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Social Ministries |
For a Lutheran Statement on Social Ministry
See our Affiliated Site!
Other Lutheran Social Statements
can be found at the ELCA Site
A STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS MOMENT
God has gifted each of us with everything we need to do ministry! Paul says
that some are teachers, some have gifts for administration, proclaiming the
Gospel, etc. But his main point is that EVERYONE has gifts to share. I had a
grandmother at a Lutheran home who, at ninety-eight, used to ask, "Why
does God keep me here?" We used to answer, "To pray for the rest of
us!" Although we said it kiddingly, it was also a serious answer. We knew
she did - and would. And we certainly needed her prayers. The staff at the
hospital used to refer to her as "The Peacemaker." If they had a
troublesome patient, they would put her in with our grandmother who, with her
sensible judgment and good humor, as well as her deep well of faith, would soon
win her "roommate" over.
Social Ministries are not just for those few "gifted" people who also happen to have a lot of time on their hands. God calls us to reach out to all of those around us in need - whether near or far away. Our congregation is deeply committed to both outreach and justice ministries, healing the broken and brokenhearted, being God's loving presence for the alone and lonely, ministering to the needs of our community and the greater community of humankind. You are invited to join us by the Lord who has declared, "As you have done it to the least of these, my brothers, you have done it to me."
GUARDIANS AD LITEMS
Guardians ad Litem are trained volunteers appointed by a district
court judge to investigate and determine the needs of children who come before
the court because they are abused, neglected or dependent. There are no special
education requirements, but they are given thirty hours of training and paired
with an attorney before being assigned to a case. The Guardian serves as the
child’s voice in court, exploring facts relevant to the case, making
recommendations, and monitoring the case as it moves through the court and
social services. They are the only person whose sole task is to focus on the
best interests of the child. For further details, call the Guardian Office at
(252)514-4701.
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES (RCS)
We are
still plugging along down at RCS. The
shelves of food are looking a little bare though. Please remember Loaves and Fishes is the
FIRST Sunday of every month and you are asked to bring in non-perishable food
items and place them in the basket in the narthex. Canned tuna or chicken, dry milk, pasta
& sauce, even dry cereal are items in demand right now. Paper products and disposable silverware make
good donations, too, if you can help.
Our RCS
volunteers meet as a group to fold and sort clothes, at the center, the second
Tuesday of every month, but other St. Andrew members volunteer their time
individually, and also help out in the kitchen.
If you would like more information about what is needed, or how you can
help out at the center please contact Ray Ramsden or RCS directly.
SALVAVTION
ARMY
St. Andrew
has a long-standing affiliation with the Salvation Army and, every year,
provides the bulk of its workers for the Christmas distribution in
ROTHERMEL FOUNDATION
An
endowed lecture series of First Presbyterian Church that has established an
ecumenical and interfaith board to secure speakers of national and
international acclaim, and to plan program topics of current interest on matters
primarily, though not exclusively, having to do with where science and religion
intersect. Typically two events are scheduled annually, one in the fall and one
in the spring.
The
Rothermel Foundation came into being in 1989 with a bequest from the late Amel
Rothermel, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, with the objective to
further religious faith in a Supreme Being in a modern, scientific age. To find more information on The Rothermel
Foundation, go to their at http://www.firstpresnewbern.org/Pages/Rothermel.htm