Outreach and Evangelism Ministries
The OEM Leadership Team is made of the OEM Chairperson and the Ministry Team Leaders of the different ministries under OEM. The Leadership Team provides:
Support for all OEM ministries
Helps define the scope and purpose of each OEM ministry
Provides oversight and coordination of activities and budgetary needs of each OEM ministry
Helps recruit team members for each ministry team
Ensures effective communication between ministries and with the parish
Strives to have a synergistic relationship with other ministries at St. Catherine
This team will strive to align the purpose of all OEM Ministries with the will of God as expressed in Matthew 25:34-36:
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”
Good Shepherd Giving Ministry
The Good Shepherd Giving Ministry serves our neighbors’ physical needs who live in the Greater Denver Metro and Front Range area by allocating Church appropriated funds to qualified charitable organizations whose mission and purpose align with the Gospel of Matthew 25:34-36. In addition, the Ministry fosters a working relationship between the organizations and St. Catherine while periodically communicating to the Parish the results of its efforts.
Good Samaritan Ministry
Inspired from a retreat presentation offered by Fr. Paul Abernathy at St Catherine's last year, The Good Samaritan Project was formed with the mission to energize the Colorado Rocky Mountain Orthodox community to understand and serve our brothers and sisters in need, consistent with Christ's call to love in deed and truth (I John 3:18). This ministry forms and deepens relationships among our Parish outreach leaders, expands Pan-Orthodox outreach efforts in Colorado, and encourages and learns from one another about the work our parishioners are doing, including the formation of partnerships with other Christian ministries.
IOCC (INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES)
In partnership with local Parishes this ministry supports IOCC which offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need locally and worldwide.
OCMC (ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION CENTER)
Strives to establish vibrant Eucharistic communities throughout the world by developing and supporting indigenous churches by recruiting, training and supporting Orthodox missionaries who preach, teach and minister to those being served and saved.
THE VILLAGE RESOURCE CENTER (VRC)
The Board of Directors of the Village Resource Center (VRC) is comprised of volunteer members from supporting churches in the area. This Board meets monthly to raise and manage church donations and all other funds received, to distribute to approved applicants from the south Denver metro area in need of temporary rent assistance in order to stay in their homes. Other resources in the area are provided to applicants that do not qualify for assistance from the VRC. Fundraising and communication with the parish are needed to support this ministry.
PRAXIS MINISTRY
Coordinates volunteer opportunities for parish members interested in serving the local community (e.g. serving in soup kitchens, local building projects, coordinating food collections, etc.). Collaborates with other church ministries to create a vibrant community of volunteers.
PROJECT MEXICO
Sends a team of volunteers from St. Catherine to St. Innocent Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico for a week in the summer. The team builds a house for a local family, interacts with the orphans, and bonds in fellowship with other Orthodox Christians from around North America. Opportunities to get involved as either the Team Leader, a chaperone, or to help raise funds are available.
COVENANT CUPBOARD FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY
This ministry supports our most local food pantry, just down the street at Covenant Presbyterian Church DTC, by promoting volunteer opportunities and coordinating food drives at St. Catherine. Collected food items are transported to the cupboard by ministry volunteers. Communication of the needs and efforts of the pantry to the parish at St. Catherine is needed to support this ministry.
WELCOMING MINISTRY
“I was a stranger and you took Me in.” — Matthew 5:25
The Welcoming Ministry is a ministry whose purpose is "Inviting newcomers into the life of the parish in the name of Jesus.” We need volunteers to reach out to newcomers, answer questions, and help them to feel comfortable! Welcoming Ministry team members fill a variety of roles, such as serving as greeters before the service, accompanying guests to coffee hour, staffing a Welcome Table, and helping plan Newcomer dinners.
The majority of our service occurs on Sunday mornings, when we’re already here anyway! We will also hold periodic planning meetings.
Members of the Welcoming Ministry must meet three simple qualifications:
You are a baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christian.
You have been part of St. Catherine parish for at least one year.
You have a heart for visitors and enjoy meeting new people.