Outreach
Social Justice

Mission and Service Fund: Every year, besides raising money for its own budget needs, St. Paul’s raises between $27,000 – $28,000 for the United Church Mission and Service Fund, which assists in ministry both here in Canada and around the world. This fund for example enables Christian Island to have a United Church minister and helps pay for the costs of the United Church there. It helps with special projects that assist the most vulnerable people in society, both here and around the world. It also helps with special projects for congregations that enables them to carry out their ministry. The United Church Women (U.C.W.) give a substantial gift each year toward this fund. (see U.C.C. website at https://united-church.ca/) 

Pastoral Care Volunteers: St. Paul’s has a team of committed volunteers who visit and/or call those who find it difficult to get out and feel isolated from their church and community.

Supporting Families in Grief: Kirsty works closely with grieving families and the U.C.W. offer support in providing funeral/memorial service luncheons when requested. Many different volunteers are part of this important work.

Grief Groups: St. Paul’s has had both a Women’s and a Men’s Grief Groups. Check with Kirsty for news on the next ones . .

Connections: Connecting Together- Come join us and make connections with others as we take time for conversation, storytelling, tea/treats, fun and fellowship. Our Connections Team meets every Thursday and everyone is welcome to join us in the Atrium here at St. Paul’s from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Pop in, have a seat and touch base with others. 

The Benevolent Fund: This fund helps those who are in need. We have helped people with food vouchers, food, assistance paying first and last month’s rent so that they don’t become homeless, help with the cost of electricity if people get behind in their bills, clothing, shelter, a child’s program that assists with building self-esteem, counselling and transportation. Our Christmas Eve offering and some other donations help with this fund. The fund is confidential and our Minister is responsible for its administration.

Newcomer/Refugees: St. Paul’s has a long history of working with refugees. This started years ago with the sponsoring of some Vietnam refugees. We then sponsored Karen refugees who fled what was at the time Burma. We sponsored a United Nations Urgent Action family from Africa, assisted St. Mark’s Anglican Lutheran Church with the sponsorship of a family of eight from Syria, sponsored another family of six from Afghanistan and most recently assisting St. Mark’s Anglican Lutheran Church with another refugee from Syria.

Feeding the hungry: Monday Morning Drop-In: For over 26 years and until the pandemic, St. Paul’s was running this program. People who were hungry, homeless or just lonely were always welcome to join us for breakfast and some fellowship time every Monday morning. We served anywhere from 30- 60 people. This program ended with the pandemic. The Guest House provides breakfast for its clients so there is no longer a need.

Meals on Wheels: The U.C.W. have been doing this every year since 1973 – a total of 50 years! They deliver meals every Tuesday.

Gift of Grace Kitchen: A program of Knox Presbyterian Is now run out of our kitchen and the Great Hall here at St Paul’s. 

 Foodgrains Bank: Every fall, St. Paul’s has a special appeal for this Canadian charity, which provides food and agricultural support to nations around the world that struggle with feeding their own people. In 2025 a presentation by Christina Philips from Canadian Foodgrains deeply moved our generous congregation, which with government matching funds raised resulted in a total donation of $20,055.30.

Guest House: St. Paul’s is an active ally of this shelter for the homeless. Pre-pandemic, there was a small team of St. Paul’s volunteers who provided meals to them once a month. Post pandemic dedicated team that prepares and
delivers meals to the Guesthouse several times each month. We have a team of 15 volunteers who take turns to prepare nourishing, warm meals. A complete meal for 25 to 30 people has been offered 40 times over 10 months We are also a sponsor of their fundraising campaign (Coldest Night of the Year) and provide volunteers who walk on our behalf, some assist with registrations while other assist with the meal that is provided for all involved in our Great Hall. St. Paul’s also makes donations to the Guest House as part of our outreach.  

15 Local Community Groups: These groups use our space here at the church. We believe that we are in partnership with our community. We have been the sponsor for the Scouts over 60 years now.

Free hot chocolate at the Santa Claus Parade: We do this to keep people warm. We also open our doors so that our washrooms are available to the public. It is also a place, especially for families with young children, to keep warm while they wait for the parade to begin. Christmas 2025 over 400 cups of hot chocolate were served!