Evergreen Projects Ministry Team

Evergreen is the umbrella title for several service projects at Unity Church-Unitarian.

Food Ministry at the Jeremiah Program
Unity Church members prepare and serve monthly meals for families at the Jeremiah Program residence at 932 Concordia Avenue in St. Paul. The Jeremiah Program gives single mothers and their children the opportunity to fully unleash their potential and build a vibrant future. Jeremiah provides a holistic support system for women of high-potential seeking higher education, including affordable housing, Life Skills education, empowerment training and early childhood education for their children. Jeremiah Program’s innovative approach prepares women to succeed n the workforce, readies their children to succeed in kindergarten and reduces general dependence on public assistance. 

Help cook a meal at The Jeremiah Program (932 Concordia Avenue, St. Paul), a residence and education program for single moms and their children. Meals are typically provided before evening classes and Unity Church volunteers are needed to help with preparation.  However, due to the pandemic, this program is temporarily suspended until further notice. When it is possible to participate again, helpers (including kids over eight years old) work from 4:00-7:00 p.m. To volunteer contact Karen Buggs at 651-297-0111 or buggs745@hotmail.com.

Evergreen Quilters
Evergreen Quilters is a group of members and friends of Unity Church who quilt or want to learn how to quilt, and who love to share their creativity and skills with each other and the wider community. Their creative work is displayed at church, shared at the celebration of new babies, donated to families at Project Home (a day shelter in downtown St. Paul), and sold several times a year in the Parish Hall. Proceeds from the sale are shared with the Jeremiah Program, Project Home, and Obama School. All people of the church are welcome to join the group at any time. For information please contact Peggy Wright at 651-698-2760.  Throughout the Corona virus pandemic, the group meets via Zoom.  Contact Peggy Wright at 651-698-2760 for information and directions for joining the group.

Food Shelf Collection
Hallie Q. Brown, the food shelf supported by Evergreen Quilters and Unity Church members, distributes 25 pounds of food per month for each, per qualified family member. Last year they distributed 568,183 pounds, 25 pounds at a time. This year they have served over 19,000 people in the Rondo neighborhood. Since April 1, 2017, Evergreen Quilters has been collecting food shelf donations in the wicker trunks located at the Holly and Portland Avenue entrances. Bring a food shelf donation each time you come to the church! Church members are invited to donate money and/or non-perishable food, cooking supplies, toiletries, and pet food.  All donations are gratefully accepted. Watch the monthly church newsletter for suggestions about particularly needed items. This program is on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Collections and deliveries to the food shelf will resume when the church is reopened. CLICK HERE to make a cash donation.   

Volunteer Opportunities
Currently the Evergreen projects are staffed by a core group of dedicated volunteers doing direct service; the quilters provide a larger venue for volunteer opportunities. Contact Rev. Karen Hering by email at karen@unityunitarian.org or by phone at 651-228-1456 x109 for more information

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Hear from the quilters...

The group is funny, caring, encouraging, and well organized. We are a no-guilt group that does not require a big time commitment. We enjoy sharing sewing ideas and tips. And we love to welcome new members! —Dianne Connor

I joined in anticipation of becoming a grandma and wanted to re-learn how to quilt. They were so welcoming and willing to teach! No judgement. —Terri McNeil

I’m full of gratitude for the opportunity to share my love of quilting with so many good friends in Evergreen Quilters, with the larger community through the groups Evergreen Quilters partners with, and with the church itself that’s been so open to our many ways of offering our creations to the church community and the larger community. —Kathie Simon Frank

My best experience with the group was when I suggested that we do a group Dignity quilt for Cherrywood Pointe, which is where Marv and I live. Evergreen had been meeting there so that I could attend even though I am caregiving full-time. I am so grateful to the group for making it possible to participate. The quilt is beautiful, and is deeply appreciated by our staff. —Jeannie Spears