Kanapaha Presbyterian Church believes that supporting local, national and international organizations that serve those in need is a calling for our church. All in our church participate in as many ways as they are able. As Jesus has taught us:

Matthew 25:44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Kanapaha church participates in the following local missions:

Through the collaborations of local faith communities, Family Promise of Gainesville provides homeless children and their families with compassionate care that includes case management, education, housing, meals and transportation until they can transition to a home of their own.

Up to four families without a home live in local churches and synagogues every night of the year.  Kanapaha Church helps by providing volunteers to provide dinner and people to be with the families.

November 2023

Alachua Habitat for Humanity

Interfaith Build: A Celebration of Faith Partnerships

Habitat's mission involves building communities as well as homes. Habitat's interfaith initiative offers the opportunity to extend a hand to our neighbors of other faiths, and to work together to rid the world of poverty housing. Our Interfaith Builds are funded and built by members of local faith communities. Aside from new homes built, the positive and meaningful interaction among members of different religions encourages mutual trust, inspires hope, and ensures the sustainability of interfaith collaboration. 

Kanapaha Church provides volunteers that bring lunch to those at the Interfaith Build site as well as volunteers to help with the construction.

Colleen Harrell Memorial Thanksgiving Baskets

Kanapaha Church through donations of turkeys and hams and all the fixings of a Thanksgiving feast do God’s work by feeding the hungry.  We partner with a local school to identify families who would benefit from a gift of a Thanksgiving Basket.  Our friend, Colleen Harrell loved this mission so it has been named for her.  The generosity of the church feeds 12-14 families of about 50 people.

Montgomery Presbyterian Camp, Conference & Retreat Center

Montgomery Presbyterian Camp, Conference & Retreat Center was established in 1957 on 167 wooded acres on three spring-fed lakes. Owned by the Presbytery of St. Augustine, Montgomery exists to provide unique programs in a setting which gives youth and adults the opportunity to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ in ways that deepen faith and increase the appreciation of, and service to each other.

The camping ministry at Montgomery is an extension of the Christian education programs of the Presbytery of St. Augustine and of the Presbyterian Church.

Kanapaha Church has sent youth to the camp and has held Session retreats there.  The church has also provided financial donations to this wonderful resource in our Presbytery.

KPC Youth Luncheon Fundraiser

Once a year the youth at KPC prepare a delicious luncheon for church members and friends to enjoy after worship.  The donations raised are used to support the International Presbyterian Mission program.  The youth select how the funds are to be used and have purchased goats, chickens, personal supplies and other items.

Kanapaha Presbyterian Church participates in the FOUR CHURCH-WIDE OFFERINGS of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which supports your local church and programs throughout Florida, the United States and the World.

The four church wide Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are a collective witness to Jesus Christ's love for the whole church. One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost Offering, Peace & Global Witness Offering, and Christmas Joy Offering play an important role in defining what it means to be a connectional church. Over the years these offerings have provided ways for individuals and congregations to join together with each other and in partnership with other Christians in responding to a variety of concerns.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: SHARING RESOURCES AND CHANGING LIVES

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.

PENTECOST OFFERING: INVESTING IN OUR GREATEST RESOURCE

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency:

• Young Adult Volunteers
• Ministries for Youth
• Children-at-Risk
• Pentecost Offering Financials

PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ's peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: SUPPORTING PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE LEADERS

Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor this gift by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.