Feeding Our Neighbors

As rising food costs and recent reductions in SNAP benefits continue to impact families across Missouri, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri is stepping forward with a new resource to help churches respond with compassion and action.

The Feeding Our Neighbors Toolkit equips congregations with the practical tools they need to serve neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Developed by the Office of Communications, the toolkit blends pastoral encouragement with hands-on strategies for ministry, partnership, and advocacy. Inside, churches will find ready-to-use flyers, a comprehensive directory of food banks and pantries across Eastern Missouri, and clear steps for launching or expanding parish-based food ministries.

“This resource is designed to make it easy for any congregation, large or small, to connect people with free food in their community,” said a spokesperson from the diocesan communications office. “By working together, our churches can offer hope and tangible help to those most affected by SNAP reductions.”

The toolkit also features an editable flyer template and a one-page “Quick Reference Handout” suitable for bulletin inserts or welcome tables. Both highlight local and diocesan food ministries, as well as statewide resources such as 211 Missouri, Feeding Missouri, and the Department of Social Services SNAP portal.

Parishes are encouraged to download the toolkit, share it widely, and explore opportunities to collaborate with regional food banks and neighboring congregations.

Learn more by using this link.

Episcopal Relief & Development: Responding to Hurricane Melissa

Episcopal Relief & Development is in close contact with our partners, including local dioceses and agencies in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, as Hurricane Melissa continues to cause widespread devastation throughout the Caribbean region.

With wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 29 as a Category 5 storm. The storm is the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s history and one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. Causing major damage to public infrastructure, Hurricane Melissa has left approximately 77% of the island without power and displaced more than 6,000 people. A precise death toll and full understanding of damages are still difficult to determine as many areas remain inaccessible. However, severe flooding and landslides, dangerous storm surges and upwards of 30 deaths have been reported across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti. 

“Our local partners are assessing the needs of their community as the damage and long-term effects of this disaster become clearer,” said Eric Weaver, Director of Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We stand by, ready to support them and the communities they serve as we learn more about the extent of damages and how best to target our response.”

Please pray for the people impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond.

Another Conversation with Our Bishop

We gathered via Zoom with Bishop Johnson back in 2020, shortly after he took the reins as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. What’s happened since then? What’s in the works? What role will women play in our diocese’s future?

Zoom Meeting

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 5:30 pm CT

The Episcopal Church Women Board invites all women in the Diocese of Missouri to grab your favorite snack and beverage and join us for a discussion and Q&A session with Bishop Deon.

We hope this is a brief break for you from the chaos of your life and that you leave feeling loved and heard in our circle of sisterhood.

Sometimes it is difficult to get away directly at 5:30 pm. We understand – join us when you can.

For additional information, contact Susan Goen at susangoen@sbcglobal.net.

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Another Conversation with Our Bishop

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PMSt. Martin's Episcopal Church (Online Event)

Register Now