Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF- Your response has been overwhelming during this time of crisis for one of our poorest neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. Over $3000 has been collected for Episcopal Relief and Development. They are working hand in hand with the Episcopal Diocese of both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Please continue to be generous to our Anglican brothers and sisters as they recover from this tragedy. You may learn more by visiting www.er-d.org and www.epicenter.org  Thank you.

LOTS-  Not that the recent weather reveals, but Spring is fast approaching Houston.  The streets are abuzz with the clearest signs that God provides in South-east Texas: Baseball and the Rodeo.  Every year, Rodeo officials and concession vendors look to hire some of our least fortunate citizens; our city’s homeless. 
Our partners at LOTS assist in finding temporary employment for Houston’s homeless population during the Rodeo, Baseball season, and summer Festivals.  These temporary jobs often lead to more regular employment and can help break the cycle of unemployment and homelessness.  But they need our help. 
LOTS needs new and/or near new Men’s and Women’s Black pants, black socks, black athletic shoes, and white polo-style or button-down shirts to clothe the newly hired.  A collection bin for donated items will be available in the Parish Hall during Coffee Hour.  LOTS will also need financial support to help purchase odd sized clothing and shoes.  You may donate funds directly to LOTS by visiting www.lordofthestreets.org or by writing LOTS Clothing Center in the memo section of your check and placing your contribution in the Offering Plate.  Thank you. 

COME AND ATTEND AND BRING A FRIEND!
Calling all Holy Spirit parishioners and students of Holy Spirit School!!!!  Take the day off from normal routines on Thursday, April 1, 2010 in order to spend that day in service to our West Houston neighbors.

Maundy Thursday -  April 1, 2010 - "LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL" 
We will be spending the day helping our neighbors at the following places:
 - MAM (Memorial Asstistance Ministries)
 - Vita Living 
 - WHAM (West Houston Assistance Ministries) 
 - WHP (Westside Homeless Partnership) 
 - Mission of Yehweh

Our school children will be preparing a "friendship stew" for us, all of our volunteers, and our neighbors.

We will start at 8:30 am with a short prayer at our Parish Hall, and then we will scatter to our various assigned jobs.  After a fun filled day of helping others we will share a dinner followed by the traditional and very moving Maundy Thursday church service, where the clergy wash the feet of the congregation.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?  We will have various jobs available........what are you interested in?  Some things that you may want to do...........

 - cooking
 - yard work
 - clergical work
 - assembly work
 - driving
 - delivery
 - there will be something for everyone!  big and small!!!

SIGN UP AFTER SERVICES ON SUNDAY OR EMAIL Kelly Cunnion at maundythursday@hsechurch.org

*Lord of the Streets is a mission of the Episcopal church located downtown across from Trinity Episcopal Church.  Holy Spirit provides ongoing assistance of snack bags and men's clothing for the homeless population of downtown Houston.  Click here  www.lordofthestreets.org  for more information on Lord of the Streets

*Memorial Assistance Ministries, or MAM for short, serves the needs of people in the community where our church is located. Holy Spirit supports MAM as a parish by making donations of both our time and resources to help support the work that they do. There is a MAM basket located by the narthex doors, where donations can be dropped off and will be delivered to MAM during the week. Types of Items needed:
Sack Lunch Needs: Juice Packs, Vienna sausage, cheese/peanut butter crackers, fruit/jello cups, cereal bars.
Home Care Needs: laundry/dish detergent, household cleaner, bar soap, paper towels, toilet paper(4-pk). We always need disposable diapers. Click here www.maministries.org  for more information on Memorial Assistance Ministries
 
*Mission of Yahweh serves women and children in northwest Houston with the provision of clothing, paper goods, linens, books and volunteer services.  At Thanksgiving and Christmas, funds are provided for the purchase of turkeys.  At Christmastime, both the school and church collect food and toys to be distributed to MOY.    Click here www.missionofyahweh.org  for more information on Mission of Yahweh

*Westside Homeless Partnership is an organization that provides support for homeless families with children to be able to return to self-sufficiency through a 9-month program.  In addition to financial support, Holy Spirit provides occasional meals, helps send kids to summer camp and hosts periodic drives for immediate needs of the clients.  Click here www.westsidehomeless.org for more information on WestSide Homeless Partnership

*Click here www.houstonhabitat.org for more information on Habitat for Humanity