God's Work, Our Hands is an annual event of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.) The idea is to encourage congregations to go out into their communities to perform visible, meaningful charitable work for those in need. St. Luke participates by choosing an act of service to the community, wearing bright yellow "God's Work. Our Hands." t-shirts. Contact Outreach outreach@stlukegf.org if you need a shirt.

LICEAF is a non-profit organization founded by local churches that makes emergency grants available to satisfy the needs of Ledyard residents in crisis situations, on a one-time emergency basis. St. Luke currently has two members serving on the LICEAF board. If you would like to give to LICEAF to support your neighbors in need, please donate by check, made out to LICEAF, and send to:

Ledyard Inter-Church Emergency Assistance Fund

P.O. Box 291

Gales Ferry, CT 06335

The first Sunday of each month St. Luke volunteers serve meals at the New London Meal Center. Volunteers who can make a monthly commitment and those who would be available to substitute occasionally are always needed.  If you would like to serve on the setup/cook team or the cleanup team, please contact Ray Heller.

Learn more about the New London Meal Center.

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut is managed by St. Luke Lutheran Church members Mike and Karen Wuesthoff.  Established in 1982 as an outreach of St. Luke, it was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2005. New beds purchased with grant funds (recently about $60,000 per year) are given to people experiencing hardship – victims of fire, flood and bedbug infestations, disabled veterans, young military families, single parents, immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, people with AIDS or mental health issues, the elderly and the formerly homeless. The people helped, referred to the Furniture Bank by social services agencies and churches, are from all racial and cultural backgrounds.

Because of the rising cost of storage lockers, The Furniture Bank is no longer collecting donated furniture – with the exception of occasional small items. They continue to need lots of help with tag sales held at St Luke in the spring and fall, the proceeds from which supplement grant funds to buy beds.

Email Mike Wuesthoff mtwuesthoff@gmail.com for more information.

St. Luke is proud to participate in the annual Gales Ferry / Ledyard Crop Hunger Walk, held each October.  This year's Crop Hunger Walk was held on October 16. The walk raises money and awareness to help combat hunger in the community and around the world.  Volunteers are needed each year to organize participation, gather pledges and represent St. Luke as walkers in this community event. 

For more information contact  Elaine Remondi-Simpson.

Hosting blood drives for the Red Cross is an important ministry of our church.  First and foremost: donors are needed to provide life-saving red cells, plasma and platelets.  Please consider donating.  In addition, these events require many hands, doing jobs such as: signing up donors, running the canteen, baking and serving refreshments for donors and helping with set-up and clean-up.  Watch the calendar and announcements for upcoming dates. 

To learn more about Red Cross blood donation visit the Red Cross Website.

Gifts for Jesus is a Christmas community outreach. St. Luke members provide gifts and financial assistance to members of the community who are in need. A wish list is available during Advent, so St. Luke members can select the best gifts for their chosen recipient. Instructions are available during Christmastime. 

For more information, contact Mike Wuesthoff mtwuesthoff@gmail.com.

For those who are unable to volunteer, but still want to help the community, these organizations are always in need of financial contributions and donations of supplies.  

St. Luke gives financial and material support to many other programs including:

Bethsaida Community Katie Blair House

Reliance House

Thames River Family Program

Covenant Shelter

New London Homeless Hospitality Center

Thames Valley Council for Community Action Homeless Shelter

Norwich Human Services

Martin House

St. Vincent dePaul Place

Gemma Moran Food Bank

Madonna Place

Donations can be made directly to these organizations, or through St. Luke. 100% of all funds received by St. Luke as donations to specific organizations are forwarded directly to those organizations. Please specify the organization on your check and provide us with a return address. 

Donations are also appreciated in support of the general mission of St. Luke. Whether specific or general, donations can be sent to: St. Luke, 1830 Rt. 12, Gales Ferry CT 06335.  Donate online to St. Luke dollar