If Outreach is defined as a local means to serve those locally in or around Venice, then the word "Missions" is categorized as a way in which we serve those further away. Every year our annual goal is to raise $15,000 for our various mission opportunities. They reach into our domestic and international families, helping renovate people's homes lost in natural disasters, providing books for seminarians in the north or sending our own missionaries to the south with provisions. We support walking for the hungry as a way to empathize with those who live in places where they often walk miles to the nearest watering whole or grain distribution center. Outreach and Missions do go hand in hand and sometimes that is nearby and for others it is far off. Listed below are some of the honorary mentions of missions that we support and for you to join.

Camp Coast Care (CCC) – Once a year in the fall, volunteers become missionaries, traveling over to assist this Lutheran based organization in the home restoration for families in Mississippi still recovering from hurricane Katrina. Our annual goal is $4,000.

Church Periodical Club (CPC) - Throughout the year, funds are raised to assist in buying books for those who are receiving Episcopal seminary training. Our annual goal is $500.

Crop Walk - Once a year, usually the end of February, volunteers support this national organization with raising funds for the hungry, walking either the 2K or 5K course on the island of Venice. Our annual goal is $3,000.

Dominican Development Group (DDG) – Every spring, volunteers become missionaries, traveling down to the Dominican Republic to assist this SWFL Diocesan/Deanery based event. Various dinners and so forth are used to raise money to support the purchase of supplies while serving for one week. Our annual goal is $5,000. See videos of our last trip there in April of 2010.

Coalition of Immokalee (COI) - In September funds are raised to assist this diocesan supported mission that advocates the rights of farmworkers in central Florida. It is a social justice cause fighting for the rights of those who pick tomatoes far below a tolerable minimum wage for mainly non-US citizens who come here seeking work. Our annual goal is $1,000.

Seminarian Fund - Throughout the year, funds are needed to assist in providing financial assistance for a seminarian at Nashotah House Theological Seminary, of the Rector's selection and/or The Society of the Increase of Ministry (SIMS). Our annual goal is $1,000.

United Thank Offering (UTO) - In December funds are raised to assist the historical Women's Auxiliary Movement, now merged with Episcopal Relief and Development, in the support of Episcopal missionaries worldwide. Our annual goal is $500 (Amount raised in 2009 was $700).

Linda Matthews, Missions Chair

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