Service for others is at the heart of the Christian mission and the ethos of this parish.
Ministry rooted in our local community
Florita and Grace prepare to deliver hygienic supplies to Health Right.
We donate needed goods such as school supplies, food and baby supplies to Scott’s Run Settlement House; personal care items like shampoo, shower gel, shaving cream, socks and underwear to Milan Puskar Health Right; towels to Bartlett House; and Christmas gifts to a family through the Salvation Army.
Several times a year we prepare lunches and supply work crews to Habitat for Humanity. Monthly, we help to pack weekend food at Scott’s Run Settlement House (SRSH) for hundreds of food-insecure students as part of the Backpack Feeding Program. Many Mondays we help unload items for distribution at the Rock Forge Presbyterian Church Food Pantry.
One of the most anticipated events we support is the Empty Bowls Monongalia’s annual Soup and Bread Luncheon.
Many individuals from our church volunteer with local agencies such as In Touch and Concerned, The Community Kitchen, Sarah’s Kitchen, the Rock Forge Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, and delivering meals for Morgantown Meals on Wheels.
One parishioner collected and published recipes for distribution at local food pantries and others are assisting refugees from Uganda who have re-settled in Morgantown.
One of our largest outreach projects every year is to fill and distribute thirty-five Thanksgiving baskets to the local community.
Donations for Foster Families
We are partnering with First Presbyterian Church to supply needs for families fostering children from infants to age 16. The following items are needed:
Car seats
New underwear, socks, and pajamas, baby to age 13
New or gently used seasonal clothing, especially cold weather now (there’s not storage for out-of-season clothing)
Diapers
Twin bed sheets
Crib sheets and blankets
Please: no toys; no souvenir t-shirts
Donations may be delivered to First Presbyterian Church, in a designated basket in the lobby between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm weekdays. The church is at 456 Spruce Street (downtown), and the lobby opens to Forest Avenue.
OR you may deliver to Margot Racin’s home on Killarney Drive. Margot is also willing to pick up donations at St. Thomas or at parishioners’ homes. Please call her to arrange pickup or delivery, and leave a message for a call back.
Outreach Projects
Empty Bowls Monongalia
Each February our parishioners sell tickets, bake cookies and bread, and volunteer at this community event to combat food insecurity.
Backpack Snack Program
Our parishioners volunteer every second and fifth Sunday at Scott’s Run Settlement House, packing backpacks of food for kids to take home over the weekend.
Baby Supplies
We have an ongoing collection for baby supplies, e.g. diapers, Pull-Ups, wipes, ointment, Ivory Snow detergent, etc. for Scott’s Run Settlement House’s baby pantry.
Habitat for Humanity
In April and October we prepare and deliver lunches to Habitat for Humanity volunteers.
Warm Clothes from Warm Hearts
During the winter, we collect coats and other warm clothes in our church narthex to donate to Christian Help.
Rock Forge Food Pantry
On Monday mornings (and as needed), volunteers pick up and deliver bread donations to Rock Forge Food Pantry.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Each November, parishioners donate, sort, and pack 35+ totes of food for local families.
Towel Collection
During the warmer months, we switch out our coat collection for new and gently-used towels, which are donated to Bartlett House.
Angel Tree
We partner with The Salvation Army to provide Christmas gifts for a family each December.
Milan Puskar Health Right
We have an ongoing collection for shower gel, shaving cream, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and other hygiene items for Health Right.
Internationally, we support our companion diocese in Colombia, South America, and sponsor a student in Kenya through the Elewana Education Project. In the past we collected money to build a house in Haiti and funded a Water.org campaign.
We also respond to immediate, one-time needs as they occur, such as earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes through Episcopal Relief and Development.
Several activities are in conjunction with our Sunday School including UNICEF, Heifer International, Animal Friends of North Central WV, and Scott’s Run Settlement House.
People and resources from St. Thomas à Becket can be seen serving throughout the community. Regardless of one’s skill or talent level, anyone can experience the joy and satisfaction of doing something for someone in need.
Reaching out:
National and International
Episcopal Diocese of Columbia