Former Manse Becomes Home to a New Ministry

May 6, 2016

In summer of 2013, the session of First United Presbyterian Church of DuBois, Pennsylvania, learned that their renters in the church manse would be moving out of state. Suddenly, the house they had rented for several years would become empty. The session was faced with a decision: Should they just keep renting the house, or would a new use for it be more appropriate?

As pastor Sarah Sedgwick talked to others, one idea gained traction: creating a space where mission teams could stay and work on homes in need of repair in DuBois.

In the summer of 2015, the church hosted four mission teams from churches in four states. Over 50 youth and adults stayed in the former manse, dubbed the Red Mission House, and worked on four homes in the DuBois community. Their work included building a ramp, painting home exteriors, and remodeling a deck for homeowners with disabilities.

Members of First United strive to be good stewards of the physical resources God has given to them. With a big step forward in faith, First United is opening the doors of its buildings to provide hospitality to mission teams near and far, and in return these teams are helping the congregation’s neighbors and community—a partnership success!

Rev. Sarah Sedgwick, First United Presbyterian Church, DuBois, Pennsylvania

Let us join in prayer for:

Presbytery Staff:

Rev. K. Joy Kaufmann, General Presbyter
Elder Susan L. Ferguson, Office Assistant and Resource Center Coordinator
Elder Judy Black, Treasurer
Elder Virginia F. Rainey, Stated Clerk

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Catherine Reuning, PMA
Katie Rhodes, PMA
Tina Rhudy, PMA

Let us pray

Almighty God, you have blessed our churches with buildings that are capable of helping others. Help us to discern the creative ways you call us to offer these buildings to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.