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Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ
[Gallatians 6:2:2].
For many years Our Saviour has been a partner congregation of Samaritan Ministry, a faith-based consortium with 5 offices in the local DC metro area, providing one-on-one coaching for people who living on the edge of poverty and homelessness. Since November 2015 Our Saviour has been hosting the Silver Spring satellite office of Samaritan Ministry, open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-1. Samaritan’s caseworkers and volunteers work with our participants to help them to set manageable goals and take next steps toward getting their lives back on track. They provide help with resume writing, one-on-one computer mentoring, job readiness coaching and financial management, and we serve anyone who is ready to take “next steps,” regardless of income or place of residence. The congregation of Our Saviour supports Samaritan Ministry participants and staff both by providing space, volunteers and office facilities and through direct services including our food pantry and Thursday soup/sandwich ministry. Members of Our Saviour have also participated in Samaritan Ministry’s community walks and events to raise awareness of homelessness and poverty in our area and by supporting toiletry and toy drives and fundraisers for the work of Samaritan Ministry throughout the DC metropolitan area. At the annual gala in November 2019, Our Saviour was recognized by Samaritan Ministry as the year’s Outstanding Partner Church.
Launched in November of 2015, the Soup to Go Ministry, which is also called “Sandwiches to Go” during the warmer months, was the brainchild of Ms. Olivette Guy-Williams. She, along with three volunteers – Victor Valatoro, Norman Nicolson and Jacqueline Skerritt – decided to meet every Thursday morning to prepare hot meals for the homeless people in the vicinity of the church. Initially, the effort was quite modest, serving a total of six (6) meals that were delivered to the patrons by foot, meeting them in places like their “homes” under the capital beltway. Learn more…
The Food Pantry is another community outreach programme at COS. Congregants pick-up extra items as they do their grocery shopping, to stock the shelves at the food pantry. These item are made available, free of cost, to anyone in need who walks in. Patrons are allowed two items from each specialized shelf — vegetables; meats; cereal; juices, etc — no questions asked.
The COS partners with various community groups and organizations whose programmes are consistent with our policies and our values as Christians. Two such organizations are the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the Overeaters Anonymous (OA) here in Silver Spring, Maryland. These groups meet at our facilities five days and one day per week respectively.
Additionally, we support the activities of the Colesville Council of Community Congregations (C-4), particularly with regard to their annual Christmas toy drive.
We also partner with the African and Caribbean Immigration and Social Services Inc. (ACISS, Inc.) which offers counsel to immigrants. This professional service on immigrant affairs and social services can be had by visiting the church office during regular business hours from Tuesday through Friday.
* The ACISS is not an affiliate of the Episcopal COS and may charge fees for services provided.
Our Saviour’s Eucharistic-centered community is an eclectic mix of original church founders, young families, and individuals representing many racial and cultural traditions around the world. Our unity in Christ is most visible at Sunday morning worship, but it is nourished and formed throughout the week in our parish programs and through our leadership. Day by day, God’s action in this community inspires, nurtures, and equips us to reach out to the world in Christ’s name.