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 the 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 for unsheltered people. H4A has installed 3 sets of washers and dryers in the basement which are used by their 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
  • ​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 by:
    • Joining a network of other congregations in racial justice efforts
    • Assisting with a speaker series
    • Helping organize 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
    • Collaborating with a group to explore 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.
  • ​Juneteenth: We will invite friends and neighbors to an outdoor celebration of this important day and will share food, music, and stories. For questions, contact Barbara Brecht at bbrechtlcsw@gmail.com.