All undesignated checks and cash in the collection plate will be used for Outreach. The Outreach Committee appointed the GBAM Food Cupboard as recipient of our 5th Sunday collection.

Matt Markiewicz ([email protected], 603 832-4388) is St. Margaret’s representative on the Food Cupboard Board along with representatives from Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast, First Baptist Church, Belfast United Methodist Church, River Sangha, Church of St. Francis, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Church, and Belfast Area Friends Meeting. Parishioners can volunteer to assist with distribution on the week that St. Margaret’s is scheduled (on a rotational basis). Please speak with Matt if you would like more information on the Food Cupboard.

If donating financially, please make checks payable to St. Margaret’s Church with “5th Sunday” or “Food Cupboard” in the memo line. We will continue to accept donations for the next few Sundays. Thank you! Your Outreach Team

(for businesses affected by the January 2024 coastal storms)
 

The Outreach Committee continues to collect funds for this extremely important local initiative, and you can be part of our final gift to the City of Belfast by writing a check to St. Margaret’s with the words “Keep the Faith Fund” or “5th Sunday Plate Offering for March” in the memo line. Please put your donation in the pate offering during any church service in March, or drop it off to the church office. Many thanks to those of you who have so generously donated already!

A St. Margaret’s outreach tradition – the Giving Tree – has returned to its place of honor in the parish house just in time for Advent.

 This year’s tree is adorned with angels ready to fly to Lewiston with your comfort and support for bereaved families struggling to cope this Holiday Season without a loved one they lost in the Oct. 25 mass shooting tragedy. For a donation of $10 you may choose an angel card ornament that can then become your own greeting for someone on your Christmas list to hang on their tree. Funds raised will go promptly to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund established by the Maine Community Foundation, and to a separate fund set up by Lewiston Public Schools to support affected students.

 The Outreach Committee is hoping that together we’ll send off dozens of angels during Advent. You may put either checks made out to St. Margaret’s, with “Lewiston angel” written on the memo line, or cash in the donation box by the Giving Tree. Then select an angel for each donation and spread Christmas love even farther.

We will meet as a parish on Thursday, July 13 at 6PM for a potluck supper followed by discussion on how we can share our building space for the good of the community. We will eat and then break into small groups to answer focus questions which will later be collated.

Also, there will be another discussion focused on the same issue following the 9:30AM service on Sunday, July 16, approximately 11 a.m..

Thank you for your donations to our April 5th Sunday collection.
A check for $832.00 has been sent to H.O.M.E. of Orland.
Our next 5th Sunday will be in July – stay tuned.

Remember when, years ago, we had food dona-
tion baskets at the back of St. Margaret’s
sanctuary, and during the offertory we brought
the baskets forward with the sacraments to be
blessed? This ministry is starting up again!

        Please bring one or more of the following with you to church on Sunday: 

• Ready to eat protein/ready-made meals like canned chicken, chili, or chicken soup
• Toilet paper
• Bar soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash 
• Non-sugary cold cereal

. . . and place your donation in one of the baskets
you’ll see clearly labeled at the back of the church. These will be delivered to the GBAM (Greater Belfast Area Ministerium) Food Cupboard that serves Waldo County residents every other Friday. 

      When you shop for your home, shop for someone else’s too!

Several of us met last Saturday to discuss and plan for St. Margaret’s Outreach mission. As you see in previous post, we designated the very worthy organization, H.O.M.E. of Orland, as recipient of the next 5th Sunday offering (April 30th). 

      In addition we are sending $500 to But Still I Am One, a local organization that provides services to young adults (ages 16-21) who are unhoused or home insecure in Waldo County. FMI: www.butstilliamone.org. Apart from being in the midst of a fundraising campaign where any donation up to $5,000 is being matched, the organization is also seeking host families to provide temporary housing for these young people. Maybe you have a spare bedroom and would like to help out by opening your home on a temporary basis.

      On April 23 we will resume our food in-gathering for the GBAM Food Cupboard. Please consider bringing a food item to church with you – a basket will be at the back of church. In particular need are protein items – canned chicken, canned chili, chicken soup. Also non-sugary cereal AND toiletry items such as toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo and conditioner.

      In the past we have also collected good used (or new) clothing for the men at the Midcoast Re-Entry Center. Many times men arrive at the center with only the clothing they are wearing. Sports type clothing (sweatshirts, T-shirts, sports pants) and casual clothing is suggested. In addition, new underwear and socks is always in demand as well as toiletries – liquid body soap/shampoo, deodorant, etc. A bin will be in the Parish Hall to collect these items.

      Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 10 at 9:30AM – please join us!

April 30th is the second fifth Sunday this year and the Outreach Committee designated H.O.M.E. of Orland as the recipient of the plate offerings on that Sunday plus any special donations you might like to make by marking the check for either “H.O.M.E”. or “5th Sunday”. 

      Some of you might not know about this humble non-profit located on Rte 1A in Orland. They might be small, but they are mighty! Here is a snapshot of their activities last year:

• 48 individuals including 15 children were diverted from homelessness
• 50 households moved to permanent housing
• 9,780 bed nights provided
• 52 households with children sheltered
• Average length of stay in shelter – 48nights
• 1,976 individuals provided with food
• 20 households received firewood for 22/23 season
• 16 daycare enrollments
• 244 Holiday food boxes distributed
• 459 Christmas gifts distributed
• 71 school backpacks distributed
• 118,180 pounds of food rescued and distributed.