Outreach and Missions
Our mission statement is “Empowering our parishioners to provide hope, impact lives, and inspire others while encouraging fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ”. That’s exactly what we aspire to do!
The Outreach Committee meets the second Tuesday of every quarter at 6:00pm in the church office and works jointly to coordinate current ministries and to identify new opportunities for our congregation to come together for fellowship, while helping different organizations throughout our community. Projects include the monthly “Dining With Dignity” serving to the homeless in St. Augustine; Mission Backpack, a school supply drive for low-income families ahead of the school year; blood drives; and service of notes and gift cards to wounded warriors and their families on retreat.
International Outreach
CUBA COMPANION PARISH
Companionships are obviously challenging given the relationship of the respective countries, but it normally will include a commitment to pray for one another’s parishes and clergy, make visits when possible, and for us to provide some tangible means of support to our companion parish in the face of their great need. In 2010 there began a companion relationship between SFITF and San Pablo in Bolondron, Cuba in the province of Matanzas.
For information about our Cuba ministry, including being a part of a future mission trip, please contact the the Office Administrator, Jeni Trinidad.
Local Outreach
Dining with Dignity
Our Dining with Dignity teams serve meals to 40-60 food insecure people in St. Augustine on the third Saturday evening of each month. There are four teams each ranging from 5-12 volunteers who plan, shop, cook and serve 3 times a year.
Contact Jan Kary, jkary@verizon.net or Cindy Laabs, claabs@aol.com
Days for Girls
Days for Girls meets every third Tuesday from 10AM to 2PM to sew and put together reusable feminine products that are shipped internationally and domestically. For more information please contact the church office.
Contact Gretchen Kuck, gretchenkuck@gmail.com
St. Francis House and Port in the Storm
The St. Francis House Committee Partners with St. Francis House and Port in the Storm in downtown St. Augustine which serves as the only full-time emergency shelter between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
The committee oversees the collection and delivery of non-perishable food pantry items for St. Francis House and Port in the Storm which are donated by our congregation. They also coordinate the annual "Giving Tree" where gift cards are collected and distributed to the residents of St. Francis House at the holidays and throughout the year.
Contact Tina Araman, tinaaraman@hotmail.com
Mission: Backpacks
This ministry collects monetary donations to purchase backpacks and grade-specific supplies for students in need identified by Valley Ridge Academy. Each backpack with appropriate supplies costs an average of $80. Volunteers shop, pack and deliver backpacks to the school prior to the start of the school year.
Contact Jean Kohn at JeanKohn@pgatourhq.com
Kairos Prison Ministry
Volunteers complete 6 evenings of training and acquire the necessary credentials to visit a state prison near Lake City, Florida to provide a four-day retreat weekend modeled on Cursillo for 36 residents of the prison.
Contact: Ed D’Avi, eddavi@aol.com
Mats & Merlot
Volunteers meet once a month to process and weave used plastic Kroger grocery bags into sleeping mats that are distributed to homeless individuals by the St. Francis House Street Team. Volunteers of all skill levels can contribute to this ministry.
Contact: Cindy Fielding, cindymeeka@yahoo.com
Chef’s Night Out
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that has a profound impact? The St. Francis House in St. Augustine has an important mission: To engage vulnerable families and single adults without housing in compassion, shelter, and opportunity driven programming to ensure their homelessness is rare, brief, and one time. That is where you and I come in. Join us to give the chef a night off and serve 30-40 residents dinner! We will be participating in the Chef's Night Out program the 2nd Sunday of every month. Sign up online HERE. Contact: David Burnside
Advent Hat and Coat Drive
This committee collects new or gently used warm outer clothing for distribution to needs individuals in the winter.
Contact Tina Araman, tinaaraman@hotmail.com
Baskets for New Beginnings
This spring drive solicits donations to fill baskets with cleaning supplies to donate through the St. Johns Continuum of Care organization to needy families moving into new housing accomodations.
Contact: Cindy Laabs, claabs@aol.com
Her Song
Her Song is a residential program for survivors of human trafficking that promotes healing and empowerment. As a new outreach ministry partner, we are committed to help them with supply drives for items that they need to operate. Currently they are in desperate need of paper towels and toilet paper. If you have any questions about this ministry, please reach out to Cindy Laabs at claabs0624@aol.com