Outreach
Care and concern for those in our church community is a ministry we value at St. Peter’s. But members of the St. Peter's community are also generous in supporting other ministries through our own financial and material donations, as well as our time. We are also committed to ever-widening the circles of fellowship with our sisters and brothers who differ from us in culture, language and religion. Read on to learn about the organizations and ministries we support, as well as some of the people who organize and manage this outreach. Click HERE for a full list of contacts for specific ministries.
Welcome Team
The Welcome Team was born out of a need and a passion to share our faith, fellowship, and love of St. Peter’s with others. Our mission is to attract people to our church, welcome our visitors, and help them feel comfortable. It is our hope that with good experiences early on, they will want to return and worship with us on a regular basis. With a critical eye, we try to see what would help a visitor feel more comfortable, and take strides to make it happen. Some examples include creating a new updated welcome brochure for the pews, placing directional signs on both the interior and exterior of the church, extending a warm greeting, and inviting visitors to come to fellowship. You can bring your love of St. Peter’s and the desire to share it with others to this ministry of welcome.
Community Partnership
The Community Partnership Team coordinates social outreach activities for St. Peter’s Church. We are always looking for opportunities where St. Peter’s can make a difference. It also handles the distribution of money from the Designated Outreach Bequest Fund, as well as half of the proceeds from the twice-a-year Rummage Sales and on-line Rummage Sale. We support both local organizations and those farther afield. Some outreach activities take place at specific times of the year. Others are ongoing. Watch the EVENTS page for news about upcoming activities.
St. Peter's hosts American Red Cross-run blood drives in our Parish Hall. Click on the image above to be taken to our Blood Drive page for more information.
St. Peter's operates a small food cupboard out of our Parish Hall. Click on the photo above to be taken to our Food Cupboard page for more information.
St. Peter's maintains a close relationship with five small parishes in Guatemala. Click the photo above to be take to our Guatemala Companion Parishes page for more information.
Episcopal Community Services empowers individuals and families to determine and follow their own paths. It’s the best way to transform communities. Every year we have a Sunday where we take up a special collection for ECS. Click on the image above to find out more about ECS.
The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church. Each year, UTO awards grants to fund significant projects that make a real difference in people’s lives both in the U.S. and abroad. Through the UTO, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving thanks to God for their many daily blessings. Prayers of thanksgiving lead to generosity. Many people keep a UTO box at home and put thank offerings into the box regularly in gratitude for God’s gifts in their lives. Congregations are encouraged to hold in-gatherings where people bring their thank offerings to be collected and joined with others’ offerings, boxes, envelopes, or checks. Sincere gratitude for our lives and gifts, and concern for others motivates our response on UTO Sunday. Click on the photo above to find out more about UTO.
We support St. James School and the nearby underserved community by committing to a monthly collection of toothpaste. At Christmas, the congregation donates gift cards and toys. Click on the image above to find out more about St. James School.
One House at a Time (OHAAT) focuses on helping families who are currently lacking resources to establish (or reestablish) a self-sufficient life by providing them with the necessities of a functional home environment. OHAAT's Beds for Kids program focuses on ending issues surrounding children without beds to improve overall health and wellbeing. Beds For Kids support households whose income is below the Federal Poverty Threshold. In 2022, the program delivered 1,910 beds. Click on the photo above to find out more about OHAAT.
Seamen's Church Institute - Toward the end of the year, we collect knitted scarves, hats, work gloves and personal items for Ditty Bags for maritime workers who visit the ports of Philadelphia. Click on the image above to find out more about the Seamen's Church Institute.
Lois' Little Library, dedicated to parishioner Lois Sibley, is located off the parking lot in the back of the church near the door to the food cupboard. Anyone is welcome to take books that they like and leave others for readers to enjoy. Click the photo above to read more about Lois and her love of books.
Layette Sunday takes place each year on Mother’s Day. Our members donate new and nearly-new baby clothes, blankets, small toys—some hand-made, some purchased. Some of our knitters help by making something for a child. St. Peter’s gives these items to the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) of Pennsylvania. NFP helps low-income, first-time moms receive the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, provide responsible and competent care for their children, and become more economically self-sufficient. From pregnancy until the child turns two years old, NFP Nurse Home Visitors form a much-needed, trusting relationship with the first-time moms, instilling confidence and empowering them to achieve a better life for their children – and themselves.
Annual Backpack and School Supply Drive - Every year in August, Community Partnerships collects backpacks and school supplies from the congregation for children of Delta Family Service and Foster Care.
Mitten Box - Every year when winter sets in, we collect mittens, hats and scarves for infants and toddlers who need them.