“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
St. James’ Outreach Ministry works in partnership with several community organizations to share the generosity of parishioners with neighbors in the greater San Diego community. The Outreach Committee focuses primarily (but not only) on three groups of neighbors in need: young, enlisted military families; new neighbors from around the world; and the homeless and hungry. Additional ministries are also listed here.
For a list of more opportunities spanning the San Diego Diocese click the button below.
Serving the Military
Military Outreach Ministries (MOM)
San Diego Military Outreach Ministries (MOM) serves junior enlisted military families with basic needs. St. James sponsors a Back-to-School Backpack Drive in August and a Christmas Toy Drive in November/December to help families serving in the military to stretch scarce resources.
Serving the Hungry and Unsheltered
St. Mark’s Food Pantry, City Heights
Weekly food donations can be dropped at St. James’ church office. Donations are delivered from there to St. Mark’s. The items most needed may change over time; consult the weekly bulletin for currently needed items.
Brown Bag Ministry at St. James by-the-Sea
Prepare non-perishable sack lunches every first Sunday of the month following both services. Parishioners may take lunches to distribute personally, or store at the church office for the Walk-In Ministry.
Hunger Suppers at St. Andrews Church, Pacific Beach
On the third Tuesday of the month, St. James prepares a hot meal for the hungry and unsheltered at St. Andrews in Pacific Beach in partnership with The Bishop’s School, La Jolla. To volunteer to set up, serve, and clean up contact Ildiko Antal.
Interfaith Shelter Network
St. James hosts up to 12 unsheltered guests for a two-week stay the first two weeks of January. Parish volunteers help set up cots, provide a hot evening meal, breakfast, and bag lunches. Contact Clark Guest or call the church office 858-459-3421.
Episcopal Community Services
St. James regularly provides a celebratory lunch to clients of Episcopal Community Services’ Central East Regional Recovery Center and has recently provided Thanksgiving dinner at one of its residential facilities.
Walk-in Ministries at St. James by-the-Sea
Provide for the needy at our doorstep with a warm smile and a hot cup of coffee. Distribute sack lunches prepared by the parish, as available; Provide reloading of Metro Compass cards (once each quarter). Contact the church office 858-459-3421
Supporting Refugees and Immigrants
Refugee Net
A 501c3, in partnership with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Refugee Net equips San Diego’s refugee families to become self-reliant, engaged, and contributing citizens through casework support, tutoring of children, food distribution, and helping women run a small catering business. Support Mama Africa (a catering enterprise run by women from South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
MAKE Projects
Merging Agriculture, Kitchens and Employment (MAKE) Projects is an employment social enterprise operating an urban farm, restaurant, and events/catering company to provide a paid, real-world work experience for low-income refugee and immigrant women and youth. Its mission is to provide trainees with job readiness skills to help them achieve their dreams. As part of its training programs, MAKE Projects offers Thursday dinner and Saturday brunch at its location, weekly global to-go meals and a CSA herbs and vegetables service. Contact MAKE or Nancy Wilson
Casa Cornelia
As a public interest law firm, Casa Cornelia provides pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations, including immigrant victims of domestic violence, and to unaccompanied minors in custody. Contact Ann L. Craig or the church office 858-459-3421
Additional Outreach Ministries at St. James by-the-Sea
Hooks & Needles Ministry
Hand-made comfort shawls and lap robes for the St. Paul’s Senior Pace Program, blankets and other items for refugee children, knit and crocheted hats for UCSD NICU babies, sensory mats for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients at St. Paul’s. We have people who knit, people who crochet, and now our new project allows people who don’t do either to participate.
Big Table
Hospitality and restaurant work is the lowest paid industry, and its workers are at increased risk for financial and emotional crises. Big Table connects workers in crisis to medical, legal, and social support providers.
Health Ministries Outreach Committee
St. James employs a special endowment fund to assist people in need with costs of health-related expenses. Applicants are reviewed by a committee for approval prior to services. Grants have been provided for medications, therapies, medical/dental care, co-payments, and medical equipment. Contact the church office at 858-459-3421 for more information.
Vida Joven
Vida Joven rescues children from danger and life on the streets in Baja California, Mexico. A big heart and helping hands can make a huge difference for the kids! To visit the children at one of the orphanages Register HERE to participate in a group trip. To be on the email list sign up HERE.
St. Philip the Apostle Lemon Grove
St. James assists this parish which offers services in Spanish and English.