Involvement {links in this section}

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For more than fifty years, Presbyterians have joined with Christians throughout the nation in supporting One Great Hour of Sharing, responding to Christ's love for all people by joyfully sharing that love with people in need. The refugee and the stranger have found food and safe shelter; those stunned by the aftermath of disasters have found relief and help rebuilding; and communities seeking to take control of their future have found partners in development.

36% Presbyterian Hunger Program for ministries working to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes, responding with compassion and justice to poor and hungry people in local communities, in the nation, and throughout the world, as well as ministries addressing homelessness and affordable housing.

32% Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for disaster response and ministries with refugees.

32% Self-Development of People for partnerships with groups of people who are oppressed by poverty or social systems, who want to take charge of their own lives, have organized to do something about their own condition, and have decided what they need to do to produce long-term benefits for themselves.

A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need.

Fifty percent of the receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide support to retired and active church workers and their spouses and families. The other fifty percent supports Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges through the National Ministries Division of the General

The Christmas Joy Offering is usually received the Sunday before Christmas.

The Pentecost Offering provides direct ways to support specific causes that help those in need.

The Offering is traditionally received on the Day of Pentecost (May 15^TH in 2005).

Congregations are encouraged to keep 40 percent of the Offering to support work on behalf of children at risk.

Christians are called as Christ's people to be God's peacemakers as agents of reconciliation in families, individual lives, communities, churches, the international arena, and the whole of creation. Peacemaking is the human response to the divine gift of peace giving.

The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level, and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world.

Twenty-five percent of the Peacemaking Offering is retained by congregations for their support of their own peacemaking ministry.

The purpose of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is to provide a ministry of "relief and response to national and international disasters, aid to refugees and displaced persons, refugee resettlement, and efforts toward development."  This ministry is carried out through ecumenical partnerships, related church agencies, middle governing bodies, and congregations.

Eastminster received $10,000 from the Central Florida Presbytery to help with the damages from the hurricanes of 2004.

The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is a ministry of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

For thirty-five years, the PHP has provided a channel through which Presbyterians can be engaged in the fight against hunger -- in the United States and around the World.

Through giving to the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering and year-round support of the Hunger Fund, Presbyterians provide the PHP with nearly four million dollars a year to support ministries of direct food relief, development assistance, public policy advocacy, education, and lifestyle integrity.

The only source of denomination-wide funding for theological seminaries related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is provided by voluntary contributions from congregations to the Theological Education Fund (1% Plan) and contributions and/or bequests made by individuals to the Theological Schools Endowment Fund

Q: Why do we need to fund theological seminaries on a denomination-wide basis?

A: One of the continuing strengths of the Presbyterian Church is a competent ministry, well-educated in the Reformed Tradition. Our seminaries provide pastors, educators, missionaries and chaplains for the work of Christ's church. They also offer continuing education programs for those seeking on-going renewal of spirit and competence for ministry. By sharing together in financial support of our theological schools, we affirm our church's historic roots and assure leadership for our church in the years to come.

Theological Education Fund (TEF)
Each congregation makes a voluntary contribution of 1% of their local operating budget.  Some churches are not able to begin at a full 1%, and adopt more modest goals, such as one-fourth or one-half of 1% and set a goal to increase that percentage each year until full 1% participation is achieved. This gift to the Theological Education Fund is the congregation's proportionate share for the education of present and future ministers and church educators. The Theological Education Fund is the only source of denomination-wide financial support received by our seminaries.

2 Cents per Meal

   2 Cents a Meal is part of the Presbyterian Answer to Hunger program. If you have always wanted an opportunity to “put your two cents worth in and really make a difference, then this program is custom made for you! The idea is, keep an offering tin can on your dining table, and place 2 pennies in it for every meal eaten in your home. Once a month bring the pennies (or their equal amount in other coins, bills, or even checks) to a regular worship service and dedicate them to the task of feeding and educating the hungry.

Blanket Sunday

Blanket Sunday is sponsored by Church World Services. Is an ecumenical program which supports the distribution of blankets to refugees. To someone who has fled their home, whether from war, famine or any natural disaster, a blanket is a welcome and versatile position. It can be used to bundle up clothing and other provision. A blanket can also be used as shelter from the elements. It can provide warmth at night. It can be used to make a tent and provide some privacy. Never under estimate the usefulness of a sturdy blanket!

The Duvall Presbyterian Home

Starting in a private residence in Glenwood, Florida, in 1945, The Duvall Presbyterian Home has grown to an institution which provides a home-like living setting to 250 of “God’s special children”. The Home is another project of the Central Florida Presbytery. The Sewing and Craft Circle members are busy year round making handcrafted items for their annual Loyalty Day Boutique.

The Duvall Presbyterian Home
3395 Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 220036
Glenwood, Florida 32722

Telephone (386) 734-2874
Toll-free (888) 445-4722