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 309B N. Hamilton Street, the clinic is open each Thursday night from 6:00 – 7:30 to offer medical care, a meal, personal care toiletries, and hospitality to our neighbors in need. St. Mark’s volunteers provide all services and the clinic is solely supported by donations from the people of St. Mark’s. Volunteers are always welcome! For information contact the Clinic Coordinator, Phyllis Jordan, at 706-581-6393.

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. Last year’s Living Gift Market raised over $8,000.00, and this year's again approached the $10,000 mark!  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.

This year's Living Gift Market included items from 10,000 Villages, an organization that helps over 100 artisan groups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to sell their arts and crafts through fair trade. For more information, click on the icon above.

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.

Acts of Advent
During the Advent season the people of St. Mark’s donated over 200 toys for the Family Crisis Center Christmas, and 25 toys for two local families referred by DCFS. St. Mark’s gave over 50 gifts and blankets for DEO clients, gifts and gift cards for all the residents of the Carter-Hope Center, held a Christmas Day lunch for the clients of DEO, held a Christmas dinner at the Carter-Hope Center, and donated supplies for DOC-UP. Also, the children of St. Mark’s filled “arks” full of change for the Heifer project.

World Hunger Day
This is a collection in support of local food banks and Episcopal Relief and Development (see ERD above).

Carter-Hope Center Dinners
St. Mark’s parishioners provide full meals for the residents of the Carter-Hope Center each Tuesday night from September to May.
If you're interested in signing up to provide a meal or want more information, contact Woody Mader at (706) 866-6982.

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.

Carter-Hope Center Race - St. Mark’s provides sponsorship for this annual event that supports the Carter-Hope Center.

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