Youth and Family Ministry at St. Paul's
Education Opportunities | Fellowship Opportunities | Service Opportunities
The people of St. Paul's understand that through baptism we have all been made one family of God, brothers and sisters with each other and with the church across the globe. With this in mind, we offer programs under the umbrella of "Youth and Family Ministry" to serve all of our brothers and sisters, with a special focus on the younger generations. Ministries offered under this heading are intended to provide all members, but especially children, youth, and young adults, with opportunities for Christian education and fellowship and to empower them to lead lives of Christian service to their community and world.
Our Director of Youth and Family Ministry is Vicar Kathryn Irwin.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The congregation offers several educational opportunities for members of all ages. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit our education page.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We gather together as God's family in many different ways. Below are a few of the ways in which we celebrate our congregational fellowship.
SPYs (St. Paul's Youth)
Youth in grades nine through twelve are welcome to be members of this group, which gathers together to engage in fellowship and service activities that will help strengthen their relationships with each other and the church. Currently the SPYs are focusing their efforts on teambuilding and fundraising for “Citizens with the Saints,” the ELCA’s 2012 National Youth Gathering that will take place in July of 2012 in New Orleans, LA.
Congregational Fellowship Nights
Occasionally, the congregation gets together for a fellowship night. There is no set format for these events, but they generally include a potluck dinner, some organized activities, and/or live music. One important part of coming together in fellowship as a community of faith is giving thanks to God for the gifts of support and love we have in each other. Therefore, we end our fellowship nights with a short service of vespers (evening prayer). Check the calendar to see if there is a fellowship night coming up!Small Group Ministries
There are several active small group ministries in our congregation. We offer groups for young families, older members, walking enthusiasts, and those interested in deepening their prayer life, just to name a few. Groups are formed based on common interests. If you are interested in joining a small group or starting one of your own, please contact the Small Group Coordinator, Thomas Rusert.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The congregation of St. Paul’s heeds their baptismal call to serve others in a great variety of ways. Throughout the church year different congregational organizations participate in several different service opportunities. These are a few examples of the many ways in which we serve.
Good Works Project Team
This team organizes and participates in projects that reach out to the needs of God’s people throughout the world, as well as to those of our neighbors here at home. They respond to those needs through advocacy, education and action. A “good work” is designed to reach out to and directly serve people. It can be as short as a one day event, as simple as a monetary gift, or can be a long-term endeavor.
Aid for Friends
This ministry is a region-wide program providing meals and companionship to frail and home bound elderly persons in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Individuals and families in our congregation participate by taking meal trays and filling them with extra portions of meals they cook. Prepared meals go in a dedicated freezer in our kitchen.
Prayer Shawls
Beautiful shawls are knitted and crocheted by members of our congregation to be given as gifts to those who are in need of comfort and the feeling of being wrapped in a shawl just as we are wrapped in the arms of God.
CROP Hunger Walk
Every fall the congregation participates in the Church World Service CROP Walk. This is a fundraising and awareness raising event meant to support both national and international efforts to end poverty and hunger as well as alert our local community to the needs of our neighbors both next door and across the globe.
AND MANY MORE!