Outreach & Fellowship
Outreach & Fellowship Activities
Blood Drive
St. Paul’s has a blood drive which benefits the Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh once a year.
Clothing Drive for Ukraine
Members of St. Paul’s annually donate, pack, and ship several thousand pounds of usable clothing to the severely depressed regions around the city of Nikolaev in Ukraine. The clothing is divided among six churches and then is distributed to the poor. The donations also assist in the spread of Christianity in the region.
Food Pantry
Food Pantry is part of an effort by area churches to provide food to the less fortunate in the South Hills. Food is gathered at participating churches and is stored and bagged at Southminster Presbyterian Church. It is then delivered to persons in need as identified by the Hunger Services Network.
Home Delivered Meals
This is an ongoing mission sponsored by Life Span, a state and county approved agency which provides multiple services to senior citizens. The meals are prepared and packaged for delivery at the Hillsdale Senior Center in Dormont. Meals are picked up at the center every Tuesday morning by parishioners and are delivered to homebound persons in the Mt. Lebanon area.
Share the Joy
Each year in December, we gather to sing Christmas carols and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Parishioners bring gifts that are donated to the children of the New Beginnings Learning Center and East Liberty Health Center.
Shepherd’s Heart
This is a ministry of aid to the homeless which is based in Oakland. St. Paul’s provides teams of volunteers to provide a meal and fellowship for large weekly gatherings. Monetary offerings also support the important work of this ministry.
Book Club
Book Club meets monthly on the second Friday each month at 1:00 p.m. in the church Lounge. Books for discussion are chosen by the group. Members take turns providing refreshments.
Bridge Club
This is a couples Bridge Club that meets in member’s homes once a month from September to May.
Cotillion
Cotillion is a program of dance for sixth grade boys and girls which began at St. Paul’s in 1957. The program is a blend of traditional and modern styles of dance offered in a relaxed atmosphere. There are ten sessions, taught by a professional instructor, which meet Saturday evenings for one and a half hours.
Dickens’ Dames
Dickens’ Dames is a group of senior women who gather for fellowship and lunch on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Episcopal Church Men (ECM)
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Men provide a variety of opportunities for Christian growth through service and fellowship for the men of St. Paul’s. In addition to other activities, the ECM prepares and hosts an Annual Spaghetti Dinner, helps with the Lenten Fish Fry, and participates in church clean up days in the spring and fall.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
The Episcopal Church Women invite all women of St. Paul’s to join together for worship, study, service, support, and fellowship. The ECW sponsors the Canterbury Fair fundraiser held on a Saturday in November every other year; it features handmade items, crafts, needlework, baked goods, and lunch. Proceeds are used for outreach and special needs of St. Paul’s. The ECW also forms an umbrella over the Lydia and Claudia Circles.
Claudia Circle
The Claudia Circle meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Church Lounge This group holds Baptismal receptions and other events. Fundraisers are used for outreach projects at St. Paul’s and for community needs such as the South Hills Food Pantry. Baby Baskets are also given by the circle to parents of newborns in the parish.
Lydia Circle
The Lydia Circle meets at 10:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Church Lounge, and provides receptions following funerals at St. Paul’s.
Newcomers and Greeters
Greeters are parishioners who welcome all worshipers, especially Newcomers and Visitors, before the Sunday services. Greeters can be recognized by their name tags and their presence in the Narthex (foyer) at the main entrance and at the elevator entrance. They acquaint newcomers with the parish family and activities, escort them to coffee hour in the Undercroft, and introduce them to the clergy.
Purls of Wisdom
A knitting fellowship that meets twice a month on the second and fourth Thursday evenings in the Lounge.
Pickwick Boys
Pickwick Boys is a group of retired men who meet for lunch on the third Thursday of the month, year round, at selected restaurants in the area. True to the original concept of Dickens’ Pickwick Club, travels and adventures are discussed in an environment of lively fellowship.
St. Anne’s Guild
The mission of St. Anne’s Guild is to provide fellowship for women and ministry centered around the care and nurturing of the infants and young children in our church community. All mothers of St. Paul’s are invited to join.
Supper Club
Friendship, fellowship and fun is what Supper Club is all about. Supper Club is open to all adults of the parish. Dress is informal and the food is simple. Twice a year those who wish to participate get together for a social where names are randomly drawn to form a group of approximately ten people. Groups meet at different homes for at least four dinners before names are re-drawn. Each individual gathering sets its own schedule and determines the hosts. The host and/or hostess provide the main course. Everyone else brings a dish. If you are unable to entertain in your home, you may suggest a brunch after church or a dinner at a restaurant. The idea is to come together and build relationships.