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 Matthew 22:36–40 (NIV)
The Greatest Commandment
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In Matthew 22, an Old Testament scholar seeks to confound Jesus by asking him to name the greatest commandment amongst the valuable myriad of Old Testament laws. Jesus responds quickly and directly that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” But Jesus’ answer doesn’t end there. He follows up the greatest commandment with a declaration that the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In the gospel of Luke, another scholar in the law seeks clarification from Jesus on the definition of the word “neighbor.” Jesus doesn’t give a technical definition, but instead tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, who showed great mercy as he happened upon a man in great need. In that story, we realize that our “neighbor” is anyone we are willing to show mercy to. Jesus commands us to “do” as the Samaritan did, and offer love and compassion to those that need it.
First Presbyterian Church seeks to be a community that serves our many “neighbors” in the San Antonio area. Both surrounding and within our church, there are precious people in need including families without homes, hungry mothers and babies, confused teens, prisoners in need of forgiveness, abandoned elderly, and more. FPC partners with the following organizations to address some of these needs.
We believe serving our community indeed helps others, but also encourages our own personal growth and transformation, making us more like Jesus. FPC encourages you to get active in your community, whether by serving with one of our official partners listed below, finding another local organization that you are passionate about, or simply loving and devoting yourself to the people you encounter in your neighborhood, workplace, and day to day business.
If you would like more information about serving in San Antonio, you may contact Alyssa Payne, Director of Missions, at
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or call her directly at 210.271.2742.
Basic Needs
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM)
CAM is an ecumenical, non-profit charitable corporation that provides immediate, temporary assistance to individuals in crisis situations & enables those in need to move toward independence. CAM is a cooperative ministry founded in 1977 by nine downtown San Antonio churches to augment the local mission outreach efforts of San Antonio churches. CAM is located right down the street from FPC, and we refer many clients to them each day as they offer assistance with lunches, electric bills, jobs, transportation, and other services. CAM is in need of volunteers to help with small administrative tasks such as answering client phone calls, and is always in need of people to help sort donations.
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) 110 McCullough, 78215
Volunteer Coordinator: J.D. Kyle, 210.222.1553
www.christianassistanceministry.org
The Fairweather Family Lodge (San Antonio Family Endeavors)
This specific program of San Antonio Family Endeavors opened in 2004 as a way to assist homeless women with mental illness and their children. The Fairweather Family Lodge was created to be a place that nurtures development and provides a safe environment for these families to stabilize, grow and remain together.
Fairweather Family Lodge (S.A. Family Endeavors) 535 Bandera Road, 78228
For more information, please call 210.208.5700
www.safamilyendeavors.org
Loaves and Fishes (at FPC)
Loaves and Fishes is a program put on by volunteers in FPC’s First Floor Kitchen Area the last Sunday of every month, and every Sunday in December. Linda and Robert O’Nave lead this ministry, which aims to share a meal and fellowship with the homeless and hungry in our community. Everyone is invited to participate in this radical act of hospitality to our poor and homeless neighbors in downtown San Antonio. We ask our volunteers to help feed our guests by bringing a dish to serve potluck style. If you are unable to attend Loaves and Fishes, you may still help feed the 250 guests by dropping off a dish in the kitchen the day of the event. Volunteers meet in the first floor kitchen area at 3 p.m., serve at 3:30, and stay until about 5:00 to clean up.
Loaves and Fishes at FPC 404 N. Alamo, 78205
Coordinators: Robert and Linda O’Nave, 210.822.7389 or 210.573.8319.
You may also call Alyssa Payne at 210.271.2742
www.fpconline.org
The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB)
The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) is a non-profit organization that serves as a clearinghouse by receiving and storing truckloads of donated food, produce, and other grocery products. SAFB distributes these items in manageable quantities to approximately 400 service agencies that help people in need throughout San Antonio and South Texas. SAFB has volunteer opportunities for serving and sorting food at their main location as well as at the Haven for Hope kitchen.
San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) 5200 Old Hwy 90 West, 78227
Volunteer Coordinator: Leah Payne, 210.431.8388 or call SAFB directly at 210.337.3663
www.safoodbank.org
SAMMinistries (SAMM)
Founded in 1983, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries is an interfaith ministry dedicated to providing shelter and care to the homeless of San Antonio. It began when FPC’s former pastor found a homeless man who had frozen to death outside the church’s doors. Today, SAMMinistries is the largest service provider of direct care and shelter in San Antonio and the surrounding area. They have a wide variety of programs designed to provide guests with the basic tools necessary to return to the path of self-sufficiency. There are volunteer opportunities at various campus locations, including children’s tutoring and reading at the Haven for Hope campus, as well as helping with administrative needs.
San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM) 1 Haven for Hope Way, 78207
Volunteer Coordinator: Matt Curtis, 210.340.0302
www.samm.org
Community Ministry
Habitat for Humanity San Antonio (Presbyterian Cluster House)
HFHSA works with low-income families who would not otherwise be able to afford a house. They partner with families in need and help them build affordable houses for themselves and their families at no interest and no profit. Habitat is not a charity or a “hand out” program, but seeks to help families help themselves. In the early part of each year, FPC partners with several Presbyterian churches in the area, and together we build the “Presbyterian Cluster House”. FPC will have several dedicated work days in the Spring Build, and if you would like to participate, please call Alyssa Payne at 210-226-0215. Habitat of San Antonio also invites you to participate in any of their other home builds happening throughout the year.
Habitat for Humanity (Presbyterian Cluster House)
Faith Relations Associate: Val Arias, 210.223.5203
www.habitatsa.org
House of Neighborly Service (HNS)
House of Neighborly Service (HNS) is a non-profit, multi-service, neighborhood center, founded in 1917 by Presbyterian missionaries. For 90 years, they have provided a variety of social, health, and educational services to families from San Antonio’s Westside. HNS programs are designed to help individuals and families move from a state of dependency towards one of self-sufficiency. There are many ways to help HNS serve the Westside including the HNS bread line, participating in sewing circles, organizing storage areas, helping with administrative work, and more.
House of Neighborly Service (HNS) 407 N. Calaveras, 78207
Executive Director: Nancy Shaw, 210.434.2301
www.hnsfamily.org
Servant Partners (East Side Ministry)
Servant Partners (sometimes referred to as the East Side Ministry) seeks to model and honor Jesus by living and serving among the poor. The newly established site in San Antonio, Texas is located in a historically African-American neighborhood known as the East Side, which has undergone profound socioeconomic and ethnic changes over the years. Today, the neighborhood is racially mixed- 60% Latino and 40% African-American, with a third of the people living below poverty level. The Servant Partners team works with a local African-American congregation, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, to reach out to their neighborhood and be a source of light and hope. The team consists of several members who are very involved with FPC and is led by Carrie Lewis. There are many opportunities to serve this community including Community Clean-Ups, Cookouts, Children’s Tutoring, and more.
Servant Partners (East Side Ministry) 319 S. Mesquite, 78203
Team Leader: Carrie Lewis, 210.563.4872
www.servantpartners.org
Children's Services
Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas
CBCST is dedicated to helping children and their families who are grieving the death of a loved one by providing education, empathy, and support in an environment conducive to healing. CBCST is the only facility in South Texas targeting the unique grief support needs of youth and their caregivers and offering free counseling to the South Texas community. For more information, please see their website at www.cbcst.org or call 210-736-4847.
Children’s Bereavement Center 332 West Craig Place, 78212
Volunteer Opportunities contact: Traci Burkhart Gomez, 210.736.4847, ext. 226
www.cbcst.org
Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Since its beginnings in 1903 as an orphanage in Dallas, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services has been providing residential care and other services to children and families with no place else to turn. They serve children age birth to 17 who have suffered from neglect, abuse and abandonment, or children whose families are experiencing some type of crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, illness, violence, homelessness, parental drug/alcohol abuse and other issues that threaten family stability. Whether it’s through one of the group homes, a foster home, the Child and Family Program, or the Advanced Education and Aftercare Program, they do all they can to help show the children in their care that they are beloved children of God. PCHAS has a group home in San Antonio that currently houses 6 boys and 4 girls, and has a Child and Family counselor working in the area, seeking to provide stability within the home and the family, to prevent the removal of children from their family unit.
Presbyterian Children’s Home 6355 Whitby Road, 78240
Volunteer Opportunities contact: Rev. Nancy Mossman, 512.476.1234
www.pchas.org
Respite Care of San Antonio
Respite Care provides services to enhance the stability and the nurturing opportunities of families caring for a loved one with a developmental disability. They offer respite for the parents from the intense and constant care required by their beloved child. Respite Care has also become a safe haven for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. It is a safe and nurturing place where all children can participate, be cared for, and be celebrated for the blessed individuals that they are. Respite Care welcomes volunteers to help play with the children, read to them, or lead them in games. There is a special need for help during holidays or summer months when children are not in school.
Respite Care of San Antonio 605 Belknap Place, 78212
Volunteer Coordinator: Elvia Gonzales, 210.737.1212, ext. 41
www.respitecaresa.org
Teen Fellowship
Divine Redeemer – House of Teens
FPC enjoys a good friendship with a local Presbyterian Church that serves both the Anglo and Latino population in its community, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Specifically, we support their ministry called the House of Teens, which includes an after-school program, teen night and a leadership program. House of Teens seeks to minister and reach out to young people around the church, showing them the love of Christ and seeking to offer them an alternative and positive way of life. There are opportunities to help with Tuesday teen night or Thursday afternoon bible studies, as well as other special events.
Divine Redeemer – House of Teens 407 N. Calaveras, 78207
Program Coordinator: Andrew Willems, 210.980.1717
www.divineredeemersa.org
Healy-Murphy Center
The mission of Healy-Murphy Center is to provide compassionate service to youth-in-crisis by focusing on individualized education in a non-traditional setting, paired with early childhood development and essential support services. They are dedicated to providing students with the tools they need to complete their education and become successful. They provide services including a self-paced curriculum, life/vocational counseling, childcare and more. Through these services, students are able to accomplish their goals despite the challenges they have faced and continue to face in their young lives. Healy Murphy is located right down the street from FPC, and many of their students come to our church to participate in the YoungLives program. There are many opportunities to volunteer at the school or with our YoungLives program.
Healy-Murphy 618 Live Oak Street, 78202
Executive Director: Doug Watson – 210.223.2944
www.healymurphy.org
Young Life
Young Life’s vision is that someday every adolescent will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him. Their mission is introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. Young Life starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. Kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them. Because their Young Life leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. Whether you are the parent of a Young Life student, or simply an adult who cares about kids in your community, Young Life welcomes your involvement and willingness to spend time with teenagers. There are many needs for Young Life volunteer leaders around San Antonio, including ministering to Healy Murphy students right here at FPC! For more information, please see the organization’s main website at www.younglife.org or call 210-349-9602.
Young Life Offices 10500 Heritage Blvd. Suite 120, 78216
Metro Director: Steve Millett, 210.349.9602
www.younglife.org
YoungLives
YoungLives is a ministry to teen moms and their children. Treating each mom and her child or children with unconditional love and respect, YoungLives offers teen moms relief from the isolation and struggle of their daily lives and hope for the future. YoungLives mentors provide friendship, parenting advice and help meeting the practical demands of raising a child. At YoungLives club and camp, moms get to socialize and have fun while their babies get the best possible care. YoungLives meets on Tuesdays at FPC with students from Healy Murphy. Several FPC members serve as mentors to the teen moms and caretakers for their children while the teens attend “club” in our first floor kitchen area. YoungLives welcomes anyone to volunteer as a mentor or as a caretaker for the girl’s precious babies!
YoungLives (Healy Murphy High School) at FPC
Volunteer Opportunities: Cathy Smith, 210.829.8646
www.younglife.org
Teen Pregnancy
The Pregnancy Care Center
The Pregnancy Care Center has been a safe place for women and families for over 25 years. They exist to provide support and education to those who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. Their mission is to inform and educate women on all options when it comes to pregnancy. Pregnancy Care Center seeks to prevent abortions, but also to help nurture and care for women in unplanned pregnancies, as well as helping to care for their children. There are various volunteer opportunities including mentoring young women, teaching parenting classes, helping sort through donations, and more.
Pregnancy Care Center 8131 IH-10 Suite 125, 78230
Volunteer Coordinator: Cheryl Irvin, 210.614.5433
www.sapregnancy.org
YoungLives
YoungLives is a ministry to teen moms and their children. Treating each mom and her child or children with unconditional love and respect, YoungLives offers teen moms relief from the isolation and struggle of their daily lives and hope for the future. YoungLives mentors provide friendship, parenting advice and help meeting the practical demands of raising a child. At YoungLives club and camp, moms get to socialize and have fun while their babies get the best possible care. YoungLives meets on Tuesdays at FPC with students from Healy Murphy. Several FPC members serve as mentors to the teen moms and caretakers for their children while the teens attend “club” in our first floor kitchen area. YoungLives welcomes anyone to volunteer as a mentor or as a caretaker for the girl’s precious babies!
YoungLives (Healy Murphy High School) at FPC
Volunteer Opportunities: Cathy Smith, 210.829.8646
www.younglife.org
Senior Services
North East Senior Assistance (NESA)
NESA, an interfaith non-profit organization, has been helping the homebound elderly living in northeast San Antonio since 1984. Most of their clients are no longer able to drive and have no one available to help them with errands and chores. NESA seeks to provide these elderly with the occasional support they need to lead healthy and productive lives. NESA would love people willing to run small errands for clients, transport client’s to minor appointments, or simply to offer friendship to their client’s through short visits or encouraging phone calls.
NESA Faith in Action
Volunteer Coordinator: Pat Ogle, 210.967.6372
www.neseniorassistance.org
Incarcerated Individuals and Their Families
Bexar County Detention Ministries (BCDM)
BCDM exists to facilitate the spiritual, emotional, spiritual, and personal transformation of incarcerated individuals, those formerly incarcerated, and their families. BCDM, an interfaith agency, began in 1941 with a small group of local pastors who provided worship services and pastoral counseling at the County Jail. Incorporated as a non-profit agency in 1972, BCDM staff and volunteers provide religious services, support groups, and/or educational classes in 11 adult and juvenile detention and treatment facilities in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. These same services are also provided to the family members of those incarcerated, or formerly incarcerated. Volunteers are needed to serve as mentors, to help with job placement, or to plan special events for the clients and their families such as holiday parties.
Bexar County Detention Ministries 503 San Pedro, 78212
Volunteer Coordinator: Dejah Benhkne, 210.299.4540
www.bcdm.org
Health and Healing
Anger Solutions Network (ASN)
Anger Solutions Network, Inc. offers a variety of services to help individuals and groups in anger management and conflict resolution. ASN provides education and seminars to public/private businesses and corporations, city and county public utilities, schools, civic and church groups. This San Antonio based service organization also provides one-on-one training, small group sessions, weekend encounter groups and family intervention, and they certify faith-based anger management facilitators around Texas. These services are designed to meet the needs of individuals and groups or agencies seeking assistance with negative anger emotions. ASN is looking for more facilitators and has a variety of other ways to offer ministry to the San Antonio community.
Anger Solutions Network 900 NE Loop 410 Suite D 307, 78209
Volunteer Opportunities: Jay Burchfield or Texie Bohannon, 210.804.0085
www.angermanagementnow.org
I Care San Antonio
Founded in 1992 as a non-profit organization, I Care San Antonio’s mission is to bring eye care, both medical and optical to the needy of San Antonio and along the Texas-Mexico border. ICSA provides dilated eye exams, refractions and glasses, and medical and surgical eye care to the poor, homeless, and the uninsured. They need translators, greeters, and general volunteers to help care for their patients, help select and fit glasses, and more.
I Care San Antonio 1 Haven for Hope Way, 78207
Volunteer Coordinator: Casandra Garcia, 210.220.2370
www.icare-sa.org
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF)
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF) has a dual mission: to provide compassionate medical care and social services to people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and to help prevent the spread of HIV through education and testing. They are guided by the belief that HIV/AIDS is a disease and those affected by this disease should receive compassion and understanding. SAAF advocates a harm reduction philosophy believing that all individuals with HIV need compassionate services, including food and shelter, irrespective of their individual services and practices. Volunteer opportunities include serving as a buddy, helping with small tasks like feeding, gardening, or hairstyling, and creating special events and parties for the residents on birthdays or holidays.
San Antonio Aids Foundation 818 E Grayson, 78208
Volunteer Coordinator: Susan Bradley, 210.225.4715, Ext. 180
www.txsaaf.org
San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic (SACDC)
The Mission of the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic is to provide charitable dental care to indigent persons in keeping with Christian Ministry. SACDC is a non-profit organization with the purpose of providing charitable dental care to those low-income persons who have no other resources with which to access dental services. Volunteer dentists, hygienists, and many concerned individuals provide services and operate SACDC. The clinic provides a wide range of dental care and oral hygiene education, and many of FPC’s members serve in this unique ministry. SACDC needs volunteers to help both with the medical care of their clients as well as with some of the clinic’s administrative work.
San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic 1 Haven for Hope Way, 78207
Volunteer Coordinator: Rose Maldonaldo, 210.226.8041 or 210.220.2323
www.sachristiandental.org
The Pregnancy Care Center
The Pregnancy Care Center has been a safe place for women and families for over 25 years. They exist to provide support and education to those who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. Their mission is to inform and educate women on all options when it comes to pregnancy. Pregnancy Care Center seeks to prevent abortions, but also to help nurture and care for women in unplanned pregnancies, as well as helping to care for their children. There are various volunteer opportunities including mentoring young women, teaching parenting classes, helping sort through donations, and more.
Pregnancy Care Center 8131 IH-10 Suite 125, 78230
Volunteer Coordinator: Cheryl Irvin, 210.614.5433
www.sapregnancy.org
Haven for Hope
Haven for Hope of Bexar County is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless men, women and children in the San Antonio-Bexar County area by providing a wide array of critical social services on a centralized campus. Their mission is to provide homeless individuals and families with the training, skills and assistance needed to help them become self-sufficient, and to do so in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. Their vision is to not only transform, but to help save lives in the San Antonio community. FPC does not donate directly to the overarching organization of Haven for Hope, but supports many agencies under their umbrella. Haven for Hope welcomes volunteers to serve on campus by contacting their resident agencies, such as SAMMinistries, the San Antonio Food Bank, or the Christian Dental Clinic, however there are many opportunities to serve with Haven for Hope directly as well.
Haven for Hope 1 Haven for Hope Way, 78207
Volunteer Coordinator: Paula Cantrell, 210.220.2192
www.havenforhope.org
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