Who We Are at St. Gabriel's
Walking into a new church can be overwhelming! Here you will find more about what to expect in our service and who we are at St. Gabriel's.
Our Mission
St. Gabriel's Church is a multi-cultural mission parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania serving the Feltonville, Logan, and Olney sections of Philadelphia. We focus on God's love for us and each other - and out of that love, we work to serve our community!
St. Gabriel's Church is a multi-cultural mission parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania serving the Feltonville, Logan, and Olney sections of Philadelphia. We focus on God's love for us and each other - and out of that love, we work to serve our community!
Our Sunday Service
Q. What time does your Sunday service start?
A. The service starts at 10am...however, because we are a growing parish (and that means getting kids settled into Sunday school) we often start the service closer to 10:15am. You can come early and enjoy reflecting in the pews for a bit, or come at 10:15 when things really kick off!
Q: What should I wear?
A. Whatever you are most comfortable in! You will see folks dressed in everything from suit and ties to football jerseys - we want you to come as you are and know that you belong no matter what you dress in that day.
Q: Is there childcare available?
A: Yes! We have a Sunday school class that runs through the first half or so of the service, the children then come upstairs for communion.
Q: What is the service like?
A: Our services are a chance to connect with God through words (what we call "liturgy"), songs (what we call "hymns"), and communion (bread and wine). You'll hear passages and stories from the Bible, prayer for ourselves and the community, a sermon, and then as a community we spend time focusing on Jesus's life and death, culminating in the Eucharist (eating bread and wine together at the altar). As part of our service, we also have the chance to offer ourselves and our money to support the work of the church and God in the world - know that you are invited to give, but you are not obligated! All of the service is printed in a bulletin, so you can easily follow along. We have bulletins in both English and Spanish!
Q. What time does your Sunday service start?
A. The service starts at 10am...however, because we are a growing parish (and that means getting kids settled into Sunday school) we often start the service closer to 10:15am. You can come early and enjoy reflecting in the pews for a bit, or come at 10:15 when things really kick off!
Q: What should I wear?
A. Whatever you are most comfortable in! You will see folks dressed in everything from suit and ties to football jerseys - we want you to come as you are and know that you belong no matter what you dress in that day.
Q: Is there childcare available?
A: Yes! We have a Sunday school class that runs through the first half or so of the service, the children then come upstairs for communion.
Q: What is the service like?
A: Our services are a chance to connect with God through words (what we call "liturgy"), songs (what we call "hymns"), and communion (bread and wine). You'll hear passages and stories from the Bible, prayer for ourselves and the community, a sermon, and then as a community we spend time focusing on Jesus's life and death, culminating in the Eucharist (eating bread and wine together at the altar). As part of our service, we also have the chance to offer ourselves and our money to support the work of the church and God in the world - know that you are invited to give, but you are not obligated! All of the service is printed in a bulletin, so you can easily follow along. We have bulletins in both English and Spanish!
Our Beliefs
Q: What denomination is St. Gabriel's?
A: St. Gabriel's is part of the Episcopal Church, in the greater Diocese of Pennsylvania
Q: What do you believe?
A: You can learn about our beliefs here!
Q: What denomination is St. Gabriel's?
A: St. Gabriel's is part of the Episcopal Church, in the greater Diocese of Pennsylvania
Q: What do you believe?
A: You can learn about our beliefs here!
Our Support Team:
The Rev. Dr. Michael Giansiracusa:
|
The Rev. Dr. Michael Giansiracusa was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. He earned a B.A. in Communications from La Salle University, an M.A. in Theology from Villanova University and a DMin. from The Episcopal Divinity School, with further graduate study at Lutheran Theological Seminary Philadelphia. He served for two years as a youth minister near Portland, Ore. and has taught theology and philosophy at the undergraduate and secondary level for more than 20 years. Mike is deeply committed to creating “cross-boundary” experiences that combine prayer, direct service, deep faith reflection and worship. He has facilitated these experiences at the Romero Center in Camden, N.J., Episcopal Community Services, St John's Episcopal Church in Glen Mills and at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Ardmore. An advocate for integrated social justice ministry, he believes that if our sacramental worship reflects God’s mission then all of our ministries must have, as their justification, a relationship with the most vulnerable. He regards Howard Zinn, Dorothy Day, Jon Sobrino and Edward Schillebeeckx as his major inspirations. Mike is father to son, Michael, and lives in Philadelphia |
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Schaller: Associate Priest
Dina L. Harvey: Altar Guild Chair
Edgard Zayas: Director of Music
William Rusk: Vicar's Warden
Gerri Towson: Office Administrator
Brenda Williams, Milly Rentas, Carol Enos: Directors of Feeding Ministry
Brenda Williams: Director of Children's Ministries
Amy Crawford, Seminarian
Vestry Of St. Gabriel's Church
William Rusk, Bernadette Williams, David Clowney, Carol A. Enos, Ben Lariccia, Gerri Towson, Brenda Williams, and Dina L. Harvey.
Ministry and Community Outreach
Lunch with our Neighbors, Clothing Exchange, Mobile Food Cupboard and Food Pantry Services, School Supply Drive, Angel Network, and Summer Lunch/Learn Programs.
At St. Gabriel's we welcome all to be part of our community! Connect with us to find out how!
Dina L. Harvey: Altar Guild Chair
Edgard Zayas: Director of Music
William Rusk: Vicar's Warden
Gerri Towson: Office Administrator
Brenda Williams, Milly Rentas, Carol Enos: Directors of Feeding Ministry
Brenda Williams: Director of Children's Ministries
Amy Crawford, Seminarian
Vestry Of St. Gabriel's Church
William Rusk, Bernadette Williams, David Clowney, Carol A. Enos, Ben Lariccia, Gerri Towson, Brenda Williams, and Dina L. Harvey.
Ministry and Community Outreach
Lunch with our Neighbors, Clothing Exchange, Mobile Food Cupboard and Food Pantry Services, School Supply Drive, Angel Network, and Summer Lunch/Learn Programs.
At St. Gabriel's we welcome all to be part of our community! Connect with us to find out how!