Community Presbyterian Church — Clarendon Hills, Illinois WELCOME. It’s a simple word, but it defines Community Presbyterian Church of Clarendon Hills. Fellowship and worship experiences at CPC are grounded not only in faith, but also in the belief that as Christians we must always open our arms to our community. This guiding principle was evident on a summer Sunday when CPC held an outdoor jazz worship service. Invitational posters and postcards were distributed around the community inviting neighbors and friends. Over 150 attended this casual service, which began with a Call to Worship titled “God Welcomes All.” The service featured a Duke Ellington trombone solo, vocal solos and kazoos played by the children, who were then invited to the adjacent church playground. As Presbyterians we live by example, following Jesus and praying others witness that in us. If the jazz worship was any indicator, CPC continues to find ways to exude welcome. — Courteney Templeton, member Share … [Read more...]

First Presbyterian Church of Brawley, California Six years ago, we discerned God calling us to explore an alternative to our conventional Vacation Bible School. Out of this discernment process came Summer Service Nights, which is now “something right” the church facilitates each summer. We collect and purchase backpacks, school supplies and hygiene items to provide for 400 local children in need. Businesses, community clubs, Girl Scout troops and other ministries partner with us to donate items and come to church on “service nights” to assemble the backpacks and hygiene kits. After many service nights throughout the summer, we are prepared to host a Back to School Event in August. Children are invited to the church to receive a hygiene kit, a backpack filled with school supplies, a haircut and a dental and vision screening. We have crafts, snacks, books and Bibles available. They can also pick out an outfit for school and are ready to begin a new school year! We put faith … [Read more...]

Venice Presbyterian Church — Venice, Florida Venice Presbyterian Church is a happy place! VPC started the first Family Promise in town by inviting the national director to visit and speak. Families experiencing homelessness now stay for a week in a church facility where nice cots with mattresses are set up. They are served breakfast and a hot meal for supper prepared by volunteers. There are games and activities for the children and help with homework. Adults are given assistance in finding jobs and a place to live within their means. The families are invited to church services and activities. Now, 13 churches of different denominations are involved. VPC also sponsors Buddy Break, where parents of children with special needs can drop their kids off one day a month so the kids can enjoy fun and games with VPC volunteers. And MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets twice a month for hot breakfast and a program. — Diane Penick, Presbyterian Women president Share your 150-word … [Read more...]

During #PYT2019, art was right! Everywhere I looked, I saw places where youth and adults could draw, paint, decorate and write what was on their heart. Every day, new prompts appeared in the Stewart Center at Purdue University asking, “What makes your heart sing?” or inviting youth to complete the sentence “Jesus sought me when …” On Memorial Mall, chalk art blossomed, keeping pace with the coneflowers outside our dorm. For a conference with the theme “Here’s My Heart” (taken from the venerable hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”), it was a perfect way for participants to pray to God and share the creative energy of the divine. This invitation to creativity demonstrated how “Triennium was an amazing way to grow in faith with my delegation and become closer with my youth group,” according to Sarah Walker, a youth from the Central Florida Presbytery delegation. — Jody Mask, Central Florida Presbytery delegation leader to Presbyterian Youth Triennium Read more of Jody’s … [Read more...]

Grace Presbyterian Church — Springfield, Virginia The deep, enduring friendship between the people of Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Virginia, and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Nablus, Palestine, has its roots – as so many important things do – in a Sunday school lesson. When a former minister, Susan Wilder, returned from three years in Jerusalem in 2002, she and her husband Tim taught a class about the challenges of life in Palestine. Grace’s current pastor, Ben Trawick, said that from the first class Grace’s members were looking for ways to share ministry with a partner church in Palestine. Their 12-year friendship with St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in the northern West Bank city of Nablus was born. From the start, connections were strong — from a real-time signing of a covenant between the two congregations to numerous visits of Grace members to Nablus and trips to Virginia by members of St. Philip’s. The two congregations exchange video greetings and have … [Read more...]

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church —  Albuquerque, New Mexico Every Sunday after worship we serve a hot lunch to 25-45 people who are living on the margins — hungry and/or homeless. In addition, we offer our guests sack lunches to take with them, along with clothing and personal hygiene kits. This Neighborhood Friends Ministry began in 2007 as the congregation sought to address the needs of people who came to the church’s door from the city park across the street. Since then it has evolved into a ministry that engages a third of our church membership as volunteers. Over the years, we have seen at least 18 formerly homeless participants move into stable housing. As St. Andrew celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, we are partnering ecumenically with several other congregations to hire a social worker to help people who come to our churches better connect with the services they need. — Roger Scott Powers, pastor Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by … [Read more...]