Grace, mercy, and peace to you!
1 Timothy 1:2
Social Justice and
Outreach Programs
-
The Church of St. Timothy is very active in social justice and ourtreach. We welcome your participation in any of the following groups or activities.
-
Refugee Resettlement
St. Timothy’s refugee resettlement program began in 1975 with the parish
sponsoring the family of Dang Ban Hank from Vietnam. In 2008 the resettlement committee began helping families arriving in the Twin Cities area settle into their new homes. The Refugee Resettlement Basket collection began shortly after. This annual event happens on Epiphany weekend, with the goal of helping the new families feel welcome. For more information please contact Robbie at the parish office, 763.784.1329. -
Habitat for Humanity
The Church of St. Timothy, in partnership with Christ Lutheran Church, helps build a Habitat Home during the summer. For more information visit the links
below or call Robbie at the parish office, 763.784.1329. - Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org)
- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (www.tchabitat.org)
-
Praying for Peace
All are welcome to join the Social Justice committee immediately following the 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.weekend Masses. We meet in the East Room in the back of the church or, when it is nice out, at the peace site by the parish office entrance.
“Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.
War begets war, violence begets violence.” Pope Francis
Church of St. Timothy's dedicated Peace Site, May 1998
-
St. Timothy's Overseas Project (STOP)
St. Timothy’s Lenten STOP project began in 1973. For over 45 years the members of St. Timothy’s parish have supported over 150 overseas projects. The deadline for applications each year is December 31.
Feel free to donate on the parish website (click here to do so), use the S.T.O.P. envelopes, or bring your gift to the office.
Application and guidelines for STOP projects - click here.
-
Family Promise
Family Promise in Anoka County (FPAC) is a non-profit, interfaith hospitality network providing temporary shelter, hospitality, and case management for families with dependent children experiencing homelessness.
FPAC is one of over 200 networks of Family Promise National, which started in New Jersey in 1986 when one mom bought a sandwich for a homeless woman, and befriended her. The next steps were getting her children, friends, and church involved etc.
Nationally, Family Promise annually houses 93,000 people and has over 200,000 volunteers. Minnesota currently has four networks: Elk River, Rochester, Kandiohi County – based in Willmar, and Anoka County.
St. Timothy’s was one of the original congregations that formed Family Promise in Anoka County. It takes about 18 months to get a network organized and ready to go. FPAC started Sept. 5, 2010 and St. Timothy’s first host week was Oct. 3, 2010.
FPAC currently has 17 interfaith congregations – most are host churches and some are support churches (usually smaller congregations) that help out other congregations. The website for Family Promise in Anoka County has a list of all the congregations that participate.
St. Timothy’s volunteer opportunities
We host three or four families, fours weeks each year in the lower level of the parish office building. The classrooms are converted into bedrooms, dining room and a lounge/play area.
There is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for all ages, including a few that parents can do with their children.
Volunteers are need for:- set up (10 to 12 people) Families are welcome!
- morning and evening drivers (2 daily) (FPAC bus – regular driver’s license, background check)
- evening hosts (2 needed) (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Families are welcome!
- overnight hosts (2 needed) (8 p.m. to 7 a.m.) Fridays (8pm – 9 am, Sat am breakfast)
- Meal volunteers (many) (food menus are preset)
- take down (10 to 12 people) Families are welcome!
- laundry (4 to 6 people)
Any questions or for more information please contact Kathy at 763.434.7917, or
Littleangels10@icloud.com.
St. Timothy’s Host Weeks for 2019 are:
- April 14 – 21, 2019 (21st is Easter Sunday/take down after 8:30 Mass)
- July 7 – 14, 2019
- October 13 – 20, 2019 (MEA week)
- December 29, 2019 – January 5, 2020
Family Promise was recently featured on the Today Show - learn more about this wonderful organization that St. Tim's is honored to be a part of! (For more information on how you can help call Robbie at the parish office.)
-
Social Justice Committee
The mission of St. Timothy's Social Justice Committee is to seek justice issues, to explore action strategies, and to respond to these issues and needs as concerned Christian citizens.
As Catholic Christians, we are guided by our Catholic social tradition and the principles of our Catholic social teaching:- Dignity of the human person
- Common good and community
- Option for the poor
- Rights and responsibilities
- Role of government and subsidiarity
- Economic justice
- Dignity of work and the rights of workers
- Stewardship of God’s creation
- Promotion of peace and disarmament
- Participation
- Global solidarity and development together
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, August through May, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the parish center. Members are involved in various projects and activities, based on individual interests and passions. Whether it’s for information, networking, prayer, or action on behalf of justice, we welcome your gifts!
History of the committee here at St. Tim's:
The Social Justice Committee has been an active committee since 1970.
Some of their areas of interest are:- Family Promise of Anoka County (2009)
- Food Shelf Garden (2004)
- Habitat for Humanity (2004)
- Meals on Wheels (1973)
- Peace Prayer after weekend Masses
- Promote environmental awareness
- Refugee Resettlement (1975)
- St. Timothy’s Overseas Project (1973)
"If you want Peace, work for Justice." Pope Paul VI