Congregational coordinators and volunteers have joined together to host some exciting activities to raise funds for Care in Congregations and Care in Communities projects.:
Easter breakfasts are a favorite activity and were provided at several congregations:
TRINITY, Burlingame - prior to Easter service. A pot luck and always a big success.
HOLY TRINITY, , San Carlos - served by youth and adults.
GRACE, San Mateo - Breakfast served in parish hall.
A Palm Sunday breakfast was served at Hope in San Mateo.
Afternoon tea at Trinity, Burlingame was enjoyed by all who attended.
GRACE, San Mateo. In April the children in K through 4th grade, who attend Grace Lutheran School put on a musical in two parts: Good Night Moon and Betsy Ross. In May grades 5 through 8 gave a performance of Tom Sawyer. A performance was given in the morning for children. Children from pre-schools in the area are invited to attend. A performance was also given in the evening for parents and other adults. This is part of the school drama class. The money received goes back into the school.
PEACE LUTHERAN'S MESSAGE:
Thrivent Financial tells us to diversity our assets - Peace Lutheran in San Bruno has learned to diversify its fundraising. In 2007 we have done our fundraising for our "Care in Congregation" matching funds in a variety of ways.
We had a "Bakeless Bake Sale" - a letter in the form of a jingle asking our members and friends to join us in a cup of tea (tea bag enclosed) and donating to our church the equivalent of the price of baking a cake or pie. Return envelope enclosed too. We have monthly brunches after church - all food cooked and donated by a member we call our chef. Freewill offering encouraged. In March we had a corned beef and cabbage meal. Recycling used cartridges from computers, aluminum cans and bottles also brings in some extra cash. We also sell "Entertainment Books" yearly which allows us to keep a portion of the sale price.
For our "Care in Community" fundraiser we had a Saturday evening Spring Pasta Feed advertised as PASTABILITIES. Four varieties of pastas plus salads, breads, desserts and beverages were served. A freewill offering for the San Bruno Catholic Worker House was taken.
OUR REDEEMER'S MESSAGE - CARE IN REGIONS
At the very heart of our Christian faith is the work that emanates from our commitment to the words of Jesus. Lutherans know: action is mission.
In early spring, Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church of South San Francisco, California demonstrated once again, it was the, "Little Church That Could" by raising $50,000 for a local homeless shelter.
For a third year, the gala event Harbor Lights, brought together people of faith, business owners and civic leaders to support the difficult and necessary work of Safe Harbor Shelter, the primary homeless shelter in San Mateo County.
Safe Harbor Shelter houses 90 men and women, offering hot meals and services such as mental health counseling, job training and substance abuse treatment. The shelter is operated through Samaritan House whose funds come from various government and foundations sources, yet depends heavily on the generosity of donations.
The evening began with memorable music of the Big Band era played with vintage nuance by the 17-piece South San Francisco High School Blue Knights Jass Band. The band and its director, Meghan Hardy, were thrilled to be a part of the event and happy to give back to the community.
Many South San Francisco City Council members attended and supported the event, as did Mayor Richard A garbarino and California State Assembly member Gene Mullin.
Emmy award-winning news anchor, reporter and talk show host, Fred La Cosse and his wife, popular television and radio personality Terry Lowry, generously gave of their time to emcee the evening's program.
Comedian and past winner of the San Francisco Comedy Competition, Doug Ferrari, who has made a strong commitment to community service by performing at benefits, treated the audience to lots of laughs while addressing some very tough issues.
All those attending enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and participated in exciting silent and live auctions supported by local merchants and donors.
In addition to cash donations and monies raised by the evening festivities, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans awarded Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church a Care in Region supplemented grant of $10,000 and The Sam Mazza Foundation presented a charitable grant of $20,000.00.
To mark the occasion, Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church hosted a luncheon and presented the check for $50,000 for Safe Harbor Shelter to Marsha Eddleman, Development Director for Samaritan House, who said, "this is the largest donation we have ever received from any church.!"
In appreciation of the efforts of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, Tom Lantos, representing the 12th District in the US House of Representatives, sent a certificate of appreciation that has been mounted in the church narthex as a proud reminder that action is indeed our mission.
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