"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him... " -Luke 24:30-31
At St. Gabriel's there are many ways to serve and worship! Altar Guild, Altar Server, Acolyte Crucifer, Greeter, Usher, Lector, Intercessor, Sunday School, and much, much more!
At St. Gabriel's there are many ways to serve and worship! Altar Guild, Altar Server, Acolyte Crucifer, Greeter, Usher, Lector, Intercessor, Sunday School, and much, much more!
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Lunch With Our Neighbors EVERY SATURDAY 11am-12:30pm:
We began this mission of outreach in 2009 by just serving lunch the last two Saturdays of the month for our neighbors and everyone who walked by. This was a chance for us to know our neighbors and for them to know us. It was then, and is still, a chance to sit and dialog-not just hand someone a plate of food. We were joined by two mainline churches who helped support this effort, and because of the growing needs of the community; we are now serving lunch every Saturday to 100 or more of our neighbors! Our food supply comes from dedicated volunteers and parishioners who sponsor a Saturday; and from this ministry other ministries have evolved. And there is still room for you to volunteer or sponsor a Saturday Lunch! Just stop by and pay us visit or give us a call!
So far we have prepared and served over 4600 meals this year! We thank our Parish Partners: St. John's, Lower Merion, Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, All Saints Episcopal Church, Torresdale, Tabor Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, St. Luke and the Epiphany, Philadelphia, St. Christopher's Gladwyne, and all individual and Group Sponsors. Thank you to everyone involved in this meaningful ministry! In 2014, we began following former First Lady Michelle Obama's guideline for the "Let's Move" program by providing handouts on tips and techniques for healthy eating and better living, especially for the children. The materials for healthy eating and lifestyle are available at choosemyplate.gov and are available in both English and Spanish. This is an on going effort to inform people how to make healthy and balanced meal choices for themselves and their families.
Along with lunch we send our neighbor's home with a grocery bag with fresh produce and other goods from our Parish Partners at St Peter's Church, Philadelphia. Our friends have been enjoying lunch and serving with Our Neighbor's since 2016! You can find the St Peter's Mobile Food Cupboard(MFC) crew every Saturday starting at 11am.
Food Bank:
This started many years ago where canned goods and dry goods were collected for weekly distribution to members of the community who are in need of food. The collection comes from the parishioners, and serves 15 to 20 people per week.
The last Sunday of each month we would like everyone to bring in canned and dry goods for the Food Pantry Collection Basket.
School Supply Drive:
Since 2004 book bags and school supplies have been collected and given to children within the community and from neighboring communities. Last year 75 book bags were distributed.
Angel Network:
Providing Christmas presents to community children, who, for many this may be the only present they receive. The gifts are collected from parishioners and friends of the church and given to the children after the Christmas Eve Mass. There is a large party, and plenty of loving holiday cheer for all. Last Christmas we served 170 children.
Summer Lunch and Learn Program:
Recognizing the "summer slide" that occurs for youth in the summertime, St. Gabriel's launched a summer Lunch and Learn Program in 2019 which provides games, free meals, and education around contemporary issues like the environment, social and emotional learning, guns and violence, etc. We enroll up to 20 children ages K-8 in the program. Additionally, our commitment to public school children led us to financially support Episcopal Community Services Out of School Time Summer Camp that educates 200 children in our zip code. We can always use more volunteers.
Come Join Us! Fill out the contact page.