“Songversation” is a combination of a mini-concert and a discussion with a network of people who have attended the concerts at St. Paul’s. The goal is to talk about the Friends of St. Paul’s Association and how the events and concerts are funded and presented. We will ask questions that give our audience the opportunity to share their experience at these productions and what inspires them to keep coming back.

Please read the latest from Deacon Jeannie on the ministry work she is currently leading:

Greetings Friends in Christ!

I am happy to have now been among you for about six months. Thank you again for welcoming me to your community.

Below is a summary of the ministry work I am involved with, encouraging you to join in as well.

St. Stephen’s Ministry, Philadelphia, PA. Deacons across our Diocese both run and support the ministry work there that serve people who are un-homed, families of patients at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, along with artists and performing artists including The Lantern Theatre Company. In the nave of both Holy Nativity and St. Paul’s Elkins Park church are bins with a list taped to the top outlining specific needs for the people St. Stephen’s serves. The easiest way to help is to pick an item on the list and sponsor it for a time. Please consider small, trial-sized products that are easy to tote. If you travel, please save for us the hotel-sized bath products as these are ideal for use. Merchants who offer “buy-one, get-one free” sales provide great ways to help: buy one for yourself and donate the other to St. Stephen’s. For clothing: please ensure all clothing items are washed and folded before putting them into the bin; this makes it much easier for the volunteer staff at St. Stephen’s to stack and store. I will ensure to make at least a monthly trip downtown to get it in their pantry.

Bright Lights Hats and Mittens Ministry. Calling all knitters and crocheters! Last December, I heard a woman tell her story on NPR, a woman who had a life on the street. One Christmas Eve she was gifted, a brightly-colored hat and mitten set after a Christmas Eve service and meal. She told me how much that meant to her, that she had such a beautiful, special item, hand-made, unlike the typical dull brown and gray items that generally came her way. She felt loved and seen, and warmed. This ministry honors that woman and her story. Our goal is 50 hats (feel free to add mittens, too) by November 1, 2024, which will go to St. Stephen’s. Any pattern you choose is fine, as long as the colors are bright and cheery. Stripes are also great! There is a DioPA posting for this, directing participants to send completed items to my attention, care of St. Paul’s Elkins Park. I’ve also arranged Meet-Up sessions at our local yarn shop, Stitch Central, 128 E. Glenside Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038. These will occur every second Wednesday of each month for the rest of this year: August 14th, September 11th, October 9th, November 13th, December 11th. Time: 2pm-3pm. Please join us! We hope to encourage knitters and crocheters from across DioPA to join as they are able, although you do not have to attend the Meet-Up to participate. All are welcome. Stitch Central has a wonderful space for us to use and I hope it will also encourage and support our local small craft business.

Lamentations Support Group. In the spring, all deacons in the Diocese of Pennsylvania participated in mental health first aid training to prepare us for leading support groups around the Diocese. Bishop Gutierrez feels that we have a need in our communities for people to share the burdens of their hearts and lives, and that deacons are the ministers he would like to attend to these needs in a group setting. I will be leading a group called, “Lamentations; How to Grieve with God.” The scripture basis for this program is the Book of Lamentations by the Prophet Jeremiah. I encourage anyone who would like to participate to read this book for context. We will meet monthly after services, alternating between Holy Nativity and St. Paul’s Elkins Park, beginning August 11th at Holy Nativity Church (about 12:30 pm) and September 8th at St. Paul’s Elkins Park at about 10:30 am). Meetings will last about an hour. These are open to anyone who would like to attend.

Please reach out to me directly with questions: 856-217-5100 (text or call) or email greenjeangardens@me.com

Thank you so much, Rev. Jeannie Sachs, Deacon

St. Stephen’s Homeless outreach ministry is in need of donations!  Please see the attached list or ask Deacon Jeannie Sachs if you have questions.