Community Outreach
At Silverdale Lutheran Church, our faith calls us to love boldly—both near and far. SLC Loves Kitsap and the World is our commitment to serve our neighbors locally and globally through hands-on outreach, compassionate giving, and meaningful partnerships. Whether it’s feeding the hungry, supporting global missions, or responding to urgent needs, we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community and beyond.
Called to do GOD’S work with OUR hands, Silverdale Lutheran Church’s mission is to love Kitsap and the world! Through the years, Silverdale Lutheran Church has developed community connections and partnerships that truly make a difference within our community and change lives. Explore below the many and varied places Silverdale Lutheran Church has chosen to connect. We are grateful for the generous donations of time and resources to these outreach efforts.
Al-Anon
Al-Anon
An Al-Anon group meets weekly in the Gathering Place of Silverdale Lutheran Church to provide supportive conversation for folks dealing with alcoholism within their families.
al-anon.org
Al-Anon
Alzheimer’s Support
Silverdale Lutheran provides a gathering space for an Alzheimer’s Support Group to meet for conversation and encouragement. Each fall, SLC participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Kitsap Peninsula. Our team fundraises for the cause, walking in support of those who are suffering with the disease, their caregivers and families, and remembering those who have died from Alzheimer’s.
Benedicf House
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. Silverdale Lutheran assists with preparing one week of dinner meals each year, as well as sharing in-kind gifts.
Bremerton Foodline
Bremerton Foodline
Serving the Bremerton School District area, Bremerton Foodline is a source for emergency food assistance, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and
Thanksgiving/Christmas baskets. Silverdale Lutheran contributes financially to this ministry. www.bremertonfoodline.org
Birkenfeld Stella Maris House
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul opened this 30-bed shelter for women and women with children whose lives have been compromised. The shelter provides housing, food, and a safe and supportive environment. Silverdale Lutheran Church supports this ministry through our benevolence dollars and in-kind gifts. 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 Silverdale Lutheran Church folks volunteer and provide leadership and role models for these young boys/men in our community.
Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids
Started in 2013, Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids provides weekend supplemental meals to those children and their families who are at risk of weekend hunger during the school year. Silverdale Lutheran supports this ministry through our benevolence dollars and volunteers who prepare the food for distribution.
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. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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.
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). Silverdale Lutheran Church shares financial support, and some in-kind gifts with this ministry.
Compassionate Friends
Compassionate Friends is a non-profit organization that offers friendship, understanding and hope to families who have lost a child. The Kitsap County Chapter grief group meets monthly at Silverdale Lutheran.
ELCA Good Gifts
Silverdale Lutheran Church 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?
Emerald Heights
As one of our neighborhood schools, Silverdale Lutheran supports Emerald Heights in a variety of ways. Every six weeks throughout the school year, SLC shares appreciation gifts with the entire school staff. We support their “Girls on the Run” afterschool enrichment program.
Esquire Hills
Silverdale Lutheran’s strong partnership with Esquire Hills is visible in numerous ways. SLC volunteers assist at school family events and in the classroom. They lead STEM robotics, rocket and 3D printing enrichment programs. SLC supports the school’s “Girls on the Run” afterschool program. We affirm the faithful work of the Esquire Hills’ staff with appreciation gifts every six weeks throughout the school year.
Girl Scouts of America
Since 2018, the Girl Scouts have enjoyed using the Gathering Place for their meetings. Silverdale Lutheran received the “Community Partner Award” for outstanding service to the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. SLC volunteers provide leadership as they nurture the character and confidence of young women in our community.
God’s work. Our hands. Servant Events
Several times during the year, Silverdale Lutheran 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.
Silverdale Lutheran strongly believes in providing numerous opportunities throughout the year to nurture the servant hearts of our children, youth and families.
Hearty Meals
Since 1994, a team of dedicated volunteers has prepared and served a hearty meal every Wednesday at noon in Silverdale Lutheran Church’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. Silverdale Lutheran Church financially supports this ministry.
You may personally choose to sponsor a meal or simply donate to this ministry.
Hawk Elementary
Located in Bremerton between the Naval Hospital and The Landings military housing, Hawk elementary serves a diverse student population. Silverdale Lutheran shares appreciation gifts with the entire school staff every six weeks throughout the school year.
SLC supports the “Battle of the Books” reading enrichment program for Grade 4-5 students.
Hometown Band
Founded in 1982, the Hometown Band is a community band of all volunteers of many ages, levels of experience and abilities. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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 Silverdale Lutheran Church.
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 Silverdale Lutheran Church, volunteers oversee and maintain the grounds and assist with each burial. All are welcome to purchase a gravesite within this cemetery.
Contact us at ILC@SilverdaleLutheran.org
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 Medical Center, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Seattle Children’s Hospital. SLC folks contribute new toys to this effort.
Kitsap Community Resources
A nonprofit 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church partners with KCR to generously create Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to share with families, including veterans, single moms, and women escaping domestic violence.
Beginning their ministry in 2009, the Kitsap Rescue Mission provides welcoming shelter, meals clothing, hygiene supplies and case management for those experiencing homelessness within Kitsap County. Today it operates the only continuous stay (24 hour, 7 days a week) homeless shelter in Kitsap County, providing 86 beds for those in need of housing. Through the years, SLC has supported the Kitsap Rescue Mission financially and with meals.
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, Silverdale Lutheran continues to provide these meals for our community. One Life Pax is a healthy, inexpensive, non-perishable meal that also includes practical resource information. The Life Pax 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 someone in need of a meal. SLC assists in the purchase of the meal’s contents and SLC volunteers put together the Life Pax.
Living Stones
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. Silverdale Lutheran supports this ministry through our benevolence dollars, participating in the yearly raffle fundraiserand sharing in-kind items as needed.
Little Free Library
Silverdale Lutheran Church believes in impacting the education of our community’s children. In June 2024, Silverdale Lutheran Church 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church supports LCSNW with our benevolence dollars. Silverdale Lutheran Church volunteers share their time and financial resources and also serve on the board. Silverdale Lutheran Church is supporting their refugee efforts with donations and resettlement kits. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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.
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. Silverdale Lutheran Church contributes financially to LDR by responding to specific disasters like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires. For more information, please visit:
www.elca.org
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 Silverdale Lutheran Church supports the ministry of LWR through our gifts of handmade quilts, school kits and personal care kits.
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. Silverdale Lutheran Church is one of the eight Lutheran Member Congregations that support Martha & Mary’s mission of care.
Pastor Bill serves on the board and SLC members volunteer their time with this incredible ministry. Silverdale Lutheran supports Martha & Mary through our benevolence dollars. SLC shares appreciation gifts with their staff, Christmas gifts for residents, items for their annual fundraiser and our musical talents for their enjoyment.
Military Outreach
Silverdale Lutheran Church is deeply grateful for the sacrificial service of the sailors and their families 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, sharing holiday meal cards and gifts for lower enlisted families through “Operation Christmas
Miracle”, sharing fun family activity baskets/meal card/pizza dinner through “Operation Summer Salute”, hosting Family Readiness events, and invitations to family events/summer camps and Vacation Bible School. Our Silverdale Lutheran Preschool serves many military families, providing faith-centered early childhood education for their children. SLC partners with four CKSD elementary schools that have a significant number of military students. Silverdale Lutheran supports military 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church provides financial support to Fishline.
fishlinehelps.org
Olympic Lutherhaven Camp
Since 1955, this camp and picnic area on Wildcat Lake in Bremerton has been owned by Silverdale Lutheran Church and 5 other Lutheran churches. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church donates to the operation of Lutherhaven through our church budget. Silverdale Lutheran Church volunteers give many hours to its maintenance and upgrades. Silverdale Lutheran Church always has several members serving on the board.
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 Silverdale Lutheran Church members are attending or have attended PLU and continue to generously share their time and support. Silverdale Lutheran Church supports PLU through benevolence dollars.
Ties That Bind
Originally the "Quilters" this is a ministry started in 1969, Silverdale Lutheran Church 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church 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. Silverdale Lutheran Church usually hosts a SERRV Fair Trade Market each Christmas season with beautiful handicrafts and goods. You can also make online purchases all year round.
Silver Ridge
Silverdale Lutheran sponsors a “Reading Buddies” program at Silver Ridge, one of our neighborhood schools. SLC volunteers listen to second grade students read
each Thursday morning. We support the entire staff with appreciation gifts every six weeks throughout the school year. SLC supports their “Girls on the Run” enrichment program.
Preschool
Since 1994, Silverdale Lutheran Church’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 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 Littles” events offer the opportunity for families to connect. Our preschool serves many military families. Silverdale Lutheran 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. Silverdale Lutheran shares appreciation gifts with the staff every six weeks during the school year. Gifts from SLC are shared with each preschool child at Christmas and at the close of the school year.
For More information visit SLC Preschool
We Choose to Live Generously
Financial support for Silverdale Lutheran Church’s Community Outreach currently comes from a variety of sources: Silverdale Lutheran Church members’ monetary and in-kind donations; Silverdale Lutheran Church benevolence and budget dollars; Thrivent Financial Community Action Team grants and Thrivent Financial Choice dollars.
Cottage Bay
The Bremerton Cottage Bay Apartment Complex provides low-income individuals and families with an affordable community in which to reside. The children attend Esquire Hills Elementary school, one of Silverdale Lutheran’s community partnerships. In recent years, SLC has supported the children with in-kind gifts such as new school backpacks, books, homemade hats/scarves/gloves, new shoes, homework and summer reading enrichment.
Parkinson’s Support
A Parkinson’s Group meets monthly at Silverdale Lutheran to provide supportive conversation for folks dealing with Parkinson’s disease within their families.
