The Human Concerns committee assesses and responds to the human needs of people with disabilities, the deprived, the neglected, the abused, and the oppressed both within the parish and within our larger communities. It promotes morally responsible legislative advocacy, peacemaking, and other efforts to change social structures.
The Human Concerns Committee strives to provide those in need with many of the basic requirements for daily living. The Committee and its corps of volunteers provide food for families in emergency circumstances, for day-to-day meals, and meals for holidays and other special occasions. The Committee also expends funds for utility costs, rent or overnight shelter, medicines, and household furnishings for those in need.
Members of the Human Concerns Committee plan and coordinate the entire six-week process leading up to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Giving Tree projects for families in the Waynesboro area. From time to time, the Human Concerns Committee holds fund-raising events to benefit various community service organizations. In addition, the Human Concerns Committee assists monthly in the financial support of the following community organizations: Augusta Regional Free Clinic, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Christian Housing, Mary's House, C.U.R.E., New Directions Center, Valley Hope Counseling Center, Valley Mission, Valley Pastoral Counseling, and Valley Program for the Aging.
The Committee meets the second Tuesday of every other month September through May. Meetings are open to anyone interested in participating in this outreach ministry.
Contact: Audra Brodowicz (540) 942-9353
(For all of the Human Concerns Programs except as noted otherwise)
Giving Tree Projects
The names of families in need are obtained from the Salvation Army and food baskets for these families, as well as any parishioners in need, are distributed at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Food supplies estimated to last approximately two weeks (including turkeys or hams and other holiday food) are delivered to the families shortly before the holiday.
The same families are the beneficiaries of Saint John's Christmas Giving Tree, for which parishioners provide an unbelievable array of gifts (including clothing and toys for children, and household items and clothing for adults.) This heart-warming ministry invites participation by the entire parish, and the parish responds with amazing generosity. Parishioners participate in this ministry by "adopting" a family in need. The adoption lasts from Thanksgiving through Easter, with the adopting family visiting with the adoptee family, preparing ornaments for the Giving Tree, wrapping the numerous gifts given to each family member (with the help of parishioners who enjoy wrapping), all the way through to delivery at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The entire program is truly an outreach in faith to families in our community who are not as fortunate as we, and help is needed from November to April.
Contact: Donna Miller (540) 943-5618
Tina Reeder (540) 942-1194
Operation Christmas Child
Parishioners are asked to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in Third World countries. The boxes are filled in October and sent to a distribution center in November where Samaritan's Purse is in charge of distributing them at Christmas. Volunteers are needed for four weeks in October and one week in November.
Contact: Lois Castle (540) 337-0779
Food Pantry
Stocked with parishioner donations, approximately two weeks worth of food is provided, in addition to perishable food items purchased for individuals or families, when the need arises. The food donation baskets are located in the back of the church to the right of the entryway, and volunteers deliver food as needed.
Contact: Audra Brodowicz (540) 942-9353
Clothes Closet
Through generous donations from the parishioners of St. John, clothing is provided, free of charge, to those in need. The Clothes Closet is open to all from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Thursdays and volunteers are always welcome.
Contact: Lois Castle (540) 337-0779
Homebound Meals
The Homebound Meals program (Meals on Wheels) is sponsored by the Valley Program for Aging Services. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday to seniors/shut-ins by various churches in the community. St. John delivers three routes in October and two routes in April. We have approximately 25 parishioners who participate in this worthy cause each October and April and we are always looking for more volunteers to help in this program.
Contact: Bonnie Weber (540) 942-8020
Backpack Program
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church cooperate to provide backpacks filled with food to children from low-income families who attend William Perry Elementary School. Food provided by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is packed in backpacks in sufficient quantities to last the weekend, and sent home with the children each Friday during the academic year.
Contact: Linda Thompson (540) 337-3287
Rosary Makers
A group of ladies of the parish (although open to everyone) meets on the 2nd Monday of every month to make rosaries, which are sent to foreign missions, hospitals, and the military. The couple of hours every other month is a fun way to meet with fellow parishioners and share the fun of making rosaries. Come as often as you like.
Contact: Rena Mitchell (540) 943-4870
LINKS
Cardinal House
Participants in this ministry provide a weekly Communion service through the Community Life Eucharistic Program, as well as a Christmas celebration and other activities for residents of this assisted living community.
Contact: Bruce Fenton (540) 456-6063
CROP Walk
The CROP Walk, held in the early fall, is an ecumenical endeavor to provide funds to combat world hunger. The enthusiastic volunteer walkers from St. John the Evangelist Church ask for pledges after masses the week before the walk, which is overwhelmingly supported by our parishioners. As noted in the bulletin following the CROP Walk, St. John's has been a leader in raising money for the past several years.
Contact: Michele Kresge (Parish Office)