WHY OUTREACH ?
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” When we serve others, we are essentially serving Jesus. When Jesus calls upon us to serve others, it is only then that we see “the bigger picture” of Jesus’ ministry; many blessings come our way. Forming an Outreach Ministry Team creates a community of people within the church who are willing to give of their time and energy alongside each other. But we must reach out to more than just our neighboring communities. We must look at outreach from a global perspective, too. John R. W. Stott is quoted as saying, “We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.” Therefore, a true Outreach Team is communal and global.
The Neighborhood Center is a non-profit 501c organization dedicated to serving the needs of the less fortunate in South Lake County, Florida. Although we are not faith based, many local churches support the Center with food, household items, and monetary donations. We are located in Groveland, Florida and serve the nearby communities of Clermont, Montverde, Groveland, Masotte, Minneola, and points south to the county line.
The Center is operated by four employees and over 100 volunteers. All services are free to our clients.
Many individuals, churches, governmental and private organizations, and grants support the Center
The Shawl Ministry has been adopted and modified by many churches. Shepherd of the Hills is one of those churches which has adopted and incorporated this practice into their Outreach Ministry. Before and during the knitting process of each shawl, prayers and said for the recipient. When the shawl is presented to the receiver they are greeted with the words, “This is a hug from God and all of us at Shepherd of the Hills”. The Shawl Ministry was created in 1998 by Jan Bristol & Victoria Gala of St. Patrick and St. Anthony Churches in Hartford, CT. This prayer ministry has reached out to many in need of comfort and solace and Hills.
If you would like a prayer shawl delivered to your home, kindly fill out the form below with your contact information and we’ll get back to you to arrange a delivery.
(Form Coming Soon)
This year marks the 10th anniversary of “Gods work. Our hands.” Sunday!
On Sunday, Sept. 10, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service. “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA’s 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA–one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
A list of service opportunities is being developed for you to choose where you feel you can best serve on Sunday, September 10. It will be made available to you soon. Keep watching this site for updated news on how to sign up. We appreciate all of those who are working to help make this day a great opportunity for us to share our love of Christ with others!
The Craft Circle began a community outreach effort to medically ill children in the spring of 2006. They began crafting “ME Dolls”. Florida Children’s Hospital gives hospitalized children a “ME Doll” upon admission.
These are special dolls that have no face. The children can they draw their own face upon the doll. Some children prefer to leave the face blank, so they can imagine their doll’s face with different expressions. The doll is also unique because it has detachable hair. Hair is attached with Velcro; some children lose their hair due to medical treatments. Each doll wears a children themed fabric hospital gown and has a very special heart appliquéd on its chest.
The Craft Circle is making and donating these dolls to the hospital as part of their outreach projects.
More than 820 million people – that’s about 11 percent of people in our world today – are hungry.
As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn More.
Hunger facts
821 million people around the world – that’s more than 1 in 10 – can’t access the food they need to live active, healthy lives.
According to the most recent estimates, 736 million people live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day. That’s 10% of the world’s population.
At some point in 2017 (the most recent year available), more than 40 million people in the United States were unsure where their next meal might come from.
39.7 million Americans were living in poverty in 2017. For a family of four, this means their annual household income was below $25,094.
Virginia Circle is the official name for this quilting ministry. Normally our Quilting Circle donates their quilts to Lutheran World Relief. However, we have also distributed quilts to relief for Hurricane Katrina, several other disaster areas, and members. A LWR quilt is special. It brings warmth on a cold night, shelter from the sun on a hot day. It becomes a bed, a room divider, a backpack, and at times, even a home. Over 40,000 quilts are distributed by Lutheran World Relief worldwide each year.
Quilts are blessed before distribution You don’t have to be a woman to participate in our Tuesday meetings. Men are in our group, too We meet most Tuesdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. You can also volunteer to quilt at home.
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Looking for a meaningful way to give where needed most? This gift is for you! Your unrestricted support will allow the ELCA to respond where and when needed most: starting new ministries, sending missionaries, training leaders, engaging youth and young adults, sharing the gospel and serving our neighbors. With one gift, you have an opportunity to make a widespread impact, reaching far and wide to share God’s love.
This little piggy couldn’t be a bigger lifesaver. This gift is a source of natural fertilizer, helping a family’s crops grow tall and strong. If needed, taking a pig to the marketplace is like cashing out a savings account. The funds can be used to pay school fees for children or cover an emergency trip to the clinic.
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Welcome to The Mt. Meru Coffee Project Website.
Established in 1999, the Project enables the small coffee farmers living on the slopes of Mount Meru in Tanzania to have funds available to send their children to school, access and pay for health care, and to support local farm villages, markets, and merchants.
The Project provides small farmers with a fair price for their premium coffee. A fair price provides an increase in farm income, allowing the farmers to support their families with dignity.
Purchasing and drinking Mt. Meru Premium Tanzanian Coffee is the single most important way in which individuals, congregations, and businesses can support thousands of family coffee farmers in Tanzania.
