Vestry Liaison Update – Outreach

I cannot think of a better way to show God’s love than through outreach.  Jesus said “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”   Inspired by Jason’s sermon, and being a new member of the Vestry, whose focus is on Outreach, I could not help but think how this directly applies.  Outreach can be defined as “the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits”.  These services or assistance can certainly be in physical form as in feeding the hungry and housing the homeless, but also in spiritual form as we engage and relate with others. 

The St Andrew’s community has several opportunities and activities to engage in outreach, but we are working to develop more.  The Engaging the Climb team is developing and implementing projects/new ideas outside of the doors of our church with a goal of developing new Christian community for people who are currently, nor may ever be, parishioners of a traditional church.  The Building Implementation Team is developing the practical and logistical pieces involved in turning our former school spaces into a multi-use community outreach facility – a portion of the facility will be used to serve those in need or those who are underserved.

If you are interested in helping with PORT – a project of Newport News LINK that provides meals and overnight accommodations at host churches for the homeless in our community - St Andrew’s will have volunteers for this March 24-25 (Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning) at Denbigh United Presbyterian Church.  Please reach out to Matt Deller (812-9852 or pablodeller@outlook.com) for more information.

A Kairos Informational Get Together will be hosted on Sunday, February 23, from 5-7 PM at the home of Matt Deller - 300 Park Place.  Join Brad and Matt to learn more about the ministry while enjoying refreshments.  The Kairos mission is to bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals and their families.  Please RSVP to Matt Deller (757-812-9852) if you are able to attend.  If you don’t know that this is your calling, you are still able to help by baking cookies for this ministry! More information to come. 

Recipients of the Lackey Fund gifts have received over $20,000 in total due to the generous gift from Carolyn Lackey.  Every year, a variety of programs benefit and help those in need with these funds distributed by St. Andrew’s.   Applications are submitted every year in the early fall if you would like to apply on behalf of a charity or ministry.   For more information, please contact Diana Skelton (897-7395)

Remember that God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Be the light of the world!

Dawn Edquist