We believe we are called to go out and to show the Good News in our work of helping those in need. Below are ways we serve our Portland community and the world. For more information about any of these opportunities, contact the Reverend Gregg Neel at 503-287-1289, ext. 114.
Family Promise
Family Promise is a national nonprofit that has offered church-based rotating shelter to houseless families for 30 years. They have a successful track record for transitioning families to long term housing. Close to 80% of the program participants transition in three months’ time. When the organization rolled out a Portland affiliate (Portland Metro East in July 2022), Westminster committed to being a support church. This involves providing support to our partner, host church Central Christian, for one week per quarter. Support activities include providing hot dinners, serving as evening hosts, leading children’s activities, or dropping off breakfast and lunch supplies. Total guests are no more than 14 (total, parents and children). During the day, guests go to school or work, or they can receive case-management services in the day activity center at Community of Christ church.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region is a part of a global nonprofit housing organization that builds and repairs homes to provide a stable, affordable place for those in need to call home. It seeks to build “strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.” Houses are built at locations throughout the city. Volunteers are needed to assist with all phases of house construction and no experience is required. Westminster also sponsors one or two home repair projects per year that require volunteers.
Mainspring Portland
Mainspring Portland provides emergency food and other services to low-income community members. Donations of food and clothing for Mainspring are needed. You may drop off donations at the 16th Avenue entrance of the church.
Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP)
A program of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, NEFP provides emergency food and clothing to families and individuals in need. Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities.
Operation Nightwatch
Operation Nightwatch ministers to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of a diverse group of people experiencing homelessness and social isolation. Operation Nightwatch operates hospitality centers around Portland. Volunteers help administer the centers and interact with guests.
Racial Justice Work Group
Our Racial Justice Work Group is a group of Westminster members who have been meeting regularly and exploring ways the church can become more intentional about being an anti-racist congregation. They offer various educational opportunities for the congregation including racial equity training workshops. For more information on racial justice, visit our racial justice web page.
Memberships
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty
Westminster belongs to the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. As a growing network of Portland, Oregon faith-based communities, the Alliance works together to bring help and hope to men, women, and children living in poverty. They realize actions speak louder than words so they are:
- Building a network of faith-based communities and civic partners to address the root causes of poverty in our community
- Assisting families as they transition from generational poverty into lives of stability
- Advocating with our brothers and sisters in our community to help alleviate poverty
For more information visit, allianceonpoverty.org.
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
Westminster is a steward congregation for the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, IMIrJ. IMIrJ accompanies and equips communities and people of faith to advance immigrant justice through direct accompaniment of immigrants facing detention and deportation, policy advocacy at local, state and national levels, and prophetic action. Founded in 2006, IMIrJ is in relationship with leaders from over 140 congregations throughout the state of Oregon. For more information, visit imirj.org.
Leaven Community Land and Housing
Westminster partners with Leaven Community Land and Housing, which does community organizing around affordable housing projects. Together with other organizations, we support Barbie’s Village, a tiny-home village for Native houseless families. For more information about Leaven, visit leaven.org.
Are you interested in learning more about the organizing efforts that Westminster has been a part of to address housing and justice issues in our communities, including Barbie’s Village? Check out this video that explains more about these community-wide efforts from Leaven Community Land and Housing Coalition and features some of Westminster’s work.
Seasonal Projects
Socks Drive for Operation Nightwatch (Winter, start of the year)
For this clothing drive, new socks are collected for Operation Nightwatch. Volunteers are needed to donate socks, promote the project, and collect, sort, and deliver items.
CROP Hunger Walk (Spring)
CROP Hunger Walks, organized by Church World Service, help end hunger by raising funds to support local food-assistance programs and the international anti-hunger work of CWS. The annual walk in Portland is 3 miles long and takes place each April. Volunteers are needed to donate funds, get pledges, and participate in the walk.
Christmas in July (Summer)
Nonperishable food and hygiene items are collected for NEFP at the time of year when such donations typically decrease. To help, donate goods, funds, or time; volunteers are needed to help promote the project and deliver goods to NEFP.
Thanksgiving Food Drive (Early to Mid-November)
Food, personal care items, and monetary donations are collected for distribution to NEFP and Mainspring Portland. To help, donate goods, funds, or time; volunteers are needed to deliver goods to the agencies.
Angel Tree (Between Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Christmas gifts, usually gift cards, are provided to Albina Head Start children and their families. Donations are appreciated!