If you are interesting in serving locally or globally...
The following are some of the hands-on ministries of service of Wellshire. If one piques your interest, please contact Rev. Pattie Kitchen, Associate Pastor for Mission & Outreach (pkitchen@wpcdenver.org; 303.758.2233):
A few saints for the Hunger Task Force: Ann Zurcher, Andy Zurcher, ken Warner, Val Peters, Stan Peters, Bob Britt
* Hunger Task Force & Food Bank of the Rockies (food ministries, engaged year-round, in the midst of a lively, hospitable group of volunteers!)
* Lomagundi Medical Clinic in Chihoyi,Zimbabwe (Presbytery of Denver partnership)
* Wellshire’s Fair Shake Shoppe (volunteer to help support local and global crafts, coffees and foods through the sale of fairly trade products each week at WPC)
* Beyond Borders (literacy) & Haiti Nursing School in Leogone, Haiti
* Russian Ministries (partner with Moscow congregation & PCUSA mission co-worker)
* Seeking Common Ground/Building Bridges for Peace (Israeli-Palestinian-US youth)
* Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity (January, 2009)
* Guatemala Habitat & Healing Waters of the World, Intl. (March, 2009)
* 2009-2010 All-Wellshire Habitat for Humanity Denver Project
* MetroCareRing (needs assessment; organization of pantry; encouragement of clients; Share the Harvest Food Drive)
* Operation Christmas Child (gift boxes packed for international children)
* Annual Alternative Christmas Market
* The Gathering Place (resource center for women & children, art studio, clothing pantry)
* Schmitt Elementary School Reading, Spanish, Math, Music & Sports Volunteers
* New Genesis Shelter (meals served and fellowship enjoyed at a downtown shelter)
* New Garments Always (annual new clothing collection for Denver children)
* Family Homestead (apartment preparation & support for homeless families)
* Denver Road Home Homeless Initiative (mentoring homeless families in transition)
* Interfaith Hospitality Network (food, fellowship and support of homeless families)
AND….interested in ecology, conservation or environmental advocacy? Wellshire’s Green Group welcomes your interest and insights with our Solar Panel project and other innovative ministries!
More details below.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES IN METRO DENVER
Wellshire is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity through The Carpenter’s Helpers, a mission partnership of the Denver Presbytery. Habitat for Humanity offers the opportunity to serve alongside fellow Wellshire church members and others from throughout the Presbytery. Habitat work groups are comprised of men and women of all ages and professions. Participant skill levels range from "is this a hammer?" to veteran builders. There are also many Habitat needs unrelated to building a house. Wellshire members participate in building projects throughout the year. For more information and how you can become involved, contact Mark Christman or Nancy Carlson.
Metro CareRing
"Peas for the World" and "Share the Harvest" provide food and household needs for local families.
Share the Harvest Food Drive - there is a constant need for donated food & toiletries. Here's how you can help:
1. Refer to the list of preferred items below
2. Shop for the items
3. Bring your items to church
Food Items: rice, canned stews, soup, meat, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, pinto beans, macaroni & cheese, canned fruit, canned vegetables, tuna fish, peanut butter, cookies, crackers, cereal, baking mixes, flour, sugar, coffee, tea, baby formula, baby food, dog & cat food.
Toiletries: diapers, toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, sanitary napkins, tampons
Family Homestead
Wellshire holds a reverse offering to furnish back-to-school supplies, promotes an adopt-a-family for the holidays program and supports a workday for painting and cleaning temporary housing.
The Gathering Place
Wellshire's reverse offering restocks Betsy's Cupboard
Schmitt Elementary School
Volunteers tutor in classrooms 2 hours per week; this special attention helped the school improve its CSAP test scores. Other projects have included the following
* Basketball T-shirts were furnished for the team; 2 volunteers served as referees;
coaching assistance was also provided for after-school basketball
* Volunteers helped catalog library books
* A volunteer built a cabinet for their musical instruments
* $230 from Wellshire’s library committee and $770 from Local Service was used to upgrade
the School library
* $1000 will be used for an all-school trip
Interfaith Hospitality Network
4 weeks per year Wellshire volunteers act in a support role to First Presbyterian of Littleton, the host church to:
* Provide and host 2 evening meals per week for around 5 families
* Furnish 2 overnight hosts per week
* Packing-up and moving cots and materials to the next host church
Central Visitation
Volunteers provide supervision for parental visitation
Hunger Task Force
Our Mission is to feed the hungry in the Denver Metro Area, following in the scriptural imperative of Christ, to be responsive to the worldwide needs of the hungry. As one of the church’s oldest missions, over 25 years, we purchase food (at 21 cents; per pound) from Food Bank of the Rockies and have it distributed to various Denver service agencies that feed the needy and homeless on a daily basis. Funding for this life-supporting mission comes from our loyal, caring congregation who weekly contribute money through BRIGHTER DAYS offering envelopes in the pew boxes. For more information on Wellshire Hunger Task Force, and the Denver agencies your offerings help support, call the Church at (303) 758-2233.
