Outreach

We reach out to the local community and beyond, and strive for justice and reconciliation in the world.

The parishioners of Holy Comforter make generous financial contributions to many local and global mission projects. In addition, volunteers contribute many hours of hands-on labor to Pennywise Thrift Shop, Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread), and FACETS (Fairfax Area Emergency and Transition Services)

Outreach Grants

The Outreach Team is currently accepting applications for grant funding from organizations that serve God's people in need. Download the short Grant Application Form HERE. Applications due by December 31, 2025. If you know of an organization that would benefit from our parish's assistance, please share the form with them. Questions? Contact Zara Harris.

The Annandale Mission Center

For hundreds of families in Annandale, the Mission Center is a dependable source of care and support. As a non-evangelical outreach of Annandale United Methodist Church, it provides essential services to those living in one of Fairfax County’s most economically challenged neighborhoods. Its programs focus on practical needs—food, health access, education, and household essentials—while also fostering a sense of belonging through classes, events, and shared community spaces.

The Center’s work is especially important in a region where families often must choose between basic necessities. With a growing number of households turning to the pantry for assistance, the Mission Center helps bridge critical gaps—providing meals, clothing, diapers, and health services that make daily life more manageable. Whether supporting children, seniors, or new families facing hardship, the Mission Center ensures that no one has to face these challenges alone.

• Please see the table in the church narthex for more information.

• To donate to our grant fund, which will be allocated to over 20 charities at the end of the year, please visit our Giving site below and select "Outreach Grants" in the Fund drop down menu, or place a check or cash in the green envelopes in your pew.
  

Britepaths

Eases the plight of low-income residents in the Fairfax, Virginia area. It draws volunteers from local faith-based groups, community organizations, local businesses, schools, and universities. Holy Comforter helps stock the emergency food pantry by collecting, sorting, and delivering grocery items on a weekly basis.

CHO – Committee for Helping Others

A Vienna-based mission comprised of members of most of Vienna’s churches and synagogues as well as civic groups. CHO helps people in need of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. The Committee collects, stores and distributes food, clothing, and household items at several sites in Vienna.

FACETS – Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services

Provides emergency intervention and educational programs for homeless and low-income people in Fairfax County. It responds to individual need and offers numerous volunteer opportunities. Learn more about FACETS.

Holy Comforter’s FACETS team prepares and delivers meals to our Fairfax County neighbors in need on the second Sunday afternoon of the month. The team continues to need cooking and delivery volunteers (youth and adults). The time commitment is once per month for about 1.5 hours.

Please sign up below. Questions? Please Thyra Parcell or Betsy Millett.

Hypothermia Prevention Shelter

Under the guidance of the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, and in conjunction with FACETS and over 30 other faith communities, Holy Comforter annually joins in opening its doors for a one-week hypothermia shelter for unhoused guests. As hosts, parishioners and community volunteers share hospitality with the guests through meals, conversation, games, and prayer. Parishioners who aren’t available to serve as hosts in our Community Hall donate prepared meals and much needed personal supplies (toothpaste/brush, socks, soap/shampoo, etc.), as well as provide entertainment such as music, games, books, and magazines.

Holy Comforter will host a one-week Hypothermia Prevention Shelter from Sunday, March 1 to Sunday, March 8.

Holy Comfort Boxes

Register your young adults (18–24) in college, in the military, or just living away from him for this year’s Holy Comfort Box program. In early March 2024, each registered young adult will receive a box of “Holy Comfort” containing snacks and other goodies. Register in-person this Sunday or download a registration form HERE, and a list of requested items HERE. Return the completed form and your donations to the Holy Comfort Box table in the narthex, or email the information to Joni Langevoort.

LAMB Center

Based in Fairfax and supported by a consortium of interdenominational churches, the LAMB Center operates as a daytime drop-in site for homeless and needy people. Volunteers are always needed to meet ministry and client needs.

Mount Carmel House

Mount Carmel House is a permanent supportive housing program for women recovering from homelessness located in downtown Washington, D.C. near the Verizon Center. Holy Comforter has supported Mt. Carmel House for more than 20 years. Our Youth Group traditionally visits the shelter in December to provide a meal and Christmas cheer as well as providing a gift bag of needed items. Typical donation requests include $20–$25 Walmart gift cards, gloves, scarves, and more. Exact needs are posted in the narthex and published in church communications in the fall.

Pennywise Thrift Shop

For 53 years, Pennywise Thrift Shop has provided much-needed clothing and household items at low cost to the community. The shop is staffed by Holy Comforter member volunteers, who serve shifts at the front desk or in the back-room sorting and pricing donated items. Income from the shop provides funds, through ECW, to Holy Comforter, its ministries and missions, and to other local, national, and international outreach recipients.

Refugee Ministry

As Christians, we are called to engage in God’s mission of reconciliation. Holy Comforter’s Refugee Ministry seeks to serve newly displaced people from around the world.

Samaritan Ministries

In 1986 Holy Comforter became one of 35 Episcopal churches in the area to provide a significant ministry to homeless and lower income persons in the Washington, D.C. area. The ministry provides a far-ranging variety of services with an emphasis on next steps to self-sufficiency and is known for the phrase “hand-up instead of a hand-out.”

Shepherd’s Center

Serves older persons in our community by offering a number of services including Friendly Callers (contact for the homebound), Handy Helpers, transportation to appointments, grocery delivery, and a registered nurse on site. Holy Comforter provides financial support and volunteers who provide everything from office work to client contact services.

Stewardship of Creation

The Bible calls on Christians to be stewards of the natural world. Recognizing the importance of such stewardship, the SOCC seeks to explore, inform, and act upon this call. Our mission is to consider environmental issues as religious concerns.