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Church & Community

This represents the community outreach and justice advocacy of the Healing Stream United Church of Christ. We are committed to creating a just and peaceful community for those in our specific mission field of the Kensington section of the city, as well as our wider mission field of the City of Philadelphia.

There are a variety of ways that we strive to meet your needs as either a direct beneficiary of our mission work or as a volunteer/patron. I encourage you to prayerfully consider all of the ministries presented and if in some way we may be able to help you or you feel called to assist us, please do not hesitate to let us know.

As a church, we are committed to support this important mission work. However, the work we do could not be possible without the support of friends and donors beyond our limited church resources. We thank you for your support.

Peace Begins at Home

Peace Begins at Home (PBH) is a media driven campaign encompassing street outreach and faith based training highlighting the connection between violence at home (spousal, child, and elder abuse) and violence in the wider community. By pro-actively addressing and providing resources to address issues of family violence PBH will be able to assist both perpetrators and victims break cycles of violence. The campaign is composed of four components: 1. Our web page, Phillypeace.com, which is an on line manual of family violence resources in the Philadelphia area and across the internet 2. The Clergy and Church Leaders Family Violence Institute which trains church leaders around issues of family violence 3. Street outreach to raise awareness of family violence in the community. 4. Media outreach through radio, bus, and subway advertising.

Overcomers Breakfast & Food Bank

The goal of the program is to meet persons emergency needs for food through congregate meals and take home food bags. In 2006 we served 2751 full breakfast meals and 113 families received emergency food bags. Persons served include neighborhood youth, seniors, the homeless, ex-offenders, persons from local recovery houses, and single parents. Also, through membership donation and donations from partner churches in 2006 we were able to provide clothing (winter coats, children’s clothing, shoes, clothing for adults) to over 135 families.   

 

Break The Cycle

Mission: To provide a support group that will assist persons recently released from incarceration and those still struggling with the pressures of recidivism break the cycle of arrest and incarceration. In a peer lead way, members assist each other problem solve around issues such as job searches, housing, life on the streets without committing crime, managing finances, dealing with family pressures especially as it relates to children and partners left behind while they were incarcerated.  it also brings in special guests on a periodic basis to deal with issues such as legal options, connections to social services, political empowerment.  This group meets one Saturday a month.

Healthy Spirit/Healthy Body

Mission: To provide health screening and referral to physical, behavioral, and mental health services.  There are a variety of activities that take place through this ministry. Through agreements with area health providers, we provide on site HIV testing and are building capacity through volunteers to provide preventive health assessments.  We also have established space to provide traditional 12 Step recovery programs to assist persons maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol as well as a Christian specific 12 Step program, Won By One. 

 

 Spiritual Life

There are several ministries of the church you can be involved in to promote the kingdom of God. We are called to build an exciting praise, worship, and learning community for the purpose of exalting the name of Jesus the Christ.  Every member has been given a gift that they are responsible to God to use for this purpose.  If you have ideas for other ministries, we would love to hear them!

  

  • Audio/Visual
  • Music Ministry/Praise Team
  • Fellowship
  • Intercessory prayer
  • Deacons
  • Stewardship
  • Ushers
  • Greeters
  • Missionaries (Outreach)
  • Sanctuary Ministry
  • Youth Ministry
  • Children’s Ministry
  • Sunday School
  • New Members