Local Mission
There are a number of ways in which St. Peter's cares for the local community.
Tagless Tag Sale: The Tagless Tag Sale is a wonderful opportunity to be a blessing to those experiencing financial hardship, to relieve the stress that can come with Christmas, so they can truly celebrate the birth of Jesus and be able to give gifts that they have chosen for loved ones. Folks donate new and nearly new items that selected shoppers can take and give to their families as Christmas gifts. Shoppers are select by church and other organizations in the area.
Carol’s Giving Tree: The Giving Tree was named in honor of Carol Hopnik. Every year several needy families are selected to be recipients of the Giving Tree. Gift tags are hung from the tree and parishioners can select a gift to purchase for the family. These gifts help make their Christmas a true blessing.
Beth-El Shelter: This 34-bed homeless shelter serves singles and families. The Soup Kitchen serves about three hundred hot meals a week. A “no freeze” shelter is open to accommodate anyone who needs a warm place to sleep in the cold winter months. Each year St. Peter’s Youth Group, participates in the Walk for Beth-El. St. Peter’s also supports the Beth-El Shelter with an annual fundraising breakfast.
Souper Bowl Sunday: Millions Americans tune in to the Super Bowl. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. St. Peter’s joins people around the United States, including many churches in Milford, to demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. The “Souper Bowl” is passed around and people are encouraged to drop what ever they can afford in the to support Beth-El Center for the Homeless and Soup Kitchen. Those who need help may not know that you cared, but God will.
Monthly Community Outreach Dinners: The second Thursday of each month members of St. Peter’s provide sumptuous, wholesome meals for anyone in need, giving them dignity and showing them that they are God’s children. There are currently four teams each serving meals 3 times a year.
The Salvation Army: Parishioners supply backpacks filled with school supplies to families in need in Milford.
Milford Pastoral Counseling Center: (MPCC)’s mission “is to provide the finest possible pastoral counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay”. The center’s counselors are ordained clergy as well as trained psychotherapists who provide subsidized counseling for those persons with limited financial resources. They also have a free-of-charge on-line alcoholism screening service. St. Peter’s supports MPCC financially.
To learn more about MPCC, please visit their site.