Loving Our Neighbors Committee
The St. Francis in the Valley LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS committee reaches out to those in need in many creative ways, through support of world-wide outreach projects and through support of local/area-wide outreach projects. 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. The Committee is dedicated to using our hearts and hands to serve the marginalized, the broken and those in need. Should you be interested in any of the projects listed or would like a project to be considered, the committee welcomes new ideas along with hands-on and financial support.
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LOCAL PROJECTS
Salvation Army Christmas Stars
Each November in cooperation with the Salvation Army, the team receives the names of 50 local teens and provides them with a $50 gift card. All parishioners can have the opportunity to play Santa for these children.
Crossroads Nogales Rescue Mission-Easter /Thanksgiving
At Easter time the approximately 100 children who live near the Rescue Mission in Nogales, AZ receive an Easter basket. St. Francis parishioners create these baskets for these children, from their donations of Easter baskets, grass, candy and small toys. Loving Our Neighbors also contributes financially to the Easter and Thanksgiving meals at the mission.
Community Food Bank Green Valley
St. Francis is a loyal contributor both financially and with food donations to the food bank in Green Valley. In addition, parishioners volunteer their time to help at the food bank. |
Fr. Dan blesses food donations
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Sahuarita Community Food Bank - Resource Center
The food bank of Sahuarita, AZ provides not only food to folks experiencing food insecurity but also family support, money management classes, job training and many other services. LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS gives financial support to the food bank. Parishioners also donate cardboard to the food bank which in turn is sold with all proceeds from the sale going back to the food bank. Parishioners also volunteer their time to work at the food bank.
Sister Jose Women’s Center Tucson, AZ
The center provides low barrier day shelter, overnight shelter for 55 women, essential services and food for women experiencing homelessness on the streets of Tucson. Loving Our Neighbors provides financial support along with donations from the congregation of clothing and athletic shoes.
Prison Ministry
The congregation sends approximately 400 birthday and Christmas cards to women housed in Perryville Women’s Prison, Goodyear, AZ. Names and addresses for the women are provided, the parishioners choose their own cards to mail, using the church as the return address.
Camp Genesis
Camp Genesis is an Episcopal Diocese sponsored weeklong camp at Chapel Rock in Prescott, AZ for children 8-17 yrs old who have or had an immediate family member in prison. The purpose of the camp is to build self-esteem, discover new friendships with children experiencing similar situations and to generally have a week of fun being a kid. Loving Our Neighbors and the congregation provides very generous financial support for this camp experience.
Prayer Heart Ministry
Prayer Heart Ministry is another form of support for children from Camp Genesis. This ministry began at St Francis and has spread throughout the diocese and other churches. A heart is chosen by parishioners for a camper who then promises to pray for the camper every day for a year. The hearts are gathered and placed in the camper’s backpack the first day of camp.
Prayer Heart Ministry is another form of support for children from Camp Genesis. This ministry began at St Francis and has spread throughout the diocese and other churches. A heart is chosen by parishioners for a camper who then promises to pray for the camper every day for a year. The hearts are gathered and placed in the camper’s backpack the first day of camp.
Pascua Yaqui
The congregation support the Pascua Yaqui in Tucson with their St. Nick Christmas Boutique. The boutique is an opportunity for the children of the village to “shop” for Christmas gifts for their elders. The congregation donates gifts for “shopping” and then volunteer at the village assisting kids, especially with gift wrapping.
EDUCATION MINISTRY
Imago Dei Episcopal Day School
Imago Dei is a small, independent, tuition-free private school in Tucson serving students in grades 4-8 from low-income, under-resourced families. Imago Dei means “image of God,” and it refers to a belief that every person is created in the image of the divine, and should be allowed, encouraged, and mentored to develop the unique qualities and talents with which each has been endowed. St. Francis parishioners have traditionally given each of the graduating 8th graders a gift of a $100 bill and now make a donation to the Graduate Support Program.
Imago Dei is a small, independent, tuition-free private school in Tucson serving students in grades 4-8 from low-income, under-resourced families. Imago Dei means “image of God,” and it refers to a belief that every person is created in the image of the divine, and should be allowed, encouraged, and mentored to develop the unique qualities and talents with which each has been endowed. St. Francis parishioners have traditionally given each of the graduating 8th graders a gift of a $100 bill and now make a donation to the Graduate Support Program.
WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES
Episcopal Relief and Development - ERD
The National Episcopal Church keeps abreast of specific needs all over the world. Recently, St. Francis parishioners have donated generously to aid in the relief for the victims of wildfires in suburban Los Angeles, Hawaii and flooding in Globe, AZ. In the summer of 2026, we are hoping to raise funds to build a Clean Water Well overseas where needed through Episcopal Relief and Development.
The National Episcopal Church keeps abreast of specific needs all over the world. Recently, St. Francis parishioners have donated generously to aid in the relief for the victims of wildfires in suburban Los Angeles, Hawaii and flooding in Globe, AZ. In the summer of 2026, we are hoping to raise funds to build a Clean Water Well overseas where needed through Episcopal Relief and Development.
Clean Water Well
The above ministries are the primary focus of LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS; however it is not an exclusive list.
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Green Valley, AZ 85614 |
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