Community Partnership
Members of the St. Peter's community are generous in sharing their time, talent, and treasures with the larger community around us. We are always looking for opportunities where St. Peter’s can make a difference.
Community Partnership Team
The Community Partnership Team coordinates social outreach activities for St. Peter’s Church. 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. Some activities take place at specific times of the year. Other efforts are ongoing.
Some outreach activities (such as Rummage Sales and the Guatemala Partnership) are coordinated by dedicated groups separate from the Community Partnerships Team. Other outreach activities are coordinated by members of the Team.
Lois' Little Library
The congregation recently gathered outside to introduce and bless Lois's Library— a tribute to the life of parishioner Lois Sibley. Lois, late wife of Larry Sibley who teaches lectionary bible study throughout the year, passed in April 2020 during the pandemic at the age of eighty-eight. A fervent bookworm, Lois worked as an editor and published a few books of her own. Outside of her career, she was known for her generous and tender love for others.
Now there is a little library dedicated to Lois’s love for books and community. Like the previous bookcase Lois organized inside the church, readers will be able to take books that they like and leave ones for others to enjoy. It is located off the parking lot in the back of the church near the door to the food cupboard.
Beds for Kids (One House at a Time)
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. For more information about the Beds for Kids program see OHAAT.org.
Episcopal Community Services (ECS)
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 an ESC Sunday where we take up a special collection.
United Thank Offering (UTO)
Backpacks
The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church. 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. 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. Sincere gratitude for our lives and gifts, and concern for hers motivates our response on UTO Sunday.
To learn more about UTO, click here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/united-thank-offering.
St. James School
We support the school and the nearby underserved community by committing to a monthly collection of toothpaste. At Christmas, the congregation donates gift cards and toys. Find out more about St. James School HERE.
The PA State Tax Credit Scholarship Program keeps St. James School tuition-free
Email taxcredit@stjamesphila.org or call 215-226-1276 x202 to get more information about this program. Use the link HERE to find out if you are eligible.
Layette Sunday
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.
Backpacks
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.
Backpack Blessing
Loving and creative God, bless these backpacks and learning materials so that all who use them will come to know more of the rich and wonderful world you have created. Bless all educators who freely share their knowledge and understanding. Most of all, bless the children who will receive them. Protect them and make them confident that they are your beloved children, valued and loved in the communities where they live, grow and learn. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Mitten Box
Every year when winter sets in, we collect mittens, hats and scarves for infants and toddlers who need them. More details on our next collection will appear on the Events page.
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.
Panera's Bread
Prior to COVID, St. Peter’s was able to offer Panera’s bread on the first Sunday of each month thanks to the generosity of Panera’s Bakery in Willow Grove, which donates all baked goods left over at the end of each day to non-profits. Our members took home delicious bread and pastries for a free-will donation, and we used these donations to support outreach. Over the years our proceeds have benefited the ministries of Episcopal Relief and Development, Red Cross flood relief, Habitat for Humanity, and The Alzheimers’ Foundation.
We are pleased to resume offering Panera bread on a “pop-up” basis in the Parish Hall following Sunday worship.