The Outreach Commission
Will we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves? Will we strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being? --Baptismal Covenant, BCP
Reaching out in the name of Christ to those in need is the role of the Outreach Commission. The Commission provides financial support, identifies projects and coordinates these projects. The Commission meets once a month. We need you to be a part of the commission. Youth members are welcomed. Call the church office to volunteer.
Good Shepherd Outreach has a wide variety of programs geared to reaching out to our community and we welcome new volunteers. Call the church office to find out more.
Souper Bowl- Our young people demonstrate God s love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring It s a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. They collected money in soup pots as parishioners leave worship on Super Bowl Sunday.
Thanksgiving Food Drive- Each Thanksgiving we give thanks for all our blessings by asking parishioners to provide a Thanksgiving dinner and all the fixings to a family of four in need. Shoping lists are provided a few weeks before Thanksgiving and
Christmas Stars - The Christmas Star Program is an Outreach project that was designed to help children and adults in and around Rocky Mount who are less fortunate to have a Merry Christmas. Our gifts are given to families who are enrolled in the Bassett Center program (see below) or through the Nash County Department of Social Services.
Christmas Shoebox Project - For many years Good Shepherd served as the area collection site for these shoeboxes that contain toys, games, and personal items for overseas youngsters. In 2007 Samaritan's Purse (the organizing group) decided expand the program in Rocky Mount requiring a facility beyond our capcity. During the season members are invited to prepare boxes to be delivered to the collection site in Rocky Mount.
Pharmacy Assistance Program (Med-Link)- References to elderly having to "choose" between buying food and buying medicine is not an exaggeration! Good Shepherd, along with First Presbyterian Church, has created and staffed a Prescription Search Volunteer Service Center in Rocky Mount. Volunteers are trained to help local elderly people access discount cards and other programs to reduce their cost of medication. Time commitment is a minimum of one four-hour afternoon a month at the Volunteer Service Center.
Meals on Wheels - This program provides a hot noon meal to those who are homebound and need nutritional help in order to stay at home. Volunteers are asked to deliver a route once a month on either the third Monday or Tuesday, at 10:30AM. The routes usually take about 45 minutes to an hour. High school and college-aged drivers are need during the summer as substitutes.
Habitat for Humanity - Our church has been involved in building four houses in Rocky Mount. Habitat is an effort for people of faith to put their faith into action to help eliminate substandard housing. There is not currently a Good Shepherd house under construction. There is still a need for volunteers to help with Habitat work in Rocky Mount. We need a Good Shepherd coordinator and volunteers.
Migrant Ministry - There have been several projects to assist migrants in our area. At present there we are assisting with migrant students in NashCounty. There is a great need for additional help. Volunteers are needed to identify and coordinate our church effort to reach out to the migrants in Rocky Mount.
Community Shelter Soup Kitchen - Volunteers serve meals at United Communitiy Ministry's Community Kitchen. Meals are served Monday -Saturday, 10:30 to 11:30 and Sunday, 1:00-2:00. In the Pantry, volunteers stock, label and prepare food boxes. Both jobs are especially suited for families with children.
Literacy Assistance Project - There is a real need for people who are willing to teach adults to read. This project is not yet established at Good Shepherd. There has been considerable research done about how to organize this. We need a coordinator and volunteers to start the program.
Bassett Center-House the Children - This transitional home for single-parent families has an urgent and immediate need for volunteers to help with childcare, crafts, homework and tutoring. Help is also needed in the following areas: general maintenance/landscaping, general office work and in the computer lab; help with chapel services and Bible studies for all ages; and kitchen help on Fridays 8:30 am-10:00 am for Senior Breakfast.
Narcotics Anonymous - We provide support to NA by offering use the first floor of our 1924 building for meetings each day of the week, mornings, noon and evenings.
My Sister House - This program provides outreach and shelter services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There are volunteer opportunities for helping with children, helping in the retail shop, "A Second Season," or helping to improve the facility by painting or doing repairs.
Thompson Child and Family Focus -
Stop Hunger Now -
Christmas-at-Sea -
Oxfam Kitting Project -
Tar River Children's Chorus Scholarships-
Education Scholarships-
