Outreach

The Church of Our Saviour Outreach Committee aims to serve, with love and mercy, all humankind in hunger, poverty, loneliness, illness, infirmity and despair. We emphasize the Charlottesville and Albemarle areas in addressing this goal, but also support national and international efforts. If you can volunteer or you know someone in need, please let us know by calling the office at 434.973.6512.

Ongoing Activities

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen - Three Fridays each month teams of parishioners shop, prepare and serve dinner for approximately 80 people at the Salvation Army in Charlottesville.

Food Closet - Needy individuals and families find food assistance three days a week at our Food Closet. Food items come from purchases at Jefferson Area Food Bank and the generous support of the COOS community. Volunteers distribute food on two-hour shifts.

Habitat for Humanity - Parishioners, both novice and experienced, team up with Habitat leaders to build a house with a low income household who will become the homeowner when the house is complete.

Sharing God's Peace - This interfaith ministry brings persons of different religions and cultures together for conversation and study to better understand each other, a ministry particularly needed during the current period of tension and hostility. All are welcome!

Seasonal Activities

Back to School Supplies - Each July and August parishioners help children at the Salvation Army prepare for school by donating crayons, paper, notebooks, and other supplies. The Salvation Army provides backpacks to contain the supplies.

Books Are the Heart of Learnings - Each winter parishioners collect children's books which are donated to a targeted child care center.

Gently Worn Sweater Drive - Each autumn parishioners give their nearly new sweaters for those who will need them in upcoming months.

Card and Stamp Drive - The parish collects notecards, holiday cards, stationery, and stamps for the women of the Fluvanna Correctional Facility.

Stocking the Store for the Kids - Each spring the parish collects summer toys and novelties for this Abundant Life Ministries' program, an incentive program for students, grades 1-4, in the Prospect Avenue neighborhood.

Holiday Food - Each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter parishioners provide holiday feasts for 20 families, that are delivered by parish volunteers.

Christmas Family Gifts - Each October the parish donates gifts for our 20 Christmas families. Adults receive gift certificates and each child receives 3 toys and a book. The gifts are delivered in December along with Christmas food.

Mission Relationships

Church of Our Saviour has entered a mission relationship with San Mateo, a small Episcopal parish in Panama. As of January 2008, there have been two group trips to visit San Mateo.  There are mission trips planned there in June 2008 and 2009.  The focus of these visits is to form a relationship with the people of the parish and work with them as they update their facilities and extend Christ's love to their community. Read more about our mission work here (large file).