Volume I | Summer 2018
What's New at St. Elizabeth's - Summer 2018

Top Ten Donation List

Summer's here and warm weather clothing is in high demand!

Here's a list of the top ten items that are most useful to our neighbors who come to St. Elizabeth's each week. We've also included a list of top ten items that volunteers have found to be not so helpful. Please share this list with your parishioners in your church newsletter or weekly bulletin.

Thanks for spreading the word!

Our Top Ten DESIRABLES:


  1. Summer clothing for adults and children
  2. Toothbrushes (one per package only, please)
  3. Soup pots 4 qt or larger
  4. Footwear
  5. New socks for adults and children
  6. New underwear for adults and children
  7. All eating utensils: dishes, cups, mugs, glasses, forks, knives and spoons
  8. Bedding: blankets, sheets, and pillowcases and towels
  9. Backpacks (both child size and adults)
  10. Child strollers

Our Top Ten UNDESIRABLES are:
  1. Ripped, stained, or dirty clothing
  2. Worn out, smelly shoes
  3. Puzzles with pieces missing
  4. Broken toys
  5. Furniture (due to limited storage)
  6. Small appliances
  7. Electronics
  8. Text books
  9. VHS tapes



From the Board Chair

With the deadline for applications for the position of Executive Director ending on May 31, some interviews have been held and others will be held soon. Stay-tuned!

We have been tinkering with the layout of the center to facilitate the flow of neighbors passing through. After your visit, please let us know what you think of it!

A large check from St. Mary’s of Falmouth for support for 2018 was received. Thank you!

A special effort has been made to make sure everything that you folks donate is given out to our neighbors who need it. The St. Luke’s undercroft is very tidy! Now we are ready receive your new donations of housewares, cookware and summer clothing for adults and children. 

Thank you again for all of your support. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Peace,
Martha Parshley, St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland
Chairperson, St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center Board of Directors

Volunteer Spotlight - The St. E's and Falmouth Schools' Connection

The relationship between St. Elizabeth’s and the Falmouth School community began in 2004 and continues today. It has taken many forms throughout the 14 years. Beginning with a weekly collection and delivery effort, it now includes regular visits from 5 th grade classes and high schoolers as well as special events to help meet critical needs.

Currently each Falmouth 5 th grade class visits the center once a year working out to a class visit about every 5 weeks. A visit schedule is worked out with and approved by the Executive Director and the St. E’s scheduler at the beginning of the school year. The students arrive well prepared by their teachers, excited and ready to help out. Their individual donations have already been delivered and included in Tuesday morning’s setup. These visits and donations based on St. E’s wish lists help to connect approximately 180 families directly to the needs in the larger community.

The Falmouth High students are inventive in providing goods for our special needs. French students visit and bring French-English dictionaries. Used winter boots are collected at the school. Benefit concerts have been held to raise funds to buy new winter boots. The collection and rehabbing of backpacks which are then loaded with supplies is a great help and morale booster for neighbors’ children returning to school in the fall. The children are thrilled when a high school student helps them find just the right backpack for them.


St. E's profiled in the new Diocese of Maine podcast, Faith in Maine
The Diocese of Maine has launched a podcast to tell the stories of life and faith and ministry across the state.

What better story to tell than the story of St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center?

Hear some of your fellow volunteers interviewed on Episode 2: The Toilet Paper Pantry.

Other episodes on mudseason, Camp Bishopswood, and Christ Church in Gardiner may be found at www.faithinmaine.org.

Or, better yet, subscribe to Faith in Maine at iTunes or Google Play Music .

June and July volunteer schedule

Looking ahead, here are the dates for June and July:

June 5, St. Bart's, Yarmouth
June 12, St. Ann's, Windham/Trinity, Portland
June 19, St. Mary's, Falmouth
June 26, St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth

July 3, St. David's, Kennebunk
July 10, St. Luke's, Portland
July 17, St. Bart's, Yarmouth
July 24, St. Ann's, Windham/Trinity, Portland
July 31, St. Mary's, Falmouth, St. Nick's, Scarborough

It has been a very good spring and we're looking forward to a good summer too. Hope you've all been able to enjoy the mild weather and sunshine. I look forward to seeing many of you this summer. Thank you again for keeping the pantry going smoothly.

In Christ,
Gretchen Lane
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center | Episcopal Diocese of Maine | martha.parshley@gmail.com