Outreach and Evangelism
We actively support and participate in many activities and social ministries …
Evangelism is defined as “The Spreading of Christianity.” Our worship empowers us to reach out to others in the world with the good news of Christ’s love and forgiveness. The desire and energy to share God’s love in word and deed come from our worship.
Our mission statement is “Learning and Doing the Work of Jesus.” St. Gabriel’s does the work of Jesus most effectively when it changes the lives of God’s people in ways that bring healing, restoration and encouragement.
We actively support and participate in many activities and social ministries, including Hopewell Love and the Southeast Berks Ministerium, as well as supporting various other organizations and projects through the year, including the Diocese of Kajo Keji in South Sudan. Below are a some of our many ministries of evangelism and outreach.
Click + to read more
Each year, during the fall months, a wooden Christmas Tree is made available for parishioners to donate coats, hats, scarves, and gloves.
The items hung on the tree are collected and donated to various charities in the community.
“Health Now, Care Now, Do Now”
The Health Ministry addresses the needs of mind, body, and spirit in our parishioners. As a Christian community, we are called to exercise stewardship of our bodies, souls, and spirits by promoting wellness for the whole of ourselves.
Vision:
1. Assess the Health Care needs of the congregation
2. Promote Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle
Our mission is to promote health and wellness to our parishioners and community by providing education and having resources available to fill individual needs.
We hold three Blood Drives a year (January, May and August), and blood pressure screenings are offered after the 5 PM service. Living Compass is our primary tool for promoting holistic health.
Contact: Jo Rivera
St. Gabriel’s supports the mission of Hopewell Love in the following ways:
- Office space and use of office equipment (copier, etc.)
- The Vestry includes Hopewell Love in the budget as well as offering other financial assistance when possible
- Parishioners donate individually
- Youth Group has participated each year in fundraising and awareness efforts
- Parishioners participated in the Friendly’s restaurant Hopewell Love nights where a portion of the night’s proceeds are donated to Hopewell Love
- Individual Sunday School classes have donated dollars and items (stuffed animals, personal care kits, etc.) for distribution to the needy
- Parishioners volunteer at the Food Pantry in Birdsboro and pick up food at the Food Bank in Reading
- St. Gabriel’s provides a meal at the Community Table in Birdsboro on a rotating basis
CONTACT: Russ McClellan
The group works on various charitable projects through the year.
Meets the first Tuesday of the month from 10:30 am-1:30pm with brown bag lunch.
CONTACT: Jeri Klein
Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in one of the Youth Classrooms.
We began our prayer shawl ministry in 2009. We meet once a month at the church to pray, knit, and talk. Knitters and crocheters are welcome. Lydia will teach you how to knit if you’d like to learn.
Prayer shawls are given, never sold, to those in need such as during the grieving process or during an illness, or to those celebrating a wedding or baptism.
We accept donations of yarn or money to buy yarn.
CONTACT: Lydia Rieger
St. Gabriel’s, under the coordination of The Good Shepherd Learning Center, participates in the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tag program each year.
Gifts are presented at the altar during the 10:30 service in early December, where they are blessed then delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution.
Frozen Homemade Soup is delivered to:
St. Paul’s Church Food Pantry in Douglassville the 3rd Tuesday of every month
Hopewell Love Food Pantry in Birdsboro on the 4th Tuesday of every month
CONTACT: Carol Young
Fellowship
Click + to read more
As the name implies, Coffee Hour is a time to socialize and connect with fellow parishioners after the church service. It’s been a tradition in the Episcopal church since time immemorial.
We add lemonade in the summer and all kinds of goodies year-round, depending on the season. It’s one of the many opportunities to practice friendship.
Contact: Danielle Troncelliti
Like outreach, fellowship – the Body of Christ gathered to share and care – is rooted in worship. Worship teaches us who we are and whose we are; We belong to God and to each other.
Jesus called his disciples “friends” and he includes us in that circle of love and grace. Being together and discovering the vulnerability and true humility necessary to take care of each other benefits us, and also is a powerful witness to the world.
Together we can make a difference
