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By Nicole Laubscher, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church staff
For three years, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church has closed its regular Sunday morning services for one weekend in the spring in order for its members and others to volunteer together in the community.
This year, faced with growing needs in the Bay Area, the church is taking a new approach to its service activities on “Compassion Weekend,” which will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, and will be open to all who want to participate.
“We know the economic downturn has led to a great deal of hardship right here in our community,” said Mission Pastor Mark Swarner. “We’ve spent a lot of time rethinking how we can help people in ways they need it most.”
This has led to a project slate that includes a job search workshop, collecting 10,000 pounds of food, and investing in science education in local schools.
“One unexpected impact the downturn has had is that people in our church who were previously working full time are not working right now, and they have been instrumental in helping us to be as innovative as possible in developing 25 great projects on this weekend,” said Pastor Swarner.
He said the church invites everyone — kids, teens and adults — to participate by going to www.mppc.org, clicking on Compassion Weekend, and signing up.
Earlier this year, a “Career Actions Ministry” was launched by human resource professionals who attend the church. The program provides job search support and now serves about 100 people through workshops and small groups.
Note: The author, Nicole Laubscher, a resident of Woodside, is director of communications at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
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