|
|
Copyright © 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee | May / June 2004 |
|
| |
|
REACH
OUT: MISSION MATTERS
Parish Outreach and Mission Activities |
|
|
|
Outreach and mission are central faith expressions, and in addition to the lengthier discussions of foreign and domestic efforts in this issue, a recent review of parish newsletters and parish Web sites spotlights the following group of projects. The list is by no means exhaustive, and we welcome additions to be published in future issues of the East Tennessee Episcopalian. Depending on your contributions, this may become a regular feature:
St. Thaddaeus, Chattanooga, parishioners are collecting materials
for the East Africa missionary work of Camille Hallstrom, who has an ecumenical
ministry supported by the Episcopal Society of St. Andrew and under the
supervision of an African Anglican priest. Her work involves Christian
teaching and visits to schools, prisons, churches and community gatherings.
Want to help? Call the church at 423-892-2377.
St. Stephen, Oak Ridge, parishioners work with the Ecumenical Storehouse to gather household goods for distribution to Anderson County victims of fire, flood, abuse and those who otherwise are in need. For more information, call the church at 865-483-8497.
The youth of St. Francis, Norris, plan a trip to the Mountain
Community Parent Resource Center, a Jubilee Center in White Oak, where
they will staff a pre-camp workshop for Appalachian children who will
go to their very own summer camp the end of July at Grace Point, the diocesan
Camp and Retreat Center. Call the church at 865-494-8943.
St. Paul, Chattanooga, hosts a ministry to victims of
violent crime. At meetings the first and third Wednesdays of each month,
people are invited to talk about their thoughts and feelings and receive
support. Call the church at 423-266-8195.
The small blue boxes of the United Thank Offering have been a ministry
of Episcopal Church Women since 1889. Episcopalians are
urged to name their blessings and deposit coins into the cardboard boxes
to help others. These offerings are gathered twice each year and are used
to fund compelling need. In 2003, the fund granted $3 million dollars
to ministries including halfway houses, after-school programs, homeless
shelters and dental clinics. For more information, contact the diocesan
UTO Coordinator, Katie Piper, at kwpiper1@comcast.net.
St. Thomas, Knoxville, gathers its neighborhood on the
church grounds throughout the summer for friendly competition and refreshments
in its “Monday Night Games.” Call 865-688-2741 for more information.
St. Andrew, Harriman, is a founding member of Hands
of Mercy of Roane County, a countywide food bank. The Rev. Joseph Pinner,
rector, is on the board of directors, and Sharon Pinner, his wife, is
the organization’s executive director. Parishioners gather their contributions
the third Sunday of each month, which they have designated as Outreach
Sunday. The latest parish newsletter identifies baby formula, baby food
and diapers as special needs. Call the church for more information: 865-882-1272.
St. Luke, Cleveland, is among the parishes that support
the Appalachian School Supplies program to buy and fill backpacks for
Campbell County schoolchildren. A recent newsletter noted that parishioner
Margaret Cate once again “has agreed to chair the drive and has been shopping
for bargains all year long.” Call the church at 423-476-5541 — or call
Patty Chase, diocesan coordinator for the project, at 865-524-0551.
REACH OUT: MISSION MATTERS related stories:
|