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As a downtown church, we have many opportunities to love our neighbor. Sometimes, we directly meet the emergency needs of those who come to our door; at other times, we assist by referring to known resources in the community. We offer our Community House for several groups using the 12-step plan for healing. In addition, we have several outreach ministries that have been startede by individuals asking, "Lord, what will you have me do?"
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 Shepherd's Table, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Albany, GAThe Shepherd's Table is a food ministry that has been operating for many years at St. Paul's.
This church year, we are serving a nutritious, non-perishable bagged meal each Thursday from 11:30 to 12:30. Included in the bags are canned meat, fruit, Jello-O, a nutritious canned drink, and a package of peanut butter cookies. St. Cecilia's has enabled financially the ministry to include a full-size Hershey bar, which has become a favorite.
We are serving more guests once a week than our previous two-day format at a third of the cost, according to the two co-chairs. They estimate an average participation of 110.
St. Paul's youth have been encouraged to participate in this ministry, and they have answered the call both by packing and assisting in the weekly distribution. The parish's Boy Scout Troop also pack the bagged meals for which we are extremely grateful, and home-schooled children as well as public- and private-school children also have enjoyed helping.
Volunteers are always welcome to join this meaningful outreach. The joy and appreciation that one will witness will fill you with the love of helping those who so desperately need our help and caring. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Acts 20:35 how it is more blessed to give than to receive.
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| Seven young people and two adult leaders from the Isabella Baptist Church, Sylvester, came to St. Paul’s on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving 2009 to participate in the Shepherd’s Table. |
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In 1987, the late Merrel Callaway started this ministry to provide clothes for school children who needed them, using mostly donated items from church members. Today, children are required to wear uniforms to school, so the ministry has evolved into one that purchases only uniforms. For the past several years, hundreds of sweaters, jackets and shoes also have been distributed through the schools.
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Frequently, the L.O.V.E. Group gathers “wish-list” items for various local charities. |
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Our Scouting program is very robust, serving scores of Scouts with active Eagles and committed leaders. The troop meets at the church weekly, camps o ut once a month, and has at least one family oriented camp-out a year. |
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