SERVING OTHERS

“… And who is my neighbor?” – Luke 10:35

In the New Testament, to believe meant more than words. It meant sharing the love of God through our actions. On the second Saturday of each month, Central Presbyterian Church members and friends work on site at the home of a local neighbor, or a local charitable organization in need. Work can include internal/external painting, a multitude of landscaping needs, wheelchair ramp construction, organization of indoor areas, and other
items as needed.

This mission initiative began in 2013, serving local Veterans in Waxahachie and Ellis County. After several months, the ministry was expanded to include any neighbor who might need a little help, as well as outreach-related projects at the church.

An integral part of Central Presbyterian Church is its relationship with its ministry partner, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). Established in 1903, PCHAS programs have evolved over the years to meet the ever changing needs of children and families. Originally established as an orphanage in Itasca, it now offers seven core programs and annually serves 2,800 children and families throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri.

In the early 1960’s PCHAS opened a Group Home Campus in Waxahachie. For years, members of Central Presbyterian Church have been very active as staff, volunteers, mentors and supporters.

In 2012, the Waxahachie Campus opened a Single Parent Family Program to serve seven single parents and their children. PCHAS’ goal is to give these single parents a chance to become strong and self-sufficient without constantly fearing for their and their children’s survival and safety. The single parent families are able to stay 12-18 months while they work towards achieving personal goals, including self-sufficiency. To help the single parents, which now includes single mothers and single fathers, the program provides employment assistance, individual counseling, case management and therapy, money management, life skills training, parenting classes and more.

Some CPC members have completed steps to become Authorized Volunteers and are able to work very closely with the clients on the Waxahachie campus.

In the summer of 2017, PCHAS decided to consolidate its Group Home Program onto its Itasca campus. At the same time, PCHAS asked CPC if the group home children in Itasca, which now includes the former group home children from Waxahachie, could all attend Sunday worship at CPC. CPC has fully embraced this opportunity and, in addition to welcoming the group home children on Sunday mornings, has also volunteered to lead children’s worship/activities once a month on the Itasca campus. This means even more members of CPC will be invited to serve as Authorized Volunteers of PCHAS and be able to enjoy deeper friendships with their children and staff.

The children of God served by PCHAS – kids, youth, single mothers and fathers, staff and administrators – are a vital part of the CPC family. As we minister to one another, we grow together in Christ!

*Join the CPC Worship and Activity Team Serving PCHAS’ Itasca Group Home Children

Join us as we provide worship and activities for the children living on the Itasca Group Home campus. Our visit will provide us with quality time together, prayer and teaching, and fun activities. Please contact Sharon Curry, DCE @dcecpcwax@gmail.com to learn more.

*Become A Mentor

If you are interested in working one on one with a child served by PCHAS, helping them with homework, and coping with the challenges of daily life, please contact Jennifer Quintero-Pitts, Coordinator of Volunteers by phone at (210) 548-2114 or by email at Jennifer.quintero-pitts@pchas.org.

*Provide a Meal

This is a great opportunity to get to know the single parents, their children and staff living on the Waxahachie Campus. The Campus also provides housing for older youth who are transitioning from foster care or group home care to independent living. Providing a meal usually involves 2-4 people able to prepare a meal for 8 people. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Jennifer Quintero-Pitts, Coordinator of Volunteers by phone at (210) 548-2114 or by email at Jennifer.quintero-pitts@pchas.org.

*Become A Transportation Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for the single parents living on the Waxahachie campus. Volunteers must complete the required paperwork to be Authorized Volunteers. For more information about this volunteer opportunity or to discuss other ways you can help the children and families served by PCHAS, please contact Jennifer Quintero-Pitts, Coordinator of Volunteers by phone at (210) 548-2114 or by email at Jennifer.quintero-pitts@pchas.org.

Part-time Employment Opportunities:

*Become A Tutor!

Nationwide, less than 70% of the children in foster care finish high school and less than 3 percent earn a bachelor’s degree. Because of the trauma they’ve experienced, it is common for them to fall behind their peers in school, sometimes three or four years behind.

Central Presbyterian Church initiated “Bethlehem Revisited” in 1997 as a full representation of life in Bethlehem when Christ was born.  It includes replications of homes, shops and other facilities authentic to the time period.  Costumed characters act out the roles of merchants, clergy, soldiers and other inhabitants.  Camels, donkeys, goats and other animals are part of the event.

Today it is a community project with several churches, businesses, organizations and individuals contributing.  Bethlehem Revisited has become one of the Dallas-Fort Worth areas’ major tourist events during the Christmas season and is a wonderful way to remind us that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

Bethlehem Revisited is located on approximately two acres behind Central Presbyterian Church on North Jackson Street and is open the first two weekends in December on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 6-9pm.

During the event, Central Presbyterian Church is open to the public and features live holiday music in our historic sanctuary.

As you approach Bethlehem you are invited into the church to experience music, the Lord’s Supper quilt and the hospitality of the membership.

**In the event of heavy rain, Bethlehem Revisited will be cancelled. That determination is usually made by 3pm on that day. Please check the following places for last minute updates:

• Waxahachie Convention and Visitors Facebook page
• CPC web site home page or Facebook page or Twitter

There are many opportunities to serve others at Central Presbyterian Church. We encourage every member and friend to use their time and talents, and  find a place to serve in the life of the church or out in our community in response to God’s grace.

At CPC, we gather in teams to determine the needs of our church family, the community, and the world. The teams are described in our Ministry Team Directory.   Each team is led by an Elder currently serving on the Session, but comprised of members of the congregation. Here is a list of our teams:

• Mission
• Discipleship and Education
• Worship
• Congregational Care and Hospitality
• Communication
• Finance and Stewardship
• Personnel and Administration
• Buildings and Grounds
• Earth Care Ministry Team

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16(ESV)

“… And who is my neighbor?” – Luke 10:35

In the New Testament, to believe meant more than words. It meant sharing the love of God through our actions. On the second Saturday of each month, Central Presbyterian Church members and friends work on site at the home of a local neighbor, or a local charitable organization in need. Work can include internal/external painting, a multitude of landscaping needs, wheelchair ramp construction, organization of indoor areas, and other
items as needed.