Visitation: Church of the Redeemer in Irving
Bishop Rob Price visited Church of the Redeemer in Irving on Easter Sunday. "There was a wonderful Easter spread where the whole parish turned out to show the fellowship and joy of the day," Bishop Price said. "I was grateful how they included children and youth in the festivities of the day from the Easter egg hunt to the procession beginning worship itself."
This church is without a full-time priest, and are active and love community and outreach. They serve with Family Promise a faith based non-profit in Irving that provides shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Redeemer also partners with other churches to provide focused financial assistance and food ministry to Irving residents who are in crisis.
This wonderful parish is also excited about their newest outreach called Change Collection Donation where they take all change and small bills from the collection plate each Sunday and donate the money at the end of the month to a designated organization. This has really caught the attention of the children at the parish and is teaching them about giving. Leaders teach use the ministry to teach youth about how small giving adds up. They even asked Bishop Price to say something about the new effort. “Redeemer is taking a new approach to missional giving. Through a program called 'Small Change, Big Impact’, any loose coins, $1, $5, or $10 bills left in the offering plate will be used to support and designated mission focus for that month," Price said. "The mission focus will change monthly, alternating between community (external) and church-based missions. Designed to promote in-church giving, what for many of us feels like small change, when given regularly and combined with other small gifts can quickly make a big impact."
This group of believers offers a weekly Bible study, Daughters of the King chapter, Men's fellowship group and a monthly trivia shindig organized by the parish 30-somethings where they share, learn and laugh. The Parish has partnered with the nearby Presbyterian Church for Lenten soup suppers in addition to hosting blood drives, family game nights, ice cream socials, fund-raising galas and more. These folks are active, love the Lord and love one another.