Outreach / Social Justice Advocacy Committee

Outreach / Social Justice Advocacy Committee

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 7:12

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord.

- Book of Common Prayer, p. 826. For the Poor and the Neglected

Contents

Introduction

Outreach Ministries

Outreach Committee Members


	Introduction
	St. John's Parish Outreach Program aims to make a difference for those in need within our church family, our community, our nation and the world. Please join us in the parish sponsored outreach activities by donating your time, your talent and other gifts as the Holy Spirit moves you. Bring your ideas for new initiatives and your energy to make them happen. You are always welcome.


	Outreach Ministries
	Food Shelf Ingathering and Second Harvest Food Packing Outreach St Johns has a year round food collection site for the White Bear area Food Shelf. St Johns also participates in a food packing outreach opportunity twice a year at Second Harvest Heartland warehouse. Contact is Tim Schmuck. Care Packs for Kids We gather donations for the Parent Support Services (an expansion of Crisis Nursery) of the Children's Home Society, usually in February. Parishioners may buy items that the nursery needs or pack up and deliver items to the nursery. Contact Dave Seitz. Tubman Family Alliance We gather items for a women's shelter, usually in May. Parishioners may donate needed items. Contact Becky Emerson. Blood Drive St. John's sponsors three blood drives each year in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Blood drives are usually held spring, fall and winter. Volunteers are needed for set-up, registration, operating the canteen, cleaning up, and most importantly for donating blood. Contact Dottie Nieman. Out To Lunch The parish offers a free monthly lunch open to all who have a need for a home-cooked meal or who need Christian community fellowship. Groups, individuals and families may volunteer to prepare and serve a hearty meal in the parish hall on the last Saturday of every month. For more information, please see the St Johns Out-To-Lunch web page or contact Ken and Carrol Paddock. School Supplies Ingathering St. John's joins with the St. Paul Area Council of Churches to gather school supplies for children K-12th grade who are homeless or in financial need. This special ingathering is in early August. Parishioners buy school supplies and put them at the altar on the appointed Sunday. Contact Richard Lee. Christmas Gift Program Ingathering A Christmas giving program where our parish buys Christmas gifts for Toys for Tots. Contact is Helen Halbert. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is a faith based program whose goal is to build affordable homes. Depending on a group’s interest, involvement can range from “Saturday Workdays” to sponsoring one or more weeks of construction. The roles are varied and generally accommodate a wide range of interests and talents. Prior experience is not necessary however those with journeyman skills (or equivalent) play special leadership roles. For more information, please check out the St Johns Habitat for Humanity web page or contact George Gorbatenko, 651-653-7759. Project Home Outreach A faith based program with other parishes in our area. The program is for a church to be a shelter for the homeless in our area for a month a year. Our parish sponsors a week of the month with parishioners assisting in the people in need. Contact is Becky Emerson Social Justice Advocacy St. Johns participates in a variety of social justice advocacy programs to help those struggling to escape the margins of society and become independent. For more information, please see the St Johns Social Justice Advocacy web page.


	Outreach Committee Members
	For more information, or if you would like to participate in some of our Outreach ministries, please talk with our Outreach Committee members: George Gorbatenko (Chair) 651-653-7759 Dave Seitz 651-426-5824 Tim Schmuck 651-340-9789 Ken Paddock 651-777-8655 Richard Lee 651-748-8162 Vern Pickering 651-429-0233 Dottie Nieman 651-774-7093 Helen Halbert 651-490-1230 Becky Emerson 651-653-3883 Rev Rick Todd Rev Deb Welch