Jesus taught us to love our neighbours as ourselves. That teaching is at the heart of All Saints Cathedral’s outreach and justice programs. This ministry can be as simple as bringing a can of food to church on Sunday or as complex as deeply engaging in social justice issues. If you would like to be involved with outreach initiatives, or if you have ideas to share, please connect with Deacon Ray.
Giving
Each month we invite people to donate items to a particular need or group, such as school supplies in the fall, gloves and hats in the winter. The idea is to keep the cost of the “ask” low so it is affordable and allows children to participate.
You can bring in:
- New children’s boots suited to the season for Parker Street Food Bank. “Providing soles for souls,” as one worker at Parker Street put it.
- Used eye glasses headed for developing countries, or hearing aids reconditioned and dispensed by the Nova Scotia Speech and Hearing Clinic.
- Non-perishable food items for the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Food Bank.
- Hearing aids go to the N.S. Speech and Hearing Clinic, which reconditions and dispenses them;
Periodically we have a special giving Sunday such as Undie Sunday (people bring new, unopened underwear for unhoused persons), the Baby Shower for Jesus (baby clothes and supplies), and the Jesse Tree (designated Christmas gifts for youth or families).
Food Ministry
Adopt A Meal
Volunteers gather in the Great Hall at 1 pm on selected Saturdays to prepare meals for people in need at different housing facilities from Turning Point to Herring Cove Apartments. Sign up sheets are at the welcome table near the entrance to the Cathedral.
St. George’s Soup Kitchen
Volunteers meet at noon in the Great Hall on selected Saturdays to prepare meals for the Soup Kitchen, which serves supper to 100 to 160 people weekly, also providing an opportunity for friends and neighbours to gather. Sign up at the welcome table in the Cathedral.
Soup-to-Doorstep
On the third Monday of each month (second in December), our Soup-to Doorstep team prepares and delivers a warm jar of homemade soup paired with a short blessing to anyone in the community requiring a little extra blessing. Recipients range from new mothers to new members, care givers to people with health challenges. Email [email protected] to share a recipient’s address and phone number – you are welcome to deliver the soup to your recipient yourself. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in cooking, delivering soup, or adding a recipient.
Friday Coffee
Drop-ins are a social gathering open to all and running fall and winter every Friday, 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm, hosted by committee member Fredi McBride.
Justice & Advocacy
The committee hosts and co-hosts with other organizations both Lunch and Learn workshops and evening community catalyst conversations around social justice issues including human trafficking and food security. Some of the events we have hosted in the past year include:
Workshop on Human Trafficking – led by priest and activist Keirsten Wells, this evening brought information on this issue and how people can become aware of vulnerable persons and support them. Leaders from the YWCA’s Nova Scotia Transition & Advocacy for Youth program (NSTAY) program spoke about the unique risks to youth in our area.
Transgender Day of Remembrance – all-day vigil with each seat in the Cathedral holding a picture and bio of someone killed in the previous year due to violence against transgender and 2+LGBTQIA people. The day was capped by an interfaith prayer service.
The committee hosts and co-hosts with other organizations both Lunch and Learn workshops and evening community catalyst conversations around social justice issues including human trafficking and food security. Some of the events we have hosted in the past year include:
Workshop on Human Trafficking – led by priest and activist Keirsten Wells, this evening brought information on this issue and how people can become aware of vulnerable persons and support them. Leaders from the YWCA’s Nova Scotia Transition & Advocacy for Youth program (NSTAY) program spoke about the unique risks to youth in our area.
Transgender Day of Remembrance – all-day vigil with each seat in the Cathedral holding a picture and bio of someone killed in the previous year due to violence against transgender and 2+LGBTQIA people. The day was capped by an interfaith prayer service.
“An Evening on Aging” in collaboration with Spencer House, screening the Nova Scotia debut of a short film on the financial and emotional stresses of aging in the HRM, which was followed by a community catalyst conversation about ways to help seniors in our communities thrive.
National Day of Truth & Reconciliation program featuring author Chris Benjamin speaking about his book, Indian Road: Legacies of the Shubenacadie Residential School.
Creation Extravaganza to bring a focus to our environment and inspire people to actions that address climate change – such as our new pollinator garden.
Pride Parade – clergy and parishioners were front and centre at the Halifax Pride Parade, carrying the Anglican banner. [Picture from Pride Parade]
Red Dress Day/White Ribbon Day – the Cathedral marks these days focused on violence against women with special prayers and worship.
Watch the events page for more!
Donations
Monetary donations to Outreach and Justice go to support community organizations including Shelter NS, Mission to Seafarers, St. George’s Youth Net, the Deacon’s Fund, refugees and Shelter 191 as well as special needs when they arise.
A Prayer for Outreach
“Lord God, who gives all things, I thank You for the spiritual and earthly blessings that have come to me from Your gracious hand. Help me to put You first in all things, to seek Your glory, and to love and serve my neighbour as myself. Amen.”
– Quote By
Committee Members
The Outreach & Justice Committee members include:
- The Rev. Heather MacEachern (Chair)
- The Rev. Ray Carter (Deacon)
- The Rev. Dr. Kate Heichler, Assistant Priest for Congregational Life and Community Engagement
- Heather Carter
- Elissa Bernard
- Kate Therien
- Carmon Stone
- Sharon Colwell