Welcome to Social Ministry
"In as much as you have done it for one of the least of these,
you have done it for me." Matthew 25:40
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>>Outreach Links<<
Global:
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All Saints Lutheran Church is committed to providing its members and friends with numberouse opportunities to "to Share Go'ds love with people in the community and around the worl". The Social Ministry Team offers God's people at All Saints many avenues of service through ongoing effors, short-term and one-time projects We encorage you to live out your faith through these ministries. |
LEARN AND DO MORE FOR THE POOR AND HUNGRY
WHEAT - You've heard the name of this organization, ASLC contributes to it in various ways over the course of a year. What is it? The World Hunger Education, Advocacy and Training organization equips individuals with the tools for increased awareness, policy change and positive results. To end the tragedy of hunger, we must not only provide food, but we must also work with and empower those living in poverty. In trying to break the cycle of poverty, WHEAT supports self-help projects and other activities and policies that help eliminate the root causes of hunger.
Stop by the WHEAT office, 4000 N. 7th St. #118, just south of Indian School on the west side, this summer and visit the Norma Johansen Hunger Library; let the kids shop for those summer birthday parties at the Hand to Hand Project shop; find a new outfit at the Clothes Silo; or donate something from your closet to the Clothes Silo. (Women's clothes only)
The Hand to Hand Project makes the fairly traded handicrafts of artisans from around the world available for purchase. These quality, handmade items are from 42 different countries and include kid's items. You could get an early start on Christmas shopping, too!
The Clothes Silo has been an empowerment project since 1985. It is a resale boutique providing professional clothing at no cost to women entering or reentering the work force through client assistance programs, job training and mentoring. All of the clothes are available to the public at VERY attractive prices. Only VERY nice items are accepted both for wear in the office and for play.
WHEAT also has many volunteer opportunities. See www.HungerHurts.org
After working in Cameroon for nine years, Roger and Cherie Hanggi have returned for a season to work in the States. Roger has been asked to direct a new department in the international administration of Wycliffe and SIL. This department is responsible for gathering and analyzing information from around the world--information that is required to develop strategies and make decisions that respond to our task of bringing God's Word to every language and people group where there is a need. There is urgency in this task as we desire to begin translation work wherever there is a need in the next 25 to 30 years! Receiving information on a global basis, Roger seeks to answer questions such as: Where are the remaining needs for Bible translation? Where are people and resources needed to complete the tasks of translation and literacy? Where are other mission groups at work so that we can cooperate rather than compete in our work? In the areas where translation needs remain, what is the religious climate that will shape our strategies (are we working in a Muslim culture or some other major world religion)? If Roger is able to help provide good answers to such questions, Wycliffe Bible Translators can effectively respond to the needs of God's people around the world and pursue our goal of allowing God's Word to speak in the heart language of all God's people. During this time, the support for the Hanggi family is significantly lower than it needs to be to work in the States, and so Cherie is working in a local hospital to allow our continued commitment to support Bible translation. And will we return overseas? As we anticipate our children (Bryan and Michelle) completing their high school education in the next several years, we are very open to God's leading for our future. But right now, our hearts continue to affirm that this is the work that we are meant to do in His service.
It should be noted that Roger was at one time Associate Pastor at ASLC. He met Cheri here, where and they were married.
Foothills Walk for the Hungry
On Palm Sunday All Saints Lutheran Church joins with other people of faith from North Phoenix, Carefree, Cave Creek and North Scottsale in a Walk for the Hungry. The walk which takes place in beautiful Carefree benifits local food banks and international relief efforts. Next year,2009, the walk is April 5. Registration is at 1:30 and the walk at 2:00pm. The walk starts from Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree. For information contact Karen Pelatt at kpelatt@cox.net.
On the first weekend of each month, All Saints receives an offering of non-perishable food items. A portion of the offering is packaged for distribution to those who seek assistance at All Saints, while the remainder is distributed through Desert Mission Food Bank, which provides hundreds of emergency food boxes to people each month. 
In high demand are: single-serving, easy open, disposable containers of fruit, juice, cereal, tuna, cheese and crackers; family size containers of pasta, rice, beans, sauces and peanut butter. Baby food, formula and disposable diapers are always needed. You can support this ministry by:
- Donating food and other needed items
- Helping to sort, package, distribute donations
Contact: Ann Scott
All Saints is a covenant church of Bread for the World, an ecumenical movement to end world hunger. In addition to supporting its advocacy work, All Saints joins thousands of other congregations in participating in Bread's annual Offering of Letters. Each spring, this offering focuses upon specific legislation related to hunger at home or overseas. You can support this ministry by:
- Helping to organize the Offering of Letters
- Writing legislators regarding hunger issues
Contact: Barbara Rockow
See www.bread.org
During Advent, a Christmas tree decorated with angels representing people takes center stage in the narthex. Members are encouraged to make the Christmas wishes of these angels come true by purchasing or making gifts in accordance with the wishes written on each angel. Gifts benefit families through local organizations such as Sojourner Center, Central Arizona Shelter Services and local elementary schools. You can support this ministry by:
- Be a Tree Sitter Dec 6/7
- Help with wrapping and sorting day Dec. 14 (after 10:45 service)
- Be a delivery person Monday, Dec. 15
- Donate Gift Cards.. for those extra need of Angel Tree.. remember the Scrip Table.
- Donate empty gift bags... especially BIG bags.
(NO WRAPPING PAPER PLEASE) - Donate new or used bikes 20" or smaller
Contact: Pat Dilk
Alternative Giving
Alternative Gifts allow you to give unique and meaningful gifts to benefit those less fortunate.
For the last few years ASLC has offered Alternative Gift selections for Christmas. The program will be expanded to a year 'round offering so that alternative gifts can be given for birthdays, anniversaries or any other special, or not so specail occassion!
Stay tuned. See Alternatives@SimpleLiving.org
Opened in 1987 as a refuge for five girls, Tierra Santa in Villa de San Antonio, Honduras is now home to more than 135 abandoned children. Children receive food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education and spiritual guidance in an atmosphere of loving care. Much of the support for Tierra Santa is provided through the Sponsor a Child program. Sponsors' gifts of $25 per month helps cover the expenses of one child. You can support the ministry of Tierra Santa by:
- Sponsoring a child for $25 per month
- Providing financial assistance as you are able
- Becoming a pen pal with a child
- Donating clothing, books and school supplies
- Providing, wrapping, shipping Christmas gifts
- Contributing toward special offerings
Contact: Roger and Carol Collins
An affiliated agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Social Servies of the Southwest provides comprehensive social services to God's people across the State of Arizona. All Saints includes a line-item in the budget for LSS/SW each year.
We have just resettled a Burmese family, the Tans, who spent 12 years in a refugee camp in Thialand. The father and mother have two twenty-something aged children. A male and a female. They will need to become self-sustaining in three month's time, learining English, learning about life in America and getting jobs.
Contact: Jean Davis or Tim Gaffney
United Blood Services comes on campus each quarter to collect donations of blood to help meet the ever-increasing demand for blood and blood products in the Valley. Appointments may be arranged in advance but walk-ins are always available. Please take a few minutes to give the gift of life.
Contact: Karen Johnson
On the last weekend of each month, a financial offering is received which is used to alleviate hunger and other forms of suffering. Gifts are regularly channeled through many proven ministries , including:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
Missionary Support
Tierra Santa, the Honduran Orphanage we support
Arizona Special Olypics
These organizations extend the love of God far and wide, providing emergency and long-term services for those suffering the effects of natural disasters in the US and abroad. Occasionally, offerings are designated to assist local congregations and families experiencing crises.
