SENDING TO SERVE

The Sending to Serve Committee's primary mission is to provide for the planning and implementation of those ministries that prepare members to witness their faith and serve others in the neighborhood, community and the world; to facilitate hands on ministry in areas such as volunteers in mission, lay ministries, neighborhood ministries, religion and race, church and society, missions and stewardship.

• Christmas Dinner plans and executes a community dinner on Christmas Day afternoon.  Volunteers needed to solicit food donations, work with United Way to register attendees, solicit funding, prepare social hall, prepare and serve food, clean up, coordinate delivery of take-home meals.

• Food Bank organizes a food drive the first Sunday of each month and two additional major food drives a year to provide canned/dry food items for emergency food needs of the community, working as liaison with the Linn County Food Bank.  Persons are needed to organize, publicize the drive and deliver food.

• 4th of July Picnic involves the congregation directly with those in the surrounding neighborhood by sharing a meal and worship outside.  This outreach is held in Redmond Park at 3rd Avenue and 16th Street SE.  The picnic takes place the Saturday prior to the 4th of July.  This year it will be on Saturday, June 39th.  This team coordinates all aspects of the picnic and supports the worship leaders.

• Habitat for Humanity assists in providing affordable housing.  The group works in conjunction with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity and other organizations to build and renovate affordable housing for families.  Carpentry, construction, painting, landscaping, insulation skills are helpful.  Phone calling and providing food for workers are also needed.  All skill levels are needed and anyone can help.

• Ingathering Kits are ways you can help distribute needed supplies through the world.  this can be done individually with requirements we can provide or else join the workshops that will take place this Summer and Fall.  All kits are taken as part of a Thanksgiving offering in November.

• Refugee Ministry Team provides transitional needs of refugee families as they become integrated into American life.  Persons are needed to provide transportation, tutor English and serve as buddies to the children.

• March of Dimes Walk America is held the last Sunday in April.  St. Paul's volunteers reach out to the 2,500 to 4,000 participants in the walk.  Water and apple slices are served.  Only the ability to smile is needed!

• Martin Luther King Day develops a worship program which includes music, speakers, ushers, reception and technical support.  Involvement can be on the day of the event or a two to three month involvement in planning.

• Meal Enrichment provides a warm, nutritious noon meal to neighborhood children and their families during the summer when free and reduced meals are not available to children through the school system.  Individuals are needed to prepare and serve meals as well as general supervision during the meal.  General cleanup follows the meal.  During the 2000 program, over 200 meals were served every day.

• Mission Team organizes and supports local, national and international mission opportunities.  Local efforts to provide relief are also important aspects of this ministry.

• SPRINT members participate in planning and visioning for the development of a summer neighborhood outreach program of service learning for middle school and younger.  Both paid and volunteer positions available for either planning, daily programming or on a one time basis.  This ministry is for anyone!

• Wellington Heights Showcase takes place the first Sunday in August from noon until 6 p.m.  St. Paul's ahs a presence in this neighborhood event.  We need help in planning as well as on the day of the event