Community
We are Tabernacle United Church, people of many ages, colors, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, family structures, vocations, avocations and faith journeys sharing our joys and concerns, praying for each other, caring for each other, studying, working, playing, and worshiping together.
We are a community run church, led in the Presbyterian and United Church of Christ traditions by a group of ordained elders elected from the congregation and moderated alternately by the Pastor and an elder Vice Moderator. We share the duties of planning the worship services, writing the prayers, picking quotes for the bulletin cover, greeting visitors, hosting coffee hour, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, leading the education forums, visiting and cooking meals for the sick, injured, and bereaved, and preaching one fifth of the sermons.
In addition to our time together on Sunday for worship, coffee hour, and education, we come together as a community for social events planned by The Fun Group, work and walk together in mission projects and protests and gather regularly in smaller affinity groups.
Lectionary Bible Study Affinity Group
The Lectionary Bible Study Affinity Group meets one night a week to read and discuss the Bible passages from the lectionary which shape the service for the coming Sunday, educating each other and enriching the worship experience with preparation.
Sustainable Living Affinity Group
The Sustainable Living Affinity Group members read and discuss books on humanity's role in the environment, support each other in reducing ecological impact, maintain our Philadelphia Sustainability Resources web page, and make recommendations on policy to the Church Council, such as reducing our weekly paper usage through a smaller bulletin and our once-a-month paperless Sunday, and supporting the Gaviotas Carbon Offset Initiative in order to be carbon negative.
Las Anonas Affinity Group
The Las Anonas Affinity Group plans delegations to El Salvador, stays in contact with our sister community of Las Anonas, works with the Romero Interfaith Center, and keeps the congregation informed.
