Local Mission
Springwood Serves the Community
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me."
(Jesus, Matthew 25:35-36, New International Version)
There are many ways we at Springwood reach out to and serve the local community. And we can always use some extra hands, so go ahead and join us. If you have a question or want to find the place where you can best serve, please contact Jennifer Sutherland.
For brief descriptions of our ministries, click on the item that interests you or simply scroll down.
Parent's Night Out
This is a popular ministry that provides a service to families in the community as well as those in our church. Every couple of months we host a Parent's Night Out on a Friday evening from 5:30-9:00 pm. Parents are invited to bring their children by the church and to go out for the evening, catch up on some errands, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet. We treat the kids to dinner, games, a movie, and help them create a craft. These events are free of charge and advertised in the community.
Allied Churches
Allied Churches of Alamance County is a non-profit organization in Burlington that is supported by churches and individuals dedicated to serving "the least of these." It offers a variety of services intended to help the poor and disadvantaged. They operate a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, and a clothing closet. They help persons earn GEDs, find jobs, and find housing. Allied Churches also distributes money for medications and to help pay utility bills to families in time of need through the Christian Assistance Network.
Springwood supports the ministries of Allied Churches through volunteering as well as giving money, clothes, and food on a regular basis.
Good Shepherd Kitchen
On the third Wednesday of each month, Springwood prepares, cooks, and serves lunch for more than 100 homeless persons and families at the Good Shepherd Kitchen. The Good Shepherd Kitchen is a "soup kitchen" that prepares nutritious and delicious meals to those in need. Of course those staying in the homeless shelter eat there. But there are also a large number of persons and families that eat there as well.
More volunteers are always welcomed. Contact L'Wanna Donnell at 336-586-9043 for more information.
Each month we have a list of items that they have a particular need for, we collect those items, and at the end of the month we deliver them. And at times such as Thanksgiving and for Souper Bowl Sunday, we hold special food drives.
Meals on Wheels
On Monday and Tuesday every four weeks we deliver meals to the elderly and homebound in the Gibsonville area through Alamance County Meals on Wheels.
With the help of volunteers, this organization serves about 380 meals each weekday to individuals in our community who are homebound. Anne Haberly, executive director of Alamance County Meals on Wheels said, "Without volunteers we would not be able to function."
We are happy to be reaching outside of ourselves and bring a warm meal to those who are hungry and a warm smile and companionship to the lonely. To volunteer, contact our Springwood Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Rev. Wes Jennings, at 336-538-0873.
Prison Ministry
One of the exciting ministries in which Springwood has become involved is a prison ministry at the Guilford Correctional Center in McLeansville. During his ministry Jesus considered visiting those in prison to be important.
Several times a year, a small group of people from Springwood leads Thursday evening worship services at the prison. They are well attended by the inmates and have been spirit-filled worship experiences. Afterwards we serve desserts and drinks and take the opportunity to talk with the men. This is the most rewarding part of the ministry.
We also volunteer for special events such as the Christmas Party and Easter Egg Hunt for the children and family members of the inmates.
Senior Worship Services
Whether a service of communion or singing Christmas carols, we regularly lead worship services at several retirement and care facilities, such as:
- Twin Lakes Retirement Community
- Edgewood Place
- River Landing (Presbyterian Homes of High Point)
Special Offerings
Aside from volunteering and leading worship in a number of local organizations, we at Springwood collect money for a wide variety of causes. Thousands of dollars are given by our congregation every year. Some more recent causes we have supported include:
- One Great Hour of Sharing
- Christmas Joy Offering
- American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
- Gifts to persons with outstanding medical bills
- Pennies for Hunger
- Loaves & Fishes
- Grandfather Home for Children
