As followers of Christ, Southminster Presbyterian Church has a long history of working toward the flourishing of God’s beloved community of justice and peace on earth. Whether it is in our congregation, in the Kansas City metro area, or across the world, we are committed to working toward improving the lives of God’s children.
In our church
Our congregation would not exist without the dedicated service of its members and friends! Members and friends can volunteer their time by helping lead worship, reading scripture, singing in our choir, leading faith exploration classes, making the coffee, and so much more.
Our committees work to keep our ministries running. They do everything from overseeing our finances and maintaining our building to planning mission projects and other opportunities to connect with our neighbors.
Check out a list of our committees and see if there’s something that interests you.
Building and Grounds – Oversees the upkeep of our physical space.
Christian Education – Creates faith exploration opportunities for all ages.
Engagement – Connects visitors and newcomers to the Southminster community.
Family Life – Cares for our church family, especially our homebound members.
Stewardship – Ensures we are good stewards of our financial resources and gifts.
Worship – Plans and supports meaningful worship for our community.
Journey to Bethlehem
2026 TBD
A Southminster tradition since 1985...
Experience the story of Christ’s birth in Journey to Bethlehem. This beloved tradition (first brought to life with a script written by church members) has invited families, friends and the community to step into the wonder of the first Christmas.
Join fellow travelers following the star through seven scenes in a dramatic walk-through that brings the nativity story to life. More than one hundred volunteer actors of all ages bring to life the people and places central to the story of Jesus’ birth. Guides will lead you on Mary and Joseph’s journey which offers engaging interactions including the spirited tax collector, live animals, King Herod’s court and the manger.
The journey is entirely indoors and tours begin approximately every 20 minutes. While you wait, enjoy music, storytelling and singing familiar carols in our sanctuary.
This free community event is open to all. Journey to Bethlehem is our gift to the community; come and experience the wonder of Christmas.
In our community
Southminster Presbyterian Church is proud to support many different organizations in the Kansas City area. We believe that God calls us to be a part of the community around us and to contribute to the well-being of others.
Below are just a few ways that Southminster gets out into our community to serve others:
Harvesters – The second Tuesday of each month, a team from Southminster volunteers at Harvesters to help sort food that will be distributed to food pantries around the city.
Crosslines Community Outreach – Every other month, church members prepare and serve lunch at Crosslines, which provides direct assistance to at-risk families, the elderly, and individuals.
Pride Fest – Southminster Presbyterian Church hosts a booth at KC Pride Fest in June. Stop by and see us!
Youth – As a part of our youth program, our youth group prepares and serves dinner for Hillcrest Transitional Housing. They also travel during the summer for a week-long mission trip where they serve a new community. While they are volunteering in the new city, they also learn about the history of that place, why systemic problems exist, and what positive steps people are taking to care for their neighbors.
The Red Table – Each month, Southminster uplifts a specific mission partner by collecting needed items for that community. Check out the red table in the Lounge to see what this month’s community partner is and what they need right now.
In addition to our hands-on mission projects, we support the following local organizations: Crosslines Food Pantry and Kitchen, Covenant Presbyterian Food Pantry, Della Lamb Refugee Program, Project 10/20, Uplift, Safehome, Habitat for Humanity, and more.
Throughout the world
God’s love knows no borders.
Throughout our history, Southminster has supported organizations and ministries in Mexico, on the US/Mexico Border and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Currently, Southminster supports Frontera de Cristo Presbyterian Border Ministry located in Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Mexico. Frontera de Cristo offers shelter, resources, education, emotional support, medical care, and new solutions for migrants and community members on both sides of the border.
Learn more about their work: https://fronteradecristo.org.
Local Mission Outreach
Southminster supports eight local ministry partners in the metropolitan Kansas City area. Our areas of focus are: poverty and homelessness, children and youth at risk, and health and welfare. Our local mission partners are:
Crosslines Inc.
Johnson County Emergency Assistance –
Catholic Charities
Hillcrest Ministries
Uplift
KidsTLC
Community LINC
Della Lamb Community Services
SafeHome
Hands-On Mission Volunteer Opportunities
Southminster provides a noon-time meal six times a year through the Crosslines Food Kitchen.
A group of Southminster folks regularly volunteer at Harvesters, a ministry supplying food to area food pantries.
On Mission Sunday, the 2nd Sunday in August, we pack sack lunches for Harvesters’ Give Lunch program, and also bag hygiene kits for Project Uplift.
Commitees
Building and Grounds – Southminster’s Building & Grounds (“B&G”) committee members oversee all things related to the church building and property. This includes maintenance/repair of the physical structure, building systems and grounds. B&G committee members also provide project management for capital improvement projects to the physical structure, building systems, and exterior grounds areas, including project identification, project design, bidding, and oversite of construction activities, and other related activities. B&G monitors and approves budget expenditures for utility billings, maintenance/repair costs, contract service payments, and other related activities.
Christian Education – Committed to helping people of all ages grow in their discipleship, the Christian Education is responsible for faith formation for all ages at Southminster. Adult Sunday school classes as well as classes for children and youth meet on Sunday morning at 9:30. Youth and older elementary (Club 456) meet on Sunday evenings, weather permitting or on Zoom, for a time of fellowship, recreation and formation through community.
Engagement – Southminster’s Engagement committee works to grow and maintain community connection through welcoming and assisting visitors, advertising upcoming events, and participating in community work in support of More Light Presbyterians and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in church life.
Family Life – The Family Life committee is responsible for the care and nurture of the congregation at Southminster. By reaching out by phone we have sought to stay connected through the pandemic. Cards are sent to those who are sick or who have suffered loss and often food is taken to those in need. For our homebound members, we have an “Angel” program that sends items for holidays as reminders of the care from the church family. Weather permitting, small groups gather for Dine In, Dine Out to enjoy food and fellowship together and the congregation is invited to join in for periodic fellowship gatherings at the church. With the pandemic, this has been a challenge, but the Family Life committee continues to look for ways to care for one another.
Stewardship – The Stewardship committee of Southminster helps keep track of finances and manages our endowment fund which provides a substantial amount of financial support for one time grants. This committee oversees the creation of the budget each year and working in conjunction with the church treasurer and the staff works to keep Southminster fiscally on track.
Worship – Southminster’s worship committee is responsible for a variety of aspects of the worship life of the congregation. Worship is central to who we are as a church and the committee works to enhance our worship together. Whether there is need to look at liturgical arts and the settings for worship, special services, or the transition between virtual and in-person worship, the committee tries to consider the needs of the congregation as well as what God is calling us to do in and be in this time and place.
Global Mission
Southminster is involved in Global Mission through the Presbyterian Church (USA) and through our congregation’s own initiatives.
Mexico Mission Partnership and Living Waters for the World
Southminster has partnered with Presbyterians in southern Mexico for the last 15+ years. Mission work trips have accomplished projects in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas, and Tabasco. We also support missionary co-worker Don Wehmeyer in southern Mexico through an annual grant. For the last 10 years, our work in southern Mexico has been in partnership with Living Waters for the World (www.livingwatersfortheworld.org), installing small-scale water purification systems in communities in Chiapas and Tabasco.
U.S.
Frontera de Cristo Presbyterian Border Ministry
fronteradecristo.org
Southminster has partnered with the Frontera de Cristo Presbyterian Border Ministry located in Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Mexio. The purpose of the border ministry is to educate about the concerns, problems, and possibilities from a faith perspective and to promote understanding and cooperation between Presbyterians on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
On the third Sunday of each month Southminster collects the Noisy Offering. The money from this offering, along with additional funds from the Deacons, goes to support mission co-workers through the PC(USA). Currently we are supporting Jose LaMont Jones who is working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.