We started the year by selling tickets in the Parish Hall to the Hampton History Museum’s annual fundraiser “Empty Bowls” that benefits the community’s feeding ministries.
St. Paul’s Feeding Ministry continued under the able leadership of Nick Heavens. Many thanks to Nick for keeping this ministry alive within St. John’s community. Nick’s move to England opened the door for George Cornwell to provide leadership of our committed breakfast crew. Thanks, George.
Vacation Bible School Used Coat Drive. Several used coats were collected during VBS to benefit low-income children that are served by the YMCA. Thanks to Shannon Olson for her leadership.
Bright Beginnings, YMCA. Low-income children are taken on a shopping trip to Target to purchase two days of new school clothes. The Nickerson Trust has provided the YMCA with funds to help with the purchase. Many thanks to Ruth Simmons and Carol Winarski for giving their time to take the children by the hand.
School Supply Drive, YMCA. One of the offices in the Parish Hall was consumed by school supplies. St. John’s parishioners, as usual, are very generous in their support of our less fortunate neighbors.
Summer Lunch Program. This summer’s program saw an increase in our guests’ participation. New and old faces were welcomed in the kitchen and serving line. Members of our community, as well as other churches, joined us to ensure our guests enjoyed a nutritious meal complete with fellowship.
Healthy Families Partnership. Gift cards were given to families associated with Healthy Families. Parishioners signed Thanksgiving cards that went with the gift cards.
Feast of Caring. Baxter Simmons, Jr. provided the soup, while Pamela Martin, Carol Winarski, and I served the soup for the annual fundraiser at First Presbyterian to benefit HELP. This is a downtown church-wide effort.
Holiday of Hope Project. Along with other faith-based communities, we partnered with PACE Riverside to see that the residents would enjoy a Christmas party complete with gifts. Thanks to Carol Winarski for providing the angel/snowman tree and the leadership.
My thanks to the Outreach Committee, Samantha and, most of all, St. John’s parishioners for their commitment to serving our neighbors.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle (Annual Report), February 2015.