Compassion, Justice & Peace in our Local Community
The people of St Andrew take seriously our connection to the local community. A life of faith does not mean that we can separate ourselves out from what is going on around us, but rather it calls us to join in the good work that is happening in our community. With joy and thanksgiving we look for ways to offer ourselves to our neighbors with compassion. We support just ways of living together and we hope to live into God's promise of peace. Below are some of the areas to which the people of St Andrew as a group currently gives itself. There are countless others represented in the individual lives of the people of St Andrew.
REACHRenton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH) is an organization for pastors, church leaders, and anyone who wants to find meaning and wholeness by living in compassionate and sustainable community.
Through REACH, members of St. Andrew get involved in meeting a wide variety of community needs - including the Center of Hope and ARISE. (Details below.) REACH meets on the first Tuesday of the month, 12noon-2:00 pm. The location changes from month to month; lunch is provided. Go to www.reachrenton.org for notice of meeting location. Center of Hope
The Center of Hope provides a place of safety and support for homeless women and their children. It accompanies them and supporting them as they find their way back to stable housing. The Center of Hope has two parts:
St. Andrew is one of the churches that provides emergency overnight accommodations through the Center of Hope on a rotating basis. |
Honey Dew Elementary
In the past year, we have begun to forge a relationship with Honey Dew Elementary School. Partnering with Communities in Schools of Renton, we have the opportunity to support families in need in our community, whose children attend Honeydew, through Christmas gifts, gift cards, Back-to-School backpacks & school supplies, and more.
Food Bank
The Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank and social services Center is open 6 days a week, providing food, financial assistance, and case management. The pressure of soaring costs of food, heating, gas, and other essentials has many families needing assistance. As the economic situation deteriorates, the food bank is fast becoming a haven in the daily struggles to make ends meet. St. Andrew is a strong supporter of the food Bank, and traditionally collects a Food Bank Offering on the first Sunday of each month. We also conduct several special Food Bank offerings throughout the year.
Bridge Ministries
Bridge Disability Ministries is a local Christian non-profit whose mission is to alleviate isolation for people with physical and/or developmental disabilities through improving mobility, promoting inclusion and building community. St. Andrew hosts the Bridge Ministries community one Sunday morning per year at our regular Sunday morning worship. This festive service, followed by lunch together, is a special and dedicated opportunity for the able-bodied and the disabled to create friendships, build relationships, alleviate isolation, and enrich each other's lives.
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