Outreach
Outreach Mission Statement:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25: 35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25: 35-40
The outreach to assist our neighbors near and far has been part of the Grace Church history since its founding in colonial times. To learn more click here:
Grace Church Outreach – a brief history:
Grace Church Outreach – a brief history:
Current Outreach Activities:
Current Outreach Activities:
Farm Tour: In 2010, guided by Matthew 25, seeking to increase support for those in need, parishioners inaugurated the Historic Farm Tour “Beyond the Gates”. All Farm Tour proceeds are dedicated to community ministries. During the first 9 years, the donations have totaled nearly a half million.
Applying for Farm Tour funding: Funds are awarded in the late Fall of each year. Any 501©3 organization or government entity that has been in existence for 2 years can submit an application to the Outreach Committee during July and August. APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 OUTREACH GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE - due Friday, August 30, 2024. During September, the Outreach committee reviews applications and interviews representatives of each organization. The parish is then notified of the list of applicants and the Committee makes recommendations to the Vestry. After Vestry approval, funds are distributed.
- Parish members give of their time and talents, raising funds to support community charities through the Farm Tour and volunteering their time throughout the year in numerous community services. In a parish survey, more 60 percent of the members volunteer their time in local non-profit organizations.
- Two crews volunteer each month to provide dinner at the Salvation Army.
- The Stony Point Food Backpacks are put together by volunteers and dropped off at the school weekly so that children have nutritious food on the weekends.
- In addition to routine volunteer opportunities, during any year there are unique events and community needs stimulating a parish response in time, talents and funds. In recent years, Grace held a children’s book drives for The Child Health Partnership, made rice heating pads for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, sewed over 400 masks in the spring for the parish and community members to use in the initial COVID wave and participated in the early winter project to repair of stockpile masks for UVA Medical Center.
Farm Tour: In 2010, guided by Matthew 25, seeking to increase support for those in need, parishioners inaugurated the Historic Farm Tour “Beyond the Gates”. All Farm Tour proceeds are dedicated to community ministries. During the first 9 years, the donations have totaled nearly a half million.
Applying for Farm Tour funding: Funds are awarded in the late Fall of each year. Any 501©3 organization or government entity that has been in existence for 2 years can submit an application to the Outreach Committee during July and August. APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 OUTREACH GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE - due Friday, August 30, 2024. During September, the Outreach committee reviews applications and interviews representatives of each organization. The parish is then notified of the list of applicants and the Committee makes recommendations to the Vestry. After Vestry approval, funds are distributed.
2023 Outreach Grant Recipients
|
4-H Corky Shackelford Scholarship
All Blessings Flow Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville Area Habitat for Humanity Charlottesville Free Clinic CHIP of Virginia Georgia’s Healing House |
Hospice of the Piedmont
International Rescue Committee Keswick Heritage Fund Person in Prison Rivanna Conservation Alliance Sexual Assault Resource Agency Salvation Army Meals |
St Johns Family Center
Service Dogs of Virginia Stony Point Food Backpacks Stone Robinson Principal’s Fund Stony Point Principal’s Fund U.Va. Women's Health Clinic/Heart Health Zion Hill Community Cares |
Community Partnership
There has always been a local community network of churches. Grace Church has a long tradition of supporting education and is committed to the enhancing knowledge of our local history and contributing to education and community fellowship.
There has always been a local community network of churches. Grace Church has a long tradition of supporting education and is committed to the enhancing knowledge of our local history and contributing to education and community fellowship.
- Annually the Keswick area churches host a community Thanksgiving worship service followed by a reception. This is rotated among the churches.
- The events in Charlottesville in August 2017 led the parish to seek more understanding of history locally and the options for healing. There is a growing awareness of responsibility parishioners at Grace have to partner with neighboring churches and community members to open up opportunities for young people.
- In 2020, the Keswick Heritage Fund was created through individual donations with the mission to provide financial and facilitative support towards educational opportunities for local African-American youth, to which they have historically not had equal access. These may include scholarships for higher education, internships, tutoring, mentoring, assistance with resume or college application preparation, and other similar services.
- In a joint effort of Outreach and Christian Education, a group of parishioners, designated as the Building Bridges group, began studying the American history of dealing with diverse ethnic and minority groups, using the Episcopalian program “Sacred Ground”.
