Many thanks to all those in our Parish who freely give time, money and other items to help and care for those in ongoing need or crisis.
Special appeals for victims of famine and other catastrophes across the world are also advertised from time to time.
Annual appeals & activities include:
- Lenten appeal of the Lutheran Church of Australia – supporting projects and ministries of local congregations
- Christmas appeal from Australian Lutheran World Service – supporting projects to alleviate injustice and poverty throughout the world [Read more about the work of ALWS at www.lca.org.au/action/alws]
- Operation Christmas Child from Samaritan's Purse – distributing gift-filled shoe boxes to children in desperate situations around the world [Read more at www.samaritanspurse.org.au]
An ongoing appeal supported by the ladies of both congregations:
- Knitting for the world's AIDS babies orphans and needy infants – This Australia-wide knitting project distributes jumpers, dolls, beanies and booties to many overseas needy babies. [Read more at www.aids.org.au]
Listed below are some of the activities our congregations are involved in to help others in our local or wider communities.
Ringwood
The Ringwood Welfare committee is responsible for the running of the following as well as putting many other projects before the members of the congregation:
- Community Meal: A free, nutritious meal offered each Sunday night in the Ringwood Church Hall for people in the community who are lonely or struggling financially. [Read more about the Community Meal]
- Food Basket: Weekly baskets of food and monetary donations are contributed to the local Citizens Advice Bureau to help families in crisis.
- Packing of Christmas cheer biscuits: Each December, biscuits are packed for distribution to people in the community who are lonely or ill.
- Margarita Orphanage: Good Shepherd Congregation has formed a partnership with the Margarita Orphanage in Pematang Siantar, Indonesia, providing prayer support and financial help. [Read article on the launch of this partnership]
- Meals for Members: Meals are organised for members who are sick, settling in a new baby or similar situations. Care is taken to not overwhelm the recipients and to coordinate times, allergies, how many meals are required and for how long. (Some of this care for members takes place spontaneously also!) Please contact Pastor, a Pastoral Assistant or members of the Welfare Committee if you know of a situation where help of this kind is required.
Knox
Welfare work at Our Saviour's, Knox, includes the following:
- Food Basket: Contributions of food items and monetary donations are placed in the food basket each week. These are passed onto the Salvation Army who then distribute them to people of need in the community.
- Knox Welfare Fund: This fund is used to financially support members during critical and difficult times. It is administered by the Pastoral Assistants and Church Council as needs arise. To contribute, please place any donations in an envelope, clearly marked Welfare Fund, on the offering plate.
- Catherine Hamlin Fistula programme in Ethiopia: The women of Mary's Circle have been sponsoring this for several years. Donations help the young women suffering this post birth problem through specialized surgery and preventative education. [Read more at www.fistulatrust.org]
- Knoxville Hostel: A couple Knox members volunteer their time to visit and organise sing-a-long sessions monthly with the residents of this Hostel near our church.