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Missions and Ministries
Missions and Ministries
Local missions
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
City Mission Meals
The Catalyst community, a Bible study group at COTS, serves dinner on the second Thursday of every month at the City Mission men’s shelter. Dinner preparation usually takes place in the Calvary Hall kitchen the preceding Wednesday evening. After serving the meal, the group enjoys sitting down to dinner and conversation with the men of the shelter before starting clean-up. Opportunities to contribute include: helping with preparation or serving, financial donations, and, of course, prayer. Contact: Pete Evangelista, (216) 647-4774
greater cleveland habitat for humanity
Habitat for Humanity works to end substandard housing by renovating simple, decent affordable houses for lower-income families. Since 1987, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has built/rehabbed just over 200 homes using volunteer labor. This work has been accomplished using a variety of skill levels. Contact: Bob Layton, (216) 297-1812, email r_w_layton@yahoo.com
hunger ministries
Food donations from COTS go to two food distribution sites of the Hunger Network of Cleveland, Heights Emergency Food Center at Disciples Church on Mayfield Rd in Cleveland Heights and Cory United Methodist Hunger Center. Non-perishable donations are collected on a continuous basis with items left in the Tower Entrance plus special donation events, e.g. ‘Souper Bowl Sunday’. Cory UM provides emergency food assistance in the Glenville area; their center can also use cloth grocery bags and light rolling carts.
international student ministry: inter-varsity christian fellowship
The world’s future leaders are on campuses in Cleveland right now! The International Student Ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is a strategic opportunity to share Christ’s love through meeting the practical and spiritual needs of these international students in the Greater Cleveland area. You can be a world missionary (without language study, visa or travel) by sharing a holiday meal, picking someone up at the airport, hosting a new student for 3 days, donating unused furniture or being a friendship partner; For further info, contact Bok or Heidi Chew at (216) 371-3114 or bokchew@yahoo.com.
kairos prison ministry
“Kairos” is a Greek word, meaning “God’s special time”. The mission of Kairos is to build Christian community within the prison. To introduce inmates into that community, Kairos holds two long-weekend events per year, per prison. Trained volunteers show, live, and teach the transforming love of Jesus Christ over the course of the weekend, in addition to on-going programs to support the Kairos community “inside”. Church of the Saviour supports Kairos in the form of volunteers, home-baked cookies, posters, placemats, and, of course, prayer. Contact: Pete Evangelista, (216) 647-4774
Saviour's echo (East cleveland hospitality outreach)
The ECHO group represents COTS at the St. Philomena Food and Clothing Pantry in East Cleveland. Along with volunteers from other churches and organizations we pack and distribute groceries, sort and distribute clothing, and/or provide hospitality assistance, registration and check-in for the clients. The pantry, in its new home at 14305 Shaw Avenue is open every Saturday from 10-12: ECHO service dates are periodic based on need and availability. Contact: Tom Wadsworth, (216) 321-3890, email tewadsworth@gmail.com
scranton rd. ministries c.d.c.
Scranton Rd. Ministries C.D.C. actively contributes to the spiritual, economic and physical restoration of Cleveland. Over the past 14 years, Scranton Rd. Ministries has provided over 12,570 traditionally under-served Cleveland youth and adults with a comprehensive portfolio of Biblically-based services, including workforce development, educational enrichment, legal services, medical assistance, leadership development and computer training. Our Vision is to revitalize our community, one life at a time; as lives are transformed by the Gospel of Christ and restored to His noble purpose. Contact: Tom Wadsworth, (216) 321-3890, email tewadsworth@gmail.com
urban scholar's grant
Church of the Saviour has established the Urban Scholar’s Grant to aid inner city students’ in their college education. Students from our East Tech Mentoring program are attending Cuyahoga Community College. The Metro Missions Committee has donated half the amount allowed for each student for the year, and COTS members will donate the other half. This year we are supporting three students. If you wish to help support the education of an inner city student, contact Metro Missions. Contact: Juanita Taylor, (330) 217-2412, email jajuarez1@yahoo.com
Chat Pals – Share Friendship and Compassion
Chat Pals, a telephone and/or a video-conference program that offers a way for COTS members to share friendship and compassion with those in need in our community and for members who could benefit from a friendly voice. Contact: Kristen Riley at Greater Cleveland Volunteers, (216)391-9500 x2124 or kriley@greaterclevelandvolunteers.org
Teen Spiritual Summer Retreat
Scholarships for teens at the P22 Youth Foundation annual Teen Spiritual Summer Retreat. Volunteer opportunities for church members. Contact: Joe Walker, (216)235-9868
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Social connection is one of the fundamental factors affecting health and well-being. Studies reveal how a lack of social interaction increases health risks, especially among older adults. Chat Pals is a telephone and/or video-conference program managed by Greater Cleveland Volunteers. It is designed to provide emotional support and companionship to people who are living alone or lonely. Volunteers aged 18 and older are background checked, trained, and matched with program participants age 55+. Chat Pals offers a way for COTS members to share friendship and compassion with those in need in our community. It takes less than one hour a week to brighten someone’s day and let them know they are cared for. If you would like to volunteer to be a Chat Pal or if you know someone who would benefit from receiving calls, contact Kirsten Riley at Greater Cleveland Volunteers, 216-391-9500 x2124 or kriley@greaterclevelandvolunteers.org.
A friendly face in the church office is a truly welcome sight for those worshipping at COTS on Sunday mornings – both members and visitors, alike! If you would be willing to man the front desk on a rotating basis from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday of your choosing, please contact Becky Roberts at beckyrnet@sbcglobal.net to be added to our sign-up distribution list. Thank you for considering this vital service opportunity!
We are seeking front-desk help in the COTS office for three hour shifts Thursdays and Fridays from 9-13 and 12-3. It may seem like a small task, but the impact of simply picking up the phone or answering the doorbell so our staff can stay focused is priceless to our team. This role can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you like. If you want to be kept busy with administrative tasks during your shift we will find work for you to do. If you’d rather read a book and only pause to answer the phone, that’s fine, too. Please contact Sarah Dick in the church office for details.
Nourish bodies and relationships! The Thursday Nights Together meal enables people from COTS and beyond to experience community as part of our weekly evening of discipleship. Plan dinner for about 40 people – a simple meal works just fine. Please include a vegetarian option (which can be different from the main meal). The budget is $150 and is reimbursable. Simply submit a receipt to the COTS office. The meal should be ready for eating at 5:45pm. You are welcome to use the Calvary Hall kitchen to prepare the meal. Meals are served in Calvary Hall. Coolers with water and lemonade will be provided, or you can bring a drink. Paper plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery provided. This is a great opportunity to serve as a family, friends, small group, or Sunday School class.
Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization with the overall mission to eliminate homelessness and substandard housing worldwide. The Faith Build began in 2015 with the goal to bring faith groups together to help uplift the work of affordable housing. Faith Build volunteer opportunities are available on a pre-project basis. The last COTS co-sponsored Faith Build project took place in the summer and fall of 2024. Dates for the next project are forthcoming and will be updated here when available. If you are interested in receiving information about upcoming Faith Build projects please contact Joyce Dearborn via the church office.