Return to home page
|
Loving our neighbors as ourselves involves outreach to the community
beyond the Chapel of the Cross by groups within the parish. This
outreach is varied and extensive. The Social Ministry Committee
anchors our parish outreach; but students, small groups, the ABC
Sale (which involves just a large cross section of the parish)
and many small, quiet endeavors are a part of this ministry. In
this issue of Cross Roads, we offer
a glimpse at some of the many ways parishioners are involved in
community outreach. A more complete
listing of outreach ministries is available in the Directory of
Parish Ministries, available in the parish office.
Social Ministry
Why does the Chapel of the Cross involve itself with social ministry, or outreach to others? The obvious answer is that Jesus tells us to. Throughout scripture and our Anglican tradition there are mandates for social ministry. In Matthew 25:34-46, Jesus directs us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite in the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoners. Whatever we do for one of the least of these brothers of Jesus, we do for Him. The Book of Common Prayer specifically directs us to reach out and serve others in our Baptismal Covenant, the Catechism, and the General Thanksgiving. The Social Ministry Committee was chartered by the vestry in 1989 “to focus the Outreach and Social Ministry of the Chapel of the Cross.” Our mission statement is “to serve God by bringing Christ’s love, justice, and mercy into the world through education, stewardship, and leadership through social outreach.” Today, 13 years after its creation, the Social Ministry Committee has grown to include 22 talented members, lay and clergy, all of whom have a passion to serve our brothers and sisters in need. We meet on the first Sunday of the month at the Inter-Faith Council shelter on Rosemary Street from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Those members who are able come early to eat lunch and converse with the homeless guests before our meeting. We meet upstairs in a crowded space to remind ourselves of the living conditions of those we serve. We begin our meeting by meditating on a scripture passage to remind us of what Christ calls us to do. The work of the Social Ministry Committee is in four areas: community outreach, education, recommendations for financial support, and stewardship.
This is a year of reassessment for the Social Ministry Committee. At our October retreat we looked at short-term and long-term goals and brainstormed some exciting new ideas. We are now planning ways to implement these new suggestions. This will be an ongoing process. We invite your prayers for God’s wisdom and guidance on our behalf and, of course, we invite any interested parishioners to our monthly meetings. Please call me at 919-967-3761 with any questions and concerns or if you would like to attend a meeting.
Send
items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads." © 2003 The Chapel of the Cross |