Mission and Outreach
MDGs (UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS)
The Cathedral hosts a series of Eucharists that seek to raise awareness of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, called MDGs. During the past year, the Cathedral has hosted Diocesan Eucharists for the MDGs on the feasts of Candlemas, Easter Saturday, the Ascension, St. Mary the Virgin, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Nicholas of Myra, as well as at other times. All of the money collected at these Eucharists is given to various charities that work with the MDGs such as Episcopal Relief and Development, the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, Millennium Promise, People Funding People, and the Afghan Institute of Learning.
More information on the MDGs may be found here.
St. Paul's is proud to be a ONE CONGREGATION.
HUNGER-OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The Hunger-Outreach Committee works to advocate for the poor, hungry, and homeless on behalf of the Cathedral. They also get involved in many different peace and justice issues, locally, nationally, and internationally. The group has organized a Chicken Bar-B-Q to benefit HIV/AIDS patients in Uganda and Buffalo, they regularly volunteer at the Friends of Night People Soup Kitchen in Buffalo, they have partnered with our music program to build Habitat Houses, they have sponsored parishioners for the post-Katrina rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, and they give money grants to various organizations throughout the Buffalo community. To see there guidelines for approving grant requests, click here.
LITERACY PROGRAMS
One third of Buffalo residents are classified as illiterate. St. Paul's is currently working on initiatives to help address this need of our community. During the spring of 2010, a variety of trainings have been offered, and there is still lots more room for more volunteers. If you are interested to learn more, e-mail office@stpaulscathedral.org
FRIENDS OF NIGHT PEOPLE SOUP KITCHEN
Members of the Cathedral volunteer regularly at the Friends of Night People Soup Kitchen on Sunday evenings. Typically, St. Paul's volunteers are responsible for staffing the soup kitchen the first Sunday night of each month.
COMPANION DIOCESE
The Diocese of Western New York has a companionship relationship with the Diocese of Puerto Rico. The Cathedral has established a special relationship with the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista Santurce in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
Every year the Cathedral does a fundraiser for Episcopal Community Services of Western New York, and we are proud to be one of the major donors every year. Episcopal Community Services is the outreach arm of the Episcopal Diocese, funding many different organizations throughout Western New York.
UNITED THANK OFFERING
Every autumn the Cathedral raises money for the Episcopal Church's United Thank Offering. Money from this offering helps many poor and hungry people throughout our world, and it is administered through the Episcopal Church's headquarters. For more information click here.
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING FOR THE HOLY LAND
Every year on Good Friday, St. Paul's participates in the Episcopal Church's offering for our brother and sister Episcopalians in the Holy Land. St. Paul's donates the offering from both Good Friday liturgies to this cause. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East encompasses all of Israel, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, and St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem is the mother church of the diocese.
EASTER BAKE SALE
Every year at some point during the Easter season, the Hunger Outreach Committee holds a bake sale for the parish. Parishioners are asked to bake goods and to buy goods. Recipients of the fundraiser have included Friends of Night People Kitchen, Migrant Ministries, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church and School in New Orleans.
EPISCOPAL PEACE FELLOWSHIP
Several members of the parish are active in the Western New York Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. This group meets once a month at various churches in the Diocese, and recently at our Diocesan Convention succeeded in passing a resolution calling for the USA to commit to a no-first strike policy in regard to nuclear weapons.
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
St. Paul's offers its meeting rooms to several community groups of Western New York including Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Christian Business Women's Association, and the Coalition for the Homeless. For information on using our space, e-mail the office.
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