Volunteering at Furniture Friends, Growing to Give, and Partners for World Health
Serving the community
St Bart’s outreach mission flows directly from the command in the gospel of Matthew (22: 37-39) to love God and “love your neighbor as yourself.” We believe that the command to love our neighbor includes loving our neighbors in our community and in our world, in addition to those in our church family. Loving and serving our neighbors in our community and world is intrinsic to our faith.
We believe that we are called to act on that love of neighbor in a way that steadfastly pursues a culture of outreach and involves members of our congregation in a robust array of service and advocacy opportunities.
Today, we respond to the call to love our neighbor with a heightened sense of urgency, as we step forward in this unsettled time to support those in our community who are most vulnerable. Members of our parish embody our perspective on outreach in a variety of ways, including:
St Bart’s outreach mission flows directly from the command in the gospel of Matthew (22: 37-39) to love God and “love your neighbor as yourself.” We believe that the command to love our neighbor includes loving our neighbors in our community and in our world, in addition to those in our church family. Loving and serving our neighbors in our community and world is intrinsic to our faith.
We believe that we are called to act on that love of neighbor in a way that steadfastly pursues a culture of outreach and involves members of our congregation in a robust array of service and advocacy opportunities.
Today, we respond to the call to love our neighbor with a heightened sense of urgency, as we step forward in this unsettled time to support those in our community who are most vulnerable. Members of our parish embody our perspective on outreach in a variety of ways, including:
- Interactions with non-members, or with groups addressing people in need, or with those advocating for a particular cause.
- An annual Day of Service, as well as other days throughout the year, where members join to provide hands-on service at organizations in the community which serve people in need.
- Annual donations to organizations which help those in need. In 2025, a total of $40,194 was donated to efforts outside our church walls. Proceeds from our annual Yarmouth Art Show, the Christmas Fair and Lobster Bake contribute to this fund.
- Members dedicate volunteer time individually to many organizations. Three nonprofit organizations have a long-term relationship with our parish: Friendship House, St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center & Essentials Pantry, and the Yarmouth Food Pantry (a program of Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors).
"This is one of the most incredibly outreaching communities I’ve known, and I mean that in all senses of service to the church, service for the world, and service to one another. "--Parishioner
OUR OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Saint Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center & Essentials Pantry
St Elizabeth's Jubilee Center operates a non-food essentials pantry located in the lower level of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland. St. Bart’s is one of eight Episcopal Churches in the Greater Portland area that sponsors St. Elizabeth’s. These churches provide St. Elizabeth’s with financial and in-kind contributions, many volunteers, and prayers for this Mission.
St. Elizabeth's served a total of 17,921 visitors on Tuesday mornings in 2025. "Essentials" include diapers, dental products, kitchenware, and bedding. Special donation drives for winter coats and boots resulted in 463 coats and 391 pairs of boots being distributed.
St. Elizabeth’s is very thankful for the strong financial support St. Bart’s has provided from outreach contributions. The St. Bart’s community also has held very successful diaper, winter coats and boots drives, helping to meet the increasing demand for these items. Generous donations of clothing and housewares appear weekly in the bins outside St. Bart’s.
For more information about the ministry of St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center and Essential’s Pantry and our current donation needs, or to learn how to make in kind donations or to provide financial support, check the St Elizabeth's website. If you would like to volunteer, please email Linda Draper, the St. Bart’s Board Representative
Saint Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center & Essentials Pantry
St Elizabeth's Jubilee Center operates a non-food essentials pantry located in the lower level of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland. St. Bart’s is one of eight Episcopal Churches in the Greater Portland area that sponsors St. Elizabeth’s. These churches provide St. Elizabeth’s with financial and in-kind contributions, many volunteers, and prayers for this Mission.
St. Elizabeth's served a total of 17,921 visitors on Tuesday mornings in 2025. "Essentials" include diapers, dental products, kitchenware, and bedding. Special donation drives for winter coats and boots resulted in 463 coats and 391 pairs of boots being distributed.
St. Elizabeth’s is very thankful for the strong financial support St. Bart’s has provided from outreach contributions. The St. Bart’s community also has held very successful diaper, winter coats and boots drives, helping to meet the increasing demand for these items. Generous donations of clothing and housewares appear weekly in the bins outside St. Bart’s.
For more information about the ministry of St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center and Essential’s Pantry and our current donation needs, or to learn how to make in kind donations or to provide financial support, check the St Elizabeth's website. If you would like to volunteer, please email Linda Draper, the St. Bart’s Board Representative
Volunteering at St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry
Friendship House
Friendship House is an organization committed to helping men seeking to overcome their addictions, mainly by providing guidance, encouragement, and a family atmosphere. This is accomplished by staffing the house with loving, compassionate, individuals who understand addiction and live with the guests. Herb Blake is the Executive Director. Friendship House is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to providing the best home possible. It is located at 390 Lincoln St. in South Portland. Financial donations can be mailed to this address.
St. Bartholomew’s (families and individuals) have for more than 30 years supported this mission by preparing and delivering a meal (entrée, salad, bread and dessert) on the third Thursday of each month for 16 men and the house manager and his wife (18 total). Financial support is also provided from our fundraising efforts.
An ongoing Wish List includes: towels, sheets, toiletries, cleaning supplies, silverware. Clothing donations are also welcomed. Items may be left in labeled boxes outside at the church. Anyone interested in being part of this continuing outreach program, would be most welcome. Please contact Pam Hobson with questions: email.
Friendship House is an organization committed to helping men seeking to overcome their addictions, mainly by providing guidance, encouragement, and a family atmosphere. This is accomplished by staffing the house with loving, compassionate, individuals who understand addiction and live with the guests. Herb Blake is the Executive Director. Friendship House is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to providing the best home possible. It is located at 390 Lincoln St. in South Portland. Financial donations can be mailed to this address.
St. Bartholomew’s (families and individuals) have for more than 30 years supported this mission by preparing and delivering a meal (entrée, salad, bread and dessert) on the third Thursday of each month for 16 men and the house manager and his wife (18 total). Financial support is also provided from our fundraising efforts.
An ongoing Wish List includes: towels, sheets, toiletries, cleaning supplies, silverware. Clothing donations are also welcomed. Items may be left in labeled boxes outside at the church. Anyone interested in being part of this continuing outreach program, would be most welcome. Please contact Pam Hobson with questions: email.
Lobster Bake fundraiser
New Mainers Assistance Program (NMAP)
The Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative (YCHI) is fully integrated into the New Mainer’s Assistance Program (NMAP). YCHI, founded in 2016, is rooted in St. Bart’s Episcopal Church under the leadership of Peter Sillin and Carla Hunt, who are also NMAP board members. The annual St. Bart’s Lobster Bake continues to be a primary funder for the program as well as a few direct private funders. This year's Lobster Bake was a resounding success with over $15,000 funds raised for NMAP.
We celebrate the success of so many in our community of new arrivals who have found employment as soon as they have become legally eligible to work. This includes adults and their children making their way through the Yarmouth school system. Housing continues to be a major source of concern and YCHI continues to support those in need.
Deep gratitude to all at St. Bart’s who have supported the work of NMAP this year. This includes financial and moral support, as well as continued employment opportunities and the tremendous donations to the Yarmouth Food Panty. Please feel free to reach out to Peter Sillin or Carla Hunt to learn more.
The Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative (YCHI) is fully integrated into the New Mainer’s Assistance Program (NMAP). YCHI, founded in 2016, is rooted in St. Bart’s Episcopal Church under the leadership of Peter Sillin and Carla Hunt, who are also NMAP board members. The annual St. Bart’s Lobster Bake continues to be a primary funder for the program as well as a few direct private funders. This year's Lobster Bake was a resounding success with over $15,000 funds raised for NMAP.
We celebrate the success of so many in our community of new arrivals who have found employment as soon as they have become legally eligible to work. This includes adults and their children making their way through the Yarmouth school system. Housing continues to be a major source of concern and YCHI continues to support those in need.
Deep gratitude to all at St. Bart’s who have supported the work of NMAP this year. This includes financial and moral support, as well as continued employment opportunities and the tremendous donations to the Yarmouth Food Panty. Please feel free to reach out to Peter Sillin or Carla Hunt to learn more.
Yarmouth Food Pantry
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry serves on average from 45 to 50 families a month, but this number has grown to 74 families (183 persons) each month more recently. The pantry delivers weekly to 14 families. Holiday food baskets were distributed to 96 families in November and 97 families in December. The First Parish Church continues to share their multi-purpose room as a staging area for the pantry to prepare the grab-and-go bags for the patrons.
The pantry is grateful to all the St. Bart’s members that volunteer doing so many important jobs including distribution of food during regular open pantry hours, helping with food drives and contributing food to the Thanksgiving and Holiday food baskets. St. Bart's members also contribute financially in addtion to proceeds donated from the St. Bart's Christmas Fair.
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry remains an all-volunteer operation utilizing more than 80 volunteers each week. The pantry is grateful for all the ways St. Bart’s members contribute and support the pantry. If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please reach out to Anne Ball email, Yarmouth Community Food Pantry Steering Committee.
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry serves on average from 45 to 50 families a month, but this number has grown to 74 families (183 persons) each month more recently. The pantry delivers weekly to 14 families. Holiday food baskets were distributed to 96 families in November and 97 families in December. The First Parish Church continues to share their multi-purpose room as a staging area for the pantry to prepare the grab-and-go bags for the patrons.
The pantry is grateful to all the St. Bart’s members that volunteer doing so many important jobs including distribution of food during regular open pantry hours, helping with food drives and contributing food to the Thanksgiving and Holiday food baskets. St. Bart's members also contribute financially in addtion to proceeds donated from the St. Bart's Christmas Fair.
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry remains an all-volunteer operation utilizing more than 80 volunteers each week. The pantry is grateful for all the ways St. Bart’s members contribute and support the pantry. If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please reach out to Anne Ball email, Yarmouth Community Food Pantry Steering Committee.
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396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244 Office email: [email protected] St Bart’s is a parish of the Diocese of Maine, of the Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. |
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