La Canada Presbyterian Partners With Shelter For Pregnant Women

May 24, 2012 - PRLog -- La Cañada Flintridge, CA – At their Women’s Retreat in April, the women of La Cañada Presbyterian Church began a unique partnership with Elizabeth House, a Pasadena home for homeless, pregnant women in crisis. With this year’s Women’s Retreat offering, the women hosted two baby showers for Elizabeth House women who are working to rebuild their lives. Residents registered for the baby items needed and the LCPC women planned the parties, bought the gifts, and shared a time of celebration for the babies to come.

The first baby shower was for Regina, an aspiring chef enrolled in Cordon Bleu, who came to Elizabeth House after leaving an abusive relationship. Regina hopes to return to work and to cooking school. The second shower was for Philandria, a mother of 2, who came to Elizabeth House after having slept in her car for five weeks. From the program, she has been able to obtain transitional housing. With new tools for life she is discovering God, discerning the best future for her family, and hopes to return to work and school in marketing consulting for small businesses.

The women of La Cañada Presbyterian Church have embraced these and other women at Elizabeth House.  Members regularly volunteer in a variety of ways: one-on-one mentoring, hosting baby showers, sharing their experience as mothers, becoming friends.
“The relationships are what make the difference,” said Megan Katerjian, Director of Outeach and Adult Formation.  "Our partnership with Elizabeth House transforms us and our hearts as much as it provides a tangible service or gift to the women.  We always receive so much more than we expect - most importantly, new friends."  Katerjian helped to coordinate the shower and also keeps busy planning “Go Journeys” at the church. “Go Journeys” are hands-on service and learning trips at the church's local and global ministry partners like Elizabeth House.

La Cañada Presbyterian Church has made a video about their work with Elizabeth House. This moving video can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/41995544. This is one of eight fascinating stories that La Cañada Presbyterian Church is sharing through an eight-video series. To find out more about service programs and volunteer opportunities at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, contact Megan Katerjian at megan@lacanadapc.org, call 818-790-6708 x628 or visit www.facebook.com/lacanadapc. To find out more about the LCPC video series, contact Director of Communications Camille Tucker at camille@lacanadapc.org or by calling 818-790-6708 x621.

About La Cañada Presbyterian Church
La Cañada Presbyterian Church (LCPC) began in 1948 with 158 members and a vision to reach the world for Jesus Christ. That early church was built quite literally on faith and charity from remainder brick and an operating budget that turned just about all of its revenue into active ministry. Through 65 years of outreach, LCPC grew to 2,000 active attendees doing ministry throughout Southern California and in 40 countries around the world. In 2010 the church completed a campus expansion which doubled its physical base for ministry and kept its historical sanctuary as the heart of the new grounds.

La Cañada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada, CA 91011. Info: www.lacanadapc.org and 818.790.6708.