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Activities
Throughout the year the members of St.
Paul's offer different programs and activities that are geared to serve the
community and to continue to give witness to God's love in our lives and God's
call to be his disciples. Some examples of these programs and activities are:
- Covenant to Care: St.
Paul's has adopted a Social Worker and 15 children
and families from the Department of Children and Families (D.C.F).
This relationship helps to strengthen and support these families
by: bringing school supplies to children at the beginning of the
school year; providing food to supplement the Thanksgiving dinner;
gathering age appropriate toys, games and clothes during the
Christmas season; and also by putting together Easter baskets to
celebrate the renewal of faith, life and hope.
- Homebound visitations: Another
very successful program is the Homebound
visitations. A group of members take responsibilities on
a monthly basis to contact, visit and send cards and reminders to
many elderly members that are not able to leave their homes. These
members receive with joy the many greetings, and post cards
and reminds them they are a part of the community of faith that
gathers every week at St. Paul's.
- The Mitten Tree: Mittens are
gathered by the young preschool children
of the Child Development Center and the members of St.
Paul's for the distribution to local families, organizations and agencies,
thus ensuring warm hands during the winter season.
- Vacation Bible School: The
members of St. Paul's
sponsor a week long day camp with age appropriate Bible stories, games and
songs. This program is designed to strengthen the spiritual life of the children in the
surrounding community by building relationships with God and each other.
- Rummage Sale and Bake Sale: In May and
September active
members collect clothes and household articles which
are then sold at very reasonable prices. Many people come to
find treasures and bargains. Many of our great bakers prepare baked
goods that make your mouth water.
Cakes, cookies and pies are made and sold at modest prices.
- The Crafters Circle: With
lots of laughter, joy and Christian love, a group
of women gather together every Monday to share and exchange
ideas for craft projects. These women are very talented and
offer their gifts to each other and the community. In November,
the Craft Circle members display and sell their seasonal art, crafts, and
gifts at the Holly Berry Fair. The modest prices provide
everyone the opportunity to get something special for their loved
ones.
- Women of the ELCA: For
many years a group of faithful women
has been gathering during the second Tuesday of the month
at 1:00 P.M. Every month they have a Bible study, a business
meeting, and gracefully discuss how to become "Angels" helping
children through the various programs sponsored by the Council
of Churches. Recently another group of women began to meet
at night time to give opportunity to those who are unable to attend
during the day time.
- Family Fun Night: Three
times a year we offer a family fun night. These
evenings begin with a potluck dinner followed by a program and
activities on a spiritual theme for adults and children. Recently we
have been working in collaboration with the United Church of Christ,
Bridgeport (2200 North Avenue).
- Lenten Vespers (Soup, Bread and
Worship): Five local Lutheran congregations
have formed a coalition to provide spiritual and physical
food for the soul and the spirit. Every Wednesday come and
be nourished with a variety of delicious soups and breads. After you
have nourished your body, we feed your spirit in worship.
- Church Picnic: Once a
year after the Labor Day weekend we have
a wonderful church picnic. After worship we gather in our backyard
and participate in a delicious picnic/cookout. From hamburgers
and hot-dogs to the most exotic fruit salads, cakes, brownies,
pork roast, different varieties of rice and chicken dinners. After the
feast we play games, have great conversations and relax and
enjoy one another's company.
- Quilting Classes: Another
way people come together in the spirit of
love is in quilting classes. Quilting projects are identified and worked
on by the members and friends of the congregation. Some examples
of these projects are: baby quilts for Covenant to Care, church
banners, Quilts for Healing, Quilts for Calumet Auction, sweatshirt
jackets, as well as individual projects you may like help with.
- Healing Services: In
the Fall and Spring seasons, everyone is invited
to come to special healing services with special music, worship,
and The Laying on of the Hands.
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