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Our Saviour's
Lutheran Church
Benevolence
Partner Profiles
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) - we support both
the New England Synod of the ELCA and the national organization
in approximately equal proportions. The funds that go to the Synod
are used for the care and development of congregations and their
staffs throughout New England, and partnership support of affiliated
seminaries, colleges/universities, camps (i.e. Calumet), campus
ministries and Lutheran Social Services. The funds that are received
by the national organization are used to support Global Mission
(partner churches in 60 countries, 349 missionaries and the Lutheran
World Foundation), Outreach (seed money to start new congregations
- 30 last year and development of 150+ congregations not yet organized),
Higher Education (eight ELCA seminaries, 28 church colleges/universities
and 140+ campus ministries), Youth and Congregational Ministries
(Lutheran Youth Organization, outdoor ministries, youth programming,
programs for congregational renewal), Stewardship, Leadership/Call
Process and much more. Websites include www.elca.org
and www.nesynod.org.
The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
- Our Saviour's is a member congregation of the CCGB. Our benevolence
supports a variety of programs including Janus House (provides
shelter to adolescent boys and girls aged 11-17), Project Learn
(helps city school children do their homework and succeed in school),
Youth In Crisis/Safe Places (24/7 outreach to youth feeling in
danger or experiencing serious conflict at home, in school or
with law enforcement), and the Co-Op Center (assists men and women
to succeed in transitioning from court and correctional supervision
to independence). Website is www.ccgb.org.
Operation Hope of Fairfield - provides
a variety of services to people who are homeless and at-risk of
homelessness. They operate an 18-bed Shelter for Men, a 5-bed
Shelter for Women, a 2-unit Shelter for Families, a Community
Kitchen and a Food Pantry. In addition, Operation Hope owns and
operates 21 rental housing units for low-income individuals and
families. Our former pastor, Henry Morris, was a founding member
of Operation Hope. Website is www.operationhopect.org.
Mission Partners - We support two local
congregations situated in low income areas……Resurrection
Lutheran Church in New Haven and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in
Bridgeport.
Our Saviour’s supports the missionary
work of the Rev. Arden Strasser and his wife Susan (former members
of Our Saviour’s). Arden serves as missionary to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, appointed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Susan serves as country director for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. www.raisinghopeinafrica.com
Haiti Lumiere de Demain (Haiti's Light
for Tomorrow) - Haiti Lumiere is a not-for-profit organization
focused on promoting literacy in Haiti. Key elements of this ministry
include giving Haitian children greater access to books on a lending
basis, encouraging further education through merit and need based
scholarships for secondary schools, and sponsoring after school
educational programs. The Executive Director of Haiti Lumiere
is Louis Elneus, a member of Our Saviour's. Website is www.haitilumiere.org.
Lutheran Social Services of New England
- LSSNE supports 48 different Lutheran social ministry programs
in New England including an adoption program, a refugee program,
a program for single mothers and their children, an adults with
disabilities program, a children and teens program, an older adult
program (including Southbury Lutheran Home) and the nationally
recognized Good News Garage program whereby low income families
break the cycle of poverty by acquiring low cost automobiles that
have been donated. Website is www.lssne.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport
- Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian housing organization.
Their mission is to build simple, decent, affordable houses in
partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. The program
was expanded in 2001 to include the new Habitat Construction Training
Center (CTC) to provide a comprehensive, educational, personal
development and job skill training program for "at risk youth."
Website is www.bridgeporthabitat.org.
Micah Housing - An affiliate of Operation
Hope of Fairfield with a focus on affordable rental housing for
low income, formerly homeless individuals and families. They currently
support three houses in the Greater Bridgeport area. Website is
www.ophopeffld.org.
Covenant to Care - A non-profit organization
dedicated to improving the lives of Connecticut's abused and neglected
children through the acquisition and distribution of community
resources, mentoring, and foster and adoptive family recruitment.
We have made a commitment to our Covenant to Care social worker
to provide goods and services as needed. Items typically donated
include cribs, beds, Back to School backpacks, diapers, formula,
clothing and gifts suitable for teenagers. Website is www.covenanttocare.org.
Continuing Religious Education - We
have traditionally supported an individual affiliated with Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church who has made a commitment to becoming
a Lutheran pastor. We are currently supporting a member of our
congregation, Jon Haug.
Calumet Lutheran Camp and Conference
Center - Calumet is the outdoor ministry center of the New England
Synod of the ELCA supporting 200 congregations and missions across
the six New England states. Our Saviour's has had a long term
relationship with Calumet as some of our youth have served as
counselors and many of our families have vacationed and participated
in retreats at the facility. Website is
www.calumet.org.
World Hunger and Disaster Appeal Program
- An ELCA ministry that improves the lives of people in need in
the US and around the world by providing immediate relief for
those affected by chronic hunger and poverty as well as disaster
victims. Website is www.elca.org.
Seafarers and International House Maritime
Ministry - An ELCA affiliated ministry dedicated to the welfare
and special needs of seafarers and sojourners. This ministry is
expressed through pastoral care, counsel, advocacy, lodging, support,
worship and education and takes place at the guesthouse at 123
East 15th Street in New York City and in ports throughout New
England (including Bridgeport, CT). Pastor Mark has been active
in Seafarers and International House leadership and in conducting
worship. The website is www.sihnyc.org.
Fairfield Community Services - A private, non-profit counseling
ministry established in 1969 with a focus on improving the mental
and emotional well being of adolescents, adults and families in
the Town of Fairfield. Barbara Wall is on the Board of Trustees.
Project Crossroads - This is a ministry
in the heart of Appalachia (Marion, VA) focused on Christians
volunteering to help repair homes for low-income families and
individuals. Our Saviour's is scheduled to take a mission trip
to Marion July 24 - 31, 2004 to participate in Project Crossroads
and stay at the Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center. Benevolence
gifts are needed to pay for the supplies needed to repair and
rebuild homes or for building materials for new homes (Habitat
for Humanity) in the area.
Evangelical
Lutheran Church
New
England Synod
Habitat
for Humanity
Lutheran
Social Services
Lutheran
Home of Southbury
The Council
of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
Click on any link to visit our Mission Partners site.
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