At St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods, we take part in many outreach ministries. We are blessed to have ministries that fit into the busy schedules of our parishioners. Single day ministries, or longer term commitments, driven by the concerns of our congregation and the needs of our community, are always being developed.
Please contact us for more information about these and other outreach ministries in which we participate:
Good Cheer Food Bank: Many of our parishioners volunteer at this South Whidbey organization, which supplies groceries to individuals and families in need. In addition, each Sunday we bring non-perishable food items to church for transport to the Good Cheer. Each month, hundreds of pounds of food are donated by members of St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods.
Helping Hand: This local organization offers financial aid and referral sources for those needing help. It was founded 30 years ago by members of our parish.
Episcopal Peace Fellowship: Founded in 2004 and associated with the parish is a very active St. Augustine’s Episcopal Peace Fellowship chapter. The chapter advocates from a Christian perspective for justice and peace within both the church and larger community. It reminds Christians of their Baptismal vows “to strive for justice and peace among all people” and to “respect the dignity of all human beings.” Members “in loyalty to the person and teaching of Jesus Christ” commit “to the way of redemptive love: to pray, study and work for peace, and to renounce, so far as possible participation in war, militarism, and all other forms of violence.” The chapter has, beginning in 2005, sponsored an annual Whidbey community Martin Luther King, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” event. This faith based event has filled the church nave with people from throughout Whidbey Island.
Time Together: A South Whidbey respite care organization.
South Whidbey Hearts and Hammers and Central Whidbey Hearts and Hammers: Helping to repair homes of those without the ability or the financial resources to do so themselves.
Mobile Turkey Unit: Bringing a Thanksgiving meal to those who are alone or unable to leave their homes.
Greening: We are accepted as a Greening Congregation, and we take every possible step to reduce our use of the earth’s resources and to preserve our environment. This includes our clean-up “adoption” of a section of Honeymoon Bay Road by our parish.
Mission Sunday Offering: Once a month, we take up a separate collection and donate the proceeds to a worthy organization (including but not limited to those above). This has routinely raised about $1,000 a month.