“Serving as Christ’s hands and heart in St. John’s County and beyond…”
St. Patrick’s is a small church, but mighty in our efforts to help those in need. We are so blessed by the giving nature of this community and so appreciate your helping us to help others. Nothing is impossible! Here are some of our many ministries:
Port in the Storm
Port in the Storm is a “port in the storm of life” for youth who have fallen through the cracks. They say that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. No one cared if they came home and what was going on at home was often scarier than the streets. Now they are on the streets and more alone than ever. They are no longer kids. They are hurt. They are tough. They are angry. They are lost. This is the last chance to help them before they spiral down into the pit of chronic homelessness, mental illness, or suicide. Port in the Storm is a safe place off the streets for homeless/unaccompanied youth in crisis. Caring adults provide stability, hope and a path to a successful future through Positive Youth Development programming. Located in downtown St. Augustine, day drop-in services are provided from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily including life skills, basic needs, job skills, housing assistance and more. Port in the Storm now provides 16 beds for those youth needing a place to stay.
Dining with Dignity & Home Again
St. Patrick’s delivers bi-monthly dinners to support the homeless and low-income residents of St. Augustine, Florida. These ministries provide warm meals and other necessities to those in need. If you are interested in donating to this ministry please click on the e-giving tab above. If you’d like to assist in meal prep and/or travel with the team, please contact our office for more details about how to be involved.
Collecting Bug Spray & Sunscreen for Homeless
St. Patrick’s is lovingly known as the “bug spray church” in Fruit Cove. We serve as a collection site for insect spray and sunscreen to protect the homeless population in St. Johns County. A simple can of bug spray will not only reduce the annoyance of mosquitoes and other pesky insects, but also the need for medical care among our homeless (as will sunscreen)! We collect many cans during the summer months, but mosquitoes and sun are an every-day concern in Florida. If you would like to help with this outreach ministry please drop off your donations of bug spray to St. Patrick’s anytime during the year and we will deliver them for you.
School Supplies Collection
In conjunction with our Outreach Ministry, each July/August we collect school supplies for disadvantaged children whose families are unable to provide the much-needed items to start the new school year. Classroom supplies along with backpacks and sometimes clothing and shoes are collected and delivered to many children in need.
Christmas Angels
Our Outreach Ministry works with the St. John’s County School System to serve as Christmas Angels for multiple families in need. Toys, shoes and clothing are collected, wrapped and given anonymously so multiple children have gifts on Christmas morning. If you would like to help with this ministry, you may donate monetarily (mail a check or use the e-giving tab above) or reach out to our office in late November/early December to find out the specific “Christmas List” wished-for items requested by the children.
Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD)
The ERD through your generosity, makes it possible for people to feed their families, earn more income, and move from poverty to prosperity. ERD also responds in time of crisis to disasters all around the world, ensuring that people had the immediate assistance they needed as well as long-term support to rebuild their lives and communities. Partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development is evidence of our strong commitment to serve others in Jesus’ name and bring healing to a hurting world.
United Thank Offering (UTO)
The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Women, men and children give daily thanks to God for their blessings, by twice a year filling their little blue boxes. These UTO contributions throughout the year raise millions of dollars every year for domestic and international projects. Over 100 grants are awarded each year for buses, preschool projects, food banks, clinics, etc., anything that will help the church spread Christ’s message throughout the year.
Cuba Mission
We also have a sister parish in Camaguey City, Cuba. Occasionally parishioners are able to travel to Cuba to get to know the folks there and to share our passions, successes, needs and worship.
Even with all these activities, we still feel called to do more. What is your passion? Please share it with us!
We offer service hours for middle/high school students who volunteer on these ministries with us.