Parish-Based Ministries

Christmas Projects
Each December we partner with a number of regional and national ministries to help provide over 300 Christmas gifts for hurting and needy individuals. It's a huge project that yields a mountain of wrapped presents but something that gives us a tremendous opportunity to give back of the huge love poured out for us in Christ. Consider joining us this year. Watch here or contact the church office for more information.

Christian Financial Counseling
Trained counselors who work one-on-one (in a confidential setting) and in small groups with families and individuals to help them develop a comprehensive, biblically based spending plan that includes giving, saving, investing, and debt reduction strategies. For more information about this free ministry, or to arrange a meeting with a counselor, contact Chuck Kramer at 610-933-2331 or the church office at 610-644-4040 (x 333).

Good Samaritan Food Closet
The Good Samaritan Food Closet provides nutritious basics to local residents. It is an important support system for people struggling here in our own neighborhoods. Why don't you volunteer for a morning? For more information, contact Joan Harris 610-644-6547.

Easter Project
For one day in the Spring, the entire parish celebrates the joy of reaching out in various opportunites of service in Paoli, Philadelphia, Coatesville and Chester. Good Samaritans engage in home repairs, youth outreach, friendly visitations, repairs at partner parishes, street evangelism, spreading the word of Jesus Christ by our presence and our actions. Contact Rusty Smith at 610-644-1654 to find out more.

Benevolence committee/ HELPS:
Emergency assistance is given to individuals and families for practical living needs including rent, food, transportation, utilities costs, medical expenses, and necessities for infants and children. When appropriate, the committee will identify and mobilize available resources to address the needs of clients in a holistic manner. The committee consists of volunteer parishioners who discern applicants’ requests, provide emergency responses, and advocate for clients needing more involved support.
Contact: Will Stockton 610-644-2908

Kensington Partnership
The Church of the Good Samaritan continues to explore ways to grow in partnership with the Free Church of St. John in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, a neighborhood with one of the lowest per capita incomes and highest densities of children in the state of Pennsylvania. Urban Serve, the summer mission trip of Good Samaritan youth and adults, provides visibility and connections in the neighborhood, which continue through the year with a Wednesday night children’s outreach and parent Bible study, an on-going youth group, monthly food pantry, seasonal gardening program, and annual Christmas toy shop. A small group of children are served more intensively through Prime Time, an after-school program. A new 501c3, Kensington Faith Connections, will fund more creative ministry ventures.
Help is always needed in the areas of youth group leadership, drivers for St. John youth to participate with Good Samaritan events and retreats, Wednesday evening outreach, food pantry, mentors of St. John teens, and more. For more information contact Carol Kuniholm or Michael Guernsey at 610-644-4040.

Thrift Shop
Located in the Christian Education Building, this ministry is headed up by Laura Lee Brewer and staffed by a great group of volunteers. The good news is that all the proceeds from the Thrift Shop go directly to support local and national outreach projects. New volunteers are always welcome-especially on Mondays for the sorting of new contributions. For more information, contact Laura Lee Brewer at 610-640-3309.

Parish-Sponsored Ministries

Amnion Crisis Pregnancy
Amnion exists to provide critical, Christian care, counsel and support for women going through challenging pregnancies. It is a place of compassion and guidance, providing a harbor of protection in a difficult time. Could God use your love and prayer here? For more information, contact Diana Kramer at 610-933-2331.

Bridge of Hope
Bridge of Hope is a local organization that pairs homeless families with a church family to support them emotionally, physically, and spiritually, with the help of trained staff. The family gets help with budgeting, goal setting, parenting skills, and counseling for 12 to 18 months. The church family is there as friends and mentors to the family in the program.

CityTeam
CityTeam Ministries provides hot meals, safe shelter, showers, and clean clothing to the homeless population of Chester, PA. A recovery program is in place for those men that are on a road of destruction from drugs and alcohol. CityTeam also reaches out to low-income families that are in need of a meal, plus emergency food boxes and other vital items. Contact Joe Henwood at 610-565-4295.

Good Works
Good Works is a local Christian home repair ministry to make homes warmer, safer, and drier. They generally do $5,000 - $7,000 worth of repairs on a home in the Coatesville area through local church volunteers. Contact Rusty Smith 610-644-1654

Harvest
Harvest is a local healing and descipleship ministry helping people leave the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle.
Contact Hartley Connett (610-933-0131).