Through Fondren's Outreach programs, the members of Fondren PCUSA reach out in the name of Christ to love and serve others. Fondren has a long tradition of a strong presence in the community, offering not only monetary support but also active volunteers for many projects and programs that range from the local community to the wider world. The Outreach Committee is charged with continuing and strengthening these worthwhile efforts. Outreach also assists in welcoming visitors, hosting gatherings and fellowship for potential members, and coordinating with other committees to involve new members in the work of the church. Outreach also supports and updates the web site.

Fondren's members find many ways to serve; explore them here.

Adopt-A-School

Fondren was the first church in the state to "adopt" a public school. Since 1981 members have generously contributed their time, money, and talents to an inner city elementary school. Support activities include Book Buddies, student incentives, field trips, teacher appreciation, school supplies, uniforms, and joint community service projects. Fondren's current partner is George Elementary School.

Global Missions http://www.pcusa.org/worldwide/

Habitat for Humanity

Twenty-five years ago, Fondren members Governor William Winter and his wife Elise founded the first Habitat for Humanity organization in Jackson. Fondren Presbyterian Church's commitment of money, labor, and resources to Habitat projects has continued over the years. Each year, Fondren supports the construction of the Habitat for Humanity Peace House, a special ministry dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. With Fondren's help, the Peace House has become a multifaith and multicultural outreach for the city of Jackson. In addition to providing major financial support, Fondren also provides work teams and construction volunteers, food for volunteers, and support for fund-raising.

Anyone interested in working with other Christians and people of other faiths—Hindus, Muslims, and Jews—toward promoting peace and providing housing in the Jackson community should call the church office—601-982-3232. For more information about the Jackson chapter of Habitat, visit http://www.habitatjackson.org/.

Through the efforts of Outreach, Fondren hosts the following community organizations and gatherings on a regular or occasional basis.

AAUW
AMOS Network
Compassionate Friends
Fondren Renaissance (neighborhood association)
Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee
Jackson Choral Society
Kidney Support Group
MAPE
Mississippi Campus Ministry Board
Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference
Presbytery of Mississippi
Polling Place
Samaritan Counseling Center, as needed
Stitchery Guild

Interfaith Cooperative

Fondren was the site of the first Interfaith Cooperative Celebration in Jackson in 2004. People of all faiths—Protestants, Catholics, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims—gathered for the purpose of furthering tolerance and understanding of their respective beliefs. In recent years, the Interfaith Cooperative has continued to be a catalyst for unity and has been instrumental in the building of Habitat for Humanity's Peace House.

Living Waters for the World http://www.livingwatersfortheworld.org/

Meals on Wheels

About thirty Fondren volunteers participate in a Meals on Wheels program on the first Saturday and third Friday morning of each month. With four other churches, we serve the same twenty-four people a hot meal, providing a friendly, cheery face at the door and a regular check on their well-being. Some volunteers cook the meal components at home, bring the items to the church, and package them. Other volunteers deliver the meals. Around the holidays and on special occasions, we may also include gifts or perhaps items the children of the church have made to let our recipients know we are thinking about them. Anyone who is interested in helping with this worthwhile effort should contact Jan Taylor.

Mission Mississippi http://www.missionmississippi.org

Mississippi Gulf Coast Relief

Fondren's participation in the rebuilding of the coast has ranged from providing monetary support to preparing casseroles to sending a team of volunteers. On the regional level, the Presbytery of Mississippi has provided endless hours and labor toward the process of rebuilding (see Presbytery of Mississippi Relief Efforts: http://www.mspresbyterianrecovery.org/). The PCUSA's disaster relief agency—Presbyterian Disaster Assistance—aids in disaster relief and recovery around the world. To learn more about PDA, visit http://www.pcusa.org/pda/.

Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference

The Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference arose out of deep religious concerns about the bombings of houses of worship during the 1960s and became an interfaith forum for both lay and clergy leaders to respond to critical issues affecting the well-being of Mississippians. To learn more about MRLC, visit the website: http://www.msrlc.org.

Stewpot Community Services http://www.stewpot.org/

Stewpot Ministries began in 1981 when a group of Jackson churches combined resources to help alleviate the problems of homelessness and poverty in the city. Fondren participates through monetary support and by providing a hot meal on the first Sunday of each month. Fondren's youth are actively involved in this ministry.