Healthy Communities & Social Justice Ministries
This umbrella committee guides all our Human Concerns Ministry efforts. Human Concerns Ministry is the group through which Augustana members can contribute their time and many gifts to benefit our community and each other.
Come walk with us…
There are 2 critical steps of social justice:
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Step 1 |
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Direct Service
Addresses the community’s immediate needs such as food and clothing, visiting the elderly, tutoring children, building homes, packing food boxes, donating food, and more.
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Step 2 |
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Social Change
Addresses the root causes of social issues by supporting voter registration drives, educating others about issues, contacting elected officials, questioning why problems exist, and more.
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Direct Service
Augustana members and friends addressed direct community needs with these programs and activities in 2007:
Northeast Emergency Food Program
Augustana members donated 770 pounds of food and personal care items. Besides the food given monthly through our food barrel collection and the Christmas in July Drive, many members also contributed funds and volunteer hours toward this food program.
House of Zion Lutheran Church, Woodburn, Oregon
Our generous Augustana members raised $1,675 for the annual Christmas holiday food gift boxes given to migrant workers in the Woodburn area. On December 16th 22 Augustana members traveled to Woodburn to help pack over 310 food boxes for our migrant brothers and sisters.
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Coffee Project
Augustana members partnered with LWR to purchase $800 worth of Fair Trade coffee and chocolate from Central American and African farmers. Augustana members literally “poured justice to the brim” with this partnership. The proceeds allowed us to donate $550 to the Pastor’s discretionary fund.
HIV Giving Tree
Many Augustana members and families shared their blessings this Christmas season with 18 clients who regularly attend the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s HIV Day Center Program of Portland.
Habitat
Augustana has an active Habitat for Humanity program. The most recent home dedication was on May 4, 2006. Volunteers are currently working on a new home in the New Columbia area of Portland.
Pisos
In 2006 Augustana sent its fourth team to Mexico City to work with the staff of Manos Ayuda. Manos’ purpose is to help the poorest of the poor, living in the dump, through education, medical attention and shelter. Previous teams had spent their time pouring concrete floors in the shacks, but the 2006 team constructed latrines. All returned profoundly changed by the experience. Augustana hopes to send a team in 2008.
Moses Movers Program
Our congregation’s volunteers and friends spent hours helping our neighbors in need move their household belongings. Moses Movers also stays prepared to help with natural disasters such as a flood or earth quake. Moses Movers is affiliated with the Northwest Area Moses Movers, a ministry of Lutheran Disaster Response Northwest. In 2007 they assisted victims of the December rain and wind disaster in the Portland area.
Earth Stewardship Ministry
Formed in 2007, the Earth Stewardship Ministry is for members who feel called to improve our stewardship of the earth. They work to reduce our use of the earth’s resources and our impact on all of God’s creation. Projects completed in 2007 include installing bike racks to encourage fuel-free transportation and working on a resource audit for the building. They are currently exploring the potential for putting solar panels on the roof.
Health Servant Team
This team started meeting in April 2007 to develop a health and healing ministry. Accomplishments in 2007 include developing a partnership with the Portland-based Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries and starting a partnership with the Whole Person Health project at OHSU's Center for health Disparities. They are working on a plan to start offering blood pressure screening opportunities for interested church members.
The Tequio Foundation's Oaxaca Prison Ministry Fund Raiser
On October 12th 30 Augustana members and community friends gathered at the home of Paul and Catherine Snider for a tasty Mexican fundraising dinner and slide show shown by Paul Reik. He and his wife Aurelia were able to return to Oaxaca with a $1,300 from Augustana.
Holiday MayaWorks Guatemalan Sale
On November 4th a sale of weavings and beaded jewelty created by Mayan artisans was held at Augustana. Due to the generous purchases of Augustana members and friends, $4,800 was sent to the MayaWorks weavers, a $500 scholarship was given to support a Mayan girl's education and the remainder of the profits were divided between our pastor's discretionary fund and the "Women of the Bracelet."
Social Change
Click on Peace and Social Justice for details about our efforts to impact the root causes of social injustice in our city, state, nation and the global village in which we live.
