Search

Church of Mary Magdalene 

Description

 

 

The Church of Mary Magdalene was founded in 1991 by Presbyterian Clergywoman Jean Kim, with the sponsorship of Church Women United. Having served for years as an outreach social worker on the streets, Jean was aware of homeless women's needs for a safe and nurturing spiritual home. She gathered a multi-racial group of women for weekly worship services, preaching the Christian Gospel of acceptance, forgiveness and hope. A dedicated group of volunteers, board members and donors joined in to help the ministry grow. Rev. Kim retired at the end of 1997, leaving behind a vital congregation.

In 1999 the church added the weekday program Mary's Place, expanding ministry to homeless women and children who were in need of day shelter, warm clothes, food, and help with housing and emergency aid. Mary's Place established its own 501(c)(3) status in 2010 and now operates as a separate nonprofit. 

Today, The Church of Mary Magdalene welcomes homeless and formerly homeless women to church and meals on Saturdays, and supports women in the hospital, incarcerated, in need of pastoral care or spiritual companionship. The Church of Mary Magdalene has been a blessing to homeless and formerly homeless women for more than 20 years and welcomes you to join us in our work.

Mission Statement
The Church of Mary Magdalene is a diverse Christian community of homeless and formerly homeless women, providing a safe environment to build relationships, experience hope and love, explore faith and develop strength to reach one’s full potential.
Donate Now
Church of Mary Magdalene
PO Box 1711 
Seattle 
WA
98111-1711 
(206) 621-8474 

Rev. Dr. Linda Smith 
Pastoral Director 

Programs

Church of Mary Magdalene Programs

Ministry of Presence trains volunteers, including current and former program participants, to visit homeless women who are in jail or in the hospital and who often have no other visitors. We offer what assistance and resources we can and encourage them to utilize the help and resources available at Mary's Place on their release. This connection can provide these women a destination and welcome reception when they are released back into the community. While incarcerated, women can request a pen pal who will write to them once a week until their release. Hour of Living Power is a group study session hosted by the Church of Mary Magdalene at Mary’s Place on Tuesday mornings 9:30am.  Lead by the Rev. Dr. Linda Smith, this group is a chance for women to deepen their connection to one another and themselves from within their respective situations and find ways to live in to hope.
Becoming the Best You is another group study session hosted by the Church of Mary Magdalene at Mary’s place on Wednesday mornings 9:30am.  Also lead by the Rev. Dr. Linda Smith, this group is a Bible study that accompanies women on their journey to become the best version of their God created self.   

Spiritual Companion Program offers a person who can walk alongside women when they are experiencing grief, trauma, loss, or transition.  The Church of Mary Magdalene offers multiple opportunities for women to meet with a Spiritual Companion to discuss what they might be experiencing in their lives and have an intentional listener hear their story, and pray with and for them.  Occasionally, a Spiritual Companion will be able to assist the woman by providing outside resources to aid her in transition.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Church of Mary Magdalene celebrated 20 years of community service. We have nurtured the growth and development of Mary's Place and celebrate their evolution into an independent non-profit.

Operating funds are always needed to support our work with homeless and formerly homeless women. On behalf of homeless women, we appreciate your consideration of supporting The Church of Mary Magdalene. Thank you and Blessings to You!

Evaluation

Mary's Place is a day shelter for homeless women. They welcome homeless women and their children.

Proven Success
Mary’s Place was originally located at the First United Methodist Church. When the church sold its sanctuary in 2007 and began construction on a new one Mary’s Place found temporary shelter in a building owned by the Denny Park Lutheran Church. Mary’s Place planned to relocated with First United Methodist when they completed construction on their new facility but there was a parting of ways when First United Methodist want the program to become part of the church’s ministry. Currently Mary’s Place is located at 3rd and Bell. With the move back into the ride free zone they have seen a 44% increase in attendance and are serving 100 women daily. They plan to move into new space at the Gethsemane Lutheran Campus in 2013.

Collaboration
They collaborate with local nursing and mental health programs including Bastyr, the YMCA Healthcare Access program and the University of Washington, which allow for onsite comprehensive health and mental health services including access to naturopathic medicines.

Leadership
They have low staff turnover with several long-time program staff who have developed strong relationships of trust and respect with the women. Women receiving Mary's services contribute through daily chores, cooking and office projects. Mary’s place provides a participatory environment that centers on dignity and mutual respect. Mary's Place is a safe place for women of all ages to get the support they need. They provide an emergency support program for homeless families, and offer hotel vouchers and access to the center to use phones to secure a more permanent space.

Sustainability
They are working toward funding a permanent home at the Gethsemane Lutheran Campus. They need to raise $400,000 for tenant improvements for Gethsemane project and have raised $200,000 to date. They are developing a strategic plan and increasing their fundraising capacity.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2011 $5,000.00support general operating expenses of Mary's Place.
6/10/2010 $10,000.00support operating expenses of Mary's Place.
6/26/2008 $10,000.00support general operating expenses of Mary's Place, a drop-in center for homeless women.
6/17/2004 $10,000.00support general operating expenses of Mary's Place.

Financials

Similar Organizations

Give broadly to Communities
If supporting vibrant neighborhoods, creating new spaces to build community, and fostering connections across neighborhoods is important to you, then make a difference by giving to the Grantmaking Program.
Questions or comments about this organization?
Contact us to learn more.