Urban Ministries
Support & Questions
Steve Huber, Cathedral vicar: shuber@cathedral.org
Patricia Johnson, canon missioner: pjohnson@cathedral.org
Rebecca Myers, chair, Social Justice Ministries: rebeccamyers2000@yahoo.com
Bonnie Willette, chair, Urban Outreach Ministries: bwillette@cathedral.org
The Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy promotes strong direct service and justice-seeking ministries from dynamic and beloved Christian communities. Each year under the sponsorship of the Cathedral, representatives from various dioceses and churches from New Orleans to Boston gather to listen, to share best practices and ideas, and to rekindle the flame that leads to sacred activism. Contact Patty Johnson at pjohnson@cathedral.org.
Emerging Ministries
Special initiatives are also undertaken when a group of Cathedral volunteers determine a need and a desire to respond. The crisis in Darfur sparked such a response; congregation members participated in a postcard drive to raise awareness and prioritize stopping the genocide. Contact Suzanne Robinson at darfur@cathedralcongregation.org. For information on starting a new mission group, please see the brochure entitled “A Model of Sustainable Ministry.”
Ongoing Outreach Opportunities
Food Collection
Sundays—Members of the
congregation and visitors are encouraged to
bring non-perishable food to Sunday services to
assist in our outreach to feed the hungry in our
metropolitan area.
Special Collections—During times such as
Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are invited to
participate in the collection of meals to assist
any number of our partnering organizations and
churches. These opportunities can be found in
the bulletin or in congregational e-mails.
Clothing Collection
Each fall and winter the Cathedral partners with
area churches and non-profits to collect
gently-worn clothing to help the needy. Coats
and related cold-weather items are always
greatly appreciated. Specific dates and
collection points are distributed via e-mail and
in the Sunday bulletin.
Cathedral Literacy Program
Begun in 1986, the program includes more than 100 Cathedral volunteers tutoring children in elementary, middle, and high schools and adults in individual and group settings. Some volunteers tutor one-on-one, but others work in organizational settings such as the Rosemount Center and various schools. The program trains volunteers to provide instruction in basic literacy skills and English as a Second Language (ESL). Contact Carol Hurlburt at literacy@cathedralcongregation.org.
Friendship Place
The Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place, through an ecumenical partnership with more than 20 area churches, provides medical care, counseling, hospitality, meals, and housing for homeless men and women in Northwest D.C. Participate in efforts such as Walk for the Homeless and the popular “Meet & Cook” sessions that provide meals for residents of nearby shelters. Or, in partnership with St. Alban’s Church, join members of our 20s and 30s group as they prepare a weekly dinner for the Crossroads Shelter. Contact Rosalie Berk at friendship@cathedralcongregation.org.
Martha’s Table & Martha’s Outfitters
Martha’s Table is a community service organization in downtown D.C. On the third Sunday of every month, Cathedral volunteers provide 1,000 sandwiches and 300–500 pieces of fruit, which are distributed from Martha’s Table mobile soup kitchen vans throughout the city. Volunteers are also needed to receive and sort clothing in its store, Martha’s Outfitters, which provides free and low-cost clothing, and other items to those in need. Contact Sid Hurlburt at marthastable@cathedralcongregation.org.
Prison Ministry
This multi-faceted ministry includes helping prisoners and working for reform of the prison system. The Kairos Prison Ministry addresses the spiritual needs of incarcerated people, their families, and those who work in prison settings. Opportunities include promoting application of Restorative Justice principles as an alternative to traditional criminal justice and juvenile justice processes, and working with prisoners returning to the community. Contact Ford Rowan at prisonministry@cathedralcongregation.org.
The Church of the Epiphany Street Church
Every Tuesday, the Church of the Epiphany, 13th and G Streets, NW, holds Holy Eucharist in nearby Franklin Park where homeless and business people worship together. Afterward, homeless participants are served lunch. Volunteers devote two to three hours per week making sandwiches, setting and cleaning up, and joining in worship and feeding participants. Contact MaryJo DeMatteis at streetchurch@cathedralcongregation.org.
Jubilee Jobs
Jubilee Jobs is a well-established program in Adams Morgan that helps homeless people, immigrants, people overcoming substance abuse problems, and ex-offenders find jobs. Opportunities include mentoring, participating in job interview and conflict resolution workshops, food service, and assisting in writing resumes. Contact David Deal at jubileejobs@cathedralcongregation.org.
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington
This ministry brings together homeless people and others in need, with support and volunteers from more than 47 Episcopal and other churches, to improve the lives of all involved. Samaritan Ministry’s approach is called Next Steps. Serve one morning a week, as front office coordinators, resume writers, workshop leaders, or caseworkers. Join a committee or get involved in one-day projects. Contact Gary Franklin at samaritan@cathedralcongregation.org.
Youth/Education Ministries
Cathedral Education Programs may call on Congregation members to support and participate. The Cathedral Scholars Program, created in 1997 in partnership with the D.C. Public Schools, endeavors to better prepare students for post-secondary education, provide a supportive learning environment, and provide skills for leadership in their schools and communities. Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising and in finding internships for the 45 scholars who spend three summers of study on the Close. The Education for Excellence Program (TEEP), a five-week summer program for low-income middle school students from across the city, is expected to resume in the summer of 2010. Contact Patty Johnson at pjohnson@cathedral.org.
Washington Interfaith Network
Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) brings predominantly faith-based organizations together to ensure Washington, D.C. is a community that works for all people. The Cathedral, in partnership with St. Alban’s Church, is an organizational member. Priorities and projects arise from the membership and generally center around housing, neighborhoods, and youth. Current priorities are affordable housing and the D.C. Public schools. Contact Melanie Sletten at win@cathedralcongregation.org.