Mission Statement: The Outreach Ministry Team is responsible for the leadership and development of St. Catherine’s outreach to the community, nation, and world. This includes responsibility for the budgeting and financial management of these efforts.
Anyone who is interested is invited to attend team meetings which are held the third Thursday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October, & December) from 7-8:30 PM at the church.
Blood Drives Frederick Massey, 770.955.0174
In our desire to serve the greater community of Atlanta, we host Red Cross blood drives twice a year, in the spring and the fall. We will need volunteers to help with sign-up, publicity, set-up, clean-up, greeters and registrars on the day of the Drive, and of course blood donors! Look for sign-up sheets and more announcements as we approach Drive dates.
Bread Ministry Ron Cook, 770.971.3752
The purpose of the Bread Ministry is to collect outdated bakery items from local grocery stores and deliver them to Cobb Family Resources or M.U.S.T., who in turn distribute or use in their ministries, as needed. Adults who drive are scheduled on a rotating basis to make these calls and deliveries. Several days are open, in need of drivers/deliverers.
Communities In Schools Carol Fey, 678.503.0901
Communities In Schools (CIS) champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. Assistance is offered to students and parents who want help with moving towards a productive and successful life by completing high school with a high school diploma. St. Catherine’s is currently involved in CIS’s Georgia Literacy Connection program which provides volunteers for individualized literacy tutoring to students at Brumby Elementary School. Volunteers are needed to assist in the office and as mentors for youth at the Performance Learning Centers in Marietta City Schools and Cobb County Schools. Training and flexible schedules are available.
Elizabeth Inn and MUST Ministries
Dinner
volunteer coordinators Connie Bergeron, 770.951.1411
Tracy
Buckalew, 770.956.9609
Overnight
volunteer coordinators Carolyn Hilley, 770.973.8636
Frederick
Massey, 770.955.0174
St. Catherine’s provides dinner and overnight supervision on the 28th of each month for the Elizabeth Inn, a homeless shelter of MUST Ministries on Cobb Parkway (Highway 41) in Marietta. Dinner volunteers arrive at 6:00 PM to cook and serve and leave by 8:00. Dinner is served at 7:00. Volunteers donate food to feed approximately 50-55 guests. Overnight volunteers arrive at 6:00 PM and leave at 6:00 AM. Overnight help is needed to supervise and wash the clothes for the residents of the Inn. Both volunteer opportunities are very rewarding experiences.
The Extension Carol Fey, 678.503.0901
The Extension is a multi-faceted organization striving to offer a positive response to active chemical addiction and its causes by offering programs designed to strengthen the individuals and our community. The Extension is in the planning stages of offering a residential program for homeless, addicted women. St. Catherine’s gives support in several ways, including participating in the annual fundraisers, collecting items on their “wish list,” and providing volunteers.
Giving
Tree/Emmaus House Christmas Gifts
Each Advent, a “Giving Tree” is displayed in the church lobby to provide an opportunity for our congregation to support underprivileged families at Christmas time. Names on the tree include the residents of Peoplestown in Atlanta (Emmaus House Ministry) and other names given to us by local charities or parishioners. Volunteers are needed to help set up the tree (Saturday after Thanksgiving), make gift tag/ornaments, collect, sort, and deliver gifts. Delivery takes place the week before Christmas and/or coincides with the Emmaus House Christmas parties.
Habitat
for Humanity Tom Snead, 678.795.9508
Connie Bergeron,
770.951.1411
Each fall St. Catherine’s joins with local churches and organizations from Cobb Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a needy family through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity. All “sorts and conditions” of people are needed throughout this three-month project, which includes but is not limited to framing, roofing, siding, painting, landscaping, and providing lunch. Minimum age for participants is 16 years old.
A fund-raising walk/run through downtown Atlanta, to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank and other selected ministries. St. Catherine’s members may participate by walking or sponsoring a walker. Walkers may designate their gifts to the Episcopal Charities Foundation and what we collect determines a food credit at the Food Bank for MUST Ministries. We provide a light lunch and snacks, and travel down to Atlanta together, making this a fun family event.
Kairos Prison Ministry Carla von Hoffman, 770.565.4122
The mission of Kairos Ministries is to bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families, and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen. Kairos Prison is ecumenical and made up of lay persons as well as clergy. To learn more about this ministry, please visit the websites: www.kairosprisonministry.org or www.kairosofgeorgia.org.
Native American Ministry Ginny and Scott Lummus, 770.649.5391
Cultural and spiritual sharing constitutes the basis for our partner parish relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Whiterocks, Utah. We have broken bread, conducted VBS and shared cultural events. Cross-visitation activities continue as members of St. Catherine’s travel to White Rocks and members of St. Elizabeth’s visit us here at St. Catherine’s. Please contact us if you have an interest in Native America Ministry.
New Orleans Relief Ministry Al Jones, 770.565.1013
St. Catherine’s has partnered with St. George’s Episcopal Church, located on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. This ministry supports St. George’s and many other relief needs in the greater New Orleans area.
Operation Christmas Child Jennifer Gale, 770.579.0657
Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. This program of Samaritan’s Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on mission project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift. Along with shoe box gifts, millions of children are given Gospel booklets in their own language. Look for details in November.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Carol Eskew, 770.321.3916
Join other St. Catherine’s walkers and runners in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot to benefit MUST Ministries. Walk or run 5K, 10K, one mile run or the Tot Trot. Bring your family and participate in this multi-generational event — it’s a great way to give thanks for such a wonderful community resource.
US 10K Race Carol Eskew, 770.321.3916
The US 10K is an annual event held on Labor Day. Our participation benefits MUST Ministries. We’re looking for walkers, runners, in-line skaters, and phantom runners to join the St. Catherine’s team for this fun and challenging event.
St. Catherine’s parishioners share their gifts in a number of other ministries and organizations throughout the local area. The Clergy and members of the Outreach Ministry Team are committed to supporting parishioners who have a burning desire to participate in other viable projects. If you are aware of a ministry in need of support and you feel called to participate in that ministry and to bring it to the awareness of St. Catherine’s outreach, we invite you to contact a member of the Outreach Team about presenting the project at an upcoming meeting.