Minutes from Saturday, June 20, 2009.
A third roundtable gathering was convened at St. Paul's Church, Albany, and opened with Morning Prayer. As agreed, parishes shared "hands on" outreach projects which might be shared or replicated.
ST. PAUL'S is exploring a pilot gardening project using permaculture techniques to care for the earth and share the harvest.
ST. ANDREW'S "Love Thy Neighborhood" dinners have completed a second year totaling 17 monthly events. Response of guests indicates that people are most interested in the fellowship of a shared meal and festivities rather than formal educational or service programs. neighbors in this uptown area are forming relationships through their monthly encounters. Worship is offered at each dinner in a non-coercive way. In the year ahead, teams will be enlisted for each month to broaden parish participation and share the planning and execution of the dinners.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ALL SAINTS is exploring a partnership with the Capital City Rescue Mission to provide support and to assist with the rehabilitation of Mission-owned buildings which will be used for transitional housing. It was agreed that the Partners in Outreach would tour the Mission at its next gathering which will be convened at the Cathedral. Arrangements will be made by Dcn. Christine Wickman.
ST. PETER'S continues to prepare and deliver meals to the Capital Area Council of Churches Overflow Shelter once weekly during its season. Members have found it convenient to cook and freeze entrees for storage at the church until needed. The Rector and the Director of the Capital Area Rescue Mission are beginning conversations about using St. Peter's gym for overnight shelter during the winter. This would require careful screening and staffing, as has been demonstrated by St. John's, and other churches which serve as satellites for Joseph's House in Troy. A relationship has also begun with the Healing a Woman's Soul ministry of Mtr. Anne Curtin; and a series of Lay-off Lunches to provide support and networking for the unemployed is about to begin.
GRACE AND HOLY INNOCENTS is assisted with its Saturday Soup Kitchen by teams from St. Paul's. Clothing and household goods are also made available. Financial help is needed to continue the program. A new Vicar is working in the neighborhood and plans to provide community programs such as Father's Day March and Rally being held on this date. The parish is struggling with issues of declining attendance and disunity. It was suggested that the Metropolitan Deanery be convened to consider ways to support this inner-city parish.
Congregations shared issues they are promoting for parish consideration.
ST. PAUL'S is serving and selling fair trade coffee. Fifteen percent of proceeds go to Episcopal Relief and Development. The parish is also emphasizing recycling, and is promoting a "green pledge" among members.
ST. ANDREW'S also serves fair trade coffee and has negotiated with its waste hauler to provide free recycling. All ministries are being challenged to move beyond the walls of the church and engage more parishioners.
COMMUNICATION: The Partners in Outreach Website needs content including photos of church activities and calendar events. Contact John White (jwhite17@nycap.rr.com). Martha Iannacone will also submit items to The Episcopalian, perhaps highlighting the proposed Rescue Mission tour.
The meeting concluded with a prayer.
Next Meeting: (subject to confirmation) Saturday, August 1, at the Cathedral of All Saints, convening at 9 am for worship and continuing with a tour of the Capital City Rescue Mission.
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