Outreach at Saint David's

Parishioners at Saint David of Wales, rooted in God’s love, seek to improve the quality of life for the vulnerable and/or marginalized in our community within and beyond the walls of the church. We listen to and learn from people and organizations already immersed in social justice work; share our emotional, intellectual and physical resources; and engage with other local congregations and neighbors in action. All are welcome to participate.

At Saint David’s, you will find a group of people committed to following the charge from Micah 6:8: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God. These are some of the (ever-changing!) projects we work on together. 

​Have questions about our Outreach activities? Reach out to Justice & Mercy Team Chair Jacqueline Gonnerman at jsgonnerman@gmail.com.

HOUSELESSNESS
  • Family Promise: We have committed to be a host congregation with Family Promise Metro East. As a host congregation we provide hospitality (including meals, hygiene, and sleeping accommodations) four times per year, one week at a time. Families stay at the church at night and go to a day center during the day. St. David’s Family Promise team is “hosting” at other churches while our kitchen is being remodeled. For questions about Family Promise, contact Cass Cole at cass@ccvlp.org.
  • Red Wagon: With our Little Red Wagon in tow, we walk or drive around the neighborhood offering hospitality to neighbors on the street as we encounter them. We also occasionally donate items to other supply drives. For questions about Red Wagon, contact Cass Cole at cass@ccvlp.org.
  • Hygiene4All: H4A provides laundry, clothing, and hygiene services. We have installed 3 sets of washers and dryers in the basement which will be used by H4A’s laundry volunteers on a regular schedule. For questions about H4A, contact Finn Coll Buckley at music@saintdavidpdx.org.

ECONOMIC INEQUITY 
  • Hot Meals: Every second Saturday, a St. David’s team serves hot meals to dozens of neighbors down the street at All Saints Episcopal. For questions about Hot Meals, contact Kieran Cannistra at kieran@post.harvard.edu.
  • Brigid’s Table: On the third Tuesday of the month, a group from St. David’s prepares food for our neighbors at Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal on 82nd Ave. For questions about Brigid’s Table, contact Barbara Brecht at bbrechtlcsw@gmail.com.
  • Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: The Alliance has different action groups addressing local policies on poverty. Jim McConnell is St. David's representative to the Alliance. For questions, contact Jim McConnell at jimmcconnellpdx@comcast.net.

RACISM/RECONCILIATION
  • Book studies: We are a congregation that loves to read! Throughout the year, we hold book studies on various topics, usually over Zoom on Thursdays. You can see updates on eNotes. We have read Dear Church, The Dream of God, How to be an Antiracist, Baptized by Tear Gas, The Church Cracked Open, In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture, ​and more.
  • Say Their Names: A group of faithful meet on the church steps every Friday at noon to read history about and the names of black, brown, and queer people who have been murdered. For questions, contact Barbara Brecht at bbrechtlcsw@gmail.com.
  • The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon’s “Engaging Racial Justice Working Group”: Saint David’s seeks to take part in the group by:
    • Joining a network that the Working Group is starting to communicate with other congregations about racial justice efforts
    • Assisting with a speaker series
    • Assisting with organizing the production of videos/oral histories of elders around the Diocese who have stories to tell about the impact of racism and white supremacy on our Diocese
    • Working with a group to review the liturgy
    • Working with a group exploring how we can use a new curriculum on Native Americans in Oregon for educational purposes throughout the Diocese.

      For questions about the Engaging Racial Justice Working Group, contact Madeline Moore at madmoore47@gmail.com.