St. Jude’s is a place where we are called to seek and worship God, and reach out to others. We believe that all people are part of God’s family and try to share the abundance of God’s love both inside and outside of our doors. We invite you to join us as we grow in faith while expressing our doubts, and add your own questions to our ongoing conversation. No matter your background or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.
The current state of the Michigan economy and changes in services available locally has led St. Jude’s into a time of prayerful discernment for our church and city. Dialogue has begun with other churches and community groups. We are listening for how God may be calling us to focus our energy and resources.
At the beginning of the pandemic, St. Jude’s began a weekly food giveaway. We started with local students, but rapidly expanded that program to include families and local seniors. By the end of 2021 we had provided the equivalent of more than 50,000 meals to the community. As the environment began to normalize, we transitioned our weekly giveaways to focus less on food and more on needed household products like toilet paper, paper towels, personal hygiene products, cleaning products and diapers. This program, called the Basic Needs Pantry, now operates the first Saturday of each month and serves an average of 40 – 50 families as well as 40 – 50 children. While this has become a growing part of our Outreach, it is by no means everything we do. In 2022 we also have the following projects planned:
- Family Promise – We are a support church for Family Promise of Genesee County, a rotating shelter for families
- Sock Drive – An annual event that provides over 100 dozen socks for Carriage Town Ministries and CrossOver Ministries of Flint
- Easter – We participate with other churches and civic organizations for provide Easter Baskets as well as Easter meals for the community.
- School Lunch Program – A program that provides meals for local students that are a part of the Free or Reduced Lunch program, but do not receive food during school holidays
- Truckload Giveaway – These event are done in conjunction with Fenton Fire Charities and Olay Like Jackson to provide a semi-full of food to local families and seniors. These events are held several times a year.
- CROP Walk – The Fenton are CROP Walk has a new Facebook page! You will find all of the information you need by visiting the Fenton Area CROP Hunger Walk Facebook page.
- Christmas Families – Each year St, Jude’s provides 15 to 20 children/families with gifts, gas cards, etc. at Christmas time.
- Group Home Support – Many years ago we “adopted” a local group home. We provide spring and fall clean-up for the home and also make the residents a part of our Christmas giving.
St. Jude’s also opens its building to support the neighborhood. Primarily we do this through our continued support of twelve step programs. We currently have AA, NA and Al-Anon groups that meet in our building. We are also home to a local co-op, the community garden board, and a group of bluegrass/folk musicians. For the full list see our calendar in The Beacon.
CROP Walk
2023 CROP Walk St. Jude’s – September 24th
Hunger and poverty are rampant in our world and escalating in the current economic conditions. They aren’t just a problem in 3rd world countries; they are problems right here in Fenton. Something can and must be done about them! Our local CROP Hunger Walk is a great place to start. With just a few hours of effort and a few miles, you can personally make a difference. In the words of John 3:18, “… love, not in word and speech but in truth and action.” On October 3, 2021 we held the 41st Annual Fenton/Lake Fenton/Linden/Holly CROP Walk. Participants from area churches raised awareness, and funds, to make a real impact on hunger and poverty. Whether it is helping families rebuild after natural disasters, providing seeds and tools so that people can grow their own food, or buying groceries for the St. Jude’s School Lunch Program, the CROP Hunger Walk will make a difference.
Over the past 41 years we have raised over $120,000 for St. Jude’s School Lunch Program, FISH of Linden, St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry and F.A.R.R. Outside of our immediate community we have contributed an additional $300,000 to hunger, poverty and disaster related causes in the U.S. and around the world. In total our Hunger Walk has donated over a quarter of a million dollars… now that’s what I call making a difference!
So mark your calendars for this year and join us on October 9th, 2022 . You can volunteer, sponsor a walker, or work your own muscles with others in your church and community. For more information, contact Dave Rayner for details and/or walk envelopes.