Westminster By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church — Daytona Beach Shores, Florida After reading Leslie Scanlon’s article about churches responding to the opioid epidemic (“Addiction and recovery” in the Sept. 3, 2018, issue), I was motivated to share what our congregation is doing. Tobias Caskey, a commissioned pastor, was a new member in 2011, looking to take his life experiences and make a difference in our community. He started the “Friends of Francis” program, collecting clothes, bicycles and other equipment to help homeless people in their quest for employment. That ministry grew into him becoming the chaplain for Solutions by-the-Sea, a ministry to 160 recently incarcerated or addicted men. From a new member, to a ruling elder, to a commissioned pastor, Tobias has stepped up to serve the Lord and be a valuable member of the church. Now he is under care of our presbytery and enrolled in Dubuque Seminary to become a minister.  — Jeffrey Sumner, pastor Share your 150-word story of … [Read more...]

Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship — Portland, Oregon Much attention this past summer was given to the plight of adults crossing our southern border with Mexico. They were then detained throughout the country, some at a federal facility in Sheridan, Oregon. Members of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship also learned about the needs of young people (between ages 12- 17 years old) when they attended a World Refugee Day Rally in Portland on June 20. These young people were either separated from their parents on our border, or had tried to crossover alone. They were now being held at the Morrison Child and Family Services in downtown Portland. We learned what the children needed, and we quickly acted. In a week we gathered over $500 worth of soccer balls, frisbees, crayons, markers, coloring books, arts and crafts supplies, along with children and young adult books in both English and Spanish. – Brett Webb-Mitchell, organizing pastor Share your … [Read more...]

Clear Lake Presbyterian Church — Houston The devastation of Hurricane Harvey is still felt all over Houston, where thousands of flooded homes need reconstruction and renovation. Last year, Clear Lake Presbyterian Church (CLPC) partnered with Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders to house and feed up to 25 people a week who travel to Houston and spend a week working to rehabilitate homes that had been flooded. Interested organizations (primarily church groups on mission trips ) register with Fuller who then coordinates with CLPC. The teams are housed at the church in two large classrooms which have been converted to bunk rooms. CLPC members provide breakfast and lunch every day and a hot dinner three nights each week. We have housed over 400 guests from 20 states and at least nine denominations. It has been a blessing for us to interact with people from all over the country who willingly travel long distances and spend their time and money to help people in need.  — Robert and … [Read more...]

Westminster Presbyterian Church — Jackson, Michigan Westminster Presbyterian Church learned about an unmet need in our community and figured out a way to meet it. When a local nonprofit told us that they were unable to fill requests for toiletries, cleaning products and paper products, we were pretty sure we could meet the need – but knew our small church of less than 100 members couldn’t do it alone. We invited other churches to join us, and together organized a weekly “non-food pantry” to distribute 15 necessary, consumable items that aren’t covered by food stamps. Think of life without deodorant, toilet paper and laundry detergent! Each church or team of churches serves our guests one week each month. All key staff members are volunteers, and funds and products come from churches, community organizations, grants, fundraising and gifts. Jackson Personal Care Ministry recently celebrated its six-year anniversary. We serve an average of 135 households from the county every … [Read more...]

Cane Bay Presbyterian Church — Summerville, South Carolina Cane Bay Presbyterian Church is a new church development in suburban Charleston, South Carolina. We have about 80 participants and worship in a middle school cafeteria. Here’s our top 10 list of what’s right: 10. We received good funding from Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery. 9.  Social media helps us creatively meet people in the community. We’re currently doing an online scavenger hunt! 8.  All meetings other than worship are in homes. It’s an “early church” vibe. 7.  We’ll soon have worship and office space in the new YMCA — a great chance for exposure and to meet new people. 6.  Music is a blend of traditional, gospel    and contemporary. 5.  This summer, we held outdoor worship in neighborhood HOA facilities. 4.  We’re learning not to overemphasize   worship attendance. The Spirit is growing us in many ways. 3.  We’ve parted ways with a few folks who can’t “roll” with the beautiful chaos of new church. 2.  We … [Read more...]