For information on how to get involved in any of these missions and ministries through St. Mark’s, please email your interest to Missions@StMarksRaleigh.org, and we will put you in contact with a ministry servant who is giving leadership in the area of your interest.
Stop Hunger Now:
Stop Hunger Now event
Providing direct food relief in crisis areas and in areas of chronic hunger and malnutrition, this is a year-round program. Our next packaging event will be held in April 2011.
St. Mark’s provides monetary contributions and assistance in packaging meals for those without food around the world – open to anyone from 5-105 years of age. For more information, go to: http://www.StopHungerNow.org/.
North Raleigh Ministries:
Providing food and other resources to the unemployed and working poor in North Raleigh, St. Mark’s assists by supplying the food pantry and by working at the thrift store – generally for late teens and adults. For more information, visit their website at: www.NorthRaleighMinistries.com.
Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network:
Enlisting the participation of volunteers and local congregations, the Network assists families who have a high probability of achieving independent living. Families receive six to eight weeks of shelter, meals, case management, and other support services. Staff members provide ongoing assessment and needed case management, manage the day to day operation of the Network, coordinate shelter services, provide training programs for volunteers, and work toward the promotion and expansion of the Network.
As a participating congregation, we open our doors to provide the families with meals, a place to sleep, and transportation to and from the church and the Day Center. Many other volunteers help by providing assistance at the Day Center and collecting and delivering donated supplies necessary.
Our next WIHN event will be the week of June 27-July 4. For information visit www.WIHN.org or contact Diane Cherry (diane_cherry@ncsu.edu)
Turban Ministry:
This ministry is a St. Mark’s original. It provides turbans for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. Participation may include monetary donations, shopping for fabric, cutting and/or sewing materials – volunteers include late teens or adults. See the side bar for more information.
Methodist Home for Children:
St. Mark’s regularly participates in events for the MHFC, including an annual Christmas Party.
For more information go to their website: www.mhfc.org.
Race of Grace:
Race of Grace
Annual events include: a golf tournament, 25-50 mile bicycle race and 5k race/walk.
You can volunteer to assist at any of the events, which could include placing signs along routes, putting up banners, assisting with logistics at the events, etc., as well as participate as a participant.
All ages are welcome, except for the golf tournament. For more information go to their website: www.raceofgrace.org.
Crop Walk:
A community-based fundraising events raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as the international relief and development efforts of Church World Service. The annual walk is held in October. You can volunteer to assist in the walk or you can walk and raise funds – anyone who can walk or ride in a wheelchair or stroller.
For more information go to their website: www.cropwalk.com.
Clothing ministry:
This ministry collects and takes donated clothing to the Raleigh Housing Authority for distribution.
Undie Sunday:
This annual event, held in early September and originally started by St. Mark’s and Soapstone UMC, collects new undergarments for those in need. Participation includes donating new undergarments, sorting and delivering garments to various agencies in our area.
Donated school supplies
School Supply Drive:
Twice a year, St. Mark’s collects school supplies for students in need at Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School which is located in our community. Items include new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, binders, paper, glue sticks and markers. These donations help to ensure that the students have the tools they need for a successful school year.
Heifer International:
This program provides various animals, bees, etc. to people in the third world to allow them to become more self sufficient. You can participate by purchasing an animal of your choice and this can be a great family project. Heifer volunteers play a vital role in the effort to end hunger and poverty and promote sustainable solutions, sound nutrition and community well being. For more information on them, visit their website: www.Heifer.org.
Interfaith Food Shuttle:
This organization reclaims the abundance of unused food and provides it to various shelters in our area. You can volunteer to assist them in a number of ways, including being a driver, a stock person, etc. Open to adults and possibly older teens. For more information, visit their website: www.foodshuttle.org.
Healing Place for Men & Healing Place for Women (alcohol recovery):
These organizations provide housing and support for men and women who want to end an addiction to alcohol. Opportunities to volunteer include providing supervision, Bible lessons, counseling, friendship and fellowship for program members. For more information, visit their website: www.hpowc.org.
Haven House:
This is a private, non-profit agency that serves the needs of young people in difficult situations – from homelessness to run aways with family, school or life problems. Participation may include donations and volunteering. For more information, visit their website: www.havenhousenc.org.
Passage Home:
The mission of Passage Home is to strengthen impoverished families and neighborhoods using a community economic development strategy that includes: helping families in transition, providing job creation and business development, affordable housing, and encouraging the spiritual well being of those families and communities. www.passagehome.org/.
Miscellaneous:
Our women’s group collects cookbooks for hurricane victims in Mississippi, while Sunday School classes collect book bags and back to school materials and a host of other items on an as needed basis. The whole church recently came together to donate supplies to relief efforts in earthquake-damaged Haiti.
