Our God, Our Communities, Our World
A Community of Giving
This congregation stands ready to be your church family, the people with whom you will share your journey of faith. This is the place and these are the people with whom you may seek to make sense of the issues of your life; your dreams, your faith, who you are, what you are to do, who God calls you to be. Join us and commit yourself to seek and serve Christ in union with our community of faith.
Saturday Kitchen
The Saturday Kitchen has served the poor and homeless since 1983. This feeding program serves a healthy and satisfying meal to over 300 people every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Volunteers are always needed. Volunteers are needed Fridays 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (2 hrs) for sandwich prep and Saturdays 8:30 – 11 a.m. (2 1/2 hrs) for meal assembly and distribution, set-up, clean-up, etc. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., hot meal, soup and sandwiches are prepared. Tuesday and Wednesday shifts are 2 hours in length or longer if you prefer, according to your availability.
Click the button below to sign up for a Friday or Saturday shift via Episcopal Charities.
To volunteer on a Tuesday or Wednesday, or if you have any other questions, please contact us at daniel@saintmichaelschurch.org.
We currently do not offer clothing or housing services, but we can help you find those services. Just e-mail us.
Midnight Marauders
The heroically — but misleadingly— named Midnight Marauders meet every Friday night at 10 p.m. to bring by car food donated by Whole Foods to St. Michael’s Parish House. The food is served at the next morning’s Saturday Kitchen. In 2019 we hauled about 300 big bags of bread and sweets and about 190 boxes of fruit and vegetables. We are always in need of helping hands and a set of wheels. You don’t have to be a member of St. Michael’s to serve. Find out more details and sign up by clicking the button below.
Bread Bandits
The St. Michael’s Saturday Kitchen is the grateful recipient of freshly-baked breads courtesy of Breads Bakery (1294 Third Ave.). Bread Bandits pick up these donations on Friday evenings between 8:15-8:30 p.m. and deliver them to the St. Michael’s Parish House for use by the Saturday Kitchen. Two people can handle it, and a car or a taxi is needed. (St. Michael’s Church will reimburse car fare.)
Questions? Please contact Daniel Inzinga at danieljinzinga@gmail.com.
Homework Help
Homework Help provides free “kitchen table” homework help for students in grades K-5 every Monday evening from October through May. The program matches students with volunteers, and the pairs work together for an hour each week, primarily on school homework assignments. Although Homework Help focuses on academics, volunteers are encouraged to develop relationships with their students. Additional volunteers are always needed — people willing to commit an hour each week to a student, substitutes who can help once or twice a month, or administrators to help run the program. If you’re interested, please contact hhelp@saintmichaelschurch.org.
St. Michael’s Armchair Activists
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause. – Isaiah 1:17
The world’s a mess. Jesus wants us to do something about it. This St. Michael’s ministry helps you make a difference, often without leaving your apartment. About once a month, SMAA focuses on crucial social and environmental issues that need advocacy through letter writing, emailing, calling, and/or signing online petitions. Down the road, COVID permitting, SMAA might take part in in-person gatherings. Issues will be drawn from leading organizations such as the national Episcopal Church, the Audubon Society, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the Diocese of New York.
For more information and to join, contact Ned Boyajian at info@saintmichaelschurch.org.
Pilgrim Resource Center (currently suspended due to Covid-19)
The Pilgrim Resource Center is open every Saturday morning from 10 -11 a.m. Saturday morning in the Parish House Gray Lounge. The services provided include information on food pantries, soup kitchens, free clothing, drop-in-centers, shelters, family support, job training, alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, and free legal assistance locations. Vouchers are regularly prepared for food pantries and letters of introduction are written upon request. A medical van is also available Saturday morning in conjunction with the Resource Center.
You are invited to join the Pilgrim Resource Center volunteers if you have served for at least a month in St. Michael’s Saturday Kitchen. No other prior experience is requested. Hands on training will be provided. You may speak to either Anne Stribling or Ginger Lief (inquire at Saturday Kitchen) if you are interested in participating in this on-going ministry of service and outreach to the wider community.
We strive to reach out to the world beyond our blue doors
We strive to reach out to the world beyond our blue doors. We are constantly trying to find new ways to invite others—our neighbors and strangers—into our community. One way we do this is to make our space available to other groups and organizations who are making a difference and having a positive impact in the world.
Twelve Step Meetings (Schedule has been revised – contact your 12-step group for up-to-date information)
The following Twelve-Step recovery groups meet in St. Michael’s Parish House. While these groups are not affiliated with St. Michael’s, the parish supports their life-changing work of recovery. The groups meet here every week of the year–even on federal and religious holidays.
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) holds a meeting in the Reception Room every Monday at 4 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meets in the Reception Room at St. Michael’s every Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Al-anon
Al-anon, a support group for families and friends of problem drinkers, meets in the Reception Room every Saturday at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m.
Alateen
Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members who help the group to stay on track. Alateen meets in the Gray Lounge every Saturday at 3 p.m.
Connecting to the World
Our Reach Extends Globally
St. Michael’s, alongside a number of other parishes and the Diocese of New York, supports the New York Haiti Project, which is helping the people of Martel, in rural Haiti, to build and maintain a school and a church. For further information about this project, contact Michael Smith at mjs@smithbowen.net.