Right now we are adhering to the wishes of the diocese which means that we are not doing any in person ministries right now. We are however, still raising funds or supplies for those groups in our community that we serve. As we all know the pandemic has definitely changed the way we all do things right now, but it doesn't mean that we won't get back to our old ways when the health of all is much more secure. Please check back frequently to see what things may be up and running as we would like them to!

GRANTS TO FIGHT THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY IN HART COUNTY

In these difficult times, many Hart County individuals and families continue to struggle. The members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Hartwell, Georgia, are interested in partnering with non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services to those in need. To this end, the Outreach Committee of St. Andrew’s announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support local organizations that work to enable our residents to lift themselves out of poverty. Through this grant program, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life of the “neediest of the needy” and helping to end the generational cycle of poverty.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

1. Areas of Funding Interest:

• Health and Human Services
• Hunger Relief
• Nutrition
• Homeless Services
• Volunteerism
• Basic Literacy
• Prevention of Domestic Violence
• Vocational Services/Job Training

2. St. Andrew’s outreach mission is to help fight the effects of poverty in Hart County. As such, priority will be placed on projects that:

• Assist families in breaking the barriers of the causes of poverty and help them move toward self-sufficiency; and/or
• Help our most vulnerable residents learn the skills they need and/or receive opportunities they deserve to improve their quality of life.

3. Proposals are strongly encouraged that emphasize:

• Offering help earlier before higher-level problems occur, and/or
• Providing long-term support to prevent people from falling back into poverty.

4. Grants will be awarded ONLY to non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3). Grants to individuals are NOT allowed.

5. Approximately 5 grants will be awarded this year, with a funding range of $500 to $1,000 per grant.

To print the entire application to fill out click here and you can print, fill out and send back. Directions are on the application.

St Andrew's Believes in Outreach- Reaching Out into the Community

The St. Andrew’s Outreach Committee funds projects that affect poverty and social issues in our local community, the Diocesan concerns both national and international. Funds for Outreach are derived from earnings from the St. Andrew’s family. If you would like to help us you could donate to the church and on the memo line specify "Outreach". Members of our parish serve on this committee and prayerfully consider all needs in our community. We regularly support the local clothes closet, local shelter for Domestic Violence victims, humane society and the local food bank, as well as annually offering larger gifts in the form of grants to local ministries who work for feeding and serving the local community. We do not give to individuals at this time but choose to help those in need by giving to groups whose ministry is based right here in Hart County. We will have new grants available to apply for in early spring of 2021.

October 4th we had a "Drive though" pet blessing and had donations for the local Hart County Humane Society as folks who brought their pet for a blessing donated much needed food for our animals. We even had some come through just to donate food, supplies and funds to the society to help us help them. We have a no kill shelter which has many (mostly cats and kittens) animals right now! Give them a call to volunteer or to find out when you can drop by to see which one you may want to adopt! Thank you to all who helped us out! 

We collect regularly for the local food pantry here in Hartwell.

Handmade prayer shawls below

Prayer Shawls

A group of dedicated knitters and crochet masters meet regularly to create beautiful prayer shawls. These are blessed and then given to church members at times of illness, life stresses, and bereavement. Work on shawls can be done in the group or at home. Let us know if you know of someone who could benefit from receiving one of our shawls.

Adult Forum

Adult Forum is on hold but when it resumes this group meets from 8:45 to 9:30 am. most Sunday mornings to discuss a wide variety of topics related to the everyday practice of our faith. We often focus on a particular book for a number of weeks to guide our discussions. All visitors and members of the parish are welcome. Check back to see when we will be able to resume.ring your own content. You can change my font, size, line height, colour and more by highlighting part of me and selecting the options from the toolbar.

Choir

The choir (also on hold due to Covid 190, under the leadership of Candy Pufall, is a group of dedicated music-lovers who used to meet weekly to support worship at St. Andrew’s. The choir sings SAB (soprano, alto, bass) anthems approximately every other week during the offertory collection. The ability to read music is not a requirement for membership, but the ability to match pitch is! The choir rehearses every Wednesday afternoon. The choir is also available to sing at funerals and special services.

Hart Care Center Monthly Sing-a-long

(Another ministry that has been put on hold do to the pandemic)

Candy Pufall and St. Andrew’s members and friends meet at the Hart Care Center the second Thursday of each month to lead the residents in singing hymns and popular songs around the piano. The program lasts for one hour, including a brief time to visit with the residents. All are welcome. A trained voice is not required-- just a love of music and a desire to touch the lives of nursing home residents. 

Below is a picture of our December sing-a-long at Hart Care center. We enjoy this ministry as much as the residents do! We miss it as do the residents who would join us.