Showers Of Blessings at St. Paul’s – 2015 – 2023
Hello St. Paul’s,
This week’s letter comes from Claudia Dixon, who leads our Showers of Blessings ministry.
Eight years ago, a handful of parishioners decided it was high time for St. Paul’s to reach out to the growing homeless population of men and women living in Balboa Park. The diocese had a mobile Shower Unit and we had two parking lots, a sewer access and electricity near one of them. First United Methodist church in Mission Valley asked if they could serve breakfast for us. Inspired by what was happening, parishioners, volunteered, donated clothes and towels, and gave us money to buy hygiene and other supplies.
On our first Saturday 10 homeless men showed up. Soon the number expanded to 70 and then over 100. First, they came for the showers then the breakfasts and then haircuts and clothes. But they came for more than that. As we got to know each other, we became a family, guests and volunteers.
Despite our ups and downs, a Covid shut-down and the loss of our parking lot due to construction of the high-rise next door, we are still here, still serving our neighbors, still enjoying our family.
This Sunday Showers of Blessings will be the highlighted ministry of the month. I will say a few words at the late morning service, and the Showers team will host coffee hour and be available to answer your questions. We always welcome new volunteers!
Come and join us. You will be glad you did.
Claudia Dixon
Showers Ministry Leader
I applaud and strongly encourage this ministry for all of our parishes in our diocese. People in need of showers, food and love can be found everywhere in our diocese. Thank you, Cathedral, for giving us an example of what looking out for the most needy looks like — and how we can all help our siblings in need.