WHPC Mission, Serve
Matthew Colodny
MANOS DE CRISTO MISSION SPOTLIGHT

Hi!

Meet Élida, an extraordinary woman who works in the kitchen of a local hotel, cares for her family, and attends ESL class at Manos de Cristo. Élida’s story is not only inspiring, but also a powerful reminder of the grit, determination, and resilience that immigrants bring to this country.

As an ESL instructor, I had the pleasure of teaching Élida in an Introductory ESL (English as a Second Language) class. During one of our classes, we worked on English vocabulary for weekly schedules, and I asked Élida to share her schedule with the class. What I heard next completely blew me away!

MANOS DE CRISTO MISSION SPOTLIGHT
Partner
Matthew Colodny
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our homeless neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is also the visionary organization behind Community First! Village, a master planned development in east Austin that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas.

WHPC is responsible for make-ready and truck run shifts on the first and second Sundays of every month.

SIGN UP HERE

Visit www.mlf.org to learn more.

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES
Partner
Matthew Colodny
SERVE AT COMMUNITY FIRST!

NEW, REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES

WHPC has a long history of supporting MLF with transitioning people from homelessness to being part of a community that includes housing, dignified income, physical and mental well being, and supportive relationships. We are continuing to do this with monthly gatherings at King Park area of Community First. These gatherings focus on hanging out with neighbors and sharing a meal. Think of it as cul-de-sac party/cook out in your neighborhood. Grilling, games & conversations … This is a family friendly event that will bless all those that participate.

Please sign up here

SERVE AT COMMUNITY FIRST!
Serve
Matthew Colodny
Manos de Cristo Food Run

February 22 & March 22 | 11:30 am | Central Texas

Manos de Cristo is looking for one to two volunteers to pick up food from the Central Texas Food Bank and deliver it to Manos on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Contact Pastor Stephen Finkel for more information.

Serve
Matthew Colodny
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Syria and ...

The scale of the disaster facing Syria and Turkey after the Feb. 6 earthquake is becoming clearer. The 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks have left more than 11,000 people dead and thousands more injured; these numbers will rise as search and rescue continues. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria.

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through long-standing partners in Syria, in addition to ACT Alliance members in Syria and Turkey, all of whom are already on the ground. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience. Click here to learn more.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Syria and Turkey
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MANOS DE CRISTO MISSION SPOTLIGHT

,
MANOS DE CRISTO MISSION SPOTLIGHT

Hi!

Meet Élida, an extraordinary woman who works in the kitchen of a local hotel, cares for her family, and attends ESL class at Manos de Cristo. Élida’s story is not only inspiring, but also a powerful reminder of the grit, determination, and resilience that immigrants bring to this country.

As an ESL instructor, I had the pleasure of teaching Élida in an Introductory ESL (English as a Second Language) class. During one of our classes, we worked on English vocabulary for weekly schedules, and I asked Élida to share her schedule with the class. What I heard next completely blew me away!

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our homeless neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is also the visionary organization behind Community First! Village, a master planned development in east Austin that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas.

WHPC is responsible for make-ready and truck run shifts on the first and second Sundays of every month.

SIGN UP HERE

Visit www.mlf.org to learn more.

SERVE AT COMMUNITY FIRST!

SERVE AT COMMUNITY FIRST!

NEW, REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES

WHPC has a long history of supporting MLF with transitioning people from homelessness to being part of a community that includes housing, dignified income, physical and mental well being, and supportive relationships. We are continuing to do this with monthly gatherings at King Park area of Community First. These gatherings focus on hanging out with neighbors and sharing a meal. Think of it as cul-de-sac party/cook out in your neighborhood. Grilling, games & conversations … This is a family friendly event that will bless all those that participate.

Please sign up here

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Syria and Turkey

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Syria and Turkey

The scale of the disaster facing Syria and Turkey after the Feb. 6 earthquake is becoming clearer. The 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks have left more than 11,000 people dead and thousands more injured; these numbers will rise as search and rescue continues. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria.

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through long-standing partners in Syria, in addition to ACT Alliance members in Syria and Turkey, all of whom are already on the ground. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience. Click here to learn more.

Sharing Worship at Assisted Living Facilities - Volunteers Needed

Sharing Worship at Assisted Living Facilities - Volunteers Needed

In his description of Christian worship nearly two thousand year ago Justin Martyr concluded “And when thanks had been given and all the people said amen, each of those present partakes of the bread and wine … and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.”

Each month, we are grateful to have the opportunity to share worship with our friends at Querencia at 1:30 pm on the second Sunday and Belmont Village at 1:30 pm on the third Sunday. You are invited to join in this great tradition as we share God’s gracious feast with those unable to join us in worship. For more information please contact Kevin Ireland.

SIGN UP HERE

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WHPC has partnered with 6 Afghan families!

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WHPC has partnered with 6 Afghan families!

WHPC has partnered with 6 Afghan families (50 people)!

There are bite-sized and larger ways for you to support this ministry.

Areas we need your help...

  • Tutoring

    Our seven Afghan refugee families need English tutoring. This is a fun, exciting way to get involved. Join a small team going into the homes of our Afghan families. You will come away excited about how our families are learning. Part of this adventure includes knowing the names and faces of these incredible children and adults. Be prepared to hear squeals of laughter from energetic children and adults as they see you approaching. Click here to read some reports from our tutors.

     Sewing and Craft Circles

    Our Afghan mothers are busy ladies. They have lots of children and many responsibilities. However, they have not been provided an opportunity to earn money to help support their families until now. WHPC is opening a way to include our women in helping with family finances by creating beautiful, unique crafts and sewing items to sell. If you have any skills in sewing or would just like to participate in this new adventure, please contact Patty Praytor at ppraytors@gmail.com.

     

    Global Impact Initiative Gii

     WHPC partners with an organization helping refugees in Austin in amazing ways. They are searching for volunteers to help with on-line after school tutoring. This would be between 5-8 in the afternoons helping tutor school age children, especially middle and high school refugee students with homework. If interested, please contact Patty Praytor at ppraytors@gmail.com

ASIA, EUROPE & OCEANIA

Missionaries and organizations supported by WHPC in France, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and more engage in various ministries particular to their contexts. Some partners have evangelism as their primary work, doing things like planting new churches or translating the Bible into the first language of the people they serve. Others provide access to critical community needs like education and clean water. Members of WHPC regularly correspond with and pray for our partners to keep these relationships strong across great distances.

In 2017, a portion of WHPC’s Christmas Eve Offering went toward medical and educational supplies for our partner in Afghanistan.

Contact mission@whpc.org to learn more about our ministry partners in Asia, Europe & Oceania.

AFRICA

WHPC has strong connections to ministries and churches in Liberia and Zambia. In these countries, our support helps to train Christian ministers as well as to strengthen congregations that have had to face crises like the AIDS epidemic, civil war, and poverty.

In 2015, a portion of our Christmas Eve Offering went toward construction of the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Prayer House in Lusaka, Zambia.

Contact mission@whpc.org to learn more about our ministry partners Africa.

CENTRAL AMERICA

For over a decade, WHPC has actively supported and volunteered with ministries in Mexico and Nicaragua. In partnership with missionaries, pastors, and Christian organizations in these countries, WHPC helps to feed and educate children living in extreme poverty and to give families a pathway toward economic self-sufficiency through micro-loans.

In 2017, a portion of WHPC’s Christmas Eve Offering went to AMO, a Christian after-school program in Patzcuaro, Mexico. The year before, part of the annual offering helped to build a security wall for Colegio Cristiano Presbiteriano, a longtime partner in Nicaragua.

Louisiana Disaster Relief

Louisiana Disaster Relief

Day Mission Trip - January Date Coming Soon

We will be delivering 1,000 lbs of fresh produce to the Lake Charles food pantry.

We are soliciting drivers or riders, preferably with a pickup, van or SUV.

If you have an interest in participating, please email Pastor Stephen Finkel and he will be in touch as the schedule materializes.

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? - Matthew 25:44

FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS

FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS

The Foundation for the Homeless mobilizes community resources to prevent, end, and reduce the suffering of homelessness. Feed My People is the Foundation’s founding program, open to anyone experiencing homelessness and poverty, which provides a filling, hot breakfast along with other limited services which can include, basic medical screening, eyeglasses, and assistance with obtaining identification documentation for individuals and families.

Feed My People takes place at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca Street on Tuesday and Thursday (except Thanksgiving Day) from 5:30-8:00 am.

You can sign-up to help serve a meal here. 

WHPC funds the meal the third Tuesday of each month and provides volunteers year-round.
Visit www.foundationhomeless.org to learn more.

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THE GATHERING

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THE GATHERING

On Wednesdays, WHPC hosts a joyful, volunteer-run program for people who have memory loss. Participants enjoy music, exercise, conversation, food, and fun while caregivers have four hours of respite (9:30am-1:30pm). Volunteers are always welcome and below are some specific needs:

- Kitchen Krew: Prepare & serve lunch. Time: 9:45am-1:00pm

- Photographers: Take photos & upload to website. Time: 9:30am to 1:30pm

- Set-up Team: Help with the morning set up. Time: 8:00am to 9:00am

- Karaoke MC: Two times per month. Time: 11:45am – 1:45pm

- MALE volunteers: About half of the participants are male. Flexible: 9:30am to 1:30pm

Covid vaccine is required and masks may be optional. Explore our website or to learn more about this ministry, please email thegathering@whpc.org and LuCinda Chiles or Diana Stoller will get back to you!

If you are seeking support with memory care for yourself or a loved one, more information about WHPC’s Memory Care programs are here.

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES AND SERVICES

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES AND SERVICES

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services provides foster care, adoption services, and support to children and families in need.

In 2021, WHPC’s Christmas Eve Offering helped renovate and expand the San Antonio campus with new single parent duplexes, two playgrounds, a memorial prayer garden, apartments for young adults transitioning from foster care to adulthood, a basketball court, an enrichment center, and an open-air community pavilion designed to be a place of healing for residents and staff.

Learn more about PCHAS by visiting their website, www.pchas.org.

East Austin Young Life

East Austin Young Life

The mission of East Austin Young Life centers on relationships. Young Life leaders seek to meet students where they are, engaging in school and community activities to build relationships with high school students. Young Life leaders and staff are trained to mentor students, sharing friendship and hope, engaging students' questions about life and God on their terms.

Visit www.eastaustin.younglife.org to learn more.

THE REFUGE RANCH

THE REFUGE RANCH

The Refuge for DMST™ (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking) has a very specific mission: To provide trauma-informed, long-term restoration community with on-site services for girls, minors through age 19, who have been exploited through sex trafficking.

WHPC has donated bibles, chapel chairs, and handmade prayer shawls for girls moving to the Refuge. In 2015, a portion of the Christmas Eve Offering went toward construction of the ranch.

Visit www.therefugeaustin.org to learn more.

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