Social Justice
Mission Statement – Work on issues of sustainability that address both local and global needs. Four key areas of focus will be: poverty, peace and justice, GLBT rights, and environmental issues.
Open Circle Church members participate in a wide-range of volunteer efforts on a continuing basis, as well as one-time efforts in response to special needs.
Our on-going efforts include:
Our on-going efforts include:
Dakota Woodlands
On a semi-monthly basis, we prepare and serve meals to homeless women and families staying at the Dakota Woodlands shelter in Eagan. We try to prepare good-tasting, nutritious meals to please both the moms and kids staying at the shelter.
On a semi-monthly basis, we prepare and serve meals to homeless women and families staying at the Dakota Woodlands shelter in Eagan. We try to prepare good-tasting, nutritious meals to please both the moms and kids staying at the shelter.
South of the River CROP Walk
This new, annual event raises money and awareness of hunger in our communities. Sponsored by Church World Service, CROP walks take place all over the country. They are organized by local volunteers including members of Open Circle Church. At the inaugural south of the river event in 2013, 10 local churches teamed up to plan and staff the walk through Burnsville and Savage, which raised over $6400 in its first year, and is closing in on $10,000 for 2014.
This new, annual event raises money and awareness of hunger in our communities. Sponsored by Church World Service, CROP walks take place all over the country. They are organized by local volunteers including members of Open Circle Church. At the inaugural south of the river event in 2013, 10 local churches teamed up to plan and staff the walk through Burnsville and Savage, which raised over $6400 in its first year, and is closing in on $10,000 for 2014.
Armful of Love
During the Christmas Season we sponsor several families through 360 Communities Armful of Love program, providing holiday gifts for those in need.
During the Christmas Season we sponsor several families through 360 Communities Armful of Love program, providing holiday gifts for those in need.
Food Drive
Every Sunday we collect non-perishable food items as well as toiletries and paper products for 360 Communities' Food Shelf.
Every Sunday we collect non-perishable food items as well as toiletries and paper products for 360 Communities' Food Shelf.
Mitten Tree
Each year we decorate our Christmas tree with new hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves which are donated to 360 Communities.
Each year we decorate our Christmas tree with new hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves which are donated to 360 Communities.
Past Efforts
We are very proud of our work with Minnesotans United for All Families, where many volunteers served in a variety of positions to help defeat the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, and work toward marriage equality.
We occasionally serve at Feed My Starving Children or pack care kits for Church World Service, or hold special food drives. Often these events are planned by our children and youth and based on their interests and inspirations.
We are very proud of our work with Minnesotans United for All Families, where many volunteers served in a variety of positions to help defeat the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, and work toward marriage equality.
We occasionally serve at Feed My Starving Children or pack care kits for Church World Service, or hold special food drives. Often these events are planned by our children and youth and based on their interests and inspirations.