Community Involvement At Shepherd of the Valley
is guided by the principals of Mercy and Justice. From Scripture we learn that God's people are constantly urged to respond in compassion with direct, immediate acts of Charity; and when addressing the causes of problems to respond with Advocacy and a commitment to Justice. We call these emphases The Two Feet of Christian Service.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
The Shepherd of the Valley Community Involvement Ministry Team focuses
on Christ’s commandment to “Love your
neighbor as yourself” in our neighborhoods, our Boise
community, and throughout Idaho, the United States
and the world. We develop and promote
opportunities for our congregation to minister to people in need, and we strive
to be advocates for those seeking justice.
Breaking down economic, cultural and racial barriers is part of loving
our neighbor. Speaking up for those who
live with injustices in our community is another part of our work in Christ’s
name. We work thorough the ECLA
organizational structure when responding to opportunities for service in the
world around us. Our mission is to
answer Christ’s call to love by serving, and to use our resources and talents
to achieve mercy and justice in our world.
Local Benevolence Program Accepting Applications for Funding
Because the Holy Spirit calls us to share in God's continuing care for all people and for the entire creation and because God asks us to love our neighbors as Christ loves us, Shepherd of the Valley (SOV) Lutheran Church distributes 1 percent of its general offering in acts of service to address local human and environmental needs. The Community Involvement Ministry Team will review any application requests for funding support from the Local Benevolence Program. Applications are due by October 1st and may be delivered or mailed to the church office attention: Community Involvement Ministry Team. Notification will be made by December 15th for funds to be distributed in 2010. Application forms can be downloaded with one click! Click here to download PDF form
In order to be considered for funding, organizations should address local human and environmental needs and meet the following criteria:
- Mission is congruent with the mission of SOV and ELCA principles of social justice.
- Interest and ability to establish a relationship with SOV beyond receipt of funds. This might include volunteer opportunities, etc.
AGAPE FUND
Kelley Mata
At Shepherd of the Valley, we have a special fund from which we are able to provide some limited financial assistance to people facing challenges. Over the last few months we have been able to help a couple of different families at our church with help in paying various utility bills. But we have also helped some folks outside of our church. We helped a young woman who is a resident at the Idaho Interfaith Sanctuary. This young woman was able to find a job but needed some black shoes for work. Our Agape fund was utilized to purchase the shoes so this young lady could begin that job. We also were able to help a single woman and a family avoid having the power in their home shut off by helping them with a portion of their overdue utility bill. As the economy gets worse the calls continue to come in, and though we have a limits to how much we can help, the help nonetheless makes a big difference.
BREAD FOR THE WORLD
Vivian Parrish
Bread for the World* is a nationwide, nonpartisan Christians' citizen movement that seeks justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers. Bread for the World is 55,000 members strong, and growing. Our members focus on using the power they have as citizens in a democracy to influence government policies affecting hungry people.
David Beckman, Bread's Executive Director, is an ELCA pastor. Nearly one-third of all Bread members are Lutherans. Shepherd of the Valley has been participating in BFW offerings of letters for more than 10 years. Bread for the World members make a difference! It is the commitment, energy and faith of our members that makes Bread for the World effective. Year after year, Bread for the World wins legislative victories for hungry people because of people like you. Visit the Bread for the World* website for more information.
CITY LIGHT TOILETRIES
Celia Maynard
City Light Home for Women and Children in Boise is sponsored by the Boise Rescue Mission. Members of Shepherd of the Valley donate samples or regular size personal care items that collect in our homes to help out. For more information about City Light call 208.368.9901.
CROP WALK
Vivian Parish
CROP HUNGER WALKS help end hunger locally and globally. Visit Shepherd of the Valley's team page to find out more about the Crop Walk and to join Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church members "walking because they walk."
ELCA WORLD HUNGER APPEAL
Vivian Parish
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) commitment to supporting people who live with chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world is carried out by ELCA World Hunger through relief, development, education, and advocacy.
Visit the ELCA Hunger* website to find out how this ministry is working towards ending chronic hunger in the world.
EQUAL EXCHANGE
Celia Maynard
Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, Baking Cocoa, Chocolate Bars - buy your items in the narthex to support the growers around the world with a fair price given for the product. We are proud to say that all the coffee brewed at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church is purchased from
Equal Exchange!*
FAIR TRADE
Open
The Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Fair Trade initiative demonstrates that by selling through Fair Trade, farmers and artisans build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. By supporting Fair Trade, we make choices in line with our religious beliefs and affirm human dignity by promoting:
FAIR WAGES * CHILDREN'S RIGHTS * WOMEN'S RIGHTS * THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE * ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS * INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
To learn more about Fair Trade and how you can be involved through LWR visit their website at http://www.lwr.org/fairtrade/index.asp* and watch for more CIMT Fair Trade Activities such as our Fair Trade Market.
SOV Fair Trade Market a Success! Thanks to all the volunteers that supported the Shepherd of the Valley Fair Trade Market. This event to raise funds to build teacher housing for the Lutheran School in our Companion Synod in Tanzania was a huge success! Those of you who publicized the event, the excellent bakers and soup makers, those who staffed and those who purchased items all made the first Fair Trade Market an event to remember! Many people attended from the community as well as SOV and other Lutheran Churches. The event was featured on the Saturday night Channel Six News at 6:00 p.m.!
One of our goals was to raise awareness about fair trade issues. Job well done everyone! A special thank you goes to Al Shimondle and Thrivent for matching up to $1,600. Over $6,000 was raised through Fair Trade Market activities and new relationships were built with members of ELCA Treasure Valley Churches
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Paul Zelus
Habitat for Humanity
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Celia Maynard
Heifer International*- a group that provides animals to people to help them learn to care for the animals and make their lives better. It provides a way for them to help others in their community with gifts of animals to take care of on their own. Shepherd of the Valley encourages members to consider supporting this organization committed to ending hunger and caring for the earth.
IDAHO INTERFAITH ROUNDTABLE AGAINST HUNGER
Vivian Parrish
The Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger* (IIRAH) seeks solutions to the root causes of hunger.
Vision: to make hunger history in Idaho by assuring food security for everyone.
Mission: The Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger (IIRAH) seeks to explore the complexities of hunger by engaging diverse communities of faith and good will throughout the state in developing solutions to the root causes of hunger through education and public policy and by supporting providers of direct hunger relief.
IIRAH is co-sponsoring a fall 2006 Idaho Summit on Hunger and Food Security. Shepherd of the Valley members are playing major roles in developing IIRAH. IIRAH is endorsed by the SOV Church Council and by the Eastern Washington/Idaho ELCA Synod Council. Visit the Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger* website for more information.
INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK
Sylvia Moris
Members of Shepherd of the Valley interested in international issues and our role as neighbors to people worldwide gather to share international food and a guided discussion. We gather on "most" second Sundays of the month from 6:00-8:00 pm, unless there is a holiday or another conflict. Soup and drinks are provided.
Does the idea of preparing an international dish keep you from coming? Don’t let it! Here are a few ideas if international cooking is not your thing: French Bread, German Chocolate Cake, Taco Salad! You are more important than the food you bring.
MERIDIAN FOOD BANK
Pat Gieseke
The Meridian Food Bank is a food pantry serving Meridian and the greater Treasure Valley. This organization provides food for our community. There are many among us who are facing hard times. The Food Bank is staffed by volunteers who feel a special calling to help the families of our community. Shepherd of the Valley supports the Meridian Food Bank by holding monthly food drives and by volunteering to help stock shelves and prepare food baskets.
You can help the Meridian Food Bank by offering your food or cash donations or by volunteering your time. Food Bank Sunday is the first Sunday of every month when our members bring their offerings of food. Food donation boxes are located in the hallway next to the mailboxes and also at the front of the church by the altar. The Meridian Food Bank is currently open Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 1-5 pm and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm. If you are interested in helping out, or want more information, contact Pat Gieseke.
To find out more information about the Meridian Food Bank or volunteer, call 888-1209 or 888-2141.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Kelley Mata
Shepherd of the Valley hosts two blood drives each year in collaboration with the Red Cross of Greater Idaho. SOV provides the site, publicity, and volunteers — the Red Cross conducts the blood drive. Contact Kelley Mata for information about the next blood drive to be held this fall. Volunteers are needed for this important service.
SANCTUARY — Boise Response to Homelessness
Kelley Mata
Many faiths and community organizations united in compassion to house the homeless and to feed the hungry in Boise. Shepherd of the Valley has participated in the development of this new coalition, recruiting volunteers and writing articles for church publications. Shepherd of the Valley staffs the volunteer staff (3 adults) at the Sanctuary on the fourth Thursday of each month. Additionally August is the month when our church collects needed items for the Sanctuary's daily functioning. Click here for a master list of needed items. For more information about Sanctuary visit their website by following this link.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Vivian Parish & the J-Team
This national event, which occurs every year on the same Sunday as the NFL's Super Bowl, is traditionally led by youth in local congregations who stand at sanctuary exits following worship services on that Sunday and collect $1 and/or one can of food from each parishioner to support local, national, and international anti-hunger efforts. The amount each congregation collects is reported that day to the national Souper Bowl office by phone or online, and the national total is posted online as it grows. Visit the national Souper Bowl Website*.
Shepherd of the Valley J-Team youth collect donations after both worship services on Super Bowl Sunday.
SYNOD GLOBAL MISSION ADVOCATE
Sylvia Moris
The Global Mission Advocate is responsible for keeping the congregation aware of and excited about all the projects supported by the ELCA throughout the world. The Advocate encourages support of these projects by the congregation through finances, prayers, and personal service. More information is available from the Global Mission Annual and the ELCA Global Mission Webpage (click on the lamp and candle image).