The Chairperson of the Misison and Ministry Committee shared these thoughts with the congregation about Faith Des Peres' mission work:

I didn’t join FDP church because of Mission and Ministry. I joined because of Annie, and her leadership and her sermons; and because of you, the people in the pews. I met here good people, friendly caring people who welcomed my family in our varying places in our faith journey.

I didn’t join FDP because of Mission and Ministry, but I fell in love with FDP because of Mission and Ministry. I am amazed that such a small congregation has such a commitment to serving our community. Think about all that this congregation does:

• Food packing at Food Outreach
• Contribute food to Circle of Concern food pantry
• Grow food for Circle of Concern
• Build a community garden to which our neighbors belong
• Christmas meals and presents for families at Lydia’s House and SouthSide Early Childhood Center
• Gardened for Lydia’s House
• Assist in Lydia’s house gingerbread house fundraiser
• Assist in Food Outreach’s annual fundraiser
• Make blankets for soldiers
• Collected supplies for families in Joplin after the tornado
• Sent a team of workers to help in the Joplin cleanup
• Help set up portions of new apartments for families leaving Lydia’s House
• Participate in Crop walk
• Provide food for children who often spend the weekend without enough food through buddy packs
• Run an electronics recycle fair where all salvageable electronics are repaired and given to people living at or near the poverty line
• Financial contributions to all these organizations and more

When I think about Mission and Ministry – I think about you – the people in the pews that welcomed me the first time I visited. I think about how the messages we hear from Annie, our biblical passages and our hymns is lived out not just in our lives – but through the work of this church. I am proud to be part of Mission and Ministry – and I am honored to be a member of this church.