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As Christians, we are called to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.” At Saint David’s, we take that commitment seriously. Much of our energy is devoted to our immediate neighbors, people in Agawam and West Springfield with whom we can develop meaningful relationships. But we also participate in international efforts to help transform the world from the nightmare it is for some into the dream that God has for us all.
Local Outreach |
Our most consistent outreach is Church without walls. We have joined with six area Churches representing four denominations to provide a short worship service and lunch each Sunday at noon at the Parish Cupboard (1023 Main Street, West Springfield). We cover the second Sundays. This has been a really wonderful project for us because it has given us an opportunity to get to know some of the people we are called to serve.
We call another regular outreach effort in our area The Agawam Project. Every Christmas, the Town Nurse gives us the names of families (first names only, along with the age and gender of the child) who could use a little help with Christmas. Parishioners buy presents and clothes. We deliver the presents to the Nurse who in turn delivers them to the families. At Easter, we do the same thing with Easter baskets. For the last two years, towards the end of the summer, we have also provided Backpacks for local children (in partnership with the Christian Lighthouse). We filled the backpacks with school supplies and distributed them during a day of fun events. Last year we also followed up this project by donating new coats to every child who needed one. We support "Bumpa's Crew" in the Agawam Relay for Life, with fundraising events like a special dinner and a Paint and Sip event. In addition to those special events, we collect food for the Parish Cupboard and tabs for the Shriners each week. We host Overeaters Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon each week. And we participate in occasional ecumenical outreach efforts like the Convoy of Hope. PRISON BIBLE STUDY by Deacon Terry: Our prison ministry continues to be a success on the first Monday of each month. We read the book of Ruth, followed by a movie on the book. The inmates loved the book and the movie. Great conversations, insights, and reflections. We are now on the book of Job. These folks are engaged and bring an amazing perspective to our readings and are appreciative to us. We have a new leader in our group, Sue Frazier from All Saint’s Church in South Hadley, who is Linda Seabury’s sister. It is wonderful to have Sue a part of our team. It is an interesting ministry, one that may not be for everyone, (as it once was with me), but very rewarding, knowing we are fulfilling Jesus’ words of visiting those in prison. Reaching people outside our four walls is what we try to do. “If you can’t get the crowd to come to you, go to the crowd.” “I was in prison and you came to visit me. …Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25: 36 and 40b |
International Outreach |
Through the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, we contribute to a number of international outreach efforts as well. Twice a year, we take up the United Thank Offering, which goes to fund mission efforts around the world. We have taken up special collections for Episcopal Relief and Development; overseas missionaries; a program called Change the Babies that helps an orphanage in Africa; Food for the Poor, and other organizations.
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United Thank
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United Thank Offering: This is money collected from Episcopal Churches around the country, pooled, and then given as grants to help people in need.
The 2016 grants were awarded to projects in 32 dioceses, which included 25 dioceses located in the United States, five non-domestic dioceses, six companion dioceses, one grant to the Office of the Presiding Bishop – Episcopal Migration Ministries, and one to Presiding Bishop Currey |
