Missions & Outreach
Mission work is central to the identity of Silver Spring Presbyterian Church. We do all we can to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Here are some of the current groups and activities that fall under missions:
Reach Out and Rebuild (ROAR) Projects
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Work Camp in Florida
In February 2011, approximately 45 ROAR team members traveled to Homestead, Florida to participate in a low-cost housing "blitz-build" of ten houses, coordinated by Miami Habitat for Humanity. In February 2012, a team is going to Smithville, Mississippi to do similar work.
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MATE Work Camp in Maine
The 22-member ROAR team made an annual trip to Farmington, Maine in August 2011 to work with Mission At The Eastward (MATE) to repair or enlarge three dwellings for low income families.
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Work Camp in West Virginia
In October 2011, twenty-three ROAR team members rehabilitated five houses for needy individuals/families in Cairo, West Virginia.
Anyone interested in more information or in participating in future work camps should contact Terry Reed (ROAR) at 766-2714 or Fred Shatto (MATE) at 766-5311.
Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity and Lend-A-Hand members offer their time and talents to assist local organizations both locally and around the country.
Downtown Daily Bread
Volunteers help serve meals at this Harrisburg soup kitchen every Friday.
South African Partnership
In August 2011, a couple from SSPC traveled to South Africa to visit our Newcastle brothers and sisters and experience first-hand how they have implemented mission in their community. We continue to communicate effectively with bi-monthly conference phone calls.
Agency Support
SSPC provides financial support to over two dozen local charitable organizations including the following:
- Promise Place
- Meals on Wheels
- Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
- Downtown Daily Bread (we also send volunteers monthly to serve food)
- Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- And many more...
Special Offerings
SSPC has five special offerings each year. Two of the offerings, Peacemaking and Pentecost, send a portion of the money collected to General Assembly and Presbytery. The 2011 Mission offering was disbursed to the R.O.A.R. Fund, the One Great Hour of Sharing to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Joy Offering helped support retired Presbyterian church staff and Presbyterian-sponsored racial/ethnic schools.
Missionary Support
During 2011, the Mission Committee provided financial support to Leslie Clay and Carl Agsten, Presbyterian missionaries in Nicaragua. Also, SSPC makes its facilities available to mission volunteers visiting the Greater Harrisburg Area at no charge. In 2011, SSPC hosted several groups totaling over 100 volunteers who stayed overnight during their work at Mission Central in Mechanicsburg.
