Serve with us at FPC
Learn about some of the programs our witness team serves listed below. Our current witness team elders are Stephanie Scarborough, Sara Chini and Yvonne Hill-Davenport with designated staff member Senior Pastor Neeley Rentz Lane!
Witness falls under the "reaching out" branch of our core values which states "we believe the work of the church is to 'act justly,' 'love mercy,' and 'walk humbly' with God. As servants, we care for strangers, heal the sick, feed the hungry, help the oppressed, and share the Gospel."
This is often expressed by Witness finding ways in the community to reach out and volunteer a helping hand in the name of the Lord.
Mission Mania 2026
Click HERE to register for your choice of days!
Dates: July 20-23, 2026 (You may select the days you wish to serve!)
Time each day: 9:00am-1:00pm
Daily Schedule:
9:00am Meet in Fellowship Hall
9:30am Depart for Work sites
11:30am Depart for Church
12 Noon- 1pm Lunch and Debrief
Projects:
July 20 Alcovy Casa and Cemetery Clean Up
July 21 Sandwiches/Birthday in Bag/Recipe in a Bag and Habitat Build
July 22 Assisted Living Care Visits and Fix-It service
July 23 Newton Trails and High Rise Party
Location: Meet in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church Covington
Contact: Neeley@fpccov.org
Community Food Pantry
The Community Food Pantry provides food to eligible needy applicants in the Covington area.
For many years the Food Pantry was housed by our church, and sponsored by the Newton County Ministers' Union. In 2009, it was moved next door to FaithWorks in a building owned by the City of Covington.
Consider making a donation of food or volunteering at the Pantry (receiving, shelving, packaging, distributing, shopping)!
The food pantry is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00a-11:00am.
Meals on Wheels
FPC's longstanding partnership with Meals on Wheels allows our members to get directly involved in a critical ministry that provides hot meals to residents at the Covington Square Apartments located just a block away from our own building. This is a great activity for families to participate in together!
FPC delivers for Meals on Wheels the last Saturday of each month. Volunteers meet at the Covington Square Apartments at about 9:00am and are usually finished by 9:45am. For more information or to help us deliver, please reach out to Stephanie Scarborough or Sara Chini!
American Red Cross Blood Drive
FPC is thrilled to be able to host several American Red Cross blood drives each year. These drives serve our community and spread the love of Christ by helping to literally save lives. The dates for the individual drives are announced in advance in the church bulletin and in the e-news.
If you are able, a great way you can get involved in an FPC blood drive is to donate! We are also in need of volunteers to both the day of the drive and in advance to help promote the event. For more information, please reach out to Stephanie Scarborough or Sara Chini.
Change the World Day
Change the World Day is an annual community event of education, service, fun, food, fall festival and fellowship hosted by Covington First United Methodist Church! Our Witness Team will have a booth to let us reach out and connect to people in our community of all ages!
On the day of Change the World Day, we will need volunteers to help talk to people and pass out goody bags! We do both regular bags and bags oriented towards kids (with coloring sheets, party favors and other fun goodies!) so we also encourage our FPC Youth to volunteer! The event is from 10:00am-1:00pm but you don't have to come the whole time! Just be sure to let us know when you volunteer what time you plan to be there.
In the lead up we have a prep day where we put together all the goody bags.
Presbyterian Women: Partners in Education for Fairview Elementary
Through the ministry of the Presbyterian Women, our congregation sponsors Fairview Elementary as a Partner in Education. Our goal is to support the staff and students of the school in their educational endeavors. We encourage the staff throughout the year with various appreciation efforts. We support the students through weekly tutoring, building relationships that enhance their education. If you would like to join us in supporting Fairview staff and students, please contact Pastor Neeley Rentz Lane.
A word from PW volunteer, Julie MacKenzie:
My husband Jeff and l have been mentoring at Fairview Elementary School for the past three years. We've mentored with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. The kids are smart and very respectful. They'll bring in workbooks so we can help with the lessons. But our main focus has also been to develop a sense of curiosity within them.
Family Promise of NewRock
By mobilizing community resources–houses of worship for lodging, congregations for volunteers, social service agencies for assessment and referrals, and existing facilities for day programs–FPNR provides support services that work for families right here in our own community.
A superior long-term outcome is achieved by offering a leg-up vs. a hand-out, helping homeless families regain sustainable independence, all at a third of the cost of traditional shelters.
Family Promise focuses on the family…
In the FPNR program, families stay together. This offers security for children by maintaining some sense of normalcy. Houses of worship offer facilities for overnight lodging and meals, while volunteers provide fellowship and support to our Guest families at the Day Center. All participants in the program are required to have at least one child under the age of 18 years in the family unit
