outreach

Pilgrim Congregational Church

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

2802 Commercial Avenue

Anacortes, Washington 98221

(360) 293-5675

Outreach

out^.reach ['aut-"rEch] [n] the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits; also: the extent of such services or assistance. (Webster's)

Our Vision Statement concludes with this paragraph about our mission as a congregation:

We affirm that all life on earth is connected in an ever-unfolding process of creation. Our mission as responsible partners in this process involves a conscious commitment to respect, honor and care for places, people and all life on earth both now and for the future.

	For the past 5 years we have given $1,000 a year to Anacortes Community Forest Lands to preserve a living forest from development here on Fidalgo Island.
We are represented on the group of people who are creating a community shelter in Anacortes for families that need temporary shelter and protection. Members of our congregation are involved in a similar shelter in Mount Vernon being sponsored by the Community Action Agency (for more information call Lynn Christofersen at 416-7585)
We have committed ourselves to helping stock the Anacortes Food Bank with special food drives when the shelves are the lowest (February and August)
	We have committed $500 and our participation in the development of the Skagit Community Alliance, a federation of churches, labor unions and not-profit organizations in Skagit County. Using an approach to community organizing that was pioneered by Saul Alinsky, the Alliance will be dedicated to a renewal of grass-roots democracy. Person-to-person conversations are the basic unit in our organizing effort. From these conversations, as participants come together in their various organizations, issues are brought into focus and leadership is developed as we learn to bring to bear our collective power as engaged people.
For several years members of our congregation have supported Skagit Habitat using their time, talents and bodies to help build homes. This year the church is also supporting the efforts of this ecumenical Christian ministry with a pledge of $ 500.

We support the work of Amnesty International and their work in behalf of prisoners of conscience, those who are subject to torture of state-supported ill-treatment by joining in their Urgent Action letter writing.

Please check their website for current concerns.

The Heifer Project has been around for many years. They are committed to getting pregnant farm animals to families of developing nations so people can have the basis for helping each other. More information can be found at their website.