Outreach
Annual Walk for Affordable Housing
Each year, COS members participate in this Housing Corporation of Arlington walk and raise funds for homelessness prevention in the community. Other parishioners provide financial support or moral support, cheering on walkers with balloon hats or face painting. Contact Kevin Ward for participation details.
The Church of Our Saviour basement serves as the Arlington Food Pantry donation and distribution center. The food pantry was organized in 1990 after a holiday food drive showed the need for continued assistance. When the Arlington Human Services Director and a group of volunteers established the pantry soon afterward, COS offered permanent space. The food pantry helps over 400 people each month, and the requests for assistance continue to rise.
The pantry receives contributions of money and food from residents, schools, churches, and local businesses. It also receives funds from a grant from Project Bread/Walk for Hunger.
Nonperishable food and personal items are always needed. Donations can be made on Friday afternoons (1-3 p.m.) or on Sunday mornings by leaving donations in the basket under the round altar in the church. Parishioners can also volunteer at the twice monthly distributions. See the Calendar page for current dates or contact the parish office.
Members of COS have joined with other local religious groups for Habitat for Humanity build days. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about Habitat builds should speak with Kevin Ward.
Interfaith Dialogue
COS is looking to initiate interfaith dialogue with other religious organizations in the Arlington area. Please contact Jane Guy if you would like to be involved in establishing programs or creating events.
Missions & Trips
COS members Debi Chakrabarty and Lauress Wilkins and members of Needham’s First Baptist and Christ Church Episcopal went on a mission trip to Haiti in November 2011. Contact Lauress for details on how to contribute to ongoing/follow-up support for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
Several COS parishioners have taken trips to the Holy Land and Palestine. Jane Guy and Gail Goodearl periodically organize fundraisers to assist Episcopal organizations in Jerusalem and to benefit the Palestinians. Check the home page or contact one of them for information about current efforts.
Thompson School Vacation Food Festival
A team from COS has collaborated with school staff, local restaurants, and the Department of Human Services and Board of Youth Services to sponsor a free lunch program at the Thompson Elementary School during the February and April vacation weeks. All the school’s students and their school-aged siblings were invited to participate. The COS team helped to set up, checked people in, directed them to the cafeteria, served food, supervised 60-90 kids while they ate, and cleaned tables. Those interested in volunteering for future lunch programs should contact Rose Udics.
