Social Ministry Spotlight: September 2011
Sandy Grier, AIM, is the USS Social Ministry Project Coach. That program is funded by Diakon to help congregations discern what outreach ministries will work best with the gifts of your congregation and the needs of the community. If you would like to meet with Sandy, contact her at 570-220-5039 or sandygrier@comcast.net. There is no fee for this service.
Outreach Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church, McAlisterville
I traveled to McAlisterville and was greeted by several folks in the congregation and community at a weekly Lenten meal provided by congregational members. The chairperson of the Social Ministry Committee is Susan H. This is one of many outreach ministries the congregation shares with the community. Another is making 22,000 Easter eggs. The “Willing Workers”(mostly ladies that work in the kitchen) make a variety of flavors of eggs, then dip them in chocolate the next day. Congregational members take them to different establishments to sell and take orders from friends and workers. The group tithes and donates those funds to varied outreach ministries in the community.
In addition to the Lenten meals and the Easter Eggs, the congregation collects dimes for education of children in India and soda can tabs to benefit Susquehanna Service dogs. Food Pantry collections are taken to the local food pantry once a month– but collected each week. Susan said that these are very beneficial and ongoing ministries which are not as intense commitments as other ministries of the congregation.
Christmas Angels is a ministry that Children and Youth Services heads in this community, giving names to congregations with clothing being donated for the children each year. Trinity opens up their doors as a drop-off center for congregations and individuals to support. Last year, 70 families (160 children) were given these gifts. This is a great ecumenical opportunity for the congregation, according to Susan.
The congregation also hosts their own certified Day Care Center. In addition to offering space for the day care, the congregation is certainly hands-on with members being on the board of directors, helping financially, helping in the classrooms as needed, and hosting a dinner for the children and their families each night of VBS.
Susan shared a very labor- and time-intense ministry that is hosted by Trinity is Angel Food Ministries. This is not a fundraiser and is strictly a service to the community. Each month the menu is different and consists of fresh and frozen items including meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs and desserts. Each box has a retail value over $60. One box assists in serving a family of four for a week, a single adult/senior for about a month. Food is not outdated or damaged goods and fresh quality products are provided by the same distributors that supply the local grocery chains. There is no limit on the number of boxes/specials on the menu purchased, no applications or qualifications, everyone is included. You must have your receipt to pick up your food. So, what you need to do is pick up a menu form for the month – there are a number of packages (boxes) available for a variety of prices. You pick what you want, pay for it, get a receipt and pick up at the allocated time. Susan says that again, the church saw a need in the community, especially with the economy as it is and wanted to be part of this national food program. The food is delivered to the church and the volunteers receive the receipts from the participants and hand out their boxes on a designated day. Again, a specific volunteer receives the form and funds-they can be mailed or hand delivered. That person then places the order with Angel Food Ministries, volunteers are available when the food arrives for distribution. If your church would like to become a host congregation and/or get more information about this ministry contact: http://www.angelfood.ministires.com/
As we talked Susan and those present were very animated about the outreach ministry they are doing. It’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm as individuals and congregations are changing lives for the better in Christ’s Name.
