|
|
Loaves and Fishes:
St. Mark's purchases, prepares and serves a meal with Loaves and Fishes at Creekside Center in Bloomington. This is an important way to minister to those in need in our own community. This meal is open to anyone who walks in the door. Typically 150-200 individuals and families are served each night.
Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM):
This is our system of financial support for the mission and ministries of the wider United Church of Christ. Two-thirds of the money given from St. Mark's for these ministries stays in Minnesota and supports the ministries of the Minnesota Conference. One-third of the money given from St. Mark's goes to the National office to support their ministries on our behalf.
VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People):
St. Mark's is an active participant, along with 62 other churches located in Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield, supporting VEAP. For nearly 30 years, VEAP's goals have remained constant -- to provide basic services of food, emergency assistance, transportation, and seasonal programs that respond to the needs of hunger, poverty, disability, isolation, and the ongoing effects of these conditions. St. Mark's supoorts VEAP financially, through donations to its seasonal programs, and with faithful volunteers.
Gifts of the Heart:
When disaster occurs, Church World Service is there to lend a helping hand. St. Mark's gathers and assembles Health Kits containing necessities, such as washcloths, soap, towels, toothpaste and a toothbrush, comb, and bandages. Once each year these are shipped out to those in need.
Blanket Sunday:
Each year, members of St. Mark's are asked to "Blanket the World with love, hope, and a$5 blanket". Church World Service is able to buy these blankets in bulk directly from manufacturers, and the blankets become part of the disaster response program that provides immediate comfort when the need is great.
CROP Walk:
This is an annual program of Church World Service. Funds raised from our local 3.5 mile walk, along with other walks held in many other communities around the country, go to support local food shelves and international hunger programs. It is a fun time for people of all ages. You can either walk or sponsor someone else to walk.
St. Mark's Mitten Tree:
Each December, a Mitten Tree stands in the narthex of St. Mark's ready for gifts of colorful mittens, caps, stuffed animals, dolls, toys, and many other fun and practical gifts. These gifts are delivered to the Division of Indian Work (a program of the the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches) or another organization in Minneapolis in time for Christmas giving.
Sewing Group:
Besides gifts donated by the congregation, the St. Mark's Sewing Group creates and contributes hand made items to the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis. The Sewing Group, which meets monthly September through May, makes baby clothes, quilts, blankets, scarves, bedding, and many other lovely items. Each year, the Mitten Tree receives many of these gifts for needy, waiting children.
|
