January – We generally step back and see where we are and what we would like to do next.  So, prayerfully we will see where help is needed and go from there.

February – 4Saints Food Bank asked for all kinds of canned goods, cleaning products, diapers, etc.

March – Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center was in need with cleaning products and we collected quite a selection of items.

April – Disable American veterans, Chapter #70, Decatur, TX asked for the following items for their vets: toothbrushes and toothpaste, trial-sized shampoo, soap, wash cloths, feminine products (there are a few women), individual tissue packs, canned food, especially protein, that can be opened without a can opener, tuna pouches, peanut butter (small jars), individual servings of baked beans, etc.

May – The Mission of the Month for May is the Moses Project.  The incarcerated men in the Bridgeport Correctional Facility are sewing many items to present to new parents. We purchased items for newborns as well to give for the men to include in the bassinets they make.  Even crib sheets, towels, little toys, etc.; nothing too large.  Diapers were needed in sizes Medium and Large.  I found out that Medium diapers are for babies 17 to 22 lbs., and Large diapers are for babies 23 to 33 lbs. They were unable to accept used sewing machines and any new sewing machines they need are purchased wholesale.  However, they were still in need of another commercial sewing machine.  We provided the funds for them to purchase the much-needed new sewing machine.

June – Wise County Committee on Aging. We provided all sorts of Bingo prizes for their Seniors.  They were thrilled with all the fun prizes collected.

July – Refugees Services of North Texas Amazon wishlist.

August – we supplied, water, sports drinks, Liquid IV to local Volunteer Fire Departments in Wise County.

September – Children’s Advocacy Center in Bridgeport. We supplied many items for their Rainbow room to help their clients who may have nothing when they come to the Center.  We provided food, diapers, cleaning products, baby items, etc., and they were very appreciative.

October – Wise County Animal Shelter was in need of puppy/kitten food, dog food (dry), Dawn detergent, bleach, kitty litter.   At our new Annual “Festival Day” Fr. Tony also dedicated and blessed our Little Free Library.  Children had their faces painted, enjoyed an easy bird feeder craft, and selected books to take home with them.

We also helped with the First United Methodist Church’s Trunk or Treat, dressing in full Harry Potter costume and handed out lots of goodies to the children.  Harry Potter was our theme:

During October, we also supported the Atreyu Howard, our AV whiz, by going to Decatur High School and watching him play Prince Charming in “Into the Woods, Jr.” It was held on two nights and several of us were able to go. It was such a good musical and we are proud of Atreyu.

November – We focused on CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. These advocates are paired with children, and they assure that the child’s best interests are being represented at every stage of the court case.  CASA had a toy drive for their children on December 3, and Santa handed out all the gifts.  For our small congregation we gathered many gifts.  Below are a few pictures.

In December our latest Outreach Project is helping needy families, in our surrounding counties, retire their medical debt. This will serve as our Mission of the Month for December, and perhaps beyond. We are working with “RIP Medical Debt,” a charitable organization that buys up medical debt from collection agencies and uses our donations to cover the costs. They have a 100% rating from Charity Navigator.
— Every dollar you donate pays off $100.
When we raise $5,000, we will pay off $500,000 in debt!  Please follow the link below to donate. You may
donate electronically or send a check with Episcopal Church of the Resurrection’s name on the memo line. Here is that information
to mail a check:
RIP Medical Debt
28-07 Jackson Ave, 5th Fl
Long Island City, NY 11101

https://ripmedicaldebt.org/…/an-episcopal-outreach-to…/?
Thank you.

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We have several Missions of the Moment.

• We donate blood whenever possible to help alleviate the terrible shortage in our area of whole blood and platelets.
• We collect pull tabs from soda, vegetable, soup, pet food cans and add them to the large jar in the narthex. These are then taken to our contact for Ronald McDonald House. These pull tabs are collected all over the country and all the monies go to provide service to the families of children in the hospital
• We collected over 100 pairs of glasses/sunglasses for a local doctor to take to a leper colony in Hyderabad, India. Dr. Babbili takes a team with him, and these used glasses are modified to make them fit individual patients. This is the second time we have reached out to this community. Dr. Babbili responded to these gifts, “Thank you and all who donated these precious spectacles for the use of indigent and untouchables in Hyderabad leprosy colonies. God bless you all immensely.”

This has been a good year of giving by our thoughtful and caring congregation. Our church was started on the premise that it would be focused on outreach. This is what we try to do each month of every year. Thank you all so much for your generous, loving hearts. The more we give of ourselves, the more will come back to us.