Plowsharing Crafts is a not-for-profit fair trade entity designed to help farmers and crafts people in the developing world receive a fair wage for the work that they do. It was started by the Fellowship in 1985, and remains a vital program of our congregation. Plowsharing is part of the Ten Thousand Villages network, and consists of 2 stores, one in the University City Loop, and the other in downtown Kirkwood. It is staffed by volunteers, a number of whom come from the Fellowship, and is run by a Board of Directors that come from SLMF.
St Louis MVS: Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) is a national program where individuals volunteer to serve 1-2 years in a nonproft agency or social ministry. Inspired by Jesus' call to be servant leaders and justice-seekers, MVS'ers are involved in initiatives ranging from community peacebuilding, education and literacy, to fair housing advocacy. St Louis Mennonite Fellowship supports the St Louis Mennonite Voluntary Service unit as they serve ourlocal community.
Mary Raber: Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Christian community has been an open and active presence for those struggling with HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and drug addiction. St Louis Mennonite Fellowship supports the work of Mennonite Mission Network missionary, Mary Raber as she helps train leaders for Christian ministry at Odessa Theological Seminary in the Ukraine.
Mennonite Peace Center: The St Louis Mennonite Peace Center responds to Jesus' call to be peacemakers. To this end, the Peace Center facilitates community mediation for neighborhood disputes, provides peace education in churches and schools, and enhances the local community through urban gardening. The Mennonite Peace Center is a joint ministry of Bethesda Mennonite Church and St Louis Mennonite Fellowship.
Isaiah 58: St Louis Mennonite Fellowship works with Isaiah 58 ministries, a not-for-proft agency that seeks to meet the needs of low-income people in South St Louis. Isaiah 58 sponsors a food pantry, thrift store, utility assistance and job placement assistance.
City on a Hill: City on a Hill is a joint ministry of Bethesda Mennonite Church and St Louis Mennonite Fellowship, and its focus is multicultural worship, Bible study, and fellowship. It seeks to encourage racial reconciliation within the church and in the community.
Project COPE (Congregation + Offender Partnership Enterprise): Project COPE is a program linking congregations with ex-offenders who are about to reenter the community. This partnership provides ex-offenders physical, emotional and spiritual support to facilitate success in beginning a productive life, and the fellowship has sponsored many ex-offenders as they have transitioned back into life outside prison.
Peace Meal Project: The Peace Meal Project is a ministry of food and fellowship hosted St. John's Episcopal Church. A free meal is provided every Saturday afternoon from 4-6 pm at St John's. Members of St Louis Mennonite Fellowship support this project by helping to prepare and serve meals.
Mennonite Disaster Service: In the face of natural disasters, we are called to care for one another. Each year, members of the congregation take a week to help rebuild places touched by tornados, hurricanes, or other troubles.