Emergency Food Closet

In 2020, First Presbyterian Church (FPC), through a generous grant from the Capital Campaign Mission Giving, partnered with Lift UP to adopt the Alder House Building. FPC has a rich history with Alder House, located one block from our church. The adoption allows Lift UP to provide extra services for the residents of that community; such as culinary education classes with a focus on healthy cooking called Supper Club, they also provide an emergency food pantry for the residents. To volunteer at the Adler House Emergency Food Closet, please click here:

Walk the Wildwood

Walk the Wildwood 2023 was a HUGE success!! We raised over $15,000, which is more than double what we raised last year at our inaugural event. This will go a long way to completing and equipping the new carpentry and welding shop on the campus of Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School in Kamwenge, Uganda.

Over 80 people registered to walk this year, 43 of whom were first-time participants. In addition, 27 donations were received, helping us to top that $15,000 mark. And thanks to the church’s Mission and Outreach committees underwriting this event, 100% of what was raised will go directly to the school.

THANK YOU for your generosity!!

Many thanks to the Walk the Wildwood Leadership Team, our set-up/clean-up crews, the walk leaders and sweepers, our car shuttle drivers, and our photographer. Your help is what made this such a successful event.

We hope to see you in 2024!

Click here [https://pim-africa.org/walk-oregon-thank-you] to view the 2023 Walk the Wildwood pictures. Thanks to Joe Whittington for being our photographer!

Kamwenge Secondary School in Uganda

First Presbyterian Church of Portland is blessed to have been partnering with Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School for many years. Along with sponsoring a teacher and offering support in emergency situations, every other year, FPC members travel to Uganda, spending time with Kamwenge students, faculty, and people in the surrounding area. You can learn more through this video.

The Annual Fundraising Event for the school will take place Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Washington and Forest Park. To learn more about Walk the Wildwood and get involved follow this link.

Northeast Emergency Food Pantry

Our church continues to partner with the Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) which provides food to many families in the Portland area. This relationship grew from a Disciples III class called to embrace the Northeast Emergency Food Pantry as a long-term project. Over the past few years, FPC has supported the NEFP through Capital Campaign Missions grants that have helped them to remodel their facilities and provided support during COVID. Additionally, the church holds a year-round food drive and provides a regular team of volunteers. If you would like to learn more or to volunteer, please contact Bill Resley.

Northeast Emergency Food Pantry Presentation

Community Meals

Sharing a meal together and building community is a part of our Christian identity. On the third Monday of the month, volunteers prepare a homemade meal for 100+ people and then we have two teams of volunteers who take the dinner over to our neighbors in two low-income/supportive social service buildings, both that are a block away from the church. Join us for an opportunity to share stories and build friendships over a warm meal. If you are interested in learning more, contact Pastor Brenna. If you would like to sign up to help cook the meal or serve it, please sign up by clicking on the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45ACA928A1FBC52-community

Advocacy & Social Justice

As part of the PC(USA) we care about social, economic, and ecological justice issues at local, state, national, and international levels.

With the Session approval and in cooperation within the church, the wider faith community, and other organizations promoting social, economic, and ecological justice and peace, we seek to work for a better world.

Click here to learn more about our work.

Earth Care

Our church is a member of the PCUSA Earth Care congregations with opportunities to learn and engage with our biblical call to care for God’s good creation. To learn more or join the Earth Care team, please contact Jenny Holmes.

Friendly House

First Presbyterian founded what became Friendly House in 1926 to reach out in support of our local communities.

Today, Friendly House is a non-profit neighborhood center and social service agency in Portland, Oregon.

Friendly House creates a thriving community by connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through quality educational, recreational, and other life-sustaining services. A third of its board members are also part of the First Presbyterian community.

Click here for more information.