‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ -- Matt. 25:37-40
Social ministry partners
These partner organizations are affiliated with the synod and with Lutheran Services in America, the largest social services network in the US. LSA is a multi-faceted organization whose members serve more than 6 million persons each year -- one out of every 50 people in the US and Caribbean.
Artman Lutheran Home
250 N. Bethlehem Pike
Ambler, PA 19002
215.643.6333
Artman Home, founded in 1916, provides three levels of care (residential, assisted residential and supportive care) as well as long-term nursing care and rehabilitation services. A growing part of Artman's ministry is its Becoming Center at Artman (215-283-9999; www.becomingcenters.com), a holistic health and wellness center open to people of all ages in the wider community and featuring a wide variety of services that enrich and extend life. Artman is an affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services
Bethesda House Corporation (Lutheran Knolls)
1800 Mill Rd
Boothwyn, PA 19061-2529
610.497.5220
Bethesda House Corporation is affiliated with Lutheran Services in America and has provided housing for the elderly since 1983.
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
One South Home Avenue
Topton, PA 19562
610.682.2145
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries offers senior living communities and a range of services for children, youths, families, and older adults in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. Its name meaning "one assigned by the church to minister to the needs of others," Diakon was formed Jan. 1, 2000. Working in 50 service centers and senior living communities in the tri-state area, some 2,300 Diakon staff members bring hope, hospitality, and healing.
Good Shepherd Penn Partners
1800 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Good Shepherd Penn Partners is a brand new joint venture that fuses together the expertise of two prominent and world-renown organizations: Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). The new facility is located at on the new Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse campus. Motivated by the physical and cognitive rehabilitation needs of our communities, our goal is to enhance lives, maximize function, inspire hope, and promote dignity and well-being with expertise and compassion.
KenCrest Centers
502 West Germantown Pike, Suite 200
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610.825.9360
The largest Delaware Valley provider of community-based services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, KenCrest serves 6,000 people a year. KenCrest provides community homes, child development centers, in-home services, job training, and other services. In 2005 KenCrest celebrates its Centennial - 100 years of service to the community in affiliation with the Lutheran Church. During the last century KenCrest has pioneered care for medically fragile, technology dependent infants, preschool children with disabilities, and high school students with disabilities ready to transition to adult life. KenCrest strives to help people with disabilities achieve their fair share of human dignity, to become full participants in their communities, and to provide opportunities that will bring to life the abilities of the people we serve.
Liberty Lutheran Services
9898 Bustleton Avenue
P.O. Box 52019
Philadelphia, PA 19115
(866) 287-9557
Liberty Lutheran Services offers a broad array of faith-based services delivered by a world-class team of professionals to children, families, adults, and communities in need. The Liberty Family - Artman Lutheran Home, Liberty at Home, Lutheran Children and Family Service, Mary J. Drexel Home and Paul's Run Retirement Community- fulfills its mission of Building Caring Communities by serving the young and old throughout the five counties of Southeast Pennsylvania. Through our affiliation with The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Disaster Response, also serves those in need well beyond our own region.
Liberty at Home
250 N. Bethlehem Pike
Ambler, PA 19002
Karen Read, Director of Liberty at Home,
610-566-3791
Liberty at Home offers in-home supports to independent individuals who want to remain in the comfortable surroundings of their own home. Liberty at Home's registered nurse consultants, certified nursing assistants and companions develop a personalized schedule of support to help individuals stay safely at home. With three offices in Southeastern PA, Liberty at Home offers help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, transportation, home maintenance, beautician and barber services and more for residents of the five-county Philadelphia region.
Lutheran Children & Family Service
5902 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19120
215.276.5500
Lutheran Children and Family Service (LCFS) offers a wide variety of services. These include foster care, adoption, services to children in their own homes and after-school programs. It plays a major role in refugee resettlement and care of unaccompanied refugee minors. LCFS is an affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services.
Lutheran Settlement House
1340 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215.426.8610
Based in lower Kensington, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) meets the needs of over 18,000 children, adults, and families each year through integrated social, educational, and advocacy services, including: LSH's Bilingual Domestic Violence Program, the LSH Community Education & Employment Department, LSH Senior Center & Services, and the Prime Initiative, a short term transitional housing program for homeless families and homeless services, including case management support for families living in transitional housing.
Manatawny Manor
30 Old Schuylkill Road
P.O. Box 799
Pottstown, PA 19464
610.705.3700
Manatawny Manor, a nursing and assisted living facility, sits on a beautiful campus just across the Schuylkill River from Pottstown in Chester County. The Manor offers long-term care options including skilled nursing care, personal care, adult day care, respite and hospice care. The nursing center and assisted living special care units are designed exclusively for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and other related dementia. A special feature of our campus is providing adult day services to 28 people from the community in a safe and stimulating environment. Manatawny Manor is a program of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries.
The Mary J. Drexel Home
238 Belmont Avenue
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610.664.5967
For over a century, this home has provided personal care and nursing care to older adults in a tranquil setting. The Home offers high-quality long-term care and associated support services. It effectively helps older persons live with dignity through meeting their physical, spiritual, and social needs.
Paul's Run Retirement Community
9896 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19115
215.934.3000
Paul's Run offers a variety of living arrangements for older adults in Northeast Philadelphia. It has over 200 independent living apartments and provides Assisted Living as well as nursing and rehabilitation services. Paul's Run is an affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services.
Silver Springs - Martin Luther School
512 West Township Line Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610.825.4440
Founded in 1859, Silver Springs - Martin Luther School provides a home, education and clinical services for children, many of whom have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumas, through residential treatment, special education and community-based services. Whenever possible, children's families are included in every aspect of care. The Residential Treatment Program serves children ranging in age from 6 to 14. In addition to specialized mental health services, children have the opportunity to participate in values development, a companion animal program, swimming instruction and extracurricular activities. A Pennsylvania Approved Private School, Luther School offers elementary special education in grades 1 thru 8 for up to 240 students from the community as well as the Residential Treatment Program. Community-Based Services assist children from infancy to age 18 (and older) through specialized foster family care, leading to permanency or adoption when that is in the best interest of the child. Case management, direct assistance, scholarships, housing and employment assistance also are offered to all children and families.
Upcoming Related Events
- 2009 Synod Assembly
Friday, May 08, 2009 - Saturday, May 09, 2009
Social Ministry Resources
- Social Ministry Tool Box for Lutherans
- Social Ministry Grant Applications (2008 cycle completed
Related News
Diakon supports local social ministries
As part of its annual program to promote congregation-based, community-focused social ministry efforts, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries has awarded grants to two local social ministries: The Welcome Center based at Holy Communion, Philadelphia and Feast of Justice Ministries based at St. John, Mayfair.
LAMPa director accepts ELCA post
The Rev. Neil Harrison, director for the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa), has accepted a Call to serve as the Director for Renewed Evangelizing Congregations at the churchwide office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Chicago effective December 1, 2008.
Young Artists Have Something to Say About Domestic Violence
Children don't have to be physically or verbally abused themselves to be hurt by domestic violence. That's why, with the help of the Alonya P. Saraka Children's Fund, LSH holds an annual awareness and prevention event for children and young adults called Listen Up: Young Artists Have Something to Say About Domestic Violence, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6 to 8 p.m., at ArtJaz Gallery, 53 N. Second St., Philadelphia.
Take Action to Fight Poverty Sept. 11
On Thursday, Sept. 11, 31 ELCA bishops including Bishop Claire Burkat are in Washington meeting with their members of Congress and discussing various issues, including domestic hunger and poverty. You can support their in-person efforts by calling your senators and representative on Sept. 11 and telling them about your concern for the poor and vulnerable among us!
40 churches aid Lutheran Charities bike ride
Many thanks to all who rode, volunteered and supported the 18th Annual Lutheran Charities Bike Ride on June 28, 2008. Bikers and volunteers from 40 Lutheran churches in the region took part in the annual event that benefits our social ministry agencies, sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Synod News
Help avert humanitarian disaster in Zimbabwe
The ELCA is sending $600,000 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe to help sustain the ministries of four hospitals in the midst of economic, political and social decline that has taken a disastrous toll on the country's food supply and medical institutions. The ELCA is also sending more than $300,000 to help secure food production. Learn more about how to help the ELCA International Disaster Relief.
Synod office construction project delayed
The construction of new offices for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America (ELCA) on the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) campus is temporarily on hold due to the recent economic downturn. In the meantime, the seminary and synod are negotiating rent-free office space in another campus building, the Wiedemann Center, until the project can be resumed. The move into this temporary space is projected for early January.