The Cathedral of St. Philip

To become a Carpenter's Kids partner, or to learn more about the Carpenter's Kids program, click here.

Parochial Entities like the Thrift House provide significant mission resources to the wider community. In addition many groups--from the different ECW guilds to the Children and Youth programs--make significant collections and contributions throughout the year.

Many of our major efforts are coordinated through the work of the Outreach committee and the Outreach Grants committee. The Outreach Grants committee primarily is responsible for allocating budgeted grant dollars through an annual funding cycle. The Outreach Committee focuses its efforts on coordination of various partnering activities.

On May 26, 2009, the Outreach Grants Committee recommended, and the Cathedral Chapter approved $240,000 in awards to non-profit agencies engaged in alleviating poverty. This funding is level with last year’s budget and represents an important and sustained commitment to Outreach during these difficult economic times when needs are higher than ever.

The 2009 outreach grants were awarded to:
Atlanta Children’s Shelter: $5,000
Atlanta Community Food Bank: $6,000
Atlanta Day Shelter for Women & Children: $25,000
Buckhead Christian Ministry: $40,000
City of Refuge: $10,000
Community Advanced Practice Nurses: $12,000
Crossroads Community Ministry: $7,500
Emmaus House : $15,000
Genesis Shelter: $10,000
Georgia Justice Project: $5,000
Habitat for Humanity $5,000
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church: $25,000
Jerusalem House: $7,500
Living Room: $10,000
The Open Door Community: $8,000
Refugee Family Services: $7,500
Refugee Resettlement and immigration Services for Atlanta: $7,500
Rem–Net Ministries: $10,000
Samaritan House: $10,000
Soul Changers Recovery Foundation: $14,000

Outreach Priorities and Opportunities
In addition to funding many non-profit organizations, it is a priority to continue increasing our parish involvement with those funded agencies. It is our strong belief that outreach is best accomplished when the funding includes an opportunity for us to grow in human relationships with one another. A mission fair, complemented by a Mission Booklet, increased the opportunities for our members to know the work of those partners and enhance our collaborations.

The Cathedral Outreach Committee
The Cathedral Outreach Committee was formed to organize efforts within our community that allow our parish to build relationships with the poor and those seeking a relationship with God outside our doors, as modeled by Philip the deacon and evangelist. For information, please contact Canon George Maxwell, 404-365-1088.

Listed here is a sample of the ministries and agencies in which parishioners are actively involved. Many opportunities exist in these organizations for you to offer your gifts and talents through our ministry of outreach. Please see the Cathedral Handbook to learn more.

Buckhead Christian Ministry
BCM provides basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, and also promotes programs leading to longer-term financial stability. Volunteer opportunities include direct client service, food pantry, administrative and clerical, Money Management training, and seasonal programs such as Joyous Toys at Christmas. To learn more or to have someone from BCM speak to your church group, contact the Cathedral liaisons from St. Anne’s Guild: Jenny McClure, 404-231-9644, or Betsy Elliott, 404-274-6868.

Habitat for Humanity Build
In the spring, the Cathedral partners with Big Bethel and at times another Episcopal Church to build a Habitat House. For information, contact John Champion, 404-898-7841.

Homeless Ministry
The Cathedral continues to support a strong ministry with our homeless brothers and sisters. Activities include:
· Feet on the Street Ministry: We have a shoe ministry that collects used sneakers for those who do not have access to appropriate footwear. For more information please contact Jim and Harriet Segars, 404-634-2956.
· Peachtree Pine Meals: The first Sunday of every month we gather to prepare a meal and go as a group to the shelter to serve the guests for that evening. For more information, please contact Keith Franklin, 770-317-1401.
· The Requiem for the Homeless: Every year the Cathedral hosts and sponsors a service to remember the homeless who have died this year on the streets of Atlanta. Read Doug Monroe's column here. The 2009 service, on November 2, welcomed more than 800 homeless guests for dinner and worship. For more information about the service, please contact Laura Nettles.
· Cathedral Without Walls: Partnering with five other churches in the diocese we participate in a weekly Eucharist at the Peachtree Pine Shelter. For more information, please contact Canon George Maxwell, 404-365-1088.
· Jail Ministry: During the year we have teams of women and men who visit prisoners in jail. For women’s ministry, please contact Carter Hoyt, 404-252-7290. For men’s ministry, contact either Hunter Tison, 404-237-2553, or Reed Keller.

HIV/AIDS Ministry
A group of parishioners serve lunch monthly at Common Ground, a day program near downtown for those with HIV/AIDS. Parishioners also gather to assemble Easter Baskets for those living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please contact Canon George Maxwell, 404-365-1088.

Holy Comforter and Emmaus House
Volunteers from the parish regularly participate in activities with these two Diocesan Missions. For volunteer information, please contact parishioners Margaret Jackson, 404-252-0784, for Emmaus House, and Carrie and Zack Sexton, 404-352-4163, for Holy Comforter.

The Thrift House
Although organized separately from Cathedral Outreach, the Thrift House is an important ministry associated with and supported by the Cathedral for over 50 years. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 1837 Piedmont Rd., 404-876-5440. Volunteers at The Thrift House are always needed and welcome as are contributions of clothing and household items.