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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