The mandate of the MOVE committee is to reach out to members and adherents of our church and others in times of personal or community need, providing pastoral care to all who make a claim on our ministry.
Additionally, this Committee also oversees the Christian Education activities that are undertaken by the congregation. Some specific activities supported by MOVE include:
Roger and Bonnie Burke continue to faithfully prepare and deliver 30 Breakfast Bags twice per month to the Brockville and Area Food Bank. The Breakfast Bags are distributed mainly to single unhoused individuals in the Brockville community. The Church initially was providing 30 bags once/month to the Food Bank, but due to increased demand in 2024, the Breakfast Bags are now being being prepared and delivered bi-weekly.
Coldest Night of the Year
The MOVE Committee is thankful to everyone who gives generously to support this ministry, and is grateful to also receive a grant from the Presbytery of Seaway-Glengarry Mission and Outreach Fund for 2025 to continue this vital work.
The team with Brockville Mayor Matt Wren. Photo credit: Catherine Orth
The Sunday Strollers Team (consisting of members from First Baptist, St. Paul’s Anglican and First Presbyterian Churches) took part for the first time in the Brockville edition of the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraiser in support of the John Howard Society and Connect Youth on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.
The team members walked either 2k or 5k distances to reflect just some of the challenges faced by many unhoused people in our community. So far, over $1000 has been raised to support the programs for vulnerable people in our community. Well done, everyone!
– A fun and growing Church School program is held each Sunday during worship, capably led by a Children’s Education Coordinator and assisted by volunteers.
– Our PA Day Camps, where we host school-age children for a day of faith-filled fun and activities, including a Mission Project for each camp have been ongoing for over ten years.
– We have traditionally offered camp bursaries to Gracefield Christian Camp (https://gracefieldcamp.ca/). Children aged 7 to 18 are eligible to apply to attend a week at Gracefield. Nine children and youth received bursaries to attend camps in Summer 2024! Please contact the Church Office for more information in the spring of 2025 regarding bursaries for 2025.
– The Challenge, our church newsletter, is published 3-4 times yearly and is available by email, in print and on our website. The Church Office also prepares and sends out weekly service bulletins for those who do not have access to computers to watch the services online. Please contact the Church Office ([email protected] or 613-345-5014) if you would like a copy of the Challenge or our weekly bulletins mailed or delivered to you.
– Together with other local churches, First Presbyterian Church has taken part in The Big Give to bless our community with generous giving over the last several years! (thebiggive.ca). On June 1, 2024 a large FREE garage sale was held with an excellent response from many who attended. Donations of items were generous & plentiful. Leftover items were then donated to other charity organizations. The next Big Give is June 7th, 2025.
– Twice monthly, MOVE volunteers prepare thirty breakfast bags for distribution at The Brockville & Area Food Bank
– Sunday Suppers are prepared on the 4th Sunday of each month by volunteers from First Presbyterian, First Baptist & St. Paul’s Anglican Churches. Guests are invited from 2:30-4:30 to enjoy a sit-down meal in our Church Hall. A take-out option is also available. All meals are free, but donations are appreciated.
– Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church regularly help with food preparation at Loaves & Fishes. Monetary gifts and donations of coffee, tea & cake mixes are collected regularly & delivered to Loaves & Fishes.
– Pastoral visitors from the church visit with homebound members and adherents of our congregation to let them know we are thinking of them! If you are interested in becoming a pastoral visitor, the MOVE Committee is recruiting! Please contact the Church Office for more information and to volunteer.
MOVE Committee Members
Rev. Marianne Emig Carr, Doris Hallett, Pam Dewar, Bonnie Burke, Francis LeBrun, Kathy Loughrey, Robert Walroth, Janet LeBrun (chair) . The Committee gladly welcomes more members!! Please contact the Church Office if you are interested.
First Church thru MOVE:
Loaves & Fishes Brockville
Brockville and Area Food Bank – Brockville and Area Food Bank