Care for Others

WPC is active in caring for the surrounding community, as well as its own membership.
For more information, or to find out the name of someone to contact so you can get involved, click one of the links below:

KNOW ANYONE NEEDING PRAYER OR VISITATION?
The Deacons and pastoral staff make home visits and regularly pray for those on our church prayer list. Sometimes, however, a member or friend is in the hospital or rehabilitation and we do not always get notice of this. If you or your loved one faces hospitalization or in-patient rehab, please call Darlene or the church office (838-3131)
or e-mail us at wpcmunster@aol.com so that we may visit you or add you to our prayer chain.

Blue Skies Hospice

Through the collaborative efforts of their employees and board members, Blue Skies Hospice, Inc. provides an integrated Hospice Program that focuses on managing pain and symptom control.

Contact Cares

Contact Cares is a non-profit telephone crisis intervention help-line and referral service. They recruit and train their phone volunteers three times a year. A new program, Reassurance Contact, for home bound people will be starting soon. It is based in Merrillville, but covers Northwest Indiana.

Cooking for the Homeless

Through our "Fishes & Loaves" and " Westminster's Soup Kitchen Carry-Out," WPC serves approximately 2400 meals each month. Cooks and drivers are always needed! Food and monetary donations are always appreciated, too. For more information, contact Sally Van Bokkelen.

Deacons

The Deacons of Westminster Presbyterian Church are servants in Christ's name; unified in our commitment to fulfill the needs of those we are called to served. Within the Board of Deacons, the Congregational Care Committee sends cards to and visits shut-ins and those in the hospital; the Mission Committee supports Adopt-A-Family to provide a brighter Christmas for numerous families; and the Fellowship Committee handles the Sunday Coffee Ministry, Welcoming Hands, and New Members dinners. (For Deacons: Deacon Meeting Minutes)

Greater Hammond

Greater Hammond Community Services, located at 824 Hoffman St., Hammond, is a social service agency serving Dyer, Hammond, Highland, Munster, and Whiting. They receive local funds as well as state and federal grants for specific programs. They provide Meals on Wheels, Energy Assistance, Food Pantry, Elderly Services, Clothing, Household Items, just to name a few services. Greater Hammond has been in operation over twenty-five years and has a staff of eight with many more volunteers. For more information, visit Greater Hammond Community Services site.

Habitat for Humanity

Westminster Presbyterian Church was instrumental in starting the local Habitat for Humanity program. It is an ongoing effort, welcoming donations of time, talent, money, and building supplies. For more information, visit Indiana Habitat for Humanity.\

Haven House

Haven House is a family advocacy center that provides 24 hour temporary emergency shelter servicing domestic violence victims and their families. Haven House is located in Hammond but serves East Chicago, Whiting, Griffith, Highland, and Munster. For more information, contact Melissa @ Haven House ::: 219.931.2090

Hospice of the Calumet Area

Virtually every family has been or will be impacted by the reality of a loved one facing a life-limiting illness. It is a time of deep emotional and physical stress for the patient as well as their family and close friends. Confronted with such circumstances, we often feel helpless and confused. We pray for a cure but must also prepare ourselves that God may well be calling our loved one home. For more information, contact Hospice of the Calument Area.New Life Single Parent Resource Center

The New Life Single Parent Resource Center is a Christian-based, nonprofit organization that is committed to establishing a support system for single parents, enabling them to improve their standard of living and the quality of life for themselves and their children. Contact New Life's Executive Director, Ms. Pat Simes ::: 219.844.4856

Samaritan Center

The Samaritan Ministry is an inter-denominational expression of the love of God through spiritually sensitive counseling and education. The Samaritan Center provides therapy for individuals, couples and families of all economic backgrounds, consultation for pastors, and education for congregations and the community.

The Samaritan Counseling Center Main Office is located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana. You may reach us by phone at (219)-923-8110 or (800)-913-9426. You may also contact us by e-mail at Samaritan Counseling Center.

The Servant's Heart (Guatamala)

The Servant's Heart ministry ministers to the needs of people living in the dump in Guatemala City. It is a multifaceted ministry that provides medical care, educational opportunities, community services, religious education, and food to residents of the dump. It serves primarily women and children. The ministry was established over a decade ago by Munster native, Carla Burnell. The Servant's Heart has a well-established relationship with Westminster. Carla Burnell visits frequently, the church provides financial support through various avenues, and in 2002 two members of Westminster participated in a mission trip to the site of the Servant's Heart ministry in Guatemala City. We are blessed in many ways by the opportunity to share in this mission ministry. For more information, visit The Servant's Heart site.

Stephen Ministry

Do you feel overwhelmed, unappreciated, just plain depressed? Do you want someone to listen? Stephen Ministers are always there to lend an ear, some comfort, a cup of cool water. They provide emotional and spiritual support for those going through tough times. To learn more about this program or request the support of a Stephen Minister, please call Nancy Quinn at 219-680-9641 or Barbara Santay at 219-662-3734.

St. Monica's House

St. Monica Home is a facility offering a save haven for unwed, pregnant teens and their infants located on the grounds of the Saint Margaret Mercy's South Campus. It is licensed by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

St. Andrew's Society

The St. Andrew's Society is funded by WPC under the Mission Committee but administered by the Deacons. This fund is used to give short term financial assistance with bills, such as NIPSCO and rent, to people, both within and outside the church, who need help in getting through various traumatic events such as job loss or extended illness. For more information, contact the church office at 219.838.3131.