St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
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Volunteering at Furniture Friends, Growing to Give, and Partners for World Health
Serving the wider community
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St. Bart's parishioners are involved in many organizations that help those in need in the wider Portland area.  Our newly established Reimagining Outreach Committee strives to better understand local needs to assess specific things we can do to help love and serve our neighbors.  Read below for further information on how we provide our time and talents.   Click here to learn more about our recent contributions.  For more information on ways you can get involved, email Catherine Richards, Outreach Committee Chairperson. 

ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE
Our second annual Day of Service was held on a Saturday, May 4, 2024.  Forty-seven parishioners of all ages spent the day at four non-profit organizations: Partners for World Health, Growing to Give, Greater Portland Family Promise and Maine Needs.   This was a wonderful opportunity for our children and adults to learn more about how they can help the wider community in need.

16th Annual Art Show October 2024 nets $15,000 for outreach programs
The 16th annual Yarmouth Art Festival in October raised $15,000 for 3 local nonprofits chosen by the Vestry: St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry, a low-barrier pantry in Portland serving non- food essentials to all those in need; Niweskok, a collaboration of food and medicine providers who are working to rematriate traditional Wabanaki foods and healing practices for Wabanaki people; and Maine Afro Yoga Project, which has a focus on mental health and wellness primarily for people of color and immigrants. ​

The event sold 78 of the 165 pieces on display and drew hundreds of visitors to St. Bart's over 4 days, Oct. 16-19, followed by two weeks of online sales. 
 Many thanks to the 40+ volunteers who made the 2024 show a success! 

​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 including board representation, and prayers for this Mission. 

In 2024, the number of weekly visitors averages around 320 with a high of 500 visitors in December. Fortunately, more volunteers have been willing to participate each week in the distribution and preparation of supplies.   In the past, St. Elizabeth's has annually distributed 68,000 diapers, 29,100 rolls of toilet paper, 14,550 bars of  soap, 3,050 tubes of toothpaste, over 70,000 feminine pads, and enough detergent for 58,200 loads of laundry. 650 winter coats and 300 pairs of winter boots.
 
St. Elizabeth’s is very thankful for the strong financial support St. Bart’s has provided from both the Art Festival proceeds and outreach contributions. The St. Bart’s community also has held very successful diaper, soap, and sock drives this past year, helping to meet the increasing demand for these items. Generous donations of clothing and housewares appear weekly in the bins outside St. Bart’s.  St. Elizabeth’s and  Angolan and Congolese children have been fortunate beneficiaries of the St. Bart’s Giving Tree.


St. Bart’s contribute financial donations each year and many volunteer hours every month.  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 25 years supported this mission by preparing and delivering a meal (entrée, salad, bread and dessert) on the third Thursday of each month for 17 men and the house manager and his wife (19 total). Financial support is also provided from our fundraising efforts (Annual Lobster Bake and Art Show).
 
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.
PictureLobster Bake fundraiser
Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative (YCHI) 
The Yarmouth Compassionate Housing Initiative (YCHI) continues to operate under the umbrella of 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.
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. We celebrate the 2024 and imminent high school graduations of several students. 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 YCHI this year. This includes financial and moral support, as well as continued employment opportunities and labor involved in moving families into permanent housing. Please feel free to reach  out to Peter Sillin or Carla Hunt to learn more.
To donate to YCHI through NMAP: Checks can be mailed to: NMAP, 23 Ledgewood Dr. Yarmouth, ME 04096 (Place YCHI in the memo line.)

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Yarmouth Food Pantry
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry serves from 60 - 100 families a month during open hours which are Tuesday and Friday 9 to 11 AM. The pantry delivers weekly to 14 families. Holiday food baskets were distributed to 91 families in December.  The First Parish Church continues to generously share their multi-purpose room as a staging area for the pantry to prepare the grab-and-go bags for the patrons.. The pantry has an increased demand for culturally specific foods such as cassava, fufu and goat meat. The pantry began working with Rosemont Market this Fall who donates food every Tuesday and Friday.

The pantry is grateful to all the St. Bart’s members that volunteer at the pantry doing so many important jobs including distribution of food during regular open pantry hours, delivering food weekly to families, picking up donated and rescued food from Good Shepherd Food Bank, Hannaford and more, helping with food drives and contributing food to the Thanksgiving and Holiday food baskets.  St. Bart’s also collects food items for the Holiday food baskets during its Sing Along event in December. 
 
The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry remains an all-volunteer operation and we are always in need of more volunteers. The pantry is grateful for all the ways St. Bart’s members contribute and support the pantry. We couldn’t do it without you.   If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please reach out to Anne Ball email,  Yarmouth Community Food Pantry Steering Committee.

Click here to learn more about our recent contributions to all our outreach ministries.

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​396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096            
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244                                               
​Office email: [email protected]
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​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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  • Home
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Sermons
    • Music
    • Funeral Planning
    • Memorial Garden
  • About Us
    • Philosophy/History
    • Clergy and staff
    • Vestry
    • Committees
    • Members Only
  • Education Programs
    • Adult Education
    • Youth Program
  • Community Outreach
    • Pastoral Care
    • Day of Service 2025
  • News & Events
    • Calendar
  • Support
    • Endowment
    • Make A Pledge
    • Donate