How to respond in the face of disasters! Read more →

March 23rd, 9 a.m. -??

Many hands make light work as we ready the grounds for Easter & springtime alongside the congregation of St. John’s. Questions? Ask Ted.

Now is the time to start thinking about your summer 2013 mission plans.  We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining the Guatemala Mission effort. Keep the following activities in mind as you begin the New Year: Read more →

STEPHEN MINISTRY: our frequently asked question!

Can I learn the skills of a Stephen Minister (i.e. Christian care giving) without being commissioned as one?

Yes! The vision of SHPC is that every one develop the skills of Christian care-giving. The Stephen Minister training is designed to improve the quality of all your relationships. It will also better equip you to encourage and provide spiritual support to people you know who are going through a difficult time, whether it’s a family member, co-worker or friend. Topics include: listening, feelings, crisis theory, maintaining boundaries, speaking the truth in love, providing Christian care, experiencing Christ in the other, etc. All SHPC members are invited to attend (and commit to) the 50 hours of training, whether they are ready or not to be commissioned as an acting Stephen Minister. The next class begins Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 6-8:30 p.m. and goes through May 19, 2013. If you think you might be interested, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders Julie Demaree (512-695-1544 or moc.liamgnull@424eilujeiluj) or Laurel Calhoun (512-892-5530), or Stephen Minister Dinah Strayhorn (512-899-0871).

Calling All Who Teach or Yearn To Do So

You have a great opportunity to teach church members and families in Guatemala about the importance of basic sanitation and the benefits of clean water. The SHPC Living Waters mission program is seeking educational coordinators and water system installers to participate in a water installation mission effort this summer and to support the ongoing effort to keep our previous installations sustainable. As educational coordinator, you would be sent to a four-day training course, prepare a curriculum for our water installation at this summer’s mission trip to Eden, Guatemala, train your educational co-workers, and develop an ongoing educational program for our existing installations.As a water system installer, you would also attend the four-day training course and be taught how to install a basic water system and teach your Guatemalan counterparts on how the system operates and how to deliver clean water as a small business venture.

For the educational coordinator, we are seeking active teachers, retired teachers, nurses, para-professionals, or those who just have a desire to make a difference. The curriculum is very basic and includes how to properly wash your hands and use clean water for cooking and washing babies.  The curriculum also includes fun activities, such as singing and games as a way to get to know our new friends better.  For the water system installers, we are seeking people who like to work with their hands and have a basic knowledge of pumps, filters, and PVC plumbing. A working knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not necessary.

Formal training courses will be offered April 17 – 21, 2013 in Mississippi. Some scholarship support for training and travel costs will be offered by SHPC. If you are interested in learning more, we have training manuals for you to look at and a number of past mission workers at SHPC who have participated in the training program will be happy to talk to you about their experiences. For further information please contact David Parmer at (512)294-3252 or moc.teniwxtnull@remrapld.  Don’t let this great opportunity slip by you.