Mission Partnerships

As our Bishop has taught us to be a more missional diocese and parish, we’ve certainly done our part including day trips to Grace House on the Mountain to feed missioners doing God’s work all over Appalachia.  We also take day trips to Boy’s Home of Virginia in Covington where we spend the day gardening, sharing lunch and stories with the boys and enjoying a campus tour hosted by staff members and several of the young residents.  These are both tremendously important missions sponsored by our diocese and all are encouraged to take part in future endeavors and trips with these organizations and to give generously when we hold special collections for each.  As our sign over the exit doors reads, “And Now the Service Begins”…that’s a truly fitting summary of our efforts and we only have room to grow. 

Stras Memorial offers a Monthly Community Meal Program which is open to the public.  These meals are provided by generous donations from the congregation as well as from friends and neighbors in the community.  Meal dates/times are announced on local media and posted at various businesses and service organizations in advance of the event.  

In addition, our missional purpose is in joining with other churches in our community and participating in the annual Tazewell Community Thanksgiving Meal held at the American Legion building.  Meals are prepared and delivered to those in our community and congregation that can’t attend in person. 

The church also partners with the following ministries...

Tazewell Ministerial Association,which assists with immediate needs such as utility bills, rent, vouchers for gasoline, kerosene for heat during the winter months, diapers, school supplies & Jail Ministry.

A Child Shall Lead Them Food Pantry, a local food pantry in Tazewell, VA. 

Bluefield Union Mission, a full-service mission that is open 24/7/365 for those in need by providing meals and assistance. 

And, of course, we also participate in missions with the wider national church including Episcopal Relief and Development Fund which saves lives and transforms communities across 40 countries worldwide by providing funding for disaster recovery and empowering people to create lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease.  And lastly, our church contributes to the United Thank Offering which supports missions and ministries throughout the Episcopal Church and in Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.   A little can go a long way and our combined efforts can truly transform lives and whole communities. 

Thanks to all who have participated in the ongoing missional efforts of our church and for doing all of those things that make our church rich in spirit and in service.  Not only vestry officers, clergy, lay readers and musicians, but also those involved in preparing the altar & providing flowers, those who help to clean and decorate the church, those who plant and weed the gardens and flower beds, those that prepare meals for coffee hour and clean up afterwards and of course, those of you that faithfully attend our worship services and help to grow, nurture and teach our children.  And be sure to invite a friend or two because we have a good thing going here that should be shared with everyone.  

All Glory and Praise to God!!  May we always remember to do His will and not that of our own.