On Sept. 29, 16 members of Marcellus First Presbyterian Church set up two apartments for refugees sponsored by InterFaith Works.

The church has adopted a “fifth Sunday” of the month approach to getting out of the pews to participate in community service.

Four months a year have a fifth Sunday, explained May Arnett, church member who chairs its outreach and fellowship committee.

“As part of our ‘fifth Sunday’ program, we’ve sponsored a community discussion by the Alzheimer’s Association, hosted the Oasis Learning Center to recruit Book Buddies for elementary age students and visited the Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse where volunteers assemble beds for children who often sleep on the floor,” said Arnett.

After meeting at the InterFaith Works warehouse in East Syracuse and a brief orientation, members traveled to two apartments where they turned them into welcoming homes for refugees soon to arrive in Syracuse.

Church members put together and arranged furniture, set up the kitchen with dishes, pots and cleaning supplies, and also readied the bathroom, made up beds and hung curtains.

Last year, InterFaith Works Refugee Resettlement program welcomed 1,015 refugees, setting up 314 apartments for incoming families.

The Center For New Americans assists with housing, schooling for the children, English as a Second Language (ESL) training for the adults, cultural orientation, job searches and medical assistance.

Marcellus First Presbyterian Church has a long history of mission emphasis and has for many years supported Interfaith Works with collections of school supplies, household necessities, winter coats and socks. It will be hosting a coat drive for refugees in November.

“Setting up apartments for new arrivals added insight to welcoming refugee families to our community,” said Arnett. “We felt grateful to be a small part of the process.”

MFPC Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m. along with Sunday school for children.

On Sept. 29, 16 members of Marcellus First Presbyterian Church set up two apartments for refugees sponsored by InterFaith Works.

The church has adopted a “fifth Sunday” of the month approach to getting out of the pews to participate in community service.

Four months a year have a fifth Sunday, explained May Arnett, church member who chairs its outreach and fellowship committee.

“As part of our ‘fifth Sunday’ program, we’ve sponsored a community discussion by the Alzheimer’s Association, hosted the Oasis Learning Center to recruit Book Buddies for elementary age students and visited the Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse where volunteers assemble beds for children who often sleep on the floor,” said Arnett.

After meeting at the InterFaith Works warehouse in East Syracuse and a brief orientation, members traveled to two apartments where they turned them into welcoming homes for refugees soon to arrive in Syracuse.

Church members put together and arranged furniture, set up the kitchen with dishes, pots and cleaning supplies, and also readied the bathroom, made up beds and hung curtains.

Last year, InterFaith Works Refugee Resettlement program welcomed 1,015 refugees, setting up 314 apartments for incoming families.

The Center For New Americans assists with housing, schooling for the children, English as a Second Language (ESL) training for the adults, cultural orientation, job searches and medical assistance.

Marcellus First Presbyterian Church has a long history of mission emphasis and has for many years supported Interfaith Works with collections of school supplies, household necessities, winter coats and socks. It will be hosting a coat drive for refugees in November.

“Setting up apartments for new arrivals added insight to welcoming refugee families to our community,” said Arnett. “We felt grateful to be a small part of the process.”

MFPC Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m. along with Sunday school for children.