Outreach Ministry
The following are the many ways in which our worshipping community at Advent cares for their spiritual, emotional and physical well-being as well as engaging in pastoral care to those beyond our church walls.
Christmas and Easter "At-Home" Support is our Congregational Support outreach efforts brought thoughtful care and connection to our larger community. In the spring, over a dozen homebound parishioners were uplifted by receiving homemade Easter cutout cookies, a gesture that brought joy of the season to their homes. Following the Advent summer garage sale, personalized notecards were hand-delivered alongside treats from our bake shop sale. During the Christmas season, we continue this tradition of outreach by sending cards on behalf of the Advent family, spreading warmth and goodwill during the holidays. These efforts exemplify our commitment to nurturing meaningful connections and fostering a spirit of care throughout the year.
Other ways we offer outreach is through Ashes to Go as a way to bring our Advent, our worship, and our spiritual support out into the community. Passers-by have the opportunity to stop, stay in their cars and recieve asshes and a prayer as they start their day. The majority of the people who stopped were not Adventers!
During our long winter season, thanks to our congregation's supplying items and our Sunday school creating bags for the Advent's Line of Hope, we have been able to put out scarves, gloves, mittens, socks and hats for the needy during the cold weather.
Outside of our Sunday worship, Advent provides the workspace for Donna Anderson’s Zonta club to prepare “birthing kits”. Last year 750 birthing kits were sent to Guatemala and this year kits will go to Nigeria. A birthing kit contains supplies needed for the actual delivery of a baby when a woman has no other resources. The kit contains razors, plastic sheeting, gloves, soap, mask, cording and a few other items.
We are focused on living our faith through practice, especially helping the underserved. We hold a pet food pantry with Pete's Pet Food Pantry, clothing drive for the Veterans Administration of WNY (socks and underwear), and donation drive of baby items for Haven House shelter. We feed those in need in our partnership with Food Pantry of Ken-Ton . We also donate toiletries to Compass House, a local homeless shelter for youth in our community as well as backpacks and school supplies to the Buffalo Public Schools. Our parish also assists with items needed for Journey's End for Refugee Resettlement.
Church of the Advent is passionate about the expansion of Our Little Roses. This is a residential home and school in San Pedro Sula, Honduras for at-risk girls. Supported by the Episcopal Church, the 65 plus girls there are given safety, love and an education. Moral and spiritual values are strengthened through the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. From one member of Advent being involved with OLR for over 17 years, this ministry has now grown in the last five years to three church members taking the week-long mission trip each January. It has also resulted in more church members stepping up to sponsor an individual girl through monthly donations. The church family has also committed to sponsoring one girl for her care and education. The interest in this ministry has strengthened the bonds amongst the congregation.
We also join in fellowship with our sister parishes of St. Mark's in North Tonawanda and St Patrick's in Cheektowaga for events such as Salad Bar Luncheon and Basket Raffle Fundraiser for a family in need. Allowing us to widen our reach as a parish and open us to new friendships