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Dear Heavenly Rest,
October was filled with moments of connection, service, and joy. The month started with a fantastic Concert with a Cause benefitting our Prison Ministry and ended with CHR hosting the Raising My Voice Graduation and Outreach Service Day, where we worked with Wellfare, LSA (Little Sisters of the Assumption) Family Health Services, and Music on The Inside (MOTI).
Thank you to everyone who put so much into all that happened this month. It's with your support and spirit that we can have these opportunities that take us outside of Heavenly Rest's doors into communion with the world around us. We might not always have the answer to everything happening across the globe and in our backyard, but we can come together to learn, act, and grow. Our work is ongoing-- join us!
Blessings,
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Hannah Nolen, Pastoral Care and Outreach Coordinator | |
Lucas Thorpe, Director of Outreach and Adult Formation | |
Our Outreach efforts are focused in five areas: prison re-entry, education, food and nourishment, mental health, and housing and homelessness. We also respond to the moment that the world is living in and crises that erupt. Our work isn't static, and we are thinking about what other initiatives and ministries we should take on-- one of those being responding to the migrant crisis our city is facing. Below we touch on examples of what this work looks like! | |
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Concert with a Cause
On October 5th, three partners in our prison re-entry work, Interfaith Prison Partnership, Rising Hope, and Hudson Link, joined us for Concet with a Cause. The violin and organ duo, Eric Silberger and Janet Yieh, played the world premiere of new arrangements of classics by Bach, Brahms, Fauré, Saint-Saëns, Amy Beach, Florence Price, and more. It was a great night! We had around 100 people join us, and due to the generosity of our community, we raised $9,000. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our three partners for the vital work that they do-- special thanks to Angela James and Richard Buonomo.
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Outreach Service Day
This year, Outreach Service Day was Outreach Service Week! We had opportunities for the entire family, and people really showed up. On Tuesday, October 24th, we took a couple of teens to Brick Presbyterian to join them in their Tuesday Dinner Party, where they cook, serve, and eat a meal with New Yorkers from the National Coalition for Shetler. It was a great reminder of the power of service.
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On Saturday, October 28th, we bused to Wellfare's warehouse in Industry City. We talked with founder and CEO Cole Riley and got to work! We packed 315 Better Boxes with $84,000 worth of premium groceries. This food will go to hungry New Yorkers! Thank you to everyone who joined us-- it was a great day!
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On Sunday, October 29th, two partners joined us for music, food, and a packing event! Music on The Inside, a prison re-entry organization, performed for us. We sorted clothes and packed 50 hygiene kits for LSA Family Health Services to support the migrants and asylum seekers they serve. We were able to donate not just the hygiene kits but bags and bags of hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes, and more that our parish and community donated. Thank you to everyone who donated-- it was truly impactful. Thank you to Alina Bloomgarden (MOTI) and Melina Gonzalez (LSA Family Health Services) for joining us for Sunday's event!
A huge shout and thank you to Outreach Service Day co-chair Jacob Sierra, who dedicated so much time and energy to making these events as seamless and successful as possible.
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Raising My Voice Graduation
On Monday, October 30th, we celebrated cycle 33's graduation from the Raising My Voice program! This fall's cycle was a unique one. Richard Buonomo stepped into the new role of facilitator. While it was a new vantage point for him, Richard showed up with grace and a new perspective for both the participants and facilitators in training. We had four graduates who all brought unique and vital stories.
Our partnership with Circles of Support is a longstanding one, and we are proud of all the different formations and variations it's taken in our history. From transitioning online and then back to being in person, to new start-ups in Arizona and more, we are excited to be partners in the journey with them.
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Grassroots Grocery
Grassroots Grocery works to get food into the hands of New Yorkers who need it. They set up and maintain community fridges throughout the city that people can take food from when they need it with no requirements. There is a fridge on 92nd and 1st Avenue! We are looking for volunteers to help fill the refrigerator once a month. This work will look like helping to coordinate a cooking event and delivery of the food! If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please get in touch with Hannah Nolen and Lucas Thorpe!
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Day of Education, Service, and Mobilization with Temple Shaary Tefila
On November 19th, Temple Shaaray Tefila is hosting a Day of Education, Service, and Mobilization to support migrants in New York City. They are partnering with the Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis, Manhattan Together, and other faith institutions in the city. It will be an afternoon filled with learning, direct service, and training, ending with an interfaith Thanksgiving service. Please reach out to Hannah Nolen if you are interested in joining!
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LSA Family Health Services: Thanksgiving Drive
LSA Family Health Services is having a Thanksgiving Food Drive for families unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal. They are collecting non-perishable food donations such as boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, and canned vegetables, or you can make a financial donation here. Please reach out to Hannah Nolen or Lucas Thorpe with any questions/concerns.
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New Neighbors Migrant Ministry
We are dedicated to supporting migrants and asylum seekers in New York City. On October 25th, we joined the Vigil for Migrants on the steps of the Cathedral to affirm the interfaith support and dedication this city has for supporting migrants and asylum seekers. Heavenly Rest also recently signed The Covenant on Behalf of New York's Newest New Yorkers put forth by diverse faith leaders across the city. You can read the covenant here!
We are continuing to build this ministry. If you have any questions or want to get more involved, please reach out to Hannah Nolen and Lucas Thorpe!
Also, Bishop Heyd was recently on New York One discussing the migrant crisis in the city. You can watch the segment here!
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Share your impact with us! | |
We are amazed by all the ways that our community members step forward. We want to hear what you're doing to make a difference in New York and beyond. Share your story! | |
We’d love to have you involved in any of our outreach programs! You can check out our newly redesigned outreach website to learn more and/or email [email protected] for more information, to ask questions, or get connected to any of the things we’re doing. | | | | |
