Outreach
The Outreach Committee again kept its focus in 2005 on community ministry. We continued our two main projects: the MAP Supper House and our 2nd Sunday Food Ingathering. We give $125 per month to the Supper House for food and supplies and volunteers served food each 2nd Monday of the month. We have a need for more volunteers and hope 2006 will see some new people involved. Our 2nd Sunday Food Ingathering has been an excellent ministry. We give food, alternating months between the MAP Food Pantry and the Rescue Mission. St. Gregory's has been most faithful and generous. Thanks to the Ganson's for delivering the food each month.
Several times this year we have been able to donate money to those in need here in Muskegon and also elsewhere. We asked the Vestry to consider a donation from Outreach for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The amount of $500 was approved. In May, we requested another $500 for several local agencies:
Camp Courage - Hospice Grief ministry for children $150.00
Every Woman's Place 100.00
MAP Emergency Medical Support Fund 150.00
Child Abuse Council of Muskegon 100.00
We receive many requests for help from many organizations. There are many needs and we do our best to choose ones that we feel are ones we can support.
November and December were very busy months. On Sunday, November 13 and Sunday, November 20 we held the African Arts and Crafts Sale for African Team Ministries. All proceeds go to help families, and especially children who are orphaned at an early age, fight the AIDS problem in Africa. Your generosity enabled us to send a check for $916 to help this cause. Thank you so much.
In December we sponsored the "Giving Tree". A tree was decorated with mittens, gloves, hats, and socks for all ages and these were given to the MAP Christmas party for those in need.
Thanks to Sandra Pitts and Pat Ganson for having a "Sewing Bee" on December 3rd. Those attending sewed clothing for dolls they dressed for the Salvation Army at Christmas. This project may be repeated with sewing in other areas of giving.
St. Gregory's continues to be in need of a U. T. O. Chairperson. This position is important and requires someone's direction only several times a year. United Thank Offering does contribute money to many good causes.
I would like to thank our 2005 members for their committment to our ministry this year: Cynthia Boyd, Jane Borgman, Pat Ganson, Mary Ellen Miller, Sandra Pitts, Vestry liaison Stuart Smith, and Fr. Brower. We are so pleased to have Fr. Brower with us. All of St. Gregory's is part of our outreach and we appreciate your support and input.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Craigie