Outreach Ministries

The members of St. Paul contribute a great deal of time and money to many significant benevolence projects. 14% of our church income goes to the ELCA through the Chicago Metro Synod to support the many programs of the ELCA. The Witness Board budgets another 6% of our income primarily for more local ministries. Income designated specifically for World Hunger goes directly to the ELCA and is above and beyond budgeted figures.

YOU are invited to contribute your time and talents to some of the local outreach ministries which are listed below. Contact a member of the Witness Board for details.

• Alternative Gifts International:
  A means of giving gifts to those in need around the world. From llamas, water buffalos, and pigs to micro loans, from medicines to clean water, this program sends money directly for these items to sites in the United States and around the world. At Christmas, cards are provided so that you can give a gift in honor of a teacher, a relative, etc. Contact Ann Hein or the church office for more information.
  
  
• Baby and Me:
  After Christmas, a collection of pre-school toys and books are collected for a program in Glen Ellyn serving at-risk toddlers.
  
  
• Bethel-Imani Lutheran Church, Englewood:
  Our sister congregation on the south side of Chicago, where we support an after school program for latch-key children.
  
  
• Blood Drive:
  Many members support the blood drive by donating blood. Contact the church office for the next scheduled blood drive.
  
  
• The Christmas Store:
  We contribute toys and/or gifts to a local drive to provide a better Christmas for others. Part of Outreach Community Center (see below). Contact Pat Vicha or the church office for more information.
  
  
• CROP Walk:
  An ecumenical fundraiser for world hunger held in May. Walkers will be needed as well as sponsors for the walkers. Contact Howard Sauerman.
  
  
• DuPage Habitat for Humanity:
  We contribute funds and volunteers. Homes have recently been completed in Romeoville. In 2004 a home in Glendale Heights will be renovated. Laborers will be needed.
  
  Volunteers are always needed, not only in construction, but behind the scenes in the areas of publicity, promotion, fund-raising, and as a family partner.  Family partners make a one-year commitment to support one of the new Habitat families.  Emotional support and assistance in learning to mange a budget, including a mortgage and logging “sweat equity” are key elements. If you are interested, contact Ann Hein or the see the DuPage Habitat for Humanity website.
  
  
• DuPage United for Hardship:
  An organization to which the pastors may refer disadvantaged persons for specific needs not provided by other local agencies.
  
  
• Eagle's Wings:
  An ecumenical program conducting ministry in remote and isolated areas of northern Canada. In the past we have sent a team to teach summer Bible School.
  
  
• ESL Classes:
  St. Paul volunteers teach English to recent immigrants using our computer center as a teaching tool. This ministry is coordinated through the Peoples Resource Center, which provides instructor training and client referrals. If you want to help as an instructor or assistant, contact Carl Sodergren.
  
  
• Ecumenical Support Services for the Elderly (Adult day care):
  ESSE provides care and companionship to senior citizens who cannot stay alone during the day while their families work. We provide space, heat, water, etc. for this program as a major part of our Witness budget. Members of St. Paul are needed to provide refreshments and activities and/or entertainment for this group. Contact the church office for more information.
  
  
• EXODUS:
  An organization that welcomes refugees. St. Paul supports EXODUS through advocacy, by hosting their annual walk-a-thon in the fall, hosting various workshops and collecting Welcome Packs. Welcome Packs are for new refugees and contain everything needed to set up housekeeping in a local apartment.
  
  Members have also trained to mentor new refugees when they first move to this country, developing a relationship and helping them solve problems encountered when adjusting to a different culture in the United States.
  
  
• Family Shelter Services:
  We collect used cell phones for this organization that assists victims of abuse. They are used by women in the program and/or sold to raise money.
  
  
• Fund For Mission:
  A program of the Chicago Metro Synod which provides grants to local churches for special projects. We received a grant last year that provided our new video equipment.
  
  
• Global Mission:
  We support worldwide missions through our gifts to the Synod and also through supporting a specific missionary family in Africa.
  
  Young people have also attended a global mission weekend in Bemidji, Minnesota where they learn about ministries in Russia, Africa or China. Contact Ann Hein or the church office for more information.
  
  
• J.U.S.T.:
  A ministry to inmates of the DuPage County jail that provides counseling and classes. St. Paul has provided financial support as well as Christmas cards, stamps, and candy. Contact the church office for more information.
  
  
• LSSI Counseling (Lutheran Social Services of Illinois):
  We provide a counseling office and have contributed financially in the past. We have an ongoing work project at the LSSI Counseling Center in Villa Park. This year the attic and the roof are getting our attention. Contact Howard Sauerman.
  
  
• Outreach Community Ministries:
  Provides many diverse services to local youth and those in low-cost housing, including mentoring and job training for single mothers to help them to become self-sufficient.  A member of St. Paul is a board member and we contribute money, gifts and volunteers to their Christmas store. Contact the church office for more information.
  
  
• P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter):
  St. Paul provides services to the homeless by hosting the Trinity Episcopal Church P.A.D.S. site every 3
rd Monday of each month from October through April with members from Holy Cross. In summer St. Paul hosts P.A.D.S. at Gary Wheaton Methodist Church. Food and volunteers are always needed. For more information contact John Warbiany or visit the P.A.D.S. website.


• People's Resource Center:
  We collect food each Sunday for contribution to this local food center. We also provide additional volunteer (e.g. see ESL classes above) and financial support. The PRC also collects used computers and printers. These are renovated and given to low income people who have completed computer classes. For more information contact the office or visit the People's Resource Center website.
  
  
• PFLAG DuPage:
  We provide space to this new chapter on the third Sunday of each month. PFLAG DuPage is affiliated with the national organization, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. For more information, visit the PFLAG website.