Ministries & Outreach
- Thanksgiving at Dorcas House
- Small Groups, New Groups at St. Paul’s
- Uptown Announces Alternative Gift Catalog
- Peace and Justice Committee Report
- Just Arrived at St. Paul's Cathedral Collectibles
Thanksgiving at Dorcas House
Can you imagine living thirty minutes away from the Cathedral and hearing about Thanksgiving, but have no tangible experience with the holiday? For the 40 children at Dorcas House, that is the situation. They have heard about it, but don’t understand. Their experience of our holiday is limited to the ads on television that emphasize the groaning Thanksgiving table and consumerism, and not the significance and symbolism that is associated with it.
The Cathedral Chapter approved, assuming the responsibility for Dorcas House based on the assumption that the congregation would participate with the Dorcas House children and staff in a relationship that is neither commercial nor secular. The focus is on relationship building that will support the children and staff spiritually and emotionally. We also hope that congregants will develop a broader understanding of the people and city of Tijuana.
Dorcas House is not in the Cathedral budget. It is dependent solely on the volunteer work and voluntary contributions of 26 churches and schools, and hundreds of individuals all over the United States and Mexico. While there have been generous donations by some St. Paul’s individuals, the Dorcas House ministry at St. Paul’s is one of relationship with the children of Dorcas House and the people of Tijuana. We are living in to that ministry through outreach to other congregations in the Diocese of San Diego, and Thanksgiving is one expression of both outreach and relationship building.
Planned for December 2, the celebration will begin with a Thanksgiving Eucharist celebrated by Cathedral Dean, Scott Richardson, and San Diego Diocese Bishop, James Mathes. Following the celebration and explanation of the meaning of Thanksgiving, a meal prepared by Cathedral congregants, members of other Episcopal congregations, and friends who are members of other faiths, will be served. That meal will include regional favorites from across the country.
Episcopalians working together demonstrating Christian faith, that is the lesson that is being presented to the Dorcas House children.
Small Groups, New Groups at St. Paul’s
By Jane Vander Velde
Last September we started the Women’s Dinner Group – Women get together for dinner, socializing, talking, praying, networking, sharing and so on, all the things women tend to do, every third Wednesday of the month. Our invitation is “Trying to find time for God, spirituality, and prayer in a work and family-filled life; take time off from your typical routine and spend an evening in the fellowship of other women as we tackle the issues we face in today’s highly-scheduled world." We begin with a simple supper catered and paid for by ourselves and each month have a speaker with the theme of Faith, Hope or Charity – Faith dealing with spirituality, Hope dealing with more practical or personal growth matters, Charity doing something benefiting an outreach program. And, hopefully, at the end of each get together, we walk away knowing each other a bit better, perhaps able to help each other better, give back to someone and simply have fun together. More than thirty women came to the November dinner.
Hiking aficionado? If you like hiking, this group may be for you. Each Saturday of the month we will hike different trails in San Diego, and the group is open to all who are able to hike 3 to 5 miles in various terrains. The closer we are to nature, the more we can nurture a close relationship with God, and we’re more likely to appreciate the warp and weft of Gods presence. Come with your friends and family as we enjoy nature and each other. Look in the weekly bulletin for start times. We meet in the parking lot of the Cathedral.
Here are some good reasons for having a look at a small group. Small groups help build relationships, all of us have felt needs, affinities, and spiritual hungers. If any of these strikes a chord, join us. Got an idea for a new, small group? Need help finding an existing one for your interests? Contact me – Jane Vander Velde at jhvelde@cox.net or 619-417-7666
Uptown Announces Alternative Gift Catalog
Uptown Faith Community Service Center makes it easy to serve joyfully and live generously this
year by introducing its alternative gift catalog, entitled "Give the
Gift of Hope." Modeled after other non-profits, this catalog offers
gift items such as baby supplies for homeless families with children, a
month of housing for homeless persons who are terminally ill, and
walkers/canes/wheelchairs for people who are mobility-challenged, among
other things.
Unlike other non-profits, Uptown is an entirely local
organization, and your gifts are used in our community. Uptown's
Living with Dignity program, which provides outreach to homeless people
who are terminally ill, was featured on San Diego Insider this fall and
aired at Uptown's annual dinner---which broke last year's record for
both attendance and fundraising.
Father Gerry Walcutt is currently working with Uptown and Alpha Project to coordinate grief counseling to terminally ill residents at the winter shelter, which opened early this year. Last year, Father Walcutt provided invaluable services to the winter shelter on two occasions after residents had died on the premises. To learn how to provide help to Uptown, contact Kyla Winters at (619) 542-1877.
Peace and Justice Committee Report
Peace and Justice has been busy this fall! We held an Election Forum on October 18 where we discussed the voter initiatives on the November ballot. Along with the local branch of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, we also co-hosted a lecture by Rabbi Michael Lerner on November 8. Both of these events allowed us to reach out to more than 300 people from outside the cathedral, furthering our goal of serving as the Cathedral for the City.
The November VolunTour to Dorcas House was also a success, bringing members of the diocese in touch with the children at the Tijuana home. Participants played with the children, enjoyed some Tijuana culture, and stuffed envelopes for the next fund drive. More VolunTours and future fund raising efforts are in the works.
On December 2, we will host an Immigration Forum with Bishop James Mathes and two other speakers as we discuss whether the Cathedral should adopt resolution A017 on Fundamental Immigration Principles, a resolution which has already been passed by the National Church.
Next spring, we plan to send a group to volunteer in the Gulf Coast region from May 14 to May 19. A second relief group will return to El Salvador, dates to be determined.
Keep your eye on your bulletin for future events and, as always, if there is an issue that is close to your heart and you think Peace and Justice can help, come to our next meeting, or contact Marian Gaston at mariangaston@yahoo.com or (619) 948-2462.
Just Arrived at St. Paul's Cathedral Collectibles
Old Fiestaware Chocolate Set
This Old Fiestaware Chocolate Set is in perfect condition. The chocolate pot is in turquoise. The six matching cups are each in a different color: orange, green, turquoise, cream, cobalt, and yellow. Price on request.
1910 Victorian Dining Room Suite
This set, in a warm country oak finish, comes with a 48 inch round table, five chairs and a matching sideboard. Five leaves extend the table to 98 x 48 inches.
This set is in excellent condition and the price is available on request.
Call John Burkholder at Cathedral Collectibles, (619) 298-3098.
