Sharing God’s Love with the World
St. Thomas has a rich history of service and outreach, coupled with a tradition of seeking opportunities for members of all ages to help others in need. In order to realize the service potential of our parish, we strive to provide opportunities for both monetary and hands-on help at levels both large and small, with a balanced local, diocesan, national, and world focus. We recognize the importance of helping and serving others; when we reach out in service and love to others we strengthen our relationship to God. Here are some of the local programs we support:
Second Story (formerly Alternative House)
Founded in 1972 as Alternative House, Second Story, located near Tysons Corner, provides an emergency shelter for abused and and homeless teens. The program has expanded its reach by assisting young mothers (providing housing and encouragement to continue their education and raise healthy children), helping children with after-school programs and tutoring (Culmore Teen Center, Culmore Safe Youth Project), and other programs targeting low-income families and youth and their daily challenges.
In addition to ongoing financial support for Second Story, St. Thomas helps in other ways. On the fourth Sunday of each month, a family or small group from our parish prepare and have dinner with residents at Second Story. This ministry offers a great opportunity for fellowship with teens who are struggling with difficult circumstances. And, Second Story receives the bags of food we collect at Thanksgiving.
If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please email the Church Office.
SHARE of McLean
SHARE of McLean is a non-profit community organization run by all volunteer workers. SHARE provides a food bank stocked by food drives at local grocery stores and donations from individuals, churches, and organizations. The food is distributed to clients from the food room at the McLean Baptist Church on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. In addition, they provides a clothing room where clients can choose donated clothing for the whole family. SHARE also delivers donations of furniture and household goods to families that have just come to this country or who have just moved into a home or apartment and need furniture.
In addition to ongoing financial support for SHARE, St. Thomas assists with their programs in a variety of ways. Parishioners donate food and household supplies throughout the year. During the summer, our SHARE vegetable garden plot provides fresh produce families and individuals using the SHARE pantry. Families and individuals take responsibility for a week — watering, weeding, and harvesting. Then, in August, we gather school supplies for students returning to school. In November, parishioners can choose a name from our Christmas Angel Tree, and buy a gift or gift card for that individual.
This is a wonderful organization that helps many low-income working people in our community. If you are interested in supporting this group, you can check out their website at Share of McLean. Donations and volunteers are always welcome.
If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please email the Church Office.
Falls Church / McLean Children’s Center
In 1968, volunteers from over 20 faith groups (including St. Thomas) founded Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center to respond to a need for affordable child care. In 2003, the Center moved from the basement of a church to its current location: a dedicated wing of Lemon Road Elementary School. Today the Center provides a comprehensive, high-quality, early-childhood program designed to give all young children, regardless of their family’s economic resources, a strong foundation on which to build the rest of their lives.
The Center has families from all over the world, children with and without special needs, coming from all economic backgrounds. This diversity is one of the Center’s greatest strengths, setting it apart from other preschool programs in the area. The students, families, and staff learn from one another every day, and grow to respect and appreciate their differences.
St Thomas supports the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center through donations of money and supplies throughout the year. Additionally, we are a Rainbow Level sponsor of their annual Teddy Bear 5K run in late September. The Center welcomes volunteers on a one-time or a recurring basis. Opportunities to help include being another pair of hands in classrooms, helping with fundraising, or with keeping the school looking great. To arrange a volunteer visit, call the Center at 703-534-4907.
FACETS
FACETS is supported by state and county funding, as well as many businesses, civic organizations, and faith communities. Its focus is on reducing the dire effects of homelessness and poverty in Fairfax County.
In addition to providing financial support to FACETS, St. Thomas has participated in one specific program, the Hypothermia Prevention Program. It provides shelter for homeless men and women during the coldest months, December through March. St. Thomas parishioners have cooked and served a meal during the week (usually Christmas week) when one of our partner parishes in the North Fairfax Region hosts homeless individuals for overnight shelter.
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