Outreach Activities
These are ministries to which Lynnewood has an annual commitment of support. Examples include:
Our goal is to offer one or two trips each year to address a specific need. During 2006, this included a work week at Elverta United Methodist Church (near Sacramento). Our volunteers did maintenance on this small rural church. During 2006 and 2007, we sent teams to New Orleans to assist with recovery projects associated with Hurriance Katrina. Our teams worked to repair homes for people who could not afford to do it themselves and also donated relief supplies to the local community. Also during 2007, Lynnewood jointly sponsored a team that went to Guatemala for medical care and construction at a medical clinic serving the indigenous Mayan people. In 2008 we once again sent a team to repair Katrina-damaged homes in the New Orleans area. To prove that Lynnewood's Outreach has a long reach, this summer we are send a team to work on a High School in Tonga!
At Christmas time a tree in our Narthex is stocked with gift needs for families, disabled, children and youth who might not receive Christmas presents otherwise. We collect names and needs from various agencies. Members of our church then fill the need and teams of volunteers deliver the gifts.
At least once per year Lynnewood sponsors a food drive for the Alameda County Food Bank or other local agency. The Food Bank provides food assistance to 120,000 people each month through 300 community organizations.
Heifer International has helped more than one million impoverished families around the world become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in its care. Heifer International provides food- and income-producing animals, as well as training in animal husbandry, in ecologically sound, sustainable farming, and in community development.
Started in 2005, Ministries of the Heart is annual season of personal outreach emphasis. Each member of our church is encouraged to participate in an outreach of their own choosing. Some in the congregation pursue personal initiatives, as an individual or family. It is an opportunity to engage in a need that means a great deal to them. Others join in group projects…workdays, fund drives, collection efforts and such. The kickoff is usually in May at a special worship service. We celebrate our ministries in September at worship and with a Ministries Fair.
Each year the youth of our church, and invited friends, participate in the Sierra Service Project. Known as SSP, this is a weeklong trip to work on homes at Native American reservations. Locations vary from year to year, but generally include Oregon, Nevada and California. The kids work during the year to raise money to pay for the trip. Adults volunteer as trip counselors. This year's trip is scheduled for the week of July 12th-20th at Ft. McDermott on the California/Nevada border. Our May 11th Outreach Offering will go to help support the youth’s SSP Mission Trip.