The Committee on Social Ministry. The purpose of this committee shall be to extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned and, in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body and soul. It shall strive to enlist in these efforts as many as possible of the individual members and organizations of the congregation.
All members of our congregation are invited to participate in the many activities of the Social Ministry Committee. Throughout the year, we choose the designation for the Monthly Pink Envelope Collection which provides funds to both local and global missions. For half the year, we also provide the designation of the Quiet Cash/Noisy Coin Collection, again going towards local and global missions. For the holidays, Easter and Christmas, committee members deliver goodie bags or flowers to our homebound members. Part of our local outreach during Advent and Christmas includes collecting assorted baby items which are donated to Birthright, Sunbury. Social Ministry also facilitates the Mitten Tree Family Program at Christmas. We coordinate the 40 Days of Lent collection of non perishable food items and personal care items. Past recipients have been our Mitten Tree Families for Easter; Haven Ministry, the homeless shelter in Sunbury; and the Ronald McDonald House in Danville. Social Ministry holds an Ice Cream Social and 50-year Confirmation Celebration and enjoys the fun, food and fellowship. We honor all nurturing women and men of our congregation for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, respectively. Meals for Haven Ministry were prepared and served by committee members. A Retreat/Workshop was held for church members and members of surrounding area churches. Additionally through the year, fundraisers may be held for projects within our church and/or to purchase items through the ELCA Good Gifts catalog that support the ELCA churchwide ministries, fight hunger and transform lives. Each year, the committee reviews our activities and makes changes as needed to meet the needs of the church, community, and global missions.
