Mission & Outreach

The heart of Colonial Williamsburg

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Purpose of Mission & Outreach Committee

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  - Matthew 25: 40


Who We Are


Members of the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church community who seek, through prayer and thoughtful deliberation, to serve God by our service to others.


What We Do


  • The Mission & Outreach Committee channels the aspirations, expertise and energy of Bruton's congregation into concrete programs that serve people who need them.
  • We harness the power of the church's human and financial resources to assist individuals and groups throughout our community, our nation and the world, collaborating with local, national and global networks to provide hope and support to people who need them.
  • As the granting arm of the church, the Committee is a responsible steward of funds, welcoming grant requests from a wide variety of organizations sharing common purpose with Bruton.   


Mission & Outreach Grants Application


The Mission & Outreach Committee of Bruton Parish Church welcomes grant requests from non-profit organizations working to meet the needs of local, state, national and international communities. Grant request applications  can be found HERE (this is a Word document which can be downloaded, completed, and sent back). If you have questions regarding this process, please contact missionandoutreach@brutonparish.org.


A Few Ways to "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"

If you’re wondering how you can use your personal gifts to serve others, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you like to work on the front lines or behind the scenes, there is something here for you!

Bruton is involved in many different service and outreach programs both inside the parish and throughout our community.

The efforts described below are just a few of the many areas where parishioners can make a difference.



  • Mission & Outreach Committee

    Mission & Outreach (M&O) is the committee that supports hands-on ministries at Bruton and oversees the parish's outreach grants process. The committee generally meets on the third Thursday of each month during the early evening. Committee members typically serve a three-year term, and every year the M&O team seeks new people to serve. For more information about volunteer opportunities or serving on the M&O Committee, please contact the Associate Rector for Outreach and Women’s Ministries at lmcdonald@brutonparish.org.


  • Mission & Outreach Grants

    The Mission & Outreach Committee of Bruton Parish Church welcomes grant requests from non-profit organizations working to meet the needs of local, state, national and international communities. Grant request applications  can be found HERE (this is a Word document which can be downloaded, completed, and sent back). If you have questions regarding this process, please contact missionandoutreach@brutonparish.org.

  • Loaves & Fishes

    Loaves & Fishes encompasses Bruton's various initiatives providing food and meals to those facing food insecurity in our community. We welcome you to choose from the following ministries:

    • Bountiful Blessings: Volunteers pick up unused food from local restaurants for distribution to people who need it.
    • Crock Pot Ministry: We provide fixings for a home-cooked meal once a month. Volunteers include people to shop for groceries and deliverers.
    • FISH Food Drives: Each year we run parish-wide nonperishable food collections in June and November for the FISH Food Pantry. 
    • Grove Meals: In a collaborative effort with other churches, we prepare and deliver 50 meals quarterly for Grove residents.
    • Kitchen Ministry: Volunteers host and bake for receptions for grieving families following funeral services held at the church. 
    • Motel Meals: We feed approximately 20 families on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Volunteers include cooks, meal assemblers and delivery drivers. 
    • Summer Meals for Kids: Sponsored by Meals on Wheels, this program feeds children during the summer months who otherwise rely on meals served at school. Our volunteers help bake treats and pack meals.

    For more information or to volunteer, please contact Lynn Smyth at lynndanielsmyth@gmail.com.

  • Care Closets

    Care Closets is a program that addresses the needs of students and their families experiencing food insecurity and poverty. Under the leadership of Meghan Brewer and in collaboration with counselors and teachers, the program was launched at Berkeley Middle School and Lafayette High School. In the 2024–25 school year we added a Care Closet at DJ Montague Elementary. We are pleased to now be supporting every age group in our school system, helping to meet students' needs for food, clothing and other essential supplies. Contact: mbrewer@brutonparish.org.

  • Book Sale

    Every Labor Day weekend Bruton hosts a used book sale, the proceeds of which go to Mission & Outreach projects. Parishioners and friends donate gently used books and other items, including CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, games and puzzles. (Please, no encyclopedias, VCR or cassette tapes, moldy or coverless books.) The Book Sale Committee organizes donation drop-off days and schedules volunteers. For more information, contact BPC@brutonparish.org. 

  • Winter Shelter

    For over ten years, Bruton has partnered with the Community of Faith Mission Winter Shelter program and has hosted a week for our neighbors in need of a meal and a warm place to stay during the winter months. Every year, over 100 Bruton parishioners volunteer in a variety of ways for this special ministry of welcome and hospitality. Dates for 2026 will be announced soon. For more information, please contact 2025 co-chair Margaret Driscoll at mdriscoll@brutonparish.org. 



  • Bruton Builders

    Bruton Builders partner with Avalon, Camp Chanco, Housing Partnerships of Williamsburg, Habitat for Humanity and other local nonprofits to do a variety of projects including building ramps, painting, power-washing and construction. For more information or to put your name on the Bruton Builders list, please contact builders@brutonparish.org.


  • FISH Food Pantry

    Twice a year we do food collections for FISH. See Loaves & Fishes for more information.

    Each year during the month of October, Bruton volunteers on Tuesday mornings to sort and fold clothing for FISH. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Michelle Perry at michelle.b.perry@hotmail.com.


  • Gift Shop Volunteering

    The profits from the Bruton Parish Gift Shop and Heavenly Treasures provide the funds for the grants Mission & Outreach awards and for other projects. Volunteers  from throughout our community serve in the shop in a variety of ways. If you'd like to volunteer, please click here.