Outreach Ministry
The goal of the Outreach Ministry is to reach out to the community through volunteer services and to host events that will bring Road Church and the community together.
Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Pawcatuck, CT
As one way of reaching out to the community, the Outreach Committee has been collecting food at the church for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center in Pawcatuck, CT. This organization provides basic needs services such as food, free of charge to their clients. Each month a specific ”PNC food of the month” is selected depending on what is needed most in the PNC food locker. We have had an excellent response. For example, in November, we collected 264 boxes, bottles and cans of juice. The staff at the PNC is exceedingly grateful for these donations as the clients’ need for food is increasing dramatically in these difficult times. In July we also participated in the PNC program for supplying back to school supplies for client children. We collected lunch boxes, backpacks and miscellaneous items like pencils, notebooks, etc.
Update for 2009:
Once again this year the Outreach Ministry is "adopting" a Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center family for Christmas. This year our family has 3 boys, ages 3, 6, and 8. We have a "wish list" of gifts from our family. We will be putting up a small tree in the narthex with paper ornaments. A "wish list" item will be written on each ornament along with the age and sex of the child and a very important ID number. We are asking all those interested in participating to select a wish item, remove the corresponding ornament from the tree and to sign up for that item on a sign-up sheet. Gifts brought in by the gift giver will be placed under the tree with the ornament attached. They must be unwrapped. On December 13, gifts will be collected and taken to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. We are hoping to provide 3 gifts for each child to make this Christmas brighter for this needy family.
As a result of the generosity of those who participated in 2008, we were able to supply each of the three children in last year's needy family with three gifts from their wish lists as well as presenting the family with three grocery gift cards and a gift card from Walmart. We received a very nice note from the family thanking us for making their Christmas brighter.
The picture below shows our gifts for the "adopted" family in 2008.
We also have been volunteering our personal services to the PNC as well. Every
Friday morning we participate in the Weekender Backpack Program which provides
food for children in qualified area families to meet their weekend meal needs.
The following is reprinted from the newsletter of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (PNC):
The Road Church Reaches OutThe Road Church decided to do active outreach into the community and in doing so, blessed the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center with two delightful and dependable volunteers: Carolyn Burdick and Dixie Lufbery. Every Friday morning, year-round, they show up (almost before everyone else!) readying their area to serve the Stonington and North Stonington families who are participants in the “Weekender Backpack Food Program.” Within these 60 families are 105 children who are in need of 6 meals for the weekend, and milk (!), for their children. Every Friday, there’s a new menu to compliment the breakfast & lunch they received at school.
The Road Meeting House is the oldest church in the town of Stonington, founded in 1674. Its present structure was built in 1829. It’s unique in that when you enter the church through the doors to the right and left of the pulpit, you face the congregation. When you visit, be sure to be on time! Thank you Carolyn and Dixie for your dedication to this type of service in our community. We appreciate all you do!
On one Saturday morning each month, we also work for the PNC “Serve” program, a food cooperative program which provides food at a very reasonable cost to area families.
Finally, we volunteer our services especially around the holidays to accept food donations as they are brought to the center, categorize them, and pack holiday food boxes for needy families.
Malta, Groton, CT
In addition to the PNC, we have started volunteering at Malta in Groton, CT. This organization provides clothing and food for the homeless. Our volunteer work there has mainly involved organizing large amounts of clothing and occasionally helping to make sandwiches for the teams to take out to the homeless on the streets of New London and Norwich, CT.
Road Church Events
In 2008 we held several events to bring the community to Road Church.
Soup-a-Thon
In February, 2008, we held a Soup-a-thon. A number of people from the church donated
crocks of their favorite soup, about 12-15 different types in all. Various kinds of bread
were also provided. People attending purchased an empty bowl and could sample
as many different soups as they desired. They were then asked to vote for their
favorite. The winner was Italian Sausage Tortellini soup prepared by Toni Nadherny
who was awarded the very unique golden ladle trophy. All of the soups were so good that everyone who provided one was presented with a medal.This event was verysuccessful and we plan to have another one in the spring of 2009.
Palm Sunday Brunch
In conjunction with the diaconate, a Palm Sunday brunch was held after church on that day. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal of pancakes, ham, eggs, sausage, fruit and danish prepared in large part by the male members of outreach and the kitchen committee.
Ice Cream Sundae Fundae
Our Ice Cream Sundae Fundae held in August was attended by many children and their families and was our most successful event. Everyone from the youngest child to our own Pastor Ron enjoyed rides on two large draft horses. Children’s games (which were also played by some adults!) were available with interesting prizes; and few could resist making their own sundaes from 4 kinds of ice cream (one, two or three scoops!), hot fudge,butterscotch,and strawberry syrups, and many toppings such as sprinkles,marshmallow fluff, nuts, M+M’s, etc. We’ll have one again in the summer of 2009 - all will be invited!!
Storytelling Night
On a Friday night just before Halloween, we held a storytelling night in the church
Parish House. A number of children and adults came in costume and all were
entertained by well known area storyteller, Jeanne Donato. She came dressed as
a very authentic witch and enthralled everyone with her Halloween tales. The
storytelling was followed by delicious homemade refreshments and a raffle. Bags of “Trick or Treat” goodies were given to the children.
The committee is now in the process of planning events for 2009 and is always anxious for ideas for how to meet our stated goals.