Opportunities to Serve
"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)
ALLIED CHURCHES OF ALAMANCE COUNTY
The mission of ACAC is to prevent and end homelessness and food insecurity through providing direct service and leadership in collaborative community efforts.
ACAC operates an emergency shelter, resource day center, community kitchen, and food pantry. On the third Wednesday of each month, Springwood prepares, cooks, and serves lunch for more than 100 homeless persons and families at Allied Churches. The Kitchen 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.
FUN FRIDAYS AT SPRINGWOOD​
On alternate Fridays, we partner with adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities for a morning experience of friendship building, isolation-busting fun. Activities include cooking or baking, crafts, singing, games, poetry or writing, tea time, and devotions. Springwood volunteers have been blessed by the spiritual depth shared by our partners from Peacehaven Community and Ralph Scott Life Services. We are learning much from them!
SEDALIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Springwood volunteers serve as reading buddies and math friends at Sedalia School through CLASS - Congregations Linking and Supporting Schools, and the Guilford County Schools volunteer program. Children need caring adults to support them in their skill development, and for some of these kids, our volunteers are the only folks outside of their classroom teacher who will do that with them. Research shows a strong correlation between literacy and success in life, and we are blessed to be able to participate in this life-giving ministry to young children.
MEALS ON WHEELS
BLESSING BOX & HUNGER MINISTRIES
Springwood has a blessing box of non-perishable food items and devotional material on the church property. It is our mission to share the love of Christ with our neighbors through spiritual and nutritional outreach, and to invite others in the community who are able to share a blessing with those in need, too. In addition to our blessing box, we support hunger ministries through our monthly third Sunday "Hunger Offering" when we bring and dedicate our non-perishable food offerings for ACAC's kitchen and our Pennies for Hunger offering for Salem Presbytery. In addition, we are a Bread for the World congregation, advocating to end world hunger. Springwood has been designated a Hunger Action Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Come get a blessing or leave a blessing to share!
ALTERNATIVE GIVING FAIR
Learning to Give Back
Our annual Alternative Giving Fair provides an opportunity for participants to donate to charitable donations on behalf of friends and family. Items are available for purchase from Ten Thousand Villages as well as giving opportunities for local charitable organizations, the Heifer Project, Church World Service, Presbyterian Mission, Medical Benevolence Foundation, and others. The best gift to give the person who has everything is a gift that gives twice!
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
In addition to volunteering and leading worship in 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:
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One Great Hour of Sharing
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Christmas Joy Offering
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The CROP Walk
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Pennies for Hunger
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The Heifer Project
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Church World Service Blankets and Tools
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World Mission Project of the Presbyterian Church
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Souper Bowl of Hunger
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Children's Hope Alliance
BREAD FOR THE WORLD
Bread members send letters and emails, make phone calls, and visit their members of Congress about legislation that addresses hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Bread equips its members to communicate with Congress and to work with others on advocacy. It educates members on hunger-related issues and inspires members to be legislative activists as a way of putting their Christian faith into action.
Bread works in partnership with churches, campuses, and other organizations to mobilize Christians and others in congressional districts and states. Bread’s goal is to help end hunger by 2030. It believes that everyone must play a part in ending hunger, especially our federal government. We work to change the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist. Bread seeks long-term solutions to hunger and advocates on legislation that addresses the root causes of hunger.
We have a track record of winning bipartisan legislation that helps hungry people feed their families. We are successful because our grassroots network of members and activists works in concert with national denominations, networks, and organizations supported by Bread’s staff in Washington, D.C., and around the country. God’s grace moves us to build the political commitment needed to overcome hunger and poverty. We believe it is possible to end hunger in our time.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING
Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities. The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated gifts, while Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receives 32 percent. To give by phone, call 800-872-3283. To give by mail, please designate where you want your gift to go on the memo line and mail to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
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