Shepherd's Mission Partners:
Open hands midway
Shepherd Volunteers serving at Open Hands Midway
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Open Hands Midway's mission is to serve the St. Paul Midway and surrounding area by leveraging contributors' gifts in providing a means for those who are economically challenged to obtain nutritious meals, groceries and personal supplies, along with access to an array of community resources. Shepherd partners through meal serving, volunteer support, and donations.
Click here for more information Click here to learn how you can volunteer |
Holy hammers - habitat for humanity
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Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity & Holy Hammers. Holy Hammers is a grouping of many local faith communities that work together to pay for and provide volunteers for a Habitat build each summer. Shepherd is a contributing member of Holy Hammers. Members and friends of Shepherd continue to be involved in building several homes in the St. Paul area.
Pictures of your Pastoral Team serving at our site in 2024. In 2025 Shepherd (with Holy Hammers) will be doing interior work on 2 four-plex homes. As last year we are free to sign up for any Holy Hammer day from April 21 through June 20 yet Shepherd's target days are May 5 & 6 and May 22 & 23. Women's only build days are June 12 & 13. Sign up to volunteer with Holy Hammers (with Habitat for Humanity) below. |
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Ralph reeder food shelf
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The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and Community Resource Center was established in 1982. They provide food, basic needs and connections to other services for any school district family as well as any low-income or food-insecure neighbor requesting assistance. They rely on the generosity of volunteers and on regular donations of dollars and food from area schools, churches, businesses, clubs and individuals.
Shepherd partners with Ralph Reeder through donations, volunteer support, and service projects. Pictures are from our annual Fill A Truck event where we brought in 1400lbs of food and over $900. Click here for more information on Ralph Reeder and how to get involved. |
tanzania sibling congregation
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Through the Saint Paul Area Synod and ELCA Global Mission, Shepherd has the opportunity to partner with Bega Kwa Bega ("Shoulder to Shoulder") and the Kidamali congregation in Iringa, Tanzania. We are able to support and pray for their ministry as they in turn do the same for ours, here in Shoreview. Click here for more information.
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Photo of Kidamali's senior pastor being ordained
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Shobi's table
Shobi’s Table is a proud Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministry (SAOM) of the Saint Paul Area Synod (SPAS) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is a community of diners, volunteers, staff and supporters of a pay-as-you-can food truck that makes God’s love edible on the streets of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Shobi’s Table is a common table where all are fed in body and soul and celebrates a world where all have opportunity for good food and loving community. Shepherd partners through donations, volunteer support, and prayer.
Click here for more information and to learn how to get involved.
Pictures coming soon!
Click here for more information and to learn how to get involved.
Pictures coming soon!
Email Message that went out to the congregation on 10.23.2025:
"Due to a lack of funding caused by the federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) food benefits will not be issued for November until the shutdown ends or the federal government issues further guidance. The cash portion of MFIP will be issued." (Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families website)
According to the Food Research and Action Center as shared by ELCA Advocacy: "As the end of the month approaches, families are understandably anxious. Advocates must reassure households that October SNAP benefits have been funded and are available. If the Trump administration chooses not to fund SNAP in November, benefits may be delayed but will be reimbursed once the shutdown ends,"
This means that children and vulnerable people in our area and across the country will be going hungry in this in between time and while waiting for reimbursements. One of our local school administrators noted they are concerned there will not be the resources to fill this gap and that this is a very dire situation that will gravely impact his students.
As people of faith, we are called to care for those in need. Shepherd has three mission partners that are feeding ministries in our area. We reached out to them to find out what help they need most right now. This relief work is important and if you can help in some way, please do so. Advocacy work in pleading for the cause of those suffering injustice is also important. Below you can find ways to engage in all of this below.
According to the Food Research and Action Center as shared by ELCA Advocacy: "As the end of the month approaches, families are understandably anxious. Advocates must reassure households that October SNAP benefits have been funded and are available. If the Trump administration chooses not to fund SNAP in November, benefits may be delayed but will be reimbursed once the shutdown ends,"
This means that children and vulnerable people in our area and across the country will be going hungry in this in between time and while waiting for reimbursements. One of our local school administrators noted they are concerned there will not be the resources to fill this gap and that this is a very dire situation that will gravely impact his students.
As people of faith, we are called to care for those in need. Shepherd has three mission partners that are feeding ministries in our area. We reached out to them to find out what help they need most right now. This relief work is important and if you can help in some way, please do so. Advocacy work in pleading for the cause of those suffering injustice is also important. Below you can find ways to engage in all of this below.
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf |
Open Hands Midway |
Shobi's Table |
ELCA Advocacy MN |
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Ralph Reeder is seeing less funding support and more need in this time.
Needs:
2. pasta/spaghetti sauce 3. any type of noodle (spaghetti, elbow, penne...) 4. any type of side dish (Rice-a-roni, Pasta-Roni, instant potatoes, au gratin potatoes...) 5. boxed or bagged breakfast cereal |
Open Hand's Midway continues to see an increase in the number of guests served and meals provided as well as reaching the full capacity of families served at their food shelf.
Needs:
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Shobi's Table is our newest Mission Partner. They are a community building pay as you can food truck providing nourishing meals to all who need. They are expecting an increase in numbers of guests and could use your help.
Needs:
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To advocate is to plead the cause of those suffering injustice. Advocacy ministry is rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology, and our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. It is expressed by advocating with and for our neighbors for mutual well-being in places where important decisions are being made.
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Thank you to all who participated in our 2025 Day of Service! We had 11 projects serving 9 organizations and over 100 Shepherd members and friends all working together to care for our neighbor!
Photos from our 2025 Day of Service
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Photos from our 2024 Day of Service
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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA)
3920 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, MN 55126 Phone: 651-483-5419 Fax: 651-756-7130 Email: [email protected] |