Care Ministry

At MPC we strive to care for one another.  “Around fifty times in the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles tell us to feel, say, or do something to ‘one another.’ We are to care for one another and bear with one another, honor one another and sing to one another, do good to one another and forgive one another. And then there is the grand, overarching, most-repeated one-another, the command that ‘binds everything together in perfect harmony’(Col.3:14) -  ‘Love one another.’ (John 13:24-25).”  - Scott Hubbard, editor of Desiring God 

Deacons

The deacons serve in leadership in the service to the church which includes bringing in others to serve with them.
The office of Deacon is a God ordained role in the church as a means of provision to the church body (Acts 6:1-4).  They are complimentary to the Session Board.  The MPC Deacon Board is made up of men and women as well as 2 student Deacons (juniors in high school).
   
The duty given to the Deacons is to be the church's instrument for the ministry of compassion, through sympathy and service.  This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Care and compassion – Deacons are an active part of the visitation team as they each maintain contact with at least one member of the church, primarily but not solely homebound. They often help serve at funerals and reach out to members that have various needs through different means. 
  • Hospitality – Deacons organize, serve and oversee the café Sunday mornings, some special events, the annual church picnic, ushering and greeting on Sunday mornings, as well as sanctuary upkeep. 
  • Prayer – our Deacons are all  members of the prayer warrior prayer chain that are committed to pray over the prayer requests that are submitted. Deacons also regularly send out prayer requests as they come to the prayer warrior prayer chain. Deacons oversee the Prayer Room Sign-ups for Sunday morning Service coverage. 
  • Mission – our Deacons maintain regular contact with various mission partners in the field. 
  • Transportation – Deacons do not provide transportation but can give referral to different community resources that do. 
Homebound Ministries
Our visitation team seeks to reach out in Christ’s love to serve those who are no longer able to join us in-person. Our home-bound members are each connected to a care partner who visits them, prays with them, and simply listens to them. Our desire is to keep these brothers and sisters connected to the church. Please contact Rev. Esme Teel if you know of someone in our congregation that would enjoy a visit.
Visitation Ministry
A team that includes members, Deacons, Elders and pastors that are are glad to visit members in the hospital, offer at home communion for those that are homebound or for other reasons. If you are in the hospital or you are a friend/family member of a member of MPC in the hospital please contact us HERE.
Grief Support
We are not meant to walk through grief alone.  We are currently in development of two grief support groups.  Stay tuned.  In addition, we offer Surviving the Holidays after Death of a Loved One each late fall.   In the meantime, any of our pastors would be glad to meet with you and potentially connect you with additional support.  Please contact Pastor Esmé. for more information.
Divorce Support
Divorce is not what the Lord wants for us.  When it occurs it comes with pain, grief, isolation and practical challenges.  Stay tuned for upcoming Divorce Care Groups (TBD). In the meantime, any of our pastors would be glad to meet with you and potentially connect you with some additional support.  For more information, please contact Pastor Esmé
Pastoral Counseling
Pastors are glad to provide biblical guidance for short term needs. They are not licensed counselors but offer a safe place to explore your faith and emotions in situations where there is grief, a crisis of faith or other life challenges. It is confidential support (unless there are concerns for safety). For any long-term or more critical needs and if there is an issue beyond their scope of training, they will suggest professional counseling.

You can email the individual pastors to schedule an appointment.

AA/NA Meetings
MPC does not run any of these meetings but we do host them onsite.  Below is the schedule while the building is under construction.

AA Meetings:
10:00 - 11:00 AM  Wednesdays  Clayton Gym
     6:00 - 7:00 PM    Saturdays    Huston Room

Narcotics Anonymous
         7:00 - 8:00 PM    Sundays     Geneva Room (HUSTON FOR CONSTRUCTION)
    10:00 - 11:00 AM  Mondays     Clayton Gym
    12:00 - 1:00 PM   Wed and Fridays   Clayton Room 3

Community Resources

The Lord has blessed this community with many resources.  Perhaps one of these may be of help during different seasons of life.  This is not an exhaustive list but a place to help get you started.

Need Help with Transportation?

Access | (412)-562-5353

*also ask about “Older Person Transportation” (OPT) and Share Ride

Free Rides for seniors | (412)-449-0151

Monday - Friday 9AM-4PM

In Service of Seniors | (412) 345-7420

*they can also help with grocery shopping

North hills community outreach | (412) 487-6316 

Assistance may include financial help for:
  • Car repairs
  • Gas cards
  • Port Authority CONNECT Cards
  • Insurance payments
  • Loan payments less than 60 days late
  • PennDOT Services
  • AAA memberships
  • Car seats.

Need Help with Extra Support?

Please reach out to Pastor Esmé if you would like to have someone walk beside you during this season of life or if you would like an occasional visit from our visitation team.  If you need more emergent care please call one of these resources who can respond immediately and have more specialized training in which to come alongside you.
 
If you are having a medical emergency always call 911. 

SUICIDE HOTLINE:  CALL or TEXT 988 
Or you can still call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 
RESOLVE Crisis Services (24/7)1-888-7YOUCAN (1-888-796-8226) 
Or visit the walk-in center at 333 North Braddock Avenue 
 
Provides telephone, mobile, walk-in, and residential crisis intervention services for all Allegheny County residents – children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Insurance coverage is not required. 
 
PsychCare+ Emergency Services
412-624-1000 or  
(toll-free) 1-877- 624-4100 
Can provide additional information or referral on treatment options/resources  
 
 
Mercy Behavioral Health Crisis Center Walk-in
1-877-637-2924 (24 hr. call center)
264 South 9th Street 
Pittsburgh, PA 15203 
 
Pittsburgh Action against Rape
Confidential helpline 1-866-363-7273
Drop-in Center Main number: 412-431-5665 
81 South 19th Street 
 
Rape and Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673
 
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
 
Veteran Crisis Line  
Dial 988 then Press 1
 
Military Helpline
888-457-4838
24/7 Free, confidential crisis support or by texting MIL1 to 839863  
members, veterans and their families. 
 
Center for Victims 24/7 Hotline
1- 866-644-288
If you or a loved one are the victim  
of a crime (after calling the police) 
 
Depression Hotline
1-630-482-9696
 
Eating Disorders Hotline
1-847-831-3438
 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)  
 
National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
The NAMI Help Line is a free, confidential nationwide service that provides one-on-one emotional support, mental health information and resources needed to tackle tough challenges that you, your family or friends are facing. 
 
Alzheimer's Association 24-Hour Helpline
1-800- 272-3900 for
Information on local and national resources,  
help and support 
 
Autism Society National Helpline
1-800-328-8476 (ext. 2)
Education, advocacy, support, information and Mon-Friday 9am to 8pm  
referral.  
 
Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services
412-350-3328
Information and referrals for residents of  
Allegheny County who are uninsured and underinsured. 
 
Mental Health America - Allegheny County
412-661-7860
Dedicated to achieving victory over 
mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, 
 education, research and service  
 
Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
1-877-338-8255
Temporary emergency shelter, counseling, and  
support services for female victims of domestic violence. 
 
Caregiver Support
412-350-5460
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) toll-free 1-800-344-4319