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Mission Activities
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem [locally], in all Judea and Samaria [nationally] and to the ends of the earth [globally] ." - Acts 1:8
Over the last decade St. Michael has exponentially increased and expanded its involvement in mission activities from across the street to around the world. The elevated interest and assistance has been supported and encouraged from the pulpit and from the Council leadership. The Social Ministry Committee is responsible for overseeing the ministry. This increase is both in funds (~10% of the annual budget) and in personal involvement.
Locally
Locally, various groups in the church raise funds and materials to help support the migrant workers in the area. Christmas gifts for families, food to the Migrant Ministry food cupboard, funds from the St. Michael Yard Sale, and blankets are part of this activity. Thanksgiving baskets, work clothes, and food are donated to area families of prisoners through similar group projects and ongoing programs. The Women’s Group periodically visits with goodies and songs several homes for the aged, assisted living residences, and Luther House for low-income individuals. They also collect money and goods for other charitable organizations. The Social Ministry Committee oversees the distribution of nearly $12,000 to area charities and organizations. St. Michael people participate in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Lutheran Charities Bike-a-thon, and Habitat for Humanity projects both raising funds and giving of their time.
Our youth as well as adult teams have joined the Good Neighbors Program for a week doing home repairs in the Kennett area on several occasions.
And as partners in sharing the Word, St. Michael has conducted work days and fund-raisers for other churches in the area including Nativity in Chester, Spirit & Truth in Yeadon, Community of Love in Oxford, and the United in Faith start-up in Kennett Square.
Nationally
In recent years three teams from St. Michcael have travelled to Ocean Springs, MS, to help clean-up and rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Christus Victor/Camp Victor has been the local home base. This past March, members as part of a Habitat for Humanity - Thrivent Builds project team help build two houses in Biloxi.
Globally
For the past eight years, St. Michael has hosted short-term mission teams that have gone to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Peru to do construction projects. The unbelievable response from the congregation has not only raised up 12-18 people to labor in these countries, but has also raised over $5,000 each year to purchase supplies. The congregation also generously donates tools, school supplies, shoes, and clothing for the teams to take along for distribution to the locals. The Sunday School and Youth have had their special projects to help raise funds and materials too. The prayer cover offered by the congregation also speaks well to its involvement in mission activities – looking outside of itself.
Sermons on the call to help others, installation services for the short-term mission teams, and temple talks on opportunities and outcomes keep this ministry in front of the people. From the increased support seen each year, it is easy to project that this ministry will continue to grow at St. Michael.
The Congregation of St. Michael encourages, supports, and participates in local, domestic and foreign mission activities. In 2002, one young woman went to Jamaica and another to St. Petersburg, Russia, to work with existing humanitarian programs. Other individuals have gone to China and Tanzania to help with special proejcts. These people truly believe that part of their call is to take the Word to the world through their involvement.
