Outreach
As Christians we are called by the Gospel to "feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned" (Matthew 25:35). In answer to this call we must respond in ways other than community worship and prayer, and we must reach out to the larger world in which we live as witnesses of God's Love. The following are some of the ways that Epiphany and it's members are answering that calling, some of the organizations we work with to serve the larger community and ways that you, also, can help.
Community Meals (a.k.a. Friday Night Dinners)-
Since March 2000 the community meal program has been serving free hot meals every Friday evening from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m..
Between 250 to 325 dinners are served each week, and attendance
continues to grow (up from serving 175-225 per week in 2006). Our guests include not only the homeless, but the
unemployed, the working poor, the elderly, and those just looking for
company. The program has earned a reputation among local social service
agencies and the community for providing a delicious meal in a friendly,
caring, non-judgmental atmosphere. Children enjoy a supervised play area and
special after dinner treats. We also distribute whatever donated food is
available.
How Can I Help? Participate-
You can help by volunteering to help prepare, serve, and
/ or clean up, or to simply visit with our guests! We need volunteers from 3:00 p.m. and
7:00 p.m.
on any Friday night. Each team
serves once a month. You can also help pick-up donated food, or solicit
donations.
Team Leaders:
Week 1: Warren Dunning
Week 2: Warren Dunning
Week 3: Bob Farmer
Week 4: Becky Curtis
Week 5: Marge Tye (March, June, September, December)
Donate- You, your organization, or your company can donate money or food products to help support this valuable program. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
Recipes - We are always looking for recipes for our Friday Night Dinners. If you have an easy to prepare and cost effective recipe(s), please let us know!
Community Building Use- As a part of our larger community, we open our doors and share our parish hall for meetings of other organizations including: Alcoholics Anonymous, Girl Scouts of America, Brown Bag, Solano County Food Bank and Garden Club.
Health Ministries- Our Parish Nurse Ministry group provides education as well as blood pressure checks in the church. Contact CAROL HOWARD.
HEATHER House- this facility is operated by the Solano Interfaith Council (see below), and provides 24 beds for those who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets, mostly families with small children. Counseling and other services are also provided. There are also 2 apartments available for longer term transitional housing. Epiphany is a member of the interfaith council, and sponsors a bedroom.
Opportunity House- A shelter for women and families who are homeless. Vacaville Social Services Corporation, also provides Transitional Housing for up to 2 years for families that need help in getting into and staying in housing.
Prison Ministries- We have an active prison
ministries program including weekly services inside the prison,
Visits
to the Prison Hospice
Solano Interfaith Council-
