Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church

    Our Social Ministries Committee has an agenda of year-round projects and other activities for 2003, including support of Potter's House and the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center; collecting literacy/reading materials for the REACH organization (Reading Enriches All Children); participation in one or more projects of Women of Hope (assistance in Afghanistan); helping with meals for homeless persons housed at Christian Church Uniting.

    Holiday Collections: Easter baskets are assembled for distribution by Mother's Inc.; Food items and monetary donations are collected for meals to be distributed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners; Christmas gifts are collected through an Angel Tree to be given to less fortunate families in our local area.

    Quarterly we prepare and deliver a meal for up to 100 persons at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center.

***

Other mission projects in which we have been involved include:

Pennies for Prescriptions. The children in the Sunday School contribute toward the purchase of prescriptions for the needy.

Food pantry. Canned and dried foods are received for persons who come to the church looking for food. Some foods are taken to Potter's House for distribution.

Relay for Life. For several years we have had at least one Relay for Life team. The members of the team raise money for cancer research and participate in the annual Relay for Life weekend.

Blood Drive. Our Blood Drive for the American Red Cross in March of 2001received 23 pints.

We have received eyeglasses for the Lions Club.

We provide a space for ToughLove to meet every Tuesday from 7 - 9:10 p. m. ToughLove is a support group for parents.

Many of our members are active in ministries outside the church such as Meals on Wheels, Reach to Recovery, and public school reading programs.

^{POTTER’S HOUSE}

^{Potter’s House is a joint ministry of the Virginia Beach United Methodist
Church and Star of the Sea Catholic Church. It started as a way to help the
homeless in the neighborhood. Currently the ministry involves many volunteers
and takes place in a building (18th & Pacific) purchased and renovated for
that purpose. Sandwiches are prepared and distributed to homeless persons. Boxes
of food are also given to families with residences.}

^{Assistance is available for utilities and rent. Clothing and toiletries are
also available as needed. In addition, bicycles are repaired and rebuilt using
spare parts from donated bicycles which are then given to employed persons as a
means of transportation to their jobs.}

^{Potter’s House is an extension of God’s love by church volunteers to the
poor. Two of these volunteers are Beth Meghinasso, Virginia Beach United
Methodist Church, and Sister Mary Ann Grzeskowiak, Star of the Sea Catholic
Church, who represent their respective churches as coordinators at Potter’s
House.}

^{Members of the Social Ministries Committee visited Potter’s House, and
identified the following ways in which our
congregation can give support:}

^{· prayer}

^{· donations of money}

^{· donations of bicycles (any
condition)}

^{· someone to work in the bike shop as
an assistant on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 noon}

^{· donations of canned and dried food}

^{· donations of blankets, socks,
gloves, coats, and toiletries}

^{· persons to provide transportation on
call or at set times}