Tappahannock Presbyterian Church

Tappahannock, Virginia

MISSION

Every member of this little congregation participates in some way in outreach missions, whether it is with time or financial support. In 2011 the participation in Operation Inasmuch was over half of the congregation. Over $2500 was given to support this one-day event. The congregation is generous with giving when it comes to the four Presbyterian offerings: the Joy Gift, the Peace Offering, the Pentecost Offering, and the One Great Hour of Sharing. The 5 cents a meal offering is received the third Sunday of each month and food is brought in for the local food bank on that day. There is quick response to special requests such as peanut butter and jelly for children during the summer months.

Each year the church sponsors the children of the congregation to Camp Hanover. Equally important, there are 4-6 children from the community sponsored for the camp as well. Tappahannock Presbyterian was instrumental in the development and leadership of an interdenominational council of churches called Essex Churches Together (ECT ). See more details on another page.

There is a ministry to each other as well through the Fellowship and Congregational Care Ministry. Members share times of joy as well as times of need. A baby shower and new freezer helped prepare for a new baby in the church family. Graduation gifts are given to young people completing high school. Members of the congregation chartered a bus to attend the memorial service of a member who also resided in Alexandria. The congregation is an intimate group with a special bond which is extended to all who come to worship. Refreshments are brought by a different family every Sunday to enjoy after the 10:00 service. A Christmas dinner is held in someone’s home and for the last two years a Progressive Dinner has been held at 4 homes. A knitting group meets monthly to make prayer shawls and pray together. Everyone who comes to knit is not a member of the church, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to join when they are ready. Occasionally there are trips together to a dinner theater or other entertainment.

Christian Education
Adult Sunday School classes are held through-out the year in 4-6 week sessions. They are held following morning worship and fellowship time. Beginning in February the Lenten Study will be "Discerning God's Plan for Tappahannock Presbyterian." This will consist of prayers for guidance as well as information from the Ministry Groups, status reports regarding standing with the Presbytery of the James, and options for a building to be built on newly acquired property on Route 360, across from Chandler Cheverolet.

The One-Room School House PC-USA Curriculum is taught to children from 5 to 12 years of age every Sunday. Teens participate in morning worship by taking up collections, lay reading, and serving as acolytes.