428 Pee Dee Avenue, Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-1428
The Rev. Dr. James B. Bernacki, Rector

Outreach

From its inception, Christ Episcopal Church has recognized its responsibility to give to the community.

Evangelism The commitment of Holy Baptism- proclaiming by word and example the good news of God in Christ is central to the mission of Christ Episcopal Church.
We make our evangelism effort in four significant areas:
Worshipping God within our Anglican/Episcopalian tradition. Proclaiming and clarifying biblical values and beliefs made known to us in and through Jesus Christ. Providing leadership in the community and diocese. Caring for each other.
We express our ministry in the community in a number of ways including the following programs:

The SCCM evolved in 1986 from the Christ Church Food Pantry that was initiated in 1975 by members of Christ Church and included other churches in the community donating food and money to the Food Pantry housed in the Christ Church Parish House. During those initial years The Food Pantry provided food, clothing and other assistance to more than 7,500 persons in need. The commitment to help those less fortunate that was begun by Christ Church has continued through the SCCM, which now is supported by numerous community churches.

Meals on Wheels Starting in 1975, Christ Church has provided drivers every Wednesday to deliver food to elderly people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves.

Rector's Discretionary Fund

Money for the Rector's Discretionary Fund is contributed by the parishioners of Christ Church and other interested individuals. This fund is dispensed by the Rector generally for humanitarian needs.

Helping Hands

Several weeks prior to Christmas each year Helping Hands, an agency of the Stanly County Social Services Department, provides basic information about individual members of one or more needy families in the county. A Christmas tree is set up in the Parish Hall with tags describing the age and gender of the recipients along with a suggested gift. Parishioners take the tags, buy the recommended gifts, wrap them and place them under the tree. Just before Christmas, the gifts are distributed to the designated families.

Nursing Home Visits

Members of the parish participate in group visits to area senior care facilities in the form of a collective Birthday Party for residents. Fun, fellowship, entertainment and gift bags are greatly appreciated by the residents and their families. Holy Eucharist is celebrated by the Deacon or Rector at Stanly Manor and Bethany Woods on Saturday afternoon once a month.

Stitching for Souls

Stitching for Souls is associated with the national Prayer Shawl Ministry movement that has grown to include people of all faiths and denominations. Shawls, which have been made for centuries, are symbolic of the inclusive and unconditional love of God. The group, which is open to all persons regardless of age or skill, meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM to make shawls that are given to individuals needing comfort and support.

Prison Ministry

A special ministry to help with spiritual outreach to inmates of the area correctional facilities.

Environmental Task Force Believing that stewardship of the environment is an essential component of being a responsible Christian, Christ Church established an Enivonmental Task Force in 2004 after the City of Albemarle discontinued its recycling program. Three families within the committee started "Albemarle Recycles Aluminum Cans" by purchasing collection bins and locating them at the Delco Plaza on Hwy. 52North, the Wal-Mart on Highway 24/27, and the Senior Center at Third Street and Montgomery Avenue. Volunteers collect the aluminum, which is sold as a means of providing income for outreach projects with twenty percent of the revenue designated for community charity organizations.

In 2005, Christ Church won the Diocesan Green Award in recognition of the importance and uniqueness of this recycling program.

In 2006 - 2007, the Environmental Task Force showed two films on environmental concerns to the general public. In 2007, the church conducted a professional energy audit, which resulted in decreased energy costs and carbon emissions from our facilities. Recent renovation projects in the Parish House and Christ Church have included updating of electrical fixtures that are more energy efficient. In 2011 virtually all of the incandescent light bulbs in the Church were replaced with LED lamps.

Stewardship of our environment has a precedence at Christ Church for individuals of all ages as demonstrated by the participation of young people and adults in local, state and national environmental events. Parishioners and non-members are welcome to help with our environmental efforts. For additional information call the church office.

Use of the Parish House

The parish house is made available for the special needs of the community. Groups that use the facilities include support and self-help groups. Contact the church office for information.