Want to start a social concerns ministry or food pantry? Archdiocese offers Zoom workshops to help
A major theme of the Synod reporting is the laity’s desire to be involved in the Church. Another was to “enlarge the space of your tent” and reach out to those on the margins. Parish Social Concerns Committees and ministries are outlets where lay men and women can use their gifts and abilities to help those in need on the margins.
“The laity are capable, talented, and willing to contribute more and more, provided they are given opportunities. Further surveys and studies at the parish level can open up more avenues where the contributions of the laity can be immense and the result would be more vibrant and flourishing Church, which is the goal of synodality,” according to the “Working Document for the Continental Stage” released in August.
The strengths and needs of each parish and community are different, said Father Timothy Graff, Secretary for Parish Mission and Vitality of the Archdiocese of Newark.
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Some parishes have created ministries that help the environment and grow community gardens, host food pantries or soup kitchens, or mentor pregnant teen girls. Others house refugees or the homeless. While some aid those seeking addiction recovery. The ministries of individual churches reflect community needs and utilize the gifts of willing parishioners.
To help parishes wanting to create social ministries or expand their mission work, the Archdiocese of Newark Parish Social Concerns Committee will host a series of webinars. It will also host a separate series of webinars on how to start a food pantry in your community. Both series offer an opportunity to learn from others about different kinds of outreach and a way to network to find the best practices of other parishes.
“We believe that the care for those in need is a multi-faceted blessing. It gives direct service to the poor. It allows people to follow the gospel call to care for those in need. We see how all involved can experience the presence of the Lord in reaching out to each other. Parishes are often the places of contact for those in need in a community,” Father Graff said.
The Social Concerns webinars begin in October and will run once a month for four months. The webinars will be an opportunity to learn from others about different kinds of outreach as well as network to find best practices of other parishes, Father Graff said.
The Food Pantry webinars begin in November and will run once a month for six months. “Whether you have been in this ministry for many years or this is something new to you please explore what webinars would be most helpful for you,” he said.
All sessions will be held at 7 p.m. To register or for more information visit the social concerns web page at rcan.org.
The Social Concerns series:
Oct. 12 — How to Form or Enhance a Parish Social Concerns Committee
Explore how best to begin or improve your Parish Social Concerns Committee. This could be helpful for those looking to enlarge their outreach or those who are exploring how to start their ministry. Register here.
Nov. 16 — Guidelines for Parish Social Concerns Committees
Learn about the guidelines for Parish Social Concerns Committees for the Archdiocese of Newark and how the guidelines present an opportunity to reflect on your own ministry within the parish and the community. Register here.
Dec. 11 — Different Forms of Ministry and Outreach for Your Parish and Community
The strengths and needs of each parish and community are different. Explore how to evaluate the situations of our communities and meet their needs. Register here.
Feb. 1 — Best Practices and Networking for Parish Social Concerns Committees
Parishes with social concerns ministries will share their best practices with a particular emphasis on networking and working with others in the community. Register here.
Parish Food Pantry series:
Nov. 4 — Explore different models for collecting food from the parish and community. Register here.
Rescheduled — Best practices of handling food and proper storage. Register here.
Jan. 30 — Explore how best to screen clients, what hours best serve the community, and what an intake interview may consist of. Register here.
Feb. 13 — The different models for food distribution – traditional, mobile, delivery etc. Register here.
April 11 — Explore how to move beyond efforts to feed the hungry to address the underlying reasons for food insecurity. How do we understand the problem and how can we advocate for the food insecure? Register here.
May 2 — At year-end, how to evaluate the different aspects and the impact of the ministry, what is doing well, and areas for improvement. Register here.
For information please contact Father Timothy Graff at Rev.Timothy.Graff@rcan.org
Featured image: Canva.
