Community Caring
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…. just as you did (these things) for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.” – Matthew 25: 35-36, 40
We, the members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, feel called to love and serve those in need in a variety of ways. This support for people in need is a priority of our generous and caring congregation. Throughout the year we find ways for our church to give freely of their time, talent and/or treasure. We support a number of organizations in our local community, in the wider church, and around the world. Here are some of the organizations to whom we offer periodic help:
St. Stephen’s Groceries 4U – Local community members facing financial challenges may sign up to receive monthly “Better Bucks of Sierra Vista” a booklet of five $1 coupons that may be used at certain grocery stores, Goodwill, and local restaurants. Individuals may receive up to $30 in booklets once a month for 10 months of the year. Availability is based on congregational giving to purchase the Better Bucks for distribution. “Better Bucks of Sierra Vista” cannot be used for tobacco or alcohol items. Anyone can buy their own “Better Bucks” at City Hall or at the local library. For more information see this website: https://betterbuckssierravista.org/about-us
12-Step Recovery Groups – St. Stephen’s gladly offers our meeting spaces to various 12-Step Recovery Groups throughout the week. We currently have a daily AA morning meeting at 6:30am, two NA meetings a week (Monday at 6:30pm and Thursdays at 6:30pm), two OA meetings a week (Saturday at 11am and Monday at 6:30pm), and a Christian 12-step mtg that uses 12-step discussions for life’s challenges (not tied to a specific recovery effort) (Wednesdays 5pm).
Nancy J Brua Animal Shelter of Sierra Vista – Ongoing, we collect and drop off aluminum cans for the shelter to convert into funds for support of the center’s animals and their needs. We have also collected pet food and other items to donate per the shelter’s website: https://www.sierravistaaz.gov/our-city/departments/animal-care-and-control/how-to-help
Good Neighbor Alliance – Sierra Vista’s homeless shelter which helps house and feed some of our housing challenged in our community. Our church offers occasional financial and support items (personal hygiene items) for the care of those in need. See this website for more information: https://svshelter.org/
Salvation Army of Sierra Vista – Occasionally they ask for help stocking their food pantries here and around the county with shelf stable items and the church will take up a collection for donation. They also help local students with school supplies at the start of the school year. https://sierravista.salvationarmy.org/
Forgach House – Our emergency shelter for people needing to leave a domestic violence situation. We make donations of toys, snacks, personal hygiene items, clothing, and monetary donations to this organization from time to time. https://www.ccs-soaz.org/services/detail/domestic-violence-programs
Cochise County Public Schools – Nearly annually we collect extra school supplies for schools in our county with emphasis on those schools in the rural areas that do not often receive help from the more populous areas. https://www.cochise.az.gov/649/School-Districts
Department of Child Safety – We try to help kids who may need to be removed from their homes to be placed in foster care for their own safety. We have prepared overnight bags with items that may help care for those kids… pajamas, underwear, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, a toy, a blanket, and a next day change of clothes. https://dcs.az.gov/counties/cochise
Peaches Pantry – A local organization that prepares bags/boxes of food for kids who may not have much at home for over the weekend to eat. Our church sometimes collects items for those boxes. See this website for more information: https://peachspantry.org/
Summer Camp Scholarships – The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has summer camps at Camp Chapel Rock in Prescott Arizona. We collect donations for scholarships that will help campers who may not be able to afford the camp fees, we emphasize scholarships for Camp Genesis that provides camp for kids whose parents/guardians are incarcerated. See this website for additional information: https://chapelrock.net/summer-camp
Episcopal Relief and Development – In the national church we have an organization that helps with disaster relief efforts around the world. Our church has given monetary donations to support their work with humanitarian efforts after earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and in conflict zones. See this website to discover more about their work: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/
Episcopal Public Policy Network – A grassroots network of Episcopalians across the country dedicated to carrying out the Baptismal Covenant call to “strive for justice and peace” through the active ministry of public policy advocacy. Sign-up to be included in sending emails to government officials to ask them to vote for legislation on social justice concerns. See this website for more information: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/eppn-sign-up/
As our world continues to have different challenges that arise, our church addresses those challenges on an as needed basis. For instance, we have offered help for the US border crisis, to Arizona Native American tribes, and pandemic related needs, among others.