Ecclesia Ministries of New York, Inc.

The Mission

The purpose of Ecclesia Ministries of New York is to form and support communities of faith. These communities are reflective of the broad spectrum of society, but are largely made up of the people who live on the streets without suitable shelter or other resources. Each "church" worships out of doors in public space; spaces which already attract street people and serve as common ground for meeting and social discourse. These churches offer the same mutual support, pastoral care, and worship as traditional communities of faith, but with increased emphasis on needs and issues common to the marginalized of our society.

Some questions and answers

What is it?

At its core Ecclesia Ministries is a well supported lay ministry, which is deeply committed to engaging the poor and disenfranchised among us in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Its methodology is born of the great commission ("Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation," Mark 16:14) and the Gospel imperative (the idea that we see Christ most clearly when the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the sick are offered help, the imprisoned are visited, and the stranger is welcomed. Matthew 25). We seek to engage lay and ordained people of all denominations in this ecumenical effort to bring the people of God into worshiping communities.

What are the gifts of the church?

Ecclesia Ministries believes that the Church imparts its gifts to all those who participate. These gifts include hospitality, welcome, continuity, forgiveness, worship, prayer, the open table, open hands and willing hearts, hope, community, a greater sense of self-worth, and a deeper understanding of God’s love as revealed in the life of his son, Jesus Christ.

Why volunteer?

- you will meet an interesting, diverse group of people
- you will have fun, while living our your faith
- you will be moved intellectually, emotionally and spiritually

Who can volunteer?

Individuals or groups of any Christian denomination are welcome to become a part of Ecclesia Ministries. Although we are organized around the concept of base participation by "housed" congregations supporting our new "churches," we can also integrate any number of individual volunteers.

Existing congregations wishing to join the program need to provide a minimum of six persons.

Our model requires the continuing effort of six or more volunteers from five "housed" congregations who form and sustain each new street church. Each of these base congregations takes responsibility for pastoral care, worship and hospitality one week in every month.

Do I need special skills?

Participation in Ecclesia Ministries requires no special skills, although there is room for the expression of many talents in our efforts. Some of these skills include:

- pastoral concern
- food preparation and serving
- musical talent
- carpentry
- a listening presence

The one requirement of all who participate in this ministry is the desire to share the love of Christ with those we encounter.

What sort of commitment must I make?

Volunteers will be expected to spend 6 to 8 hours per month providing pastoral care and participating in the Sunday afternoon Eucharist. Occasional group meetings and time with a supervisor may also be scheduled, but not required.

Ecclesia Ministries seeks the restoration of dignity and self worth in our homeless, poor and marginalized by joining them where they are. And it accomplishes this goal by carefully and lovingly assisting our neighbors in the creation of new communities of faith.