Weekly Rector's Note: This is Big

Dear Saints,

At the start of the pandemic, when our parish felt called to expand its Outreach Ministries, we didn’t know where we would find the resources. But at every step along the way, the food, the funding, and the volunteers have come. When we needed to buy a shipping container, so that we could store food outside of the worship space and resume services, gifts abounded: many of you gave, Laughing Planet offered to host a fundraiser, we got a $10,000 grant from the Oregon Food Bank, professionals provided pro bono services, and thousands of dollars were given by individuals from within the wider community.

These gifts of people’s time and resources have allowed us to sustain Pantry operations. They are signs of God’s faithfulness and the Spirit moving in our midst when we step into places of calling.

We are now at another critical moment as we figure out how to respond to a sharp increase in need as governmental Covid-related supports have gone away. Since January 2022, the average monthly demand has increased from 396 to 457 households served and our food output has increased from 8,000 to 14,000 lbs. To support this volume, our volunteer base of 59 active volunteers is expanding, as are our community partnerships.

To keep up with the need; to ensure no one is turned away; to have a sustainable, climate controlled, ADA accessible structure; to increase our capacity to involve choices, like culturally appropriate food options; and to make working and shopping at the Pantry a dignifying experience for everyone involved, we need to expand and complete our existing structure. It was always our hope to do this expansion and completion. The increase in need and the opportunity we have to help our neighbors experiencing food insecurity — or, to feed people, as was central to the ministry of Jesus and the early church — gives us reason to accelerate the timeline.

Toward this end, I am happy to announce that we were just awarded a $25,000 grant from the Episcopal Bishops of Oregon Foundation. Thanks to their support, as well as other monies raised thus far, we are halfway to our goal of $83,000 to complete this project. This will help fund a second container plus necessary electrical, permitting, concrete and architectural and engineering fees. It will make the north side of our campus more welcoming and give a visible neighborhood presence to our Outreach Ministries. Taking into account additional grants, pro bono work and in-kind donations for the cover and landscaping, we still need to raise an additional $25,000 to make it all possible.

If you are planning on holiday giving, or if you have capacity to give during the remainder of this year, I can’t think of a better place. Every dollar is maximized and will go to the Pantry completion and expansion to support our neighbors and volunteers. No donation is too small. Tax deductible donations can be made out to All Saints with “Woodstock Pantry” in the memo, or online by selecting “Woodstock Pantry Fund” in the drop down menu. We will also be doing a significant amount of fundraising outside of the parish because all along this ministry has been a collaborative neighborhood effort.

Meanwhile, there is still opportunity to pledge toward our 2023 budget. We have had an incredibly high level of participation and will be excited to update you on outcomes soon.

I hope you will come this Sunday to hear Kristen Mägis, our Outreach Coordinator, share about all that is happening in our Outreach Ministries. As she and our volunteers can attest, we see miracles every day. When we move into the place that we feel called, the Spirit is right there with us.

Blessings to you this weekend, and see you Sunday!

Andria+