Outreach includes those activities or programs that reach beyond the immediate parish to assist those in need (from whom there is no expectation of return or reward). This is the area of putting faith into action to do "...to the least of these..." in God's family. For information or to volunteer, contact the Church at (757) 824-5043.

ESCAPE - Homeless Outreach on the Eastern Shore
Our Church actively supports the new homeless overnight ministry on Virginia's Eastern Shore. ESCAPE (Eastern Shore Congregations Aware of People's Environment).

Holy Trinity, Onancock, led by their rector, the Rev. Berkley Ford, has organized ESCAPE as a new faith-based organization on the Shore. The Rev. Ford is a member of the Board of this new organization and is spearheading the participation of Holy Trinity and other Episcopal churches, including St. George's, Pungoteague, St. James', Accomac, and Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge.

This shelter model seeks to provide, on an emergency basis, a safe place for folks who have nowhere to sleep during the winter months. Churches provide their facilities or volunteers and other types of support. Holy Trinity and St. George's will be among the Eastern Shore churches providing space. St. James' and Emmanuel are among those offering vital volunteer support for the effort. Guests of the shelters will be transported from prearranged pick up locations to each shelter, provided with a hot meal, and then returned to their pick up site the next morning.

This spirit of hospitality will ensure shelter during the coldest part of the year. The project is just getting under way and we look forward to hearing more about their successes and learnings from their ministry.

Call the Rev. Berkley Ford at 757-787-4430 or email your interest or questions to captberk@cox.net.

Emmanuel also has a box labeled ESCAPE in the parish hall. Please donate cans of Vegetable Beef Soup or Tuna for a couple of those meals. Any leftover cans will go to the Food Pantry.

Building A Handicapped Ramp
During September, we undertake the building of a handicapped ramp for a deserving person, and/or other needed home repairs. All are invited to participate in this outreach project, and if you are interested in helping, please contact the Church. As noted elsewhere in this section, Emmanuel has been recognized for our parthership with the Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living through our construction of numerous ramps. We've gotten the reputation for "Ramps 'R Us!" Get out those tools and join us for a great start to the fall season by helping build a ramp.

Pennies From Heaven
Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters (and folding money is accepted!) all add up when worshippers empty their pockets and purses of loose change. In a friendly competition, two jars, one marked "Men" and the other "Women" are used to collect pocket change. Each year at their December meeting, the vestry allocates the offering to various agencies of care on the Eastern Shore. Last year, $1,400 was allocated to needy Eastern Shore agencies, including H&H Pharmacy (fund used to pay for prescriptions for the needy), Food Bank, Center for Independent Living, and seven others.

UTO
The United Thank Offering is a personal and family devotional program of the Episcopal Church. Founded in 1889, the UTO is a way for each person to express tangible thanks to God. United with the prayers and offerings of Episcopalians, it ministry reaches around the world. There are two ingatherings each year, in the fall and spring. The Sunday closest to All Saints' Day on November 1 and the Sunday after Ascension Day are designated as the times to bring forward the offerings made by individuals for daily blessings and thanksgivings.

Community Support
Emmanuel participates in a variety of community projects. In addition to the "Pennies from Heaven" allocations, we participate in the Department of Social Services "Adopt-a-Family" program each Christmas; we gather non-perishable food each Sunday for the Eastern Shore Food Bank; participate in the Food Bank's "Souper Bowl" program; provide facilities to a local chapter of AA; partner with the Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living to build handicap ramps during the Summer Outreach Project; sponsor a boy at the Boys Home; plus many other areas of community support.

SPCA
Each year, Emmanuel observes in October the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi at a Sunday Service that includes the blessing pets and animals of our parishioners. An important component of this observance is the donation of goods and funds to the SPCA.