Honey Brook Presbyterian Church will kickoff its yearlong focus on mission work by presenting a program about a local organization that serves expectant mothers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall at the church, located at 4331 Horseshoe Pike (Route 322), Honey Brook. Community members are encouraged to attend.

The guest speaker will be child advocate Jennifer Strasenburgh from Bethany Christian Services (BCS), a nonprofit organization that provides social services to families in need. Honey Brook Presbyterian's new pastor, the Rev. Sam Massey, is currently involved with the immigrant resettlement program at BCS, which includes helping to prepare for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.

Strasenburgh's talk will focuses on Re-New, one of the BCS programs. The Re-New program, which stands for "recovering moms with newborns," helps expectant moms and women who have recently given birth, with the ultimate goal of the women graduating from the program and then successfully parenting their children.

"Re-New provides intensive case management to women who are pregnant and have a substance use disorder," Strasenburgh explained. "I will show a PowerPoint about the program." Strasenburgh will describe the agency's efforts to support the new family through birth and the first year.

Strasenburgh is also a successful artist and will bring some artwork to share. Her work has been exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions, including displays at the Lancaster Museum of Art. Her mixed-media artwork is characterized by simple shapes in various colors that are placed on archival printmaking paper, canvas or wood panels.

The program will be followed by a time of discussion and refreshments.

Additionally, the church will begin collecting items to support the BCS child care effort, such as diapers, onesies and baby monitors. Items will be collected at the church through mid-November. The public is invited to donate items as well.

After November's mission project, the church will gather winter clothing on its hat and mitten tree. Past charities that the church has supported include the Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children in West Chester and City Gate Mission in Coatesville.

In upcoming months, the church plans to focus on other issues such as homelessness, housing, prevention of abuse of women and children and disaster relief.

Massey, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, along with his wife, Susan, began his new post in Honey Brook this summer. Massey has served a number of churches, and his work has included peacemaking and racial justice initiatives.

For more information, call the church at 610-273-2848, visit http://www.honeybrookpres.org or search for "Honey Brook Presbyterian Church" on Facebook.