Mission, Service and Peacemaking

Our mission statement discloses what is closest to our hearts: service to those outside our walls. Through our own involvement in direct service to others, through advocacy for social change, through giving to other organizations that we feel align with our mission, we seek to fulfill our mission as called, fed and sent people.

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The Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville meets monthly, September through June. This committee helps plan and execute hands-on Mission efforts and works on behalf of the session and congregation to determine which organizations our church will support. The Mission Committee also coordinates several of the Special Offerings during the year. If you are interested in being a part of this committee please contact Jeff Vamos.

Current members of the Mission Committee:

Brandt McCabe Jan Everett Eleanor Letcher
Bill McCarroll Nancy Richardson Bob Sargent, Chair
Jeff Vamos, Staff Liaison Rick van den Heuvel
For over 30 years the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville has been involved in the life and work of Harmony Ministries, based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, led by Pastor Luc Deratus. We are in the unique position through our long-time relationship with Pastor Luc to help him and his people; we know him well and he knows and understands best what the most important needs are. We trust him to spend our gifts wisely. Pastor Luc is a mission affiliate of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville.

Haiti Task Force

The goals of the Haiti Task Force are to increase the awareness of the needs in Haiti and the extraordinary work Pastor Luc has accomplished, and to continue our help in furthering his ministry through work trips and financial support. Members of the PCOL Haiti Task Force: Ann Wiley, Chairman; Jeff Vamos, staff liaison; Jim Kroll; Brandt McCabe; Craig Pasko; Dennis Shepherd; Christina Shu; Sue Steen and Lisa Tucci, Pennington School liaison
Membership on the Haiti Task Force is open to anyone interested and willing to devote time and ideas to support our efforts in Haiti. If you are interested in the Haiti Task Force, Harmony Hope for Haiti or have questions, please contact Ann Wiley at awileyemail@gmail.com or any member of the Task Force.

Haiti Mission Month

In recognition of our relationship with Harmony Ministries and Pastor Luc’s ministry, February is designated each year as Haiti Mission Month. During the month we celebrate our ministry with Pastor Luc, we educate the congregation of our continuing work in Haiti, and we raise financial support for this ministry. Most years Pastor Luc has been able to spend a weekend during the month in Lawrenceville to update us on his work.

Please click each link for more information about our Haiti ministry.

History of Our Mission in Haiti
January 12, 2010: The Earthquake
Helping the People of Haiti
Rebuilding / Restoring
Harmony Partners for Haiti

In 2021 the LTN (Love Thy Neighbor) action group and the PeaceMaking committee joined into the Peace and Justice Committee / LTN:

Peace and Justice Committee

As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors.   We know no greater expression of love than working for peace and justice for all.

To that end, the Peace and Justice Committee commits to:

A. Calling the church and community’s attention to areas where injustice and oppression are creating human suffering locally and in the world. This includes:

  • identifying, understanding, and dissolving the systemic components of racism and injustice;
  • listening to those who are impacted by direct or indirect racism, finding ways to be allies, and amplifying minority voices.

B. Creating ongoing opportunities for education, dialogue, and reflection about issues of justice and peace – both inside and outside of our congregation.

C. Encouraging active advocacy for a more just, harmonious, and peaceful world. This includes:

  • promoting involvement in programs that seek to eliminate injustice;
  • helping all members of our church and community to embrace differences, which will involve accountability as well as being open to learning and unlearning;
  • acting to eliminate barriers to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all.

Committee members (2022): Jean Yepes, Elizabeth Ferguson, Bill Bowers, Janet MacGregor-Williams, Jeff Vamos, Gooitzen van der Wal (chair and session liaison).