Congregational Partnerships
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Cor. 3:9 (NIV)
Choose an idea from the menu below or scroll down to see them all!
Community Events
Community Events
Build Relationships
Build Relationships
Host a Toy Drive
Host a Toy Drive
Church Partnerships
Church Partnerships
Meet Our Network
Learn About KenCrest
A KenCrest representative can come speak to your congregation or your council about our mission, with a focus personalized to where you are in your accessibility journey.
Try Something New
If you have an idea that is not listed here, please reach out by choosing "Church Relations Inquiry" on our contact page.
Meet Our Network
Learn About KenCrest
A KenCrest representative can come speak to your congregation or your council about our mission, with a focus personalized to where you are in your accessibility journey.
Try Something New
If you have an idea that is not listed here, please reach out by choosing "Church Relations Inquiry" on our contact page.
Host Community Events
KenCrest believes that all people can thrive in inclusive community settings with supports. Our organization provides these supports, and we hope your church will join us by offering inclusive community events!
Fellowship event ideas:
- Dances
- Bingo games
- Cooking classes
- Comedy nights
- Community meals
- A regular “Social Hour” at your church on a weekday. People who may not be comfortable attending a Bible Study can come to spend time in community.
Something to think about:
Some people find church events online and are not sure whether they are open to the community. Review your newsletters, social media, and other online postings to see if this applies to your events. Sometimes a simple wording change can make a big difference!
Build Relationships
KenCrest has many community homes around Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Individuals in these homes have a variety of interests and skills that make them fantastic friends!
The ideas below would require specific matchups between congregations and individuals at KenCrest. Please reach out using the Contact Page (choose Church Relations Inquiry) for more details.
Participation Ideas:
- Pastoral care or Home Eucharist ministry visits
- Social visits to chat about shared interests
- Bringing activities to a home, such as:
- board games, puzzles, or outdoor games to play together
- arts and crafts or coloring pages to be creative together
- musical instruments to play together or to lead a sing-a-long
- An activity in your community based on shared interests with an individual
through our Meaningful Day program- Bowling leagues
- Cooking classes
- Library visits
- Any community event you are both interested in!
Something to think about:
Many KenCrest residents would like to attend church, but need a supportive relationship with community member(s) to feel comfortable doing so. Building relationships in any of the above ways is its own reward for both parties. In some instances, it may also lead to you being able to invite your new friend to attend church with you!
Host a Toy Drive
Pastor Harvey Davis was a long-time supporter of KenCrest, connecting churches with the needs of families at KenCrest's Early Learning Centers. He started the Family Fund in 1999 to provide families in need with Christmas gifts. Pastor Harvey passed away in 2023 and we continue the Family Fund annually in honor of his legacy. See how many families in our community were helped in 2024 on the Family Fund Impact Report!
Participation Ideas:
- A congregational toy drive:
- Could be a fun Christmas in July event or a traditional toy drive in November and/or December.
- KenCrest will reach out to churches in October with more information.
- Toys are typically accepted the first two weeks of December.
- A congregational fundraising campaign:
- Could be a focused offering during a special service, like a 5th Sunday, or a special collection outside of worship time
- Another option is a traditional fundraiser with proceeds given to the Family Fund (bake sale, yard sale, car wash, etc.)
- Promote the Family Fund:
- Can't make a toy drive or fundraiser happen this year? You can still help by advertising the Family Fund within your congregation!
- Smaller groups (like a family unit or a Sunday School class) can donate directly OR "adopt" a family to purchase a specific set of gifts
- More details will be available on the Rev. Harvey Davis Family Fund page in the fall.
Get your congregation excited:
A KenCrest representative would love to come speak to your congregation about the Family Fund! Send us a message on our Contact Page by checking the option "Church Relations Inquiry".
Partner with KenCrest
If you are interested in one of the opportunities in this first list below, please reach out using the "Church Relations Inquiry" option on our Contact Page.
- Create goodie bags or thank you notes to be given to DSPs during Direct Service Professionals Week (Sept 7-13, 2025)
- Write holiday cards to residents or Direct Service Professionals.
- Allow KenCrest teams and support groups to host their team meetings and trainings at your church
- Host a letter writing event to send letters to congressional representatives about Medicaid cuts
The opportunities below have specific contacts. Please reach out to the person listed.
- Sponsor an event
- KenCrest hosts events throughout the year for those we serve, our staff, and the public in the southeastern Pennsylvania area. Sponsorships amplify your church's voice within the community as you support KenCrest's mission and work.
- To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch with Russell Stewart, Director of Community Philanthropy at Russell.Stewart@kencrest.org or 610-715-4260.
- Become a KenCrest employer provider
- With KenCrest job coaches and staff support, people with an intellectual or developmental disability can successfully fulfill a company’s staffing needs through employment, apprenticeships/internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job assessments.
- To learn more, please get in touch with Jessica Birkmire, Director of Employment Services, at jessica.birkmire@KenCrest.org or 215-429-6639.
- Volunteer for a home/facility improvement project
- We have meaningful projects waiting for a group just like yours at many of our sites. This is a great opportunity for a day like the ELCA's "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday in September or Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. Your youth group or another group could set up a volunteer day any time of the year.
- To learn more, please get in touch with Ellen Mansfield, Chief Development Officer, at 610-825-9360 or ellen.mansfield@kencrest.org.
Presentation Opportunities
Presentation Opportunities
Who is the audience for these presentations?
This is up to your church and depends on why you have invited Kencrest to share a presentation.
Some common audiences:
- whole congregation
- church council
- outreach team
- property committee
- faith formation group(s)
- an accessibility task force
Who is the audience for these presentations?
This is up to your church and depends on why you have invited Kencrest to share a presentation.
Some common audiences:
- whole congregation
- temple talk
- mission moment
- sermon
- church council
- outreach team
- property committee
- faith formation group(s)
- an accessibility task force
Why is KenCrest presenting to your church group?
We can focus on one of these themes based on your congregation's mission:
- Awareness - we are called to live in community and love our neighbor
- KenCrest's Lutheran history and connections
- Community engagement programs, like Meaningful Day
- Residential programs, like Lifesharing and Community Living Homes
- Programs for children, like Early Intervention and Early Learning Centers
- Improving Church Accessibility - we are called to treat all of God's children with dignity
- Cultural mindset shifts and inexpensive, high-impact changes
- The importance of accessibility in churches
- Encouragement toward increased accessibility
- Partnering with KenCrest - we are called to be God's hands and feet in the world
- The spiritual impact of building community
- KenCrest's needs in your local area
- Family Fund participation
- Advocacy support
We value the support of all the churches we work with in Southeastern PA. Each church's website is linked on the list below.
Christ Lutheran Church, Harleysville
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Gloria Dei Church (Shining Star Committee), Huntingdon Valley
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Southampton
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Narberth
New Hanover Lutheran Church, Gilbertsville
Peace Tohickon Lutheran Church, Perkasie
Reformation Lutheran Church, Media
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Horsham
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ardmore
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Doylestown
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Exton
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Glenside
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Red Hill
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Wales
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Feasterville Trevose
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Washington
Trinity Lutheran Church, Havertown
The Power of Prayer
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Prayer is an important source of support for KenCrest's mission. You can lift up the needs of those we serve and the direct service providers who support them by praying for both spiritual and physical strength as well as hope for these communities. You can also pray for wisdom and discernment for policy makers working with legislation impacting people with disabilities, children, and working families.
We appreciate any prayers you and your congregation lift up on our behalf.