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Outreach MinistriesJesus said, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. "
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ECGS Outreach Ministries were on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic quarantines. Plans are in the works to resume these ministries in the fall. Keep an eye out in the Shepherd's Voice.
With many active volunteers and generous hearts, Good Shepherd outreach ministry serves as a vehicle of God's love in our community through these programs. Scroll down the page to read about the community ministries we serve.
Help of SummervilleGood Shepherd brings monthly donations of non-perishable iems to support HELP of Summerville. HELP, a local volunteer organization established in 1975, gives immediate emergency assistance to those whose need is urgent and who have no other resource of assistsance.
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Thanksgiving Basket Project
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Good Shepherd participates in this annual ministry which is held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Members of Good Shepherd, Summerville Presbyterian Church, and St. Luke's Lutheran Church gather to worship, fill cloth bags with the essentials of a Thanksgiving meal, add a turkey, and then deliver the bags to 300 families in Dorchester County. In addition to adding people power, Good Shepherd gave $1000 in 2016, which helped 33 families enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal.
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Good Shepherd parishioners volunteer to tutor at-risk kindergartners and elementary age students at Span Elementary School. Reading Buddies work Monday through Friday with children who struggle with reading, helping the children with letter and sound identification as the students read their books. No special skills or degrees are required, just a love of children. 
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During Advent each year, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd annually collects Christmas toys for Dorchester Children's Center (Children in Crisis). Dorchester Children's Centeer provides a coordinated, evidence-based response to child abuse that reduces trauma and provides treatment for children and families in a safe child-focused environment. DCC is dedicated to creating communities in which children and families live free from abuse and are free to reach their full potential. For more information: http://www.dorchester children.org |
Backpack BuddiesGood Shepherd parishioners gather at St. George's Episcopal Church with their members to fight weekend hunger. Children at partner schools who experience hunger are enrolled in the program and receive a backpack each Friday containing nutritious food to eat during the weekends, when they cannot access school feeding programs. Good Shepherd also supports this ministry financially.
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Kairos Prison Ministry
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Two Good Shepherd members have served in Kairos Prison Ministry for many years. One volunteers on Kairos weekends in SC prisons. Another teaches math in the prison during the week. The mission of Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities
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SC Palmetto Region
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The Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross provides vital services to the residents of South Carolina including disaster relief, health and safety classes, blood collection for hospitals and services to the armed forces. The Lowcountry SC Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the counties of Charleston, Beaufort, Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, and Williamsburg.
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Meals on Wheels Summerville SC
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Every weekday Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals to 150 homebound people in the Summerville area. The people we serve are often referred by local agencies like churches, hospitals and doctors. They are qualified based on their physical, emotional or mental impairments – not financial need. There is no charge for the food or delivery. The operation is run entirely by volunteers and your donations.
We receive NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING. That means this program is run by our community for our community. http://mowsummerville.org/ |
Lowcountry Shelters for Adults
The Home of Hope (a men’s homeless shelter) and Hope’s House (a woman’s shelter to open very soon). The Home of Hope is located at 821 Central Avenue and Hope’s House is located at 700 Central Avenue both in Summerville.