From January 27 through February 2, a team of St. Mary’s parishioners, led by Allison Dunaway, traveled to Quito, Ecuador to serve with Education Equals Hope (e=h).

Charmaine Trice shares a reflection on the team’s experience below.

Education is an empowering process and a path to battle poverty. It gives people the hope of a better life, which includes their spiritual, physical, and relational well-being.

Despite a one-day delay due to the winter storm, St. Mary’s Mission Team lifted off January 27 and spent five full days on the ground in Ecuador. The e=h Team shepherded us throughout the vast city of Quito and surrounding communities where we immersed ourselves in the lives and culture of others—spending time with students and their families, community members, and ministry partners. We were welcomed with gracious warmth at each church, whether one’s first mission experience in Ecuador (six of us) or a return to friends (seven of us).  

Rios de Agua Viva Church is situated in the beautiful Andes south of Quito in Romerillos, an agricultural community. Upon our afternoon arrival, we gathered with Ministry Leader Blanca in the sanctuary where we joined in joyful song she led while playing acoustic guitar. The elementary school sits directly across the street from the church, and to our delight, the children were let out of school just as we were venturing out for a walk. They joined us for games, lunch, and a hike through their beautiful community. We also spent time lifting construction materials to the second floor of their community center attached to the church, where a room will be completed to house guests. During this time, e=h Nurse Brenda offered health checkups to the community and a few of our team members were invited to assist her.

Cristo Liberador Episcopal Church is located in a community northeast of Quito. Here, we joined in the good work of “smashing” plastic recyclables to be sold and repainting the sanctuary, all the while enjoying sounds of laughter and watching the kids engage in a soccer game across the street. When our work together was complete, we gathered in their dining hall for dinner, and afterwards, were blessed with a beautiful candlelit worship service led by Ministry Leader Lourdes. Cristo also houses a health clinic where Nurse Brenda and other medical professionals offer holistic compassionate care to the community.

Emaus Episcopal Church, with whom St. Mary’s has the longest relationship, is situated in an area of South Quito. During our first day with this congregation, we visited botanical gardens with the children and after returning to Emaus, offered relaxing “spa time” to mothers while engaging their children in joyful activities. After a worship service Sunday morning led by Ministry Leader Nancy, our team divided into five groups to visit the homes of families where we all enjoyed fellowship helping to prepare and share a delicious meal.

During our time serving alongside each other, there was a palpable sense of belonging, love, and gratitude among all Americans—South and North. Bonds formed and relationships deepened, by God’s good grace.

So much more to share, including time to replenish and nourish at a retreat in the mountains, and valuable time with our e=h hosts orienting each morning at the hostel and debriefing each evening upon return. St. Mary’s initial Vision Trip to Ecuador with e=h, nearly a decade ago, has led to many parishioners joining short term missions and outreach through relationship, supplies, and scholarships for children. Through the years, our reciprocal partnership with e=h and their ministries have grown and flourished.

May your eyes be so blessed that you see God in everyone.

Written by Charmaine Trice

Our St. Mary's team will leave for Kenya on March 18 for a mission with Education Equals Hope. They were commissioned at the worship service on March 8. E=h students in Kenya lack access to clean water. This has a serious effect on their academic performance and school attendance. St. Mary's has helped to provide Hope 2 Others (H2O) clean water filters to members of the Kipsongo Slum where e=h students live. This slum is made up of over 18,000 homes, so the investment in this community is a long process. 

We would love for YOU to help us to continue to impact this community. Your purchase of a filter will help ensure that our students' education is not interrupted by water-borne illness. Clean water is not only a current necessity, but also a step towards a healthier, brighter future.

Please consider making a donation of $50 to buy a water filter or making a donation of your choosing at the link below. Please select “Outreach” in the General Fund dropdown and write “Water Filters” in the Memo field.

Thank you for your help in bringing clean water to our brothers and sisters in Kenya! 

Thank you to all who donated food for the dinner served to 75 women at the CARITAS Healing Place on March 16, and to those who helped prepare, deliver, and serve the meal—despite the interesting weather conditions! A special thank you as well to our 8th grade Confirmation class who baked dozens of delicious cookies to share.

CARITAS is a long-standing partner of St. Mary’s, and our continued service there is deeply appreciated.

The Patriots may not have won the game, but they won the Souper Bowl Sunday Food Drive at St. Mary’s! Thanks to the efforts of our youth, nearly 200 pounds of canned goods were collected for GoochlandCares.

Thank you to all who participated!

Written by Susan Stevens

In January, Deb Lawrence, the Executive Director at ReWork Richmond, spoke to our Ministry. ReWork Richmond is a small not-for-profit located in the east end of Richmond dedicated to working with individuals who are "underemployed" and motivated to do better.

One of the main goals is to improve their skill sets in order to become eligible for higher paying job opportunities. The organization provides best techniques for interviewing, networking, resume building, financial management, and more. This job enhancement program began at St. Stephen's in 2019 and has attracted coaching volunteers (both retired and currently working) and a referral network at large and small companies in the Richmond area.

We invited Deb to speak to learn more about ReWork and to see if there may be interest at St. Mary's for parishioner involvement. The committee as a whole was very interested and we hope to meet with Deb again soon to explore volunteer opportunities. 

To learn more contact Susan Stevens or visit ReWork Richmond's website.

On February 11, WRIC Channel 8News featured Peter Paul in a story for Black History Month that highlighted how historic, Black-led institutions in Richmond are evolving to serve the next generation. 

Hear from their leaders and some families who have participated in their programs throughout the years to learn how Peter Paul's work has grown since its founding. St. Mary's has supported Peter Paul since its earliest days from its original community programs to today's youth education and family initiatives. 

You can view the new story on WRIC's website below.

Beyond what we do at St. Mary's to provide for our partners with donations, projects, and prayers, there are opportunities to participate directly at our partners' sites. Below is a list of contacts and a brief description for you to consider hands-on participation. On our website, you can also find ministry member emails if you want to reach out to them for more information.



• CARITAS: CARITAS creates a safe space to heal and time to rebuild for people experiencing homeless and/or addiction. Learn more about volunteering here.
• CrossOver Healthcare Ministry: Opportunities are available for clinical volunteers (doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists), office assistants, or Spanish interpreters at the 8600 Quioccasin Rd. or 108 Cowardin Ave. offices. The first step to becoming a volunteer is filling out a volunteer application, which is available on their website.
• Education Equals Hope (e=h): Stay tuned for upcoming mission trip opportunities!
• GoochlandCares: Contact WAsher@GoochlandCares.org, Volunteer Engagement Manager, or learn more here. 
• GoochlandCares Clothes Closet: Sorting occurs on the second Sunday of the month. Meet St. Mary's team leader Dick Thomas at the back of the GoochlandCares building (2999 River Rd. West) at 12:30 p.m. If you have questions, contact Dick. Our next sorting day is Sunday, April 12.
• Peter Paul RVA: Opportunities are available Mon.-Thurs. from 4-5 p.m. to be a reading or math buddy, tutor, or classroom aid at the Coleman Promise Center, 1708 N.22nd St., Richmond. Contact Daiyonna Tretina (804-634-5100).
• Peter Paul: On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, food distribution volunteers help stock their food pantry. Meet at Feed More at 12:30 p.m. to load food into the van before heading back to Peter Paul to unload and sort the food. Volunteers are also needed the 1st and 3rd Wednesday to help set up and assist clients with food selection at Peter Paul, 8:30-11 a.m. This is an immediate need. Please Contact Daiyonna Tretina (804-634-5100) if you are interested!