At Fondren Presbyterian we value our long tradition of a strong presence in the community, offering monetary support and active volunteers for projects and programs ranging from the local community to the wider world. We find many ways to serve!

Presbyterian Women (PW)

Fondren's Presbyterian Women are part of the PCUSA's church-wide organization open to all women. They give strong support to the mission of the church and determine their own leadership, program, and budget. PW offers two “circles” that meet monthly, one during the day and one in the evening, September-May for Bible study, mission, and fellowship. The circles study the yearly Horizons Presbyterian Women Bible Study. See the church calendar for meeting details.

PW Special Offerings
Fondren Presbyterian Women contribute annually to the Birthday Offering and the Thank Offering. The Birthday Offering originated in 1922 to celebrate the "Birthday" of Presbyterian Women and is usually celebrated in the spring. The Thank Offering, usually observed in the fall, awards grants to support mission projects at home and abroad. The PCUSA's Church-wide Creative Offerings Committee selects the recipients of the offerings.

PW Missions
Fondren’s Presbyterian Women helps support our Adopt-a-School program with Jackson Public Schools, Stewpot Community Services in Jackson, Mission Haven at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, the Fellowship of the Least Coin, and other mission initiatives as needed.

Partners in education

Fondren Presbyterian was the first church in Mississippi to "adopt" a public school. Since 1981, members of the church have generously contributed time, money, and talents to an elementary school in the heart of Jackson’s urban core. Support activities include Book Buddies, student incentives, field trips, teacher appreciation, school supplies, uniforms, and joint community service projects. Our historical partner, George Elementary School, closed after the 2017-2018 school term. During the 2018-2019 school year, Galloway Elementary was our partner, but in 2019, we decided to adopt Clausell Elementary since so many of our former partners at George are now there. Fondren Presbyterian works with the school’s teachers and leadership, providing field trips for student enrichment, additional resources for students and staff—like at-home lap desks for all during COVID virtual classes, two Chromebooks for use by the library’s Accelerated Reader Program, and performances by New Stage educational interns onsite at the school—and supporting a vibrant and safe learning environment for Clausell’s scholar-students.

As we return to in-person activities with the school, we will announce opportunities in which Fondren Presbyterian members can participate.

Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area

More than 25 years ago, Fondren members Governor William Winter and his wife, Elise, were among the founders of the first Habitat for Humanity organization in Jackson. As a church we have continued our commitments of money, labor, and resources to Habitat projects over the years. Most recently, we participated in the three-year Habitat Peace House initiative, a multi-faith, multicultural outreach for the city of Jackson dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Besides continuing our financial support of Habitat for Humanity, we also provide volunteer construction labor, food for volunteers, training for Habitat homeowners, and support for fundraising.

Meals on Wheels

On the first and third Saturdays of each month, Fondren Presbyterian volunteers serve approximately 24 people a hot meal, providing a friendly face at the door and a regular check on the recipients’ well-being. Some of us cook, assemble, and package the meals; others deliver. Anyone who is interested may help with this worthwhile effort. To volunteer, contact the church office at (601) 982-3232 or office@fondrenpcusa.org or get in touch with Mission committee member Jan Taylor.

Stewpot Community Services

Stewpot Ministries began in 1981 when a group of Jackson churches combined resources to help alleviate the problems of homelessness and poverty in the city. Our church participates through monetary support and by providing a hot meal on first Sundays in February, May, August, and November.

Prisoner Visitation and Support

Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) is a volunteer visitation program for people incarcerated in federal and military prisons throughout the United States. Their mission is to provide prisoners with regular face-to-face contact from the world outside of prison to help them cope with prison life, encourage personal growth, and prepare for successful reentry into society. Their vision is to provide qualified visitors to fulfill all requests for visits by prisoners in every federal and military prison. Priority is given to those prisoners who: do not ordinarily receive visits from family and friends, want or need visits, are in solitary confinement, are on death row, or are serving long sentences.

If you would like to know more, click the button below and/or talk to Jill Upton—(972) 743-6949 or jillupton21@yahoo.com—or Betty and Glenn Gentry.

Living Waters for the World

Fondren Presbyterian has participated monetarily and our members personally with this mission of The Synod of Living Waters for several years, supporting the installation of three water systems in Haiti. Fondren Pres most recently traveled to Haiti to install a new water system in 2019.