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 [email protected].

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. For questions about Family Promise, contact Cass Cole at [email protected].​
  • ​Housing Crisis Work Group: Parishioner Cass Cole served for two years on the Bishop's Housing Crisis Work Group, which produced materials to help parishes understand the issue of homelessness and discern how they can use their land to the glory of God. (*See below for further resources.)  For questions about the HCWG, contact Cass Cole at [email protected] or [email protected].​
  • Hope and Bread: Each Sunday evening, a community of unhoused and housed folks gather in Montavilla Park to share liturgy, a meal, art, and connection. This street church focuses on creating nonjudgmental space where all are valued and welcomed. It honors shared leadership and has a mission of advocacy for Portland’s most vulnerable. Several churches in the diocese work together to provide meals and supplies that are offered during gatherings. St. David of Wales has committed to fund and create first aid and wound care kits offering over 50 kits a month to Hope and Bread parishioners. Please join us on the third Sunday of every month following church to put these kits together. If you’d like to volunteer or learn more about Hope and Bread please visit their website: https://hopeandbreadchurch.org/ or email Deacon Tracy at [email protected].
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 [email protected].
  • Brigid’s Table: Brigid’s Table provides food support as well as supplies for daily living for our neighbors in the Montavilla community.  Every Tuesday a group of volunteers packs sack meals and helps distribute them at the site of the former Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church as well as delivers them to folks with limited access.  Brigid’s Table also intermittently supports other gathering spots where food support is needed for our unhoused neighbors and other identified communities. For questions about Brigid’s Table, contact Barbara Brecht at [email protected].​
  • 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 [email protected].
RACISM AND CONCILIATION
  • ​Say Their Names: A group of faithful meet at the corner of SE 30th and SE Hawthorne every third Friday at noon to protest and witness to the value of ALL our neighbors. Our witness is a peaceful, positive, supportive effort and presence to affirm the value and worth of all our neighbors, particularly those currently being unjustly attacked and victimized. For questions, contact Barbara Brecht at [email protected].​​
OTHER RESOURCES