Ministries that help the homeless and those in need

Shared Meals

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has partnered for years with Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need (AHTN) to provide a meal, once each month, to those experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in our community. Before Covid, AHTN provided transportation to the dinner which was a sit-down meal in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

During and after Covid, this ministry was adapted to LCR instead providing 45-50 “brunch bags” to the unhoused in Trenton on the third Sunday of every month. LCR members contribute the food and drink for the bags, and then volunteers (both members of LCR and non-members) drive the food to Trenton. 

Partnership with AHTN (Advocates for the Homeless and those in need)

Individual members of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection have been trained and are currently working with AHTN in a variety of ways including Code Blue and Transportation for the Homeless. If you are interested in becoming an AHTN volunteer, please see their website at www.ahtn.org. 

During the months of December through March, AHTN operates the Code Blue Shelter for Lower Bucks County. Any night where the windchill is 26 degrees or less, and they have 10 shelter volunteers/8 bus team volunteers, the shelter will open to the homeless. A hot dinner, a cot with blankets and pillows, and a continental breakfast are provided.

Throughout the year, a network of over 35 houses of worship (including Lutheran Church of the Resurrection) provides meals almost every day of the year. Rejuvenation Station is a once-a-month noon meal that also includes shower facilities and a barber. AHTN provides the buses, and volunteer drivers and attendants throughout the year, to transport guests to the daily meals, the monthly Rejuvenation, and the shelter on nights that it is open.

The TN (Those in Need) part of the organization provides a variety of other support services, including help navigating the various county and non-profit agencies, temporary housing assistance, gas cards, small car repairs, bicycles, and even aiding replacing lost personal identification. They also have an 8-passenger van that can be booked in advance for transport to doctor’s appointments, welfare office visits, or court appearances – as long as volunteer drivers are available at the time needed.

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has several individuals who have been trained and who volunteer with AHTN as members of the bus team or as Code Blue shelter staff. For information about Code Blue, TIN, or any other aspect of the organization, please visit their website at www.ahtn.org.

Interfaith Food Alliance 

Members are working to alleviate food insecurity in our community. We recognize that together we can do much more than any one congregation can do alone. We have therefore partnered with other faith communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governments to accomplish our goals through Education, Service, and Advocacy. 

Regarding the Education component, the coalition of ten communities of faith who have joined forces host periodic community events surrounding the issue of food insecurity, nutrition education, and poverty.  

The Service component is met through The Family Backpack Center, a food pantry hosted and run entirely by volunteers, which serves children in the Morrisville School District (and their families) who have been identified as at risk by school nurses and guidance counselors.  The pantry is a special place where relationships are built as the guests “shop” for the grocery items which are appealing to their families. Fresh meat, produce, dairy, bread, as well as canned goods, paper products and pantry staples, are always available to the families who visit two of the four days the center is open each month. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection’s Garden of H.O.P.E. donates produce to The Family Backpack Center during the growing season. 

The Advocacy component is accomplished through letter writing campaigns and meetings/partnerships with our elected officials regarding the issue of food insecurity. We are the voice of those who are silenced by the shame of poverty.

The IFA has also partnered with The Welcome Church in Philadelphia (an ELCA congregation without walls, worshiping with those experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia). The Welcome Church is the worshiping community that grew out The Welcome Center, a place of healing and hospitality founded by The Reverend Violet Cucciniello Little in January of 2007 (hosted by the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion). In January, 2012, The Welcome Church was officially recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America as a congregation under development, serving people in poverty. In addition to Pastors Little (ELCA) and Steinnegal (PCUSA), the volunteer clergy team includes a number of faith leaders from the Episcopal, UCC, and other traditions. All are welcome to be part of this dynamic ministry.

The IFA routinely hosts The Welcome Church’s coffee hour, providing coffee and snacks following services on Logan Square. Alliance members have also traveled to Philadelphia to distribute blankets, coats, socks, and food to the unhoused in Philadelphia.

Disciples with Special Needs

The Disciples with Special Needs (DWSN) group was formed to reach out to special needs adults in our community. The group’s goals include

• • • providing opportunity for fellowship and service
    • providing respite time for caregivers, and 
    • promoting awareness and involvement within the community. 

DWSN meets monthly, alternating between a social event and a service project. The group was formed in September 2006 and continues as a thriving ministry. 

We are always happy to welcome others to DWSN. Please invite special needs adults in the community and consider joining us as a chaperone. Caregivers and parents are welcome at all events, or they can drop off and pick up their disciple, enjoying a few hours of respite.

Meal Assistance

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection members prepare meals (on a temporary basis) for those who are recovering from surgery, sick, have just welcomed a new baby, and other special situations. This ministry helps our members and neighbors, and it also provides a way to serve from someone’s home kitchen.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry, a national Lutheran a care-giving ministry, equips people to offer Christ’s healing love through their caring presence, listening, encouraging, and praying with their care receivers. Everyone goes through difficult and challenging times, but no one should have to go through them alone. Stephen Ministers meet with individuals on a weekly basis, listening and helping them work through situations in life and process them in a Biblical and caring manner. 

Home Communion/Visitation is offered on the first Sunday of the month to those who desire Holy Communion but are homebound and unable to attend services. 

Serving Hearts Ministry

We at LCR believe that we are blessed by God with spiritual gifts in our Baptism. Everyone has a unique combination of gifts, which we are called to use while being the hands and feet of Christ for those we meet along life’s journey. All gifts are of equal importance, and all can be used for God’s glory.

The Serving Hearts Ministry was created to assist all members, from the youngest to the oldest, in identifying and recognizing the spiritual gifts they possess. This is done through relationship and discernment. The ministry then assists individuals by linking them with ministry opportunities within our community.  This is called asset-based ministry. We recognize that everyone is better served if people are serving in ministries to which they are called, and for which they have a true passion.

The Serving Hearts Ministry is here to assist you in realizing your gifts as you open your heart to serve. There are many ways to serve and many opportunities within our congregation. We are always open to new ministry opportunities and are willing to assist you get a new idea off the ground.

Child of God, there is a place for you here!

Alliance members have traveled to Philadelphia to distribute blankets, coats, socks, and food to the unhoused in Philadelphia.

Helping Hands Ministry

“Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” 

~ Helping Hands Ministry theme song-ELW Hymnal #659

Members of LCR are standing by to help when you need a ride, or when you are in need of help such as meals or light housekeeping.

Caring in Crisis

The Caring in Crisis Ministry exists to assist those who are experiencing a life crisis and can use a little extra support during a difficult time. The ministry has resources to help individuals navigate cumbersome healthcare systems, advocate on behalf of those who are struggling, provide rides to legal, medical appointments, assist with housing needs, help with budgeting, all done in a confidential manner. The ministry participants can help those who are struggling “make a plan” to move forward.