This month we are highligthing our Social Outreach Committee which is led by Angie Wentz! Our Stewardship Committee asked Angie Wentz a few questions about the committee and the recent work they have done. Read on to learn more and how you can get involved in Social Outreach!
- What is the primary mission of the Committee: 1Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Social Outreach provides for our neighbors in need locally, the surrounding areas and international. We focus on food insecurities and supporting local and international missions through a variety of programs throughout the year.
- Who does the committee serve?: Summer lunch for students and weekly senior lunches, families in need, those experiencing food insecurities, local ministries who share our values, shut-ins, the homeless. We also work alongside a few local ministries: Lutherlyn, Inspired Hearts & Hands, Light of Life & VOICe, Mental Health Assoc. Of Beaver Co.
- Tell us about a recent, upcoming or annual event/responsibility of the committee: This past summer we served lunch twice a week for students, ages 5-18. Every Tuesday morning meals are prepared and delivered for seniors at a local senior living center. GWOH (God’s Work Our Hands) come together once a month to serve our community in a variety of ways: prepare food for a local ministry, Quilt Squares, take up collections for various needs in the community. We support two local food banks through donations. Upcoming is one of our more popular ministries, The Angel Tree. Play It Forward Toy Drive collects slightly used toys Nov 30-Dec 6. There are many other ministries we are involved with that are listed below.
- How does the committee serve those at Hope? Hope’s Food Pantry is available to members who are in need. A Card Ministry sends cards for bereavement, birthdays for shut-in, encouragement, anniversaries, get well, newborns…. Helping Hands meets the needs of our members when they come upon hard times. GWOHs create notes of encouragement and gratitude once a year for our volunteers; Sunday School teachers, our security team, staff & office volunteers.
A WORD FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIR, ANGIE WENTZ:
- How long have you been the chair? How long have you been involved in the committee? I’ve been chair since 2021 and have been involved with the committee for 10 years
- Why did you choose this group for service? My God given gift is serving those in need
- What would you tell someone who is interested in learning more, but may be hesitant? Social Outreach is active in so many different areas. Come to a quarterly meeting where the three branches of social outreach (GWOHs, Feeding Our Neighbors & Community Outreach) come together and update one another on our current activities. We will meet in 2026; January, April, July & October on the last Tuesday of the month. In the meantime, all current outreach programs are listed each week in the Weekly Newsletter. If one of the three branches of outreach is of interest, you may contact their leader directly: GWOHs – Karen Johanknecht, Feeding Our Neighbors – Angela Romza, Community Outreach – Patti Black
INTERESTED IN SERVING WITH SOCIAL OUTREACH?:
- How can someone get involved in serving on this committee? Contact committee chair, Angie Wentz, callerycreek@gmail.com. We can discuss your level of interest, our many areas of outreach and answer any questions you may have. Then find a place to start your journey of service. Serving our neighbors in need is always a blessing because we are God’s hands. There is a hidden blessing in serving that we don’t always talk about, it is the blessing of community. When you participate in any area outreach or on any committee, you will meet other members who you may not have come in contact with otherwise. These relationships grow as your involvement grows. Leading the Student and one of the Senior Lunch programs has introduced me to members I would not have met otherwise and have been reacquainted with members I haven’t seen in a while.
- What is the time commitment for anyone who would like to volunteer? As much time as you have to give. There are so many areas of outreach that members can easily find one that fits their lifestyle.
Social Outreach Outline:
- GWOH – Karen Johanknecht
- Brochures are available in the Narthex for all current and upcoming activities
- Feeding Our Neighbors -Angela Romza
- Hope’s Food Pantry
- Gleaners Food Bank
- Pleasant Valley Men’s Shelter
- Harvest Street Mission
- Light of Life
- Summer Lunch Program
- 2 Senior Lunch Programs; Cranberry Municipal Center & Rolling Road Regency
- Community Outreach – Patti Black
- Helping Hands
- Mental Health Assoc. Of Beaver Co.
- Card Ministry
- Blood Drive
- VOICe
- Quilting Hope
- Angel Tree
- Play It Forward
- Hosanna Industries
- Repurpose
- Relay for Life and Golf Outing raise money for the American Cancer Society