Ministries
UPC has been around for 150 years and has always had a caring spirit toward the people in its community. Today there are many opportunities to reach out to the Watsonville area, and beyond. Check out our current list of ministries, then see how you can get involved.
Operation Food
provides bags of staple food items for 75 clients the last Wednesday of each month (feeding 250-335 people) and toys at Christmas.
Food Pantry
provides emergency food items to needy individuals in the community.
Santa Cruz County Winter Shelter Program
provides meals at Salvation Army each Wednesday November-April (feeding 70-120 people).
Spanish as a Second Language Class
meets Sunday morning at 8am.
Caring for our community
Deacons
Our Deacons provide a relaxing environment at coffee hour so that people have a chance to build relationships and develop new friendships. They extend a hand when people need a ride, a meal or a companion. They send greeting cards and notes for birthdays and illnesses, as well as give aid to anyone who might be in a difficult situation in our congregation. They visit and read to the homebound. At Christmas, the Deacons bring a bit of sunshine to the homebound with the distribution of small baskets with food items and a small stuffed animal. They host receptions for memorials for our church family.
Caring for our congregation
Parish Nurse
Our Parish Nurse, Ann Baker, helps provide for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our congregation.
Her responsibilities include:
•Blood pressure checks following the worship service on the first Sunday of the month
•Visiting people in homes, hospitals and convalescent homes
•Annual flu clinic
•Facilitating our health ministries team
•Working with our deacons in their care of the congregation
•Leading classes and workshops on health issues
•Giving info on medical resources and referrals regarding health needs and support
•Being available by telephone for consults when needed
Copyright © 2010 United Presbyterian Church | 112 E. Beach St. Watsonville, CA 95076 | (831) 724-4737 | churchmouseupc@sbcglobal.net
Providing a Place for the Community to Gather
Our church provides a meeting space for church groups and organizations in Watsonville. Among the groups that use our facilities are:
•El Jardin Bilingual preschool
•Seventh Day Adventist congregation
•Boston Reed College
•Central Coast Christian Church Hispanic Fellowship
•Ministerios Hispanic Fellowship
•WILPF Peace Coalition
•Second Harvest
Loving our kids – Children and Youth
•Nursery and preschool Sunday school, 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings
•Youth Sunday last Sunday of every month, September – May
•Vacation Bible School for 50 children (partnering with Methodists and Lutherans)
•Holiday Haven – parents shop while we plan a fun-filled day for the kids
•Our youth give back and participate in service
oto the community
oproviding audio/visual on Sunday mornings
oproviding leadership for Vacation Bible School
Music Ministry
We celebrate our amazing music ministry. Join us on Sunday morning as we praise God in our singing.
•Beverly Blount leads our music
•Praise team with current and former students of the award-winning Monte Vista High School Choral Ensemble
•Music team
•Organ
•Guitar
•Keyboard
•Piano
The Pat Martinelli Youth Scholarship Training Fund has made it possible for us to engage the talents of the youth from the Monte Vista High School.
Ways to Give
Volunteer
oParticipate in church ministry teams
oCook for the Shelter Program
oPrepare food bags for food pantry
oTeach Bible class
oLead book study
Monetarily
oPat Martinelli Scholarship Training Fund trains syoung musicians to develop their musical skills and the spiritual side of their life
oDeacon Fundj provides support for the health and other concerns of the congregation
oSpecial Offerings
Christmas Joy
One Great Hour of Sharing
Peacemaking
Pentecost
oGeneral Mission Giving
oLocal Mission
Celebrations
2009 Best Non-profit organization (sponsored by the Register-Pajaronian
2010 Best Boy Scout Troop (#505) Pico Blanco
2010 Vacation Bible School: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace
Add your God Sighting to our wall
Safe return of the Monte Vista Choir from Rome
150 years of praising God and serving the community