We haven’t scratched the surface yet; there’s plenty more to be done.
Come and join us!
We’re all called to ministry — to serve others and promote the common good — as well as to build up the church community so that all will have a chance to use our gifts to glorify God. Ministry in the community and ministry within the church are both important to us here. We acknowledge that one cannot truly flourish without the other, so our members are involved in both. Listed below are some of the ways All Saints carries out Jesus’ Great Commandment.
Babies in Need
“Loving our neighbor” is a special joy when that neighbor is a newborn. 500 babies are born in Clark and Cowlitz Counties every month and about thirty of them need our help! Their parents are challenged by low-incomes, often single moms, sometimes homeless or victims of domestic violence. They may have medical problems, job loss, or special-needs babies. We provide them essentials for the first few months of life, car seats, and gift bags for their siblings. To do this, we collect new and gently used clothes, bedding and more, and meet monthly to assemble the gift packs. We are joined by caring folks from many churches, civic and social groups. Our assembly days are heartwarming and lots of fun. Join your hearts and hands with ours. Click here for more info.
Lincoln Elementary School Partnership
Ask any grandparent what gives them joy in life, and it is often the same answer. Grandchildren. A very diverse group of these same wonderful children attend kindergarten through 5th grade at Vancouver’s Lincoln Elementary School. They are future writers, artists, athletes, scholars, doctors, truck drivers, construction workers, ministers, firemen, engineers, musicians and maybe even a president in-the-making. They may need some guidance and scholastic inspiration to get there, which is exactly where our volunteers can invest for the long term. We hope to build a brigade of lunch buddies, circle readers, math tutors, and surrogate grandparents. All that’s needed is the ability to commit to an hour or two a week at the school. (There’s a very long waiting list for lunch buddies particularly.)
At Lincoln Elementary the joyful voices on the playground belie the fact that over half of the children are living with poverty. Their families are not always able to provide for their material needs, particularly over summer and school vacations. Our Lincoln School volunteers organize food, clothing and back-to-school supply drives to benefit these children and their families. Through the program, students’ families are given a dignified way to “shop” – without charge – for what they need. If you would like to help us make a difference in real time, this outreach ministry may be a good fit for you.
If you have other ideas on how we can help our Lincoln students navigate the very real challenges of food and housing insecurity, we welcome you with open arms. For the dates and times for meetings and events or to join us for this ministry, please click here.
Saints’ Sacks
We drive by them every day. They’re standing on the corners with signs or sitting in doorways. Regardless of what got them there, they are our neighbors. Each Sunday during the service, we distribute Saints’ Sacks to people who feel called to help. Saints’ Sacks contain a $5.00 McDonald’s gift card (since many of these folks have no way to cook anything), a new pair of socks, hand sanitizer, personal care items like tissues (which can’t be purchased with SNAP funds), a space blanket in winter, hand warmers, candy bar and other donated items, offering a homeless and probably hungry person a meal and some comfort items.
Traveling Day Society Hospice Ministry
Working with local hospitals, hospices and care centers, we provide a peaceful, prayerful presence for those in transition from this life to the next, using the soothing sounds of the Native American flute and drum. We also drum for the families and caregivers at these facilities and in our community throughout Clark County. For more information on our hospice mission, cultural educational outreach, or if you would like to know more about us, please click here.
Clark County Food Bank
We collect food staples and money every month for our local food bank. They distribute it through a number of local agencies. Click here for more info.
Wonderful Wednesdays
Music does good things for the mind, heart and soul. We invite friends, neighbors and the public to share evenings of music on our back lawn in July and August. Past concerts have included The Same Old Schmidt German Band, Lewis River Dixie Jazz and Mudtown Stompers. Lawn chairs and picnics are welcome and concessions are available. Check this website under Parish Events for future dates. Free!
Winter Hospitality Overflow Volunteers – W.H.O.
During the five coldest months of the year local shelters can’t accommodate all the people who need a warm bed. We help provide WHO guests a warm place to sleep, a hot shower, a meal, and the welcome and warmth of a caring community. Each WHO shelter is staffed with professional case managers. There are several shifts each night. Our duties may include greeting guests, serving/preparing food, safety checks, collecting bedding, wake-up calls, and general hospitality. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive! Click here for more info.
Share House Shelter Support
Throughout the year, we collect and donate items needed by God’s beloved in shelters. We team with Miracles at Noon Recovery Group to fill Christmas wish lists: new clothes, toys, household items, mittens and scarves.
YWCA Clark County SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program
We provide toiletries, children’s clothes and infant car seats and layettes to women who have fled unsafe situations with just the clothes on their backs.
Reaching Out to Our Church Family
Eucharistic Visitors
Licensed lay members take the Eucharist (Holy Communion) from the altar on Sunday to those who are homebound and unable to be at church for various reasons. We minister in pairs, carrying both the love of Christ and the love of the congregation.
Meals and Transportation
We are God’s hands and feet when members are going through challenges of illness, bereavement and transitions like moving. We take food for the body and spirit in the form of meals when they are needed and provide transportation to medical and other important appointments.
Community Groups Hosting
Recovery Group Hosting: We’re glad to be able to host several recovery groups at All Saints. (See the meeting schedule here.) Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. Groups are also available for family members and friends.
Girl Scouts Hosting: We host Girl Scouts to support these youth as they share fun and friendship while building skills, good values, confidence and character to make the world a better place.
All Saints Soccer Fields: We share our “back 40” with little kids who play soccer. The Parks and Recreation Department constructed mini-mod soccer fields for the 8-and-under crowd. It warms your heart to see these little ones out running (usually toward their own goal), learning teamwork, and being supported by their families.
All Saints Playground: Our playground is a fun, safe place to play for young siblings of soccer players, neighborhood children and our own children. During the daylight hours, the playground is rarely empty and the sound of their happy voices makes this a special place to be.
We haven’t scratched the surface yet; there’s plenty more to be done.
Come and join us!