November 19, 2014

Outreach 101: Relationships and Transformation

“Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world,

This month in the ECF Vital Practices mid-month digest, we share articles and resources focused on how outreach can be a catalyst for relationships and transformation.

“Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

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“Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
– Teresa of Avila

Outreach: Getting Started #101
Do you need some inspiration or tips? Not sure where to begin to start an outreach initiative? In “Outreach: Getting Started #101,” Bob Runkle shares some basic principles for generating momentum and organizing an outreach or social justice ministry.



Welcome Neighbor
Who are refugees and what is the Church’s role? In "Welcome Neighbor," Daniel Trudeau shares the ministries of Episcopal Migration Ministries and offers resources for congregations interested in learning how to become part of this vital ministry.

Blog Posts

Small Church Feeds Big Athletes: St. Timothy’s didn’t let size get in the way when it came to a ministry of feeding hungry athletes that has fostered an ongoing ministry and relationships

In the Cards: Something as simple as cards can serve as a catalyst for powerful, thoughtful, and intentional prayer, and to strengthen our relationships.

The Church that Plays Soccer: Small commitments combined to create a soccer field that has broken barriers and attracted new people and energy to El Buen Pastor.









Tools and Resources

Discretionary Funds: Guiding Principles: Confidentiality is not the same as secrecy. This resource contains a set of principles and sample report for handling a discretionary fund.

Caring for the Troops: Every day veterans return home from armed conflicts abroad. This article shares how your congregation can help minister to these men and women.

Where There is Despair, Hope: A resource developed by the Diocese of Southern Ohio to help churches root community ministry in Christian formation.

Changing Lives of Mexico's Poorest

How can you change an entire community? How about the world? Using models developed by Episcopal Relief & Development, in "Changing Lives of Mexico's Poorest," Hannah Wilder shares how Episcopalians in the Diocese are San Diego are changing the lives of women and children in Tijuana.




This Month in Year-Round Stewardship
Where do you allot your resources in the debate of maintenance versus mission? In “Feed the Poor or Fix the Roof,” Dan Austin dismisses this as a false dichotomy and offers suggestions for how congregations can sort through the difficult budget issues to strengthen both important ministry and the bottom line.