We are reaching out in ministry in many different ways here at St. Paul’s Church, and I am so thankful to be involved with the various programs. We recently have launched a major mission effort in combination with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the Lutheran World Relief Organization and the United Nations Foundation called Lutheran Malaria Initiative that aims to eliminate malaria in Africa by the year 2015. Our goal is to raise $8,000.00 over the course of this year to contribute to the cause. All proceeds will go to the purchase of mosquito nets at a cost of $9.90 per net; these nets will be distributed to families throughout Africa. To date, over $5,000.00 has been collected and activities are planned to continue the collection. It is a privilege to be a part of something so meaningful on a worldwide effort.

In January of 2011, St. Paul’s also introduced the ELL Program to the 02907 area as a way to invest in the community. The program, run in conjunction with Rhode Island College, started out with five students and one teacher. The books cost $30.00 per student and were provided at no charge for the first year. Cookies, coffee, and bottled water were provided as an added incentive to lure students into the program. Within three weeks, a second class was established with another teacher and 9 more students. Today, St. Paul’s ELL Program hosts nearly 60 students on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 and the teaching staff has increased to five full-time teachers. The New England District recently donated $4,000.00 to support the program and this generous gift is greatly appreciated. The funds were used to finish and furnish an additional classroom with tables, chairs, a whiteboard and other essential items.

Furthermore, on Sunday, October 23, 2011, St. Paul’s also officially opened and introduced the Academic Resource Center (ARC) to the 02907 area as another way to invest in the community. This program, run in conjunction with Brown University students, meets Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30. The program invites members of the congregation to work with the students from Brown University as tutors for immigrants, refugees, and children of the congregation as well as children from the ELL program. The ARC is enjoying incredible success as there are now nearly 20 tutors (10 members of St. Paul’s) and 20-30 students involved in all academic areas.

These programs as well as opening the doors to community groups for a great diversity of neighborhood causes such as the African Health Summit, Children’s Friend Organization seminars, local political/community gatherings for the Elmwood Avenue Road Improvement Program and others too numerous to mention have greatly contributed to the success of St. Paul’s Church becoming a highly visible and meaningful ministry in the downtown
area.

In closing, I want to express my sincere thanks to all those who have shouldered the responsibilities to make St. Paul’s the meaningful ministry that it has become here in greater downtown Providence, 02907. And, I also want to say thank you to the many donors who are supporting our worldwide outreach to eliminate malaria by means of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. It is a privilege to be your pastor. Thank you.

In Christ,