BONIFACE OUTREACH
Explore and exercise your calling or curiosity through these ministries at Saint Boniface! Check out the list of ministries below. For personal contact information, consult your parish directory.
From one-time only to on-going activities, from local to global projects, from advocacy to financial to hands-on support, our opportunities for service offer something for every parishioner seeking to exercise their ministry as a Christian. Saint Boniface enjoys a long history of service through our community support, grants and emergency relief.
Click here for a recap of our recent outreach activities.
BEST
Boniface Eco-Stewardship Team seeks to include care of our environment in our call to be faithful stewards of God’s bounty. The team explores ways to become more ecologically aware and active, and provides educational opportunities for parishioners and community members. Contact Kay McGimpsey to learn more.
BIRTHDAY CALLERS
Touch base with parishioners on their birthdays and anniversaries to let them know their parish family is thinking of them on their special day (If you didn’t get a call, then we don’t have your birthday or anniversary date! Contact the chuch office and let us know.). If phone calls and new friends are your thing, contact Betsie Danner (349-5616 x318) to learn more.
EL HOGAR
El Hogar, the Home of Love and Hope in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is a mission begun by the Episcopal Church to provide a loving home and education in a Christian environment for abandoned, orphaned and hopelessly poor children, enabling them to fulfill their ultimate potential as productive human beings. The project includes an orphanage, school, an agricultural institute and a technical institute. El Hogar has become a primary focus for our outreach and the site of challenging and life changing mission trips for youth and adults. This follows our parish commitment to overseas ministry, previously in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Tanzania, and South Africa. For more information on youth mission trips contact associate rector Andi Taylor (941 349 5616 x 313)
EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501 c3 organization, ERD takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, ERD strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. It rebuilds after disasters and empowers people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger, and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria. For more information contact Ginny Hitchcock at 922-5303 or email.
FAMILY PROMISE
Acting as one of many host congregations for Family Promise of Sarasota, Saint Boniface provides a rewarding and easy way to help our community’s homeless families in crisis. For one week at a time, four times a year our campus will be “home” for up to four families. They will spend the night here, and heave their dinner and breakfast here. (During the day they will be at the Family Promise Day Center in town, or at their places of work.) Parishioners have may ways to volunteer: preparing and serving meals, socializing with the families, helping school children with homework, playing with the younger children, staying overnight, helping set up the families’ rooms. For more information contact parishoner, John Williams at 412-9429.
FRONT OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
These volunteers perform many duties, including greeting office visitors, answering the telephone and helping the church staff with special projects. Shifts are from 8:30 - 12:30 or from 12:30 - 4:30 one day a week. For more info, contact Peg Wickham at 349-5616 x310, or e-mail the church office.
GIVING TREE
Saint Boniface’s Giving Tree celebrates in a unique way our commitment to outreach. Some years back we opted to forego the traditional Angel Tree at Christmas time. Instead, we chose to support worthy local organizations throughout the year, at the times when they most needed it. Watch this website, newsletter and bulletins for information about upcoming opportunities to pick a tag off the Giving Tree and make a difference in our community. For information contact Ginger Pavloff (966-8715) or Nancy Rafter (346-3972).
GLOBAL GIFT FAIR
The Global Gift Fair features hand-crafted items from artisans from around the world. All items are purchased from Fair Trade Federation members, who adhere to strict wage criteria, working conditions and environmental practices. Parishioners volunteer to select the items, set up and staff the annual weekend-long Fair. Proceeds benefit various outreach efforts. For information contact Sandy Wilbur.
GRANTS FOR OUTREACH
To further the ministry of Christ in the world, the Grants Committee identifies individuals or organizations that are working to improve the lives of those in need. Committee members develop ideas and seek project suggestions from parishioners, as well as research all proposals. Since its inception in 1995, the Committee has recommended over a quarter million dollars in grants for local and global projects. Contact Becky Westbrook or email the church office.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Saint Boniface enjoys a long-time partnership with this organization. A faithful crew of parishioners meets year-round, on-site to build houses for deserving, low-income members of our community. No special skills or equipment are needed. For more information contact Gary Buchmeier (941-445-5184).
PEACE & JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The Peace and Justice Committee attempts to answer the call to have a compassionate commitment to being at peace with one another and with God by identifying local and national issues of serious concern, and by developing strategies for individuals and the parish to courageously address those issues. Call Mary Gurley or e-mail for more information.
RESURRECTION HOUSE
Resurrection House is a ministry to the homeless in our community, which is centrally located in downtown Sarasota, and offers a variety of services, including job counseling, bus passes, laundry and mail services. Many Saint Boniface parishioners serve as volunteers. Contact Holly Schroeder for info.
SAINT JOSEPH WORKERS
Saint Joseph Workers gather Monday mornings at Saint Boniface. This crew of parishioners meets to help our Building and Grounds Manager with handyman projects that keep the campus spruced up. For more info, contact Building and Grounds Manager, Dick Walker 349-5616 x 312 or via email, or John Calhoun 923-4260.
SAINT BONIFACE THRIFT SHOP
Saint Boniface Thrift Shop at 6622 Superior Avenue (in the Gulf Gate area), is an outreach ministry serving many people with its community grants. Since opening in 1985 they have contributed over $278,000 to local agencies and ministries. The store is staffed by volunteers working in teams of two or three, for a three-hour shift (10:00 am-1:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday). Parishioners' donations of gently used clothing, small appliances and household items are appreciated. Contact Evelyn Ferguson or email the church office.
