SPOC Past Events

Below is a record of past events hosted by SPOC

Annual Coat Giveaway!

Free Coat Giveaway! The SPOC usually hosts an annual winter coat giveaway in November.

Need a coat?

Stop by on! Hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, etc. are often also be available!

Want to participate?

Coat donations are needed! Coat collection is held the weeks leading up to the event. Coats and other items can be brought to Jehovah and put in the large collection box (in the narthex on Sundays and in the Thomas entry on weekdays). Partner sites may also have collections.

There are usually volunteer opportunities the day before and the day of the event. Email SPOC@jehovahlutheran.org to learn more.

This event has been in cooperation with SPOC partners, specifically Concordia University, St. Paul and the annual Beautiful Feet conference.

Friday Futsal

Friday Futsal Continues! Check the SPOC Google calendar on the main SPOC page for upcoming dates. These events are hosted at Jehovah Lutheran Church.

For questions, email David Mennicke at spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.

Life Match Grant Initiative

The St. Paul Outreach Center held a baby shower on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11am at Jehovah Lutheran Church. Thank you to everyone who attended. We were overwhelmed by your generosity!

We pray that the Lord will give us the opportunity to support more moms next year through renewal of the grant. Please keep the three moms and mentors in our prayers that they would foster meaningful connections and that opportunities to share Jesus’ love would occur.

This baby shower was the culmination of a grant the SPOC received from the LCMS Life Ministry to support the prenatal care of three moms and their babies at Options for Women East. The clinic is funded entirely by donations and exists to offer a valuable life affirming alternative for women facing unplanned pregnancies. They are one of the few pregnancy centers within the state to offer full prenatal medical care to the women at no charge.

If you could not attend but would still like to purchase a gift for a mom, you can do so here.

Free Meal and Music @ Pig's Eye Camp

On Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 1-3 pm, the St. Paul homeless ministry shared a free celebratory picnic/concert at the Pig's Eye Lake Regional Park homeless encampment for the residents. Pastor Kris Bjornstad (leader of a Lutheran Emergency Relief Team [LERT]) and his St. John Lutheran Church, Good Thunder, MN congregation hosted the meal at Pig's Eye Regional Park homeless camp. St. John's brought food, chairs, tables, and tablecloths!

This celebration is an extension of the 20+ homeless camp visits Jim Seemann (Coordinator of the New Freedom Store), the St. Paul Outreach Center (David Mennicke, Coordinator), LERT, and Concordia University, St. Paul campus ministry and Business Capstone class (Prof. Renata Mayrhofer, instructor) have engaged in since December 2024, distributing needed supplies to the residents while making prayerful connections with them.

Staff from Concordia University, St. Paul shared music for this event. Attendees are invited to bring bottled water, packaged snacks, or bags of oranges, apples or other durable fruit to give to the homeless camp residents.

Directions: The camp is in the east part of St. Paul: from I-94, take Highway 61/10 South, then in less than 1/2 mile, take Warner Road east, then take the first left onto Fish Hatchery Road. There is parking in the lot leading into the homeless camp village.

For more information, please contact the event organizer, Jim Seemann (Coordinator of the New Freedom Store) at seemann@csp.edu.

SPOC Egg Hunt

The SPOC and partners hosted an egg hunt. Everyone is welcome to this fun, community outreach event.

Can you help spread the word? Can you help set up? Volunteers will also be needed one evening before and on the day of the event to assist with hiding eggs and helping to facilitate snacks, crafts, and more.

Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/WmC5nRFLXFXB74tV8

Can you help donate candy and eggs? You can help by placing a bin at your site to collect donations of small toys or candy (that can fit into eggs). Donations can be brought to King of Kings or Jehovah Lutheran.

Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/QBHTqNYaV6tz6DP3A/

For questions, email David Mennicke at spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.

International Potluck

The SPOC hosts an annual International Potluck in the fall at Jehovah Lutheran Church. This event often features a free feast of Ethiopian, Hmong, and American cuisines. The International Potluck also often offers door prizes, games, and displays of the many outreach ministries that SPOC and its partners are doing to serve the community.

For more information, please email spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.

Chai Dosti with SPOC Partner, Concordia St. Paul

Chai Dosti is a program of conversation and fellowship with international students at Concordia University, St. Paul. We meet occasionally over the summer. Everyone is welcome to stop by and meet students and be a welcoming presence during their time in the US. Meet in the Buenger Education Center (BEC) at Concordia University, St. Paul.

Contact Anna Gruen (gruen@csp.edu) with questions or visit the CSP hospitality website for more details about this and other volunteer opportunities: www.thehospitalitycenter.org/events

Friday Pickleball

SPOC Pickleball continues! Pickleball nights are hosted at Jehovah Lutheran Church (1566 Thomas Ave., St. Paul, MN).

Usually pickleball is offered the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Fridays of each month. We meet from 6:30pm--8pm.

We’ve had a great time learning the game and meeting new friends. It's a blast! Everyone is welcome! Please share the news and come! We provide gear, lessons, and support. No experience required, and no gear needed! Prefer to cheer on the players? Come just to watch and connect!

Text Rachel M. at 651-399-2222 for more info or to let her know you are coming! For more info, contact Rachel M. at crownblue5star@yahoo.com.

Would your site be interested in hosting a pickleball session for community outreach? Let’s connect! Email David Mennicke at spoc@jehovahlutheran.org.

Summer S0cial & Sampler

Enjoy free frozen treats! Meet SPOC volunteers!

Sign-up for SPOC programming & partners for summer and fall such as:

• Free tutoring

• Futsal/soccer club

• Community Pickleball

• Lego club/Bracelet making

• Family resources (food, diapers, coats/winter gear, community meals)

• Seasonal events (Easter egg hunt, Christmas caroling)

Location: Parking lot of Jehovah Lutheran Church & Hamline Park (across the street)

Date and time: Friday, July 26 5:30 – 7:30pm

Hosted by: The St. Paul Outreach Center (SPOC) neighbors & partners

June 28 & 29, 2025:

Hmong Freedom Festival

(Como Park, St. Paul)

The SPOC will be at the Hmong Freedom Festival from 8am to 3pm each day. Come enjoy fabulous food, games, and cultural experiences at this year’s festival. Check out our booth and learn about our current programs and free ESL and music classes/lessons coming in the fall.

See all the festival details online at: www.theunitedhmongfamily.org/hiff

Hmong Freedom Festival Booth Update: An enormous thank you to those who supported the efforts of the SPOC and Gathering Place Lutheran Ministries out at the festival last weekend. Volunteers (representing 5 congregational partners) were able to give away hundred of bags with school supplies, arch books, and other goodies—all packed with information included about the Hmong congregation at Gathering Place and the SPOC’s upcoming free community offerings. Please keep those who we met and took the items home in your prayers.

August 3, 2025: Little Africa Community Festival

(Thomas & Snelling Avenues/Hamline Park, St. Paul)

The SPOC will be at the Little Africa festival from 12pm noon to 7pm. Check out our booth and learn about our current programs and free ESL and music classes/lessons coming in the fall. This festival is another unique time to meet and engage with the community. There’s great food, great music, lots of handicrafts to buy, and many community service booths.

If you'd like to sign up, fill out the form here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXCo9cYAq1DMYjsZojjH8hsitIEQt1vj0I1Af-3gRI0T_S_w/viewform

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