Outreach: Shared, Effective, Joyful Service to the Community and World

In 2005, St. Martin’s allocated 10% of its budget to outreach and community service, above and beyond an 11% commitment to the Diocese and National Church. In 2006, because the operating budget was so tight, the Vestry reduced this commitment to 9% ($75,488) for Outreach and 10% ($80,937) to the Diocese and National Church.

The 2004 -2006 Strategic Plan called for the parish to:
· Identify 4-5 “Primary Outreach Partners” for a multiple (3-5) year commitment to an ongoing project that maximizes hands-on involvement of St. Martin’s parishioners. 60% of Outreach Funds to be designated for these Primary Partnerships
· Identify recipients of smaller annual grants, with priority given to organizations with hands-on involvement of St. Martin’s parishioners. 30% of Outreach Funds to be designated for these Outreach Grants.
· Assist St. Martin’s parishioners with “Inreach” grants for ministry development, education and pastoral needs. 10% of outreach funds to be designated for these Inreach Grants.

In 2005-6, the Outreach Committee:
· Reconstituted itself under Chair, Nikki Wood, with Vestry Members Carolyn Green and Kate Maus, plus the Rector, Robert Tate, and seminarian Chris Bishop as staff support.
· Received over 25 applications from organizations interested in being designated as Primary Outreach Partners, recommended five to the Vestry at its November 21, 2005 meeting, which were approved.
· Held parish forums in January 2006 to introduce these Primary Outreach Partners to parishioners and encourage people to sign up and get involved.
o Call to Renewal. A national network of churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals working to overcome poverty in America. Over 30 parishioners already involved. St. Martin’s is committed to taking the lead in establishing a Philadelphia chapter of Call to Renewal, funding it at the level of $5,000 per year for 3 years, and working to get involvement and funding from additional churches in the area.
o Guatemala Partnership Parish Program. Continuing our companion relationship with three parishes in the Guatemalan Highlands for 2005 and 2006. Over 50 Parishioners already involved. A work trip involving 8 older teenagers and 5 adults is planned for June 2006. $25,000 allocated from 2005 and $25,000 from 2006 outreach budget. Reapplication in 2007 for continuation of the program.
o Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network. Over 75 parishioners have already been involved in this movable shelter for homeless families. The vestry tentatively approved $15,000 for 2006. The current request is to use up to $9,000 of that to hire an Americorps intern to coordinate volunteer training and support. Reapplication for 2007 and 2008.
o St. Barnabas’ School. Proposal to build a “Weather Bug Achieve Science Classroom” at this Episcopal Elementary School in Germantown. The Vestry tentatively approved $20,000 in 2006 for design and construction, and $8,000 in 2007 and $8,000 in 2008 for a graduate student level program and volunteer coordinator.
o YouthBuild Charter School. Proposal to initiate a “Life After YouthBuild” program to track and support graduates of this nationally based charter school for high school drop-outs in North Philadelphia. The Vestry approved $20,000 per year for three years to hire an Americorps intern, program and volunteer coordinator.

· Recommended to the Vestry at its November 2005 meeting 11 one-year Outreach Grant recipients, all of which were approved. 1 year renewable annually.
o Beyond Borders—Haiti relief ($500)
o Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts ($1,000)
o Episcopal Community Services ($5,000)
o Episcopal Relief and Development ($5,000 for hurricane relief)
o Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministry at Temple ($1,000)
o Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry ($1,000)
o Need in Deed—Service Learning in Philadelphia Public Schools ($1,000)
o Northwest Interfaith Movement ($2,000)
o Samaritan Counseling Centers ($2,000)
o Seaman’s Church Institute ($1,000)
o Servant Year Episcopal/Lutheran Americorps Urban Internship Program ($500)

· Recommended to the Vestry Inreach grant recipients, which were approved.
o Seminarians Ann Gaillard and Peter Carey ($1,500 each)
o Inreach to parishioners through the St. Martin’s Discretionary Fund ($3,000)

In 2006-7, the Outreach Committee will:
· Work with our Primary Outreach Partners, supporting St. Martin’s outreach ministers through training, nurturing, and recognition.
· Report back quarterly to the Vestry and the parish on the progress of all of our Primary Outreach Partnerships and Outreach Grants.
· Continue to find new ways to celebrate and enhance the diversity of our congregation: ethnic, geographic, socio-economic.
Submitted by: Carolyn Green, Kate Maus, Vestry, and Robert Tate, Rector