Outreach

Q. What are the proposed costs?

The total proposed costs for Outreach is $1,050,000, the sum of four projects described below:
New Life Pres/Upper Monroe Neighborhood	$100,000
Habitat for Humanity	$650,000
Katrina/Gulf Coast	$100,000
Kenya	$200,000
Total	$1,050,000

Q. Why are we are spending so much on the facilities?

The proposed facilities enhancements will strengthen the ability for our important volunteer-based programs to better serve others. These enhancements will provide more hospitable and accessible space to RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network), the Dining Room Ministry, the Food Cupboard, community meeting space, even the sanctuary and chapel, (which house numerous community concerts).

Q. Underlying Outreach principles

Our capital funds should be used to leverage other community resources as Third Church works in partnership with other congregations and community groups to enhance outcomes.

Q. What Outreach programs will we support?

Capital Campaign funds will provide short-term support to four programs: Flower City Habitat for Humanity (the City) New Life Presbyterian/Upper Monroe Neighborhood (the Presbytery), Katrina/Gulf Coast (the Nation), and Kenya (the World).

Q. Why were these priorities chosen?

Each program, in significant collaborative partnerships with others, is focused on development of the church, the economy, or the community. We especially want to use both dollars and volunteers.

Q. How will we partner with Flower City Habitat for Humanity?

We will help to build ten homes in the Josanna neighborhood (near PAETEC Park) over several years. This funding commitment is designed to leverage other church dollars and volunteers. Home ownership is a proven way to help revitalize and stabilize troubled neighborhoods in Rochester.

Q. How will we work with our New Life Presbyterian/Upper Monroe Neighborhood partners?

We will make a capital investment designed to help strengthen church, community, and economic development in this nearby neighborhood. Rod Frohman notes that "The decision for the actual capital improvement within the New Life building will be up to their session. But I know they will be making a decision that will benefit both the church and the community."

Q. How will we partner in the post-Katrina/Gulf Coast venture?

Third Church will increase our commitment to the post-Katrina/Gulf Coast area by helping fund the start-up of a program in the Rochester area aimed at encouraging as many as 20-25 Rochester area work groups each year traveling to the Gulf Coast. We will help however necessary (travel, tools, supplies) as groups travel to rebuild New Orleans over the next two years.

Q. How will we partner with the Kihumo Presbyterian Parish and Kenyan Network of Presbyterians in Kenya?

Our capital contributions over two years will help the Kihumo congregation strengthen its outreach ministry, help create critical additional facilities needed to enable more East African students to attend the Presbyterian University in Nairobi, and support a medical exchange program. In view of the current political situation, the traveling team is waiting for events to be stable for three months and then it will reschedule a next trip.

Q. Why are we supporting global missions when there's so much need in our own backyard?

Outreach is a calling that we respond to as well as we can, with full realization that all the needs will never be met. Both local and global outreach are important: we have an obligation to reach beyond Third Church, to meet needs within our city and area, but also to reach into the world. By sharing our spiritual journey with partner congregations in the developing country of Kenya, we become better educated about our uniquely American perspective and its blessings and limitations; enriching our understanding of how Christ works in very different environments, while simultaneously sharing ourselves with others—ultimately, we hope, contributing to global harmony and peace.

Q. What is the time frame for these projects?

Except for defined commitment over several years to Habitat for Humanity, we will fund one-time or 1-2 year well-researched programs that will not require on-going financial support.

Q. Do you still have questions about Outreach?

Click here to email a member of the a campaign cabinet.