Since our inception, Waters Edge has sought to be a force for good throughout our greater community. Historically, we have supported a wide range of local and regional efforts to feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless and care for the “stranger” in our midst. Here are a few mission/service opportunities that we currently support as a congregation:
Mission & Outreach
Be the Church
Typically twice each year WE sponsors a “Be the Church” Sunday during which we seek not to “Go” to church but to “BE” the church. In the past day long service projects have included power washing a local women’s shelter, cleaning up an old abandoned cemetary, baking and delivering cookies to our local fire houses, visiting nursing homes and picking up trash along the road. For more information on how you might get involved with this effort, contact Pastor Lane (843.522.1153).
Birthdays at Bayview
Once a month WE sponsors a birthday party for the residents at one of our local nursing homes. It is always a fun time as we reconnect with with longtime friends and new residents as well. Birthday celebrations are held the second Thursday each month at 3:00 pm. Volunteers are needed to bake cupcakes, and any and everyone is invited to come and mingle with the residents. For more info, contact Doug Thompson (440.263.0041).
Migrant Farm Worker Families
Each spring and fall our community hosts several hundred farmworkers who come to pick the locally grown crops that we all love to eat. For the last two summers WE has collaborated with other local agencies to provide a summer camp opportunity for the more than 125 children who accompany their parents. In addition WE works with a number of Hispanic families who live in our community year-round. For more information on ways that you might help, contact Melissa Mandell (843.252.2266), Chair of our Migrant Ministries Team.
Panama Medical Mission
For the last few years WE has supported Tom and Kay Potenza in their annual pilgrimage to Panama to work with an ongoing medical mission to the indigenous peoples there. Typically WE raises medical supplies and funds to support this clinic which has been operational for several decades now. For more information about how you might help, contact Tom Potenza (630.715.5771).
Salkehatchie Summer Service
Salkehatchie Summer Service is a servant ministry at selected sites in South Carolina involving high school and college age youth and adult community leaders. Participants upgrade housing for those in need by motivating community cooperative efforts and by helping persons to help themselves – providing all involved with opportunities for personal growth and service. The camps begin in May and continue throughout the summer following an eight day format. Each summer WE supports this vital ministry by feeding the camp that meets on St. Helena’s Island (at the Penn Center) and by sponsoring a team of youth and adults. For more information on how you might get involved in this ministry, contact Pastor Lane (843-522-1153)
Backpack Buddies at Coosa Elementary
WE partners with Coosa Elementary School to provide a backpack with food for the weekend. Contact Chelsey Feus (803-603-4721)
