Outreach at the Cathedral Church of All Saints

The Mission Statement of the Cathedral Church of All Saints’ is based on Our Lord’s summary of the Law, “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,  thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”.

The mission statement includes:

Compassionate service, advocacy and justice building—rising to the challenge leads us to Outreach.

The cathedral congregation strives to be aware of the needs in the community outside our congregation and to help where we can. With this goal we have chosen certain agencies that we can help both financially and with the ministry of presence. The following describes our recent and ongoing work

Rev. Dr. Helen Ryding presides at St Vincent’s Nursing Home Communion services on the 3rd Thursday each month at 1:30 p.m.

Metro Non-Profit Housing Association:  An Association that provides low rent quality housing for singles and a more limited supply for couples.

• We have provided financial help
  
• Christmas gift bags for the tenants.
  
• Ministry of presence at the support group that meets every two weeks.

Out of the Cold Shelter:  This shelter is available for homeless people from November until April. A clean warm bed is provided for up to fifteen people. In 2009–2010, we provided food for suppers on night each week. We continue to provide food for breakfast and lunch for one day each week. The food is purchased and delivered by members of the congregation. Financial aid is also provided to help with bedding etc.

Turning Point: a shelter for homeless men. Financial aid provided.

Adsum House: gifts and food are provided on an ad hoc basis to this shelter for abused women and their children.

Stepping Stone: A safe house where sex-trade workers can receive support and counseling.  Financial aid is provided and the ministry of presence.

Direction180: An institution where addicts can receive methadone as part of their treatment for addiction.  Ministry of Presence.

St Mark’s Food Bank. Financial aid is given and non-perishable food is provided each week as well as Christmas stockings for families.  An ACW Group also donated toys and toiletries for young people at Christmas.

Phoenix House. Baby food, supplies and knitted blankets are provided to this house which offers programs and shelter for at-risk youth.

http://www.halifax.ca/planning/homeless.html