There is something for everyone at All Saints! Membership is not required to help with the planning and development of new and exciting ministries at All Saints’. No matter who you are or what your background, you are invited to be a part of something much bigger than just us.
Supporting Food Insecurity Programs
We continue to look for opportunities to serve those in our community who struggle with food insecurities. Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Committee & volunteers keep our outdoor pantry filled with food continually donated by our generous parish and community. We regularly partner with CARING FOR FRIENDS to provide pre-cooked meals which they distribute to families throughout Northeast Philadelphia. We are also proud to sponsor and host groups of teenagers from YouthWorks each summer who each travel to Philadelphia to spend a week with us working with various city-wide programs that provide food assistance to families in need.
Invite, Welcome, Connect
As we enter into the new Fall season, All Saints will continue to explore our parish and the impressions left on our guests and visitors. Guided by the gospel imperative to “Go and make disciples of all nations,” the ministry of Invite Welcome Connect equips and empowers individuals and congregations to practice evangelism, hospitality, and connectedness. If All Saints truly wants to attract new members and families, we must look at ourselves with a new set of eyes. Is the Holy Spirit calling you to join with others by learning and teaching others how to become an inviting and welcoming community of God? Please speak to Father Jay if you wish to learn more and/or join the committee.
Father Jay Sabbatical
This Fall Fr. Jay will be taking a 8-week sabbatical. During his sabbatical, Fr. Jay will be spending time in Europe on pilgrimage as well as traveling to major cities to study religious art and architecture. Upon his return, he will offer adult education on his learnings while away. During Fr. Jay’s absence, the Rector’s Warden and Vestry are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the parish with Father David Green celebrating the sacraments with us as well as being available for any other pastoral acts.
According to the national church, “Every priest who works in the church should be made eligible for periodic extended “Sabbath leaves.” in addition to weekly and annual Sabbath times. Clergy need such times so that they can disengage from their regular tasks and from the stress of being constantly on call, ministering to the sick and dying, and dealing with any number of stressful situations. Such extended Sabbath leaves should be understood in the context of the biblical concept of the sabbatical year, a time apart for rest, reflection and re-creation. It is not primarily a time for intense productivity or other self-justifying activity.” The benefits of such a time for the clergy are refreshment of the mind and spirit, growth in personal commitment and spiritual awareness, a renewed vision, and rededication to the work setting. In the case of congregations, it would also provide the experience of different lay and ordained leadership as well as an opportunity to reflect in a new way on the ministry and mission of the parish and the meaning of Sabbath itself.
A LOOK AHEAD TO FALL 2023
As we anticipate the new Fall season we once again look forward to a busy schedule of events and activities. We encourage all members to join us as we plan and create new opportunities for us to share in and grow together with. While we will certainly will repeat some of the successful events from past years, we also encourage all members to share with us their thoughts and ideas of new programs we can try. Our programs and events depend on a dedicated partnership of planning, creating & scheduling with a wide range of volunteers who all work together with enthusiasm and a shared sense of accomplishment. Please do consider joining us as we prepare for an exciting Fall schedule of events and also begin to explore new opportunities for celebration during our upcoming Advent season.
