The ministry will offer meals and snack packs for homeless neighbors in downtown Austin, as well as providing food for a weekly support group. The collaboration will also add voices and strengthen efforts to address inadequate services in the city.

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Initiating Congregation

Central Presbyterian Church, Austin

Collaborators

First Presbyterian and Westlake Hills Presbyterian, Austin

This ministry will provide much needed (and child specific) hygiene items (from diapers to deodorant) for coastal clients/children in care. The aim of this project is to provide support and items that are not eligible under the WIC and SNAP programs. They anticipate serving 85 children in 30 families.

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Initiating Congregation

Parkway Presbyterian Church

Collaborators Presbyterian

Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS)

Family Program of Corpus Christi

This newly re-organized pantry is now an expanded community food pantry and has recently become an approved partner agency of the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. Volunteers have completed training and required certifications, and representatives have attended the Food Insecurity Forum given by the Serve Committee of Mission Presbytery to better tackle food scarcity in Downtown Brownsville. The food pantry is providing more access to healthy and sustainable food options.

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Initiating Congregation

First Presbyterian Church, Brownsville

Collaborators

Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana

Rio Grande Valley Food Bank

This Better Together Grant will allow congregations with limited financial resources to offer internships to students at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where the seminarians will be nurtured and equipped for creative and faithful leadership. These funds will directly

support PCUSA seminarians and indirectly provide support for the congregations within our bounds, as well as the congregations to which the students are called in their future ministries.

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Initiating Congregation

Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, Austin

Collaborators

Faith Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church

Austin Pres Theological Seminary

Mission Presbytery Committee on Prep for Ministry

This ministry provides basic necessities for families identified by the Department of Family & Protective Services of Cameron County. On any given day, DFPS serves approximately 700 children in a community where there is NO active Child Welfare Board. Better Together Grant funds will be used to serve our most vulnerable citizens…children and their families in crisis in the community’s own back yard. The most requested items are cribs, hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, and in the heat of summer, insect repellents and fans. The supervision and accountability for

this financial support will be monitored by the officers of the combined community Women’s Circle (DORCAS).

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Initiating Congregation

Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church, Harlingen

Collaborators

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, San Benito

Second Presbyterian Church, Harlingen

Department of Family and Protective Services

Faith-base and Community

Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative

This far-reaching and forward thinking ministry mentors, equips and empowers young women spiritually as well as in leadership development areas. It includes 150 participants and impacts 1,000! Through this project, participants will network with women in various industries to learn about leadership, digital media, build self confidence, and set goals. They will also have opportunities to build genuine connections with their church and other congregations to establish a strong spiritual and fellowship foundation. They will also have opportunities to serve their communities and beyond.

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Initiating Congregation

Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana

San Pablo Presbyterian Church, Weslaco

First Presbyterian Church, Brownsville

El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, Austin

Puentes de Cristo

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

This ministry is a weekend-long family retreat hosted at John Knox Ranch for predominantly Spanish speaking congregations within Mission Presbytery. The grant will help subsidize the cost per-person to make it affordable for approximately 120-150 retreat participants.

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Initiating Congregation

Divine Redeemer Presbyterian, San Antonio

Collaborators

El Divino Salvador Presbyterian, Corpus Christi 

El Buen Pastor Presbyterian, Austin

John Knox Ranch

This retreat will be at John Knox Ranch for Mission Presbytery congregations who have confirmation-aged youth yet not enough youth to support a separate confirmation class within their individual congregations. The retreat “will facilitate an immersive and intensive space for youth to ask deep questions, retreat from the chaos of life, and connect with God and neighbor as they learn and minister to one another.” Leaders are anticipating 30 participants.

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Initiating Congregation

University Presbyterian Church, Austin

Collaborators

Faith Presbyterian Church, Austin

John Knox Ranch

Mission Presbytery Caitlin Supcoff, Youth Advocate

This ministry is an expansion of the current food pantry that recently served 167 people in one week. Now, the partners in this ministry seek to expand the food offerings to the community! In order to provide fresh produce, build community, and decrease food insecurity, the Better Together Grant will help the partners band together to convert one of the church courtyards into a community garden!

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Initiating Congregation

Crestholme Presbyterian Church, San Antonio

Collaborators

Grace Presbyterian Church, San Antonio

This Better Together Grant will invest in people within Hispanic communities of faith to educate, and develop gifts and potential to serve in local congregations. Through ongoing and follow-up workshops at different locations, the program will seek to equip congregations through session participation, officer development, Sunday school teachers, and youth leaders, with the ultimate goal of building healthy congregations that promote the Kingdom of God.

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Initiating Congregation

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church San Antonio

Collaborators

Everlasting Hope, Taylor

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Hispanic Ministries Mission Network (HMMN)

(Synod of the Sun)

This ministry provides quarterly gatherings for smaller youth groups within the region, allowing for them to participate in deeper faith formation and fellowship with a larger group of students. Each gathering includes time for bible study, mission projects, laughter and fun.

 

Initiating Congregation

First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville

Collaborators

St. Mark Presbyterian Church

Madison Square Presbyterian Church, SA

University Presbyterian Church, SA

Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church

Northminster Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church, Junction

Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church,

Forrest Hills Presbyterian Church

Crestholme Presbyterian Church

Mo Ranch, John Knox Ranch, Schreiner Univ