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Westminster Neighborhood Ministries
Housed in the former Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westminster Neighborhood Ministries is located in an urban neighborhood on Indianapolis' near eastside. It serves area families in need with valuable programs such as after-school care, summer day camp, mentoring, a food pantry and free lunch on Thursdays, a Christmas Basket/Gift program, as well as legal and health care assistance.
Westminster is a ministry where those of us who are blessed with plenty can effectively help our neighbors who have little.
BAG-IT SUNDAYS support the food pantry
Several times a year, our church deacons sponsor a "Bag-It Sunday" when paper grocery bags and a shopping list are distributed to our congregation. We fill the bag with these most-needed items and return them to the church the following Sunday. On Monday, the Men's Morning Prayer Group delivers the bags to Westminster Neighborhood Ministries for distribution on Thursday's weekly food pantry.
Clean, gently used clothing and small household items are also collected for free distribution to guests at the Thursday food pantry. When you bring donations, please place them in a bin along the wall outside the church office.
In the past, our church has been involved with bi-annual mission trips to the border mission of Puentes De Cristo. The mission team sponsored Vacation Bible School, building and work teams, and services for the health and dental needs of the Renosa community.
Since the summer of 2008, our mission work in Mexico has focused on Principe De Paz Church in Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula, a part of the Northern Quintana Roo Presbytery. We sponsor Vacation Bible School and construction opportunities for one week each summer in July. If you are interested in learning more, please Click here if you want to contact the church to ask a question about our Mission Program.
Besides our physical presence, the Mexico Mission team strives to develop new friendships, nurture long-term relationships, and share the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors to the south. Wherever we go, we are dedicated to offering partnership assistance and Christian fellowship to our brothers and sisters in Mexico.
Faith Presbyterian Church is a partner with Congo Helping Hands, a Christian non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our goal is to share the love of Jesus Christ and to improve the quality of life through human development in education, health, agriculture, and micro-economics in the village of Bulape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country suffering from the greatest humanitarian disaster since World War II. Currently, the United Nations' Human Development Index ranks the Congo 168 out of 178 measured countries in the world. The rating is based upon key health and development indicators such as life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality rates, education, malnutrition, poverty, and economic growth. The Congo is also one of the two countries in the world that has shown a decline in the level of human development over the last 20 years.
Outreach helps homeless youth with physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, seeing those needs as being intertwined, one dependent upon another. Outreach serves any youth that needs help, regardless of their religious beliefs or physical and emotional condition. Outreach's goal is for homeless youth to become happy, productive members of society.
The Outreach program focuses on giving youth the support, motivation, and tools to leave the street life and become successful, independent members of our community. Outreach offers education programs, Bible study, drop-in-center, and GED and High School diploma programs.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
The mission of IHN is to enable families to seek permanent lifestyle solutions to their homeless crisis. The network unites religious congregations to assist
CROP Hunger Walk
The Greater Indianapolis CROP walks occur each October. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The funds collected by the walkers from their sponsors are channeled through Church World Service to fight hunger around the world through self-help development, disaster response, and refugee services. Locally, funds are shared with local hunger-fighting agencies including Gleaners Food Bank and Second Helping.
Bread for the World
As Christians, we need to communicate with members of Congress to take steps toward ending hunger. Bread for the World encourages church members to write to Congress in support of specific hunger-fighting legislation. This can be done as individuals, small groups, or as a congregation.
Additional Projects
As we are guided in our faith, we look for meaningful ways to serve others in the name of Christ. Using gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we strive to help those in need, both near and far.
In addition to the mission areas outlined above, we have also assisted:
- Crestview Elementary School's Supply Closet; - Exodus Refugee Resettlement;
- Gleaner's Food Bank; - Second Helpings; - Souper Bowl of Caring/Canstruction; - Homeward Bound Walk for the Homeless; - Habitat for Humanity; and - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
The Mission Interpretation ministry team meets at the church the first Monday of every month (except July) at 7:00 pm. Please join us!
Matthew 25:37 - 40
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
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Outreach, Inc. provides street outreach to homeless, run-away and at-risk youth on the streets of Indianapolis. It offers food, clothing, blankets, hygiene supplies, case management, counseling, family reunification assistance, and Bible studies to persons under 25. They provide referrals for education, job placement, housing, medical assistance, and drug/alcohol rehabilitation. It also offers a drop-in center that provides a safe haven for street youth to shower, do laundry, eat a meal, relax, or talk to staff.
homeless families by providing accommodations and meals on a rotating basis. Faith Presbyterian Church serves homeless families with children for one week intervals several times a year. We supply food for breakfasts and lunches, cook and serve dinner, play with the children, and supervise overnight stays. Currently, we have stepped back from participating in this project, but we may become involved at a later date.
