Experiencing Christ Through Serving Together

BABY LAYETTE PROJECT FOR NICARAGUA FAMILY MISSION TRIP

Donations are requested for new and gently used baby layette items: receiving blankets, bibs, onesies, baby socks, soft baby washcloths, bars of Ivory soap, toothbrushes and paste. Bring items in bags marked “Layettes” to the church office by May 13. The Nicaragua Mission Team will distribute the layettes to mothers with newborns at hospital during their mission trip in June. Please join us to assemble the layettes, Sunday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Nancy Pickett, 263-1982.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW CONNECTIONS

A new Alzheimer's activity program will begin June 6 in South Austin. The New Connections early-stage dementia program, which already has one group that meets each week at WHPC, is growing to serve more people in the Austin community. The program is sustainable only through the committed and compassionate work of our volunteers. Prospective volunteers for our new group, which will meet on Wednesdays, should be patient, dedicated, and have an interest in working with people with early memory loss. Experience with memory loss, dementia, and teaching is a plus, but not required. Must be able to adhere to confidentiality requirements and undergo a criminal background check. Reliability and a commitment to the position is a must. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Anna Finger, Program Director of New Connections, at 451-4611, ext 245.

Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8

Individuals and small groups are invited to serve together on a regular basis.

Look at the list of options below and choose a service opportunity for you or your small group to do together. Follow the link to the email or website, VolunteerSpot, and choose the date/time that is best for your schedule.

ORGANIZATIONS CONTACT PHONE NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EVENT CLICK TO VOLUNTEER

The Gathering Debbie Wilder 327-1116 A small group could make dessert for the Gathering that would serve approximately 65 people. The food would be served Tuesday for lunch. Both individuals and groups can volunteer to help assist Alzheimer participants Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Debbie Wilder

Interfaith Hospitality Network Ann Kincannon 784-4968 In IHN, churches become peoples' home. Small groups are needed to help provide meals, hospitality, and more for families fighting homelessness. The weeks that WHPC is hosting IHN in in 2012 is March 11-18, May 20 - 27, and July 22 - August 5. Click here to volunteer

Feed My People Isaac Sanchez 263-2967 Breakfast is served Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 5-7 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Austin. Come help prepare breakfast, serve and interact with the homeless of Austin. Music, haircuts and other special services are greatly appreciated. Isaac Sanchez

South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center Lore Cottone 565-7987 Groups will help from a diversity of opportunities including: lawn work, house cleaning, compiling files, sorting clothes and organizing the boutique at the SAPRC headquarters. Long term volunteers are trained to check in patients, do ultrasounds, as well as teach parenting and life skills classes Lore Cottone

Side by Side Kids Molly Fohn 371-9393 Volunteer in the after school program helping tutor, work with the technology lab, become a mentor. Located in the Saint John Neighborhood. Molly Fohn

Habitat for Humanity Bill Galloway 327-3696 Help build a home for Austin’s working poor. Homes are being built on a regular basis Bill Galloway

Faith In Action Caregivers Janet Allen 364-6501 Help those who are home bound. Do yard work, house work, drive to appointments, etc. Janet Allen

God of Hope Lee Weber 785-9584 Volunteer teaching Bible classes to the incarcerated, in a faith based dorm. Become a mentor. Change a life Lee Weber

Manos de Cristo Julie Ballesteros 477-7454 Work in the food pantry or clothes closet. Teach ESL, computer, Spanish literacy and citizenship classes to adults. Help with back to school children’s project. Julie Ballesteros

East Austin Young Life Chris Fisher 328-7170 Help with serving meals at Monday night Club, become involved. Chris Fisher

Need help choosing where to serve…

Curiosity. You might want to choose to volunteer with a ministry for your own exposure. Our church has many powerful and meaningful mission partners, and this service opportunity will be a great snapshot into what God is doing through His Church in Austin.
Compassion. All things “mission” are birthed from the compassion that is within God, yet each of us have our own areas of ministry that we are compassionate about. Discuss within your group what stirs your compassion and choose a service opportunity that serves in that area.
Giftedness. Perhaps your group has a unique gift-set that would be a unique blessing to a ministry. Whether a gift of cooking, construction, education, or bilingualism, perhaps your group has a unique opportunity to serve in a very particular way.

Things to remember at your service project.

Pray. As a part of your preparation, pray! Ultimately, the service that we can offer is God’s work. There is no better way to join our intentions to God’s than through prayer. Prayer is also great reminder that we seek to serve the whole person; body, mind and spirit. Also, while on your project, look for opportunities to offer prayer for those in need.
Catalog your service experience. Before the day of, assign someone to photograph your experience. This will help the church join you in prayer, education, and celebration.

Things to remember after your project is over.

Discuss: We are forgetful people. One of the ways that we fight forgetfulness is in sharing together. The next time you are together, debrief your experience. What were the take-aways? What did God show you through the experience?
Share: Email Nancy Pickett the photos and the “God Sightings” that you gleaned from the experience. This will be shared on our church’s website.
Plan: Discuss if you would like to return to that organization for your next project or to experiencing service with another organization.

For any questions or advice, contact the Interim Director of Local and Regional Missions, Nancy Pickett, 327-1116.

Ongoing Opportunities

Manos de Cristo Food Pantry

WHPC has partnered with Manos de Cristo to provide food for those who are desperate for a meal. Please donate beans, rice, cereal and canned food. The drop-off location is in the cabinet underneath the computer in the Informational Central area outside of the Parlor, and in the cabinet downstairs in the Children's Ministry entrance labeled "Food Pantry".

Manos de Cristo Clothes Closet

Manos is also in need of children and men's clothing. As you clean out your closets, remember the Manos Clothes Closet. The location for donations is downstairs at the Children's Minsitry entrance.