MOC is the visible presence of Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC) in the world. Mission is not a program of the church; it is the purpose of the church. We partner with other churches and charitable organizations to support local, national and global missions. We inform and inspire congregants to offer material support to those in need. We promote and manage WPC’s response to the PC(USA)’s national giving campaigns. We reach out to our local community by hosting music programs and social events. MOC helps WPC respond to emerging human needs and to steadily grow as a missional church, as evidenced below:
Local
UMCL Personal Care Drive
The Unique Minds Changing Lives Personal Care Item Drive was so successful because of how generous our members and visitors are! Thank you to everyone who contributed to support local residents in need. Pictured are Kristy Gibbs, Jim Miller, and Helena Gibbs.
Pack The Backpack
In June/July of this year, Westminster Presbyterian Church partnered with the following organizations to run a backpack and supplies drive for Georgetown Elementary School:
Coolspring Presbyterian
Georgetown Presbyterian
Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits of DE
Philanthropic Educational Organization, Chapter N
Rehoboth Beach Police Department
Pastor Eddie has always said that we can have a much bigger impact on our community when we join forces with others.
Our original goal was to acquire 50 backpacks and the supplies to fill them. Through your and many others generous donations, we more than DOUBLED our original goal! We acquired:
96 backpacks
1518 pencils
168 boxes of 24 Crayola crayons
169 pairs of scissors
160 composition books
568 glue sticks
884 Crayola colored pencils
75 canisters of disinfecting wipes
The total value of all the supplies was between $12,000 - $14,000!!!
We are hopeful that these supplies will help the parents of the Georgetown Elementary School children significantly reduce the burden of providing necessary school supplies, so that other necessities don’t have to be sacrificed, enabling students to have a more successful school year. We also hope this relieves some of the burden on teachers, who often must spend their own money purchasing supplies to meet the needs.
The results of this program show how the residents of Sussex and New Castle counties pay it forward to our next generation of students. Beyond the supplies themselves, each well-equipped student will have a sense of belonging because they do not experience a sense of lack. Thank you for contributing to the Georgetown Elementary School and to their community’s welfare.
With Gratitude,
Jim Miller and Deb Norton, Co-Chairs
and the Mission Outreach Committee
Coolspring Presbyterian
Georgetown Presbyterian
Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits of DE
Philanthropic Educational Organization, Chapter N
Rehoboth Beach Police Department
Pastor Eddie has always said that we can have a much bigger impact on our community when we join forces with others.
Our original goal was to acquire 50 backpacks and the supplies to fill them. Through your and many others generous donations, we more than DOUBLED our original goal! We acquired:
96 backpacks
1518 pencils
168 boxes of 24 Crayola crayons
169 pairs of scissors
160 composition books
568 glue sticks
884 Crayola colored pencils
75 canisters of disinfecting wipes
The total value of all the supplies was between $12,000 - $14,000!!!
We are hopeful that these supplies will help the parents of the Georgetown Elementary School children significantly reduce the burden of providing necessary school supplies, so that other necessities don’t have to be sacrificed, enabling students to have a more successful school year. We also hope this relieves some of the burden on teachers, who often must spend their own money purchasing supplies to meet the needs.
The results of this program show how the residents of Sussex and New Castle counties pay it forward to our next generation of students. Beyond the supplies themselves, each well-equipped student will have a sense of belonging because they do not experience a sense of lack. Thank you for contributing to the Georgetown Elementary School and to their community’s welfare.
With Gratitude,
Jim Miller and Deb Norton, Co-Chairs
and the Mission Outreach Committee
MISSION PRESENTATIONS
by
Brenda Kasprzewski, Executive Director
Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Congregations (LRAC)
On June 8, Brenda Kasprezewski, Executive Director of LRAC, presented a check to Westminster PC for $2,500 to cover the purchase of an e-bike. That bike is providing essential transportation for Christian Collier, a formerly unhoused person, to travel to and from his full-time job. LRAC’s generous gift has given Christian the opportunity to reintegrate into the workforce and society at large.
Pastor Eddie, Deb Norton (MOC), Brenda Kasprzewski
At Fellowship, Brenda continued her talk by highlighting LRAC’s mission and vision and some interesting facts:
- In 1983, LRAC was originally established as a collaborative effort of local churches to serve those in need.
- New Life Thrift Shop (NLTS) is LRAC’s source of revenue which funds grants to the Community Resource Center (CRC) and other local ministry partners.
- NLTS has approximately 200 active volunteers; the CRC over 100 active volunteers. Here are various ways
- Volunteer at NLTS or CRC.
- Become an LRAC committee member.
- Donate gently used clothing and household items to NLTS for resale.
- Check WPC’s website for NLTS’s monthly sales calendar. Stop and Shop!
- Contribute to MOC local initiatives.
"Be the light in someone else’s tomorrow.”
MISSION OUTREACH COMMITTEE (MOC)
Georgetown Presbyterian Emergency Shelter/Code Purple Update
In January 2025, MOC began a partnership with the Georgetown Presbyterian Church (GPC) to support their in-house Emergency Shelter/Code Purple mission which provides a warm and safe place for displaced men during the winter season. MOC’s initial budget contribution was $1,000 in addition to warm hats, gloves, socks; and food bars provided by Fellowship.
On January 5, Elder Linda Wolfe, GPC Mission Chair, and Mari Ellyn Hellard, former site coordinator, shared a Minute for Mission at Fellowship hour with a slide presentation on the operation of the Shelter, and its urgent ongoing needs. In response, MOC initiated a money/soup/sock drive from January 19-February 2. As a result of your generous financial support totaling over $1,000, the Shelter will be able to purchase the blue carrying bags given to each homeless man to stow their personal items. The socks and microwaveable soups were especially appreciated given the recent cold and damp weather. MOC will continue to stay in contact with Linda in case the Shelter needs further assistance to get through March 15, the end of the Shelter season.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, CHURCH, for your compassionate hearts!
With gratitude,
Mission Outreach Committee
Co-Chairs: Jim Miller and Deb Norton
Members: Karen Palermo and Silvia Ritchie
On January 5, Elder Linda Wolfe, GPC Mission Chair, and Mari Ellyn Hellard, former site coordinator, shared a Minute for Mission at Fellowship hour with a slide presentation on the operation of the Shelter, and its urgent ongoing needs. In response, MOC initiated a money/soup/sock drive from January 19-February 2. As a result of your generous financial support totaling over $1,000, the Shelter will be able to purchase the blue carrying bags given to each homeless man to stow their personal items. The socks and microwaveable soups were especially appreciated given the recent cold and damp weather. MOC will continue to stay in contact with Linda in case the Shelter needs further assistance to get through March 15, the end of the Shelter season.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, CHURCH, for your compassionate hearts!
With gratitude,
Mission Outreach Committee
Co-Chairs: Jim Miller and Deb Norton
Members: Karen Palermo and Silvia Ritchie
Springboard Pallet Village
Springboard Pallet Village (SPV): Provides dignified dwellings and a community that fosters well-being for Delawareans in greatest need (those experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, economic hardship, etc.), concurrently connecting compromised populations with community resources to build a better life.
www.the-springboard.org
www.the-springboard.org
Thanks to the energy and vision of Jim Miller/MOC and with the help of Brian Kellman/Lewes Cycle Sport, and the members and friends of Westminster PC who donated bikes and funds, we were able to supply 15 bikes, helmets and locks to the SPV participants. To say they were THRILLED and OVERJOYED is an understatement!
The bikes not only provide transportation to achieve the activities of daily living, but also represent hope, freedom and self-determination. Knowing that people genuinely care allows participants to think and feel about themselves in more positive ways, which can lead to a brighter future!
With Thanks and Appreciation,
Deb Norton, MOC Chair
Unique Minds Changing Lives (UMCL)
A non-profit organization designed to change the lives of low-income families and individuals located in Sussex County, DE that have fallen into hardship, by providing different types of services to help restore, educate and stabilize them. www.uniquemindscl.com
Lewes Rehoboth Association of Congregations (LRAC)
A charitable non-profit corporation comprised of congregations of all denominations in the area to serve those in need in the community. LRAC runs the New Life Thrift Shop which accepts donated items and resells them, using the profits to benefit the poor and needy. www.lrac.online
Boardwalk Buddy Walk
Initiated by members of Westminster 20 years ago and raises funds to support individuals with Down Syndrome.
www.ds-stride.org/boardwalkbuddywalk
www.ds-stride.org/boardwalkbuddywalk
West Rehoboth Community Land Trust
A non-profit trust that aims to create permanent, affordable housing and preserve the historic West Rehoboth Community. www.westrehobothlandtrust.org
Community Resource Center (CRC) Angel Giving Tree
Provides Christmas gifts for children of low-income households. www.rehobothcommunitycenter.org
National
Christmas Joy
One of four churchwide special offerings of the Presbyterian Church. It provides assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need, and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/christmas-joy/
Global
Ecumenical Parish: Our sister church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
55 churches partner to offer mission and ministry in the Kananga Presbytery of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ecumenical Parish is our sister church in Kananga. Our support is that of prayers and contributions. www.ncpresbytery.org/congo or www.facebook.com/NCPCongoPartnership/
Friends of Butoke, Congo
Friends of Butoke, Inc., is a tax-exempt public charity
under Sec. 501 (c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code.
Friends of Butoke, 32942 Kiwi Court West, Lewes, DE 19958
www.friendsofbutoke.org
under Sec. 501 (c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code.
Friends of Butoke, 32942 Kiwi Court West, Lewes, DE 19958
www.friendsofbutoke.org
Pastor Mboyamba Visits
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