On the fourth Saturday of each month, this ministry distributes a variety of surplus food, such as vegetables, juice, bread, potatoes, onions, and fruit, to 100 to 150 families from surrounding communities.  This food arrives in a truck from the St. Paul Evangelical Society about 7 AM Saturday morning.  Volunteers start unloading the truck shortly after 7 AM, setting up the distribution area within the church and distributing the food starting about 8 AM.  The truckload of food is usually gone within an hour and the volunteers then clean up the church, recycle boxes, clean tables, floor coverings, so that the church is ready for its other activities.

    

Food Harvest is not just about food.  It is about the spirit as well.  In addition to the physical food distribution, church volunteers talk and pray with the gathered guests before and during the food distribution.  The distribution is always begun with a word of prayer, sometimes by one of the guests, other times by a volunteer and sometimes by our Pastor.  The church and volunteers try to demonstrate to the guests and the community at large that we are Christians, not only by our thoughts and words, but by our deeds.  Volunteers are always welcome, whether they belong to the church or not.  Participation can include one or more of the following:

 

• Spiritual activities such as praying with the volunteers or mingling with the guests; talking about their joys, concerns and praying with them

• Physical activities such as moving the several tons of food from the truck into the distribution area or helping guests who need some physical assistance to get food back to their vehicles

• Emotional activities such as just listening and empathizing with people who do not often have a sympathetic ear

• Mental activities such as figuring out how to distribute a ton of onions (50 pounds at a time) or stretch 2 boxes of bananas among 100 families (2 bananas per family)

    

Volunteers should arrive about 7 AM to set up, unload the truck, arrange food, help guests carry food and generally do the labor needed to distribute a truck load of food, then and clean up.  They also remember to make the morning a fun time.  Guests can arrive anytime from 7 AM until the food is gone.  Numbers between 1 and 175 are distributed by lottery to guests as we collect their $8.00 minimum donation.  This is done so that there is no advantage in being an hour or two early.  Food distribution, starting at the lowest number, begins about 8 AM.  Volunteers control the amount of food given to each family unit the first and second times they go through the distribution line so that each item is available to all guests.  Many people stay for a second time through the line.  A third trip through the area ends up with their being able to take as much as they want so that we can send the truck back empty.

    

Everyone is welcome as Jesus commanded.

    

We look forward to seeing you at the next Food Harvest, as guest or volunteer.

    

For more information contact: Sandy Cobb 651-275-3682 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

    

Our church is responsible for providing drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels every 5th week of each month.  The meals are prepared at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights.  The meals are delivered in insulated bags to Croixdale in Bayport by drivers from the Power Plant in Bayport.  We pick up the insulated bags containing the meals at Crioxdale and deliver the meals to homes on the Lower St. Croix Valley route.  There usually are 4 or 5 stops.

    

It is a pleasure to bring meals to these folks and see them smile and to chat with them.  We also have an opportunity to note their general welfare and report any concerns we may have.

    

Shirley  Christianson maintains a list of volunteer drivers who are willing to deliver the meals.  If you would like to volunteer, or if you have questions, please call Shirley at 651-436-3032.

    

STORM in the Valley is a servant ministry of SCVUMC that provides volunteer labor to people in need.  Participants in our work projects can expect to see and feel the hand of God at work through our actions.  

    

What can you expect when you sign up to be part of a work day?  The team meets at church at 9 AM on a Saturday.  After receiving instructions about the project,  we travel to the job site.  Upon arrival, the team prays with the homeowner and everyone starts working in an area they feel comfortable.  Spending time with the homeowner visiting is just as important as getting the job done,  and in some cases, even more important.  Lunch will be provided along with a non-threatening devotion that the team shares as a group including the homeowner.  Many of the  people we have helped say “this was the best part of their day”!

    

Our goal is to finish by 4PM, close the day by again praying with and for the homeowner before we leave.  And finally, we give them an evaluation to return, which helps us to be more Christ-like and intentional about our service.

    

If you would like to be used by God to touch the lives of others, then this is the ministry for you.  With questions or to sign up for a work day, contact Sue Rielander at 651-785-6090 or leave a message with the church office 436-8691, and Sue will call you!

RealLife  

    

Tiffany Carlson, our missionary in Stillwater, runs a program called RealLife, working with 9-12th grade at-risk students in the St. Croix Valley.  The RealLife program provides a safe environment, family style meals, games, activities, life skills training, teaching from a faith-based perspective, and one-on-ones with adult mentors, as well as camps and retreat weekends.

    

Angel Tree is a ministry that is affiliated with Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit Christian volunteer organization founded by Chuck Colson.  The God-given purpose of Angel Tree is to reach out to the children whose mom or dad is currently  serving time in prison.  When a child’s parent is in prison, the child often feels extremely lonely, forgotten, unloved and deserted.  Through the Angel Tree ministry, we can let these children know that they are not forgotten or unloved by the prisoner parent.  The child of a prisoner also feels the true love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas when we deliver to them a Christmas gift and a Christmas card in the name of their imprisoned parent.

    

Our church needs Angel Tree volunteers to:

 

• Contact the prisoner’s families for their children’s gift wishes

• Buy and wrap their Christmas gifts

• Deliver gifts to the children

• Share the Gospel with the children

    

Along with their Christmas gifts, we can offer them an Angel Tree age appropriate booklet of the Gospel message, regarding the true meaning of Christmas.  These children and their families need to know the true love and forgiveness of Jesus…and that is why spreading the love of Jesus is the heart and soul of Angel Tree.

    

Hill Home is a safe residence in our county that serves mothers and their children who are victims of family violence.  For that reason, their phone number is unlisted, and it’s location is not advertised.  SCVUMC began visiting Hill Home in 2005.   We make regular visits on the third Tuesday of each month.  During that time we celebrate the birthdays of those who have birthdays in that month. Also we play Bingo which includes prizes and treats, and we provide music.

    

The length of stay for most of the residents is about three months, so we do not have the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with the families.  In the past some of the mothers have accepted our invitation to attend Sunday worship services with us.

    

Since Hill Home is a nonprofit residence, we are not permitted to read any religious material.  However, we can share our love that is in Jesus.  We may be the only Bible they will ever read.

    

Professional Chaplaincy services are available to the local healthcare facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, and senior housing)  of the St. Croix Valley because of the financial commitment of the area churches.  The chaplaincy team serves these  facilities and the community through personal visitation, leading devotional and worship services, and providing/facilitating a sacramental ministry to those who desire such care.  St. Croix Chaplaincy also offers support groups, spiritual care services, workshops and seminars.

    

Valley Outreach is a non-profit community-based organization providing food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance to our St. Croix Valley neighbors in need through the following three programs.

    

Valley Outreach Food Shelf: Providing food and other essentials to residents in need since 1963.

    

Valley Outreach Closet: Providing clothing and accessories to women  and children of all ages.  Many of our clients are women in transition who are re-entering the workforce while others are living with medical conditions or struggling financially.

    

Valley Outreach Emergency Fund: Program providing emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in financial crisis or experiencing other unexpected emergencies.

    

Valley Outreach is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing area clergy and community leaders in the public and private sectors.  Funding for Valley Outreach comes through individual donations, foundation grants, church contributions, and special fundraising events.

    

For more information contact us at 651-430-2739 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our Web site: www.valleyoutreachmn.org

    

Fare For All, a program of the Emergency Foodshelf Network, works with community partners to offer quality, affordable  grocery packages each month. You can purchase regular, meat only, and vegetarian packs at a savings of up to 30-50% off retail prices.  It is open to everyone, and there is no limit to the number of packages that can be purchased each month. SCVUMC sponsors Fare For All generally the second Tuesday of the month from 4-6 pm.  To confirm the dates, check with the church office at 651 436 8691.