2023-2024 PLACEMENT OPTIONS

  • Arch Street Presbyterian Church
  • The Common Place and Salt & Light
  • Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase
  • Overbrook Presbyterian Church
  • The Welcome Church
  • Valley Forge Presbyterian Church

STIPEND

$3,000 + Mileage up to $1,200

NEXT STEP

CONTACT: Rev. Brenton Thompson

bthompson@presbyphl.org

215-242-1377 (W)

ARCH STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
archstreetpres.org
Rev. Carla Jones Brown

Nestled in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, Arch Street Presbyterian Church stands as a witness to the values of Jesus Christ surrounded by the skyscrapers of wealth and influence. Led by the Rev. Carla Jones Brown, who also has roots in the Baptist tradition, this congregation seeks to be a place of refuge, where each person’s value and dignity is affirmed, and all are claimed as children of God. As represented in their diversity, they have a commitment to expanding the reach of God’s welcome to all who seek to explore or deepen their relationship with God and live out their Christian discipleship. Through education, worship, and an immensely gifted music program, they are living out their call to show the love God has for the people of Philadelphia and beyond.

THE COMMON PLACE AND SALT & LIGHT
thecommonplacephilly.org
Rev. Christopher Holland

Located in Southwest Philadelphia, The Common Place is a beacon of possibility in an area that the city has often overlooked. Led by the Rev. Christopher Holland, with his gifts for entrepreneurial ministry, they continue to find unique ways to address the challenges facing their surrounding community, with focused outreach on issues of gun violence, mental health, food injustice, and afterschool programs. Partnered in their work is Salt & Light, a worshiping community that was formed in the coming together of a UCC and a PC(USA) congregation. Through their dynamic and energetic worship, combined with The Common Place’s work, this creative community of faith seeks to bring a new energy and spirit to the Southwest.

MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FOX CHASE
foxchasechurch.org
Rev. Timothy Wotring

Located in Fox Chase, a Northeast Philly neighborhood situated between an urban and suburban context, Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase is a congregation with rapidly changing demographics across economic, racial, generational, and spiritual lines. Led by the Rev. Timothy Wotring, who brings his musical talents, infectious positivity, and a background in urban mission, they are seeking to strengthen their witness by enhancing their congregational vitality while reaching out into the community. As a smaller congregation experiencing an influx of children and young families, Fox Chase is creatively exploring what it means for their congregation to grow younger and yet engage more intergenerationally. At the core of their mission is a call to proclaim a spirit of invitation and welcome to the community around them.

OVERBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
overbrookpresb.org
Rev. Dr. Adam Hearlson

Located in West Philadelphia at the literal intersection of the city and the suburbs, Overbrook Presbyterian Church stands as a figurative bridge between these communities and more. Led by the Rev. Dr. Adam Hearlson, with gifts for visioning and worship leadership, this congregation strives to authentically go beyond its walls to be a relevant presence at this crossroads in the city. They are a diverse and inclusive congregation seeking to live out their core values to be “Welcoming, Loving & Transforming.” They find themselves at an inflection point where they are dreaming up possibilities, leveraging momentum, and expanding staff, to more fully live into their worship, education, social justice, humanitarian, and interfaith ministries.

THE WELCOME CHURCH
thewelcomechurch.org
Rev. Violet Little & Rev. Schaunel Steinnagel

A “church without walls” that worships in a Philadelphia downtown park, The Welcome Church is a community proclaiming the hope and love of a gracious God to all people; especially those people experiencing homelessness. Led by the Rev. Violet Little, a Lutheran pastor, and the Rev. Schaunel Steinnagel, a Presbyterian pastor, The Welcome Church seeks out initiatives that are organic; shaped by the needs and interests of the community they serve. This creativity and commitment have led to programs such as; The Well, a women’s shelter; Sanctuary Village, a tiny house community; and Welcome Art, a program highlighting the artistic gifts of those within the community of unhoused folks. As an ELCA congregation that is also a ministry partner of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, their ecumenical spirit is lived out in their continuously creative and collaborative endeavors.

VALLEY FORGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
valleyforgepres.org
Rev. Tim Dooner

Positioned in King of Prussia, Valley Forge Presbyterian Church finds itself in a place where the economic disparities of the booming retail market and those who work within it are laid bare. Led by the Rev. Tim Dooner, who has a passion for caring for those on the margins, this congregation seeks to live into their commitment to love their neighbors in a concrete way. In exploring the needs of the community, they’ve taken the bold step of repurposing their campus to offer support to the underserved. Through grants, loans, and partnerships they are in the process of converting much of their large Christian Education building into apartments for youth aging out of the foster care system. Valley Forge sees themselves as a congregation, “growing in love and understanding, serving with love and compassion.”