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Service Ministry
2011 SERVICE MINISTRY FOCUS ON HUNGER
I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in...Matthew 25:35
Christ Church's focus for service in 2011 will be conitnue to be HUNGER - on a local, national, and global scale. The task is overwhelming but together we can make a difference.
Service Ministry Meetings - are held on the second Tuesday of every month, at 6:00 p.m. - Come join us to help us plan future projects.
Questions?
Talk to Service Ministry members David Hopkins, Sarah Stump, Tami Sandke, Kathleen Ireland, Donna Otten, Judy Kissell, Charlette Preslar, Sheila McCallum, Charlotte Zaino, Betsy McKee, Nancy Roberts or Christie Tugend
Quarterly Service Ministry Update
Events - 2012
Operation Diaper Drop!
Christ Church is joining with other Episcopal churches in our diocese for Operation Diaper Drop, a diaper drive to benefit children and families in ECS's Head Start programs. Look for the stork and playpen in the courtyard each Sunday in January.
When you're out shopping, consider picking up a pack (or two!) of disposable diapers. Bring them to church on Sunday and drop them in the playpen. We're collecting all sizes -- from newborn to toddler -- including pull-ups and swim diapers.
On January 29, all the participating churches will bring their diapers to an ESC warehouse in South Bay. We're hoping for a little fun publicity for our diocese at the "drop" event! Thanks for your help and support!
Food Drive for St. Mark's Caught Up Short cupboard
The following list is just a guideline - any non-perishable food item is appreciated.
- January 1 - canned beans
- January 8 - cooking oils
- January 15 - peanut butter and jelly
- January 22 - canned soups/stews
- January 29 - canned vegetables
Annual Spaghetti Dinner 
Our Annual Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the Caught Up Short cupboard will be Monday, January 23. Cost for dinner is a donation to the food pantry. There will be two seatings - go to the event website for more information and to RSVP; this will be helpful for planning purposes. Take a look at some of the photos of last year's event to see what fun it is!
Weekly Food In-gathering
Do you know about St. Mark's Caught Up Short Cupboard? St. Mark's is an Episcopal Church serving some of the very poorest in the City Heights area of San Diego. Their pantry provides food for 35+ families each week. On a weekly basis, Christ Church gathers food, which is carried to the altar by our children, and given to St. Mark's to help stock the shelves for this incredible ministry they provide.
While it may seem like such a simple thing to pick something up for our ingathering, sometimes life gets in the way. We are pulled in so many directions and are taking care of so many people and things that half the time we forget our own food for dinner that night...which is why most of us keep a grocery list...which is why Christ Church offers a weekly suggestion of an item for the in-gathering. Isn't it easier, when the e-news comes, to jot down "Peanut Butter" right on your grocery list, than to try to remember to pick something up for the pantry?
Perhaps a small change can yield a huge difference! Imagine in Sundays to come, children with heaping baskets headed to the altar. Or dream bigger...imagine that we have more food, and need more baskets, and need more children. What a joyous procession that would be!!
Why not start this week? Throw a pebble in the pond. Let's see where the ripples take us!
Food Bags for the Homeless
Quarterly, the Service Ministry Team purchases simple food items and small water bottles to distribute to the homeless population throughout San Diego. In turn, the congregation is asked to assist in assembling the brown bags following each of the Sunday morning services.
Parishioners are then encouraged to take three or four completed snack bags, and place them in their cars to give to folks appearing to need assistance, whom they may encounter at traffic lights, mall entrances, etc…
This simple service project seems to be popular among the congregation. The end result is twofold: it helps alleviate hunger, and it encourages interaction with people in need, letting them know that they are not forgotten. Click here to read about one parishioner's experience.
Trips to Dorcas House
Dorcas House is a foster home in Tijuana that is supported by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. It houses children whose parents are serving time in the Tijuana jail. There are monthly trips to the facility to spend time with the children and spell the house mothers. Everyone is welcome to go.
The first 2012 trip to Dorcas House is January 8 when we celebrate Three Kings Day. This is the day when Dorcas House invites their neighbors over for a modest feast during which time their friends are visited by the three Kings who bring them special gifts. The Kings are gringo Episcopalians, and the gifts are from the "Angel Tree" compliments of the Cathedral parishioners.
Plan to meet at 9:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Cathedral parking lot (Olive & Sixth Ave). Some individuals, especially the kings, will be attending the 8:00 a.m. service where they will be blessed. The group should be home by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.
The group will carpool down to the border parking lot, cross the border on foot, and take a group taxi to the foster home where they will eat lunch and have a fiesta at Dorcas House. Please plan to bring about $20 per person (or $40 per family) to cover the cost of transportation and insurance (no one is turned away for lack of funds). Expect to spend another $5 to $10 per person on incidentals. A valid passport is required.
Please contact Suzanne Warren at sharp.healthcare@sbcglobal.net or at home 619-437-8700 to let her know if you plan to attend.
If you are unfamiliar with the Dorcas House ministry, please visit www.dorcashousefriends.org for more information.
Service Ministry Charter
Ministry Mission: To maintain and expand the caring work of Christ outside of the Parish and to promote fellowship through service.
Specific Tasks:
1.) Develop service projects for our congregation’s involvement beyond the Parish, including “hands on” projects to promote fellowship and expand participation and Christian awareness.
2.) Encourage and solicit input from the congregation in the development and implementation of service projects.
3.) Encourage parishioners to volunteer for community service and to suggest projects for this Ministry.
4.) Include children and youth in service projects by seeking the participation of the Sunday school, youth group, Christ Church Day School students and their families.
5.) Strengthen the Parish relationship with other charitable providers, such as the Episcopal Community Services (ECS - www.ecscalifornia.org), Regional Diocesan Mission Strategy Group, Coronado Council of Churches, and other parishes within the diocese.
6.) Administer the Parish Service Ministry Budget, selecting from among the many needs presented locally, nationally and internationally.
7.) Publicize, within both the Parish and community at large, the efforts of the Service Ministry and service needs and opportunities.
8.) Report periodically to the Vestry on service activities, plans and opportunities.