Associate Pastor Claire Berry previews multiple ways for our congregation to share with our neighbors during Advent and Christmas, including the Christmas Eve Offering.
At Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, we believe in the power of restoration—the kind of transformation that happens when someone hears, perhaps for the first time, “You matter. You are not alone. There is hope.” That’s exactly what Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) offers families across Texas—and why we’re proud to call them a mission partner. We recently got an update from PCHAS during our monthly Mission Spotlight at WHPC.
Mission
We believe that faith calls us to action at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to care for the vulnerable, provide shelter for the homeless, and extend love to those in need. This mission drives our deep commitment to supporting families experiencing homelessness in Austin. One of the most powerful ways we are living out this call is through our partnership with the Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) and Peace Lutheran Church’s Peace Family Housing Project, a collaborative effort to provide transitional housing for families in crisis.
Written by Handy and Barbara Williamson
Anyone who doubts the saying, “the gift is in the giving,” should try volunteering, especially given multiple opportunities through Caring Ministries at WHPC. For us, it began with The Gathering and expanded to include Community First. In addition, we spent a Sunday afternoon riding in the Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck delivering meals to the homeless.
Although each experience was different, the commonality was meeting people where they were, without judgment, and trying to lend a helping hand.
Attending a mission trip to Belize with 25 WHPC students and other adult leaders was deeply spirit-filling and humbling at the same time. We served alongside the San Lazaro Pentecostal Church community in sharing God’s Goodness and Grace with children, youth, adults and those of all ages and stages homebound and in need. Getting to know the local children was amazing and we played every version of every game you can play with a soccer ball and shared hugs, laughter and fun in the sweltering heat and humidity while surrounded by Belize’s natural beauty!
I was honored to get to know some of our high schoolers and experience and validate how their time in relationship with the holy spirt at WHPC has given them these amazing gifts of loving and knowing a GOD who is Good, Steadfast and an ever-present friend to all. Their unique talents, gifts, strengths and even their struggles allowed them to connect with the 50 plus children in attendance at our Vacation Bible School throughout the week.
For me, the everlasting impact of this mission trip is a reminder that this community of Christians in San Lazaro know that there at 30 Americans over 1500 miles away, who will never forget them, prays for them and is reminded in big and small ways daily of their open hearts, generosity and kindness (and some of the best chicken we’ve ever had!!!) The tangible ways the people of San Lazaro showed and shared God’s love with us in those 6 days is more than we could have ever hoped to receive, and I think I speak for all of us there, our cups runneth over. Praise be the Lord!
Every year, WHPC hosts a special offering on Christmas Eve. In 2022, you all raised $100,000 that went to the Afghan Refugee Ministry and Memory Care Academy of Austin.
In 2024 we have high hopes to bring independence to our Afghan Refugee women.
Our refugee women rarely if ever leave their home. The local mosque here in Austin contacted us and asked us to encourage the women to experience community and education beyond their homes. They have encouraged the women to come to the Mosque during the day so that they can receive English as a Second Language classes while free childcare is provided. The mosque is eager to see the women break the cycle of dependency!
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