“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” St. Matthew 25:35-36

At Saint Paul’s, we believe that we are called to follow Jesus by caring for those in need. Through outreach programs our faith takes action and we grow closer to God by loving those who are also loved by Him. Our care for others is also a way to share the Good News with them, showing them that they are deeply loved by God. Saint Paul’s sponsors a number of direct service projects, works together with other local agencies and churches on others, and raises funds for even more projects. We have a special calling to serve those in our village and its surrounding areas. Some projects, though, benefit good work being done far away. This page serves as a bulletin board to explain more about outreach work in this parish. It will be updated regularly as more opportunities arise.

• First Sunday of Every Month: Canned and Boxed Food Collection. Canned and boxed food items are collected at the Holy Eucharist every Sunday to be delivered to the South County Food Bank at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boonsboro. The food bank provides emergency assistance to local people in need of food aid.

Meals on Wheels, a service of the Washington County Commission on Aging, brings hot and nutritious meals to homebound seniors.  Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to drive weekly meal delivery routes and for substitute drivers.  You may also sponsor meals for a senior through their donation program.  Call 301-790-0275 for more information or to volunteer.

Hospice of Washington County is in particular need of male companion volunteers to support people with terminal illnesses.  Call 301-791-6360 for information.

A Concert for Holly Place will be held January 11 at the Elks Lodge in Hagerstown from 2:00-6:00.  Four bands will play a mix of country, classic rock and gospel to benefit this local low-income assisted living center that is also supported by Saint Paul’s.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Sharpsburg Bible Church, Antietam Street, on Wednesday, January 14, from 1:00-7:00.

Hospice of Washington County is beginning a training session for new volunteers  Tuesday, January 13.  Hospice volunteers provide practical and emotional support to people with terminal illness and their families.  The training will be from January 13-29 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30.  This is a wonderful opportunity to share hope and God’s love with people from our community in need.

February 8: Potter’s Bowl at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hagerstown.   this local fundraiser for the Community Free Clinic includes soup served in a bowl made by a local potter.  Diners get to keep the bowl.  Tickets: $50.  Call B’nai Abraham Synagouge at 301-733-5039 to order

Ongoing Programs

• Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP). This program designed and coordinated by local Episcopalians works at teaching conflict resolution skills to inmates at the Hagerstown State Prison Complex. The program is searching for volunteers to serve as mentors and trainers for this program, which operates a three-day workshop monthly as well as a series of support groups. On-site training is necessary. Contact Lynn Clayburn for more information.
• Hospice of Washington County. This interfaith program provides spiritual and emotional support to people at the end of life. Hospice is searching for companion volunteers, who establish a relationship with a terminally ill person and his or her family to listen and help with simple tasks. Bereavement volunteers help families through the process of grieving for their lost loved ones. Other volunteers help with more specialized services like massage, hairdressing and office work. Training is necessary. Hospice especially needs male companion volunteers at the present time. Contact them at 301-791-6360 or visit their website, http://www.hwc-md.org/volunteers.aspx.

Saint Paul’s also supports a number of local and international organizations and ministries engaged in caring for the sick and distressed and working for good in other ways. Contributions from Sunday offerings are a way of enabling their good work, providing support for ongoing needs and special projects.
Some of these organizations include:

• Boy Scout Troop 51: The Scout Troop is sponsored and assisted by the parish and meets every Tuesday in the Parish Hall and at other times for special activities. The boys, who range in age from 11 to 18, participate in a variety of educational and recreational activities, and volunteer with many community service programs. This year, one of our Scouts, Bryan Warner, was awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout recognition.
• Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic: Vestry Member John Aldis is the medical director of this clinic based in Charles Town, West Virginia. The clinic provides free medical care and medications for over 1000 poor residents of the Eastern Panhandle. The clinic works collaboratively with other social service and medical agencies and has received several awards for its good work. For more information, see http://www.lifp.org/html/project/2005GraduateReports/EasternPanhandleFreeClinic.pdf
•  Manchurian Mission: Dr. Xiu Zhang, a Christian doctor in Northeastern China is an orthopedic surgeon and also a quadriplegic. He operates a ministry called Bethesda in his native Manchuria, providing medical care and social support for disabled people and their families. Disabled people are often shunned in Chinese society and have access to little public support. Dr. Zhang’s ministry brings great joy to those he serves and helps to spread the good news of God’s love and concern for all people.