Outreach Commission

Ellen Hughes, Commission Co-Chair
Julie Davis, Commission Co-Chair

Mission Statement:

To enable our members to reach out to those in need beyond the parish, through active involvement in philanthropic and charitable initiatives supporting our parish philosophy and mission.

The Outreach Commission represents sixteen ministries. The majority are located in Jacksonville and nearly all have volunteer opportunities for those in the parish interested in helping others. Fourteen agencies receive direct financial support. Additional information concerning a particular agency as well as the church representative is available through the church office.

The agencies represented by the outreach Commission can be summarized as follows:

HABIJAX.

Working with the Episcopal coalition, volunteers help construct a number of homes during the year.

KANUGA

Camp Bob Summer This summer program is designed to allow disadvantaged, at risk, inter city youth from the southeast to attend a Christian orientated camp in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

This outreach ministry is located in the Springfield area of Jacksonville. Its programs serve the disadvantaged, the mentally ill, high-risk youth, and the urban poor. Donations of food and clothing are always needed.

PRISONERS OF CHRIST

This Christ based ministry is intended to help recently released men find safe housing in several communal style homes. Reentry services also include counseling, food, transportation, clothing, and AA/AN services.

I. M. SULZBACHER CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS

St. Mark's parishioners volunteer to prepare and serve a number of meals at the facility.

WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN OUTREACH (WSCO)

This Christ based collation of many Westside churches provides immediate emergency intervention services for families and individuals. St. Marks provides financial support as well as food and clothing.

WORLD OUTREACH

This Westside ministry is affiliated with St. Peters Episcopal Church and provides help to many in a variety of ways. St. Marks collects food and clothing in addition to providing financial support.

TROUP 26 BOY SCOUTS

St. Mark's Boy Scout and Cub Scout program serve about sixty boys.

BLOOD DRIVE

St. Marks working with the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance provides an opportunity to donate blood at the church on Good Friday.

MEALS ON WHEELS

Volunteer drivers pick up prepared meals and deliver them to a number of shut-ins in our area.

CROSSROADS

This volunteer program is intended to help third and fourth grade students at Ortega Elementary School. Tutors spend one hour per week with a child.

THE HEALING TOUCH

This radio call in ministry began in Jacksonville and is now heard in thirty-two states. Listeners may call in and request on air prayers.

THE SHARING TREE

St. Mark's parishioners purchase, wrap, and distribute gifts to various Jacksonville area agencies in support of their youth and adult programs.

UNITED THANK OFFERING (UTO)

The Episcopal Church women collect loose change in the blue cardboard boxes throughout the year. The boxes are emptied twice a year and the money forwarded to the National UTO for disbursement.

CITY RESCUE MISSION

This Christ based agency helps the city's homeless through a number of programs including housing and job counseling.

DIGNITY U WEAR

A local nonprofit organization, Dignity U Wear impacts the lives of children and their families by providing brand new clothing to those in need. St. Mark's supports this ministry financially and by conducting clothing drives.

In addition to work with these agencies, members of St. Mark's have been actively involved with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. Click here to learn more about how to contribute through Episcopal Relief and Development.