Community Dinner

Started in September 2006, the Wednesday Evening Community Dinner and Contemporary Service continues to evolve and thrive.

Dinner is served at 5:15 p.m. each Wednesday evening to St. Paul members, the homeless, and neighborhood folks. A brief devotional service is held after the meal led by one of our pastors.

Volunteers are needed to set up from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Servers are needed from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Volunteers for cleaning up afterward are needed from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

RESURRECT

RESURRECT works with the Apartment Ministry as a volunteer and fundraising group to rehabilitate our 14 attached church-owned apartments. These are used as low-income housing but have fallen into disrepair. RESURRECT members were able to get a grant through the Partnership for Better Health and a Community Development Block Grant through the county … as well as organize dozens of volunteers. Hundreds of hours of volunteer renovation work have been put into scraping and painting exteriors, repairing exterior and interior woodwork, cleaning basements, and restoring common areas. One building (221 W. Louther) will be completely renovated due to its poor condition. Unit are being repaired especially electrical system, and several are undergoing renovations as old tenants move out and new ones move in. This work is ongoing and we welcome volunteer labor and funds in order to continue to provide low-cost housing to those in need

Color Carlisle

Carlisle, PA is a thriving community that is also home to a liberal arts college, world renowned youth ballet program, and Army War college. The diversity of people’s cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds makes our community unique, but also presents numerous challenges.

To help unify the vast difference in socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, we as community members, educators, and faith leaders seek to strengthen Carlisle, and its residents, by providing an ongoing initiative that ties students, children, families, and individuals together to support the development, creation, and upkeep of public art. Email us to join our mission to help strengthen our community today!.

Carlisle C.A.R.E.S.

Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. has been serving the Cumberland County community since 2004. C.A.R.E.S. began as a mission through Carlisle United Methodist Church (then Grace United Methodist Church). After sheltering a few men for a night, members of the church and the community realized there was a much bigger issue that needed to be addressed. Initially, C.A.R.E.S. housed 3 or 4 homeless individuals during the harshest winter months through a network of 3 churches. Eventually, as support grew, C.A.R.E.S. was able to offer shelter year round to as many as 60 guests each night.

Each month C.A.R.E.S. relies on the support and kindness of local churches to open their doors to shelter our guests. Each church hosts the shelter for a month and on the first of each month the shelter is moved to the next location. St. Paul opens the doors to their fellowship hall facility for Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. in the month of October.

In 2010, C.A.R.E.S. expanded their services to meet the needs of the community. This time the need was a “day center” or the Resource Center. This building is a place for the guests of C.A.R.E.S. to shower, to do laundry, to receive mail, to cook, and to rest when they are ill. It is also a place where the guests meet with their supportive services coordinator. It is a place for our guest to call home.

Project SHARE

Project SHARE (Survival Help And Recipient Education) is an interfaith cooperative effort, begun in 1985, involving over 66 local congregations, schools, and civic organizations. Contributions of food, money, and volunteerism provide essential basic assistance to more than 1000 families each month. Assistance is provided in the communities of Carlisle, Carlisle Springs, Mt. Holly Springs, Boiling Springs, Gardners, Plainfield, New Kingstown, and Middlesex. Of those needing assistance, about 20% are seniors and nearly 30% are children. St. Paul continues to support Project Share and its mission year after year.

Gettysburg Theological Seminary Food Pantry

The Gettysburg Theological Seminary Food Pantry helps all students and their families on campus. They especially need hot and cold cereals, paper goods, granola bars, snack items, and baking products.

Christ Lutheran Church in Harrisburg

Additionally, our church is a partner with Christ Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, which often needs such items as medicines, beverages, hygiene items, and reading glasses. A collection basket for these items is located near the Welcome Desk in the parlor.

Carlisle Regional Donor Center

Blood donors are needed! Carlisle Regional Donor Center at 419 Village Drive, Carlisle – adjacent to Nell’s Market on Walnut Bottom Road) prefers appointments, but will take walk-ins. Call 960-3560 for times and information.

Read our blog to learn more about all the volunteer centers and community service projects in Carlisle.