Outreach
The mission of the Outreach ministry at Saint Stephen’s is to address Jesus’ plea for us to care for the disenfranchised; to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and care for the sick.
Contact the Rev. Sally Herring or Kathleen Franklin for more information.
There is a growing disparity in the cost of living, including housing costs for those who earn a minimum wage. Local non-profits cannot meet the increasing need without the help of community volunteers. Our hope is that by assisting in small ways across our community and in the global network, we will increase the awareness of the need our economy is presenting and the lack of assistance that exists. Through exposure and education an increased awareness can produce long-range change. Our goal is to address identified needs in our community, and in a limited way globally, through our financial resources, donations, volunteers and by networking with other like-minded groups.
Keep scrolling to see how you can volunteer your time.
Outreach - Frequently Asked Questions
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You can donate non-perishable food items at any time, which are distributed to local food pantries serving the greater Birmingham community. Your donations help meet immediate nutritional needs for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
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Yes. Saint Stephen’s offers multiple hands-on outreach opportunities throughout the year. Whether you prefer serving meals, organizing supplies, supporting prison ministry, or helping with fundraising events, there is a place for you to serve.
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Each Monday, our members provide nourishment, dignity, and consistent care to our neighbors in the Avondale community. Learn more here.
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Each month, our Outreach Alcove highlights specific needs within the greater Birmingham area. Parishioners are invited to respond by donating requested items.
Seasonal collections may include:
Coats and gloves during colder months
School supplies
Essential items needed for children to attend Sawyerville Day Camp
This rotating focus allows us to respond intentionally to current community needs.
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We support Kairos Prison Ministry, a ministry that sends volunteers into prisons monthly for Bible study, reflection, prayer, and shared meals.
You can participate by:
Praying for volunteers and incarcerated participants
Creating posters or writing encouraging notes to prisoners
This ministry reflects Christ’s call to remember and care for those who are incarcerated.
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The Gumbo Gala is a fundraising effort supporting Episcopal Place, a HUD-subsidized residential community serving financially qualifying older adults.
You can:
Join the Gumbo Gala planning team
Help raise funds
This event strengthens our partnership with Episcopal Place and extends our outreach impact in Birmingham.
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Our committee meetings are open to anyone. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 4 pm in the staff conference room. Contact the church office or visit us on Sunday to learn more about current outreach opportunities. Whether through donations, service, prayer, or leadership, your participation makes a meaningful difference.
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We support the Cahaba River Coalition at their annual fundraiser each year. We put together a team each year to support the work they do for our river.
You can support this ministry by:
Joining the team
Planning logistics, such as the theme of our tent and what food to serve
Encouraging others to join the team
This is a fun and creative event and is open to anyone! Contact Kathleen Franklin for more information.
Hands-On Outreach Ministries
Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in the staff conference room. The committee has two purposes: to insure there are meaningful outreach opportunities for Saint Stephen's to live into her mission, and to award grants and funding to in need organizations. All are welcome to attend.
Contact: The Rev. Sally Herring or Kathleen Franklin
Avondale Ministries
Every Monday morning, volunteers serve breakfast, snacks, hygiene items, clothing, and bus passes to those experiencing homelessness or financial struggles in Avondale. Beyond providing essentials, the ministry focuses on forming relationships and sharing God’s love through conversation, compassion, and community.
Volunteer Opportunities: Serve meals, prepare lunch sacks, or simply offer encouragement and companionship on Monday mornings.
Contact Lisa Schroeder to learn how to get involved.
Cahaba River Coalition
The 1,870-square mile Cahaba River watershed drains urban and rural areas, farms and forests on its course from the southern Appalachian Mountains through the coastal plain to the Alabama River. Cahaba River Coalition protects, defends, and preserves the ecological integrity of the Cahaba River and its watershed. Through scientific research, advocacy, and public education, the organization works to maintain clean water and preserve recreational and aesthetic opportunities for the community. The Cahaba River is the main drinking water source for Birmingham.
Volunteer Opportunities: Participate in Coalition programs, float the river for our annual “Canoecharist,” or participate on our Fry Down team.
Episcopal Place
Episcopal Place offers affordable, independent living for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in Birmingham. Through the Episcopal Church Women, Saint Stephen’s supports residents with our annual birthday celebration.
Volunteer Opportunities: Providing treats, music, and fellowship for the birthday celebration.
Contact: Heather Allegrezza
Gumbo Gala
Join the fun loving and creative cook team to prepare award winning Gumbo at the annual Gumbo Gala in April. This fun event raises money for Episcopal Place.
Volunteer Opportunities: Cook, serve, host the Saint Stephen’s tent at the gala, serve patrons gumbo and have fun!
Contact: Kathleen Franklin
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build safe, affordable housing. Saint Stephen’s members contribute funds and volunteer labor to construct homes, empowering families with stability, security, and a place to call their own. This past Spring, Saint Stephen’s helped build a home with money donated from a member’s estate and volunteers were recruited from SSEC and other churches and groups.
Volunteer Opportunities. Volunteer at Habitat builds, shop at Habitat Re-Store, revitalization projects, Advisory Board, in-kind donations
Prison Ministries
Kairos of Alabama operates as a State Chapter and serves in prisons and jails through a contractual agreement with the Warden and Chaplain of each institution. At present, Kairos is in 13 facilities across the State of Alabama. A group of women also minister to female family members of incarcerated men through the Kairos Outside Ministry. Kairos weekends consist of 40 hours on a weekend spent with 42 inmates chosen by the warden and correctional officers.
Contact: Men’s Ministry: David LaRocca
Women’s Ministry: Donna LaRocca
Volunteer Opportunities: Lead faith-based programs, mentorship, join an outreach team to serve for a weekend retreat or monthly luncheon.
The Lovelady Center
The Lovelady Center is a faith-based rehabilitation and recovery center for women and children. Services include shelter, food, childcare, counseling, and job training. The center supports residents through program assistance, thrift store operations, mentoring, and helping women rebuild their lives. They currently serve 530 women and 108 children with a waiting list of 400 women.
Contact: Kathleen Franklin
Volunteer Opportunities: Prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at the center, assist with Santa’s workshop, help support quarterly events with Saint Stephen’s at Lovelady.
Outreach Alcove Collection
In the Outreach Alcove food, clothing and other items are collected for the outreach agencies that St. Stephens serves. A different item and agency are highlighted each month.
Examples of past collections:
School Supplies for local schools
Coats for Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn
Amazon lists are curated each month to help make shopping easier.
Laundry Love
Laundry Love is a ministry that takes place in Grace Woodlawn where members of Saint Stephen’s join with members of the community to wash clothes and provide economic relief. Duties include: helping people sign in at the table, adding washing pods and dryer sheets to the washers and dryers, and putting quarters in the machines. Most of all, talk and have fun with the people washing their clothes.
Sawyerville
Sawyerville is a rural town in the Black Belt of Alabama. Sawyerville Day Camp is an annual free summer camp and leadership program that serves campers from all over Hale County. Sawyerville has over 750 campers (6-14 years of age) that participate between the three weeklong sessions and over 300 volunteer staff.
Volunteer Opportunities. Cook, deliver and serve a meal for staff during one of three camp sessions, volunteer on “Moving Day”, Youth can contact Sawyerville directly for counselor positions or reach out to our youth minister, Taylor McLemore, to learn more about becoming involved.
Special Session at Camp McDowell
Special Session is week-long summer camp for people with physical and mental disabilities from around the state of Alabama. Our funding provides scholarships for campers.
Contact: Kathleen Franklin
Volunteer Opportunities: Contribute to a supply drive for campers, prepare and serve a “Happy Hour” (snack time) for campers and staff, shop the amazon wish list to purchase necessary items, or join our knitters and make a hat for the winter retreat, Unbound. Teenagers 15+ can serve on high school staff, and any adult can serve as a part of the adult staff or nursing staff.