MISSIONS AND OUTREACH TEAM

The St. Andrew Missions and Outreach Team is projecting a new church year with many opportunities for our congregation to give of their time, talent, and treasure. We are committed to supporting a variety of ministries and events that reach outward from St. Andrew to embrace the local community, the United Church of Christ, and neighbors around the globe.

St. Andrew will continue its’ extravagant ministry to the local community in the 2024/25 church year, as well as look for ways to expand it. From LGBTQ youth to victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking, the hungry, the homeless, and low-income seniors, we raise funds and volunteer for multiple agencies. We also speak out for equality and justice for our marginalized neighbors and participate in outreach to the gay community.

Here are just some of the local organizations we are supporting next year, either by raising funds, volunteering, or both:

·       ALSO Youth, a non-profit organization providing peer support services, community enrichment, scholarships, free counseling, and so much more for LGBTQ+ youth.

·       Family Promise/Francis House, a program under the umbrella of Family Promise Sarasota-Manatee, provides 24/7 care to homeless pregnant mothers and their children. 

·       Project 180, a non-profit that seeks to reintegrate formerly incarcerated citizens into community life.

·       Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC), provides domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. 

·       All Faiths’ Food Bank, an agency that seeks to provide healthy solutions to end hunger in our community.

·       Pride festivals, where we extend our radical inclusiveness to the gay community.

·       Selah Freedom, an anti-human trafficking non-profit organization whose mission is to end sex trafficking and bring freedom to the exploited.

·       Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE), whose mission is to unite people of faith in Sarasota County to powerfully hold systems accountable in the community to a Godly standard of justice.

·       Resurrection House, a day services center for the homeless providing employment assistance, meals, showers, laundry and much more.

·       St. Andrew Samaritan Fund, providing financial assistance for groceries, gas and other expenses for neighbors seeking help.

As always, we will continue to support the many churches and diverse ministries of the United Church of Christ by holding annual fundraisers for:

·       Strengthen the Church, building up the Body of Christ by supporting leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. 

·       Neighbors in Need, a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States.

·       Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross, an expression of our thanks to retired and active UCC pastors and lay church workers and their families facing financial need.

Around the world, St. Andrew supports holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing, and women’s empowerment through the following:

·       One Great Hour of Sharing, supporting the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ.

·       Global Ministries, joining with global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation, and peace.

·       CROP Hunger Walk, across the globe, providing life-saving support like emergency food along with the seeds, tools and programs that will help families feed themselves in the future.

Your Missions and Outreach Team will continue to strive to offer a broad spectrum of fundraisers and volunteer opportunities in the 2024/2025 church year.