Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 22

Finding Vibrancy through Outreach
Megan-Drew Tiller

Across the Diocese, churches are discovering new life and

Both churches have found strength and growth through
re-energizing through outreach to their local communities.
their work in outreach. “It’s very exciting,” said MacPhail. “It
Through their food pantry and summer lunch program for
feels like there’s a lot happening, just a palpable excitement
youth in Clarke County, Christ Church, Millwood, is blurring
about who we are and where we’re going.” This summer, Christ
the lines between the church and the rest of the community.
Church will begin a summer feeding program in Clarke County,

Wendy Clatterbuck, a parishioner at Christ Church and
which received a Mustard Seed Grant from the Diocese of
chairperson for the Christ Church Cares Food Pantry, says
Virginia this year. “As far as we know,” MacPhail said, “this is
that the food pantry is a place where clients and volunteers
the first time that all three Episcopal Churches in Clarke County
work and pray alongside one another. The Rev. Karin
will be involved in ministry and outreach together.” Not only
MacPhail, rector at Christ Church, says they are sending out
has outreach inspired a re-engaging in the community, but “it’s
the message, “We are part of the community. We are your
expanded our connection with our Episcopal Church brethren.”
neighbor. We want to welcome you!” MacPhail calls the Christ

At St. Luke’s, Willms noted that “we’re a small
Church Cares Food Pantry a “ministry of healing,” which has
congregation, but we can do this. We’re trying to partner with
given the congregation a positive way to connect with each
things already going on in the community, and this is something
other and the community. “It has brought about a flourishing
we can give back. All of these community projects we have
of the inner life of the congregation,” said MacPhail. “It feels
interfaced with now know we are here. They’ve got us in their
alive and joyful and authentic!”
back pocket.” Moreover, Willms added, “If someone is suffering,

St. Luke’s, Simeon, is experiencing a similar burst of
it affects their family. It spreads into the workplace, the
growth, thanks in part to its ministry with active members
community. It’s all of our issue, our responsibility. We have to
of the military, veterans and their families. “For new people
reach out.” MacPhail agrees, saying that involvement in ministry
checking out St. Luke’s, they like to see that something is going
“taps into the need to be ministers, to do something significant
on,” said the Rev. Dr. Ann Willms, vicar. “I think that that lends
for other people.” t
to the energy of potential growth [of our congregation].”

Their involvement in this ministry has led the members of
the congregation to “do something they normally wouldn’t
have done,” said parishioner Lou Lamb, who has taken a
leadership role in this work. “I was a little reluctant about
the [“4 the Wounded 5K”], and yet the response has
been wonderful. It’s really brought people out!”
Eighteen members of the congregation, ages 3 to
79, walked the “4 the Wounded 5K,” which took
Christ Church, Millwood
place in Charlottesville on June 7 to benefit the
national Wounded Warriors Project.
“It’s a really great way to raise
awareness of our church and this
ministry, and to raise money,” said
Willms, adding that the congregation
at St. Luke’s, Simeon, is learning what
challenges face veterans when t