Outreach

Angel Tree
This Christmas St. Ann’s participated in the Christmas Clearing House which is sponsored by the Woodstock Rotary Club. Our Christmas tree in the parish hall was abundant with toys and clothing items which were distributed to the less fortunate children in our community. Also, items such as socks, lotions, and gift cards were donated to the residents at Valley Hi Nursing Home. Thank you St Ann’s for your continued support for this important outreach project.

Apple Tree Project Ministry   
The Apple Tree program involves the collection of funds and purchase of school supplies that are then donated to Woodstock CUSD 200 in August each year. Special thanks to the congregation for coming through in such an important way each year, and to Patricia Lechtanski her extra efforts. We look forward to another strong summer campaign, as the district certainly will have additional elementary school student needs.

Parish Vegetable Garden
Bruce Armstrong, Patrice Braun, Vicky Tusken, and others spent the spring and summer of 2011 tending the second annual parish vegetable garden as a response to the parish outreach discernment process conducted in 2009.  The children in Godly Play Sunday School also planted sunflowers and onions.  Twice-weekly deliveries of a variety of vegetables were gratefully received by the Woodstock Food Pantry and those it serves.  (Written byRandy Wakitsch)

Reverse Collection Ministry 
The 2nd Sunday of each month, slips of paper are distributed as shopping list suggestions for the local food pantry. Parish members are encouraged to purchase items for donation and bring them to church. The collected items are then delivered to the food pantry on a regular basis. Janet Knuth and other volunteers deliver the groceries to the Woodstock Food Pantry and record our donations with food pantry staff. The Woodstock Food Pantry is located at 206 Washington, 815-337-0375, and they are open M-W-F from 9-3.

Summer Kids Outreach
Darrell House came from Florida to perform his songs, stories, and poetry for the children of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and surrounding neighborhoods and towns on June 17, 2011.  Patrice Braun provided the colorful cake we served to the children, their parents, and grandparents. (Written by Randy Wakitsch)

Thanksgiving Pies
A new outreach project for St Ann’s this year was the Thanksgiving Day Pies. Sixteen pies and pumpkin bars were homemade and donated by the gracious men and women of St Ann’s. The idea was to thank those men and women who work throughout the year to keep our community safe. The pies were delivered on Thanksgiving morning to the Woodstock’s Police Station, Three Fire stations and Centegra Hospital Woodstock. We expect to continue this exciting new outreach project this November. (by Joan Purdy)

Woodstock Area Community Ministry (WACM)
St Ann’s is an active participant in and supporter of the various activities of the Woodstock Area Community Ministry—a group of churches serving the needy in our community.

Together, with WACM, we continue to help those in need. Dinah Hoppe and Patrice Braun are our WACM representatives–with the additional involvement of Deacon Kent Jones.

Remember, when someone asks you if St. Ann’s assists individuals and families in need, the answer is “Yes, we do provide help – and, we do it in collaboration with other Woodstock churches, through WACM.” The WACM Direct Assistance Program office is located in the former Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. The office is open Monday and Thursday, from 10-12. Phone: 815-338-0939.

In 2011 St Ann’s participated in all WACM’s events and causes, including the Festival of Music, Share the Warmth Coat Drive and the Woodstock Walk for Hunger–in which we were represented by several walkers. St. Ann’s also provided lunch for the Homeless several times at the Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Drop in Shelter. And we made a cash donation to the Direct Assistance Program [DAP] from our Lobster Fest event. Many, many thanks to all of you who volunteered and contributed for the success of these events and causes. Your generosity is greatly appreciated-especially by those who were helped.

Let Dinah Hoppe know if you would like to help provide lunch at the Drop in Shelter. A special thank you goes out to all of you who have helped with this important ministry.

This year the WACM Festival of Music will again be held in February.  Everyone is encourage everyone to attend as our St. Ann’s choir will be singing. Thank you Terree Emrich and choir members.

Volunteers are always needed at the Wednesday PADS sites or on Monday and Thursday mornings, working a few hours at DAP.    (by Dinah Hoppe & Rev. Conley)