SAM
"Social Action Ministry"
Mission
Mission
Statement:
The joy of giving in community and the desire to be
of service reflects the teaching of Jesus to “Love our neighbors as
ourselves.” Our mission is to put faith into action, using our gifts to
provide service, support and care to those in our parish community, our
neighborhood and wherever we see need throughout the world.
At the April SAM committee meeting, members agreed
to abide by the Code of Conduct as outlined by the Vestry—online and
off—and would like to suggest that other committees request their members
to do the same.
Social Action Ministries (SAM) Committee Members:
Claudia Rapp, Sue MacLaurin, Suzanne Scarmack, Luisa
Del Giudice, Liesel Friedrich, Bob Vanderet and Catherine Llhamon
Activities
Projects/events completed:
1. Valentine’s Day—grocery ingathering for Westside
Food Bank distribution. Liesel Friedrich coordinated.
2. February—parish donations collected for IRIS
(Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service). IRIS is the refugee ministry
of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Donations of household goods were
distributed to primarily Iranian refugees and others who have come here to
escape war and genocide. Luisa Del Giudice coordinated.
3. March—Close to $500 collected at the March 2
Choir Concert. Money was given to the New Directions program for homeless
women veterans. Claudia Rapp coordinated.
4. March—United Thank Offering mite boxes
distributed at Easter; ingathering will occur on Pentecost. Liesel
Friedrich coordinated.
5. Easter--grocery ingathering for Westside Food
Bank distribution. Liesel Friedrich coordinated.
6. April—Web page for SAM created thanks to Parish
Administrator Nancy John! Committee members will update the page
frequently.
7. April—Beijing Circles presentation by the Rev.
Joanne Leslie and our own Luisa Del Giudice on April 21.
Up-coming
Projects/Events Scheduled
1. May—Big Sunday, May 3 and 4. St. Alban’s has
participated in Big Sunday for the last two years. This (now) 2-day event
includes approximately 200 service projects for volunteers to get involved
with. Suzanne Scarmack will coordinate St. Alban’s volunteering effort by
contacting Temple Isaiah and giving them a list of helpers from our
parish. Volunteers at the temple will be making kits of necessities for
homeless families entering Beyond Shelter’s Family Crisis Center.
2. Mother’s Day (May 11)—Standing Women project at
St. Alban’s at 1:00 p.m. Last year’s gathering brought 20 people to St.
Alban’s, many for the first time. The event, which is open to men, women
and children, requests that everyone stand perfectly still for 5 minutes
in recognition of women who are oppressed and suffering throughout the
world. Luisa Del Giudice is coordinating the event and Claudia Rapp will
serve as Master of Ceremonies.
3. Memorial Day—grocery ingathering for Westside Food
bank distribution. At a suggestion from Eileen McHenry, SAM members agreed
to add another food bank distribution date. Claudia Rapp will coordinate
with help from Suzanne Scarmack and Luisa Del Giudice.
4. June—Summer book/CDs drive for New Directions
homes for women veterans. Sue MacLaurin will coordinate this project.
Announcements will be in the May Good News and in the May Sunday
bulletins and information will be given at the May 4 Sunday services. The
cutoff date for donated books/CDs will be June 15.
5. July—Fourth — grocery ingathering for
Westside Food Bank. Liesel Friedrich will coordinate.
6. Late August—Back-to-School Drive for 1736 Family
Crisis Center. This project was quite successful last year, and we are
hoping for a “repeat performance” by parishioners this year.
7. Labor Day—grocery ingathering for Westside Food
Bank. Liesel Friedrich will coordinate.
8. November—Thanksgiving—grocery ingathering for
Westside Food Bank. Liesel Friedrich will coordinate.
9. November-December—Christmas Drive for 1736 Family
Crisis Center.
Projects/events
in discussion stage:
1. Corazon project—building homes in Mexico.
“Piggyback” with another parish?
2. Canterbury dinner—SAM members would sponsor a
Canterbury Sunday dinner and present SAM’s goals to attendees.
3. “Twelfth Night” party to raise money for ERD/St.
Alban’s preschool would be held near Jan. 6, after the busyness of the
holiday season is finished. A Coordinator(s) is needed.
Information
If you would
like to get involved with SAM or would simply like more information on any
one of the projects, please call the St. Alban's Office: 310.208.6516.
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