Local Ministry Opportunities

At Advent, we are exploring many ways that we might, together or as individuals, learn to love as God loves.

  • FREE TAKEOUT MEALS, provided on the 3rd Saturday of each month.  Pick-up time is 4 to 5:30. Future Dates are: Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18. Dec. 16.

To enter: Go to Rorer Rd at the Hatboro Federal Savings Bank. One block from Byberry Rd off of York.  Also, Volunteers are needed beginning at 2:30. 

For information contact: [email protected].

Hatboro Community Cupboard (formerly the Food Pantry at St. John’s)

The Church of the Advent supports the work of our local food-bank through donation of goods, money and time. 

Monetary donations are accepted if you are unable to shop.  The community cupboard’s weekly list of needs will continue to be published as that need persists. If you have questions, please see any outreach committee members, Jeanne Bernosky, Dennis Cunningham, Janet Gilman and Deb Stoddart.

As of September 15, 2023: the cupboard needs: Shampoo, Bar Soap, Chunky Soup, Mac & Cheese, Canned Peaches, Canned fruit cocktail, Stewed Tomatoes, Pancake Mix, Pancake Syrup.

Hatboro  Community Cupboard supports Bucks and Montgomery County residents only and is limited to one visit per week per family.

The Hatboro Community Cupboard is asking for volunteers and food donations. See next paragraph for details.

Volunteers are needed on Monday evening and Thursday evening shifts as well as Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays morning/early afternoon shifts. Activities include accepting, organizing, and storing donations, interacting with in-person client “shoppers,” breaking down cardboard boxes for recycling, etc. Moderately heavy lifting and walking is involved.
If you have any questions, please email Alan at [email protected].a

The hours of operation are as follows:
Tuesday : 10:30 AM to 12:50 PM
Wednesday: 10:30AM to 12:50 PM
Thursday: 10:30AM to 12:50 PM and Thursday eve: 6:00PM to 7:50 PM

The Hatboro Community Cupboard is located at 505 North York Road, Hatboro and the entrance is located behind the Church building.   To contact the Community Cupboard  directly, call 215-675-2031.

The Community Cupboard follows the Hatboro-Horsham School District Winter Weather Emergency Closing Policies.

  • Welcoming the Stranger 

Welcoming the Stranger, a Bucks and Montgomery County program to teach English language skills and computer class to immigrants will return to the Church of the Advent in the fall of 2023. On Wednesdays, one-on-one instruction to learn computer skills was offered.  The Thursday group was learning English language skills.  These classes are currently being offered virtually.

Visit Welcoming the Stranger’s website for a list of current classes or to register for a class online. 

  • H.A.T. Packs

H.A.T. Packs is a community-based non-profit organization serving the Hatboro-Horsham School district.  In its infancy, the Church of the Advent gave its founding members several rooms in their basement.  The program’s growth has taken it to Pennypack Community Center on Spring Avenue where the program provides packs of food to children who qualify for free and reduced lunches, but who may not have sufficient food on the week-ends.  Volunteers gather each week to assemble bags of items that have been donated by businesses, churches and other local organizations.  Currently H.A.T. Packs serves nearly 350 children.

  • Caring for Friends (formerly Aid for Friends)

Church of the Advent supports an organization serving the homebound and medically disadvantaged in Philadelphia and the five-county surrounding region.  Each month our parishioners package leftovers from the Take-Out Meal Ministry for the benefit of Caring for Friends. Prior to that, our congregants participated in a group Cook-In where parishioners contribute entrees, sides, and desserts for approximately 150 meals.  Parishioners also contribute meals and soups to the freezer in our basement.

  • Collections for those in Need

Whether it is school supplies needed by students at area schools, layette items for a new mother’s ministry, blue jeans for the Philadelphia homeless, or collecting for refugees from Afghanistan, our parishioners give what they can and our volunteers who collect the supplies can always use a helping hand in organizing and delivering the items.