Description:
A parish-based resource for spiritual formation, Christian reflection, and direct service and action on behalf of those in physical, financial, spiritual need. Ecumenical and involving the participation and sponsorship of eastside Episcopal parishes, as well as interested congregations of other denominations, as well as area agencies.

Rationale:
St. Columba founded on Iona, a thriving monastic community centered in prayer and study, yet fostering the arts and offering both hospitality and service to the poor as well as evangelizing mission to Scotland and northern England. Tiny, barren Iona became known as the "Rome of the North", fostering Christian learning and spiritual life, "spinning off" other communities throughout Great Britain and Europe.

Saints Peter and Paul is an Episcopal parish rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. An essential component part of the Anglo-Catholic revival of the 19^th Century was what became known as the "Social Gospel", placing the preaching of the Kingdom to the poor into action in the working-class slums of England, feeding bodies, preaching to souls, supporting the working class in their cry for justice.

The rich spirit of Columba and Brigid and other Celtic saints fits well with Saints Peter and Paul’s rich sense of the presence and experience of God, sense of outreach, concern for justice and for the poor, and love and concern for the natural world as evidenced in our care for our wooded grounds amidst the commercial landscape of 82^nd Avenue.

Saints Peter and Paul, through the change of roadways and neighborhood over the years, is among all parishes of the Diocese uniquely poised on an urban outpost, a major roadway and conduit for transients, the poor, and persons in prostitution. Saints Peter and Paul is also poised, through slow but steady numerical growth, young and energetic people in leadership, a sense of search for vision, and the successful but incomplete Capital Funds Drive, for a Spirit-filled challenge that will make a future for the parish based on mission and not survival.

Components:

• Brigid’s Table meal ministry (already in place one night/week, administered by parishioners)
• Teaching opportunities in Bible, Christian social reflection, and spirituality (now offered through parish ministries, primarily for parishioners). Some examples of potential topics: daily living with Scripture; Christian views on poverty and economics; ecumenical and interfaith conversation; "Prayer of the Heart" and contemplative traditions; Anglican Rosary; Labyrinth; storytelling as spiritual praxis; poetry as spiritual search; leadership and Baptismal ministry; St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality; Celtic spirituality. Many of these already have been offered by parish clergy and lay members.
• Food pantry
• Trained referral counselors (volunteer), with bus fare and meal tickets available, as well as an emergency clothes closet
• Outreach and counseling for persons in prostitution, with eventual foundation of long-term residential rehab program for women getting out of "the life" (off-site location)
• Group work in life skills, job search for homeless/unemployed
• One or more 12-Step groups
• Spiritual care available to walk-ins, prayer and possible healing ministry
• Internship offered to Diocesan diaconal candidates
• A "cell" or "desert", a private retreat room, available through arrangement with the Rector, for personal prayer, with spiritual direction available by pre-arrangement.
• Possible foundation of a residential or non-residential religious Community, inspired by Celtic monastic tradition, open to men and women, who would pray for and possibly serve in Columba Center’s ministries.

Requirements and Resources:

• Vestry and parish of Saints Peter and Paul "buying into" the vision; ownership and willingness to work and lead
• Talents and gifts of individual parishioners re. outreach, spirituality, theology, organization, planning, physical plant, grantwriting
• Successful completion of Capital Funds drive so that long-term changes in physical plant may be planned with Center in mind
• Support of National Church with Jubilee Center status sought
• Support of Diocese through acknowledgement, grants
• Some linkage with William Temple House and networking of resources for social service and outreach
• Support and possible co-sponsorship by Metro-East Episcopal parishes, ecumenical partnership sought through Montavilla churches. Volunteers, organizational gifts, publicity all sought
• Linkage with Diocesan School for the Diaconate
• Guest faculty for teaching from Diocese, other ecumenical sources
• Montavilla Neighborhood Association, URS Club contact

Timeline:

Classes/spiritual services offered within one years’ time, food pantry and referral resources within one year, expanded physical plant for office, storage, meeting and teaching space(which also includes improved office, church school, nursery, fellowship space for the parish) in 5-10 years.