The Good News of God in Christ is good news for the world. We are nourished in worship to go out into the world to seek justice, pursue peace, care for the needs of one another, and respect the dignity of every human being. Resurrection lives into this in a variety of ways from participating in special collections to support the Millennium Development Goals or disaster relief, to the service of members in our community, to outreach rooted in our parish. To love God is to love and serve our neighbors with grace and joy.
Our Outreach Commission gathers on a quarterly basis to make small grants to organizations serving those in need and seeking peace and justice as well as overseeing and coordinating the outreach activities of our parish. Some groups we have supported in the past include: The Community Counseling Center, Episcopal Relief & Development, HIV Alliance, Mufindi Orphans of Tanzania, and others. Current chair is Jerry Jacobson.
Home Starter Kits: This is a defining ministry of Resurrection. Founded by our beloved Emily and Neil Morris (now departed) this ministry prepares a kit with household basics for those moving into their own apartment or home. We provide kits to those coming out mental health, homeless and prison transitional programs. Kits include basic kitchen utensils, towels, sheets, pillows, cleaning and paper products and much more. In 2009 we have provided over 150 kits and the number grows. Resurrection partners with St. John’s and St. Matthew’s Episcopal churches in this effort. For information on donations or to help prepare and deliver kits please contact Ken Standhardt or Dick Zeller.
Street packets (aka Handouts for the Homeless) are available to hand out to people in need and include bus tokens, food gift certificates, a resource list and a prayer.
Thanksgiving baskets are prepared by our congregation for families struggling to make ends meet. Baskets include everything to make a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner and are customized to dietary/ethnic requests. Led by Wendy Butler-Boyesen.
First Place Family Week: Each January we host families that are part of the St. Vincent de Paul First Place Family Shelter Program for one week, providing dinner, overnight accommodations, and breakfast. Led by Marsha Shankman and Mike Reed.
First Place Parking Lot Program: Our parking lot hosts one family at a time by providing space for their vehicle and trailer while they seek permanent housing.
Each week we collect food for FISH, a local community food pantry.
Saving Creation is a group of members concerned about caring for and preserving God’s creation. Through education and action this group invites the parish and its individual members to connect faith to protecting our earth and engage in actions to be good stewards. Led by Jane Smith, Pat Russell, John Orbell and Christian Pich.
Parker Village: This is a new ministry that connects Resurrection with our local elementary school, Parker Elementary. In these difficult times, many are living on the edge and schools often know families’ particular needs. Working in collaboration with Parker Village (a program of the school) that distributes financial support to school families, Resurrection does a backpack and school supplies collection in the late summer, a gift card collection for Christmas, and scholarship support fund drive for the 5th grade outdoor adventure camp in May. We hope to expand this ministry in the future. Led by Mo. Natasha.
Egan Warming Center: members of our parish have been active in supporting the creation of this extreme weather emergency shelter for the homeless. The parish overall has also supported this effort. To donate or volunteer for the Egan Warming Center contact St. Vincent de Paul.
Some of the groups our members volunteer with: HIV Alliance, McKenzie River Group, Aprovecho, Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network/Jobs with Justice, Food for Lane County, and many more.
To learn more or to become involved, please call the church at 686-8462.