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: SHPC provides shelter and meals for BHN guests 3 to 4 weeks per year. BHN is an interfaith network of congregations that welcomes homeless families on a rotating basis while participants work toward stability in society. This program is unique in its ministry to families rather than to just men or women. Volunteers are needed to be overnight hosts or to bring a meal. SHPC Contact: Tom Gester
Bridge Ministries: Volunteer help and money helps to provide food, utility assistance, and other assistance to needy families in the community. SHPC Contact: Joan Scott Lowe.
Campus Counseling Center: Funding and volunteer assistance assists a ministry on UAB campus which provides personal and academic counseling to UAB students.
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: South Highland provides funding and volunteers for this ministry. It is a Christian school for children at-risk. Volunteers are needed for tutoring and mentoring.
Fifth Week Friends: Formerly called “Fellowship with Racial Ethnic Congregations,” Fifth Week Friends is a joint fellowship of Presbyterian women from South Highland along with Westminster Presbyterian Church. Their mission is to promote Christian growth, fellowship and friendship between SHPC and Westminster. SHPC Contact: Mary Frances Reed.
Greater Birmingham Ministries: Food, clothing, volunteer help, and money are donated by members of our church to assist economically depressed people in the Birmingham area. This assistance also includes help paying utility bills or medical expense for families in crisis. GBM also encourages advocacy for issues of justice. SHPC Contact: Greta Clark.
Habitat For Humanity: SHPC has established a tradition of building a house a year. We fund construction of the home and provide volunteers to build it. Labor Day is the traditional kickoff date. SHPC Contact: Bart Morrow.
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; assistance with assimilation and hospitality. SHPC Contact: Eleanor Wright.
Hunger Response: Up to two times a year South Highlanders contribute canned goods to be distributed to Greater Birmingham Ministries and Bridge Ministries for distribution to folks in need. We also contribute to the year-round 2-cents-a-meal Offering. SHPC Contact: Greta Clark.
International Programs at UAB: As a part of South Highland’s outreach to Internationals at UAB, we match a new international student with a South Highlander. We also provide lunches, breakfasts and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for those students. SHPC Contact: Corky Clark
Kenyan Ministry: South Highland hosts a group of Kenyan students who meet at the church for prayer, praise and Bible study. This group shepherded by a member of South Highland is an effective support group for students in the Birmingham area many of whom are far away from their homes in Kenya for the very first time. SHPC Contact: Eleanor Wright.
Sav-A-Life: SHPC provides funding and volunteers for Sav-A-Life in Vestavia Hills. This organization provides problem pregnancy counseling and other support services. SHPC Contact: Pam Buck.
Shelter Ministry: SHPC provides funding for the Firehouse Men’s Shelter, First Light Women’s Shelter and Pathways; also encourage South Highlanders to volunteer as hosts for this hospitality ministry.
Shepherds Center: SHPC provides funding for this agency, which provides programs, and learning opportunities for seniors. SHPC contact: Corky Clark.
South Highland Center: Offers a day activity program tailored to meet the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-specific illnesses. Its core program addresses the needs of these individuals experiencing confusion, disorientation, intellectual decline, language impairment and loss of previously held skills. Seeks, with its services, to minister to caregivers as well as program participants. SHPC Contact: Greta Clark.
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.
UAB Chaplain: Molly Clark, associated with South Highland and an ordained minister, is one of the Chaplains at UAB Hospital. SHPC helps to fund her position so that there is a Presbyterian “presence” at the hospital. SHPC Contact: Molly Clark.
For more information on South Highland Missions, contact Charles Fowler through the church office at 933-0790, or you may send him an email.
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