Social Justice

MACC Shelter
As founding members of the Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC),  Emanuel supports the array of human services provided through Case Managers and Volunteers. The Samaritan Homeless Shelter provides short-term dormitory housing, breakfast, and dinner for adult guests who are participating in case management services.   

Four weeks per year, Emanuel members help provide services to shelter guests

• Overnight coverage : meet shelter guests and provide assistance for the shelter supervisor
• Meal Service : members sign up to serve dinner prepared by Shelter Staff Monday - Saturday
• Sunday Meal Preparation and Service : a team prepares and serves dinner for Sunday guests the

To learn more about this ministry or to volunteer, contact Jack Soares by email or at 643-1694.

Thanksgiving Baskets
Each year, Emanuel raises over $2000 to provide Thanksgiving food to dozens of families in the Manchester area.  Members work with town services to identify needy families, purchase food, and pack and deliver groceries.  This is an easy project to join – about one morning’s work per year!  To learn more or to volunteer contact Linda Jackson.

Creative Living Community
Emanuel is actively supporting this effort – to learn more, click here for the CLC website!

Garden of Eat’n  : Emanuel’s Community Supported Agriculture Group
Community Supported Agriculture is a great way to put faith into action – we support local farmers, we reduce energy usage, we bond together as a community, and we care for our bodies with the bounty of the earth! 

The Garden of Eat’n  was formed in 2007 on the farm of Emanuel members Chris and Jean Roethe.   For 2008, we have 24 shares available – 18 are sold, so join soon!

To learn more about the Garden of Eat’n visit our website : www.emanuelmanchester.org/csa

Global Projects

Fair Trade Products
The first Sunday of each month, Emanuel’s Hunger Mission Team sponsors coffee hour and sells Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, and now CHOCOLATE!  These are extremely high quality products (better than you’ll get at Starbucks) sold AT COST at very reasonable prices.  These products are produced and sold in a way that provides fair wages to producers and supports sustainable farming practices around the world.  Our partnership is carried on through the Lutheran World Federation.

Twice per year, Emanuel also hosts a Fair Trade Craft Fair, also sponsored through the Lutheran World Federation.  These products are beautifully crafted, make great gifts, and again allow your dollars to move more directly to the craftspeople who create them.  Watch the calendar and the weekly update for these events! 

ONE Campaign
Emanuel Has taken an active role in the ONE campaign’s drive to implement the Millennium Development Goals and end extreme poverty by 2020.  Click HERE to learn how to become  a ONE Lutheran!

Jubilee Campaign
The Jubilee Campaign is committed to eliminating crushing debt of Third World Countries in an effort to combat poverty.  Debt relief has been proven to work in places like Malaysia.  Emanuel members have met with Connecticut’s congressional representatives to encourage them to support legislation, and Emanuel member Gary Hart has been invited to speak at the national Jubilee meeting in Columbus in June, 2008.

Click HERE to learn more about the Jubilee Campaign.  To get involved at Emanuel, contact Gary Hart.

ELCA Advocacy
Click HERE to learn more about the ELCA’s Advocacy work.  You can also SIGN UP to receive email updates on advocacy issues important to the ELCA.