2 0 1 9 P A R I S H P R O F I L E Christ Church R I D L E Y P A R K, P A
Information: Christ Church Ridley Park 104 Nevin Street Ridley Park, PA 19078 http://christchurchridleypark.org/ Chair of the Discernment Committee: Dresden Shumaker christchurchridley.search@gmail.com The Discernment Committee: Mike Barnard, Nicole Bowden, Jim Cooper, Sharon Cotter, Jeanne Fletcher, Liz Iannacci, Eleanor Kellett, Nancy Kenyon, Amy Lovenguth, Michelle Mason, Juliet Nwachukwu, Jill O'Neill Mission Statement: The mission of Christ Church is to be a caring community of individuals seeking to be better persons and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ within the Episcopal Tradition. We share the Gospel: 1. Through meaningful and joyful worship 2. Through educating and nurturing the youth of our congregations 3. Through a family spirit of loving fellowship and acceptance 4. Through welcoming support groups and community Christ Church, Ridley Park: annual pumpkin patch
Who We Are: Strengths: Christ Church Ridley Park is a historic church in the Ridley Park Borough situated just outside the Philadelphia city limits. Our strengths include our substantial traditions of hospitality and fellowship, robust outreach programs, solid musical program, a thriving youth program, and traditional liturgy. Our church community enjoys fellowship, socializing together, and supporting each other pastorally. We have a generous endowment responsibly managed that affords us the opportunity to keep our foundation strong. We love opening our doors to welcome others. Challenges: Worship and church school attendance has decreased over the last several years due to our aging congregation. Encouraging younger families to participate in church activities, volunteer for our outreach services, and become involved in our church events has been challenging. Our goal is to cultivate a church home with a broader array of members, and continue our purpose and traditions to serve our community. Comments: We are looking for a rector with captivating and inspiring sermons; someone who is engaging, communicative, and is business savvy. We desire a rector to shepherd our flock as well as open our hearts and minds to our everchanging society. Is this you?
Preparing for the future Christ Church has been blessed throughout history with families whose loyalties span generations. A generous, enthusiastic, and supportive congregation never fails to extend a warm welcome to newcomers. We recognize that the future of our Church lies in meeting the needs of families and individuals seeking a supportive community while juggling increasingly complex demands in their lives. We welcome those of any age who want to contribute their gifts to the well-being of others. How that plays out in practice in a world where disruptive technology and established tradition seem to frequently be at odds is unknown, but this Church community is enthusiastic about moving towards that future. Our stability as a parish offers plenty of opportunity to explore what the Church of the future might need to offer to those in search of a welcoming community. members of Christ Church, Ridley Park
Numbers about People: from the Annual Report Adult data from 2010-2015 not shown as data was not available
Numbers about Financials: from the Annual Report Investments and Trust Fund Income Investments and Trust Fund Income
About Ridley Park, PA: Ridley Park is a somewhat small borough located in the state of Pennsylvania. With a population of 7,023 people and three constituent neighborhoods, Ridley Park is the 193rd largest community in Pennsylvania. Ridley Park real estate is some of the most expensive in Pennsylvania, although Ridley Park house values don't compare to the most expensive real estate in the U.S. Ridley Park is neither predominantly blue-collar nor white-collar, instead having a mixed workforce of both blue-collar and white-collar jobs. Overall, Ridley Park is a borough of professionals, sales and office workers, and service providers. There are especially a lot of people living in Ridley Park who work in office and administrative support (16.93%), sales jobs (10.25%), and management occupations (8.99%). Source: http://ridleyparkborough.org/mayors-message/
Ridley Park Activities: Ridley Park boasts a full roster of community wide groups, events and activities throughout the year. Ridley Park Athletic Club A fixture sine 1961, RPAC provides year round activities for over 500 youth supported by over 100 volunteers including girls softball, football, baseball, and cheerleading. A highlight of every spring is the parade for the Opening Day of Softball/Baseball Season. Borough Fireworks Every Fourth of July a professional fireworks display is ablaze over the lake in Ridley Park. This caps off a patriotic day that begins with a bicycle parade and field games for the children. Fall Festival Every October throngs of residents and visitors converge on the downtown to enjoy their neighbors, the local shops and a classic car show. Farmers Market From June through September every year a weekly farmer's market brings in prepared food and produce from purveyors from all over the area. The Main Streets Organization - supports the local businesses and supports many of the events throughout the year. Recreation Board Sponsors the Town Fair at the lake every September, the Borough-wide yard sale and the Summer Playground program. Santa Claus Comes to Town - an event well known and beloved throughout the region. Santa arrives on the train at the Ridley Park train station, rides the fire truck throughout the town and visits with all the children. Barnstormers Theater A wonderful community theater that puts on five to six professional performances during the year. It is the longest continuously running play house in Pennsylvania. Memorial Day every year the community honors combat veterans with a ceremony in Veteran's Memorial Park. Public Library A large membership supports over a hundred adult and children's programs throughout the year. As part of the Delaware County Library System, membership in the RPL entitles one to use the facilities and collections of the libraries in all the towns around Delaware County. Ridley Park Young at Heart Social organization for seniors that provides events throughout the year including a monthly luncheon, bingo, chartered bus trips, and a Christmas party.
Our Worshiping Community Christ Church gatherings happen because we enjoy each other's fellowship. Through our liturgy, fellowship, uplifting music ministry, and the inspiring beauty of our church we are well nurtured. Opportunities for intergenerational fellowship are an important aspect of our Church life. There are annual Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers, youth breakfasts, and Epiphany luncheons and auctions. Through service and worship we care for ourselves and others. members of Christ Church, Ridley Park
Christ Church History Christ Church was formed to serve the newly developing community of Ridley Park in the Philadelphia suburbs. Completed in 1880, Christ Church went on to support the development of surrounding congregations. In 1873 Bishop Stevens appointed a board of trustees to act in place of a vestry. Two of its original members were H.F. Kenny, General Superintendent of the P.W.& B.RR, and John Smith, the railroad s resident agent. One might imagine these two men were influential in the church s first services being held in the railroad station. In winter, however, the services were moved to a vacant store on Hinkley Avenue. On June 16th, 1878, at 4 o clock in the afternoon, the Ridley Park train station officially became the church s meeting place, so ordered by Bishop Stevens. If a Sunday happened to be extremely hot, the station windows would be fully opened to allow fresh country breezes to waft through the building, that is, of course, until the whistle of the 4:15 Local was heard signaling its departure from the Prospect Park Station. At this time the church ushers would perform one of their mightiest miracles, closing all the windows before the steam engine and passenger cars came rolling to a stop beneath them. Even with all the windows and doors closed, the acrid, sulfur-smelling smoke would seep into any accessible cracks. The building would be later enlarged, once in 1902 and again in 1946. Additional structures would include a Victorian rectory and carriage shed in 1886. The shed, however, was converted to garages in 1920. A parish house was added in 1958 and the Memorial Garden in 1973. The sanctuary was renovated in 1989, at which time a free-standing altar was installed. Christ Church from Sellers Avenue, circa 1940
Christ Church Memorial Garden The Christ Church Memorial Garden was constructed and dedicated in 2011, May flowers in the garden
Christ Church volunteers parishioners gather in Musselman Hall blessing of the pets Stewardship There is a long-term commitment in ensuring that the parish facilities and property are maintained appropriately, that clergy are compensated fairly, and that the advantages and goods with which this parish has been provided are shared out to those in need. family photos at Easter
newly restored stained glass windows Christ Church, Ridley Park