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HOME | Ecclesia Ministries | common cathedral | common art | CityReach | Mission to Other Cities Programs Overview | Mission Statement | Birth of a Street Church | Journey to Street Priesthood
In the summer of 1994, the Rev. Deborah W. Little began meeting with homeless people on the streets of Boston, offering sandwiches, friendship, and referrals. From that simple beginning, Ecclesia Ministries has evolved into a church community that engages homeless and privileged people, service providers, clergy, churches, seminarians, and others in ongoing activities that work to meet the important physical, social, and spiritual needs of homeless people. Ecclesia Ministries began in the spirit of being present to, and praying with, those who are homeless, in order to learn about their struggles and hopes and to offer spiritual support. Thus Ecclesia provides companionship and community to homeless people, a sustaining fellowship that distinguishes Ecclesia from other social service agencies serving homeless people. By offering caring, predictable communities that come together through common activities, Ecclesia seeks to end the isolation homeless individuals face. The relationships that are forged provide a foundation of spiritual comfort and trust and provide room for meaningful change.
How did I get to the street?....I wanted to learn about God, and I wanted to learn ~ Debbie Read the inspiring story of the beginning of Ecclesia Ministries in "Birth of a Street Church." Read Debbie's personal account in "Journey to Street Priesthood."
Program GoalsEcclesia Ministries offers social services to homeless people in concert with spiritual companionship and community in order to provide dignity and continuity for lives that have little or none of either. Our objectives include:
Programs OverviewEcclesia's programs support the spiritual and physical needs of homeless men and women. Ecclesia works full-time throughout the week, serving over 1,000 homeless men and women a year on the streets, in institutions, and in the shelter programs of Boston. Ecclesia primarily serves homeless men and women in Boston who live on the street, in shelters, in jails, or in housing for people with disabilities. About 75% of our community is male with diverse racial, cultural, and economic profiles. Our secondary ministry is to people in churches, schools, and other organizations who want to become more involved with homeless people. Most of our programs are open to all who wish to participate, creating a stimulating and life-giving mix of gender, race, age, economics, religion, and education. Common cathedral is the heart of Ecclesia Ministries. It is our church with Sunday worship service held outdoors on the Boston Common at 1:00 pm, come rain or shine, or snow. During the course of 10 years it has only been cancelled once. Between 100 to 200 people gather every week for the service, comprising of our parishioners, most of whom are homeless, and visiting congregations from Boston and all over New England. Common cathedral brings together housed and unhoused congregations in the celebration of life, followed by community lunch which is donated by volunteer churches. Gospel Reflection follows the service at St. Paul's Cathedral across the street from the Common. We celebrate the holidays together: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Common art is a program of common cathedral that provides space, materials, and staff support for homeless guests to develop skills in the visual arts. The program allows participants to engage their creativity and to express what is important to them in a uniquely personal manner. Boston-area artists are welcome as teachers. Exhibits of common art have been held at Trinity Episcopal Church at Copley Square in Boston, "the West End Library" in Boston, Trinity Episcopal Church in Randolph, MA, Church of the Advent in Medfield, MA, and St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Dover, MA. Common cinema a program of common cathedral, shows weekly films on mainly spiritual topics. It gives homeless guests an opportunity to have a couple hours of recreation apart from their basic survival. STREET MINISTRY: Ecclesia ministers and interns spend time in direct street ministry to homeless people, providing for immediate needs such as food, winter clothing, blankets, and medical emergency referrals. Ecclesia works closely with medical, mental health, law enforcement, and outreach workers who serve people on the street, learning from them and collaborating for care and referrals. Staff members work on developing ongoing relationships with homeless people as well as with other outreach workers. Common fellowship AND EDUCATIONAL GROUPS: Common fellowship is an opportunity for the common cathedral community to come together to discuss issues of concern and topics of interest. Gospel Reflection takes place each Sunday after Eucharist and lunch, as well as during the Monday Eucharist. Baptism and Confirmation preparation for community members is available when requested. Regular theological reflection is provided for volunteers, interns and seminarians.
Read more information on our Pastoral Care Team program. LEGAL MINISTRY: Jedediah Mannis, Attorney. Jed offers free legal services for homeless people who attend common cathedral. He can be reached two Mondays each month between 12-1 pm at the lunch program at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street. Jed also directs The Outdoor Church, a ministry similar to common cathedral on the Cambridge Common that meets every Sunday from 1-2 pm. Feel free to call Jed at 781-652-8860 between 9 am and 5 pm. Read his view on Legal Ministry. VOLUNTEERS AND FIELD SUPERVISION: Ecclesia Ministries supervises seminarians and volunteers from churches and civic organizations. Each year, Ecclesia supervises up to six seminarians from divinity schools, including Episcopal Divinity School, General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, Boston University, Harvard Divinity School, Andover Newton Theological School, the Micah Fellows program, and Ridley Hall (Cambridge, England). They assist with all aspects of our ministry at Ecclesia Ministries. DOORBELL MINISTRY FOR DOWNTOWN CHURCHES: Ecclesia Ministries offers its help to all churches seeking better relationships with, and understanding of, homeless people. Ecclesia Ministries created the Boston Churches' Doorbell Ministry initiative to encourage downtown churches to talk together about "doorbell" ministry and to offer resources to homeless people. Trinity Church leads the Station of the City every Good Friday with a focus on issues of homelessness. Emmanuel Church is renting an office to outreach workers and has renovated its undercroft to provide a safe haven for homeless mentally ill women. Emmanuel Church also offers free space for our common art program. St. John's Neighborhood Action meal programs continues to serve homeless people. Ecclesia ministers offer healing and prayer with guests of St. Paul's Lunch and do ministry on the steps of the Cathedral. We celebrate the Eucharist and lead a healing service each Monday at 1 p.m. in the Cathedral, and many of our indoor meetings are held at 138 Tremont Street. PREACHING AND TEACHING: We welcome opportunities to preach, speak, and teach in churches, at adult forums, youth groups, dinners, and in outreach committee meetings. We share the Ecclesia story, talk about our experiences, the work to be done, the value to our spiritual lives of being with the poorest people, and how churches can get involved. When possible, common cathedral parishioners share the teaching, telling their own stories and their experience. Speaking about our work and worship inspires others and gives us the chance to reflect on our church community, the presence of Christ on the street, and the spiritual lives of homeless friends. In May 2006, The Rev. Kathy McAdams joined us as Minister of Church Relations, for the purpose of strengthening our relationship with housed congregations. Please contact The Rev. Kathy McAdams at 617-347-8582 to schedule a date for her to visit your congregation.
Financial SupportEcclesia Ministries is an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. We rely on the generosity of foundations, congregations, and individual donors for support. In February 2006, Ecclesia Ministries received a third Ford Foundation grant to support new street ministries in other cities (see Mission to Other Cities). In addition, Ecclesia receives the support of the following foundations:
Please call the Rev. Kathy McAdams at 617-347-8582 to discuss making an ongoing pledge or remembering Ecclesia Ministries in your will.
Ecclesia Ministries Board of Directors The Rev. Dr. William Kondrath, Chairman Mr. Robert Brower, Treasurer The Rt. Rev. Roy F. Cederholm, Jr. The Rev. James B. Sherblom The Rev. Charles Howard The Rev. Dr. Deborah Little The Rev. Joan B. Murray The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor The Rev. Judith L. Stuart The Rev. Karen Coleman
Ecclesia Ministries Advisory Board: The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, President and Dean, Episcopal Divinity School
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ECCLESIA MINISTRIES
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