Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Milton
We are a diverse, informal, and caring congregation made up of young parents and small children, older adults, those who grew up in and around Milton, and those from far away. We are gay and straight, neurotypical and neurodiverse, liberal and conservative. We have all kinds of backgrounds--some with conventional "status" and some extremely humble. We see each other as unique and sacred expressions of God's creative work and follow Jesus' example of gracious love extended to all, everywhere--those who we've known a long time, those who we get to meet each day, and those we are privileged to worship with on Sundays.
We believe in and act as the body of Christ, each dedicating ourselves to the spiritual gifts we have been given to serve others. Some provide food, some love and encouragement, some inspiration. We believe that everyone has a part to play and a piece to offer. We know that sometimes that part is to receive.
We recognize the importance of belonging, spiritual inquiry, service as Christ's hands and feet, and fellowship and offer the following opportunities to join together.
Ministry of Belonging
Born out of Jesus' ministry and his central message of God as love, of ministry to all people, especially those marginalized by the larger culture, our church is intentionally a growing space of Love and acceptance. Many who join the church and attend Sunday worship and other fellowship comment on the healing atmosphere and love they encounter among the members of this community. We seek to be a balm of embracing in a culture that too often rejects and condemns. We welcome all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and neuro-expressions with open arms and are made of a kaleidoscope of all of these. In a world where loneliness has literally been declared epidemic and belonging is too often defined by who you have in common to hate, we seek everyday to offer and extend a sense of true belonging within a loving church family.
Especially for the LGBTQ community, many of whom have experienced trauma in the very place they should have received healing and comfort, this point deserves elaboration and clarity. Many of our members join saying that participation in FPC Milton is healing for them, a removal of barriers between themselves and their faithful practice of worship. We get the question often--"do we believe in the sanctity of same sex marriage", and our answer is always the same. We believe in the sanctity of marriage and do not regard the question of gender or sexual orientation as a relevant consideration in the matter. We embrace, not tolerate, but embrace every congregant and those whom they love.
Ministry to those without Shelter or Food
Our congregation is deeply committed to feeding those who are hungry and/or food insecure. We have a developing ministry feeding local people in the Pensacola and Milton areas, sometimes spontaneously, other times as a planned and advertised event. Our garden is open to any person who needs or wants fresh food anytime of the day or night. Like grace, this food grown from the ground, is free to everyone.
Ministry to God's Creation
First Presbyterian Church of Milton recognizes the Earth and the universe as God's unfixed Creation, always changing, adapting, evolving. We understand our stewardship of Creation to be a responsibility of care and concern, of sacrifice and of conservation of the abundant, but limited resources we are provided. Part of this ministry is the community garden we built and planted and tended together. Part of it is continued education about the dangers of plastic and other waste and how to limit its use in our day to day lives. Every day we seek a deeper understanding of how we can best honor our place among Creation, as Creation.
Knotty Prayers Ministry
Our group gathers each month on the fourth Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Drowsy Poet, 4265 Woodbine Road, to pray for those in need and work on creating items (prayer shawls, scarves, caps, etc.) to be given to those who are experiencing difficult times. Everyone is welcome to join us in this rewarding ministry! If you don't know how to knit or crochet, this group of ladies will be happy to help you learn!
We believe in and act as the body of Christ, each dedicating ourselves to the spiritual gifts we have been given to serve others. Some provide food, some love and encouragement, some inspiration. We believe that everyone has a part to play and a piece to offer. We know that sometimes that part is to receive.
We recognize the importance of belonging, spiritual inquiry, service as Christ's hands and feet, and fellowship and offer the following opportunities to join together.
Ministry of Belonging
Born out of Jesus' ministry and his central message of God as love, of ministry to all people, especially those marginalized by the larger culture, our church is intentionally a growing space of Love and acceptance. Many who join the church and attend Sunday worship and other fellowship comment on the healing atmosphere and love they encounter among the members of this community. We seek to be a balm of embracing in a culture that too often rejects and condemns. We welcome all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and neuro-expressions with open arms and are made of a kaleidoscope of all of these. In a world where loneliness has literally been declared epidemic and belonging is too often defined by who you have in common to hate, we seek everyday to offer and extend a sense of true belonging within a loving church family.
Especially for the LGBTQ community, many of whom have experienced trauma in the very place they should have received healing and comfort, this point deserves elaboration and clarity. Many of our members join saying that participation in FPC Milton is healing for them, a removal of barriers between themselves and their faithful practice of worship. We get the question often--"do we believe in the sanctity of same sex marriage", and our answer is always the same. We believe in the sanctity of marriage and do not regard the question of gender or sexual orientation as a relevant consideration in the matter. We embrace, not tolerate, but embrace every congregant and those whom they love.
Ministry to those without Shelter or Food
Our congregation is deeply committed to feeding those who are hungry and/or food insecure. We have a developing ministry feeding local people in the Pensacola and Milton areas, sometimes spontaneously, other times as a planned and advertised event. Our garden is open to any person who needs or wants fresh food anytime of the day or night. Like grace, this food grown from the ground, is free to everyone.
Ministry to God's Creation
First Presbyterian Church of Milton recognizes the Earth and the universe as God's unfixed Creation, always changing, adapting, evolving. We understand our stewardship of Creation to be a responsibility of care and concern, of sacrifice and of conservation of the abundant, but limited resources we are provided. Part of this ministry is the community garden we built and planted and tended together. Part of it is continued education about the dangers of plastic and other waste and how to limit its use in our day to day lives. Every day we seek a deeper understanding of how we can best honor our place among Creation, as Creation.
Knotty Prayers Ministry
Our group gathers each month on the fourth Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Drowsy Poet, 4265 Woodbine Road, to pray for those in need and work on creating items (prayer shawls, scarves, caps, etc.) to be given to those who are experiencing difficult times. Everyone is welcome to join us in this rewarding ministry! If you don't know how to knit or crochet, this group of ladies will be happy to help you learn!
5203 Elmira Street
Milton, FL
850-623-2510
Milton, FL
850-623-2510
