“ What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice,
love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” ~ Micah 6:8

We are being called to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors both locally and globally, as well as to care for and nurture the planet. We work for social and economic justice for all people in every part of the world. Our common mission is to carry out the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

Habitat for Humanity                                                                                                                                                            

First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood joins with four other area Presbyterian Churches to construct a home in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity.  Each year over sixty volunteers give of their time and energy to participate in this meaningful ministry.  Working alongside the homeowners in the construction of their home is a greatly rewarding experience.  

Make a Difference Day
Each year, eager volunteers gather to "Make a Difference." This past year, a cross-generational group installed eighty storm water drain markers which read, NO DUMPING, DRAINS TO STREAM to protect the environment. Inside the church, another team created baby blankets for at-risk newborns served by Nurses for Newborns (see related story below). Church choir members and other singing volunteers led our third annual Hymn Sing at Friendship Village South Health Center.

Crop Walks
Join us each year for either the one-mile and three-mile CROP Walks in St. Louis' Forest Park. CROP Walk supports our local food pantry as well as Church World Services and Operation Food Search. 

Social and Environmental Justice Award
Each fall, the congregation bestows this annual award to an individual or organization which honors our sense of being called to fulfill the invitation of Micah 6 to "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly." 

Disaster Relief Mission Trips
The most recent Hurricane Relief Mission Trip engaged sixteen volunteers at six different locations in Gulfport and East Biloxi, Mississippi. Neighborhoods continue to recover slowly from the huge impact of Hurricane Katrina's storm surge and sustained winds. Working with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance headquartered at the Orange Grove Volunteer Village, the Mission Team was most grateful for the prayers and financial support of this congregation. Over $3,000 worth of gift cards purchased with donated funds supplied much-needed building materials to assist deeply appreciative homeowners. Plans are being made to support the disaster response to Haiti.

Bread for the World
A Lenten tradition at First Pres is to write letters to our elected officials on behalf of the Bread for the World Campaign Against Hunger. Letter writers of all ages gather in Fellowship Hall to advocate on behalf of the hungry around the world.

Annual Stream Cleanup
The annual Earth Day Community Stream Clean-Up provides a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages to collect a surprising array of litter and debris from sections of Kirkwood's Sugar Creek. Recently, the Kirkwood City Council recognized this effort as an important contribution to the environmental health and safety of the community. Co-sponsors of this annual event are: the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, the Open Space Council, and Environmental Operations, Inc.

Kirk Care
First Pres is proud to support Kirk Care, a non-profit Food and Financial Assistance Organization serving the community of Kirkwood.