Aug. 9, 2017 Service Ministry at Christ Church
We are so blessed at Christ Church to have such an active, generous, and engaged parish family! I have had the pleasure of guiding our Service Ministry Team for about seven years and I am continually bowled over by the level of commitment this parish has to caring for those in need.
One of my favorite outreach events is about to begin! In October, we’ll start our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Each week we post a different food item and our generous parishioners rush to donate canned yams, mashed potatoes and gravy packets, cranberry sauce, green beans, and all the non-perishable fixings for a Thanksgiving feast. Our Day School families love this event as well and fill a shopping cart with donations each week!
On Sunday, November 12, we’ll have all the food sorted in Hinde Hall. After both services that day, parishioners are invited to walk through the tables and fill bags for families. It makes my heart sing to watch every person in church lovingly pack a bag. The joy is palpable! Last year we packed a record-breaking 219 bags! In addition to the non-perishables, each bag also contains a $10 grocery card for purchasing a turkey. That’s over $2000 in donations for turkeys, alone!
We’re able to share this Thanksgiving love throughout the county as our bags are distributed to folks in need through St Mark’s in City Heights, St Alban’s in El Cajon, the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, and Uptown Faith in Downtown San Diego. We also give bags to low-income military families living in Strand Navy Housing.
This is just one example of how our Christ Church family bridges love and service! Our Service Ministry Team welcomes new members! If you’re interested in joining this crazy, fun group and helping to plan our outreach activities, please send me an email!
With love and gratitude, Sarah
Sarah Shealy Stump
For the Christ Church Service Ministry Team
sarah.a.shealy@gmail.com