Communitiy and Parish Ministries and Activities

ALL SAINTS` MEMORIAL CHURCH
Community and Parish Ministries and Activities

All Saints` seeks to maintain a presence in the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island by ministering to the greater community beyond the church walls.

We strive to live our faith by reaching out and helping those in need. We do this in a number of ways. We provide "camperships" for underprivileged children of Providence to attend City Camp. This is a free urban day camp operated under the auspices of the Episcopal Conference Center. Each two-week session is filled with field trips, arts and crafts, games sports, swimming and other activities.
During Lent we hold food sales and use the proceeds of these sales support three "adoptees" through the Christian Children's Fund.
	We maintain a working relationship with our neighbors at Crossroads Rhode Island which is one of the primary sources of aid for homeless people in the Rhode Island. On each Sunday in January and April we make 250 sandwiches and, along with cases of fruit, these are delivered to Crossroads Rhode Island which is the only meal site in Providence open on Sunday. In addition, during Advent, we collect up to 350 pairs of socks which are crucial in helping the homeless stay warm and healthy during the winter months.

We collect groceries throughout the year and distribute them through various food pantries in the city of Providence. The Service Committee also oversees a Thanksgiving Basket project each year. This past Thanksgiving we donated 30 baskets of food, complete with turkeys, most of which were distributed through the Sophia Little Program of St. Mary's Home for Children.

Older youth prepare Thanksgiving baskets for delivery.

We hold several fundraising projects such as our Spring and Fall Rummage Sales and a "Gift Basket Ministry" which is the special ministry of one of our parishioners. All the moneys raised by the projects are used parish outreach. This year we were able to give $500 to City Camp, $500 to Rhode Island Community Food Bank "Kid`s Cafe", $500 to the Blessing Way, $500 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and $100 to Groundwork Providence.

After the events of September 11th, 2001, we established a scholarship which is awarded to a graduating senior from one of the Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Rhode Island. You can find out more information on the September 11th Scholarship link.

We also make the church available to community groups for concerts and recitals. Music classes from surrounding high schools come and learn about the pipe organ with a demonstration and hands-on look at our fine Austin organ.

Pastoral Care
Each month the rector brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are sick and/or shut-in. Lay Eucharistic Ministers brings Holy Communion out to the sick and shut in who wish to receive Communion more than once a month. Hospital calls are made several times per week. We also have “Phone Buddies” who each day telephone elderly members of the congregation who live alone to be sure that they are not having any problems.

Pastoral Care

Each month the rector brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are sick and/or shut-in. Lay Eucharistic Ministers brings Holy Communion out to the sick and shut in who wish to receive Communion more than once a month. Hospital calls are made several times per week. We also have “Phone Buddies” who each day telephone elderly members of the congregation who live alone to be sure that they are not having any problems.

Our “Casserole Ministry” provides healthy, nutritious meals for elderly members of the congregation who are unable to cook regularly for themselves or for people who are ill or recovering from surgery. The rector is always available to meet with anyone when need arises. People are not an interruption to our business. People are our business.