Outreach Ministries

Christ Episcopal Church members are God's hands and feet in the world who exercise many different forms of personal ministry. Our parish knows about and supports the mission of the Church beyond itself, and we reflect the cultural diversity of our surrounding community.

The mission of the outreach committee is to discern the human needs of the community, and to coordinate an effective Christian response in Christian love with our time, talent, and treasure, recalling the Summary of the Law and Matthew 25:34-40. The main thrust of the committee's work is to serve the community with funds to a variety of groups. Several of these are line items in our budget.

Episcopal Asset Map

Feeding the Hungry

Jesus put a lot of emphasis on feeding hungry people and so do we.

Our volunteers:

Collect food (and, while we are at it, cleaning supplies, personal care products, blankets, school supplies and Christmas toys) for the Lord’s Pantry at Kent Social Services
Partner with Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Water Street to provide hot meals at their Saturday Lord's Lunch program

Clothing and Household Goods

The Phyllis Zumkher County Clothing Center was named in honor of our late member, Phyllis Zumkher, and is run by our ministry partner Family and Community Services, Inc. The Center distributes gently used clothing and household goods at no charge to anyone in need in Portage County.

The first and third Tuesday of each month, our volunteers:

Collect, sort and display donated items
Assist clients with finding what they need
Staff special events, like assisting kids with picking out outfits from the Halloween costume room in October.

Support the Mentally Ill

Each holiday season we organize an outreach collection for group home residents at Coleman Professional Services to provide them with essential items they need such as clothing, watches, socks, blankets, shoes, slippers, etc. and other items that they request.

Community Outreach

Christ Episcopal Church supports many organizations directly or in cooperation with groups meeting in our facility.

Kent Social Services
Lord’s Lunch
Lions Club (eye glasses)
Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center
Ronald McDonald House (aluminum pull tabs)
Project Linus (quilts for children in hospitals – created by Black Squirrel Piecemakers)
Two-Cents-a-Meal
Episcopal Relief and Development
United Thank Offering
Heifer International
Miller House
Safer Futures
Shop with a Cop
Coleman House
Center of Hope
Portage County Metro Housing Authority (PMHA)
Women Infants and Children
Rural Relief Mobile Food Pantry

Programs We Support

Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent

The Socially Responsible Sweatshop is committed to repurposing landfill-destined textiles into useful, beautiful items. These items are lovingly crafted and priced affordably. Proceeds from the sales of these items are donated to provide extra funds for food-insecure community members and other social justice projects. The volunteers of the SRS strive to be helpful to our brothers and sisters while demonstrating responsible stewardship of our Earth and the protection of its environment.

SRS welcomes participation from folks of all abilities. We need sewists, people to cut out projects, and people to help with stuffing our mediation pillows. Regular hours are: Sunday and Monday 1-3 pm and Tuesday and Friday 10:00 am to noon at Christ Episcopal Church in the lower level. Enjoy fellowship and help to end food insecurity in Portage County.

You find a link to their online shop here. Learn more about the SRS here.

Venture Crew 2257

Our church sponsors Venture Crew 2257. Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and under 21 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults, with an emphasis in adventure, leadership, personal growth, and service.

Ways to Help

United Thank Offering (UTO)

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)

Give to the United Thank Offering with a designated gift in our offering plate or here.

Donate

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)

Episcopal Relief & Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. We also work around the world and here in the US responding to and rebuilding after disasters. Find out more and donate here.

Donate