Outreach Center Proposal

An informational session on our outreach ministry and the proposal was held on Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m in the church. The session was livestreamed and the archived video can be accessed on our Church of St. Timothy YouTube channel by clicking here. 

In early December, all registered households received a mailing from the Church of St. Timothy regarding a proposal to expand our current outreach and create an Outreach Center. Please scroll down to view the proposal and frequently asked questions.

Parish leadership values parishioner feedback; thank you to all who responded to the proposal and completed a survey either on paper or online. 

The Church of St. Timothy is in the midst of discerning the feasibility of expanding outreach ministries dedicated to those in need. The proposal currently under consideration includes remodeling room 12 in the parish center to better accommodate the ministries presently offered to those in need. At this time, those who approach our parish staff for assistance - parishioners or others in our community - are received in whatever space is available at the moment. Oftentimes, this space lacks the privacy and dignity such encounters deserve.
In December, a parish-wide survey was shared in both print and online formats for anyone who wished to comment. On January 26, an informational meeting was held to respond to questions and concerns from that survey. On February 9, Father Joe and the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) reviewed parishioner feedback from that meeting. As a result, a working group is being formed. The working group will include members of St. Timothy and representatives from several community non-profit organizations.

The purpose of the working group is to further refine the parameters of any potential initiative by further considering the questions and concerns raised by parishioners in the initial survey and the informational meeting January 26. The group’s report will be shared with parish leadership and interested parishioners for further discussion. There is no firm timeline for making a final decision on this proposal’s feasibility. Our community is focused on a process of information gathering/communal evaluation/prayerful discernment followed by further information gathering as needed.

Please scroll down to view the proposal and click here to view the one-hour recording of the January 26 informational meeting on our YouTube channel. We appreciate all parishioners who have shared their input, questions, concerns, and ideas about the proposal thus far. Contact Father Joe at or 763.784.1329 or jwhalen@churchofsttimothy.com if, after viewing the January 26 video and reviewing the proposal,  you have further ideas to contribute to our communal discernment. Further updates on the Outreach Center Proposal will be shared in all our parish communications channels—bulletin, website, email newsletter. Thank you for your thoughtful and prayerful engagement in this discernment process regarding our outreach ministries.

Why:  The Church of St. Timothy Outreach Center is driven by our commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and our conviction that our faith calls us to respond to the others’ needs. “If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, ‘I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty,’ without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that?” (James 2:15-16)

What: The Center would be a place of refuge and hospitality located in parish center. The purpose is, first and foremost, to honor and recognize the image of God in each and every person that presents themselves at our door. Secondly, we will seek to offer hospitality to our guests by providing a safe, warm, and comfortable indoor location. Guests would have the option of enjoying a cold glass of water or hot cup of coffee, a place to wash their clothes, and take a shower. There would be computers available for guest use, allowing them to look for housing, employment, or other opportunities online. They could also meet with our staff and volunteers for referrals for other services they may need or simply a friendly and caring listening ear.

Who: We have a variety of people who come to us seeking assistance. Many, but certainly not all, of those who seek assistance experience housing insecurity. Some are chronically homeless. Others are in a short-term period of instability brought on by a medical emergency, job loss, or some other crisis that has led them to lose housing or to need to choose between paying rent, filling a prescription, or paying utility bills. Many people live in their cars, “couch surf,” or live outdoors. While there are shelters that provide the option of overnight shelter, many do not have a place to be during the day. Unhoused people are often not welcomed in restaurants, public libraries, or other indoor spaces that are available to them. Those in need who do have housing still may lack access to computers, laundry facilities, and adequate food.

Where: Room 12 of the parish center (formerly the daily Mass chapel) would be renovated to transform it into a welcoming space for the Outreach Center. One shower and a washer and dryer will be installed. Basic food like sandwiches or hard-boiled eggs will be available. This allows those in need to have a safe, climate-controlled, comfortable place to be indoors and rest during the day. It will provide our staff with a comfortable and private place to meet with those who come seeking assistance.  

When: The Center would be open during certain daytime hours to be determined. The Center would not provide overnight accommodations. It would not be open during weekend and evening hours when children and youth faith formation classes or other activities are being held in the parish center.
 

How is the Outreach Center different from the outreach our parish is already doing?
The Outreach Center is a new initiative that expands upon the outreach ministry that we are already doing and have historically done. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, our parish center provided shelter for families experiencing homeless several weeks each year for over ten years. Maggie Philbrook, Pastoral Minister, meets with individuals who present themselves at the parish office seeking support. The Outreach Center would allow a more comfortable space for guests to be received.

How much will it cost to begin the Outreach Center?  
Renovating room 12 of the parish center (formerly the daily Mass chapel) and outfitting it with a shower, washer, and dryer would cost approximately $100,000. This potential expense was included in the projection of capital expenses shared in the state of the parish address delivered by Cathy Sullivan, Director of Administration and Finance, at the Masses on the weekend of November 12 and 13. We are looking at grants and will consider in-kind donations for equipment and appliances.

Are we duplicating services with other area organizations? How does the Outreach Center fit in to other services offered in north metro area?
A working group made of staff and parishioner leaders met throughout spring 2022. They conducted interviews with other organizations and learned that there is nothing like this in Anoka County. Social service organization leaders, area churches, and Anoka County Social Services recognize the need and are willing to partner with the Church of St. Timothy with this initiative.

How do we know if the people who would come to the Outreach Center really need help?
In keeping with our Catholic commitment to honoring each human being as one bearing God’s image and possessing human dignity, we will seek to respond to anyone who presents themselves with kindness and hospitality. We would aim to offer them a safe and comfortable place to be indoors as well as a listening and compassionate ear. It’s our place to love not to judge. However, when it comes to financial assistance, guests will be vetted in the same way they are currently.

What about security and safe environment protocol?
Security is one of our top priorities. We want to balance the value of hospitality with the value of prudence. Guests would never be on their own; there would always be someone present. The Center would not be open when children and youth activities are scheduled for the parish center. Volunteers and staff would be trained in how to respond to challenges that may arise with our guests.

What is the time frame for this proposal?
If we get a positive response from parishioners, it will move forward in early 2023. But we will not move forward without a positive survey response. Parishioner support is crucial.  

Do we have the people power for this? Who will do the work?
Church of St. Timothy staff people would be the point people for the Outreach Center. In addition, volunteers will be needed. We are looking at Family Promise and other parishes in the Archdiocese that have similar initiatives to learn best practices with volunteer training and coordination.