Local and Global Impact
Brighton First Presbyterian’s Mission Committee organizes the congregation to volunteer and support outreach efforts in multiple ways throughout the year. There are opportunities for everyone who wants to serve! To learn more about our local and global impact, read about the service opportunities described below. For more information, contact the church office at 303-659-2192, or email us at contact@brightonfirstpres.org.
Local
Every quarter we cook and serve a meal for the Heartbeat Denver Working Men’s Shelter, HBDenver.org located in the basement of Central Presbyterian Church in Denver since 1986. Residents are required to have a job, pay weekly fees and be sober. They learn financial skills, job search skills, and how to build a support community that will help them reach their goal of staying sober and transition to independence.
My Brother’s Keeper / Ugly Quilts has had a permanent home in our building since 1995 where volunteers from the church and the community meet weekly to sew sleeping bags for the homeless. They tuck donated hats, coats, gloves, personal hygiene items and packaged snacks inside each rolled up bag. Made from a variety of recycled fabrics, thousands of these “ugly quilts” have been donated to agencies that serve the homeless over the years.
For over 20 years, Brighton First Presbyterian has financially supported Almost Home, Inc. a Brighton-based agency that provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for families in the area. Funds are allocated every quarter from the Deacon’s Fund to this vital community service.
Our church conducts a year-round food drive that collects about 2000 pounds of food annually. We donate the items to the nearby Henderson Food Pantry sponsored by the Henderson Community Church which partners with the Food Bank of the Rockies.
Sharing Care Along the Way
The mission team fills small bags with food, water and hygiene items to offer to individuals standing on street corners holding signs asking for help – a tangible way to remind these neighbors that they are seen and cared for.
The mission team fills small bags with food, water and hygiene items to offer to individuals standing on street corners holding signs asking for help – a tangible way to remind these neighbors that they are seen and cared for.
Every Christmas, we organize a Giving Tree where members buy Christmas gifts for individuals and families in need who are referred to the church by local organizations. Alternate Gift Giving opportunities are also offered during the holidays for those who prefer to assist the missions we regularly support, instead of buying gifts for family and friends that don't need anything.
Help for Homes is a local effort sponsored by the City of Brighton to make minor repairs, paint, and clean yards for the elderly and disabled in our community. Brighton First Presbyterian has organized a team to participate in this program consistently for over 20 years.
Every year our church gives the Brighton Boys and Girls Club over 200 Christmas cards and stamps every fall to send to those who have volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club. Children who participate in their programs write thank you notes and mail them to donors and volunteers.
The Pennock Center for Counseling began as a mission of Brighton First Pres in 1983 to ensure that all members of the community could access affordable, professional counseling services. The Center provides counseling and psycho educational services to all community members regardless of income, religious affiliation or life situation. The Center was a passion project of church member Mary (Penny) Pennock, who later endowed the Center upon her death. Originally housed in the church, the Center is now located in a stand-alone facility several blocks from the church and offers its services on a sliding scale. It is a 501(c)(3) organization that employs a director and staff separate from the church. They have their own Board of Directors consisting of a majority of church members and several other community members.
For those in need of emotional and spiritual support in our church and community, volunteers knit prayer shawls and deliver them with words of encouragement and prayers.
The Little Free Library is nationally registered and is in front of the church on 27th Ave. It contains books for children and adults and is free for the community. Take a book, add a book, or borrow a book and bring it back. Books are replaced regularly so if you don’t see what you like one time, try again. Everything is on the honor system! Donations of new or gently used books are always welcome!
In partnership with the Denver Area Churches, we designate funds every year in the church budget for local agencies and worshiping communities, such as the Vietnamese Fellowship, Neema African Fellowship, Nakai Mission Partnership, Journey with Migrants, and the Presbytery Food Banks.
Global
Zimbabwe Mission Partnership (ZMP)
Brighton First Presbyterian is a member of a group of 10 churches in the Denver area that work together to support the Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care Center. Established in 2002 in a rural part of Zimbabwe, the ZMP’s mission is to enhance the health, education, nutrition, spiritual care of orphans, and other vulnerable children. The ZMP provides annual financial contributions, donated expertise for program development, and regular visits from church volunteers to support the work. Each June, our church participates in an annual fundraiser to help raise money to support the mission.
Brighton First Presbyterian is a member of a group of 10 churches in the Denver area that work together to support the Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care Center. Established in 2002 in a rural part of Zimbabwe, the ZMP’s mission is to enhance the health, education, nutrition, spiritual care of orphans, and other vulnerable children. The ZMP provides annual financial contributions, donated expertise for program development, and regular visits from church volunteers to support the work. Each June, our church participates in an annual fundraiser to help raise money to support the mission.
Heifer International
Animals provide food and income in underdeveloped countries. Heifer International is a global organization formed to end hunger by caring for the earth. A donation jar in the narthex of Brighton First Pres collects money that is used to purchase animals such as goats, geese, llama, and alpacas and train families how to use them to generate income and food. July is Heifer Project Month, and a special emphasis is placed on this mission with opportunities to buy an animal of your choice to send to a needy family.
Animals provide food and income in underdeveloped countries. Heifer International is a global organization formed to end hunger by caring for the earth. A donation jar in the narthex of Brighton First Pres collects money that is used to purchase animals such as goats, geese, llama, and alpacas and train families how to use them to generate income and food. July is Heifer Project Month, and a special emphasis is placed on this mission with opportunities to buy an animal of your choice to send to a needy family.
Café Justo
Coffee anyone?! Café Justo fronteradecristo.org is a fair-trade coffee organization that helps coffee growers in southern Mexico support their families. Periodically throughout the year, the church takes orders for interested church members. All funds raised go to the coffee growers and no profit is made by the church.
Coffee anyone?! Café Justo fronteradecristo.org is a fair-trade coffee organization that helps coffee growers in southern Mexico support their families. Periodically throughout the year, the church takes orders for interested church members. All funds raised go to the coffee growers and no profit is made by the church.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. In 1949, the leaders of several denominations in the U.S. formed a committee to organize an appeal for funds to help people around the globe who were suffering from the impact of World War II. More than 75,000 churches nationwide participated. The next year, the appeal was repeated, using the name “One Great Hour of Sharing” for the first time.
The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves individuals and communities in need who are experiencing the impact of natural disasters, hunger, poverty, climate change, and migration, providing people with safety, sustenance, and hope. This appeal is promoted during the season of Lent, and every gift makes a difference. Learn more here: One Great Hour of Sharing | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. In 1949, the leaders of several denominations in the U.S. formed a committee to organize an appeal for funds to help people around the globe who were suffering from the impact of World War II. More than 75,000 churches nationwide participated. The next year, the appeal was repeated, using the name “One Great Hour of Sharing” for the first time.
The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves individuals and communities in need who are experiencing the impact of natural disasters, hunger, poverty, climate change, and migration, providing people with safety, sustenance, and hope. This appeal is promoted during the season of Lent, and every gift makes a difference. Learn more here: One Great Hour of Sharing | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)