Outreach

St. Mark’s lives out its mission to the world in many ways; not only do we try to reach out spiritually, we also commit money, food and time--some of our greatest and best resources. Here are just a few examples. We would love to hear suggestions from you.

LOCALLY, we support

•    We support the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s Food Pantry and Emergency Fund

•  We help provide dinners for the homeless shelter

•  We contribute to the New Directions Shelter for Women and Children

•  We contribute to St. Paul’s Indian Mission in Sioux City

•  We take part in the annual Hunger Hike

A Recovery group meets weekly at the church.

St. Mark’s started the Fairmont Park Neighborhood Association to respond to issues confronting the neighborhood.

We help provide worship services for Episcopalians and others at the Jewish Senior Life Center nursing home.

INTERNATIONALLY, the parish as individuals and as a group contributes to Episcopal Relief and Development – with one special project on Micro Loans.

As individuals and as a group, the parish contributes to the program that provides chlorinators for cleaning polluted water sources to our companion diocese in Swaziland.  One member collects all the recycling from her workplace and cashes it in for this project. 

We have provided solar powered flashlights for people living in refugee camps without electricity. 

AWARENESS:  We make sure that our education programs include the issues affecting us all, such as global warming, as well as the problems of human suffering that need our response, such as the crisis in the Sudan. 

If you have ideas, suggestions or would like more information, please  contact the church .