October 14 Update

Mark your calendars! We will have a called congregational meeting on October 25th, to elect Church officers (ruling elders) and Nominating Committee members for this next year. The Nominating Committee will share their nominations in next week's ePress. How will we have a congregational meeting when we are still doing virtual church? Virtually of course! Next week's ePress will have instructions for accessing the Zoom call and calling in via telephone. If you would like to nominate someone to serve on Session, there will be a time for nominations from the floor. Please contact me (david@fpcrichardson.org or 214.864.2286) for more information on how to nominate someone other than the committee's slate.

A few weeks ago we participated in North Texas Giving Day. We raised $2,757 for the Pastors' Emergency Fund through that campaign. A great big thanks to all who donated! That designated fund is used to provide emergency aid to our neighbors in need.

Giving statements were sent out over email this week. This is something new, and takes advantage of new software we are using. You might begin to see some additional communications that use the REALM platform. We plan to incorporate other features in the near future. Hardcopies of the giving statements will be mailed through the US Postal Service. If you with to receive hardcopies of future statements, you will need to let the Church's Financial Office know of your preference (finance@fpcrichardson.org or 972.235.2316.)

Network Needs

They are currently in need of the following items:

• Fresh Produce
• Baking Goods (Flour, Sugar, Cooking Oil, pre-made mixes such as Bisquik and Jiffy)
• Canned Fruit (any variety)
• Jelly, Jams, and Spreads
• Canned Meat (chicken, chili, tuna, etc.)
• Canned Pasta
• Bottled Water (for volunteers)
• Hygiene Products (soap, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, tooth paste, toothbrushes, facial tissues, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies)
• Paper Towels
• Bleach

As always, thank you for your generosity and being a blessing to those in need.

June 17 Update - Reopening Chart

This chart represents the guidelines FPCR will use for different phases of in-person gatherings in the church facility. It is subject to change at any time. Click on the chart for a full-size version. View the detailed plan guidelines here.

May 28 Update - Phased Reopening

Dear First Presbyterian Church,

We are in the third month of living during the COVID19 pandemic, and we are facing what may be a more challenging phase than what we encountered when we made the decision to close the church building in March. As some restrictions begin to ease, what does this mean for us? How do we phase back in church gatherings and activities while safeguarding ourselves, our community, and, especially, the most vulnerable among us?

We have adhered to isolation and safe practices and the success so far in “flattening the curve” has given us reason to hope. Yet, sadly, the reality is that more than 100,000 Americans, including more than 1,500 Texans, have lost their lives to the disease, and the number of hospitalizations and new cases continues to be a source of great concern. We still have a long way to go before the virus is under control.

Continue Reading »

March 15 Update

Dear Church Family,

The FPC Richardson Session is suspending all face-to-face church gatherings (both FPCR activities and outside groups), including face-to-face worship, until public health officials advise it is safe to resume group meetings. This includes all committees and ministry meetings, softball practice, prayer groups, circles, book clubs, etc. We expect this to last through the end of March, if not longer.

We will continue to offer an online worship experience and other opportunities for virtual gatherings. More on that in the next couple of days. I am so thankful for those who participated in worship through Facebook Live this morning.

If you know of someone that needs help weathering this current situation, please have them contact the church office at (972) 235-2316 or they can email me directly at david@fpcrichardson.org. At this time, please only use my cell phone number if it is an critical emergency.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor David and Pastor Rosy

Mobile Food Pantry @ Liberty Junior High
3rd Thursday of the month, 3 - 6 p.m.

The Network has recently purchased a refrigerated box truck. In addition to picking up food from the North Texas Food Bank, the truck will be used for a new Mobile Food Pantry program. Network is partnering with RISD to provide food distribution to eligible families once a month at five different locations to assist in ending food insecurity. 

FPCR is partnering with Network to support the mobile food pantry at Liberty Junior High on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Each month, we'll need at least 5 volunteers. Additionally, we need a dedicated driver (no CDL required) and a lead volunteer.

Please be in touch with Pastor Rosy if you're interested in volunteering or serving as the driver or lead volunteer.

Register at Kroger's and Amazon for FPCR

Don't forget that you can register for a percentage of your purchase at Kroger's and Amazon to come to FPCR, with those funds earmarked for the renovations. Sign up at your local Kroger supermarket near you and on Amazon.com for the Amazon Smiles program. Call the office if you have questions.

Earth Care Congregation

In helping with our "Earth Care Congregation" program, parents, help your children respect God's creation by avoiding their becoming part of our "throw away society." In the words of 16th Century Astronomer Johannes Kepler, "Nature uses as little as possible of everything." Perhaps we might do the same?

College Ministry at FPCR

Are you interested in volunteering to help implement a College Ministry? With the assistance of Ukirk Ministries, a Presbyterian College program that provides resources and directions to congregations that want to have a college campus presence. Visit www.ukirkdallas.org or contact Pastor David at david@fpcrichardson.org to learn more and participate.