Outreach Ministries
The Witness Ministry Team facilitates the outreach and justice ministries at Central. This team is chaired by Jean Brandenburg. This team coordinates the community outreach, world outreach and social justice ministries at Central Christian Church. These ministries include, but are not limited to, the Thrift Store, Free Clothing, Food Pantry, Fair Trade, the Equal Exchange Cart, Alternative Giving Market, Recycling, Movies for Justice, Needles for Love, the Easter Breakfast, Witness Luncheons, and Walks to support issues of concern.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is open the last Saturday of each month. Sue Dudley coordinates the 40 plus volunteers and manages the operation of the pantry. Last year the pantry served an 
average of 160 individuals each month, representing an average of 81 households. The food that is distributed is purchased from Gleaner’s Food Bank, donated by the congregation, or purchased using the money in the budget or from designated funds. This past spring Deborah Moseley arranged for fresh produce donated by Indianapolis Fruit to be available each month.
Thrift Shop
Central's Thrift Shop is open every Monday from 10am to 2:30pm. The Thrift Shop is also open the last Saturday of each month (during the Food Pantry) from 10-11:30am. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Thrift Shop offers clothing, shoes, and miscellaneous household items at reasonable prices, with money raised going to support ministries in our community. A longtime partnership with Zionsville Christian Church provides essential volunteers as well as donated items.
This year Marcia Phillips joined Millie Gardner as coordinators for the Thrift Shop. After about 5 months of renovation work, an Open House was held on June 6, 2011. Renovations included painting (walls, posts, floors, shelves), rearranging merchandise, adding new shelving for one wall, removing old displays, adding new shoe racks (built by a member of Zionsville Christian) and new displays (ties, purses, underwear).
7/1/10-6/30/11 the Thrift Shop has raised $5,852.52. Funds were down, so no disbursements were made in 2009 – disbursements were then made in October, 2010 as follows:
Damien Center 1275
Dayspring Center 1600
Gleaners Food Bank (IN) 650
Julian Center 1600
Noble Center 600
Salvation Army 300
Witness Team 1300
Wishard Foundation
(Midtown Mental Health) 1275
Zionsville Christian Church
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund 750
Central Christian Church
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund 1300
Physical Assets Team 2600
Free Clothing
The Free Clothing Shop at Central is open each Monday from 10am to noon. Those in need of clothing may come once every two months and shop for an outfit. Besides clothing, the Free Clothing Shop provides a hygiene kit to each client. These kits include a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, deodorant, and a razor.
The Free Clothing Shop officially opened in 2003. Prior to its opening, clothing had been given to people in need through the Thrift Shop. The church year (July 2004 through June 2005) was the first year that specific statistics were kept and a total of 741 men, women and children were provided with clothing. Our numbers have continued to increase. This church year (July, 2010 – June 2011) saw 1193 clients in the Free Clothing Shop. Of that number, 479 were new clients.
Because of the number of hygiene kits that are given away, we need to purchase those items. We also purchase socks, men’s briefs, and women’s panties. We are always grateful to those who share donations of hygiene items, clothing, pillows, blankets, coats and cash to purchase other items.
If you are free on a Monday morning, come down and visit with those who are working. Clark Williamson, Lydia Brasher, Mindy Hamm, Karen Kenyon, Delbert and Phyllis Crocker will welcome you.
Alternative Giving Market
For several years Central has held an Alternative Giving Market on the first three Sundays in Advent (late November/December) following worship. The Market affords the congregation the opportunity to give gifts that make a difference in the community and throughout the world and to raise money for the ministries of Central Christian Church and for other ecumenical organizations.
In 2010, Deb and Dan Moseley coordinated the Market and the following organizations were represented: Central Christian Church’s Community Outreach Ministries, Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Global Ministries, Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, Church World Service, Habitat for Humanity, Heart in Education Teachers Outreach, Heifer International, Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, Children’s Camp Fund, Equal Exchange, Global Gifts. Adopt a Family, and Young Disciples Booth. The Market also included a basket auction which raised $904 for the Food Pantry, Free Clothing and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. Mary Hays and Trish Money coordinated the “Soup Sisters” and the making and selling of soup mixes. The sale of the soup raised $1986 for the food pantry and free clothing. Through Adopt a Family Central Christian Church was able to provide Christmas gifts and grocery food cards to three families. Over 60 volunteers helped with the Alternative Giving Market.
Community Easter Breakfast
On Easter morning Central opens its door to the community and invites all who will come to join in a breakfast celebration. It is a great opportunity to share a meal with our neighbors. In 2010, Deborah and Pat Carrithers coordinated the breakfast, and members of the congregation prepared casseroles and donated food items. Over 20 volunteers cooked and served breakfast to our neighbors as well as to the congregation. Mary Hays and Dan Moseley went to the surrounding neighborhood to invite our neighbors to the breakfast.
Needles for Love
Throughout the year, several members of Central Christian Church meet to knit or crochet baby blankets, baby hats, and burial buntings that are given to Riley Hospital for Children and the Julian Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Deborah Carrithers coordinates this group.
Crop Walk
The CROP (Communities Responding to Poverty) Walk is an annual event sponsored by Church World Service to raise money to combat hunger in Indianapolis. In 2010, Jim Higginbotham was the team leader for the 17 walkers from Central Christian Church who participated in the Walk held in October.
Other Witness Team Events
- Writing letters to our legislators for Bread for the World
- Staffing a booth at the INDY HOMELESS CONNECT fair
- Sppecial Week of Compassion offerings (mostly recently for Japan after the earthquake)
- Recognizing Witness Team volunteers at a luncheon (over 100 at the last luncheon)
- 701 N Delaware
- Indianapolis
- 46204
317.635.6397
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