Timnath Presbyterian Church's myriad mission activities

Timnath Presbyterian Church’s congregation is small in numbers but huge in generosity of spirit. Its mission efforts rival that of fellowships 10 times its size.

Mission committee chairwoman Sue Siferd said there are now about 125 members and only through heartfelt dedication could so much be accomplished each year. Siferd detailed a few of the fellowship’s many projects.

For the third year in a row, the committee has supplied new backpacks to 32 children enrolled in Timnath Head Start preschool.

August brought a triple Back-to-School effort to provide school supplies for the Poudre School District Teachers’ Closet for low-income students, 50 or more boxes of facial tissues (a year’s worth) for Timnath pre-schoolers, and food for McBackpack, Inc., an organization that furnishes weekend food to families of children in the free-lunch program.

An ongoing collection of non-perishable staples benefits the Food Bank on a quarterly basis. Extra provisions go to families with children in the free lunch program and other needy folks for their Thanksgiving and Easter dinners.

In December, a hat and glove drive assures no child enrolled in Timnath schools will be without. Many of the items are hand-made, some crafted by Windsor’s Good Samaritan Retirement community.

Timnath Presbyterian volunteers make fleece blankets for children staying at Crossroads Safehouse. The blankets leave with the children, so the need is perpetual. In 2013, 35 blankets, as well as new and gently used women’s and children’s clothing and toiletry items aided families transitioning out of dangerous domestic situations.

A church women’s group called Second Mile assembles hygiene kits that are Distributed by Church World Service in disaster areas around the world.

Springtime finds church ladies assembling layette items for new mothers being assisted by the Larimer County Health Department Maternal Service Program.

Recently, the church helped feed teenage volunteers from Washington state who spent a week cleaning debris in flood-stricken areas west of Loveland. The teens were on a mission trip sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

In 2012 and 2013, Timnath church volunteers themselves traveled to Joplin, Mo., to help clean up and repair tornado damage.

On Sept. 24 the Larimer County Health Department will conduct free health screenings at the church. This includes a blood test, instant results and time to discuss them with a registered nurse. This will be the third year for this service available to residents in Larimer County’s Northern Health District. People interested do need to make an appointment and can call the church for further details.

Since opening its doors in the present location in 1888, the fellowship has faced many challenges, including the Aug. 8, 2009 gas explosion in the street at the front of the property. The Fellowship Hall and north rooms were destroyed. Rising like the phoenix from the ashes, the Back in the Church Celebration was held just 15 months later. Services and mission efforts once again had a roof over their heads.

“Do unto others…” aren’t just printed Scriptural words at Timnath Presbyterian Church, but rather a living demonstration of faith.

Anyone wishing to donate items or time for any of the above activities should contact the Timnath Presbyterian Church at 970-493-8996.