The St. Francis in the Valley HEARTS and HANDS team reaches out to those in need in many creative ways through support of multiple outreach projects and through its support of individual ministries. Some projects require steady weekly or monthly commitments, some are special one-time events, some involve almost everyone in the church, and some involve only a few folks. All are important and celebrated. Individual parishioners join forces with the Committee who plan projects, raise funds, collect and distribute donations and allocate gifts. The Committee is committed to using our hearts and hands to serve the marginalized, the broken and those in need Funds and specific goods for the work of the HEARTS and HANDS team are earned through various projects and through gifts from individuals throughout the year. Should you be interested in any of the projects listed or would like a project to be considered, the committee welcomes both financial and hands-on support in all projects. Just email [email protected] and you will be directed to the person who is best able to help you become connected.
These are a few of the projects we engage in and organizations that we assist:
SOCIAL MINISTRIES Christmas Stars Each November in cooperation with the Salvation Army, the team receives names of 50 to 75 local children and their Christmas wish list. All parishioners can have the opportunity to play Santa for these children. Watch for the Christmas Star Tree in November to choose your special child. Crossroads Nogales Rescue Mission - Easter At Easter time the approximately 300 children who live in the neighborhood of the Rescue Mission in Nogales each receive an Easter basket along with their celebratory Easter dinner. St. Francis parishioners provide baskets for about 100 of these children. Bring your Easter baskets and Easter candy to church any Sunday in March. Casa Community Services Casa is a collaboration of adult and children's services for the community including a day care center, pre-school education. Adult Health Care, Behavioral Health Services and a lively Community Center which serves as a gathering place for Senior lunches as well as programs and classes. There is a lively volunteer program open to all parishioners. Green Valley-Sahuarita-Amado Food Bank St. Francis is a loyal contributor to the Green Valley, Sahuarita, Amado Food Bank. Aviva Child Protection Services Each March, parishioners watch for the “undies Sundays” clothesline in the courtyard and the collection box in the parish hall. The children in Aviva Protection Services have been taken from their homes or other dangerous places, sometimes only with the clothes on their backs. Everyone in the parish has an opportunity to help provide these kids with underwear and socks---------a gift that says, “we care”. Youth on Their Own For more than twenty years this agency has provided financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance to homeless teens so that each has the opportunity to graduate high school. Hearts and Hands funds assist with this mission. St. Andrew’s Cleft Palate Surgeries St. Andrew's Clinic provides cleft palate surgery for their patients through a cooperative effort with the Shriner's Hospitals in the US and generous surgeons who donate their time. St. Francis, through the Hearts and Hands team provides financial help to support the costs of transportation and lodging. All have an opportunity to contribute using the envelopes in the pews. Valley Assistance Services St Francis supports the agency work which includes case management, help with utilities, other financial assistance and volunteers. In addition, each October Hearts and Hands sponsors a gift bag drive for those who live at local health care facilities and might not otherwise have the little niceties they deserve. Watch for these gift bags and the lists in October. Casa Paloma Women's Shelter This agency which serves homeless women is supported by Hearts and Hands. Each resident is given a toiletries bag and a $25 gift certificate on her birthday. In addition, nice gently used clothing is collected and taken to the women quarterly. EDUCATION MINISTRIES St. Francis parishioners are encouraged to assign their affordable Arizona state income tax education credits to any selected local schools and charities of their choice. Arivaca Boys Ranch Teens and young adult boys are referred to continue their education, quit the use of chemicals and alcohol and get a new lease on the future. Horses are used to help the boys learn responsibility, self-reliance and commitment. Imago Dei Episcopal Day School Imago Dei serves students from fourth through eighth grades, from economically disadvantaged families, which are working one to two grade levels below grade level. Parishioners help by designating their school tuition tax credit dollars and providing graduation gifts. Also, the Hearts and Hands Team, through fund raising, supports student scholarships and back to school necessities. Back to School Supplies St Francis supports a big summer drive to assure that each child going back to school in the fall has the appropriate school supplies to be successful. Watch for the collection box in the parish hall in July. Books for Classrooms Donations provide teacher-selected high-quality supplemental literature to non-profit southern Arizona classrooms. Books are relevant, age- appropriate and encourage an understanding of diversity, peace, social justice and conflict resolution. PARISH MINISTRIES Cruzando Fronteras Cruzando Fronteras is a cooperative ministry of the Arizona Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Church and the UCC church. Clothing and other necessities are collected as they are needed and trucked to the border shelter for migrants. Kino Border Ministries Kino Border Ministry, among other services, serves food to migrants waiting at the border. Supplies are collected as they are needed. Sorting is required and is done at the facility on the US side of the border. DIOCESAN MINISTRIES As one of more than 50 parishes in the Diocese, our assessment is combined with others to support the mission of the church in Arizona and the world. WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES Africa Team Ministries During the first two weeks of April special jewelry, wood carvings, crafts and instruments and artifacts from Kenya. These will be for sale to parishioners and the community to support the ministry of the local Anglican Community Church. The parishioners use this money for a special high protein food which they give to everyone in the villages. Episcopal Relief and Development The national Church keeps abreast of specific needs all over the world. The Parish is invited to contribute as they choose.