Donna Miller, Congregation Council Liaison
The Service Ministry encourages the Emmaus congregation to respond to God’s love by addressing human needs locally, nationally and internationally. We provide opportunities for members to address social issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty through donating their time or financial resources. Many service opportunities are listed below.
The service ministry provides support for the 3 emergency shelters that Emmaus hosts onsite. The shelters house young adults between the ages of 18-24 through a collaboration with Hosea Youth Services. We work with members of Faith Avenue Church, a congregation with whom we share our building, to provide basic care and a “living” room in the church for the residents of these shelters.
We are always open to input from the community as to how God might be calling us to serve. Let us know if you have a passion for this area of ministry!
Service Opportunities:
- Support the Eugene Mission—The Mission provides training, guidance, and support for the homeless and needy in our community. We support the Mission by gathering and donating needed items.
- Lutheran World Relief—In the spring, we collect items for personal and health care kits. These kits provide for personal hygiene for those in need around the world. In the summer, we collect school supplies for LWR School Kits that are assembled on GWOH Sunday and then go to students throughout the world.
- Camp Lutherwood—Emmaus members support work days that are scheduled by Camp Lutherwood in the spring. Throughout the year a small group of dedicated men help regularly with the physical needs of Camp Lutherwood on Thursdays. If interested, contact Peter Kugler.
- First Place Family Center — Each October, we collect a resource that is most needed by the families at First Place Family Center. Each year we do a Diaper/Blanket Drive, Toilet Paper Challenge, Diaper/Sheet Sets Drive, along with other needed items.
- FISH (Friends In Service to Humanity) —Several times a year, we collect shelf-stable, protein-forward food items and donate them to a local, Christian food distribution effort known as FISH. These drives occur in September, November, and regularly throughout the year.
- Hosea Youth Services Dinner—Once a month, we establish the menu and prepare and serve the dinner meal to the guests at Hosea House. It’s a team effort—we do the serving and the Hosea team does the clean up!
- God’s Work, Our Hands — GWOH is our yearly kickoff of another year of service to our community. We gather the 1st Sunday after Labor Day for an afternoon of work on various service projects.
- Letter Writing Advocacy for Bread for the World — Letters are written and then sent to various legislators to advocate for resources and legislation to support hunger issues in our country and the world community. Contact Lynn Kahle with questions.
- Cards and cookies—We make and deliver cards and cookies for both our Emmaus community and our local community, adding a touch of homemade goodness to their lives.
- Toiletries Collection—We put those little hotel shampoos and soaps to good use by donating them to Hosea Youth Services! Linda Henry is our contact person.
- Giving Tree — Every year during Advent we choose a charity to collect for and donate toward either physical presents or monetary donations that are then given to aid those families and people in need.
- Collaboration with Faith Avenue Church — On some 5th Sundays, we collaborate with Faith Avenue Church to perform a joint project which might include tying quilts and various community service projects.
- Glasses Collection — Used glasses are collected on behalf of the Lions Club and then distributed to those in need, worldwide.
If you’re interested in any of the service projects, please contact Donna Miller.
