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Mission
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MISSION STATEMENT: We "Draw the Circle Wide" by affirming our call by Jesus Christ to share the Gospel and be instruments of compassion, social justice and systemic change. |
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Works Camps: A Way For CSA To Be A Good Neighbor Lending a neighbor a hand with yard work, painting or repair is a value of the congregation. Being a good neighbor build community and partnerships, that's why we host and sponsor work camps in the community.
<!--EndFragment--> We've partnered with the South Wedge Planning Committee Inc. to identify neighbors in need and to couple the funds from the work camp church with those of city grants to extend the available resources for a project. Contact us at staff@calvarystandews.org if you know a neighbor in need. We're Building Blocks of Neighbors and Friends If you have neighbors in need in the South Wedge contact us at 325-4950 or staff@calvarystandrews.org. |
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Emergency Food Cupboard Jesus' mandate to feed the hungry is one which we gladly accept. Calvary St. Andrew's Emergency Food Cupboard serves the South Wedge section of Rochester, New York. We also serve people referred by Lifeline, non-profit agencies and service based organizations. In 2010 Calvary St. Andrew's Emergency Food Cupboard served 2,870 households(,5,567 people,1190 are children,3,605 adults, 771 elderly). They were given 3 meals a day, for 3 days, for a total of 50,103 meals. Our cupboard feeds not only the poor, disabled and the elderly, but also the working poor, the newly unemployed and families in crisis. |
The Emergency Food Cupboard is solely run by volunteers.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.-Noon
To Qualify- Participants must be income eligible and provide a Photo I.D and proof of address
(RGE bill or mail to prove address). Participants are allowed to utilize the pantry once every three months.
SUGGESTED FOOD ITEMS NEEDED
- Pasta
- Peanut Butter
- Toilet Paper
- Tuna Fish
- Beef Stew or Hash
- Canned Beans
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Pasta
- Canned Soups
- Crackers
FOODLINK
Every Tuesday volunteers bring goods from Foodlink that includes fresh vegetables, breads, cheese and other items. Through the New York State HAPNA grant food is purchased in bulk through Foodlink. Volunteers pick and store on shelves all items.
Bread Ministry: Sadly the the Monks at the Abbey of the Genesee who have sent fresh bread from their bakery into the city for over 29 years had to discontinue their gift to us due to health regulations. Calvary St. Andrews thanks the Abbey for the many years of support.
Robert Lauterbach Coordinator of the Food Ministry
United Way Donor Option: The Emergency Food Cupboard receives major financial support through the United Way Donor Option. These funds go to purchase additional food not available through Food Link. Our number is 1620 when you are filling our your United Way Pledge. OR YOU CAN DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE FOOD MINISTRY THOUGH THIS WEBSITE. GO TO THE DONOR OPTION.
To Qualify for Food: Participants must be within 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, provide photo ID, and live within our Emergency Food Cupboard area (Zip code 14620). Participants are able to utilize the pantry once in three months, but if the need arises, more often as necessary. People from outside our area with referrals are served as requested.
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Food Acquisition: We purchase about three-quarters of the food from Food Link using the NY State Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program grant. From 01/01/10 through 12/31/10 Food Link Provided: Donated 44,280 lbs., Purchased 10,512 lbs., USDA 19,149 lbs.
The remainder of the food needs is purchased or comes from generous donations from individuals and organizations:
Calvary St. Andrew’s members and supporters
Boy Scout /Girl Scout Food Drive
US Post Office Workers Food Drives,
Pittsford Presbyterian Church
Mendon Presbyterian Church
Webster Presbyterian Church
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center
United Way Donor Option #1620
St. Boniface Catholic Church
Rochester Episcopal Home
South Wedge Business Association
ABVI Goodwill – Vision Rehabilitation Department
Sustainable Energy Development
South Wedge Business Association
South Wedge Farmer's Market
Joan Henderick and Robert Lauterbach staff booth at South Wedge Farmer's Market
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Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets At Easter, 25 deserving families identified through the food cupboard received Holiday Baskets. We continued our Thanksgiving and Christmas basket programs. We focused on donating food to 60 families for Thanksgiving and for Christmas 58 families (83 adults of which 18 were seniors and 66 children) that have used the Emergency Food Cupboard. Great thanks go to Barbara Mitchell who coordinated all of the holiday basket programs. It is very time consuming to gather the names and insure qualified people come at the right time to pick up their holiday basket. She and Pat Soule even wrapped the boxes with holiday paper to make them more festive. These projects would not be possible without donations from supporters and the shoppers, callers, sorters, lifters, wrappers and packers from the CSA Emergency Food Cupboard volunteer staff and other members of the CSA.
South Wedge Farmer’s Market
Through the leadership of Susan Gardner Smith the South Wedge Farmer’s Market invited the CSA Food Ministry to have a table the fourth Thursday of the month at the Market to promote the concept of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”. From June through October CSA had volunteers ready to answer questions and to promote the need for ongoing support for the food ministry. People can bring canned goods or make a financial donation. The opportunity is a wonderful way to support the market, to encourage our present clients to use their Benefits cards for fresh produce and for neighbors to make donations to the cupboard. Some local producers even add to the generosity by sharing produce that was then distributed to our clients. The opening of the market is June 2nd at 4:00 p.m.
South Wedge Business Association
In December the South Wedge Business Association sponsored a community wide event entitled “It’s A Wonderful Life”. During the day long event they encouraged local businesses and customers to donate food or financial resources to the Food Ministry. CSA staffed a table and led the tree lighting blessing. Numerous boxes of food and some money were collected, along with coats, boots, hats for children at School 12. CSA is fortunate to be located in a community that cares for all of its residents. We thank Chris Jones for her foresight and enthusiasm to include the food ministry in that day -long celebration for the holidays.
Pat Soule and Barbara Mitchell gathered for for 60 Thanksgivng baskets .
FRESH VEGETABLES AND MEAT
Every week volunteers staff the Food Ministry by buying food through Food Link and uploading hundreds of pounds of food, packing bags and stocking shelves. Because so many people volunteer to serrve Christ we are able to give food to deserving families. We are Christ's hands and heart in the world.
FOOD CRISIS
Our Food Cupboard has seen an increase in clients this past year and in so many individuals and organizations caring to help feed their neighbor.
FOOD MINISTRY RECEIVES GRANTS in 2011
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$1,300 from the Ames Amzalak Memorial Trust for a computer
$1, 500 Canandaigua National Bank
$1,000 Pittsford Women's Association
The grand total is $3,800 to date for our Food Ministry. Thanks be to God!
The Association For The Blind brought two vans full of food!!
And the Episcopal Church Home sent 3 car loads of food!
John Mc Corry hands out meat Elaine Mc Corry watches over the salads and vegetables.
Volunteers Joan Hendrick, Phil Stukas, Sharon Hoffman, Diane Szczerbacki
Crisis Intervention and Referrals
Often emergency food is not the only need for participants that come to the Food Cupboard. Many come needing help with clothing, health care, drug treatment, housing, assistance with Social Services, Social Security or unemployment. Our Food Cupboard is an important link in the community of caring and we receive referrals from many (40+) non-profit agencies and service based organizations. We regularly serve people outside the 14620 zip code area who have referrals and then provide them with information about services within their area.
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GIVE GENROUSLY TO THE HEIFER FUND. YOU CAN CHANGE A FAMILY'S LIFE. |
Heifer Fund (www.heifer.org ) is a special fund whereby people donate their spare change throughout the year. They do this in the “Cow Jar” that is often on the altar. Over the past year $500 was collected. The money was donated to Heifer International, a non-profit organization that works to end world hunger and save the earth through the gift of farm animals and training and a COW was purchased. The Sunday school children decide which projects to donate the money, so this fund covers all generations in the church. It takes $500 to buy a cow…hence the name Cow Jar.
The North Star has been used for centuries to guide travelers on foot, over the ocean and in the air. Stars give brightness to the night time sky. Members of our congregation live in residential facilities in the community and are specially challenged. They names themselves the "Star Group". They bring brightness and light into the lives of the CSA community. Loden Lane is a residential facility in Henrietta that serves as home for several of our CSA members, as is Hinchey Road and private homes. Our ministry has spaned over 30 years. We have learned more about who God is through the eyes, ears and hearts of our brothers and sister. The Star Group attends weekly worship, assists in coffee hours, as greeters and at special functions. God's joy is known through our friends.
A highlight in worship was a service in honor of the Star Group and of the annual Christmas party at Loden Lane. The face of Jesus comes to us in a variety of ways--the Star Group has given us direction in knowing some aspects of who jesus is in our midst.
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CSA has two groups that worship with us, Loden lane and Green Brier and more that visit for special occasions
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| JEFF BEERS | John and Kay Burnett |
Calvary St. Andrew's Presbyterian Parish is a More Light Church and partners with other More Light Congregations throughout the PCUSA to support the full inclusion of gay and lesbian and transgender people in the life of the PCUSA. Through study and Biblical reflection CSA has committed to being a welcoming and affirming congregation for gay and lesbians. As part of the More Light Network and in partnership with That All May Freely Serve. CSA has co-sponsored several overtures to the General Assembly to remove any prohibition to the offices of ordination for the Minister of Word and Sacrament, Deacon or Elder. God calls people into leadership and the local church and Presbytery are asked to discern God's call for an individual. Our primary emphasis in leadership in the local church is a person's relationship with Jesus Christ. As a progressive Presbyterian church, gay and lesbians, find an open welcoming congregation in which to search and claim faith. Interfaith Advocates is a community sponsored coaliation that has pressed for equal rights in marriage for gay and lesbians.CSA supports the Marriage Equality Act which gives equal rights to gay, lesbian an transgender people to have their marriages recognized legally by the state.
Education: Calvary St. Andrerw's is partnering with Third Presbyterian Church, St. Luke' St. Simon, Lake Avenue baptist and Colgate Rochester Divinity School in sponsoring community educational events for the larger Rochester Community. Bishop Eugene Robinson will be hosted by St. Luke's and St. Simon on April 29th, 2010 for an educational discussion.
Bob Day serves as CSA's overutre advocate to General Assembly.
Draw the circle wide
MORE LIGHT STATEMENT
We, the people of Calvary St. Andrews Presbyterian Parish humbly, prayerfully, boldly and faithfully declare ourselves to be a More Light congregation.
We cherish our Congregation's tradition of enlarging the community of faith by “drawing the circle wide”. We welcome all persons of faith, embrace differences of racial or ethnic background, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. We celebrate the total identity of each person as a child of God, created in the image of God, and reflecting God’s holiness.
We affirm that all human beings are members of the body of Christ. The exclusion of persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered from the fellowship of the church breaks our covenant with God and wounds the body of Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit moves among us, liberates us, stretches us, and inspires our passions for peace and justice. Calvary St. Andrews Presbyterian Parish challenges oppression, works for justice and peace and strives to eliminate prejudice. By declaring ourselves a More Light Congregation, we covenant to continue our rich history and tradition by working towards ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against our brothers and sisters in Christ.
(Adopted 1980, Revised April 2008)
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Caring for the Earth Stewardship of the Earth is one of God's callings for us as Christians. Investment in community gardens, sustainable agriculture, preservation of open space, and healthy growing of food within the city plots are topics of discussion in our congregation. We are called to be caretakers of the earth, so recycling, reducing our carbon footprint and going green are core values of the community.
Our "Still Going Green" slogan says it all--we've been earth friendly for a long time. We do not use styrofoam, we've replaced light bulbs, exit signs, installed a new roof, and weatherized our church in an effort to go green. Plant community gardens--several members have led efforts to plant community gardens. And our own Alison Clarke has been a leader in the state in Sustainable Agriculture. interested in sustainable agriculture. |
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For over 18 years CSA has been involved with Christian Based Communities in The Dominican Republic. Several delegations of parishioners have spent time in the DR learning about Chrisitan Based organizing.
<!--StartFragment--> Joanna Peterson, Bob Day and Barb Outterson CSA has maintained its commitment to the ministry of Joanna Petersen in the Dominican Republic as the base communities strive for sustainable agriculture. Joanna made a visit to the States in July updating the community on the recent development projects. Among the ministries is the funding of an agronomist teaching organic production through agro forestry starting and grafting coffee, avocado and citrus trees to counter deforestation and to provide economic development through selling the fruits. Bartolo, the agronomist also teaches building of “hoop” or green houses and the beginning of tilapia ponds. We have learned a lot by supporting various projects that have come out of the many Christian Based Communities facilitated by Joanne in several villages in the Dominican Republic on the border of Haiti. Lutheran Incarnate Word, our partner parish, raises $4,000 each year to support teaching the Health Promoters and now also supporting the needs of the Mujeres Unidas en Desarollo, women developing Nutrifort, a supplement for malnourished children and seniors. The $3,500 raised by CSA supports the agronomist, tree nurseries and other sustainable agriculture projects as well as support of individual poverty situations such as milk for the triplets. We have organized many trips to work and live with families there. <!--EndFragment--> DONATE TO THE DOMINICAN MINISTRY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. |
Elder Sue Porter is the Director of the judical Process Commission, an organization dedicated to assisting people to re-establish themselves in the community after being incarcerated. Job readiness, counseling, group discussions are among the services provided. CSA is a partner with JPC in supporting the re-entry program and has had mentors trained to assist.
CSA supports two neighborhood block clubs through the use of space in our facility and in co-sponsoring events. Hickory Nuts and Averill Block Clubs provide a mechanism for neighbors to join together to make a difference in the neighborhood. Garage sales, planting flowers in visible locations,fellowship meals and organizing on key issues are among the ways neighbors support neighbors.
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URBAN PRESBYTERIANS TOGETHER
The ten urban Presbyterian congregations formed a partnership entitled Urban Presbyterians Together. Reverend Hay is a co-convenor with the Reverend John Wilkinson from Third Presbyterian. CSA has been an active participant in all of the UPT events for education and hands on ministry.
· Pastors meet monthly as does a Core team of laity for fellowship and planning
· January –100 people gathered at Brighton Presbyterian Church to hear the Reverend Jerry Canon pastor of C.N. Jenkins memorial Church in Charlotte, NC. reflect on his experience in Congregational Transformation.
· April UPT brought together over 50 youth from the urban churches for an evening with at Third Presbyterian Church to see Godspell.
· June Big Lunch-each congregation is hosting within their community a Big Lunch within their neighborhood as a way to connect and to build community June 5-11th Boots On The Street Mission opportunities
· In November CSA will host the choir festival
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Calvary St. Andrew's, New Life, Third, South, Laurelton, Lakeside, Dowtown, Trinity Emmanuel, Brighton and Dewy Avenue comprise the urban consortium.
Presbyterian Urban Ministry Vision and Strategy 2009
Support the urban congregations in Presbytery of Genesee Valley
Provide spiritual and strategic assistance
Provide opportunities for joint mission and ministry
Support pastoral and lay leadership in urban congregations
Regular gatherings for pastors and laity
Provide joint training opportunities (Elders, deacons, other)
Work with presbytery entities (COM, Trustees, Congregational Ministries, etc.) in vision and strategy
at times of leadership transition
at times of crisis – financial, facility, demographic, membership, etc.
at times when congregations are seeking long range vision/planning
To provide a Presbyterian voice in public and ecumenical/interfaith conversations
To ensure the survival of urban churches
To gain a better over-all sense of the city and its issues
BIG LUNCH DRAWS 150 PEOPLE.......June 4th the parish was rocking with music from Java, face painting by clowns, a book and plant exchange...neighbors gathered for a pot luck luck luncheon and networking
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Each urban congregation invited neighbors to come to a lunch as a way to network and to get to know one another. CSA coordinated the lunch with block leaders on Averill, Hickory, Ashland, Gregory, and Gregory Park Commons. Over 150 people showed up for face painting Java
BOOTS ON THE STREET...CSA helped neighbor Dave Halter with new fence, yard clean-up and removal of debris....in 93 degree heat...yet the Spirit was on fire for Christ.....
