St. James Lutheran Church partners with and supports area organizations to help those in need, and is also active in the Gettysburg Ministerium of Churches.
Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S.
St. James provides shelter during the winter months for homeless individuals and families in our building through the Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. program. The Slentz House, 117 York Street (owned by St. James) is used as Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. Resource Center during the day for this ministry. Churches through out the community cook and serve breakfast for Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. guests each morning in the St. James Youth House. St. James Members volunteer with the program by serving as hosts, overnight volunteers, breakfast cooks, and serve on the Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. board of directors.
Gettysburg Soup Kitchen
Gettysburg Soup Kitchen, located at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church on West High Street in Gettysburg, provides a free noontime meal, seven days a week. St. James supports the Soup Kitchen through financial assistance by providing funds for monthly meal expenses.
SCCAP (South Central Community Action Programs)
St. James provides financial support to SCCAP’s Circles Initiative (working to help families move out of poverty) and Homeless Shelters; St. James also collects donations to give to their Food Pantry.
Habitat for Humanity
St. James is a partner congregation with Habitat for Humanity and provides financial support and volunteers during their Blitz Builds in the community.
Lutheran Camping Corporation
St. James supports the Lutheran Camping Corporation in Central Pennsylvania by offering scholarships for youth to attend either Camp Nawakwa or Camp Kirchenwald. Weekend Confirmation retreats are also held at Camp Nawakwa. St. James participates in work days at Camp Nawakwa and occasionally holds outdoor worship services in their rural settings. Many St. James youth not only attend Camp Nawakwa as young learners, but then work at Camp Nawakwa in the summers to continue their faith formation and share their leadership and love in Christ.
United Lutheran Seminary
St. James supports the United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg Campus by sponsoring meals for seminarians and their families throughout the school year.
Other
Other community groups which have received financial support from St. James in the past include: Adams County Rescue Mission, Survivors, Inc., Gettysburg Fire Department, Children’s Advocacy Center, Pedals for Progress, Lutheran Social Services, Mission of Mercy, and more.
Community Assistance
St. James provides emergency assistance for Gettysburg residents who need help with gas, food, utility bills and prescriptions.