We have three meaningful and timely opportunities to serve others in our communities near and far.
Grace Ministries
We can certainly tell that the cold weather is right around the corner! Grace Ministries is collecting new and gently used coats for adults and children of all ages. Please drop them off in the Gathering Space on October 16. They will be distributed at the October Grace Ministries on October 22. The next opportunity for coat distribution won’t be until January. Your donation is an opportunity to warm someone’s heart as well as their body!
UMCOR Disaster Relief Buckets
We have all seen and heard about Hurricane Ian and the widespread destruction and sorrow it left in its path. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has asked churches for their help by creating disaster relief buckets. The Northern Virginia District has challenged each congregation to put together four buckets. We believe that St. Stephen’s is capable of more!
If you, your family, your friend group, or your class would like to assemble a bucket, you can review the items on the Cleaning Bucket Checklist and then visit bucket assembly video for assembly instructions. It’s a tight fit.
If you’d rather not commit to a full bucket but instead donate individual items, please refer to the flood bucket signup or the display in the Gathering Place. Then place your items in the collection area by Sunday, October 16 so that all buckets may be taken to a NOVA District collection site later in the week.
Church Beautification
On Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., please join our very handy Chuck Smith to help with outdoor beautification projects. It is often the details like mulch and raked leaves that give St. Stephen’s that clean and welcoming feeling. Your help will warmly greet the many guests we hope to see for Trunk-or-Treat, and then Thanksgiving and Christmas! Come and bring a friend. All are able – Chuck can find just the right project for you. Please sign up at Beautification Project Signup so the trustees have an idea of how many volunteers they have. If you are not able to sign up, don’t let that stop you – come join us!