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Green envelopes traditionally have been special giving envelopes used to
support local ministries or special needs types of ministries. That
tradition will continue! Green envelopes are located in the packet of envelopes
that members receive each year in January. There is one envelope for each
month spread throughout the other envelopes in the yearly supply.
We know that we now have numerous members who make contributions through our
direct automatic payment program called “Simply Giving” and regular Morning
Star participants who are not members that would like to be a part of the Green
Envelope program. If you fall into these latter categories just write the
word “Green Envelope” on your check and it will find its way to the special
ministries.
You may be asking yourself: “Just what are these special ministries
that the Green Envelope giving helps to make happen?” We have included the
list to help you see just what your gifts make happen.
For 2003, the Social Ministry Committee has selected the following charities:
 | January —
Stephen Center. The Stephen Center has been providing shelter
for the homeless since 1984. It provides not only the traditional "soup
kitchen" and roof, it provides educational and counseling services to help its
residents rehabilitate and reenter the community. It also provides free
medical services 6 hours each week, helping 1200 people per year. While
it provides separate facilities for men and women, it provides semi-permanent
and transitional long term housing, keeping mothers and children together. |
| February —
Rainbow House.
This facility is a department of Children's Hospital that provides food and
lodging for families whose children are in treatment at Children's. They
do not charge a fee. Families that can, pay on a donation basis.
Donations like yours help the Rainbow House provide necessary items for these
families. |
| March —
Operation Outreach.
Operation Outreach Ministry's goal is to bring Christ to people in need
through social ministry. We feel we can accomplish this by helping those
in financial crisis who cannot receive help elsewhere. |
| April —
Project Hope. This ministry offers direct
aid to people in Omaha who are hungry, often homeless and in need of clothing
and day-to-day resources. |
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May
— Restored Hope. LFS provides emotional and job counseling to those who cannot
afford it. LFS also has programs for foster care, adoption and direct
assistance to the working poor. |
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June —
Lakota Lutheran Center & Chapel in
Scottsbluff, NE. The Lakota Center provides relief and community
services to primarily American Indian members of the community who have very
low incomes. The Lakota Center provides them with a nutritious meal when
they cannot find food for themselves or their families. It gives them a
strong fellowship environment in which they can worship and gather. It
is run almost entirely by American Indian volunteers who help cook, clean and
organize worship.
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July
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Youth
Emergency Services
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August — Lutheran
Family Services. LFS provides emotional and job counseling to
those who cannot afford it. LFS also has programs for foster care, adoption
and direct assistance to the working poor.
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| September giving — Supports
ELCA Lutheran
Disaster Response. In late April and early May, an
unprecedented total of 412 tornadoes and more than 2,000 storms brought havoc
and devastation to people in the mid and lower United States. Our church
is responding through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). We will
designate our donations to be used locally to help replenish the depleted
funds from the spring tornados in Nebraska and Kansas. LDR is responding
to immediate needs and is organizing for long-term recovery, support of
caregivers, and work with traumatized children and adults. The first
emergency disaster grants have been sent, and additional funds will be
provided as specific needs are identified. Please contribute this month
to the Green Envelope designated for LDR. |
| October giving — Supports the
Lutheran Service Corps.
LSC is a non-profit social ministry organization of the ELCA that matches up
to eight volunteers with social service agencies that serve people in need in
the Omaha community. |
| November giving — Supports
Bethphage
Mission (now called Mosaic). This ministry focuses on helping families in Omaha, and
throughout the country, with children born with developmental disabilities
providing resources in the areas of day care, education, as well as
independent and assisted living facilities. |
| December giving — Angel Tree/Operation Outreach
Food Drive. Operation Outreach Ministry's goal is to bring Christ to
people in need through social ministry. We feel we can accomplish this
by helping those in financial crisis who cannot receive help elsewhere. |
Your Green Envelope giving that is over and above your weekly giving through
the church has immediate and direct impact on the lives of many different
people. If you have been wondering how you can begin growing in your
constant expression of God’s gifts to you, this may be the way for you to do
it. Try moving from giving 1 or 2% of your income and reach 3, 4 or
5%! Remember we give as God has given to us. And we pray that our
giving brings the power of Christ into the life of another! |
