Church of the Redeemer provides a variety of opportunities for parishioners to engage in “hands-on” community service.  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 Outreach community 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 Serving Others . . . .

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.

Contact: Priscilla Bradshaw

Christmas Meals/Bags - 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.

Beginning the week of Thanksgiving, 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 Jay Einspanier. Volunteers are especially needed to deliver the food.

Contact: Jay Einspanier

Church Farm School’s “Alumni Program” - If you want to mentor college students who are recent graduates of CFS, participate in the CFS’s “Alumni Program.” Through e-mails, phone calls and possible campus visits, you’ll keep the student on track post-graduation.

Contact: Julia DeMoss

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 Advocate. Manage their clothes closet, help with food service in the Café, clean the facility, or serve as docents of this historic structure. This is a year-round opportunity.

Contact: Barbara Billings

Church of the Advocate-Advocate Café – Serve on the Advisory Committee of the Advocate Café, which provides stability in this North Philadelphia neighborhood (see above), is open five days a week and offers free meals to anyone who comes. Advisory Committee meetings are quarterly at Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia.

Contact: Barbara Billings

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.

Contact: Beth Ganss

ElderNet – 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.

    Contact: Leslie Boris

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. 3^rd 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.

ECS Contact: Anna Gerrity

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) – The mission of IHN is to help momentarily homeless families achieve lasting independence, stability, and self-esteem. In the interim the local network provides safe, temporary housing, a hot evening meal and support services. Hosting responsibilities rotate weekly among currently participating interfaith congregations. Join with parishioners of all ages in hosting IHN guests when they visit Redeemer. Prepare a simple dinner, spend time with the parents and children after dinner, provide comfort and security by staying overnight at the church, or shop for extra groceries.  For more information, click on the links on the IHN page.

Parish contact: Mary Hopkins

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!

Contact: Anna Gerrity

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 9:30am 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.

Contact: Jan Clarke

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.

Contact: Mary Hopkins