Hands On Community Connections Opportunities
Community Connections
Church of the Redeemer provides a variety of opportunities for parishioners to engage in relationship building community connection opportunities. These opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing activities at varying time intervals throughout the year. We invite you to take part in one or more of the following community connection endeavors listed below. To participate, please respond to the contact information that is provided at the end of each description.
Join us in the Joy of Connecting with Others . . . .
Merry Meals
Each Christmas season Redeemer families generously contribute bags of food to local needy families and help bring cheer to our community. This program, supported by our Outreach Committee, provides food for community groups we work with throughout the year, such as ElderNet and St. Barnabas Mission. Outreach grocery shopping provides an easy, inexpensive way to involve yourself in the joy of bringing a meal to someone who otherwise would not be able to afford traditional holiday fare. For parishioners with young children, it provides a chance for kids to go shopping for the groceries and gives families the opportunity to discuss how rewarding it is to help others.
Shopping bags will be available with a recommended list of groceries. (The list is also available on our website.) Please shop, fill the bag and return it to the parish house by the mid-December date specified. Only non-perishable items are needed; the church will provide the turkey or ham and fresh produce. The bags will be available for pick-up in the Narthex. Please take as many as you can fill and return!
If you have any questions or are available to help deliver the food please, contact Tad Sperry. Volunteers are especially needed to deliver the food.
Click here for the shopping list.
African Children's Mission
African Children’s Mission - If you have a sense of international mission and want to make a difference in the lives of orphans in Malawi, join the ACM. The African Children’s Mission funds and visits community-based projects organized by local leaders to benefit infants and children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Malawi. The ACM partners with Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) which not only identifies worthy projects but also provides oversight of the funding to ensure that funds are indeed applied effectively and efficiently. Activities range from visiting Malawi as part of a travel team to helping with fundraising efforts and education here at Redeemer. Meetings are monthly. For more information or to make a donation click on the African Children’s Mission page.
Joyful Giving Program - Reimagined
After thoughtful consideration, the Community Support Committee has determined to take the Joyful Giving program in a new direction. Recognizing that our parishioners are already so generous to The Redeemer and our greater Philadelphia community during the Christmas holidays, our committee is working to reimagine Joyful Giving as a program that offers thoughtful giving opportunities related to Redeemer's various outreach programs in different ways through the year. We are looking forward to sharing more with you in the New Year. Enjoy the blessings of Christmas.
Church Of The Advocate
Church of the Advocate - To make a difference in the lives of people in North Philadelphia, an area affected by deep poverty, offer your skills and time at the Advocate. Work with their clothes closet, help with their food service in the Café, or serve as a docent of this historic structure. This is a year-round opportunity.
Darby Mission
Darby Mission, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, serves between 300-500 youth and adults in the Borough of Darby each week. There are opportunities to tutor in the After School Program or to participate in a “Darby Dinner.” The After School Program meets in a local school while the dinners take place in the Recreation Center on the first and third Tuesday of the month. About 100 community members come together for a meal sponsored by a different church or church-related group.
Putting on a “Darby Dinner” entails a variety of skills and offers many different opportunities - planning and organizing the meal, purchasing food, preparing dishes ahead of time, setting up, serving the food and mingling with guests. Watch the Redeemer News for the next “Darby Dinner” notice. In the meantime parishioners are always welcome to attend a community dinner on the spur of the moment.
Contact for tutoring: The Rev. Doris Rajagopal, Vicar, Darby Mission
Contact for participating in a Darby Dinner: Barbara Billings
Diocese Of Pennsylvania City Camps
Diocese of Pennsylvania City Camp - Participate in a rewarding summer experience by yourself or with others. Help to prepare, serve, and clean up the meals at an urban day camp. City Camp connects parishes of the Diocese to their local communities. Locations are throughout the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
ElderNet Of Lower Merion And Narberth
ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narbeth – Your talents, time and experience can make a huge difference in the life of an older or disabled adult living in Lower Merion or Narberth. Founded in 1976 and staffed by professional social workers and trained volunteers, it helps people with low to moderate incomes remain independent, have access to healthcare and an improved quality of life. Help by providing rides to doctors' appointments and grocery stores, or assisting with odd jobs, errands or yard work. Visit clients in their homes. Keep the food pantry at the office in Bryn Mawr stocked and running smoothly. Using ElderNet’s on-line scheduling system, you decide how, and how often, to volunteer.
For more information and to sign up, go www.eldernetonline.org.
Episcopal Community Services
Episcopal Community Services – The official outreach arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, ECS operates or oversees more than 30 outreach projects and programs in the Philadelphia area. Opportunities abound:
- Community Cook-Off – Meet at St. Barnabas Mission, 6006 West Girard Ave., Philadelphia, on the third Sunday of the month to assemble 200+ dinners to be distributed to frail aging adults in the City of Philadelphia.
- Be a Companion – A helper is carefully matched to an isolated aging adult living independently or in a nursing home or assisted living facility in the city or suburbs. Location is matched for your convenience, and the time commitment is based on your schedule.
- Afterschool Tutor - Assist elementary and middle school students in the ECS Out of School Time program with reading, writing, math, homework, and study skills in West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, or Darby, PA on weekdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm.
- Children’s Party/Activity Host – Host a children’s party at St. Barnabas Mission. Bring snacks, crafts, and/or games for a fun-filled Sunday afternoon. The Mission is located at 6006 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia.
- Speed Networking Panelist - Share your career story with the young men and women in RISE, the ECS workforce development program. Speak to the young adults about your occupation and the steps you took to get there. Quarterly meetings take place from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the ECS main office, 225 S. 3rd St, Philadelphia.
- Lead a Goods Drive - Help ECS provide necessities to their participants by organizing a donation drive at your place of worship, workplace, or in your community. Some of the most needed items include: non-perishables, canned goods, condiments, baby food, books, and diapers.
- Community Food Cupboard – Individual helpers or small groups up to three are needed to organize the food pantry and assist with food distribution at St. Barnabas Mission, 6006 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, between 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Episcopal Legal Aid (ELA)
Episcopal Legal Aid (ELA) promotes access to justice by bringing pro bono civil legal services to low-income residents of Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
For more information contact Jo Ann Jones.
Family Promise Montco PA
Family Promise Montco PA's (formerly known to us as IHN) mission is to help- families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
The Emergency Shelter Program provides temporary shelter for families who are experiencing homelessness while counseling and preparing them for economic independence and housing stability. This program is provided in partnership with the Interfaith Community by hosting families. Prior to Covid 19 hosting was done on site at the hosting church. This method provided the opportunity for church members to interact with the guests by providing meals, and visiting with them. Since Covid 19 guests are housed at the Norristown day center. Due to this arrangement meals and visitations are not feasible. IHN-ML provides all services with host church making donations of supplies, groceries, meals, staples, etc. This can be done by gift cards, AMAZON wish list, checks or cash. Cards of encouragement to families are also welcome.
Two new programs provide additional support services:
The Prevention Program, introduced in 2020, provides rental and utility cash assistance along with case management, budget counseling and maximizing sources of income.
The Graduate Self-Sufficiency Program provides ongoing case management, temporary financial assistance, stabilizing strategies designed to maintain stability and avoid a repeat housing crisis.
REDEEMER HOSTING:
The Redeemer hosts 4 times a year. Our 2025 hosting dates are:
January 26 to February 2, March 16 to 23, May 11 to 18 and October 19 to 26. Mark your calendar!
A Signup Genius around the time of hostings is available from the homepage of the website www.TheRedeemer.org or here FPML Signup Genius
Parish Contact: Barbara Billings
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels – Deliver nutritious meals to the aged, convalescents, homebound, and handicapped persons who are unable to shop or cook for themselves Monday thru Friday. Participate on a weekly basis or even less frequently. Enjoy getting to know the recipients!
St. Gabriel's Mission Lunch Program
St. Gabriel’s Lunch Program – Redeemer partners with members of St. Gabriel’s Mission on Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, to provide a nourishing lunch to our hungry brothers and sisters on the fourth Saturday of each month. Volunteers meet at 9:00am, leave no later than 9:15am and carpool to St. Gabriel’s Mission, where they prepare and serve a nourishing meal as well as engage with guests of all ages from the surrounding community.
St. James School
St. James School – Give your time and talent to the youth at this faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, which is committed to educating traditionally under-resourced students in a nurturing environment. Tutor, assist with Garden Club, homework, nutrition support or computer projects, or lend your talents in a way that is comfortable for you.
Other Opportunities
If you have not found an opportunity that works for you, be assured there are many more, and we will try to help you find the right one based on your needs and desires. Do you have special skills, knowledge or experience that you want to put to good use? Is there an age group or an activity that appeals to you? Do you want to work solo or enjoy the company of others? Is there a certain range within which you are willing to travel – one’s driving circle? Do you want to be physically engaged, or are you more interested in participating on an advisory board? Each of us has God-given gifts to share; we want you to be able to share yours.
Contact: Barbara Billings, Chair, Community Connections Committee
