1. Helping Hands. Through the ministry of Helping Hands, our volunteers are serving members who are in need of meal assistance due to expected or unexpected events in their lives. Helping Hands keepstrack of those who are on the prayer list and who may be in need of due to these events. Volunteers co-ordinate these meals through a list of individuals who prepare dishes and bring this food to the church for pick up or delivery.

2. Prayer Chain. Through our Prayer Chain, we offer the prayers of the congregation up to Our Lord. Communication through the church office keeps the Prayer Chain aware of the congregational and individual needs.

3. School Interaction. Family Ministries realizes that an extension of our congregation is our student body of Emmanuel Lutheran. With that in mind, Family Ministries reaches out to the students at registration, Advent and Lent by the distribution of age appropriate material such as Advent Calenders, pencils, and other materials.

4. Annual Picnic. Family Ministries co-ordinates the annual Emmanuel Lutheran Picnic, an event designed to bring together our members in worship, food and fun activities for all ages of the Congregation. Our event this past August, held on our own campus, was very successful and we are looking forward to the planning and hosting of our 2006 event!

5. Senior Prom. We are very excited about our "Senior Prom" planned for May 13, 2006. This event is open to all members born in or before 1946. Our gym will be turned into a magical room, reminiscence of high school proms during that time area. Family Ministries is in the process of planning this event and would welcome both suggestions and volunteers!

6. Samartian’s Purse. Samartian’s Purse, a North Carolina based Christian Service organization, collects and distributes each Christmas, gift filled shoeboxes for children in needy areas. At Emmanuel, Family Ministries is responsible for initiating this annual event and communicating these needs to our congregation.

7. College Student Project. Every Autumn, Family Ministries gathers the names and addresses of our members who are either in Military Service or in college and sends these names out for "adoption" to the congregational body. We ask that those who adopt communication at least monthly with the students or Military personnel, giving them news of happenings at Emmanuel and the Asheville area, "goody boxes", and prayers. The goal is to keep those who are away in communication with our Emmanuel family.

8. Health Fair and Blood Drive. During the month of June, Family Ministries plans to hold, in conjunction with the Wilshire Park annual yard sale, a Health Fair and Red Cross Blood Drive. Our hope is to increase awareness of health issues for our congregation and community.

9. ABCCM. Under the careful direction and management of Lucy Schell, the ABCCM area of Family Ministries provides meals to the Asheville Buncombe County Christian Ministries shelter 2 - 3 times per month. Volunteers either prepare or serve food to those in need at the shelter.

10. Easter Breakfast. Please join the Emmanuel Congregation as we come together in fellowship for an Easter Breakfast during the Sunday School hour on Easter, April 16. The breakfast will take place in the Fellowship Hall. A sign up sheet, for attendance and covered dish, is located on the bulletin board in the Narthex. A sincere thank you to Karyn and Charllie Staicar who are co-ordinating this event.

One of the goals of Family Ministries is to increase fellowship opportunities for our congregation. With this in mind, we are planning several fellowship dinners for the year such as the Thanksgiving Pot Luck Dinner on November 16, in conjunction with Spiritual Care and Growth.

We are hopeful that this brief overview has increased your awareness of the Family Ministry Service. We would both welcome and appreciate your participation in our Ministry area!