Each week we collect food for the HELP pantry. The following items are needed and may be left in the basket in the narthex: canned fruit, canned fruit juice, canned meat, canned tuna, baked beans, peanut butter, canned vegetables, soups (canned and dry), dry beans (1 lb bags), rice (1 lb bags), powdered milk, jello, boxed mac n cheese, toilet paper, pasta, and pasta sauces.

H.E.L.P. is running low on supplies for the homeless and is asking for our help.  They are in serious need of combs, washcloths, deodorant, etc. There will be a box in the narthex for collection. Friends of the Homeless have closed and H.E.L.P. is running very low on supplies.

Feel the need to help other adults?  Peninsula READS is the local non-profit adult literacy office, which trains and organizes volunteer tutors to teach basic reading and writing skills or conversational English to adults in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and York County. For more information, contact their office at 283-5776 or e-mail to learn@peninsulareads.com or visit their website at www.peninsulareads.org. A purple flyer with more information is posted on the Narthex bulletin board.

The Langley Village Lunch Bunch continues to provide lunches on the fourth Saturday of each month to the Langley Village community. They meet at 10:30 am on the designated Saturday to prepare and deliver the lunches.  Our next outing is Nov 22.

Thank you all for your blessings and financial support of the Oct HELP bake sale. The baked goods you provided overflowed the 2 tables set up in the Narthex. Your financial donations contributed about $1,677 to feed hungry families through HELP. Those funds plus donations contributed through the year will be pooled and submitted to Thrivent for a matching contribution. We’re anticipating that the final contribution to HELP this year will meet our $3,000 goal. Your grace and bounty to help the needy is truly inspiring.

 November Happenings

The November Social Committee Meeting and Bag Lunch day is Saturday, November 22 .  Please meet at 10:00AM in the Fellowship Hall for our meeting and if you have time, stay to make bag lunches for the hungry residents at Langley Village. 

The next VA visit will be November 29, 1:30-3:00 pm. This is Thanksgiving weekend, but due to scheduling, it was the first Saturday open before Christmas. We are planning a Christmas theme. If you would like to play instruments and/or sing carols, “our” Veterans will be very appreciative. We will be providing pop/soft drinks, handing out snacks, Christmas cards, and visiting with the individual Veterans. Please check your calendars and help if you are available.  

I’m still looking for someone as Social Ministry Chair. I am currently the Acting chair because I am the Social Ministry liaison to Council. This is position likely to change when Council changes January 2009. A full time Chair would help provide continuity between Council elections. This key position doesn’t take very much work, but directly affects many folks in our community. Please prayerfully consider contributing to our community through helping to lead and coordinate these wonderful ministries. Members of the SM Committee are happy to help you in these endeavors. 

I’d like to personally thank and publicly announce that Karen and Norm Otto have volunteered to lead this year’s Thanksgiving Meals-on-Wheels. Pam and Marty Hartfiel have volunteered to assist them. St Paul’s family and friends feed about 72 folks last year.  With uncertain financial times this Fall, I expect the need to be greater. Please talk with Karen and Norm if you would like to help as cooks, meal packers, drivers, or clean-up help All donated foods must be dropped off at the church between 9:30 am and 10:30 am on Nov 27.   

Yours in Christ,

Dave Clemens, Acting SM Chair