“I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”
Mother Teresa
We, the members of Manakin Episcopal Church, feel called to help those in need in a variety of ways. Outreach is a priority for our generous and caring congregation, who give freely of their time, talent and treasure. We support a number of organizations, and there are many opportunities to serve.
Feeding the Hungry
Manakin volunteers gather one Saturday every other month at 9:00 a.m. to pack lunches and deliver them to 170 homeless people in four shelters in Richmond. This is a meaningful and rewarding experience for all ages and only takes about an hour (or more if one helps with the actual delivery).
Manakin also provides financial support and volunteer time to Backpacks of Love twice a month, to fill backpacks with non-perishable foods to tide needy children over the weekend.
We also provide financial support and/or food donations to Richmond Friends of the Homeless, Coalition of Powhatan Churches, Powhatan School lunch program, Good Samaritan Ministries, Powhatan Food Pantry and the Complete Thanksgiving meal project, and Shalom Farms.
Ministering to the Sick
Manakin provides financial support to the Powhatan Free Clinic, which provides high-quality medical, dental and mental healthcare services at no cost to Powhatan County’s adult, uninsured, low-income residents. The Free Clinic is funded by individual, church, and civic contributions, foundations and corporate donations as well as volunteers providing professional and administrative services, including members of our congregation.
Manakin also supports American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Virginia chapter, Families of the Wounded, and Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center.
Prison Ministries
We provide financial support to the Elizabeth Kates Foundation and Emmaus Church in support of their programs at the Virginia Correctional Center, and Grace Inside.
Boys’ Home of Virginia
Boys’ Home of Virginia is in Covington, Virginia and was founded in 1906 by an Episcopal rector and bishop who were moved by the harsh conditions of homeless boys in the mountains of Virginia. The mission of Boys’ Home is “to help each boy strive to develop his spiritual, mental, physical, and social potentials and thereby ultimately become a healthy, productive, contributing member of society.” Today, the Boys’ Home of Virginia is an important outreach of the Episcopal Church. This remarkable facility provides residential campus living for boys from throughout Virginia and the region who either have no suitable home or who have difficulties that might best be resolved away from their immediate setting.
Manakin has helped support the ministry of Boys’ Home for many years through various means including financial support, a scholarship award from our Lawrence Mason Scholarship Fund and service by parishioners on the Board of Directors of Boys’ Home.
Every Sunday Collection
In addition to financial support, the Outreach Committee receives donations for several organizations in designated bins in Denny Hall and delivers them weekly, including:
- Backpacks of Love: non-perishable foods such as single serve fruit cups, applesauce cups, Go Go Squeeze applesauce, snack cracker packets and proteins (pop-top cans of beefaroni/ravioli)
- Powhatan Food Pantry: most pressing needs are updated monthly in the church’s Messenger newsletter and Sunday bulletins
- Powhatan Animal Shelter: dog food (especially wet/dry Pedigree or Purina brands, adult and puppy formulas), treats, medium collars, harnesses, leashes and peanut butter
Episcopal Relief and Development
Manakin provides financial support to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) an international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church. ERD works with more than 3 million people annually in 40 countries, including the U.S.A., partnering with local churches to address four core areas: Alleviating Hunger and Improving Food Supply; Creating Economic Opportunities and Strengthening Communities; Promoting Health and Fighting Disease; Responding to Disasters and Rebuilding Communities.
In recent years Manakin has specifically contributed to ERD’s hurricane and flooding relief funds.
Manakin Church Bazaar
Manakin has sponsored the Bazaar on the 3rd Saturday in November for the last few years. The Bazaar brings people together from inside and outside our church community and raises funds for outreach. In 2026 the Bazaar is on November 21.
Manakin also supports:
- Fine Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad
- Powhatan Animal Rescue
- Powhatan Habitat for Humanity
- Powhatan, Chesterfield & Richmond Christmas mothers
- Safe Harbor