Social Ministry

From St. Mark’s By-Laws on the purpose of Social Ministry:

The purpose of this committee…to extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the youth, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, and, in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body and soul. It shall strive to enlist in these efforts as many as possible of the individual members and organizations of the congregation. This committee shall further have the duty to study social conditions, primarily in the local community, in order to bring the cleansing and healing light of the Christian truth to bear upon critical problems through thoughtful Christian discussion of facts and issues.

Projects the Committee has promoted:

• Provide lunch to patients at Christ Lutheran Mission of Mercy, on days Doctors visit the facility.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets (food and gifts) for individuals in need within our community.
• Co-ordinate the Good Samaritan Program, to members needing meals following illness/hospitalizations or other circumstances.
• CROP Walk for Hunger fund raising activities.
• Litter clean-up of two miles of Oak Grove Road several times per year.
• Love Boxes for college students and men and women in the armed services. (Youth assisted in 2006 & 2007)
• Collect food donations for pastor to distribute to individuals in need.
• Provide tape recordings of Sunday services to sick and shut-ins.
• Distribute Large Print copies of “Christ In Our Home” devotional guides to shut-ins.
• Collected donations to support St. Mark Lutheran Church, Metaire, Louisiana following destruction from Hurricane Katrina.
• Volunteer help at South Central Food Bank warehouse.
• Disseminate information and solicit volunteers for Habitat For Humanity projects.
• Maintain First Aid Kits throughout the church.

Other projects have included – Christmas gifts for State Hospital patients; Heifer International Project; Morning Star Baby Bottle project; File for Life cards for seniors; and Sponsored Refugee families.

We welcome anyone interested in joining in this most worthwhile ministry.
Our meetings are held the first Tues of each month (except July & August) at 7PM in the Parlor. Barb Heym is Chairman and Zara Bennett is Council Representative.