About a month ago, more than 30 St. Andrew’s members helped bring God’s healing love to people in our community alongside new friends from St. James United Methodist Church. Hundreds of neighbors came by to share a meal; pick up groceries, diapers, and clothing; and wash their clothes at the laundromat across from St. James. And our volunteers had a great time in the process.

Now, we have another opportunity to join St. James in a Connecting Community event, this time focused on getting kids ready to head back to school. On Saturday, Aug. 13, in shifts during the morning and afternoon, St. Andrew’s members will come to St. James to help provide school supplies and hygiene-related items for kids from two of our partner schools – Gordon Parks and Benjamin Banneker elementaries – as well as families from two schools that partner with St. James. We’ll also help distribute food, diapers, and clothing, and we’ll help people use the laundromat for Loads of Love. 

This Sunday, July 24, Janet Kelley and Jean Kiene will be in the Jewell Room after the 8 and 10 a.m. services with sign-up sheets and more information. Or you can contact Janet directly. I hope you’ll consider giving a couple of hours to help students from our partner schools get ready to go back to class. (No donations are needed for this Connecting Community event.)

In addition, you have a couple more opportunities to help students and families at Gordon Parks Elementary. Mentors and volunteers are needed at the school now and going forward; contact Karen Lundgren to find out more. And in the coming weeks, you’ll have the chance to support Gordon Parks families by donating the cost of a uniform for a child. Stay tuned for more details!

Fr. John Spicer