Community Support and Outreach: Helping Others
The Joy of Generosity
"...and who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10)
Jesus answers the question with the story we've come to call the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He concludes by asking his own question, "which of these proved to be neighbor to the man (in trouble)?" Jesus knows Torah (the Jewish law): Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength...and your neighbor as yourself".
Otsego County's Lutheran churches live out Jesus' teaching. by reaching out to our "neighbors" - here at home, and around the world. Listed here are some of the ways we do this.
CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS – As you may know, taxpayers who meet the age requirement of 70 ½, can transfer any Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs to an eligible charity without paying income tax on the transaction. Since churches qualify as eligible charities, some parishioners at Atonement have begun doing this in the past few years. Parishioners who read the weekly statistics for plate and pledge donations, published in the bulletin, might notice that, on occasion, the donation total for pledges may seem rather substantial. This might be because we received a distribution that week from someone who decided to take advantage of the annual tax deduction.
Parish Wide Social Ministry
Souper Bowl
Part of a national effort, the parish youth collect cash (all collected funds stay local) for hunger relief and to support food banks.
When: Super Bowl football Sunday
Contact: As announced
Saturday's Bread
Volunteers help "regulars" prepare and serve a hot lunch to anyone who needs the meal or company, each Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, NY. Volunteers must be of junior high age and up to help.
When: As announced
Contact: Regular volunteers Jeff & Corrine Hahn (St. Matthew) and Roger France (Atonement)
Food Pantries
Collection of food and/or money for local food banks. Each congregation has their own relationship. See each congregation's listing for contact information
World Hunger Appeal
The ELCA's church-wide fund for hunger relief programs around the world and at home.
When: Year-round donation, in colored envelopes found in the pew rack.
(Checks payable to each parish, with notation "World Hunger Appeal)
Contact: Roger France (Atonement) or other congregations' Christian Action Committees.
Lutheran Disaster Relief
The ELCA responds to disasters around the world.
When: Special collections are held through out the year, but gifts may be given anytime.
Contact: Pastor Paul to organize a special relief event.
Pastor's Discretionary/ Help/ Samaritan Funds
Small cash reserves for ministers to provide relief to anyone with demonstrated need on an emergency basis.
When: Donations welcome year-round at all congregations. Gifts are often given to Catholic Charities.
Contact: Pastor Paul, either to make donations or to request help.
Coats for Kids
Collections of gently used (or new) coats and other winter wear, in connection with Bassett Healthcare for families in need.
When: October. Each congregation has its own collection box.
Contact: Martha Messner
Jail Ministry Gift Collection
Toys, books, and other items are collected for inmates of Otsego County Jail to give their children.
When: November with special collection boxes as announced.
Contact: Pastor Paul
Maritime Ministry
Collection of gifts (books, toiletries, clothes, hats, gloves, etc. ) for sailors berthed at the Port of Albany.
When: November - December. Each congregation has its own collection box.
Contact: Pastor Paul
Jail Visitation Ministry
Pastoral services, rotated with other ministers, include weekly service with communion and if requested, personal visitations at the Otsego County jail. Congregation members' participation is welcome.
When: Traditionally a month in Spring
Contact: Pastor Paul and Dave Forbes
Nursing Home Services
Rotated with other ministers, conduct service with communion at nursing homes in Oneonta and Cooperstown. Congregation members' participation is welcome. St. John's periodically provides a music ministry.
When: As announced
Contact: Pastor Paul
Card Ministry
Greeting cards sent on behalf of each congregation to shut-ins, hospitalized members, and people "away"
(e.g. college, military, snow birds).
When: As appropriate
Contact: Determined by each congregation
Navajo Mission
Collect the labels of Campbell Soup and other participating products for product redemption.
When: On going
Contact: Ilse Seitz and Martha Messner
Atonement Social Ministry
Christmas Angel Tree
Select a child's name from the Angel Tree and purchase a clothing item and toy gift for that child.
When: December
Contact:
Cookie Smorgasbord
Prepare your favorite platter of cookies to share at coffee hour and with shut-ins.
When: December
Contact: Mary Mansbach
Overall's Pocket Change
Leave your loose change in one of the overall's pockets located in the church narthex. Dollars are also welcome. For local needs.
When: Every Sunday
Contact: Roger France
Nursing Home Collection
Knit/ crochet clothing items and Afghans or donate new or gently used clothing items.
When: As announced
Contact: Joan Carman
Food Pantry
Collection of food and/or money for St. Matthew Food Pantry. Collection basket is in church narthex.
When: On going and as announced
Contact: Roger France
Annual Yard Sale
A yard sale with items donated by members and friends.
When: As announced in Fall
Contact:
Benefit Concert
A musical event to benefit such ministries as disaster relief.
Evangelical Social Ministry
Food Pantry
Collection of food and/or money for the pantry operated by the Hartwick Methodist Church.
When: On going
Contact: Carol Butts
Holiday Gifts
Collection of clothing and toys for the local children.
When: December
Contact: Ilse Seitz
Habitat for Humanity
As requested, provide volunteer work crew lunches.
When: As announced
Contact: Eileen Burda and Mary Sliviak
St. John Social Ministry
Food Bank
Collection of food and/or money for the Edmeston food bank.
When: On going and as announced
Contact: Sandy Shear
Rummage and Bake Sale
Remaining items are donated to local causes. Proceeds tithed.
When: Spring and Fall
Contact Lynne Hecker
Hartwick Village Field Days
Donated baked goods and craft items are sold at congregation table. Proceeds are tithed.
When: August
Contact: Lynne Hecker
Holiday Gift Baskets
Baskets are assembled and delivered to congregation's shut-ins and elderly.
When: December
Contact: Lynne Hecker
Warm-Up America
Collection of warm outerwear for those in need.
When: As announced
Contact: Lynne Hecker
St. Matthew Social Ministry
Food Pantry
Collection of food, dry goods, and/or money for pantry.
When: On going and as announced
Contact: Ann Lloyd and Jeff Hahn
Ongoing Items Needed
Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Cereal
Soup
Peanut Butter
Jelly/ Jam
Vegetables
Fruit
Tuna (or substitute protein)
Beans (kidney, black, cannelloni, etc.)
Holiday Food Baskets
Members coordinate this activity.
When: December
Contact: Kathy Parsons
Christmas Giving Tree
Members coordinate this activity. Consists of individual gifts and a Christmas Dinner.
When: December
Contact: Corrine Hahn
Financial Donations
Martha Circle supports various agencies such as Lutheran Homes, Catskill Area Hospice, and Lutheran World Relief.
When: On going
Contact: JoAnn Winslow