Social Ministry

 "As you did it to the least of these..."

 

Luther Memorial believes that discipleship under Jesus Christ calls us to extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned and all in need of aid in body or soul. The congregation strives to live out this commitment in a number of community outreach programs which both increase awareness of human need and respond to that need in tangible ways:

  •  Synodical Benevolence—Luther Memorial contributes its full apportioned share to serve the common ministries of the Virginia Synod and the ELCA.
  •  Local Benevolence—Luther Memorial supports a number of groups serving the less fortunate in the New River Valley, including Habitat for Humanity. Montgomery County Emergency Assistance,  Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry, Free Clinic of the New River Valley, Minnick Education Center, Women's Resource Center, Valley Interfaith Childcare Center, Camp Treehouse, Boy and Girl's Club, and the Mental Health Association.
  •  Emerging African Leadership—Through partnership with Godparents for Tanzania the congregation sponsors the college education of a young man in Tanzania who would otherwise be unable to attend college.
  •  Christmas Outreach—The congregation annually takes up a special collection which allows it to take food gift certificates and age appropriate gifts to those in need of assistance during the Christmas season.  These gifts are personally delivered, along with fresh baked goods and an invitation to worship at Luther Memorial.
  •  Change for Change—Each week worshippers are invited to drop their change into a special box on leaving the sanctuary.  These funds are given to local benevolences.
  •  Partnership in Crisis—Luther Memorial, along with a number of other congregations in the Virginia Synod, has been supporting the ministry of Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, LA, a congregation devastated by hurricane Katrina.
  •  Food on the Fourth—The fourth Sunday of each month is dedicated to a special ingathering of food donated to the area food pantry.
  •  Lord's Table—During the growing season, congregational gardeners place their produce on a table.  Other members take what they need and leave a donation for the Lutheran Hunger Appeal.
  •  Von Bora House—The Katherine Von Bora Haus is named for Martin Luther's wife who took in a number of refugees during the Reformation.  This house, owned by Luther Memorial, is operated in  cooperation with New River Community Action to provide shelter for up to 90 days for families who find themselves homeless.  Members also assist those living in the house with transportation and relocation needs.
  • Micah’s Backpack-- will address children’s hunger issues by partnering with local schools to provide direct assistance to students and families who qualify for the free lunch program. Each week, the identified students will receive a backpack filled with enough food for the weekend. The backpacks will include two dinners, two lunches and two breakfasts. Volunteers will pack the backpacks and the partner schools will distribute the backpacks to the students.
  • Salvation Army Book Bag Project--Members of the congregation donated cash, school supplies, and filled book bags to the the Salvation Army to be used by children as they began the 2009-2010 academic year.
  • The magazine and children's book drives for Montgomery Regional Hospital were maintained throughout the year. This year, items were also sent to support a children's ministry in Roanoke.
  • Personal toiletry items were collected for individuals needing support at the Con Bora Haus and The Women's Resource Center. 
  • Quilters meet periodically to support those in need, including victims of flood, fire or other disasters.  Each family residing at the Von Bora Haus receives a quilt which they take with them when they leave the house. 
  • The committee supported Actively Christian Teens (ACT) as they registered LMLC for the Souper Bowl of Caring national food collection program.  This is our third year of participation.  During the drive the youth collected 884 canned food items that were donated to the Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry.