As a human-services organization, East End Cooperative Ministry has always been committed to fostering an environment that recognizes the sustaining value of human inter-relatedness.   It is in and through relationships founded on respect, caring and trust that people feel safe and can grow and improve their lives. 

As an interfaith organization, we also recognize the sustaining value of spiritual inter-relatedness.  We acknowledge the need for divine help to carry out the ministry that we have been given and we value and seek this help according to the varied faith traditions of our members.  At EECM, as in many faith traditions, these two relational components—human/human and human/divine—cannot be separated from each other as each feeds, reflects and responds to the other.  Our objective is to infuse our ministry with a spiritual richness that will succor the intangible needs of the people who come to us even as we also seek to provide for the tangible necessities of their lives.

We have initiated a Cycle of Prayer, which is for the transformation of the East End.  We are sensitive to the wonderful progression of change in this community and to the needs of those who may not see those changes in the same light.  The Cycle of Prayer is intended as a voluntary spiritual discipline, a way of being intentional in our prayers for our community and our ministry.  We have listed specific prayer requests for each day of the week as well as a basic prayer which we pray every day.  Please join us in the Cycle of Prayer.

We pray every day…for the healing of Pittsburgh’s East End, for the welfare of all our citizens, for the establishment of God’s order in our community, and for peace.

Sunday we pray for:

  • All places of prayer and worship—churches, temples, mosques and synagogues—and for all who seek God
  • An end to racism and racial prejudice and for the renewal of our common life
  • Universities, colleges, technical schools and seminaries

 

Monday we pray for:

  • All who live in metropolitan Pittsburgh—for our mayor, for the city and borough councils, for school boards and boards of supervisors in our region
  • East End Cooperative Ministry – for our staff, volunteers, board of directors and council of congregations
  • All non-profit and service organizations working for the health of the East End
  • All who live in poverty and all who suffer from mental illness

 

Tuesday we pray for:

  • The print and broadcast media – all who write, speak, photograph, manage and own them
  • All schools—their teachers, students and staff
  • Day care centers
  • The Children and Youth Services of EECM – the outreach program, ExtraOrdinary Tutoring, Project Rediscovery, Summer Day Camp, Hoop it Up, Take our Sons and Daughters to Work Day, and Kidz E-Fest
  • All young people in the East End

 

Wednesday we pray for:

  • The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, the State Legislature and all who work in state government
  • EECM’s member and supporting congregations – for all their members and clergy and for the programs and ministries of these congregations
  • All who work in businesses that provide services to others
  • All who provide healthcare
  • Hospitals and nursing homes – their patients, residents and staff
  • All senior citizens
  • Victims of violent crimes and those who commit violent crimes

 

Thursday we pray for:

  • All who work in banks and finance and all who make financial decisions that effect the East End
  • Our jails – all the inmates and staff
  • EECM’s Housing Services – for the staff and residents of the men’s shelter, the drop-in center, Bridge, PennFree, Safe Haven and Orr
  • All who are unemployed or underemployed and for healthy work and distribution of wealth among all our citizens

 

Friday we pray for:

  • The police, fire and rescue workers; the courts and probation officers
  • EECM’s Hunger Services – for Meals on Wheels, the Food Pantry, and the Soup Kitchen
  • An end to hunger in the East End
  • All who suffer from addiction, dependency and co-dependency
  • All who hurt, need inner healing or are unable to love

 

Saturday we pray for:

  • All who work in retail trade in the East End, and for those who own businesses
  • All who work in construction
  • The Port Authority and all who work in public transportation
  • All counselors, therapists, social workers and community activists
  • The victims of abuse and all perpetrators of abuse

If you would like to participate more actively in the spiritual life of EECM, we are seeking clergy and lay people to act as “prayer partners” in the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry.  If you can spare an hour or two once a month to be present and available for prayer requests, please contact Suzan Krauland at 412-361-5549 ext. 411.