Family Caring and Sharing Ministry
This ministry will oversee the efforts of Western Hills in an active program of providing food, clothing, shelter, medicine and other necessities to the needy. This will involve interviewing the applicants, determining their needs and making a decision as to whether qualified. Arrangements will be made with clients for their pick up of food items and the disbursement of financial aid through appropriate channels and/or agencies. Timely reports on assistance given and other activities will be provide to the elders. Members of the office staff will assist in the initial contact when application is made through the office. A budget for this ministry is to be submitted yearly and its integrity will be maintained as much as possible. However, there will be times when extreme need may require exceeding allocated funds. This will be cleared with the eldership.
This ministry will be responsible for providing food and other needs in times of illness and death. The congregation is divided into zones to maximize coverage and minimize the response time to persons in need. The Zone coordinator selected by this ministry will coordinate this effort, through the use of zone leaders.
This ministry will coordinate the effort of Western Hills in responding to the financial needs and other needs in Children's Homes.
This ministry will be alert to emergencies the world over (natural disasters, wars, etc.) and inform the congregation of these needs. They will arrange (through the elders) for special contributions as needed to send funds to brotherhood churches or relief organizations that can handle its distribution in the affected area.
This ministry includes a sub group known as the helping hands ministry. This ministry will be on the alert for the specific needs or problems of individual members, especially widows, widowers and the elderly to assist them with transportation, repairs or whatever their special needs may be.
These workers will coordinate hospital visiting and special remembrances to our bereaved.
Another sub group under this ministry is the food bank ministry. This ministry handles our inventory with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to secure and dispense food in accordance with their guidelines to needy people.
A special collection is currently being taken up by the Sunday auditorium class and some of the other adult classes. It is held in a separate account. These funds are to be used to replenish the pantry and to purchase perishable items as needed with Food Bank.
Food is picked up on Wednesdays and is distributed on Thursdays from 10 AM - 12 PM and 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Food Bank ministry workers:
- Pick up food at Tarrant Area Food Bank [Wednesday]
- Stock food at our food distribution center [Wednesday]
- Prepare sacks of food from the pantry [Wednesday]
- Interview recipients and record in computer [Thursday AM & PM]
- Give food sacks and choice list items to recipients [Thursday AM & PM]
Another sub group is the blood bank drive. This is to provide members of our church the opportunity to donate blood to an account where other members and themselves have access if the need arises. Once a year, on a Sunday, this drive is planned by a committee and usually 60 to 80 members donate blood.
Care groups - This ministry will include dividing the congregation into small groups for the purpose of building stronger relations, spiritual growth, evangelistic outreach, and caring for special needs. The groups would meet at times other than regular worship service times as decided by each group. Group leader or leaders will be assigned to each group. Also an elder will be assigned to each group.
Contact Elders: