Outreach Ministries

Family Promise

In 2009 we became one of 24 founding parishes working to help families transition out of homelessness.  The mission of this network, Family Promise of Chicago North Shore, is to help families achieve sustainable independence.  Several weeks of the year, St. A's welcomes families who are temporarily homeless to stay overnight in our church. Parishioner volunteers offer meals, encouragement, and fellowship.  We serve as overnight hosts, providing hospitality and refuge to our guests. To volunteer to provide a meal, host overnight, or to help in any way, please contact Julia Joehl or Kathy Gander.

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Hunger Ministries

Members of St. Augustine's work in many ways to end hunger:

  • The Second Sunday of each month our all-parish food collections support local food pantries.

  • Parish volunteers serve dinner monthly at A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen.

  • We award grants to local pantries and agencies working toward a day when no one will go hungry.

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Christmas Baskets

Every year around Thanksgiving, the St. Augustine congregation gets to gladden the hearts of many by participating in ReVive's Christmas Basket program. ReVive, an Episcopal Charities organization, sends us the names and descriptions of families and individual seniors, along with suggestions for gifts they might like. Many hands put the boxes together and loaded them into ReVive's truck. In 2018 we were able to give presents and grocery gift cards to over 100 people. To help organize the Christmas basket effort this year, contact Hilary Kennedy.

Parish Christmas Card

In 2018 the annual parish Christmas card solicited donations for Episcopal Charities and Community Services, which supports charitable organizations within the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. Every family in the church receives a Christmas card as a notice of the parish’s gift. This year’s Christmas card raised nearly $1,000 for Episcopal Charities. To help organize this gift, contact Martha Cray or Mary Whiteley.