COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Cathedral Community Cares Steering Committee
A MESSAGE FROM DEACON PATERSON
Greetings.
The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia, which means "to serve." We are all born in God's image and we, as Christians, are all called to serve all of our fellow image-bearers. If you are interested in getting more involved as we seek ways to serve in our community, please don't hesitate to contact me!​
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​We are launching a new committee! CCC is forming "The Cathedral Community Cares" Steering Committee. The group will help steer our direction as we reach out into our community in various ways to serve those in need. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Deacon Pratt at 251-401-1003.​​
Cathedral Feeding Ministry
Our feeding ministries in our downtown community are an important part of the way we reach out and engage with our friends and neighbors downtown.
Our Loaves and Fish ministry is currently feeding lunch to roughly 150 people per month. This includes folks in high traffic spots downtown, as well as our new partnership with the Victims Services Unit at the courthouse. Each week, we provide lunches for them to distribute to victims of violent crimes and their families who are in the courthouse for extended periods of time. Our confirmation class youth have also put together welcome bags for them, which contain toiletries, Kleenex, waters, and more. On the first Sunday of each month, we put together 100+ sack lunches to be distributed downtown on the following day, Monday. In May, we will gather at 8:30 before church to make lunches on Sunday, May 11. In June, that will shift to directly following church at 11:15. The 10 lunches for the courthouse are put together each Monday or Tuesday morning and delivered. This is a ministry of the whole Christ Church Cathedral family, so please let me know if you would like to get more involved, either helping make lunches once a month, or making smaller batches for the courthouse on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Through our Blessing Box outside on Church Street, we have been distributing roughly 700 pounds of food a month, or 8,400 pounds a year. That is A LOT! We are in desperate need of a constant stream of food donations from the parish family to help us meet this very important need in our downtown community. Please consider a regular offering as you do your own grocery shopping. Donations can be left in the Chapter House. Needs include things that can be easily eaten (granola bars, cracker packs, etc.), soup and other canned goods that have pop tops, single serve soups, pasta, etc., and other food items as you see fit. We also encourage you to collect individually wrapped disposable utensils that are typically included in your takeout orders.
​If you would like to learn more or sign up to help, please contact Deacon Pratt at (251) 401-1003.
Food Share Pantry
Take What You Need—
Give What You Can
Thank you for your continuing generosity in keeping our food pantry stocked. As you shop this week, please consider purchasing bottled water, individually packaged fruit—dried or single serving, peanut butter, bread, or any easy to eat foods that are easy to open. Please your donation in the pantry closet in the flower guild room.
