What do we have to be grateful for? Our Outreach Programs and all of the volunteers who “show up”.

At  St. Paul’s, we have many things for which we give thanks.  As the Food Pantry is our Mission of the Month for November, let us start our list with all of those who “show up” to run our Outreach Programs.  We are grateful for the Food Pantry volunteers – the organizers and shoppers, those who work with the clients, those who stock the shelves, those who transport the food, and those who clip the coupons.  And of course we are grateful to all who give food and money to allow us to feed the people to come to us for help.  These people and the work that they do is the face of St. Paul’s to many in our community, and we are very proud of them.

Moving across the hall, we are thankful for our Thrift Shop and clothing bank.  From those who sort and price the items, to those who help people to find what they need, we are so blessed to have this dedicated group of volunteers.  We have clients who come to us in need of clothing for a job interview, or warm clothes after moving here from a warm climate.  We have those who are in need of blankets who are sleeping outside.  They are cared for with dignity and respect.

We are appreciative of the support of the Visiting Nurses who come here for Senior Health and Immunization clinics.  We are also blessed to be the site of a monthly Downtown Health Clinic with staff from Concord Hospital who meet with those who are disconnected from the healthcare system and work to provide medical care as well as counseling.

We are thankful for all who feed the hungry people in our community.  On the third Wednesday of each month, a team from St. Paul’s prepares and serves a meal to clients at the Friendly Kitchen – often approaching one hundred people!  The Friendly Kitchen serves all who arrive at the table, and we are glad to be a part of that work.

Showing up is part of who we are as people of God in the Episcopal Church.  And when we show up for ministry to the people who need us most, lives are transformed – their lives and ours.