Opportunities for Service:

Clairmont Presbyterian Church offers many opportunities for members to put their gifts to use through service to the
church and community:

Opportunities for Service

ROW
Rivers of the World

Discovering My Ministry Purpose:

CPC 401

Mission Trips
for 2009

Other Mission Opportunities:

AZALEA VILLAGE MINISTRY

Missionaries
Stirred-Up Ministries • Charis House
• Other Opportunities to Serve
Offerings

Nicholas House

Grab-A-Bag

 

Mission Trips for 2009

BRAZIL:

Clairmont sent a "task-force" mission team to Brazil September 13-21 to do a special project at the invitation of our partners in Fortraleza. The church there is involved in a project to prepare people living in the interior of the state for entrance into college which is normally only possible for city dwellers. The Project has been very successful and they have asked for people to help prepare the English language-monitors who work with these students. They want people who speak enough Portuguese to get by in the interior and Clairmont sent a three-person team of Naomi Nelson and Hope and Frank Arnold at the invitation of the Project leaders.

BELIZE:

A team of five - Elisabeth, Michelle, Tim, Eric, and Bobby Hulme-Lippert - went to Belize from June 13-20 in partnership with ROWKIDS (rowkids.org). They served worked, tutored, and played with the many children of the impoverished village of Billy White, located just outside of San Ignacio.

The focus was twofold:

• We looked for God to work powerfully in our lives and through our relationships.

• We sought to show and teach God’s love to the kids of Billy White (though we knew that in all likelihood we were the ones who are most vividly shown and taught God’s love by the kids!). For our part, the showing and teaching of God’s love was happening primarily through our service activities during the week, which included the following: painting, repairing, and cleaning the schoolhouse and teachers’ living quarters, tutoring the students, leading Bible lessons, and organizing sporting events with the community. We also took clothing, toys, school supplies, and a few others essential supplies for the people of Billy White.

 

Costa Rica Mission Trip:

September 28 - October 5. The mission team of Gene Carr, Fred Neuman, Dave and Linda Zimmerman returned from an 8 day trip to the Cano Negro area of Costa Rica on 10/5/09. Cano Negro is a town in the north central most part of the country, only about 5 miles south of the Nicaragua border. It is a very rural area, consisting mostly of small farms and pineapple plantations. The church is named - Iglesia de Dios Presbiteriana Manantial de Vida , (Church of Presbyterian God - fount of Life) and was recently named We spent our first night at the IEPC offices (Presbytery of Costa Rica) and made the long trip to Cano Negro the next day with the local mission coordinator. Our primary work mission was to prepare, fabricate, and install steel bars over 10 church windows to secure the contents of the facility from theft. There are about out 30 children in the community so we took bible coloring books, crayons, sunglasses, and stuffed turtles , that were made by children at CPC in VBS. Upon our arrival , we had great support from members of the congregation, who worked with us on painting the steel, painting fence posts bordering the property, and generally getting acquainted. Pastors Freddie and Rebecca are the leaders of the church, live in a farmhouse down the road, and shared their home with the four of us for the 5 days we were visiting. We had a mid-week worship service with them on Thursday evening, and then worshipped with them on Sunday morning , when all of the community, including about 30 children turned out. WE sang songs in Spanish, and participated in the worship service with scripture readings. We provided the gifts to the children, the cooks and the pastors, they provided us with a wonderful parting lunch, thanks, and prayers, and we were on the road back to San Jose. In addition, the ladies in the church have formed a coop that produces organic vegetables and baked goods, which is an attempt to sustain the families economically . The property is adjacent to the church property, so they provided a "hands-on" demonstration for us on one day . We were very impressed with the small operation, and see it as an opportunity for an ongoing mission with the church and community. All in all, we had a very successful mission - both in terms of work and relationships with pastors and congregation. WE have received some positive feedback from the church of our mission visit.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

ACTIVITIES TEAM: Plans and implements the sports activities for children and youth in the community in a Christian environment.

ACTIVITIES COACHES: Coaches soccer, basketball, and girls' softball teams.

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP TEAM: Plans adult Sunday School, Wednesday Night Alive programs, and other adult equipping events.

MUSIC AND THE ARTS TEAM: Coordinates music and drama ministries and children's choirs.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TEAM: Provides for maintenance and upkeep of Clairmont's buildings, making sure that everything is working, and that the grounds are well-maintained.

CARE CALLERS: Visits home bound members on a monthly basis, talking and praying with them, and reporting any concerns to the pastoral staff.

CHANCEL CHOIR: Provides music at the 11:00 worship service and special worship services throughout the year.

CHILDREN'S CHOIRS: Meets on Wednesday nights with children who want to learn to sing and lead in worship.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TEAM: Plans and implements the children’s ministry.

CHURCH GIFTS TEAM: Helps members identify and utilize their gifts for ministry.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM: Visits homebound members, calls members who have not been in worship, keeps the Church rolls and coordinates care after a funeral.

FINANCE TEAM: Monitors the financial position of the church, overseeing the budget process and making financial recommendations to the session.

FOOD SERVICE TEAM: Oversees the meals that occur on Wednesday nights and Sunday noon, assisting with setup, cleanup, and collecting money.

GUEST FOLLOW-UP TEAM: Maintains a list of visitors, keeping track of how long and often they have been visiting, inviting visitors to Membership Weekends, delivering bread to all first-time visitors.

HOSPITALITY TEAM: Provides information, greeters, and other assistance to help visitors feel welcome at Clairmont.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TEAM: Nominates officers and plans their training, helping members grow into servant leaders.

MEMBER INVOLVEMENT TEAM: Helps new members get involved in the life of the congregation.

MISSIONS TEAM: Plans Clairmont’s mission work, including care of our overseas missionaries, partnering with other Christian’s in Atlanta on various mission projects, and offering mission opportunities to the congregation.

MONEY COUNTERS: Counts, sorts, and records all offerings each Monday morning.

NURSERY: Provides care for infants through toddlers during worship services, Sunday School, Wednesday Night Alive, and other special events.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION TEAM: Oversees the office equipment and makes sure that the church has the equipment that it needs to carry out its mission.

PERSONNEL TEAM: Helps the staff to work together effectively, making hiring recommendations and helping the session set personnel policy.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN: Meets in small groups for monthly Bible study and supports many mission projects.

SANCTUARY GUILD: Keeps the sanctuary in clean and excellent repair.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY COUNCIL: Plans monthly luncheon programs and mission projects for senior adults in the congregation and the community.

SESSION: Provides the overall direction and leadership of the church. Elders are elected by the congregation.

SMALL GROUP TEAM: Plans and implements Clairmont’s small group ministry, including the training of Small Group Leaders.

SMALL GROUP LEADER: Leads a small group of 3-12 people in Bible study, sharing, prayer, and mission.

SOUND TEAM: Sets up and monitors the sound for music activities.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN TEAM: Oversees the yearly financial campaign each fall and raises awareness of and encourages stewardship among members.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – ADULT: Provides classes featuring fellowship, learning, and service opportunities for adults in various life stages.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – ELEMENTARY: Provides Bible learning classes for 1st-6th grades that include games, discussions of Bible stories and characters with applications to practical living.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – PRESCHOOL: Provides classes promoting Christian principles to children from newborns to kindergartners.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – YOUTH: Provides classes for 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade featuring Bible learning and everyday life application for youth.

SUPPORT/INTEREST GROUP TEAM: Plans and implements support and interest groups in order to reach out to the surrounding community.

TOCO HILLS COMMUNITY MINISTRY: Directs the homeless to protective shelters, those in need of food to meal providers, and the jobless to resources of employment. Provides food and financial assistance, in cooperation with other churches in the Toco Hills area. This ministry is based at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.

WEDDING GUILD: Assists brides and grooms in planning wedding services, and is present during the wedding to oversee the event.

WORSHIP GREETER: Welcomes and warmly greets everyone who is on their way to the worship service with a handshake and a smile, extending acceptance and love to members and visitors.

WORSHIP USHER: Welcomes and assists people into the worship service by handing out bulletins, overseeing the service in general, assisting people where needed, and facilitating the offering.

WORSHIP RESOURCES TEAM: Helps plan the 11:00 worship service, special services, communion, weddings, and sanctuary care.

YOUTH TEAM: Plans and implements Clairmont’s junior and senior high school student programs.

 

DISCOVERING MY MINISTRY PURPOSE

Discovering My Ministry Clairmont

The purpose of this class is to introduce people to their gifts for ministry and enable them to begin using them at Clairmont. Contact Rev. Hieber at (404)634-3355 or Ron for more information.

The goals for participants are to, by the end:

  1. know and understand their S.H.A.P.E,

  2. learn how to serve at Clairmont, and

  3. commit to use and develop those gifts through service at Clairmont.

Class Schedule:

  1. Am I a Servant?
  1. Introduction

  2. Overview of Class

  3. Am I a Servant?– What the Bible Says about Ministry

  1. How Has God Shaped Me?

  1. The Process For Discovering My Ministry

  2. Identifying My Unique S.H.A.P.E.

  3. An Example: The Apostle Paul

  1. What's My SHAPE?

  1. What the Bible Says about Spiritual Gifts

  2. What's My Heart Got to Do With It?

  1. What's My SHAPE, Part II?

  1. I've Got Abilities?!?

  2. God Made ME, or – How My Personality Helps Me in Ministry

  3. God's Been with Me– How Me Experiences Have Prepared Me for Ministry

  1. Serving Through Clairmont

  1. A Vision for Ministry

  2. Previewing the Opportunities ("Ministry Menu")

  3. Developing a Heart to Serve

  4. Where Do I Go From Here?

Card to sign at the end of the class:

Knowing the God has given me spiritual gifts, I commit to using and developing those gifts here at Clairmont Presbyterian Church. I will serve my church with my time and gifts, and I commit to growing in understanding and utilizing my gifts.

 

OTHER MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Azalea Village

Watch this space for opportunities

To volunteer, contact George Miranda at (404) 325-2724 or gmiranda1@comcast.net. To receive Azalea Village E-Newsletter, send your e-mail address to George Miranda at gmiranda1@comcast.net

 

Azalea Village Ministry: The primary purpose of the Azalea Village Ministry is to provide Transitional Housing to needful families and individuals in a nurturing Christian environment.

BACKGROUND OF MINISTRY: The Azalea Village Ministry (AVM) was created by the Session of Clairmont Presbyterian Church (CPC) at their February 2005 meeting. At that meeting, the elders discussed thoroughly how God would want CPC to best use the houses and land which the church owns on Azalea Circle and Clairmont Road to implement its long-term vision and mission. The Session’s decision was to transition out of the rental house business and use the eight houses in service and Christian witness to needful families in our community.


HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED:

  • BY PRAYING AND ENCOURAGING - Ex: Pray for AVM each day, encourage others and ask God what you can do to help.
  • BY GIVING MONEY TO AVM - Ex: Commit to give (above your pledge) to Azalea Village Ministry.
  • BY HELPING ON WORKDAYS - Ex: Help clean one of the houses or yards .
  • BY PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT - Ex: Be involved in the life of an individual or family who lives in the Village.

FAMILY HOUSING MINISTRY:

The Azalea Village housing ministry has and will help: Katrina evacuees, Decatur Cooperative Ministry transitional families, Stirred-Up Ministries counselor housing, Seminary student family housing, and many other needful families.

AZALEA VILLAGE MINISTRY PARK
To Be Used by: Village Families, Clairmont Families,Clairmont Organizations, Outdoor Worship, Azalea Circle Neighbors, and the Community

AZALEA VILLAGE BENEFITS:

  • Provides attractive, rent-free homes to carefully selected, needful families.
  • Provides multiple ways for CPC members to be actively involved with those in need.
  • Completes Clairmont’s long-range plan to use all the church’s property in ministry.
  • Provides a multi-purpose Park for villagers, members and community use.
  • Creates opportunities to partner with other mission-oriented organizations.
  • Enhances the opportunities to dialog and fellowship with our immediate neighbors.
  • Provides a new mission platform for creative local community involvement.
  • Corrects a long-term water drainage problem with the FLC and the houses.
  • Makes a strong Christian ministry and witness statement to our local community.

Contact Persons:

How to donate furniture or household items: Nena Thompson (404)325-0006

How to be physically involved (Workday):
George Miranda (404)325-2724

How to be spiritually involved (Prayer):
Linda Zimmerman (404)633-7025

How to be financially involved (Donations):
John Thomas (404)728-9573

For other information:
Tom Lockwood (404)321-3111

 

Clairmont will serve the guests at Druid Hills Community Fellowship on the following Sunday afternoons: September 13, October 9, and December 13. This is a homeless shelter, and a healthy and nutritious meal is provided for 45-60 individuals. The food is prepared at the Druid Hills kitchen and served in the dining room. Total time required for this mission is usually 2 hours. Anyone interested in participating in this long standing project may contact Ray Davis at (404)636-0776.

 

 

Missionaries

Clairmont supports four missionaries — three internationally, and one in urban Atlanta.

Jim and Debbie Milley: Ministers to the University students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Guido and Sarah Maecha: Seminary Professors at Biblical Seminary in Costa Rica.

Ben Mathes: Director of Rivers of the World.

Darrell and Sara Jones: Work with inner-city high school youth, home fellowship, school activities and growing in Christ.

 

Stirred-Up Ministries

Stirred-Up Ministries partners with an East Lake Youth Ministry to mentor East Lake High School students. Call Darrell Jones for more information (404)373-9840.

 

Other Opportunities to Serve

OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY: Clairmont members help serve meals to the homeless.

HUNGER WALK: Clairmont members walk for PATH (Presbyterian's Answer to Hunger) in March. (Exact date TBA)

DRUID HILLS Community: Clairmont members serve meals on a rotating basis. We are scheduled for two times each year.

Offerings

SALVATION ARMY: Clairmont members "ring the bells" at Northlake Mall.

SOUPER BOWL: On Super Bowl Sunday, Clairmont's Youth collect one dollar from each worshipper for the local Food Pantry and other hunger programs.

JOY GIFT OFFERING: Proceeds benefit racially ethnic schools and colleges.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Grab-A-Bag
Toco Hills Community Alliance needs our help....the cupboards are bare!
During September (as last year) the Mission Team asks each member of Clairmont to bring in a grocery bag of items for THCA. You will see empty grocery bags around church. Please grab one, fill, and return it to church during the month of September.

List: Powdered Milk, Juices, Canned Soups, Beans, Crackers, Canned Fish, Canned Vegetables, Rice, Canned Chicken, Canned Fruit, Cereal, Canned Stews, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Baby Food, Instant Oatmeal,l Hot Cereal, Dry Formula, Macaroni & Cheese, and Pasta