The Mission, Outreach, and Justice (MOJ) Committee provides transformative opportunities as we engage God’s mission within and outside the congregation. We desire to cultivate God’s welcome, wholeness, love, justice, and mercy for all people and all of creation through collaborative partnerships with individuals and organizations locally, nationally, and globally.

Faith in action is an integral part of the spirituality of University Presbyterian Church. Such expression includes direct assistance combined with advocacy, as we engage the systems that cause oppression and dehumanization. As symbolized by the cross in our sanctuary, made of plain wood with jagged edges, we engage the world from a collective place of vulnerability and brokenness.

The opportunities below are an expression of UPC’s collaboration through the Mission, Outreach, and Justice Committee. You are invited to prayerfully consider offering your time, talents, and treasure to engage one of these opportunities of transformation. Click the name of each to learn more. If you have questions regarding the options below, please reach out to MOJ@upcsa.org.

Outreach Ministries

Beacon Hill Academy Mentors

Mentor elementary students at nearby Beacon Hill Academy who need another adult role model by spending one hour a week with a student. Other volunteer opportunities at the school are also available. Learn more at: MOJ@upcsa.org

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat is a nonprofit housing organization working with San Antonio families in need of affordable homes. Work together with other Presbyterian churches to provide a San Antonio family with a safe, decent and affordable home. Volunteers needed to help build houses (no experience necessary), provide lunch for workers, attend planning meetings, and coordinate publicity and fund-raising at UPC. Learn more at: https://www.habitatsa.org/

John Knox Ranch

This longtime Presbyterian camp and retreat center set in idyllic South Texas hosts conferences and camps for children, teens, adults, and families. Learn more at: https://johnknoxranch.org/

Mo Ranch

This longtime Presbyterian camp and retreat center set in idyllic South Texas hosts conferences and camps for children, teens, adults, and families. Learn more at: https://www.moranch.org/

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS)

Partner with this 117-year old organization dedicated to providing services to children and families in need. The San Antonio campus provides a home for young adults who have aged out of foster care, as well as single-parent families that are in need or crisis. Donations of children’s supplies (school, books, backpacks), help with special events and celebrations, and financial assistance are all needed. Learn more at: https://www.pchas.org

Rainbow Welcome Task Force

Be a part of ongoing activities to welcome people of the LGBT community into full participation in our UPC life. Learn more at: https://upcsa.org

SoL Center

The SoL (Source of Light) Center at University Presbyterian Church is an interfaith education center for those who seek to encounter the full dimensions of life and faith in the spirit of respectful curiosity. Join as an Ambassador to assist with class set-up and sign-in at the SoL adult education center. Clerical help is also needed. Learn more at: https://upcsa.org/the-sol-center-of-san-antonio/

UPC Mission Trips

Join youth and adults on a week-long mission trip outside of San Antonio. Previous trips have been to Reynosa, Mexico; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance headquarters; Perkins Foundation For Reconciliation, Jackson, MS, Heifer Ranch, Perryville, AR, McAllen, TX; and Bastrop, TX. Learn more at: upcsa@upcsa.org

Social Justice Ministries

Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM)

CAM provides emergency safety net services for individuals in need in the San Antonio community. Contribute to semi-annual food and clothing drives, or volunteer at this ecumenical agency, which provides immediate, temporary assistance to individuals in crisis and enables them to move toward independence. Some needs: food pantry worker, receptionist, interviewer, clothing worker, warehouse worker, recorder, floor host. Learn more at: https://christianassistanceministry.org/

The Faith Convening

The Neighborhood Faith Convening is an organization of varied faith groups that helps to support children, families, & schools in San Antonio Independent School District. Help with special projects and/or attend monthly meetings with other faith groups in our area. The focus is on improving education and health opportunities for low-income students. A community dinner with school representatives is held each year. Learn more at: The Neighborhood Faith Convening’s Facebook page

Family Violence Prevention Services

The mission of Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc., The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter is to break the cycle of violence and to strengthen families by providing the necessary tools for self-sufficiency through delivery of emergency shelter, transitional housing, effective parenting education, and specialized intervention with youth and the elderly. Learn more at: https://fvps.org/

House of Neighborly Service (HNS)

HNS is the Community Support Center of the Westside of San Antonio. Help publicize, coordinate and deliver in-kind donations from our monthly Loaves and Fishes food collection, summer school-supply drive and Christmas “Angel Tree” gifts. Learn more at: https://hnstoday.org/

Inner City Development

Inner City Development is a community based organization that responds to emergency, educational, and recreational needs of the neighborhood on the near Westside of San Antonio in the vicinity of the Alazan-Apache Public Housing Project. Participate in school supplies drives, summer programs, Thanksgiving 365, and other efforts. Learn more at: https://www.innercitydevelopment.org/

Interfaith/Community Action Network (I/CAN)

The Interfaith Community Action Network (I/CAN) is building a constituency of people willing to work with each other to resolve each other’s issues. By establishing relationships within and between our congregations and with our neighbors to identify issues of common concern, and developing strategies to resolve these issues, we can work with our elected officials to enact appropriate public policies. Learn more at: I/CAN’s Facebook page

Interfaith Welcome Coalition

IWC works to meet the changing needs of asylum seekers, refugees, and at-risk immigrants in collaboration with others. Participate in San Antonio’s immigration and interfaith organizations to assist asylum-seeking families in their travels, with emergency shelter, and money or food for their journey. Learn more at: InterfaithWelcomeCoalition.org

San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry (SAMM)

SAMMinistries prevents homelessness in San Antonio through a compassionate, holistic approach that brings self sufficiency, pride and dignity to struggling families with no where else to turn. Learn more at: https://www.samm.org/

Thrive Youth Center

Thrive Youth Center’s mission is to provide a safe, effective, and supportive center for homeless LGBTQ youth, so they may become productive, skilled, educated, and successful adults with the ability, opportunity, and possibility of achieving their dreams. Learn more at https://www.thriveyouthcenter.org/

Charity and Membership Ministries

Alternative Gift Market

An annual event for holiday shoppers to donate to worldwide and San Antonio charities in the name of a friend or relative. Volunteers help with publicity, prepare mail-outs, coordinate Sunday School activities, make worship announcements, coordinate food, serve as cashiers, and help with set-up and clean-up. Learn more at: MOJ@upcsa.org

Covenant Network

The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is working toward a more just and inclusive church. Learn more at: https://covnetpres.org/

More Light Presbyterians

The More Light Presbyterians are working toward the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) – and in society. Learn more at: https://mlp.org/

Texas Impact

The Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, providing theologically grounded public policy analysis to people of faith and other Texans. Activities related to lobbying Texas legislators on justice issues. Learn more at: https://texasimpact.org/