St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church Prepares to Launch a New Ministry
"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14.
The Foster Youth Project
Jesus tells us, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" and you may have heard about Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's invitation for us to walk the Way of Love. The Way of Love challenges us to follow Jesus by committing ourselves to the practices of turning, learning, praying, worshiping, blessing, going and resting. The practice of "going" invites us to "cross boundaries, listen deeply and live like Jesus" and sends us beyond out circles and comfort to witness to the love, justice, and truth of God with our lips and with our lives; joining God in healing a hurting world.
This new outreach ministry, The Foster Youth Project, involves a practical way to live out the way of love with the most vulnerable children in our midst through a system of Compassionate Empowerment with the goal of providing emotional and other support to youth living in residential institutions. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Rev. Jacquelyn Rowe and a small group of volunteers initiated this ministry, seeking to serve the needs of youth at risk who were abandoned, foster children, children with incarcerated parents, pregnant youth, and youth victims of sex trafficking.
Help is also being provided to young persons who have “aged out” of the foster care system and are given assistance (to age 24) while in college, or otherwise engaged in other plans for their independence. St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church has committed to join this project and there are several ways in which you will be able to participate.
How can I get involved?
There will be several ways that you can get involved with the Foster Youth Project through St. M&M's. We will post volunteer and other opportunities as they become available. For now start praying and asking God in which of the following ways you are being called to serve in God's name.
- Through Prayer. The goal is to have people or groups providing intercessory prayers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When launched there will be sign-ups available for individuals or groups such as Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women, Episcopal Church Men, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Cursillo Reunion Groups etc., to commit to a day and time.
- Volunteer. Volunteers are needed for outreach services. Members with specific social service, communication, and technical skills to develop a website, provide information to disseminate to the diocese etc..
- Get Trained. We need people willing to be trained in Compassionate Empowerment, which integrates the Way of Love with modern psychological approaches and techniques. Information on upcoming training sessions will be available shortly.
- Be a Godparent. Church members may volunteer to be a "Godparent" or "Grandparent" to one of the youth. This could entail as much or as little as you have time for. Perhaps by sending on occasional card, calling, even a "Zoom" meeting or FaceTime call if personal contact is not advisable.
As the church of St. Mary Magdalene we plan on "adopting" one or more children and provide needed items such as an Ipad, laptop or other needed items. We also plan to provide emotional and affirming support such as birthdays, Christmas, graduations or encouragement greeting cards in addition to other support as the need and opportunity arises.
We welcome you and your friends to join us in the exciting and impactful ministry, which is enthusiastically supported by the members of our Outreach Ministry, Deacon Lorna and Father Lee. More details will be coming soon on our website on the different ways to get involved, but in the meantime if you would like more information you can contact Janice Villiers.