We at Epiphany embrace the belief that as Christians, we are our brother's and sister's keepers. Parish members involve themselves in a variety of community activities not directed by any particular church organization. Our many other Christian acts which, we hope, bear witness to our faith and help us to grow in it. There is always more than enough of God's work for willing hands.
When not socially distancing, we encourage community service organizations of all sorts to use the church building for a variety of purposes, putting church property and equipment at their disposal when possible.
Project Outreach
The problem of hunger in America grows year after year. The latest study showed that 14.5% of Americans are food insecure. That is, they do not know, with certainty, from where the next meal is coming. Some of those people are our neighbors.
A consortium of local churches has come together under the auspices of the Spring-Ford Pastors association to help lessen that uncertainty and hunger. Individual churches collect non-perishable food on an ongoing basis and run food drives to make up particular shortfalls. Additionally, the project outreach staff solicits donations of perishable foods or money to buy perishables from local businesses. This allows Project Outreach to give food support to those in need. Every Thursday those who fit the Project’s parameter for need receive 1 or 2 bags of food based on family size. There is not enough food to eliminate huger from these families. The hope is that these meager supplies will be enough to fill the gap and lessen the food uncertainty.
There are many ways you can be involved:
- Arrange to donate food by dropping off non-perishable and/or canned meat/fish/poultry foods at the church.
- Donate money or grocery store gift cards so that the Project staff can buy things like milk, meat and eggs.
- When not socially distancing, volunteer on Thursdays. A few time a year, Epiphany has the responsibility to bag and distribute the bags to the recipients
- When not socially distancing, volunteer on any Thursday. Although another church may have the main responsibility for the work of that Thursday, there is always plenty to do. A few of our members go almost every Thursday and help with the bagging, replenishing and distribution of the food
Come and join us. If you would like to be part of this very important outreach ministry contact Gary Vanatter at gvanatter@verizon.net
St. Augustine's
The second Sunday of the month we go to St Augustine's in Norristown and help them with their free breakfast program. St Augustine's is a small parish in the heart of Norristown just off DeKalb Street. Every Sunday they serve a free breakfast to anyone who wants one. The homeless, disenfranchised, those in need of food support and the under or unemployed take some time for nourishment and community. We help the folks of St Augustine's cook and serve what may be for many their only meal of the day. If you are interested in joining this vital outreach, get in touch with Bill Wilson at userwwjr@aol.com
Alcoholics Anonymous & Narcotics Anonymous
Local chapters of the Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous organizations hold an open meeting for interested parties. While socially distancing, recovery groups are holding on-line meetings. For Alcoholics Anonymous, please visit aa.org for the meeting guide to find on-line and/or face-to-face meetings. For Narcotics Anonymous, please visit na.org to search for meetings.
National Night Out
The first Tuesday of August is National Night Out, an evening of community celebration to raise consciousness about crime prevention and creating tight knit and safe neighborhoods. Epiphany partners with several local churches to provide food, entertainment, games and activities for our neighbors. The block party stretches along Washington street from 3rd to 5th. Many local vendors present their wares for free giving away samples and tastes of free food. Epiphany has become famous for our Decorate Your Own Cupcake table as well as live music, games at the nursery school table and open hospitality.
