The Human Concerns Committee at St. Stephen the Martyr (SSM) extends compassion and support to all people in need in our congregation, our partner congregations, our community and throughout the world.
Every effort is made to provide those in need with some of the basic requirements for daily living. We are called to help those in need, and we cheerfully do so in Christ’s name.
Here are Some of the Ongoing Projects at SSM
Christmas Gift Giving
Gifts are collected for children and seniors and donated to the Bay View Community Center. There is also a holiday sock and underwear drive for our partner congregation, Unity Lutheran Church, and Divine Intervention/Tippecanoe to provide to the homeless.
Meru Partnership with Mbaaseny Parish in Tanzania more
SSM has a Tanzanian partner congregation, Mbaaseny, a part of the Meru Diocese. Our relationship includes shared prayers and visits along with monetary support of the congregation. Support is also provided to a secondary school scholarship fund for Mbaaseny. We are a part of the monthly meetings of the Greater Milwaukee Synod’s Meru Partnership Committee.
Mt. Meru Coffee Project more
This tantalizing, high-quality coffee is sold year-round in our narthex. The sale of the coffee provides God’s love, hope, justice, and fair prices for the farmers who grow this coffee.
Special Offering Envelopes
Special offerings received from Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas services are designated for various outreach programs such as Outreach for Hope, the Meru Diocese, Hunger Task Force Milwaukee, LSS Refugee Services, Good Gifts, Hope House, and others as a need is recognized.
Lutheran World Relief School Bags and Kits
The whole congregation gets involved in this wonderful project by donating school supplies, sewing, or filling school bags. Designed to be used like backpacks, the bags are donated to needy children at home and around the world. The Sunday School children donate their high level of energy to fill the bags with the donated school supplies.
Food Pantry Food Collection
Food is collected at SSM and donated to food pantries in our community such as the Bay View Community Center and Unity Lutheran Church. Monetary donations are always welcome as they allow the pantries to buy more food at bulk prices.
Unity/Faith Santa Fe Partnerships
The Human Concerns Committee has played an active role in the formation of a partnership with two churches on Milwaukee's south side, Unity and Faith Santa Fe. Part of the Unity partnership expanded to members of SSM serving monthly meals at Unity’s Soup Kitchen. Part of the Unity partnership includes serving a monthly CommUnity meal at Unity on the 3rd Wednesday of the month with two other congregations. Volunteers are welcomed.
Divine Intervention / Tippecanoe
Blankets, sleeping bags, underwear, socks, warm clothing, snacks, and toiletries are collected throughout the year. Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church provides these items to the homeless. The Warming Room ministry at Tippecanoe reopened to overnight guests in December 2022 after being closed during the pandemic. Volunteers and meals will be needed from December 1st, 2023 through March 31st, 2024.
