Local Missions
The mission field isn't far away---in fact, it begins at the doors of the church building. South Highland actively and proudly supports these local mission organizations with financial resources and the time of our members.
Member contacts are listed for many of the organizations; some also have web sites you may visit.
Alcoholics Anonymous: South Highland provides a place for AA’s weekly meetings.
Birmingham Hospitality Network: Every quarter, South Highland hosts families "in transition” in the youth suite. These families have lost their homes due to fire, personal tragedy, loss of jobs, and other temporary circumstances. Area churches work together to provide housing, transportation, and meals for families until they can find new homes. Members of the congregation provide meals and spend the night with the families during their week at South Highland. This is a great opportunity for hands on mission. Diana Prutzman and Donna Stariha are the coordinators for BHN.
Bridge Ministries assists individuals in need of groceries, hygiene products, household items and financial assistance with utility bills, rent, and medicines. South Highland provides financial support and non-perishable food items through our canned food drives.
Christmas International House is a ministry that hosts international students during the Christmas season. South Highland families volunteer to provide housing, meals, and activities to international students who have nowhere to go for the holidays. The coordinator is Kelly Ross Davis.
Community Grief Support Service is a non-profit organized for the purpose of providing compassionate counseling, education, and support for bereaved persons in the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan area. Grief support groups provide recently-bereaved persons with a safe haven to share information and support. All groups are conducted by professional counselors using educational materials prepared by experts in the field of grief and bereavement.
Community Presbyterian Center: South Highland provides funding and volunteers to this ministry that provides an after school tutoring program and a summer camp for children in the Ensley area; computer instruction to people in the community and a garden that provides 17 plots members of the local community grow fresh vegetables. Two homes at the Center also house incoming volunteer workers and (short term) internationals new to our city. SHPC Contact: Christopher Kaibarare (Ndei).
Cornerstone Schools are a Christ-centered environment where children develop purpose, integrity, positive character, critical thinking skills, and personal responsibility so they can make important life decisions and become leaders in their communities. Volunteers are needed for tutoring and mentoring.
Fifth Week Friends is a joint fellowship of Presbyterian women from South Highland Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church. They promote Christian growth, fellowship, and friendship through meals, programs, and fun interaction. Mary Frances Reed is the South Highland Program Chair.
Good Samaritan Assistance is a ministry that provides both church members and people who come to the church looking for financial help for food, utility bills, prescriptions, and other such needs. The Good Samaritan Offering is collected each communion Sunday after both services. Jeannie Burton administers the program and works closely with Bridge Ministries and Greater Birmingham Ministries as well as local grocery stores and pharmacies to ensure that relief is rapid and appropriate.
Greater Birmingham Ministries is an interfaith organization that works to meet the emergency needs of people in the community. It serves individuals and families by providing food, clothing, and financial assistance. They also have lots of opportunities for volunteers interested in helping in the community. Greta Clark coordinates participation for South Highland.
Habitat For Humanity builds and renovates houses so that there are good homes in good communities for people who might not otherwise afford one. You don't have to be a carpenter to be a useful volunteer on a Habitat project. Anyone age 14 and older can work on the site any of several capacities, including basic carpentry, painting, carrying supplies, helping with meals and snacks, etc. This is an opportunity for hands-on mission. Bart Morrow is the South Highland Coordinator and Maxine Williams coordinates the lunches.
Hispanic Ministry: South Highlanders participate in Presbytery’s outreach to Hispanic persons in the community with volunteers and with funding. The current emphasis is on offering English as a Second Language classes and assistance with assimilation and hospitality. SHPC Contact is Eleanor Wright.
International Programs at UAB
- Friendship partners match a new international student with an individual or family to help the student learn and transition into our culture. The commitment is for one year and to meet with the student at least once a month.
- Thanksgiving Dinner: South Highland hosted the 2nd annual Thanksgiving dinner for over 200 international students in the Davis Family Hall in conjunction with the UAB International House.
- Let's Talk is a ministry offering the opportunity for international students to engage in casual conversation with members of our congregation. They meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month for dinner and conversation. We have 7-10 regular participants who attend. After dinner, tutors from our congregation spend one on one time with the attendees in structured conversation to help teach the idiosyncrasies of American English. All three ministries offer hands on mission opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering call Corky Clark, the coordinator of the program.
Presbyterian Home for Children is located in Talladega and is celebrating 140 years of ministry. These children have been subjected to abuse, neglect, poverty, and stress that we can only imagine. The PHFC attempts to provide a stable and nurturing environment for these children. The PHFC operates the Academy which serves the children at the home in grades 1-12 and takes applicants from the public. The school individualizes curriculum for each child to meet his/her needs. You can donate online at phfc.org.
Sav-A-Life serves men and women in need of help to make life-affirming decisions concerning their pregnancy and knowledge that brings needed restoration to their lives. The ministry offers problem pregnancy counseling, pregnancy testing, medical assistance, and mentors for education and support. Sav-A-Life counselors have an opportunity to share their faith with young women and men during critical times in their lives. South Highland's liaison is Pam Buck.
Shelter Ministry: SHPC provides funding for the Firehouse Men’s Shelter, First Light Women’s Shelter, and Pathways. The Shelter Ministry also encourages South Highlanders to volunteer as hosts for this hospitality ministry.
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Sunday Club: This Sunday afternoon ministry provides fellowship, a hot meal, activities and social interaction to Southside mentally and emotionally challenged persons 52 weeks a year. Volunteers are needed to provide meals, clean up afterwards, and/or provide a short program. Sharing of one’s hobbies, talents, vacation slides, special interests, or other entertainment or talent offers interaction with these appreciative friends. SHPC Contacts: Chris Brakefield.
The Sharing Group: Jesse and Martha Stinson are hosts for this ministry that is a follow up to the Sunday Club. SHPC provides hospitality and a meeting place for this group, which offers support to persons coping with emotional challenges. They meet at 6 PM on Sunday in the church parlor.
For more information on South Highland Missions, contact Debbie Perkins.