Our Witness Ministry Team facilitates the outreach and justice ministries at Central. We focus on three areas of community issues: hunger and poverty, inclusion and equity, and Creation Care. For more information about all of our ministries, read our Witness Team Ministries Guide.

Inclusion and Equity

This sub-team provides ministries of education, service, and advocacy on issues of inclusion and equity. We participate in organizations such as Faith in Indiana, AIDS Walk, PRIDE and more to use our voices and address root causes of the problems that impact our world, such as racism, LGBTQ+ equality, and aid for immigrants/ Regugees.

Creation Care

This sub-team provides ministries of education, service, and advocacy on issues of environmentalism. It also represents Central at Indiana Green Chalice (Disciples) and Indianapolis Green Congregations (Ecumenical). We know that the earth is God’s creation and our home, so we collaborate with others, such as Indiana Green Chalice (Disciples), Teter Farm and Indianapolis Green Congregations (Ecumencial).

Community Services at Central

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is open the 2nd and last Saturdays of each month from 10 AM to noon. This team coordinates the 40 plus volunteers and manages the operation of the pantry.  Currently the pantry serves an average of 185 individuals each month, representing an average of 90 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.   

We are grateful to the Indianapolis Fruit Co. for partnering with us to assist with provisions for our downtown neighbors by donating fresh produce each month. 

Thrift Store

Central’s Thrift Shop is open on Mondays from 10 AM to 1 PM, and is open the last Saturday of the month with the Food Pantry. 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.

Free Clothing

The Free Clothing Shop is open for business each Monday from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. Those in need of clothing may come once every four weeks and shop for an outfit. In addition to clothing, the Free Clothing Shop provides a hygiene kit to each client which includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, deodorant, and a razor. 

This ministry is grateful for financial donations as well as clothing, pillows, blankets, coats, shoes and hygiene items. If you are free on a Monday morning, come down and visit with those who are working.