Community Outreach and Involvement

There are many outreach ministries here at St. Paul’s, both within the church organization and through individual church members who have leadership roles in community-based organizations and social agencies. St. Paul’s Church and Parish Hall are also used for a variety of community activities, including theatrical and musical rehearsals, music lessons, Elder Hostel events, support meetings such as AA and NAMI, and parties and private receptions.

St.Paul’s Caribbean missions

Our St. Paul’s outreach commitments include two Caribbean missions: Our Little Roses Mission in Honduras, an orphanage and school, and another orphanage and school in the Dominican Republic.

Florida Keys Outreach Coalition

Membership in the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, whose mission is to provide homeless individuals and families with the resources and opportunities by which to attain residential, financial and personal stability and self-sufficiency. The Coalition also manages the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, to which St. Paul’s regularly contributes from a yearly grant we receive from the Diocese. This commitment to the Coalition is both ongoing and responsive to particular emergencies. After Hurricane Wilma in 2005, for example, St. Paul’s (with help from Trinity, New York and another source) donated money and distributed a large trailer full of new clothing.

T.R.U.E

Through the T.R.U.E. Fund (Towards the Relief of Urgent Emergencies), a fund we gather from the congregation once a month to help people in the community who have an urgent, one-time need. We respond to those referred to us through community organizations and help with such things as an unexpected electric bill, a temporary rent emergency, a sudden need for prescription medicine, or any emergency that can be answered on a one-time basis.

Parishioners’ Involvement

Our parishioners’ community involvement includes serving regularly at a weekly soup kitchen sponsored by St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church, and supplying volunteers to community groups and organizations, such as the Hospice/VNA of the Florida Keys for their annual 4th of July Picnic fundraiser and the Wesley House Family and Child Care Services for their annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser. We alsoparticipate actively in community events such as the Key West Holiday Parade in December, the Mother’s Day Program at the Senior Center in May, and the Pridefest Parade in June.

St. Paul’s Church and Parish Hall

St. Paul’s Church and Parish Hall are also used for a variety of community activities, including theatrical and musical rehearsals, music lessons, Elder Hostel events, support meetings such as AA and NAMI, and parties and private receptions.

Special events, such as our presence at annual parades and festivals and, in 2008, the procession in the streets of Key West that marked our 175th anniversary, make us directly visible in the community.