Mission DMV

Fourth Presbyterian Church is assisting in the resettlement of Afghan families in Maryland and Virginia. Refugees are adjusting to life in America and refugee resettlement agencies cannot meet all the needs before them. This presents a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate Christ's love to these new neighbors. While material goods such as food, clothing, and furniture are always appreciated, other pressing needs include the offer of friendship, hospitality, and mentoring.

Examples of assistance we seek to provide include:

• Navigating government social services that are available
• Transportation to and from appointments
• Building English language skills
• Employment (helping craft a resume, identify occupational mentors or potential employers)
• Logistics of enrolling children in school and obtaining drivers' licenses

To find out how you can help, email resettlement@4thpres.org.

Cornerstone School is a K–12th-grade Christian school located in Southeast Washington, D.C. Through a partnership of family, school, churches, and other community resources, Cornerstone provides a Christ-centered, nurturing, and academically robust education forming the children of the District in the habits of faith, love, and learning essential to becoming wise, compassionate, and virtuous leaders trained to serve others in light of Christ and his truth. The academic success and spiritual maturity of Cornerstone students stands in sharp contrast to their counterparts at D.C. public schools. For years, Fourth Fellows have provided on-site support to Cornerstone Schools most weeks during the school year. There are a variety of ways others in the Fourth Church community can volunteer to help promote Cornerstone’s remarkably successful Christian mission:

• At-Home Library Project: This opportunity allows volunteers to purchase a specific set of books from a Cornerstone-curated list to help students build their own “at-home libraries.” Interested volunteers are also able to assist with book distribution to students.
• Breakfast and Lunch Support: These opportunities include providing breakfast foods for Cornerstone students monthly, assisting with serving school lunches to students weekly (Tuesday-Thursday), providing snacks to bless senior students and staff monthly, and sponsoring a meal for staff personnel on an in-service day.
• College/Career Connections: The opportunity to share your college and career experiences with high school students, and potentially mentor an individual student or provide site visits or internships at your place of employment.
• Fall Backpack Drive: Individuals or small groups can “adopt” a K-8 classroom and provide backpacks and all required Cornerstone school supplies for a whole class.
• Partner Program: Cornerstone’s Partner Program allows 2nd-8th-graders to build meaningful relationships with their Partners during four events throughout the school year. Partners encourage, pray for, and walk closely with their student. Partner Days for the 2023-2024 year are: October 13, December 8, March 8, and May 3, from 12:30–2:00 p.m. During the year, Partners receive updates and are afforded additional opportunities for involvement. Partners are also invited to other school events throughout the year and are welcome to write to their student.
• Prayer Team: Members of the Prayer Team receive regular prayer updates from Cornerstone, as well as urgent prayer requests via email. Prayer is a vital part of Cornerstone’s ministry to its students, parents, staff, and volunteers. We have full confidence that the Lord hears us as we bring our requests before him (1 John 5:14).
• Staff Volunteer: This position is for anyone interested in committing to volunteer at Cornerstone on a consistent, weekly basis throughout the school year — one day per week, 2+ hours/day. This can include academic tutoring and serving in the school’s “Lions’ Den” after-school enrichment program.
• Other: Share other skills or interests that might benefit Cornerstone.

Interested? Email serve@4thpres.org.

Samaritan Inns is making available to Fourth this tradition of preparing a meal and having fellowship with participants in the important six-month residential treatment programs for men and women. This is a simple, yet effective way to experience a segment of the recovery process and lovingly encourage those who are facing some real challenges – over a meal that is either prepared in advance or on-site at the Fairmont Inn (men) or Huff House (women). This opportunity is ideal for couples, community groups, or ministry groups. Email SERVE@4thpres.org to sign up and for details.

You can help support the mission of YoungLives in several ways:

MONTHLY CLUB MEETINGS
Gaithersburg, Md. and Washington, D.C.

Priority Needs:
• Provide transportation to/from club for moms & their babies
• Serve as a "Mentor Mom" (training provided)

Additional opportunities:
• Provide childcare for babies and toddlers
• Provide a dish for a meal for 20+ moms and volunteers

SUMMER CAMP
Each summer young moms and their children head to camp to experience the gospel. This is possible because individuals & groups from around the country go to spend a week caring for babies and children at camp, impacting young parents and shaping generations. This is a mission trip like no other! See the video on volunteering here.

For questions or more information about how you can serve with YoungLives, please email us at YLVS@4thpres.org.

When a woman is facing an unexpected pregnancy, she searches for answers, often online via Google. If she finds Rockville Women’s Center via our Google ads, she calls our Helpline at 240-779-1585. RWC is seeking caring and compassion individuals to answer our Helpline. If you have four hours (between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday–Thursday) to answer calls, schedule appointments, and share information with women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy, come join our team. Training is provided and you will be answering the Helpline sitting in our office with staff in close proximity.

The first Friday of each month, you can call in to participate in First Friday Prayer with the RWC team 7:30-8:30 a.m. For details contact serve@4thpres.org.

Lead Bible Study
Mission DMV is forming a team of men to lead evening Bible study on a regular basis (monthly; quarterly) on-site at the overnight shelter located at 65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. For more information contact SERVE@4thpres.org.

The Mission DMV committee has approved the establishment of prison ministry to extend Christ's love to those who are incarcerated, to offer spiritual support, and provide tangible assistance to inmates. The ministry is seeking volunteers to serve at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (FCADC) in Fairfax, Virginia. Opportunities include:

Leading Worship Services: A team of dedicated men (or men and women) will lead Protestant worship services at the facility the fourth Sunday of each month. About 25-30 men typically take part in a 9:15 a.m. service comprised of a Bible reading, appropriate music, and a gospel-centered message in a classroom setting.

Mentoring Detainees: Mentors meet one-on-one for one or more one-hour session(s) on a weekly basis with detainees who want to share their life stories and current challenges and receive a compassionate and mature Christian response.

Leading Bible Studies and Teach Classes: Volunteers will lead Bible studies and teach regular, early evening classes on any number of topics (such as how to be a better Christian husband and father).

For more information or to volunteer in this new ministry, including as a prayer warrior, please contact Dr. Isaiah Nengean at inengean@4thpres.org or 301-320-3600 x381.