Outreach

Christ Church has a long history of outreach ministry. Our parishioners have a strong volunteer presence among many local agencies, giving their time and talent in a variety of ways. We welcome your participation.

OUR VISION: Through God’s grace, we will connect Christ Church members with our neighbors in need, providing mutually transformative opportunities seeking to eliminate poverty and injustice in our community.
OUR MISSION: To provide funding to nonprofit agencies that feed, clothe, house, educate, and advocate for our neighbors in need, impacting and improving the lives of those experiencing poverty and injustice in our community.

A New Outreach Ministry Partnership with Lutheran Community Services

To celebrate Christ Church’s 175th anniversary, the Outreach Committee announced its support of Lutheran Community Services (LCS) in a new initiative in New Castle County. Since our last major outreach project in creating Epiphany House in 2011, the committee has set aside money from its funding allocations to be used for another transformational outreach project in our community. Christ Church will partner with LCS to address food insecurity in Wilmington through projects that meet acute community needs while providing valuable opportunities for our parish to be engaged in this work.

Donations Needed on Second Sundays

On the second Sunday of each month in 2024, Christ Church will collect items to donate to Lutheran Community Services: toilet paper, children’s diapers, adult pull-up diapers, feminine hygiene products, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and dish soap. Please place donations in the baskets at the back of the Church and Chapel. Items will be presented during worship and taken to Lutheran Community Services to be distributed during Christ Church’s monthly volunteer opportunity.

Volunteer on Third Fridays

On the third Friday of each month, we seek 2 to 4 volunteers to pack grocery bags of healthy foods and then distribute them to the cars of program participants at LCS headquarters in Wilmington. All ages are welcome, but younger children must be under parental supervision. Sign up for a month below and be kept up to date on additional volunteer opportunities.

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Emmanuel Dining Room

Emmanuel Dining Room serves meals to those in need in downtown Wilmington. Men in the parish meet at the church to cook for Emmanuel Dining Room West on the 1st of odd-numbered months. Groups, individuals, men and women, children and youth share the ministry of cooking and serving at Emmanuel Dining Room East on the 22nd of every month.

Family Promise

Several times a year we serve as hosts to families who are experiencing homelessness at Family Promise's Hospitality Center. Volunteer opportunities include preparing and delivering meals and picking up items for families during the week, and folks can get involved as an individual, group, or family.

Friendship House Ministry

Friendship House's mission is to unite those experiencing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home. Their committed staff and volunteers strive to fill gaps in New Castle County for those who are houseless, homeless, and searching for a way home. Christ Church volunteers provide and share dinner with the residents of their transitional housing—Epiphany House and Andrew’s Place—several times a month. In addition, volunteers provide hospitality to the street homeless during Code Purple events, making and serving soup and sandwiches at Friendship House when the temperature is below 20 degrees. The Friendship House Clothing Bank accepts clothing all year round, including the collections we do at Christ Church.

Global Missions in the Dominican Republic

Since 2001 Christ Church has worked with the people of Jalonga and the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic, hosting annual mission trips there. Youth and adults work to broaden their experience and understanding of the people of the Dominican Republic while building lasting and fulfilling relationships with them and with each other. Our next youth mission trip takes place in June 2024. 

Green Show

The Green Show has been a Christ Church Christmas tradition since 1953. This Christmas shopping event takes place on the first Saturday in December with a preview cocktail party for parishioners and invited guests the evening before. All proceeds support the work of local social service agencies identified by the Outreach Committee.

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MLK Voice 4 Youth

MLK Voice 4 Youth is a statewide, spoken word contest for Delaware youth, grades 7-12, speaking up in pursuit of change. Youth have creative freedom to express their views in their vernacular on issues that matter to them and share how Dr. King's legacy and principles speak to their dreams today. 

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Monthly Collections

Each month, parishioners are encouraged to bring specific items to church for donation to one of our Outreach partners. We collect a wide variety of items ranging from food, clothing, and toiletries to school supplies, children’s games, and sports equipment. Check the weekly bulletin for this month's collection. Collection bins are set up in the circle drive entrance to the Parish Center and in the back of the Church.

DONATION FORM

St. Michael's Book Sale

St. Michael’s School & Nursery cares for children of working parents. At Christ Church, we sell donated books for just 50 cents per paperback and $1.00 per hardback. All proceeds, more than $1,000 annually, benefit the Scholarship Fund at St. Michael's. Visit the St. Michael's Book Nook between the Commons Room and Parish Hall C in the Parish Center to find your next good read.

Agencies We Support

Christ Church contributed $218,000 to 24 nonprofits in our area in 2023. Look through the list below and visit an agency's website to learn of volunteer opportunities and consider how you might become involved with one of these partners in our community.