Matthew 25:35

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Matthew 25:35 (NIV)

The Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry was started as a collaboration of Ascension’s Global Ministries and Community Concerns teams. It’s open to anyone and everyone! At present, the focus of the Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry is two-fold: (1) outreach, advocacy and service opportunities helping refugee families in resettlement, working through and with our friends, the Interfaith Refugee Welcome Team and IRIS (local affiliate/partner for LIRS); and (2) local outreach, advocacy and service opportunities helping at-risk immigrant and migrant families in our local Conejo Valley.

Launched March 12, 2017, in conjunction with Refugee and Immigrant Sunday, the Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry has participated with the Conejo Valley Interfaith Team in several community events; made Welcome Baskets for refugee families resettling in our area; been advocates for just, fair and non-discriminatory treatment for refugees and immigrants, including unaccompanied minors, in communications and actions, with elected officials and the immigration court; and joined in support of the Conejo Valley USD Outreach Department’s special conference for Spanish-speaking parents.

The Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry is another way we can join together to shine the light of the love of Jesus on our neighbors in need, locally and globally. If you are interested in joining the Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry email list, contact the church office.

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Sam's Tram Rolls Again

by Brian Festerling, SAM’s Tram Coordinator

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the SAM’s Tram service from Ascension has been pretty quiet. However, now that many of us have vaccines and feel more comfortable being out and about, it’s time to reintroduce the program! SAM’s Tram is Ascension’s Senior Adult Ministries transportation service. We match seniors from our congregation that need rides to local appointments with Ascension volunteers that are willing to drive.

RIDERS

If you’re a senior who needs a ride (or a caregiver for one), please contact me with the ride details. My contact info is at the end of the article. The more lead time you can give me -- at least a week or two is best -- the more likely I can find a driver for you. I’ll let you know either way. The service is free! If you feel compelled to give something, you can give your driver a dollar to go to Ascension’s Caring Ones to help the needy in our area.

DRIVERS

We’re always looking for more volunteer drivers to add to our roster. There is NO long-term commitment. I blast out detailed ride requests via e-mail to all of our drivers. You need only say “yes” to a ride that works for your schedule, and your only commitment is for that one ride. Many of us work and can only drive occasionally. That’s OK! The more drivers we have on our roster, the more likely we can fulfill a given request, and the workload gets spread around. This is a simple and effective ministry and we’d love to have you join us! Please call or e-mail me if you’re interested.

TESTIMONIAL

“[SAM’s Tram was] a blessing to my mom when she could not drive anymore. The friendly drivers got her to her weekly hair appointments, and occasional other doctor/dentist appointments. The social interaction with the drivers gave her a lift and became a bright spot in her declining life quality. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased when two drivers who were more frequent came to my mom’s celebration of life service. What a dedicated group of people, making a difference in the lives of our elders!” — Excerpt from a thank you note written by the daughter of one of our riders

FAST FACTS

- Pastor Steve started SAM’s Tram in 2011.

- Since 2017 we have had 287 ride requests and fulfilled 220 of them (77%)

- 69% of our requests are for doctor appointments, 9% for worship services, 8% for beauty/barber, and 14% “other”

Please pray for our SAM’s Tram riders and drivers, and contact me anytime if we can be of service to you, or if you you’d like to join us as a driver.

Sincerely,

Brian Festerling SAM’s Tram Coordinator

805-558-8076 (cell)

ps - we've had an uptick in requests and could always use new drivers.

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Matthew 25:35

Ascension Lutheran Church

Worship Times:

ELCA

Sam's Tram Rolls Again