Very Rev. Jane Shaw, Grace Cathedral Dean

by Meredith May

The Very Rev. Jane Shaw, dean of San Francisco’s renowned Grace Cathedral, grew up on the grounds of a medieval hospital in Norwich, England, where aging clergy and the poor have convalesced since the 13th century.
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1. Dinner with Grace: this is a program that provides meals and table fellowship at supportive housing facilities in the Tenderloin twice each month.  It happens in cooperation with Episcopal Community Services, one of San Francisco’s largest providers of social services and the agency that administers the housing facilities we serve.  On the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, volunteers assemble at the Cathedral to cook a delicious, nutritious meal.  On the following Wednesdays, volunteers meet at the housing sites to serve the meal and have conversation with residents.  This program is one where volunteers can come as frequently, or infrequently, as they are able.  No training or long-term commitment is required.
2. Grace Cathedral Jail Ministry: this is a program of jail visitation.  There are two sub-programs within it.  The first is more religious in character and involves facilitating a prayer service at various sites in the County jails.  The second is less religious and involves facilitating inmates with children being able to record their own voices reading children’s books and then sending the recordings to their children.