Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

"Encourage and support Good Samaritans to connect with and be involved in mission activities from our neighborhood to the world community, so that we may reflect the life of Jesus Christ."

As members of Good Samaritan, it is our calling to "Go and do likewise." The Outreach committee takes this charge seriously as it works to guide outreach activities so that each member of the congregation can find a mission that fulfills a passion.

In 2010, the requests for help and the general needs locally, nationally, and internationally have increased at a rate that exceeds other years. Thanks to a generous budget, generous open plate contributions, and hours of personal service, we were able to address many needs, but could not begin to address all.

We continue to hear that because we are spread rather thin, a more parish-wide focus should be considered. Through much prayer and discussion this year, we have begun to focus on helping children in the community as a real possibility. In January we will form a task force to see what the possibilities are. We need your help and participation! Continued prayer and the Holy Spirit continue to guide each of us as we reach out.

For our main ongoing outreach opportunities, check out the menu on the right. Some of the many outreach opportunities in 2010 included:

Local Outreach

Interfaith Shelter: Jim and Jill Lawrence coordinate this rotational shelter providing lodging, meals, and other support services to needy individuals and families as they work with their case managers toward self-sufficiency. We will once again start the new year off by hosting the first rotational shelter in Roetter Hall. More than 70 volunteers help as meal providers and overnight hosts.

Rachel's Women's Center: Teams of 3-4 women, coordinated by Kathleen Ide, provided one meal every other week to 25-30 homeless and needy women. Rachel's is part of the Catholic Charities and the women of Good Samaritan have been serving there for over 25 years. (Ministry of the Women's Group)

Bayside Community Center:  Bags of food were collected by parishioners during Lent and were donated to the Bayside pantry.

University City High School: A scholarship of $750 was presented to a graduating senior by Fr. Chris.

CCSA (Christian Community Service Agency):  Eric Lynn is our liaison for this ecumenical assistance program for the needy and homeless. We support them in many ways:

• Annual Hunger Walk
• Back to School Backpack Program
• Socks for the homeless
• Monthly food and personal items collection for their pantry.
• The Women's Group and friends bag goods at the Clairemont Service Center 4 times a year.
• Annual Meals in a Sack

Episcopal Community Services: In support of the new leadership and the great local need, we made a donation to help fund current and expanding ministries.
Camp Stevens Summer Program for Children: We supported the ministry of the San Diego and Los Angeles dioceses allowing children who would otherwise not have an opportunity to go to camp.

Monarch School: The students from Monarch School, a school for homeless children in San Diego, sold their goods at Auntie's Attic. We also contributed money to the school in support of all that they do for children. There is a growing interest in supporting the school in a broader, deeper way with volunteers as well as money.

Rescue Task Force:  This organization provides local, national, and international opportunities for outreach. Locally, we contributed to the Project Not Forgotten, providing 3 backpacks to our wounded warriors. Internationally, we sent $1148.50 to their Haiti Relief Fund. 

CAF Operation Rebound: A donation was sent to this organization that provides sports opportunities to our troops and veterans of any branch of service who have served honorably and have suffered permanent physical injuries. The program emphasizes empowerment of the individual!

Nationally

In addition to our Rescue Task Force contributions, we contributed to the Maple Tree Project in Tennessee, Ronald McDonald House, UCSD International Center, and St. Jude’s Ranch through collection of pop-tops from aluminum cans, cancelled stamps, and Campbell soup labels.

Internationally

World Vision:
Much of our international outreach was focused on World Vision Projects. Through your amazing generosity, we were able to donate $2,940 to the purchase of livestock, $6,916 for the building of homes, and $2,800 for the purchase of caregiver kits which were assembled on the UCSD campus on December 1, World AIDS Day.

With God's wisdom and grace, your prayers, donations, and personal service, we will continue to guide outreach opportunities at Good Samaritan as well as be good stewards of our resources. Help us as we continue to seek ways to make the love of Jesus more visible in our community and the world.

For more information: contact the chair of the Outreach Committee, Carol Hamilton.