We strongly believe in community service as a core tenant of our faith.

We serve the community in the following ways:

Monthly Community Meal. This takes place on the 3rd Sunday of every month. This program was started with an “Open Doors” Community grant from the ELCA. Meals are served from 3pm-5pm. If you have questions and would like to volunteer please click here to contact the Outreach Committee.

In the fall we join ELCA Lutheran congregations across the country in celebrating God's Work Our Hands Sunday, designating a service project that we all work on together. This year, we collected school supplies and passed them out to students in our community. We also celebrate Socktober where we collect socks for 1269 Cafe for the homeless. We also put on a Trunk or Treat for the children in our neighborhood. We do a food drive in November, and put together Thanksgiving boxes.

During the winter months we work closely with 1269 Cafe to help collect items that are needed for the homeless population. In the past we have collected winter coats, warm clothing, jeans, snack items etc. In 2022, we collected donations of coffee and sugar to support their winter warming programs.

In the Spring we collected donations of grocery store gift cards to help support recently arrived refugees through the International Institute of New England’s refugee resettlement program.

During the summer months we collect travel sized toiletries for Families in Transition to support their work with the homeless in Manchester. We also participate in the annual Walk the Walk to support Camp Calumet.

At Christmas we decorate our “Angel Tree” where members of the congregation choose items to purchase that are donated as gifts through Families in Transition. 

At Gethsemane we strive to fill the needs that present themselves. These needs vary from year to year. In the past we gathered supplies for Manchester’s teachers, we hosted a community game night, we held a children's book drive to provide summer reading opportunities for students in Manchester. 

Gethsemane proudly hosts a little free library. Please bring a book or take a book. 

Do you know of a need or have an idea for how we can help?

Please email the outreach committee. 

Are you looking for more ways to get involved in serving the community?

Find additional volunteer opportunities by connecting with our local community partners listed on the right hand side of this page, or through the Volunteer NH Opportunities Listing.