Outreach Opportunities
Objective
The Outreach ministry's objective is to coordinate the local, national and international outreach programs in support of the OSELC core value "Serving with Jesus Every Place" with our focus being part two of the churches three-fold vision "Service Adventures with the Poor and Poor in Spirit"; and to develop and support advocates who lead these programs.
Local Opportunities
Loaves & Fishes: Loaves & Fishes is a food ministry program that allows volunteers the opportunity to feed the less fortunate. Sign up to provide the needed meal items and/or serve the hungry.
WHEN: Periodically throughout the year, we will depart from church at noon and return to church by approximately 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County
Hartland Food Pantry: Come help shelve or provide canned goods and supplies to the needy in Hartland area. You may also bring nonperishable food items, coupons and Piggly Wiggly receipts to the donation box in the narthex.
WHEN: Wednesday and Saturday mornings weekly.
WHERE: Hartland Food Pantry, 229 Lawn Street, Hartland. Donation box is located in church.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Become a Big Brother or Big Sister and help a child in need reach their full potential though professionally supported, one-on-one mentoring relationships.
WHEN: Meet 3-4 times monthly with an individual child.
WHERE: Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, an area that is home to over 60,000 at-risk youth.
Meaningful Makeovers: In just one morning, join a team of fellow parishioners in transforming a sterile room into a cozy home for those served by the Salvation Army. This project involves repairing, painting, cleaning, decorating and providing supplies for a family living space.
WHERE: Milwaukee Salvation Army Rescue Shelter
Camping Ministries: Support outdoor ministries in Wisconsin while helping our youth to grow in faith, Christian service and community.
Habitat for Humanity: Support the mission of this Christian housing organization by building affordable housing in partnership with people in need.
Interfaith Senior Programs & Lutheran Social Services Christmas Tree: Provide a Christmas gift for a child or adult during the Christmas Season.
WHEN: November and December
WHERE: OSELC Narthex
The Mitten Tree: Provide warm mittens and hats for those in need during the winter season.
WHEN: November and December
WHERE: OSELC Narthex
Faith and Light: Faith and Light is an international organization for persons with developmental disabilities and their families and friends gathering for meals, activities, fiesta and worship. All are welcome to join us, have a meal and participate in a wonderful evening.
WHEN: 2nd Tuesday evening of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County (CCWC): Support an ecumenical ministry committed to serving homeless and low income people throughout our county. CCWC has many activities which need volunteers.
WHERE: CCWC, 502 N. East Ave, Waukesha
Lake Country CROP Walk: (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Participate in an annual walk 5km (3.1 miles) to raise awareness and funds for international relief and development with 25% of funds raised to local pantry.
WHEN: Fall
WHERE: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 111 Church St, Hartland
ELCA World Hunger: Help create awareness for those in need struggling to survive world hunger and poverty.
WHEN: ongoing
Advocate: Jenny Skwierawski
Ronald McDonald House: Help prepare and serve a meal to families staying at the House while their children visit the hospital.
WHEN: Periodically throughout the year
Advocate: Lori Fox
Second Harvest: Multiple activities available to serve those less fortunate and move food to locations for use; product labeling and restocking of shelves.
WHEN: Periodically throughout the year
Advocates: Joe and Louise Sausen
Feed the Kids: Opportunity for families, groups and individuals to prepare bag lunches for the youth of Milwaukee County.
WHEN: Five days per summer (once per week)
WHERE: Salvation Army
Advocates: Barbara Luckiesh
National Opportunities
Appalachian Service Project (ASP): Summer youth service trip to help the needy of the Appalachian Mountains repair their homes. Crews of 5 youth and 2 adults work on houses for one week during the summer. A faith-based program is provided each evening to help challenge participants to grow in their faith.
WHEN: Annually, one week per Summer.
WHERE: Appalachian Region (specific location is determined by ASP).
Disaster Relief US: Join a team of parishioners traveling to New Orleans to help continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
WHEN: Annually, one week in the Fall.
WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana
International Opportunities
Lithuanian Christian Summer Language Institute (SLI): An intensive 3-week English program that provides students who have a wide range of English abilities the opportunity to study English with English speaking teachers. Teachers provide instruction 3-hours a day while modeling the Christian life and faith in and out of the classroom. They assume leadership roles in teaching Bible studies and outreach opportunities with other Christian organizations. Anyone with a college education may apply for the program. People without a degree may apply as instructional assistants. This program is recognized by the ELCA Global Missions Board.
WHEN: Summer
WHERE: Lithuania
Meru Diocese of Tanzania – Imbaseni Partner Parish & Ailanga Christian School: Help to sustain and strengthen our relationship with Imbaseny Parish in the Meru Diocese of Tanzania (East Africa). Our Sunday School children collect offerings for the Ailanga School.
WHEN: June 2009
WHERE: Meru Diocese in Tanzania, Africa
Mt. Meru Coffee: "Doing justice never tasted so good." Buy fair trade coffee from our fellow Lutherans in Tanzania. Mt. Meru Coffee is a partnership between Lutheran churches and local coffee farmers in Tanzania. Prior to this project, growers were at the mercy of a corrupt system of underpayment or nonpayment. This is some of the best coffee in the world! The project buys directly from the farmers with proceeds providing funding for schools and clinics.
WHEN: Purchase coffee on an ongoing basis. Select Regular or Decaf, freshly ground or whole bean at $9 per 12 ounce bag or $40 for a 4 pound bag.
WHERE: Coffee display in the Narthex. Checks may be made payable to OSELC with Mt. Meru coffee in the subject line.
Third World Clean Water: NOW 4 Life seeks to drastically reduce sickness and death caused by drinking unclean water and practicing poor hygiene by providing clean water and good hygiene solutions that work easily and effectively that are affordable, sustainable and appropriate for developing nations.