July 2025 2nd Mile Giving Partner

In our All Saints’ Second Mile Giving program, we are featuring San Francisco

Night Ministry as our ministry partner for the month of July. For over 60 years now, SF

Night Ministry has been providing counseling and crisis care at night. This has been

done through night ministers on the streets, and trained care line directors on the

telephone. Through all of this, SF Night Ministry has deservedly earned the nickname

“The Church’s Night Shift”.

Here is a little history, gleaned from SF Night Ministry website. In 1964, two

members of ‘Night Ministry’ (an extension of Christian ministry offered by the San

Francisco Council of Churches) conducted the first night walks on the streets.

Then in 1989, this organization formally incorporated as a California nonprofit as

Night Ministry, Inc., and began doing business as the “San Francisco Night Ministry”

(SFNM). Today, SFNM is growing further into its status as a religious nonprofit that

increases access to spiritual care and community when access is otherwise difficult: at

night, on the streets, on the phones, and to the most marginalized residents of San

Francisco. SFNM is a non-denominational, multifaith, not-for-profit organization.

Back to All Saints: On July 13, Ben DeShazo-Couchot, our recently ordained

choir director, will be our guest lay preacher, and then speak at a forum after worship.

Ben is also the Director of Care Lines for SF Night Ministry. There he trains and offers

guidance for Care Line volunteers.

At the forum, Ben will give a PowerPoint presentation, offering information and

knowledge about this wonderful and significant ministry. An opportunity will also be

offered for friends and members of All Saints to participate in a “community walk” in San

Francisco at night, accompanied by a Night Minister, with a date and time to be

determined.