1986 through the efforts of many individuals interested in preserving and promoting local heritage. Because of the Society’s efforts Blairsville has become one of the best documented towns in Indiana County. The HSBA Museum is located at 116 East Campbell Street, Blairsville PA 15717 and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM, or by appointment.
WIC – www.pawic.com
Through WIC, pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers of infants and young children learn about good nutrition to keep themselves and their families healthy. WIC provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals, and healthy foods to over 250,000 participants every month in Pennsylvania. These residents must also meet WIC income guidelines, which is 185% of the poverty level set by the federal government and is based on household size. Unborn babies are counted in the family size. They must also have a medical or nutritional risk, which is determined at the WIC certification appointment. There are many qualifying risks. Some examples include: anemia, underweight, overweight, premature baby, pregnancy complications.