How do we engage people experiencing homelessness?

How do we engage people experiencing homelessness?

Aaron:  Hello South E-Free, I’m Aaron, Co-Chair of South E-Free’s Homelessness Taskforce. 

Glenna:  Hello! And I’m Glenna, Caring Deacon and member of the Homelessness Taskforce.

Aaron:  And together, we’d like to invite you to the upcoming workshop at our church called Engaging Vulnerable Persons happening this upcoming Saturday September 23, 2023 at 4:30PM in the Sanctuary. (Event has since passed but slides and info are below!)

Glenna:  Aaron, before we get into it, maybe we should share a bit about what our task force is about?

Aaron:  Good point Glenna!  Well, this task force is made up of a diverse group of individuals from all 3 congregations, including ministry leads, church support staff, and ministry staff all working together to enhance South E-Free’s response to our increasing interactions with vulnerable people in our community. Specifically, those experiencing homelessness. 

Glenna:  Yes, ever since the pandemic, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the number of incidents and this team was specifically formed to help us balance our duties to love and care for all people, while at the same time reducing harm to both the vulnerable person and our church community. 

Aaron Li our Subject Area Expert on Homelessness with experience from the Calgary Homeless Foundation

Aaron:  Over the past year, the task force has been taking a deep dive into our historic responses and through consultation with subject matter experts, including the Salvation Army, helped to create new standardized protocols and procedures to help guide our church's response in the future.

Glenna (R) promoting ways to get involved in our community including the “Door Welcome Team” who often are the first to engage vulnerable persons. James (L) our Worship Deacon has attended a Taskforce info session in the past and has called the Alpha House mobile response team before to assist vulnerable persons sleeping on our doorsteps during worship practice.

Glenna:  We’ve added a new door welcome team, a community resource and contact list, as well as creating training and awareness opportunities to better equip our Church members.

Aaron: And this is where the upcoming Engaging Vulnerable Persons workshop comes in.  Presented by Calgary Alpha House. At this session, you'll learn more about our city’s current situation regarding homelessness, factors that lead someone to become homeless, as well as what to do when you come across someone who might be experiencing homelessness. 

Glenna:  If you aren't familiar with Alpha House they are one of Calgary's main emergency shelters and they provide a wide range of resources to support people experiencing homelessness and addictions, including housing, detox, and outreach, specifically the HELP teams (previously known as the DOAP team)

Aaron: We know that people are hurting out in our community.  The pandemic exacerbated the challenges faced by vulnerable people, we’ve seen increasing mental health issues and addiction challenges, in no small part due to the opioid epidemic. Additionally, with the current housing crises, and rising prices of everyday goods, its harder than ever for people to get by.  

Glenna:  So, if you are ever walking around, taking the train, going to work or school, and see someone lying on the street and don’t know what to do? Well, come out this Saturday and find out Saturday September 23 at 4:30PM in the Sanctuary!

If you missed the presentation not to worry, slides and info below OR contact Alpha House to book an “Engaging Vulnerable Persons” workshop for your group! Questions? Contact [email protected]

If you see vulnerable persons around church and would like some assistance, please call:

Mobile Outreach HELP Team (formerly DOAP Team): 403-998-7388
Calgary Police Non-Emergency Line: 403-266-1234
Needle Response Team: 403-796-5334
Encampment Team: 403-805-7388

Call 911 if it is an overdose, crime or emergency.

Weekly Prayer Meetings Fall 2023

Join our weekly prayer meetings as we gather together as a community to pray for our world, our city, our church, and one another, Tuesdays 7PM Online [Zoom ID: 835 1308 1503]

Discipleship Ministry Fall 2023

Are you ready to be a mentor or to be mentored? 

Making disciples is one of the primary functions of the church. Jesus commanded his followers this “Great Commission” before he ascended back to Heaven, and the Church, from its birth, moved on this task with laser focus. But what is a disciple? In essence: A DISCIPLE IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS AND OBEYS JESUS AND HIS TEACHINGS.

And so discipleship is the process and journey of growth for followers of Jesus. It is a journey taken in a church community (i.e. mentors and fellow disciples), with a purpose and a goal, and with discipline and commitment. It is a journey where you move with purpose.

What does your Journey look like?

Everyone’s discipleship journey is different, and discipleship happens in all our various ministries, but our church also wants to make disciples with intentionality!

Our discipleship ministry is an intentional framework for each disciple to grow with a personalized plan and purpose. Imagine our framework like the framing of a house. The church provides the frame, but the disciple and the mentor/coach fill in the walls, design, and material.   If you are interested to find out more about our discipleship ministry click on the link below!   Questions?  Contact [email protected]

Summer Interns 2023

Meet our summer interns of 2023, Nathan (L) and Zechariah (R) who will be helping out our Children’s Ministry and Youth - thanks guys we’re so excited to have you! Read on to get to know them a little more!

Nathan Law

My name is Nathan Law and I am one of the two summer interns working at the church this year. I am a Grade 11 student at John G. Diefenbaker High School. One thing that I am looking to take out of this internship is a greater understanding of how working formally would look like inside of a church.

What’s something non-interesting  about yourself?  

When it is winter, I shovel the snow on my driveway.

Your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was getting caught off guard in a picture taken at one of our youth events. This picture was later uploaded to the church Instagram, prompting my friends to point out my awkward appearance (sorry Nathan!)

What’s your idea of an ideal vacation!

My ideal vacation would be going to a beach resort and living in a luxurious suite with a stunning view of the ocean, topped off with meals that would include fresh seafood as well as tropical delicacies.

Last book you read?  

The most recent book that I have read is Finders Keepers by Stephen King.

What compelled you to want to be summer children/youth ministry intern?

The main reason why I wanted to be the summer interns this year was because I wanted to understand how the work environment would look like in a church. Growing up in the church, I've always seen the things that happen on Sundays such as the sermons but I have never seen the “behind the scenes” of all these things so I wanted to try it out and I felt like it would be a great environment for me to learn and to grow! I’m also passionate about children’s ministry and I feel that nurturing their spiritual journey is one of the most important ways we can lead them to a long lasting relationship with God! 

Zechariah

My name is Zechariah. I am one of the Summer Interns at SCCEFC this year. Currently, I am a grade 11 student attending Lord Beaverbrook High School. 

What’s something non-interesting about yourself?  

When it's summer I mow the lawn.

Most embarrassing moment? 

When I cut the front of my hair by myself and walked around for two months with a bald spot on the front of my hair.

What’s your idea of an ideal vacation?

Going to Singapore and getting to see Changi Airport.

Last book you read? 

"This Changes Everything" by Jaquelle Crowe

What compelled you to want to be a summer children/youth ministry intern?

I chose to work as an intern so that I could gain practical knowledge and first-hand experience while developing my relationship with Christ.