Community Ministries
Living Our Faith in the Community
St. Mary’s Parishioners and Neighbors collect care packages for fire victims
Community ministries are in integral part of life at St. Mary’s. Involvement with community ministries is an important way that we live out our baptismal covenant, both to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all peoples and respect the dignity of every human being.” Community Ministry activities involve direct engagement with community groups as well as a variety of fundraising activities that support non-profits in San Francisco and the world. Below, we list a variety of ways that you can become engaged with community ministries at St. Mary’s, from direct engagement with community groups to fund raising and granting efforts. Please join us in this fulfilling and life-giving work!
St. Mary’s Justice Ministries
A committed group of St. Mary’s parishioners has come together to live our Christian call to justice. As the Rev. David Erickson phrases it, the goal of justice ministry is “to address systemic evil with systemic good.” Justice goes beyond charity to address the systems that cause and support injustice. In addition to feeding the hungry, for instance, justice asks that we identify and address the sources of hunger. Justice invites us to recognize the incarnate Christ in everyone and actively live our Baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” If you wish more information or to be included on the Justice Ministry e-mail list, please contact David Crosson, or Please see Justice Ministries for more details
Direct Engagement with Community Partners
San Francisco Foodbank delivering food to those in need throughout our city
Volunteers in teams of two deliver healthful food to pre-registered senior or disabled participants. The food is provided by the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank. Deliveries are made in neighborhoods throughout the city. It is a ministry between volunteer and participant, each sharing joy and compassion wit…
Read More »Fundraising Activities in support of Community Ministries
Annual Fundraiser and Grant Program
Tidings of Comfort and Joy is an annual December event where St. Mary’s parishioners raise money for local nonprofits. Each year the congregation raises about $35,000. One-hundred percent of the funds raised goes directly to support grants to community organizations. Components of the fundraiser include the sale of holiday greens and baked goods…
Read More »Reaching Out to Agencies in our Community
The City of San Francisco has created the website below offering opportunities to volunteer during this time. If you are comfortable volunteering, and fulfill the requirements for the volunteer opportunities, we hope you will consider lending a helping hand. It is one way to share Christ’s grace and love throughout the City. Please click HERE for more information on how to be a v…
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