Outreach
Outreach is an essential part of St. Paul’s. We try to live out our Lord’s command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and love our neighbor as ourselves. We support many outreach ministries through a combination of funds designated for outreach in our parish budget, funds raised at two major outreach dinners each year, and direct giving from individual parishioners.
In addition to this important ministry of giving, we are engaged in more and more hands-on ministries, such as growing fresh produce in our St. Francis Garden for those living with HIV/AIDs at the Shepherd Wellness Community in Bloomfield, preparing and serving meals for the homeless at Shepherd’s Heart in downtown Pittsburgh, and serving the homeless through Operation Safety Net and the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter.
Outreach projects are generally overseen by the Outreach Commission, and some by the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Women. Anyone interested in participating in Outreach at St. Paul’s or initiating a new Outreach project is encouraged to speak with a member of the clergy or attend a meeting of the Outreach Commission, held about once a month during the school year.
Episcopal Relief and Development
St. Paul’s parishioners contribute thousands of dollars each year to Episcopal Relief and Development. Episcopal Relief and Development is a highly effective and efficient global response to disaster relief using existing church networks to get immediate assistance to where it is needed, both in this country and abroad.
Episcopal Relief and Development focuses on sustainable …
Read More »Food Pantry Sunday
St. Paul’s collects food and monetary contributions to support the South Hills Food Pantry the first Sunday of the month.
Please remember to bring your non perishable food contributions to the altar at the service of your choice. All canned, jarred (plastic please) and boxed items are appreciated. Other needed supplies are paper products and personal items (toothpaste, shamp…
Read More »Jeremiah's Place
St. Paul’s supports Jeremiah’s Place, Pittsburgh’s First Crisis Nursery. Jeremiah's Place protects children and strengthens families by providing a safe haven of respite, health, renewal, and support for children and families during times of crisis. Parishioner Eileen Sharbaugh is one of the founders and serves as the Director of Volunteer Services.
JP strives to serve as a …
Read More »Shepherd’s Heart Ministry
Once a month, hot meals are prepared by parishioners, then transported and served at Shepherd’s Heart to approximately 150 low-income men, women and families, some of whom are homeless, some of whom just need a warm meal.
In the summer months, we host cookouts, giving the guests a small taste of normal life. This ministry draws on the skills of many parishioners, allowing cooks …
Read More »SHIM - South Hills Interfaith Movement
St. Paul’s supports South Hills Interfaith Movement, a human services organization dedicated to providing the resources necessary for struggling families to achieve self-sufficiency. SHIM provides direct assistance such as food, clothing, and utility assistance) and a variety of family support services including financial literacy classes, an early childhood program, a summer…
Read More »Trinity Walk-In Ministry
Helping Those in Need Downtown
St. Paul's participates in Trinity Cathedral's walk-in ministry that provides the most vulnerable among us food, toiletries, clothing, and referral services. They participate along with four other downtown churches as members of the Downtown Ministerium.
The ministry needs new volunteers to continue this valuable service. Volunteers are responsible for welcoming individuals who have emergency needs, every fifth week, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Volunteers need to arrive at 9:45am.)
The volunteers listen to people, ask what they need, direct them to homeless shelters, food pantries, and other sources of service and assistance listed on a database (for example for a job search, acquiring an ID, getting furniture or clothing, transportation to medical appointments).
You can volunteer for as little as one hour, or the full time!
Volunteers will need to be trained before they begin working. (The training is brief.)
Anyone interested in helping this program should contact Pat Eagon Stafford at [email protected] or Betty Duckstein at [email protected].
