Called to do GOD’S work with OUR hands, Silverdale Lutheran Church’s mission is to love Kitsap and the world! Through the years SLC has developed community connections and partnerships which truly make a difference within our community and change lives. Explore below the many and varied places SLC has chosen to connect. We are grateful for the generous donations of time and resources to these outreach efforts. For more information, please click on the earlier Love in Action link (if available) or the organization’s website at the end of the ministry description.
Al-Anon An Al-Anon group meets weekly in the Gathering Place of SLC to provide supportive conversation for folks dealing with alcoholism within their families.
For more information on Al-Anon please visit: https://al-anon.org/
Alzheimer’s Support SLC provides a gathering space for an Alzheimer’s Support Group to meet. In the fall of 2021, SLC joined the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Kitsap Peninsula” as a walking team and fundraiser for the cause. In 2022, the Kitsap walk will be held on September 10th.
Benedict House Catholic Community Services opened Benedict House in 2006 as an emergency shelter with transitional housing for single homeless men or men with children. SLC prepares and serves dinner meals, donates hygiene kits/quilts and new/gently used clothing.
Love in Action – Benedict House
For more information visit: https://ccsww.org/get-help/shelter-homeless-services/benedict-house/
Bremerton Foodline Serving the Bremerton School District area, Bremerton Foodline is a source of emergency food assistance USDA Commodities distribution, a supplemental food program, and holiday baskets. SLC contributes financially to this organization. For more information please visit: https://www.bremertonfoodline.org/
Love in Action – Bremerton Foodline
Birkenfeld Stella Maris House
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul opened this 26-bed shelter for women and women with children whose lives have been compromised. The shelter provides housing, food and a safe and supportive environment. SLC supports this ministry through our benevolence dollars and in-kind gifts. We share homemade hats and scarves, filled Christmas stockings for all the women and children, along with Christmas gifts for each child. https://www.svdpbremerton.com/
Boy Scouts of America Silverdale Lutheran sponsors Boy Scout Troop 1541, Cub Scouts Pack 4544, and Crew 1548. The groups use the Gathering Place for their meetings. Numerous SLC folks volunteer and provide leadership and role models for these young boys/men in our community.
For more information on Boy Scouts visit: https://www.scouting.org/
Central Kitsap Backpacks 4 Kids Started in 2013, Central Kitsap Backpacks 4 Kids provides weekend supplemental meals to those children and their families who are at risk of weekend hunger during the school year. SLC supports this ministry through our benevolence dollars. SLC volunteers have served on the board and give time preparing the food for distribution.Love in Action – CKB4K
For more information visit: https://www.ckfoodbackpacks4kids.com/
Central Kitsap Food Bank Our local food bank networks with businesses and non-profits to help meet the needs of those dealing with food insecurity. SLC collects ongoing food donations in the Fellowship Hall. Volunteers share their time at the food bank and serve on the board. The food bank supports our Hearty Meals ministry.
Love in Action – CK Foodbank
For More information visit: https://ckfoodbank.org/
Coffee Oasis In operation since 1997, Coffee Oasis is a faith based, non-profit organization that supports several coffee businesses and youth programs for homeless and street-oriented youth (ages 15-25). SLC shares financial support, volunteer time and some in-kind gifts with this ministry.
For more information visit: https://thecoffeeoasis.com/
Love in Action – Coffee Oasis
Cottage Bay Apartments
The Bremerton Cottage Bay Apartment complex is one of SLC’s community partnerships that provides low-income individuals and families with an affordable community in which to live. The children attend Esquire Hills Elementary School, which SLC is invested in as a partner. Through the past years, SLC volunteers have created a summer lunch program with activities; provided homework support; helped with monthly Kids Club activities; partnered with their Trunk or Treat event; provided homemade quilts; shared hats, scarves and gloves for their Christmas stockings for 80 children along with support for the holiday dinner for 80 families; partnered with Esquire Hills on a summer enrichment reading program; and provided new school backpacks and supplies for their children and youth. Love in Action – Cottage Bay
Eastside Baby Corner – West Sound Founded in 1990, this organization helps children reach their full potential by meeting basic needs today. A large partnership network collects community donations of new/gently used items or monetary donations which go to purchase needed items, all of which are then distributed to families. Eastside Baby Corner serves families with infants to 12-year-old children at no cost. SLC & the SLC Preschool contribute donations to this ministry. For more information visit: https://babycorner.org/
Love in Action – Eastside Baby Corner
ELCA Good Gifts SLC folks choose this opportunity to make a global impact with their giving. ELCA Good Gifts offers you the choice to give a gift in honor or celebration of someone…say for their birthday, Christmas, anniversary or graduation! For $10.00 or more you can purchase farm animals, school supplies, solar-powered lanterns, health clinic supplies, water filters, farming tools, small business loans, a fish farm…and the list goes on. Why not choose to make a real difference in our world? For more information visit: https://goodgifts.elca.org/
Love in Action – ELCA Good Gifts
Emerald Heights Elementary School
SLC has supported one of our neighborhood schools with classroom volunteers and tied fleece blankets for the calming comfort corners of the classrooms. Every six weeks throughout the school year, SLC shares appreciation gifts with the entire school staff. For more information visit: https://emeraldheights.ckschools.org/
Empowering Life Prison Ministry A ministry of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Empowering Life serves women who are incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy and at Mission Creek in Belfair. SLC supports Empowering Life through our benevolence dollars. SLC folks have attended their worship services; helped with fundraisers; donated clothing; shared supplies and encouraging cards; and served as mentors. Love in Action – Empowering Life Prison Ministry
Esquire Hills Elementary School SLC’s strong partnership with Esquire Hills is visible in numerous ways. SLC volunteers help at school family events, in the classroom and are instrumental in the STEM learning focus. When many students could not afford to purchase t-shirts, in the spirit of school unity SLC provided each student with a new EH school shirt at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. The second grade students have been the recipients of the Bridging the Gap Summer Reading project. SLC supports the school’s efforts to connect with students and families living in the Cottage Bay Apartments. SLC affirms the faithful work of the Esquire Hills staff with appreciation gifts every six weeks throughout the school year. SLC volunteers lead the afterschool STEM Robotics and Rocket Clubs. SLC supports the school’s “Girls on the Run” enrichment program. For more information please visit: https://esquirehills.ckschools.org/
Girl Scouts of America
Since 2018, the Girls Scouts have enjoyed using the Gathering Place for their meetings. SLC received the “Community Partner Award” for outstanding service to the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. SLC volunteers provide leadership and service as they nurture the character and strength of young women in our community. For information on girl scouts please visit: https://www.girlscoutsww.org/ Love in Action – Girl Scouts
God’s work. Our hands. Servant Events Several times during the year, SLC hosts a God’s work. Our hands. Servant Event which highlights various outreach ministries. SLC folks gather and work together on special projects which are then shared throughout our community and around the world. We “love Kitsap” in unique ways and touch many lives with our efforts. Look for these events on a May Sunday morning and the Wednesday evening after Thanksgiving.
Love in Action – God’s Work May 22 Love in Action – God’s Work Sept 11
Hearty Meals Since 1994, a team of dedicated SLC volunteers has prepared and served a hearty meal every Wednesday at noon in SLC’s Fellowship Hall. Originally started as a ministry with the homeless, Hearty Meals has evolved into a ministry providing a nutritious meal where anyone in the community is welcome to come, be fed and enjoy friendly conversation with others. SLC financially supports this ministry.
John D. “Bud” Hawk Elementary School at Jackson Park Located in Bremerton between the Naval Hospital and The Landings military housing, Hawk Elementary serves a diverse student population. The only CKSD K-5 Montessori program is located on the Hawk campus. SLC partnered with Hawk Elementary through our Bridging the Gap Summer Reading Project. We are sharing appreciation gifts with the entire school staff every six weeks throughout the school year. SLC is supporting the “Battle of the Books” afterschool club for Grade 4-5 students. For more information please visit https://hawk.ckschools.org/
Hometown Band Founded in 1982, the Hometown Band is a community band of all volunteers of many ages, levels of experience and abilities. SLC supports the development of musicians and bringing music to the community by hosting the band each Tuesday evening in the Fellowship Hall. The Hometown Band performs an average of 30 concerts a year around Kitsap County, including at SLC.
Island Lake Cemetery For over 100 years, Island Lake Cemetery has been a final resting place for many of God’s faithful people. Owned by SLC, volunteers oversee and maintain the grounds and assist with each burial. All are welcome to purchase a gravesite within this cemetery.
Love in Action – Island Lake Cemetery
Kidstown International Caring for orphaned and neglected children, Kidstown International supports children’s homes that improve their quality of life and educational opportunities in a Christ-centered environment giving them hope for the future. Kidstown believes every child is to be loved and equipped to impact the world. Kidstown is helping care for children in Romania, India and Nepal. SLC has supported this ministry with benevolence offerings and individual gifts.
Kidzz Helping Kidzz Started in 2016 by then 9 year-old Zachary from Bremerton, Kidzz Helping Kidzz gathers thousands of toys to share with children at our local St. Michael Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Seattle Children’s Hospital. SLC folks have contributed new toys during their collection times at Christmas and Easter. For more information please visit: https://www.kidzzhelpingkidzz.org/ Love in Action – Kidzz Helping Kidz
Kitsap Community Resource A non-profit social service agency established in 1965, Kitsap Community Resources creates hope and opportunities for low-income Kitsap county residents by providing resources that promote self-sufficiency and stability. SLC partners with KCR to generously create Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to share with families, including veterans, single moms and women escaping domestic violence.
For more information please visit: https://www.kcr.org/ Love in Action – KCR
Kitsap Rescue Mission Beginning ministry in 2009, Kitsap Rescue Mission provides welcoming shelter, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies and case management for those experiencing homelessness in Kitsap county. Today it operates a 24 hour, 7 days a week shelter for 86 individuals. This is the only continuous stay homeless shelter in Kitsap county. The shelter will be moving to a new location in Port Orchard in late 2024. SLC has supported the Kitsap Rescue Mission financially through the years. During a time when their shelter was located at the county fairgrounds, SLC provided lunches once a week for their residents. For more information please visit: https://kitsaprescue.org/ Love in Action – Kitsap Rescue Mission
Life Pax A non-profit organization, Life Pax’s mission was to feed the hungry and share the love of Christ one meal at a time. Although the organization has closed its doors, SLC continues to provide these meals for our community. One Life Pax is a healthy, inexpensive, non-perishable meal that also includes practical social service resource information. The Life Pax ziploc meals are located in a wooden box just inside the church’s entrance doors. Pick up several to keep in your car to share with a neighbor or someone on a street corner in need of a meal. SLC assists in the purchase of the meal items and SLC volunteers put together the Life Pax.
Living Stones Prison Congregation A congregation of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Living Stones offers a word and sacrament ministry to incarcerated men at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton and the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe. SLC supports this ministry with benevolence dollars, participating in the yearly raffle fundraiser, worshipping with the congregation, creating Freedom backpacks, and sharing gently used clothing with their Clothing Locker. For more information please visit: https://livingstonespc.org/ Love in Action – Living Stones Prison Congregation
Little Free Library SLC believes in impacting the education of our community’s children. In June 2024, SLC established a “Little Free Library” on our campus located on the right side of the Gathering Place. The books are for infant through Grade 5 children. Families are welcome to stop by and choose a book to take home. The books do not need to be returned or replaced by a new book. SLC is committed to blessing our community through the gift of books!
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
With roots dating back to 1921, Lutheran Community Services Northwest has partnered with individuals, families and communities for health, justice, and hope. LCSNW offers Behavioral Health Services, Family and Community Support, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Child Welfare Programs, Aging and Independent Living, and Crime Victim Services. SLC supports LCSNW with our benevolence dollars. SLC volunteers share their time and financial resources and also serve on the board. SLC is supporting their refugee efforts with donations and resettlement kits. SLC has hosted two “Ride for Refugees” bike events raising thousands of dollars, as well as a refugee art show. We are now also involved in LCSNW’s “Santa for Seniors” project. Love in Action – Lutheran Community Services NW
Lutheran Disaster Response Reaching out to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters, Lutheran Disaster Response brings hope, healing, and renewal to communities within the United States and around the world. SLC contributes financially to LDR by responding to specific disasters like floods, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and wildfires. For more information please visit:
https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response
Love in Action – Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran World Relief Founded in 1945, Lutheran World Relief is a non-governmental organization who works with worldwide partners to respond to emergencies, seek lasting solutions to rural poverty and work for peace and justice for all. Each year SLC supports the ministry of LWR through our gifts of handmade quilts, school kits and personal care kits. For more information visit: https://lwr.org/
Love in Action – Lutheran World Relief
Martha and Mary For over 130 years, Martha and Mary has served the Kitsap area by providing quality, compassionate care regardless of socio-economic status. Martha and Mary offers rehabilitation services, senior living housing, long-term care, memory care, palliative care, respite care, at-home care and child care centers. SLC is one of the 8 Lutheran Member Congregations that support Martha & Mary’s mission of care. Pastor Bill serves as a trustee on the board and SLC members volunteer their time with this incredible ministry. SLC supports Martha & Mary through our benevolence dollars. SLC has created “Welcome Gift Bags” for those new residents with limited income, partnered with Christmas gifts for the senior residents and shared snacks to appreciate their staff.
Love in Action – Martha & Mary
Military Outreach SLC is deeply grateful for the sacrificial service of the sailors and their families who are stationed in our area. We reach out to support our military in a variety of ways including: care packages to local submarines and deployed sailors; 80 Welcome Home USS Nimitz gift bags; hosting Family Readiness events; sharing holiday meal cards and gifts for lower enlisted families through our “Operation Christmas Miracle”; sharing July 4th baskets with a fun meal and festive activities; invitations to connect at family events such as the Treat Trail, Ice Skating and Vacation Bible School. Our SLC Preschool serves many military families, providing faith centered early childhood education for their children. SLC partners with four CKSD elementary schools who have a significant number of military students. SLC supports this outreach financially and with many volunteers.
North Kitsap Fishline In operation since 1967 in Poulsbo, Fishline serves individuals and families residing within North Kitsap County. Fishline offers a Healthy Foods Market, Second Season Boutique, and a Second Season Home Store. Fishline’s mission is to provide food and access to resources that offer stability, improve health and well-being, and help people onto a path to self-sustainability. SLC provides financial support to Fishline.
For more information please visit: https://fishlinehelps.org/
Olympic Lutherhaven Camp Since 1955, this camp and picnic area on Wildcat Lake in Bremerton has been owned by SLC and 5 other Lutheran churches. SLC uses Lutherhaven for Family Camp, our church picnic, Middle camp, retreats, All Church Camp and summer youth nights. As an opportunity to share this beautiful camp setting with others, Lutherhaven is open to rental by other churches and non-profit organizations. SLC donates to the operation of Lutherhaven through our church budget. SLC volunteers give many hours to its maintenance and upgrades. SLC always has several members serving on the board. http://www.olympiclutherhaven.org/
Love in Action – OLC April 10 Love in Action – OLC Family Camp Love in Action – OLC middle camp
Pacific Lutheran University One of 26 ELCA Colleges and Universities, Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma. PLU seeks to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care – for other people, for their communities and for the Earth. Numerous SLC members are attending or have attended PLU and continue to generously share their time and support. SLC supports PLU through benevolence dollars. https://www.plu.edu/
Love in Action – Pacific Lutheran University
Quilters A ministry started in 1969, SLC Quilters gather every Monday morning in the Fellowship Hall to create quilts to share with those in need of warmth. Each year the quilters will sew hundreds of quilts that are shipped to Lutheran World Relief for distribution across the world and additional quilts that are shared within our community. All are welcome to join in this creative work. SLC supports this ministry with monetary and in-kind donations, along with the helping hands of many volunteers.
SERRV Founded in 1949, SERRV empowers small-scale global artisans and farmers through long-term trading partnerships, helping them build sustainable employment, resources, rights and a vision of hope in their communities. SLC usually hosts a SERRV Fair Trade Market each Christmas season with beautiful handicrafts and goods. You can also make online purchases all year round.
Servant Trips SLC’s youth have an opportunity during their high school years to participate in mission trips within the United States and internationally beyond our borders. SLC also sponsored an intergenerational mission trip to Hoquiam to serve within their community. SLC supports these trips financially through fundraising efforts.
Love in Action – Hoquiam Love in Action – Youth Servant Trip
Silver Ridge Elementary School of the Arts SLC sponsors a “Reading Buddies” program at our neighborhood school. Volunteers listen to second grade and kindergarten students read each Thursday morning. Silver Ridge is one of the schools who has benefited from our Bridging the Gap Summer Reading Project. SLC supports the entire staff with appreciation gifts every six weeks throughout the school year. Love in Action – Silver Ridge School fo the Arts
SLC Preschool Since 1994, SLC’s Preschool ministry has provided a hands-on, loving, learning environment for our community’s children. A theme-based curriculum reflects the varying developmental levels of the children in the 2-year-old to 4-year-old Pre-Kindergarten classes, based on NAEYC guidelines. Class time includes learning centers, music, science, reading and math readiness, story time, weekly chapel time and outdoor play. SLC members are on the staff, serve on the Advisory Board and volunteer their time to support the nurture of these young children and their families. Our preschool serves many military families. SLC shares appreciation gifts every six weeks during the school year with the staff. Gifts from SLC are shared with each preschool child at Christmas and at the close of the school year. Love in Action 7/31 – SLC Preschool
StandUp for Kids A national non-profit organization since 1990, StandUp for Kids has an ongoing presence in Kitsap county. They serve unaccompanied homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-24, helping them transition from surviving to thriving. StandUp for Kids coordinates their efforts with many local agencies/organizations, relying solely on community and individual donations for funding. SLC has provided hygiene kits and gently used clothing/sleeping bags for their ministry with our community’s youth.
YWCA ALIVE Shelter The doors opened in 1978 for the ALIVE Shelter to provide a supportive network of services for the survivors of domestic violence and their children and at-risk family. This facility is the only state-certified domestic violence shelter in Kitsap County. SLC supports their efforts financially. http://ywcakitsap.org/alive-program/
Love in Action – BYMCA Alive Shelter
Financial support for SLC’s Community Outreach currently comes from a variety of sources: SLC members’ monetary and in-kind donations; SLC benevolence and budget dollars; Thrivent Financial Community Action Team grants and Thrivent Financial Choice dollars.
In Jesus Christ, all of life – every act of service in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.