Outreach Grants of $122,500

On September 17, the Vestry approved the recommendations made by the Outreach Grants Committee, chaired by Charlie Harris. Grants of $122,500 were made and distributed last week to the following ministries in our area which involve many volunteer opportunities as well. Applications this year totaled $268,708. These groups are carefully researched by our Outreach Committee before recommendations are made. Remarkable work is being done in so many places and we are happy to help keep these efforts going. Along with our gifts go our prayers for all those in need.

 

Absolutions Counseling Center                                                                            1,250

Aid to Inmate Mothers                                                                                          3,000

Alabama Writers Forum                                                                                        2,000

Baptist Health Care Foundation/Camp Celebration                                       1,000

Boys and Girls Club                                                                                                2,900

Brantwood Children’s Home                                                                                3,000

Bridge Builders (teen race relations)                                                                   1,500

Camp McDowell                                                                                                      5,000

Cancer Wellness Foundation                                                                                3,000

Capital Area Literacy Council                                                                                   800

Catholic Social Services (direct aid)                                                                     3,000

Child Protect (victims of abuse)                                                                           2,700

Children’s Center (for disabled young adults)                                                  2,500

Children’s Harbor (summer camp for special needs children)                     2,000

Clefworks                                                                                                                    1,200

Common Ground Montgomery                                                                            4,000

Family Guidance/Center for Families (direct assistance)                               1,700

Family Sunshine Center (victims of domestic violence)                                2,000

Family Support Center                                                                                              750

Floyd Food for Kids (weekend lunches)                                                              1,000

Fountain of Renewal                                                                                              1,000

Friendship Mission Church (food, shelter, clothing)                                       3,500

Girls on the Run Mentoring Program                                                                  1,800

Habitat for Humanity                                                                                             1,000

Hands On River Region (Volunteer and Information Center)                       1,000

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Food Pantry                                                 1,700

Holy Cross Episcopal School Scholarship Fund                                               10,000

Hope Inspired Ministries (jobs for those coming out of prison)                     2,500

Hospice of Montgomery                                                                                         2,500                                                                                          

Kelcie’s Place (autistic teens)                                                                                 1,500

Kid One Transport                                                                                                   1,000

Let God Arise Ministries (prison ministry)                                                       1,200

Lighthouse Counseling Center (substance abuse program)                         2,500

Medical Advocacy and Outreach                                                                         2,000

Medical Outreach Ministries                                                                                2,500

Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless                                                          1,500

Montgomery Area Council on Aging (Meals on Wheels)                               12,000   

Montgomery Christian School (scholarships for underprivileged)                1,000

Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office – Helping Families                800

Montgomery Humane Society                                                                               2,000

New Beginnings Education Center (tutoring)                                                   2,000

Rebuilding Together (home repair for the needy)                                           3,000

Renascence (prison halfway house)                                                                    5,000

Respite Ministry at First United Methodist Church                                        3,000

Resurrection Catholic Ministries                                                                         1,200

St. Margaret’s Services                                                                                           1,000

Sawyerville Work Project (summer camp for needy youth)                          5,000

Special Session at Camp McDowell                                                                    1,000

Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth – SAFY                               1,500

That’s My Child Youth Organization                                                                 1,000

Samaritan Counseling Center                                                                             1,500

In addition to these grants, our Annual Operating Budget provides the following amounts to other ministries beyond our walls: Covenant to the Diocese – $144,260; Seminaries – $13,443; Scholarships to seminarians – $2,000; Strategies to Elevate People (inner city ministries) – $1,500; Discretionary Funds (direct assistance) – $12,300; Baldwin Fund (direct assistance) – $9,000; Honduras Trip – $5,000; Family Promise (homeless families) – $12,000; Holy Cross Episcopal School – $40,000.

Our total outreach expenditures in 2018 will be $362,000, just under 20% of our annual budget. Our parish, through your generosity, continues to do remarkable work and more is still required of us. May all our efforts bring those in need closer to the hope offered through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Yours faithfully,

Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr.

 

Stewardship Meetings

Each parishioner is requested to attend one 30 minute meeting to pick up pledge packets and hear a presentation by the Rector, Wardens, and Treasurer on the Vestry’s vision for 2019 and our need for improved financial stewardship of our gifts from God. Those meetings will be in the Nave and are scheduled as follows:

Sunday, October 7, at 11:45

Sunday, October 14, at 11:45

Sunday, October 21, at 11:45

Those unable to attend will be called on by canvassers. Pledge cards are due on November 4.

 

St. John’s encourages tithing, the giving of 10% of our financial resources to God’s work in the world through the Church, because we know that giving is integral to spiritual growth. The Rector tithes and each member of the Vestry is either tithing or working toward that goal. Please identify for yourself the percentage of your resources that you will give and develop a plan to become a tither.