Outreach
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19.
The Mission Committee of Westminster Presbyterian Church works to help members of our church offer a vision of God’s love outside our walls. Our outreach includes aid to the homeless and poor in Central Texas and helping refugees from war and other extreme dangers. We will offer comfort and recovery in times of natural disasters and support to all who seek peace and social justice. We are committed to protecting the environment for the benefit of coming generations.
Here are some of the projects we support:
This is a Presbyterian ministry that provides for low-income Austin families by offering a clothes closet and food pantry, affordable dental care, and a variety of educational opportunities.
Contacts: Ellen Williams Hensle or Elise Ragland
How to Get Involved
Food Pantry: On the first Sunday of every month, we collect non-perishable foods and fresh produce for the food pantry. We also take gently used clothing items, especially work and school clothes, and coats and hats in winter.
Tamale Sale: Tamales make a great holiday meal! Each fall, WPC participates in this annual tamale sale benefiting the dental clinic.
Trinity Center, located in St. David’s Episcopal Church on the corner of E. 7th and Trinity Streets, is a faith-based organization that addresses spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the poor and homeless in Austin. Several times a year, WPC runs their Sunday afternoon program: we lead worship and provide a meal for the gathered neighbors. Click here to learn more.
Contact: Angela Oliver
How to Get Involved
Sign up to serve on one of our designated Sundays. 2021 dates: January 31, May 2, July 11, September 26, November 14.
Service Sunday School—four times a year, WPC members of all ages gather during the Sunday School hour to learn about one of our mission partners and do a service project.
How to Get Involved
Join us in Fellowship Hall on select Sundays.
This Austin-based organization provides affordable housing for thousands of families along with a wide variety of wrap-around services. WPC welcomes new residents of the M Station apartment complex by providing baskets filled with essential home goods.
Contact: Angela Oliver
How to Get Involved
Donate kitchen and household items, including new or gently used dishes, glassware, silverware, kitchen utensils, and small appliances such as hand-mixers and toasters. Keep an eye on the church calendar for basket-stuffing gatherings.
DAS provides services like transportation to the doctor, visits to the store, and other errands for persons who can no longer drive. They also provide minor home repairs to enable seniors to continue to live in their own homes. Volunteers decide how much time they would like to commit.
Contact: Jim Larkin
How to Get Involved
Register as a driver and get on the road!
This event fights hunger in Austin and around the world by raising funds for Church World Service. Each February, members walk or run the course at Camp Mabry, stopping along the way to learn about global food crises. For the past three years WPC has been the top fundraiser in Austin!
Contact: Nancy Ebert
How to Get Involved
March 7th is the 2021 walk date! Sign up to be a walker or donate in support of our team. Visit here for more information.
Christmas Benevolence Fund—Christmas spirit and the joy of giving with those in need in our community. Every September through December (or until we spend the money), each church member has access to $350 from this fund to help our neighbors in need.
Contact: Marcia Kiger or the church office
How to Get Involved
Contact the church office or Cynthia Hanes to discuss a situation you would like to respond to with Benevolence funds, or to be connected to someone who has contacted Westminster for help.
Earth Care Congregations—these are congregations that have committed to the “Earth Care Pledge” and accomplished a specific number of actions that show care for God’s earth in four categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach. In 2016, Westminster Presbyterian Church became the first church in Mission Presbytery to earn Earth Care Congregation status. We have retained that status ever since.
Contact: Cynthia Hanes
How to Get Involved
Become part of the Earth Care team; join us for quarterly gatherings to clean up Waller Creek; participate in recycling drives and other periodic events.
Mission: to provide ongoing comfort to persons who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Those in the process of grief and mourning benefit from an organized, significant event that delivers ongoing compassion. We gather on the second Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall and have scripture, prayer, and sharing. You are welcome to bring a sack lunch to this informal gathering. All are welcome.
Contact: Ellen Williams Hensle
Border Ministries—WPC makes regular trips to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley’s Humanitarian Respite Center, which provides food, clothing and comfort to asylum-seekers being released from immigration detention in McAllen. We are also seeking new ways to follow God’s command to welcome the stranger.
Contacts: Ellen Williams Hensle or Jill Clark
How to Get Involved
Stay tuned for details about upcoming trips to the border. In between trips, donate pizzas to the Respite Center by calling Buck’s Pizzas in Mission, TX: 956-581-8611; donate gently used clothes and shoes (drop items off in Pastor Ellen’s office); donate money or supplies to the Respite Center by clicking here.
Christmas at Austin State Supported Living Center—our across-the-street neighbors provide support and housing for adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Each Christmas season, Westminster hosts a party for two resident homes. We bring gifts, sing carols, and share fellowship with the residents.
Contact: Randy Cain
How to Get Involved
Help provide gifts for a resident or assist in hosting a party.
Alternative Gift Market—Lib Minter, a long-time Westminster member and missionary, was known to reach out to the poor, the sick, the bereft, the troubled, and the lonely. Our annual “alternative gift market” is named for her giving spirit. Shoppers have the opportunity to buy gifts that benefit WPC’s local and global mission partners, including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Malala Fund, Medical Benevolence Foundation, and many more!
How to Get Involved
Join us the last Sunday of November (1st Sunday of Advent) for this year’s market.
Minter Alternative Gift Market
Lib Minter, a long-time Westminster member and missionary, was known to reach out to the poor, the sick, the bereft, the troubled, and the lonely. Our annual “alternative gift market” is named for her giving spirit. Shoppers have the opportunity to buy gifts that benefit WPC’s local and global mission partners, including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Malala Fund, Medical Benevolence Foundation, and many more!
How to Get Involved
Join us the last Sunday of November (1st Sunday of Advent) for this year’s market.