The Episcopal Church understands mission to be about restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. This takes place when all members of the Church, clergy and laypeople, individually and together, pray and worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace, and love. Put another way, it is how we put in action what Jesus taught us to pray for – that God’s Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. While this mission belongs to all Christians, some will find the Episcopal Church and the Cathedral of St. Paul to be the place they are called to put it into practice.

We realize that mission takes place in many ways and places, perhaps mostly and most importantly in the daily lives of our members, in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and communities. There are also some aspects of mission we undertake together as a congregation or as groups within the cathedral. Some of these are:

• We provide food to the needy with a large and active Food Pantry.

• We provide a served Sunday Dinner to our Food Pantry friends once a month.

• We are helping a parish in the Church of South India build a new church building. From this building, they will be able to continue and expand their mission work.

• We are partners with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie in their inner city ministries.

• We provide significant support to the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania for ministry in the region and beyond.

• We designate the “loose offering” every week to a designated outreach or mission project in the community and around the world.

• These are some places where our mission as a congregation comes into focus. However, as noted above, the primary mission takes place through the lives of our members and friends as they work, pray, and give for the spread of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

The Cathedral of St. Paul’s Food Pantry has served members of the Erie community for over 15 years. Those in need from Parade Street to Liberty Street and from 12th Street to the Bay may come twice each month to receive food. The ministry began as a result of the growing needs of the community and the desire of the Cathedral parishioners to help. In 2007, over 5,200 people were served.

Bags distributed contain a variety of food items that include representatives of the major food groups and a selection of personal care products when available. Most of the food is purchased through the Second Harvest Food Bank. Sincere thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who keep the Food Pantry going.

The Food Pantry is open Fridays from 9:30 am – noon.

A natural extension of our Food Pantry, the Sunday Dinner (held once a month, September – May) provides our Food Pantry clients with a home-cooked, served dinner. In 2007, we served an average of 50 people per month. Again, we extend our thanks to the group of volunteers who give their time each month.

For more information about these and The Cathedral of St. Paul’s other Outreach Ministries, please contact the Cathedral office at (814)452-3779.