Matthew 25
“‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ “
Our Session has approved our becoming a Matthew 25 congregation. The Matthew 25 commitment is a partnership with the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to build congregational vitality, dismantle racism and all other “isms,” and eradicate poverty. This committed us to focus educational efforts and actions around three focus areas:
Building congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and get actively and joyfully engaged with their community and the world.
Dismantling structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
Eradicating systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency more succinctly states: “The work of Matthew 25 is a direct response to the good news of Jesus and a faithful expression of what it means to be Christ’s disciples in this time and place.”
Learn more about the Matthew 25 vision here: bit.ly/3tXChWc
Since our decision to become a Matthew 25 congregation, we have raised awareness of this initiative by becoming more purposeful in our social witness outreach. Now, a Matthew 25 team is moving forward with ACTIONS – activities, relationships, advocacy, financial support, and continued education – to address the three focus areas of Matthew 25.
PCCH Mission Partners
Your financial support of PCCH through the annual stewardship campaign enables the Social Witness Committee to provide support, through the budgeted mission tithe of congregational response, to the Presbytery of Philadelphia’s mission budget as well as to a number of partner organizations:
- Achievability – strives to permanently break the generational cycle of poverty for West Philadelphia families through higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, community and economic development and accountability.
- Dawn’s Place – Philadelphia’s first residential recovery home and program for women recovering from the trauma of sex trafficking.
- Face to Face – relieves suffering in their guests by giving them support to meet their immediate needs through the core programs of Meals, Legal Center, Health Center, and Social Services.
- Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry – connects at-risk Northwest Philadelphia residents to resources within themselves and the community that resolve their crises, stabilize their lives and equip them to take the next step(s) toward self-sufficiency.
- Northwest Victim Services – provides prompt, effective, holistic services to all victims of crime in Northwest Philadelphia while increasing strategies to elevate community safety.
- Souls Shot Portrait Project – brings attention to and memorializes the lives lost and tragically altered due to gun violence by linking fine artists with families or friends of victims of gun violence, to create artwork that has the unique ability to call out the souls and profoundly affect those who see them.
- Urban Resources Development Corporation – works to stabilize housing and communities in Germantown, Mt. Airy and East/West Oak Lane through rehabilitation of homes for seniors and low-income people.
- West Kensington Ministry – West Kensington Ministry (WKM) is a faith community of the Presbyterian Church, USA. WKM seeks to be relevant to those we serve as we follow Christ’s lead to serve others. WKM meets its community members where they are and serves as a one-stop-shop fulfilling basic needs and offering hope and healing. WKM transforms its community by connecting residents with access to food, clothing, weekly worship and youth and adult programming.
WKM gives voice to activism on critical issues such as immigration and criminal justice reform and participates in ongoing civic engagement opportunities. Our strength is listening to the community and responding in real time to the constant cycle of changing needs. WKM is a place of gathering in a neighborhood where all are welcome. - Whosoever Gospel Mission – provides shelter, food, clothing, education, counseling, rehabilitation and other assistance to homeless and/or needy men, women and children in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, specifically Germantown.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency states: “The work of Matthew 25 is a direct response to the good news of Jesus and a faithful expression of what it means to be Christ’s disciples in this time and place.” Your donations of money, time, food, gifts, and other in-kind support means the world to these organizations, and help PCCH as it strives to live its Matthew 25 commitment to build congregational vitality, dismantle structural racism, and eradicate systemic poverty.
News and Upcoming Events
Ongoing Events
The Social Witness Committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. We would love to have you join us. For more information about any of the above, contact Beth Nell Vaccaro, at bethnellvaccaro@gmail.com.
GERMANTOWN AVENUE CRISIS MINISTRY FOOD CUPBOARD
Please help with your donations of: canned tuna and chicken, rice, pasta, peanut butter, canned vegetables and beans, hearty soups and stews, and breakfast cereals. Regular size products (not “family size”) packaged in non-glass containers are appreciated. Donations are collected on the first Sunday of each month during the last hymn of morning worship, or throughout the month on the bookshelf in the reception room or the bookshelf in the lower hallway.
Volunteers Needed for food and clothes distribution at WKM!
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings WKM provides food and clothes to our neighbors Come help us! Join us as a volunteer supervisor for our food and clothes distribution. We are seeking enthusiastic individuals with a willingness to assist
Details:
● What: Food and clothes distribution
● When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-10:30 am
● Location: West Kensington Ministry, 2140 N Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 Volunteer
Responsibilities:
● Sort out items as clothing, shoes, kitchen supplies, etc
● Place them on tables either inside the narthex or right outside the church gates, weather permitting.
● Restock as the day goes on, and re-store what is not taken
● Ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants.
Flexible Commitment: You don’t have to commit to both days. Even volunteering for just one hour at a time would be greatly appreciated.
To volunteer or for more information, please contact Rev. Adan at 267-879-6310
Past Events
Quizzo
Saturday, February 22 was an evening of great fun. Thank you to our anonymous donor for covering the cost of our Quizzo host. Your generous contribution helped us raise over $500.00 for our Mission partners!
Congratulations to our winning team: Kevin and Amy Raphael, Jeff and Liz Podraza, and Sarah Wright!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Thank you to all of the Members, Friends, and Family that assisted with our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. We are incredibly grateful to have a community so willing to donate supplies and their time, to help communities in need. Thank You!
More events and initiatives are being planned by the Matthew 25 team – we welcome your suggestions and participation!
