Shepherd Community Center is a partner ministry of Redeemer’s deacon team working to empower our neighbors to break the cycle of poverty. Additionally, they offer a variety of educational opportunities that help challenge stereotypes about poverty and the urban environment, leading to a better understanding of those experiencing generational poverty in Indianapolis. If we are going to empower our neighbors to break the cycle of poverty, then we need to build great relationships, and the more we understand, the better we are able to do that.

On Saturday, January 17th, Tim Streett will be leading a group of congregants on a bus tour through Indianapolis. Get to know different neighborhoods better as Tim shares the history of the city we live in and how different pockets were created.

(Note: This event is limited to 14 people.)

If you would like to register or have any questions, please contact Julianne.

The Christmas Store is our largest event of the year. Parents in our programs are invited to “shop” for toys donated through our annual toy drive, selecting gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning. The store runs December 19, 20, and 22, with volunteer shifts available throughout the day. Volunteers can sign up for a 1.5-hour shift to help wrap gifts or assist families while they shop.

Shepherd’s newly revamped Christmas Festival brings the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holiday season to life! Families will enjoy Christmas lights, cookie decorating, ice skating, and more. They expect about 500 participants and need volunteers to assist with setup and activities throughout the event.

Embrace Grace is a support group for single women facing unplanned pregnancies that meets at Redeemer and is led by Reagan Spangle and Rayvey George. The ministry provides a 12-week program offering community, encouragement, and—most importantly—the gospel. The semester culminates with a baby shower on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Polk Stables.

Brunch will be provided, and this event is a beautiful opportunity to physically show the love of Christ to these women and their unborn babies. Children are always welcome to attend, but please note that childcare will not be available.

Gifts can be brought to the shower or purchased and sent to Reagan’s address; she will facilitate wrapping and delivery to the shower.

Please use the links below to access the registries.

• Curtisha's Baby Registry

• Ronnisha's Baby Registry

We have begun a new session of Embrace Grace, a ministry that serves young, unwed, pregnant mothers. The group meets every Tuesday morning for twelve weeks, and we can use volunteers in multiple areas to help the ministry succeed. That includes leaders for our weekly meetings, people to organize and bring food to the gatherings, hosts to throw a baby shower at the end of the twelve-week session at the Polk Stables, and babysitters (paid positions available).

If you have questions or would like to help, please get in touch with Reagan Spangle (812-671-1450) or Rayvey George (678-557-6141).

Help Shepherd Community Center share the joy of Thanksgiving by delivering totes of food to our neighbors on Saturday, November 22 from 11 am–1 pm. Volunteers will load up vehicles and deliver baskets to specific homes in the community. It’s a meaningful way to bless families directly during the holiday season.

Family Hope, a partner ministry of Redeemer's deacon team, invites you to learn more about how you can get involved! Family Hope is a Christian non-profit that offers temporary host families for children and provides resources and support for parents in real, tangible ways. Opportunities to serve include host family, support friend, and support coach volunteer roles.

This Fall, they will be offering monthly info sessions over Zoom! Participants can join on a date convenient to them to learn more about ways to serve and ask any questions they might have. 

Consider joining on a date that works for you!

• November 3

This Sunday, the deacon team will be collecting a special offering to seed Hope Church of Haughville's Mercy Fund. These funds will provide tangible relief to people experiencing difficult seasons, both within the church family and in the city.

The Fall Festival will be held in the parking lot at Shepherd Community Center. This outdoor event features decorated trunks, costumes, games, and plenty of candy. Last year, nearly 1,000 children and families attended.

This year, they’ll need 50+ volunteers to decorate trunks and pass out candy. Come early to set up and help create a safe, fun Halloween alternative for our neighborhood. All ages are welcome and this is a great family event!

This Sunday, October 26th, from 12:30-4 pm for Shepherd's Poverty 101 training at Redeemer in the Underground, for those who RSVP’d! This training helps challenge stereotypes about poverty and ultimately provides a deeper understanding of the poverty mindset. If we are to break the cycle of poverty in our neighbors' lives, then we need to ensure that we understand as much as possible about poverty.

This Sunday, the deacon team will be collecting a special offering to seed Hope Church of Haughville's Mercy Fund. These funds will provide tangible relief to people experiencing difficult seasons, both within the church family and in the city.

We will be cancelling the Weekend Respite this week, but please be on the lookout for future events like this.

Family Hope, a partner ministry of Redeemer's deacon team, invites you to learn more about how you can get involved! Family Hope is a Christian non-profit that offers temporary host families for children and provides resources and support for parents in real, tangible ways. Opportunities to serve include host family, support friend, and support coach volunteer roles.

This Fall, they will be offering monthly info sessions over Zoom! Participants can join on a date convenient to them to learn more about ways to serve and ask any questions they might have. 

Consider joining on a date that works for you!

• October 16

• November 3

This week, Jeff Nottingham and Julianne Vastbinder will discuss the launch of Mercy Month and how we can participate in the work that God is doing within our congregation and in our city.

Family Hope, a partner ministry of Redeemer's deacon team, invites you to learn more about how you can get involved! Family Hope is a Christian non-profit that offers temporary host families for children and provides resources and support for parents in real, tangible ways. Opportunities to serve include host family, support friend, and support coach volunteer roles.

This Fall, they will be offering monthly info sessions over Zoom! Participants can join on a date convenient to them to learn more about ways to serve and ask any questions they might have. 

Consider joining on a date that works for you!

• September 8

• October 16

• November 3

Redeemer Kids is hosting a Community Easter Egg Hunt for our friends and neighbors at MLK Park on Saturday, April 19, from 10-11:30 am. Bring a bag or basket and meet us at the MLK Park pavilion. We'll have coffee and donuts, split into age groups, search for eggs, and have time to play on the playground with friends afterward.

Due to weather conditions, we are delaying our Easter Egg Hunt at MLK Park until 3:00-4:30 p.m. when there will hopefully be a window of dryer weather.

If you'd like to help hide eggs, we will meet at the Pavillion at 2 p.m. You can e-mail Emily if you'd like to volunteer to do so.