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Carter MacBain |
Jennifer Scott |
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Carter MacBain led the 2006 Presbyterian Women’s Christmas Gift Tree project after two years of active involvement in the MPPC branch of this Presbyterian Church (USA) group. This year, over 300 children from the Summit House, The Family Center, Communities in Schools, and the West Boulevard area received over 1200 gifts for Christmas. Carter led the effort to collect gifts at the church and deliver them to the recipients. “We received the sweetest thank-you notes,” said Carter. “The parents are so overwhelmed with the generosity of members giving their children a Christmas they wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. The families at Myers Park Presbyterian Church also get so much out of it, especially since it is usually the children who pick out the cards and get the family to go Christmas shopping.” |
Jennifer Scott was a member of the Community Ministry Team who organized the church wide Community Day last fall as a way to provide discipleship opportunities within the Charlotte community for MPPC members. Jennifer sorted hangers in preparation for the display of donated garments at Crisis Assistance Ministries. One of the most interesting things about this particular ministry was the ability to create a true shopping experience for those who come to Crisis Assistance for clothing they need. “Community Day was a good way to get involved in discipleship opportunities and enjoy fellowship with other church members. It was fun to work together as a team knowing that you provide a useful service,” said Jennifer. |
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Tim Stump |
Bo Roddey |
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Over five years ago, Tim Stump partnered with Carl McPhail to create a new worship service to engage church members in worship. Gifted musically, both knew others with similar talents and formed a band and choir in support of the new Celebrate service. “The members are positively energetic in their worship,” said Carl. “We now have a children’s sermon and moment for children. Their parents are so excited that their children want to come to church now.” You can hear Tim play the guitar during worship at many Celebrate services held in the gym on Sundays at 8:45 a.m.
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Retired physician Bo Roddey recently launched the new ministry called the Medical Equipment Loaner program. The idea evolved from friends borrowing medical equipment that Bo and his family collected after undergoing procedures like back surgeries and joint replacements. Bo Roddey got in touch with the newly formed Health Ministries team and initiated the loaner program at MPPC. Currently all available equipment has been donated by our members and includes a telesensory reader (magnifies printed letters to two inches tall), walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, aids for the bathroom, slings, back scrubbers and more. To donate or borrow equipment, contact Bo Roddey (704-372-0917).
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Lib Gallagher |
Linda Hinson |
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Lib Gallagher has been taking Sunday School attendance for all adult classes every week for over thirty years. MPPC member Babbie Boyd was chair of the Christian Education Council at the time and asked her to do it. Though she has also served as an elder, deacon, and isan honorary life member of Presbtyerian Women, Lib has never ceased to enjoy her unique ministry with the Sunday School.
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Linda Hinson was volunteering in an elementary school when a social worker approached her about the need for tutors. "I’d never taught but the needs were there," said Linda. "When I met Keyana, she was such a bright little girl who just needed academic enrichment."
Linda has gone on to form an eight-year relationship with Keyana, who is now working on her college applications. "I have gotten so much from it. Keyana has such a strong faith, it is really a symbiotic relationship."
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Tom Little |
Sarah McKinney |
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It was through a friend and former business associate that Tom Little first learned of Jackson Park Ministries, a Christian organization dedicated to giving struggling families the tools they need to get back on their feet.
One of the main features of Jackson Park is transitional housing provided at minimal cost to the families, who attend financial education classes, follow community rules, and reconnect their spiritual lives in order to get back on track.
Impressed with the number of ministry opportunities at Jackson Park, Tom decided his ministry was to find as many helping hands from our church as possible. Help is needed to renovate of additional housing, assist with after-school programming and weekly meals, or even to simply provide friendship to the residents of Jackson Park.
For more information about Jackson Park Ministries, visit www.jacksonpark.org or contact Tom (704-372-1135).
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Community Day, a day set aside at MPPC for group service in the community, turned out to be the perfect opportunity for Sarah McKinney’s active family to get together in ministry. The family cleared pastures and changed straw and water together at Joshua’s Farm, which provides therapeutic horse rides for special needs individuals. "I would love to do it again. It’s so nice to help people as a family."
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