Earth & Social Justice (ESJ)

First Presbyterian Church is a Matthew 25, Earth Care, and Hunger Action congregation; these are designations within the Presbyterian Church that reflect our commitment to caring for people by fighting for social justice, by working for environmental justice, and helping to feed hungry people. We are also a More Light Presbyterian church, welcoming all people, celebrating people of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and faith traditions.

This church is known in our local community as being very involved in low-cost housing, mental health, immigration/refugee assistance, family issues, and caring for the unhoused. Many ESJ and church members serve in the community on various boards and as volunteers for different non-profit organizations.

ESJ works with key local organizations and individuals that support mental health, women and children, stewardship of the earth, social justice, food insecurity, and addresses the needs of the unhoused.  ESJ members partnered with SquareOne Villages, to create a community of 13 tiny houses, Cottage Village Co-op, for people with low or extremely low income. ESJ supports Community Sharing, our local food bank, Family Relief Nursery, South Lane Mental Health, Earth Day activities, as well as overseas mission work of Presbyterian USA.

OUR COMMITMENTS

The Cottage Village Coalition (CVC)

Continuing our support of housing initiatives, members of our church are participating in the Cottage Village Coalition, whose mission is about:

Advancing self-sufficiency and human dignity by providing safe, stable, well-designed
tiny homes in a village setting for those who need them most. . . .

There are many ways in which you can support this project. Please visit the following sites to learn more about how you can participate.

SQUARE ONE VILLAGES	SENTINEL	HOLY BREADCRUMBS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

South Lane Mental Health
SLMH got its start in 1988, thanks to the generous and open hearts of the ministers and congregation of the  First Presbyterian Church. They allowed a mentally ill homeless woman to sleep in the parlor and cook her meals in the church kitchen. Because there were no mental health services available locally, she ended up hospitalized in a state facility near Portland when her condition deteriorated. On her release, a residential placement was advised. She had hoped to return to Cottage Grove, but there were no options available to her here. Read more …