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Grace Church is committed to serving our parish, our community and our neighborhood
“The spirit moves folks to do more than be in church on Sunday morning; parishioners seek richness in life through their outreach, making a difference beyond themselves.” Parishioner comment
The desire to know and welcome our neighbors and respond to their needs is strong. The words printed each Sunday in our service leaflet, “a table where all people of God are welcome and all guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ,” reflect our understanding of God’s call to us as people of Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn.
Evidence of this desire is shown in the hospitality program known as Grace-By-Day. Five days a week in the Parish Hall from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, volunteers welcome guests from the neighborhood and our homeless community, offering a listening ear, juice and cookies, games and activities, as well as a weekly worship service for those who wish to participate. Immediately following this time of social activity, Community Kitchens prepares and serves a midday meal. Meals are served on Saturdays and Sundays as well for anyone in the community so desiring.
In addition to feeding the bodies and spirits of our neighbors in need, we provide shelter through the Interfaith Hospitality House. Begun by Grace Church in a house adjacent to the parish property, Interfaith Hospitality House offers an emergency residence for families in need. The facility is unique as it is the only program in the city that takes in families with males over the age of fifteen. Aid from other churches of many faiths, synagogues, government agencies, and numerous other resources now help the program. The Interfaith Hospitality House plans to locate in a larger building in Woodlawn.
A neighborhood shop begun by Grace Church, 55th Place, offers shoppers a variety of “nearly new” household items and clothing at a minimal cost. Yearly proceeds from the shop are substantial and are given to various outreach ministries around Birmingham including several located at Grace.
Another endeavor initiated by Grace Church, The Woodlawn Demonstration Project, provides funding for neighborhood housing renovation. The project has grown and now receives city, regional and private support.
Individuals needing financial help and counseling come to Grace Church daily. Though our resources are limited, we provide help whenever possible. A generous and loving spirit, we believe, is always possible.
Although the need for more volunteers is always present, Grace Church remains committed to its support of the neighborhood through these and additional programs. Now under consideration are programs for neighborhood children and Woodlawn High School students. Woodlawn High School is located on the block adjacent to the church and serves many “at-risk” students.
Other Reasources Associated with Grace Church
55th Place
The Community Thrift Shop
5 55th Place North 35212
(205) 591-4631
Community Kitchens
Lunch served everyday in the Parish Hall from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
5712 1ST Avenue North
Birmingham Alabama 35212
(205) 251-3569
CoFFI
Communities of Faith for Full Inclusion
CoFFI is a statewide organizing project designed to provide resources and facilitate discussion among communities of faith in Alabama regarding the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons.
Mailing Address: PO Box 40833 · Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Voice: (205) 233-1779
FAX: (205) 553-9051
Web site: CoFFI
E-mail: coffi@mindspring.com
Grace by Day
Hospitality offered weekdays between 11 a.m and 12:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall, Food Pantry offered weekdays between 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. in Henckell Hall
5712 1st Avenue North 35212
(205) 595-4633
HICA
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
HICA is a 501(c)3 social service organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for Latinos in Alabama.
Street Address: 260 West Valley Avenue, 35209
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 320668 · Birmingham AL 35232
Voice: (205) 942-5505
Fax: (205) 942-5525
Toll Free: 1-866-265-HICA(4422)
Web site: ¡HICA! Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
E-mail: info@HispanicInterest.org
Interfaith Hospitality House
Housing for homeless families with children
5704 1st Avenue North 35212
(205) 591-4302
Integrity Alabama
Ministry of worship, education, and advocacy for the full sacramental inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Episcopalians in the life of Christ's Church.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 530002 · Birmingham, AL 35253-0002
Phone: (205) 322-0540
Web Site: Integrity Alabama
E-mail: alabama@integrityusa.org
Other Important Links
Integrity USA
Equality Alabama
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