The Board of Deacons and the Congregational Care Committee keep up with members' birthdays, anniversaries and other life events through personal telephone calls, electronic messages, cards and notes.

E-mail the church office or dial Extension 100 for more information regarding members and friends of our worshiping community.

Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers who provide one-to-one Christian care to members who are bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others who face a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministers assist the pastors in providing a personal quality caring ministry as long as needed or wanted.

E-mail the church office or dial Extension 103 to request a Stephen Minister or inquire about training to serve. Click to learn more about Stephen Ministries.

Presbyterian Samaritan Center provides pastoral counseling, psychotherapy and clinical assessment for individuals, couples and families. First Presbyterian financially supports the organization and provides a satellite office location to encourage a broader availability of services. The main office is located at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5203 Sharon Road, Charlotte. All appointments are scheduled through the main Charlotte office (704.554.9900).

Click to learn more about Presbyterian Samaritan Counseling Center.

The Pastoral Care Committee consists of trained volunteers who visit shut-ins and those in our worshiping community with special needs. The Committee meets monthly to receive assignments.

E-mail the church office or dial Extension 105 to request pastoral care or training to assist with this ministry.

First Presbyterian's Parish Nurse Ministry began in 2008 in partnership with Gastonia's First United Methodist Church and the Duke Endowment. Lisa Marisidaiah, Parish Nurse is available to members and friends of our worshiping community to discuss health issues, provide informational resources and hospital, extended care facility, rehabilition or home visits.

E-mail the church office or dial Extension 121 for more information.

May is NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS month. Recognizing the symptoms and acting quickly can help save lives and reduce permanent disabilities. The National Stroke Association recommends the FAST technique for identifying potential signs of a stroke.

FACE
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?

ARMS
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down?

SPEECH
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

TIME
If you observe any of these signs (independently or collectively), dial 9 - 1 - 1 immediately.