Outreach at St. Mark’s

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN THROUGH SERVICE TO OTHERS

DEO

DEO Clinic, an outreach effort of St. Mark’s Church, began in October 2005 under the direction of parishioner Dr. Rod Rodriguez.  “DEO,” Latin for “God,” also stands for Dalton Episcopal Outreach.  This ministry was born out of a desire to help the poor and homeless in our midst.  Located at 201 Bryant Avenue, the clinic is open each Monday and Thursday evening from 6:00 – 7:30 to offer free medical care and hospitality to our neighbors in need.  St. Mark’s volunteers provide all services and the clinic is supported by donations from the people of St. Mark’s and a grant from Episcopal Charities Foundation.  Volunteers are always welcome!  For information contact Mary Squires at 706-217-1891.

Family Promise of Whitfield County is a network of local churches, including St. Mark’s, who provide temporary housing to homeless families with children.  The families are served an evening meal and they sleep at the church during that church’s host week.   Each morning the families leave to go to jobs, school, or to the network Day Center, where they work with the Director to address housing, employment, educational, childcare and other needs.  Using the efforts of volunteers, St. Mark’s hosts families for three weeks during each year.  If you would like information about how you can help, call Mary Squires at 706-217-1891.  For more information about Family Promise, go to www.familypromise.org or www.familypromisewhitfield.com

The Heifer Project provides relief to those in need internationally through the donation of animals (livestock, bees, etc.) to families who can use them to help themselves and then return the gift and help others by giving away the offspring of these animals. St. Mark’s held it’s first Heifer Living Gift Market in 2005, and it was an overwhelming success. Volunteers planned and carried out the event, and we raised just under $10,000. The Living Market continues as an annual outreach event that gives parishioners an opportunity to serve others in an international arena.  The Middle School Youth have also made visits to the Heifer Ranch in Arkansas, and the children have collected money during Advent in support of Heifer International. Click on the icon for more details on Heifer International.

St. Mark's supports ERD in disaster relief efforts at various times throughout the year. See ERD's mission statement below and click on the icon to link to their website for even more information.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s Mandate
Matthew 25: 37-40 (NRSV)
Lord, when was it that
We saw you hungry and gave you food?
We saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink?
We saw you a stranger and welcomed you?
We saw you sick and took care of you?
We saw you in prison and visited you?
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Who We Are Episcopal Relief and Development responds to human suffering around the world. We provide emergency assistance after disasters, rebuild communities, and help children and families climb out of poverty.

What We Do
We save lives after an emergency Disasters - whether man-made or natural - happen all the time. When they strike, we help people by supplying food, water, and medicine immediately. We prevent vulnerable people from further suffering, especially women, children, and the elderly.
We help communities rebuild when the crisis is over Hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophes leave people with nothing.  We work hand-in hand with local communities to build new homes, plant crops, create clean water systems, construct clinics and schools, and offer critical post trauma counseling.
We create opportunities for people living in poverty In many places in the world, people can't feed their families or give them basic health care. Through our food security and primary health care program, we provide farming and business training, health care services, and HIV/AIDS programs in communities where families are struggling to survive. We give people the tools to earn an income and create opportunities for their children.

St. Mark’s Food Pantry
We have established a food pantry here at St. Mark’s to provide emergency assistance to those in need. The food pantry is used by individuals and families who are waiting for assistance from our local food bank, find themselves in an emergency situation, and have nowhere else to turn. Food bank referrals come primarily from DOC-UP and our local school social workers. St. Mark’s parishioners donate food and make regular financial contributions in support of this outreach effort.

Quilting for Others
Quilting for Others quilters spread love and warmth to others with their beautiful handmade quilts that go to various charitable agencies.

Support Groups
A variety of local groups including A.A. and N.A. use St. Mark’s as their weekly meeting place.

Budgeted Outreach Offerings
In addition to the outreach activities during the year, St. Mark’s members participate in and support many additional on-going outreach efforts through the church’s outreach budget.
St. Mark’s Preschool - provides a normal classroom experience for special needs children.

DOC-UP - (Dalton Organization of Churches - United for People) provides assistance to the needy.

Diocesan Contribution - The St. Mark’s annual diocesan contribution comes from the outreach budget in support of the diocese.