Out in the community and beyond
St. Augustine’s parish extends far beyond the church walls. As followers of Jesus, we know that all people are made in the image of God, and are loved by God. It is our joy and duty to connect, to serve and to offer support, with God’s help.
Missional Outreach Ministry
This is the ministry that coordinates our service and justice-oriented activities. Projects include hampers and gift cards for needy parishioners, support for Streets Alive and the Food bank, the Reverse Advent Calendar Food Drive for the Interfaith Food Bank, the Alzheimer’s Coffee Break Sunday, Compassion Canada and Alongside Hope (formerly Primates World Relief & Development Fund).
Caring Facilities Ministry and Shut-in Ministry
Many of our parishioners living in care facilities or in their own homes are unable to come to church due to mobility and/or health issues. This ministry provides an important personal connection to St. Augustine’s involving visiting and bringing current church material.
Prayer Shawls Ministry
A small group of experienced and beginner knitters meet whenever there is a need to knit prayer shawls for people in hospital or in care facilities. A short prayer is quietly said to bless the hands of the crafter and to bring joy and healing to the wearer.
Ecumenical Campus Ministry
St. Augustine’s is pleased to support this ministry to the students of the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College. Activities have included campus care parcel distributions, free suppers for students, coffee and tea fundraisers, and game & pizza social events. The ECM also sponsors the annual Cade Community Lecture series.
Alongside Hope
Alongside Hope (formerly the PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and humanitarian relief. Our parishioners join with other Anglicans across Canada in responding to natural disasters and conflicts with humanitarian relief to support affected families and communities. Projects include Goats at Christmas and The Farm at Lent.
Refugee Ministry
In September 2020, St. Augustine’s Refugee Taskforce received an urgent request for help from an Iranian Christian fleeing religious persecution with his wife and her parents. Working with the Mennonite Central Committee and the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, St. Augustine’s was able to sponsor this family, which required a major fundraising campaign to pay for their support. This Iranian family succeeded in coming to Lethbridge in 2023 and they are now active members of our parish.
Coldest Night of the Year
Each year in February tens of thousands of Canadians stip outside the warmth and comfort of home to shine a light of welcome and compassion in their communities.
Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $75,000,000 across Canada in 190 Canadian communities – 100% of net proceeds stay local to support charity partners like Streets Alive. St. Augustine’s has been involved since 2020 and each year we have been among the top three fuundraising teams in our city.
Compassion Canada
Since 2012 St. Augustine’s has sponsored children from Uganda through Compassion Canada. Since then, our Sunday school classes have been corresponding and praying for them, leading to ongoing friendships. Funds donated to this outreach mission help to free these children from poverty – they have their practical needs met and hear the good news about Jesus.
Lethbridge Soup Kitchen
St. Augustine’s is among the churches that launched this important ministry 40+ years ago and we continue to join with other churches and organizations to supply volunteers. The Soup Kitchen shares the love of Jesus with homeless people by providing them with hot/nutritious meals, and works to address local and area food security.
Indigenous Anglicans
St. Augustine’s enjoys a special relationship with St. Paul and St. Thomas parish on the Kainai Reserve. Recently, members from both parishes got together for a potluck meal and teaching time where we learned about the work of the Anglican Council of Indigenous People, particularly the steps taken toward the self-determination of the Indigenous Anglican Church in the Anglican Church of Canada. We also learned about the current project to translate the bible into Blackfoot. Together with the Anglican Diocese of Calgary and its respective parishes, St. Augustine’s joins in honouring the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations, the Stoney Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley Nations, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation. We acknowledge the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region Three. In the spirit of reconciliation and because we are all treaty people, we also acknowledge all people who make their homes in the traditional Treaty 7 territory of Southern Alberta.
