First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, Iowa is a very active church locally, nationally, and internationally in a variety of mission and social justice work. As Christians, we believe God is calling us to reach out to “the least of these” in ways that will exhibit the love of Christ.

First Presbyterian Church (FPC) values mission activities provided beyond its walls at local, state, national, and international levels through financial and volunteer support.  These activities are specifically promoted by FPC’s Reconciliation Ministry, Congregational Health Ministry, Youth Group, Martha’s Circle, and Friends of Pasrur.  Groups, agencies and organizations that received financial or material support in 2024 are noted below, and those that receive volunteer assistance are indicated with an “*” .

Local Mission

Agape Café – located in Old Brick, every Wednesday (7:30-9:00 a.m.), serves a free, hot, breakfast dine-in or to-go for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity.

Alzheimer Assn. of Johnson County* – works to address the crisis created by Alzheimer’s disease by providing education and support to those who face dementia every day, while advancing research to methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately a cure. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held annually.

Center for Worker Justice – pursues social and economic justice through community empowerment, leadership development, education, coalition building, organizing, mobilizing, and policy advocacy to drive structural and institutional change.

CommUnity Crisis Services* –  provides immediate and non-judgmental support for individuals facing emotional, food or financial crisis.  We are most active in their food bank and supplies program.

Compeer – housed in the lower level of First Presbyterian Church, seeks to create supportive friendships between trained volunteers and community members who receive mental health treatment to reduce social isolation and promote community engagement.

Consultation of Religious Communities*– is a network of local faith communities, social service agencies, and advocacy groups that believe in the dignity of all persons, and share a concern for the quality of life and well-being of individuals and families in Johson County. It conducts an annual Winter Clothing Distribution, and through its Common Fund supports emergency assistance provided by CommUnity.

Coralville Food Pantry – works to ensure that every person in their community goes to bed with the food they need and deserve.

Domestic Violence Intervention Program* –  provides comprehensive support and advocacy services to victims/survivors, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, empowerment, dignity and hope.

Ecumenical Towers* –  located in downtown Iowa City, adjacent to the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, it provides 81 low cost-apartments, a central laundry facility, and a large community room for social events and family gatherings. A staff a service coordinator helps residents arrange for services they need from agencies in the county.  [No donation in 2024; an FPC members serves on their Board.]

Free Lunch Program* – while respecting the dignity of its guests, provides a free noontime meal six days a week in downtown Iowa City. Our church prepares and serves a meal every 3rd Thursday of the month.

GuideLink Center – provides 24/7 services (crisis observation, behavioral health crisis stabilization, sobering, and medical detox) for adults 18+ who are facing emotional, mental health, or substance use challenges.

Guns to Gardens* – an initiative of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, this event provides a space for gun owners to safely surrender their firearms for destruction. The firearms are cut up so no parts can be recirculated for use, and the pieces are used by Rawtools, Inc. to create gardening tools and work of art, quite literally turning swords in plowshares. We conducted the first such event held in Iowa.

Houses into Homes* – provides gently-used beds, furniture, and household items for families and individuals in Johnson County who are exiting homelessness, domestic violence and other crisis situations.

Iowa City Catholic Worker House of Hospitality* – offers free meals and shelter for the poor and homeless guided by the Works of Mercy as found in Matthew 25.

Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic – believes that access to affordable health care is a basic human necessity. It strives to provide the widest range of medical and dental services possible to people in the Iowa City and surrounding community who would not otherwise have access to care.

Inside Out Reentry Community – helps formerly incarcerated people returning to Johnson County with a commitment to change and peer support to build successful, satisfying lives. Now includes a sober living residence for men.

Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Services –  provides animal shelter and adoption services, licensing, permits and dog park passes.

Iowa City Hospice – provides compassionate care for anyone in its seven-county service area affected by serious advanced illness and end of life conditions. This care is delivered in a range of settings: home, a nursing home, assisted living facility, or hospital.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity* –  with volunteers, builds local homes that are made available to qualified families experiencing housing insecurity. Home repair services are also available. Over the past five years, FPC sponsored the building of three homes, provided ongoing support to some of the owner families and continues to supply volunteer builders for other houses.

Johnson County Interfaith Coalition* –  a multicultural faith-based community organization that works to establish a long-term, productive collaboration that creates justice, especially for persons of color experiencing racial and economic inequality in the county, region and state.

Little Creations Academy* – this daycare center, located at New Creations International Church, works hard to create a warm atmosphere where children feel at home, safe, and nurtured.

NAMI of Johnson County* –  is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy. Further, it strives to educate the public about mental illness, eliminate the stigma of mental illness and increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of mental illness. NAMI Walks is held annually.

North Liberty Community Pantry – engages its community in feeding, clothing, and connecting neighbors to resources and services.

Open Heartland – empowers immigrant families to thrive in Johnson County by providing families with access to basic necessities (e.g., food, clothes and hygiene), connections to local resources, youth and adult enrichment programs, and most importantly: Community.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois – helps families feel at home, even when they can’t be, by providing comfort, care, and kindness to families when they must travel for needed medical care for their child.

Table to Table* –  volunteers with this food reclamation organization pick up usable food from stores/restaurants and distribute it to agencies that work with people experiencing food insecurity.

The Bird House – Hospice Home of Johnson County * – offers a home-like environment for individuals receiving compassionate, dignified end-of-life care focused on their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Care provided by their own hospice agency and interdisciplinary healthcare team; compassionate care is provided by a loving group of well-trained staff and volunteers.

United Action for Youth – nurtures the potential for all youth to create, grow, and succeed through young people and adults working together in partnership to create a safe and healthy community.

State / National Mission

Camp Bear Creek* – is a Christian summer camp and year-round retreat center, located near Wyoming, IA, and is committed to serving Christ by providing a place of sanctuary and inspiration. It provides intentional space for children, youth, adults and families to engage with God’s creation and offers programming to strengthen one’s faith and support one’s understanding of themselves as a child of God.

Camp Courageous – located in Monticello, IA, provides exceptional year-round recreational, respite, and travel opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families. Its vision is to inspire a world where individuals with disabilities are empowered with courage to look beyond their current capabilities and explore the world with confidence.

Catherine McAuley Center – located in Cedar Rapids, IA, First Presbyterian Church has focused on CMC’s refugee and immigrant services that provide new populations with opportunities and support to integrate into the community and adjust to life in the United States, enroute to becoming self-sufficient.

Hawkeye Area Community Action Program – is committed to enhancing the lives of families and individuals in our communities, breaking down the barriers of poverty through a wide range of programs and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of those it serves.  It is an area resource to food banks and pantries.

International Mission

Friends of Pasrur* –  For over 20 years, Friends of Pasrur (FOP), a subcommittee of the Reconciliation Ministry, has given support to FPC’s ministry in Pasrur, Pakistan through the Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan. FOP has coordinated fundraising for 100 scholarships to the Pasrur Christian Girls Boarding school each year. In addition, we have facilitated fundraising for many classroom buildings on the campus.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance –  is the disaster emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church (USA), with a core budget funded through the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering and designated gifts. Focusing on the long-term recovery of disaster impacted communities in national and international settings, it provides disaster preparedness training and connects partners with key organizations.