The Mission Statement of the St. A’s Outreach Committee: We are called at our baptism to proclaim the Good News of God, not only by word, but by example; to seek and serve Christ in all persons; to love our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all people; and to respect the dignity of every human being.
The Outreach Committee of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church will attempt to discern what work God is calling us to do as a community, both here at home and in the world, whether by our own labors or by financially supporting the efforts of others.
The congregation has an active role in the following organizations:
Bread for the World – Once a year we join with other houses of worship in Croton to write letters to Congress asking for the passage of various bills that will fund programs to feed the hungry both in America and abroad.
Croton Caring – Traditionally, the church has participated in sponsoring and volunteering at a monthly lunch and a tea for Croton seniors. The church also participates in Croton Caring’s food drives and provides financial support for Croton Caring’s other programs.
Croton Lay Interfaith Council (CLIC) – The church joins with other houses of worship to promote each other’s outreach programs.
Neighbor’s Link – This local organization offers programs to both the documented and undocumented to help with legal problems, employment opportunities and language instruction. The church also provides financial support.
Ossining Prison Ministry – This program helps family members of prisoners at Sing Sing when they visit on weekends. Volunteers supply coffee and donuts at the point of entry to the prison, and a place to wait before the visitors are allowed in to visit. The church also provides financial support.
Peekskill Soup Kitchen –Church volunteers provide a meal monthly for 75 people served by the Salvation Army Center in Peekskill. The church also provides financial support.
Other organizations to which St. Augustine’s contributes financial support:
African Women’s Education Fund – A Croton group that supports educational programs for 80 girls from poor rural areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Angola.
Crossover Yoga – This program empowers teen girls through trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and artistic expressions.
Croton Cortlandt Food Pantry – For many years this local food bank has distributed food weekly to qualified people.
Episcopal Relief and Development – provides assistance in response to many worldwide needs.
Hudson Link – conducts college level classes in Sing Sing through Mercy College. These classes have a very successful record of helping prisoner rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.
Rural and Migrant Ministries – This program addresses the problems of migrant farm workers and issues of rural poverty in western New York State.
Soil – For some years we have bought toilets that turn human waste into compost in Haiti. This project not only addresses the lack of expensive infrastructure to take care of sewage, but also supplies farmers with fertilizer for their exhausted fields.
The New York Haiti Project – This is a partnership with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and School in Martel, Haiti, building bridges of love. St. Luke’s School serves pre-K through sixth grade.
Mt. Carmel Food Pantry – This food pantry, operating out of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Verplanck, provides food on a weekly basis to individuals and families in need.
KIVA – promotes economic development by giving small loans, under $100, to individuals who will use the loan for some promising entrepreneurial venture.
If you are interested in more information regarding any of these programs, or would like to participate, please contact Outreach Committee Chair Erik Thielking at erikjulieliamkayla@outlook.com.
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church 