[Episcopal News Service] The congregation of St. Philip-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Oreland, Pennsylvania, held its last worship services in its former church building in May 2016. Now, nearly 10 years later, that building’s legacy lives on in a new effort to support outreach ministries across the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia-based diocese, using proceeds from the sale of the former St. Philip-in-the-Fields property, is distributing $130,000 to support various local ministries, with a particular focus on food assistance and emergency items for families in need.
“The diocese received a generous offer [to purchase the former church], and we are grateful that the ministry of St. Philip’s continues to give life to those in need,” Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez said in a message to the diocese. He also thanked the congregation of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Glenside, which merged with St. Philip-in-the-Fields a decade ago, making the property sale possible.
Members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, volunteer Nov. 15 at one of the congregation’s weekly community meals. Photo: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, via Facebook
The diocese has distributed $260,000 from the proceeds of the sale — $130,000 to the merged congregation at St. Peter’s and the other $130,000 divided among the diocese’s 10 regional deaneries, allowing each deanery to devote $13,000 to supporting ministries serving low-income residents. Additionally, the diocese previously distributed $5,000 to each deanery this year from the bishop’s discretionary account.
“I offer my deep gratitude to all who continue to feed, clothe, and pray for our neighbors in need. Your witness to God’s love is seen and felt across our communities. Let us never forget that Jesus taught us divine and genuine compassion,” Gutiérrez said.
His message listed at least 73 congregational ministries focused on food assistance. They include food pantries, donations to food banks, community meals, free lunches, soup kitchens and a community garden.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Ardmore, for example, operates a food pantry on Mondays and provides home-cooked meals through a partner agency, Family Promise, for people experiencing homelessness.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia opens its food pantry to the community every Friday morning and serves a community meal every Saturday. “On behalf of the people we serve: Thank you,” the congregation said in sharing the bishop’s message on Facebook.