Throughout the year Old First Church youth and adults donate food which is delivered to the Community Food Council. The Food Council is located in Huntington Station and has been assisting people in our area for many years. The immediate relief they provide to individuals and families locally continues to deserve our support.
Board of Deacons
Our Board of Deacons is called to ministries of compassion, service, care-giving and love. They minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond our community of faith.
To fulfill their calling Deacons plan and arrange for various services to care for church members and to minister to those in our community. A Deacon will send notes and cards to members of the congregation or friends of members who are sick, ailing, or have experienced a birth or death in their family. These Communications and Remembrances enable us to keep in touch with members who may need additional help and support. As part of our Friends On Call Program we may provide meals, rides to church and doctors’ appointments, and may visit the person at home.
The Old First Church Deacons oversee the delivery of cards and plants to homebound members and friends during the Christmas and Easter Holidays. Each week small arrangements are made up from the Sunday sanctuary flowers and they are delivered to the homebound of the church family and the community.
Community Ministry
To reach beyond our congregation we participate in a Community Ministry with other Churches and organizations. We continue to connect with the Family Service League which develops programs to address the needs of individuals, children, and families in under-served populations in our area.
The Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative (HiHi) was formed in 2000 to assure that the homeless within the town of Huntington would have a hot meal and a warm bed during the winter months. To accomplish this goal a group of 40 plus religious groups, over 500 volunteers, work from November to March.
On a rotating basis, each night of the week a house of worship opens it doors to the homeless. With the aid of Family Service League they are transported to the host site and the volunteers at that site provide a hot dinner, a place to sleep, a hot breakfast and a bag lunch. All services and food are donated by the hosting congregation and the volunteers.
HiHi is a wonderful way to give back to your community. It requires a minimum time commitment (3 to 5 hours); it is a great family project and fulfills the requirement of community service at all local high schools.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Thanksgiving baskets
Each November the Deacons deliver a “Thanksgiving Basket” containing a week’s worth of groceries and a Thanksgiving dinner to 125 needy families in our area. In October we meet with the Town to identify the families in need. The overwhelming majority of the baskets are delivered to families outside of Old First Church community.
Dozens of careful volunteers from the congregation sort the food into boxes - including a turkey with cooking instructions! Along with the original “Happy Thanksgiving” cards for each family created by our Church School children we provide a sheet of Thanksgiving prayers for children and adults. All this happens because of the efforts of over 150 people. The entire project is managed by the Deacons.
Plant Sale
Fundraising
Our OFC Pancake Breakfasts and Deacon offerings provide funds for our other church and community care-giving activities. If you want to be “on call” to help the Board of Deacons with these church and community ministries send an e-mail to the Deacons or leave your name and contact information in the Deacon’s mailbox. We know you will find it a rewarding experience!
Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women work locally through their mission donations and their Circles. Prior to the beginning of school they work with the Town of Huntington to distribute backpacks to girls and boys in need of school supplies. These youngsters then are prepared to begin a new school year in our community.
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