Outreach needs expand in many areas
Volunteering in person is very limited, but there are ways to help By Liz Bartenstein and Ron Brown
Sarah Bartenstein
T
he past year of pandemic and economic hardship has stretched families from all over Richmond in every way possible. We have welcomed many new clients to our food pantry, for example, and several of them shared that they never thought they would need assistance with food. In times like these, outreach ministries like the ones offered through St. Stephen’s are vital to ensuring that all of our neighbors may thrive. Our commitment to our community manifests in many ways—investing leadership, volunteer time, and financial resources in a variety of organizations around the Richmond area. LOCAL PARTNERS
“handyman” skills—with those in need of these services, on an as-needed basis. Please be in touch with Ron Brown if you’d like to be part of this group. ReWork Richmond: This ministry is an initiative of St. Stephen’s Church, St. Peter’s Church, the City of Richmond, and other community partners. See page 18. FOOD MINISTRY
St. Stephen’s food ministry is a large and ever-growing ministry that helps feed the hungry in many ways. Each facet needs volunteers.
The strength of our commitments in the East End continues. We are heavily invested in Fairfield Court Elementary School, Peter Paul Development Center, and the Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School. We also have other local partnerships.
The fruit ministry is our longest-standing outreach ministry. Volunteers meet every week to gather, sort, and distribute fresh fruit—apples, bananas, and oranges—to more than 200 people in the Gilpin Court and Highland Park neighborhoods of Richmond.
Fairfield Elementary School: During the pandemic, we participated in several drives to provide school supplies, household cleaning supplies, toiletries, Christmas gifts for students, and holiday meals. The need for support continues, and we look forward to a return to in-person instruction and volunteering.
Our food pantry is an approved agency of the Central Virginia Food Bank, and serves over 300 children and adults each month through our weekly food distribution. Our pantry has returned to the “grocery store” set-up, providing our visitors the ability to select the items they want from our pantry inventory. We need volunteers to assist each shopper, and to sort and stock our shelves in preparation for the shopping visits. (See page 16.)
Peter Paul Development Center: Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the annual math camp this summer, in which students review and strengthen math skills in a fun environment, but we will keep you informed about other ways to help via the eSpirit. Anna Julia Cooper School: We have hosted several school supply drives. There continues to be a need for teacher support, and volunteers are needed as classroom assistants. The school has been offering in person learning throughout the covid period. Richmond City Jail: The jail’s covid restrictions have meant that we could not continue this in-person ministry of Bible study and the sharing of Holy Communion during the past year, but we look forward to resuming in the future. In the meantime, we accept personal care items (unopened, full size items, please) for our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Rebuilding Together Richmond: As this edition went to the printer, we were working on scheduling a building event. We will communicate more details in the eSpirit. The same is true of Habitat for Humanity. HANDS (Hammer and Nails in Devoted Service): This ministry pairs volunteers—many of whom have carpentry or
Not only does the farmers market need volunteers to help with the set-up, tear-down, and operation of the market, but “gleaners” are needed to gather the produce and other items from our generous farmers and vendors who donate unsold products for our pantry visitors. BEYOND RICHMOND
Parishioners have visited various parts of the United States affected by natural disasters, as well as to countries such as the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Argentina to spend time with our missionaries Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega and the people they serve, to provide medical and dental care, to conduct Vacation Bible School, and to construct homes and other buildings. With travel curtailed worldwide during the past year, we have not been able to schedule mission trips. We will, of course, let you know through the eSpirit and future editions of Seasons of the Spirit when these ministries resume. For more information about any of these efforts, please contact Ron Brown, director of outreach (rbrown@ststephensRVA.org) or Anna Jones, farmers market manager and food pantry coordinator (ajones@st.stephensRVA.org), or call 804.288.2867.
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