Do to others as you would have them do to you. — Luke 6:31

The Social Ministry committee extends Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned and, in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body or soul. It shall strive to enlist in these efforts as many as possible of the individual members and organizations of the congregation as well as the community at large. This committee shall further have the duty to study social conditions, primarily in the local community, in order to bring the cleansing and healing light of Christian truth to bear upon critical problems through thoughtful Christian discussion of facts and issues.

Meetings are held online.  All are welcome.  Meeting dates are times are announced in the weekly service bulletin and newsletter.

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Augustana has a very active commitment to social ministry, devoting time and financial resources to serving, advocating, and raising awareness so that the church can fulfill its mission of being Christ’s hands and feet in the world. AMMPARO banner

AMMPARO

  • Guardian Angel program

New Blessing of the banners

Anti-Racism Learning and Action Committee

Augustana Food Pantry 

  • Collect food on the last Sunday of the month
  • Support Augustana and Santa Maria families, and hungry neighbors

Foreign Policy Group

God’s Work, Our Hands 

  • Marthas TableThis year, we joined with the Anti-Racism Learning and Action Committee to design and purchase new banners and signage for the church
  • In addition, a collection of anti-racism-themed books were purchased for children, young adults, and adults

Martha’s Table, McKenna’s Wagon 

  • Organized by Joan Gardiner
  • 12 monthly trips to deliver meals to the DC homeless
  • Over 20 members participating

SOME (So Others May Eat) Thanksgiving Trot for Hunger 5k 

  • Organized by Denise Walker
  • This was our 7 year to bring a team to the event!  This year the Turkey Trot was entirely virtual.
  • Due to the pandemic, many more people are experiencing food and housing insecurity.
  • In 2020 we raised a record $5,788.78! 
  • We have now raised a 7-year total of $23,276.84.

 Working Group on Equitable Housing

  • We are working with St. Augustine Catholic Church on this project

Marching for Justice

  • Augustanans participate in various marches to advocate for justice and peace – for women, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ pride, and for an end to gun violence

AMMPARO banner

AMMPARO / Guarian Angel Program

AMMPARO

Augustana/ Santa Maria continued work on the Guardian Angel Program in DMV area. Pastor Caceres and Denise Walker, together with Social Ministry members and ELCA HQ, officially launched the Guardian Angel Immigration Court Watch program in the D.C. Area through the ELCA AMMPARO program. The program will be the 12th Guardian Angel Program in the United States. The programs provides court watch, spiritual and physical accompaniment, and resource sharing to immigrants navigating the US court system. Training will occur in 2021.

Guardian Angel Program

Reunification

Augustana/ Santa Maria raised funds to reunite Cornelia Fuentes with her daughter Celia and 4 granddaughters.

In 2020, we were happy to gather, celebrate, greet and welcome everyone in February! Little did we know we wouldn’t be able to gather again for a while!!

Guardian Angels – an introduction from ELCA on Vimeo.

Food pantry at Augustana

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. — Matthew 25:35
Augustana currently collects and prepares food bags for distribution to the needy on the last Sunday of every month. As the neighborhood becomes more affluent, hunger has not disappeared. The Augustana Food Pantry is grateful for your donations of non-perishable food items.

Please provide only items fresh enough to serve in your own home.

Food donations are welcome any time, not just on the last Sunday.

Your thoughtfulness and generosity are deeply appreciated.

Here are items that are helpful for the Food Pantry:

 

  • milk – evaporated/Similac
  • grains
    • rice/flavored
  • vegetables,canned
  • beans (green, navy, pinto, black)
  • beets
  • corn
  • peas (sweet)
  • mixed vegetables
  • yams
  • baked beans
  • pasta (dry)
  • macaroni
  • noodles
  • spaghetti
  • macaroni & cheese
  • baked goods (boxed/mixes)
  • brownies
  • cornbread
  • muffins
  • stuffing( bag)
  • cereal, breakfast (box)
  • oatmeal
  • granola
  • spaghetti & meatballs
  • potatoes, mashed (dry)
  • peanut butter
  • gravy
  • pasta sauce
  • olive oil/cooking oil
  • flour/maseca
  • bread crumbs
  • popcorn
  • fish & meat (canned)
  • tuna, salmon, Spam
  • hygiene products
  • toothpaste, toothbrush
  • soap

In general, contributions of non-perishable food items are needed. Food items that are individually packaged and can be opened and eaten without can openers are especially helpful. Also helpful are gift cards from local grocery stores, such as Giant, Stop and Shop and Target.

The following annual reports reflect Social Ministry activities for previous years: