Common Cathedral is the umbrella organization for several different programs. When we support Common Cathedral our donations could be going to any of these programs listed below.
Street Ministry: Common Cathedral pastors spend hours each week sitting with and listening to un-housed men and women on the streets. They never know where they will end up when they set off in the morning. Shop doorways, benches and sidewalks are frequent locales but so are coffee shops, train stations and the back pews of churches. They are able, often, to direct people to resources that will meet most immediate needs such as food, blankets, and emergency medical referrals. They also work closely with medical, mental-health and housing outreach workers to better serve these needs in the long-term. The main thing they do during street ministry, however, is accompany those in pain. Sitting with people for hours and hours over days and days, and listening deeply to the stories they tell, births a process of deep-rooted healing that is hard to ignite any other way.
Outdoor Worship: Each Sunday, anywhere from 30-70 persons come together for outdoor worship, rain or shine, on the Boston Common. They partner with area churches (including our own!), who bring lunch for all and stay to worship.
City Reach: This takes place up to 9 times each academic year. Currently, up to 70 guests each event (youth and adults) from housed congregations learn about homelessness in Boston – directly from those who have experienced it. Additionally, clothing donated by the housed congregations is made available to any homeless residents in Boston. This “shopping” opportunity provides material support to anywhere from 100 to 300 un-housed Bostonians per City Reach event. Our church has participated in City Reach for years!
Common Art: takes place each Wednesday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Boston. On an average day, anywhere from 40 to 75 homeless and low-income persons come together and, with the support and encouragement of our artist-in-residence and pastoral staff, create. A team of volunteers (individuals, interns and visiting youth groups) works with community members to serve lunch and provide companionship and support. Artists are encouraged to participate in local art shows – as well as to join field trips to local art exhibits. A Common Art leadership team, comprised of staff, community and volunteers, meets weekly to chart the course and mission of the program.
For more information on Common Cathedral, click here.