Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
Grace-Filled Giving Catalog
Index of Gifts
Gifts that Provide for Daily Needs
| D-1 | Wells and Water Projects (MT) | $25 - $250 |
| D-2 | Estonian Seminary Student Support (EELC) | $250 |
| D-3 | Fresh Fruit (BSDC) | $100 |
| D-4 | Parish Health Nursing (DIAK) | $100 |
| D-5 | Healthcare for Adult Services (DIAK) | $70 |
| D-6 | Basic Catalog Order (CSD) | $50 |
| D-7 | Estonian Children's Project (EELC) | $5 - $50 |
| D-8 | Meals for a Hungry Child or Family (LCS) | $5 - $50 |
| D-9 | Feed Volunteers (LVC) | $40 |
| D-10 | Backpack Project (LCM - CP) | $30 |
| D-11 | Trip to the Beauty Shop (ALH) | $25 |
| D-12 | Recreational Supplies (BSDC) | $25 |
| D-13 | Utility Bills (HLNS) | $25 |
| D-14 | Medical Care for Low-Income Families (LVC) | $25 |
| D-15 | Support Volunteers Serving the Homeless (LVC) | $25 |
| D-16 | Nightgowns (CLV) | $30 |
| D-17 | Lap Robes (CLV) | $25 |
| D-18 | Toiletry Items (CLV) | $20 |
| D-19 | Warm Socks (CLV) | $15 |
| D-20 | Fun Items from the Gift Shop (CLV) | $10 |
| D-21 | Winter Coat (HLNS) | $20 |
| D-22 | Food Bank Donation (HLNS) | $15 |
| D-23 | R & R for Volunteers (LVC) | $10 |
| D-24 | Hearing Aid/Eyeglasses Repair (NLH) | $25 |
Gifts that Build for the Future
| F-1 | Urban Ministry for Seminarian (BURP) | $250 |
| F-2 | Summer Camperships (MLR) | $5 - $250 |
| F-3 | Cups and flatware for dining rooms (MLR) | $10 - $200 |
| F-4 | Dehumidifier for cabins (MLR) | $150 |
| F-5 | Non-slip covers for steps (MLR) | $20 |
| F-6 | Smoke detector replacements (MLR) | $20 |
| F-7 | Window blinds for Ridge Inn (MLR) | $10 |
| F-8 | Estonian Seminary Student Book Support (EELC) | $100 |
| F-9 | Outreach - Morgan State (LCM - GB) | $100 |
| F-10 | Daily Expenses for a Teacher in Tanzania (MT) | $100 |
| F-11 | After-School Programs for Urban Students (BURP) | $25-$50 |
| F-12 | Honor Someone in Your Life (LVC) | $30 - $50 |
| F-13 | Bible Study Materials (CSD-H) | $30 |
| F-14 | Bible Study Materials (CSD-J) | $30 |
| F-15 | Bible Study Materials (CSD-W) | $30 |
| F-16 | Harper-Collins Study Bible (LCM-GB) | $30 |
| F-17 | Transportation for Lutheran Day in Dover (LOPP-D) | $25 |
| F-18 | Reception for Lutheran Day in Dover (LOPP-D) | $15 |
| F-19 | Transportation to legislative sessions in Dover (LOPP-D) | $10 |
| F-20 | Transportation for Lutheran Night in Annapolis (LOPP-M) | $25 |
| F-21 | Reception for Lutheran Night in Annapolis (LOPP-M) | $15 |
| F-22 | Transportation to legislative sessions in Annapolis (LOPP-M) | $10 |
| F-23 | Student Peer Ministry (LCM - GB) | $8 |
| F-24 | Bibles (LCM - CP) | $5 |
| F-25 | Training Manual (DMS-LA) | $25 |
| F-26 | Scholarship for Leadership Training (DMS-LA) | $50 |
Gifts that Bring Joy
| J-1 | Field Trip (BSDC) | $200 |
| J-2 | Monthly Entertainment (ALH) | $75 |
| J-3 | Arts and Craft Supplies (BSDC) | $50 |
| J-4 | Park Benches (MLR) | $50 |
| J-5 | Activity Time at KidzStuff (DIAK) | $25 |
| J-6 | Special Luncheon (ALH) | $10 |
| J-7 | Treats (ALH) | $5 |
| J-8 | Snack Time (LCM - CP) | $5 |
| J-9 | Bible Study (LCM - GB) | $5 |
| J-10 | Trip to the Beauty Shop (NLH) | $15 |
| J-11 | Special Activities and Treats for Home Residents (NLH) | $25 |
Descriptions of Gifts
Gifts that Provide for Daily Needs
- D-1 Wells and Water Projects (MT): $25 - $250
- Tanzanians, mostly women, often carry water five to ten miles for drinking. Greater availability of drinkable water will improve both the health and economic prospects of whole communities in Tanzania.
- D-2 Estonian Seminary Student Support (EELC): $250
- Many students willing to enter seminary in Estonia are unable to afford the expense of tuition or books. This amount will provide part of a semester's tuition.
- D-3 Fresh Fruit (BSDC): $100
- Fresh fruit is a treat. Your donation will provide fruit at camp for five days for 40 youngsters.
- D-4 Parish Health Nursing (DIAK): $100
- Assist with the cost of providing health ministries with the purchase of a stethoscope. Directed by a registered nurse, Congregational Health Ministries serves as consultants to congregations and pastors to develop holistic health ministries that seek to meet the physical, emotional, relational and spiritual needs of individuals throughout the congregation and community.
- D-5 Healthcare for Adult Services (DIAK): $70
- Provide a blood pressure cuff for Frostburg Adult Day Services. In addition to healthcare services, the center provides daytime assistance and care, allowing older persons or those with disabilities to remain in their community while maintaining their independence and dignity.
- D-6 Basic Catalog Order (CSD): $50
- Provide basic necessities, such as sheets, blankets, towels, and toiletries, for indigent inmates in the Maryland Correctional System at all three Community of St. Dysmas locations.
- D-7 Estonian Children's Project (EELC): $5 - $50
- Provide snacks, food, or clothing items for children from the streets, cared for in the congregations of Estonia.
- D-8 Meals for a Hungry Child or Family (LCS): $5 - 50
- Your $5 buys eight meals for a hungry child or family; $25 buys 40 meals for hungry children and adults; $50 buys 80 meals for hungry children and adults.
- D-9 Feed Volunteers (LVC): $40
- Rice and beans - staples of a volunteer's diet! Lutheran Volunteers live and eat simply so they can devote a year to serving others. $40 feeds 40 volunteers for a meal.
- D-10 Backpack Project (LCM - CP): $30
- Fill a backpack with school supplies for a child at risk in one of the two after-school programs of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at University of Maryland, serving the multicultural community of Langley Park.
- D-11 Trip to the Beauty Shop (ALH): $25
- Enable a resident of Augsburg Lutheran Home to enjoy a new hairdo - cut, shampoo and blow dry.
- D-12 Recreational Supplies (BSDC): $25
- Recreational supplies for one camp will enhance the camp experience for youngsters at the Baltimore Summer Day Camps.
- D-13 Utility Bills (HLNS): $25
- Help the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center as it assists people in need maintain services with payment of utilities.
- D-14 Medical Care for Low-Income Families (LVC): $25
- Affordable medical clinics are vital for families without health insurance. Make a gift to recruit and support Lutheran Volunteers working to provide medical care to those in need.
- D-15 Support Volunteers Serving the Homeless (LVC): $25
- Lutheran Volunteer Corps members devote a year to serving those in need. Help support a Lutheran Volunteer providing care, services, and hope to the homeless.
- Gifts for Residents of Carroll Lutheran Village (CLV)
- D-16 Nightgowns: $30
- D-17 Lap Robes: $25
- D-18 Toiletry Items: $20
- D-19 Warm Socks: $15
- D-20 Fun Items from the Gift Shop: $10
- D-21 Winter Coat (HLNS): $20
- Provide a warm coat for someone at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center.
- D-22 Food Bank Donation (HLNS): $15
- Support the food bank at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center.
- D-23 R & R for Volunteers (LVC): $10
- Time for reflection and relaxation. Lutheran Volunteer Corps members live and serve in inner-city Baltimore and Wilmington. The volunteers are thankful for the opportunity to escape urban pressures and reflect on their experiences. Retreats include time for community building, worship, and discussions about simplicity and social justice. Your gift helps cover the costs of the retreat.
- D-24 Hearing Aid/Eyeglasses Repair (NLH): $25
- Enable a resident of NLH to have needed repairs to a hearing aid or eyeglasses rather than more expensive replacement.
Gifts that Build for the Future
- F-1 Urban Ministry for Seminarian (BURP): $250
- Provide a seminarian with exposure to one of three urban congregations in the synod for a semester.
- F-2 Summer Camperships (MLR): $5 - $350
- Help needy youth experience Christian summer camp.
- Other Needs for Mar-Lu-Ridge (MLR)
- F-3 Cups and flatware for dining rooms: $10 - $200
- F-4 Dehumidifier for cabins: $150
- F-5 Non-slip covers for steps: $20
- F-6 Smoke detector replacements: $20
- F-7 Window blinds for Ridge Inn: $10
- F-8 Estonian Seminary Student Book Support (EELC): $100
- Many students willing to enter seminary in Estonia are unable to afford the expense of tuition or books. This amount will purchase books for a semester of study.
- F-9 Outreach - Morgan State (LCM - GB): $100
- Buy five hours of outreach at historically African-American Morgan State University.
- F-10 Daily Expenses for a Teacher in Tanzania (MT): $100
- Training in English greatly enhances the ability of Tanzanian evangelists to learn and to communicate with others outside the region and allows them access to widely-available English language materials.
- F-11 After-School Programs - Urban Students (BURP): $25 - $50
- Help fund one of the after-school programs of our urban churches, including tutorial, recreational and religious programs.
- F-12 Honor Someone in Your Life (LVC): $30 - $50
- Do you know someone who reaches out to those in need and who inspires others? Let this person know you admire their good works. You can honor a volunteer in your life by supporting a young adult beginning a life of service. This gift supports LVC's work to recruit, place, and support year-long volunteers.
- F-13 Bible Study Materials (CSD-H): $30
- Provide a unit of Bible study materials for use in the prison ministry of the Community of St. Dysmas MCIH (Hagerstown).
- F-14 Bible Study Materials (CSD-J): $30
- Provide a unit of Bible study materials for use in the prison ministry of the Community of St. Dysmas MCIJ (Jessup).
- F-15 Bible Study Materials (CSD-W): $30
- Provide a unit of Bible study materials for use in the ministry of the Community of St. Dysmas MCIW (Women's prison).
- F-16 Harper-Collins Study Bible (LCM-GB): $30
- Buy a Harper-Collins Study Bible which enables a deeper encounter with God's Word at Towson University.
- LOPP Delaware (LOPP-D)
- F-17 Transportation for Lutheran Day in Dover: $25
- F-18 Reception for Lutheran Day in Dover: $15
- F-19 Transportation to legislative sessions in Dover: $10
- LOPP Maryland (LOPP-M)
- F-20 Transportation for Lutheran Night in Annapolis: $25
- F-21 Reception for Lutheran Night in Annapolis: $15
- F-22 Transportation to legislative sessions in Annapolis: $10
- F-23 Student Peer Ministry (LCM - GB): $8
- Buy an hour of Student Peer Ministry inviting students to community in Christ on campuses in Baltimore.
- F-24 Bibles (LCM - CP) $5
- Help us meet the request for Bibles from students who come to the Lutheran office at the University of Maryland Chapel.
- F-25 Training Manual (DMS-LA): $25
- Provide a training manual for the First Academy course of the Synod Leadership Academy.
- F-26 Scholarship for Leadership Training (DMS-LA): $50
- Provide a partial scholarship for a synod pastor to attend one week of the Leadership Academy.
Gifts that Bring Joy
- J-1 Field Trip (BSDC): $200
- Pay for a bus to take 20 children and adults to the Washington Zoo.
- J-2 Monthly Entertainment (ALH): $75
- Provide an hour of entertainment one month - singing, a magic show or other entertainment - for the residents of the Augsburg Lutheran Home.
- J-3 Arts and Craft Supplies (BSDC): $50
- Buy arts and crafts supplies for one camp.
- J-4 Park Benches (MLR): $50
- Provide a place for campers and visitors to sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Mar-Lu-Ridge.
- J-5 Activity Time at KidzStuff (DIAK): $25
- Provide a movement or quiet-time CD for KidzStuff on North Avenue in Baltimore. KidzStuff provides daycare and before- and afterschool care services for elementary school children and summer camp opportunities for young people.
- J-6 Special Luncheon (ALH): $10
- Treat a resident of Augsburg Lutheran Home to a special luncheon in the Village Dining Room. Residents enjoy having something different to do and a trip to the Village Dining Room gives them the opportunity to select lunch from a delicious menu.
- J-7 Treats (ALH): $5
- Residents of Augsburg Lutheran Home love special treats. Provide an ice cream sundae for five residents with your gift.
- J-8 Snack Time (LCM - CP): $5
- Provide a nutritious snack for five children in University of Maryland Lutheran Campus Ministry's after-school programs.
- J 9 Bible Study (CM - GB): $5
- Provide hospitality for a Bible study for college students in the greater Baltimore area.
- J-10 Trip to the Beauty Shop (NLH): $15
- Nothing can brighten one's spirits better than a bright, clean hairdo. Provide the gift of beauty to one of NLH's residents.
- J-11 Special Activities and Treats for Home Residents (NLH): $25
- Simple things can mean so much. Fun activities with other residents and yummy treats add to an otherwise ordinary day.
Descriptions of Agencies and Organizations
Companion Synods of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
International Church Organizations
- The Lutheran Church in Estonia (EELC)
- The Evangelical Estonian Lutheran Church, struggling to recover after the end of the Soviet occupation, strives to provide a variety of services to the people, as a sign of God's presence. Seminary students study at the old seminary in Talinn, Estonia. In addition to assisting families with their immediate needs, the church provides shelter and basic education programs for children from the streets.
- Lutheran Church in Tanzania (MT)
- The Lutheran Church in the Mara Diocese of Tanzania is experiencing significant growth in numbers, largely due to the work of lay evangelists who receive their training at the Kiabakari School there. Training in English would greatly enhance the ability of these evangelists to learn and to communicate with others outside the region and allow them to access the widely-available English language materials.
Local Organizations (Delaware - Maryland)
- Augsburg Lutheran Home (ALH)
- Augsburg Lutheran Home has been serving the elderly since 1892, dedicated to the mission of serving each individual as if he or she were the Lord himself. Augsburg focuses on the individual and provides service regardless of ability to pay. Returning to those who have shaped our world and made sacrifices that we might prosper and have life, Augsburg relies on the generosity of individuals to help provide many of the daily needs and also the extras that make days better for residents.
- Baltimore Summer Day Camps (BSDC)
- Baltimore Summer Day Camps is a ministry of seven Lutheran congregations in the Delaware-Maryland Synod. Six of the congregations are in Baltimore, Maryland, and one is located in Wilmington, Delaware. The congregations serve over 400 children from our local neighborhoods.
- Baltimore Urban Regional Partnership (BURP)
- The Baltimore Urban Regional Partnership was mandated by the Delaware-Maryland Synod and its assembly to put together a strategy for ministry in the greater Baltimore region. The partnership works to strengthen pastoral and lay leadership and to provide urban ministry experiences for seminarians. The strategy will present a comprehensive vision for ministry in the greater Baltimore region.
- Carroll Lutheran Village(CLV)
- Carroll Lutheran Village is a full-service continuing care retirement community of nearly 500 older adults who live in one of three levels of care - independent living, assisted living or the health care center where 24-hour skilled nursing care is provided. Located in rural Carroll County, the village is always in need of gifts for residents in the nursing home.
- The Community of St. Dysmas (CSD)
- The Community of St. Dysmas is a Lutheran congregation within prison walls. Currently, CSD serves inmates in five institutions within the Maryland correctional system, encouraging them in their lives within the prisons, strengthening their faith, and giving them hope for their future. In addition to worship services, volunteers with CSD provide Bible studies for the inmates.
- Delaware-Maryland Synod Leadership Academy (DMS-LA)
- The Delaware-Maryland Synod Leadership Academy is a two-year program designed to enhance and develop the leadership skills of pastors and other rostered church leaders. Specific skill areas are: listening, communication, conflict management, resolution of corporate pain, and essential skills for transition and change. The academy includes three week-long residential courses, mentor/accountability/reflection groups, and individual mentoring and/or spiritual direction.
- Diakon (DIAK)
- Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries demonstrates God's command to love our neighbor through acts of service. Diakon is a non-profit health care and social service organization which has been serving people in need since 1868, without regard to their religious affiliation. Serving people in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, Diakon provides a wide range of services to children, adults and families, including retirement and health care, community and congregational services.
- Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Services (HLNS)
- Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Services aids families in the greater Wilmington region with daily needs. It is a social service agency that provides emergency food and utilities assistance. It also sponsors a youth service program that includes individual and group tutorial services as well as cultural and enrichment programs for school-aged children.
- Lutheran Campus Ministries (LCM)
- Lutheran Campus Ministries of the Delaware-Maryland Synod support Christian activities, reach out by offering faith experiences to students, and provide services to the larger community through student-volunteer opportunities. Lutheran Campus Ministries serve students at the University of Maryland, College Park; greater Baltimore colleges and universities; and the University of Delaware.
- Lutheran Community Services (LCS)
- Sharing God's Blessings by Helping Others in Need is the mission of Lutheran Community Services in Delaware. They fulfill this mission by helping people with low incomes, seniors, and others who are experiencing a crisis and as a result have difficulty meeting their family's basic needs for food and housing. Services include a variety of emergency food programs, free produce and clothing distributions, emergency housing assistance, transportation to medical appointments for seniors, and minor home repairs for older homeowners. They provide emergency food programs, which distribute enough food to make more than 171,000 meals every year. About half of the 40,000 people fed every year are children.
- Lutheran Offices on Public Policy - Delaware and Maryland (LOPP)
- The Lutheran Offices on Public Policy in Delaware and Maryland are ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Division for Church in Society, and the Delaware-Maryland and the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. synods. The purpose of LOPP is to represent ELCA social statements and related church messages to state governments in Delaware and Maryland. The offices consist of part-time directors, volunteer boards with members from the synods, and a network of interested and committed ELCA congregants and their congregations.
- Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC)
- The Lutheran Volunteer Corps is a domestic volunteer program that matches people with full-time positions in urban social ministry organizations and other nonprofits in Baltimore and Wilmington. LVC ers strive to grow spiritually by working for social justice, living together in intentional communities, and simplifying their lifestyles. They receive a minimal stipend while performing such important roles as coordinating mentoring programs for at-risk youth, assisting homeless people, advocating on behalf of immigrants and refuges, teaching adult education classes, and working with victims of domestic violence.
- Mar-Lu-Ridge (MLR)
- Mar-Lu-Ridge is an outdoor ministry site of the ELCA. Established in 1958 in Jefferson, Md., southwest of Frederick, Mar-Lu-Ridge hosts several thousand visitors a year for summer camp and retreat use. Year-round facilities consist of cabins with two private full baths in each, the Ridge Inn with motel-style rooms, and Lodge 3 where groups bring their own food.
- National Lutheran Home ( NLH)
- Since 1980, the National Lutheran Home in Rockville, Md., has provided a comfortable residence for elders needing care, medical attention, and Christian community. A medical director and nursing staff of 200 provide daily attention and hands-on care to 300 residents.