Service and Missions: Northwest Presbyterian Church




		Service & Missions Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 Northwest Presbyterian abounds with opportunities to serve the Lord and those in need. Ours is a tithing church, as mandated by our Session, with more than 10 percent of our annual budget designated to support local ministries, as well as national and global missions supported by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Generally, our local service, mission and outreach projects are coordinated either by the Witness Team of our Session, Presbyterian Women, or both. Members can sign up to participate in these projects on Rally Day at the start of our church school year, or they can contact a member of the Witness Ministry Team of Session. Or they can check the weekly bulletin or current volunteer opportunities on this web site. Affordable Housing Construction: Each spring, Northwest members join with other churches and business partners to build an affordable house for a low-income family, who otherwise would not be able to afford a home. Working either through Charis Community Housing (see FCS Urban Ministries below) or Habitat for Humanity, Northwest volunteers participate in all aspects of home-building from framing to painting to landscaping. Agape Community Center: An outreach of Trinity Presbyterian Church, this ministry helps build community by offering programs for children, disabled persons, older adults, and families in the Bolton Road area. Northwest volunteers serve as tutors for the after-school enrichment program (grades K-12). Also, Presbyterian Women of Northwest provides and serves food on a periodic basis. Buckhead Christian Ministries: Active since 1987, this ministry provides compassionate, emergency assistance to individuals and families in need. The organization provides a wide range of services, including emergency financial aid, food supplies through its Food Pantry, a thrift store, and seasonal donation drives. Northwest members participate by stocking the pantry periodically and donating generously to the Christmas toy drive. Calvin Court: Located in Buckhead, Calvin Court is a ministry of Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, offering affordable housing for seniors. Each year, Presbyterian Women of Northwest collects single-serving food items for the Calvin Court food pantry. Items are delivered at the annual Calvin Court Birthday Party held each April. Northwest Presbyterian Women volunteers help make the occasion festive by providing food and fellowship. Central Presbyterian Night Shelter: Twice a year, volunteers from Northwest and Presbyterian Women of Northwest prepare, deliver and serve two meals (a hot dinner and a sack lunch) for 75 or more homeless men at Central Presbyterian Night Shelter. Additionally, the shelter is the recipient of one of Northwest's most cherished service opportunities: the annual ditty bag project. Each fall, Presbyterian Women sew the bags and ask members to help stuff the bags with toiletries, gloves, socks, hats, and other necessities. The bags are distributed to the men at the evening meal. Clifton Night Shelter: Started in 1979, the shelter provides meals, beds, and a sense of community to as many as 36 men every night of the year. The ministry depends on volunteers from local churches. Northwest provides volunteers on the fourth Saturday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December) from 6:00-10:00 PM. Volunteers provide and serve dinner, and keep the men company for the evening. Common Ground: Founded in 1989, this ministry is operated by the Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network, a faith-based organization seeking to enrich the lives of people with HIV/AIDS. A coalition of churches and synagogues provides daily support. Northwest helps by providing lunch for about 30 persons on the second Monday of each month. FCS Urban Ministries: Family Consultation Services was established in 1976 as a nonprofit counseling agency for low-income clients. Today, FCS Urban Ministries is a community development agency focusing its efforts on four Atlanta neighborhoods: Summerhill, Grant Park, East Lake, and South Atlanta. Northwest Presbyterian is involved in many ways, including participation in Charis Community Housing (see Affordable Housing Construction above). Northwest also supports the FCS Family Store with clothing and toy collections. Georgia Avenue Church (Grant Park): Every Wednesday, this intown church provides a hot meal and devotional time for the homeless and low-income residents of the Grant Park and Summerhill neighborhoods. Generally, 75 to 100 persons are served. On the fifth Wednesday of any month with five Wednesdays, volunteers of Presbyterian Women cook, deliver, and serve the midday meal. Northwest Fall Harvest Festival: This fun-filled, outdoors festival held in October is a wonderful way to welcome the community to the Northwest campus and offer a taste of the Christian witness and fellowship awaiting one and all. Activities include children's games, pony rides, face painting, and more. Food and fall treats are provided. A host of volunteers -- young, old, and in-between -- ensure the festival's success. Thanksgiving Baskets: Each fall, Northwest members collect and sort canned goods, staples, and fresh foods for Thanksgiving baskets, which are then delivered by Northwest volunteers to families in need. Northwest works with FCS Urban Ministries (see above) to identify several "grandparents" who need and appreciate the items. Baskets are also delivered to Northwest's "adopted" families in the Reynoldstown community as well as the family assisted through our Affordable Housing project (see above). Thornwell Children's Home: Located in Clinton, S.C., this ministry provides housing, education, counseling, and planning services to children in need. Both Northwest at large and Presbyterian Women support Thornwell through our very popular Angel Tree project at Christmas, encouraging members to "adopt" a child and fulfill his or her Christmas wish list. Additionally, Presbyterian Women sponsors the Bryan-Mac Cottage, enabling these middle school and high school boys to enjoy outings throughout the year.