We are called to see Jesus in our neighbors and folks who are marginalized in our society. We try to respond to the needs of the community by working together within our congregation and in partnership with neighborhood groups.
Currently, we are taking weekly food donations to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Food Pantry and hosting our own clothing closet to provide for the needs of neighbors. We host annual Lenten soup lunches to raise money for meals provided by the University City Hospitality Coalition. During Advent we have special donation drives to remember the physical needs of neighbors through coats, hats, mittens, sneakers or WaWa gift cards.
Members of our congregation are also meeting regularly with members of two other churches in a prison ministry. The members write to and pray for folks in prison in addition to discussing the societal sin of mass incarceration.
Prison Ministry at Tab:
Our primary focus is developing friendship and relationships with people in jails and prisons through letter writing and visitation, and collaborating with other groups to work for an end to mass incarceration. The prison ministry group meets roughly once every two months. Currently we are also engaged in a book study, A Church of the Second Chance, by Jens Soering. We love to welcome folks to join us in this meaningful work. The Prison Ministry at Tab is a joint ministry with members of St. James UCC in Havertown.
Clothing Closet:
Tabernacle United Church maintains a small closet of basic adult clothing items for those in need who come to our door during the week or whenever we are present to accommodate them. We particularly try to have warm jackets and sweaters available during the winter months and clean socks and t-shirts during the summer months. A small brochure listing services for the homeless in Philadelphia, including food banks and meal programs, is provided as needed.