FAQs
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How do I sign up?
Complete an initial registration form right here. Our sessions are booked first come, first served, so get your spot early!
What is the Episcopal Mission Center?
The Episcopal Mission Center (EMC) is a social justice and retreat program located in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown. We seek to instill missional living through authentic experience of urban ministry. We actively live out the 5 Marks of Mission of the Episcopal Church while valuing an ecumenical partnership with various peoples of backgrounds and faiths.
What can I expect my experience to be like?
We seek to instill missional living in all who come to the EMC. This is more than a week of work! Coming to the EMC is an opportunity to build community in your youth group by building up the community around you. Your mission experience will widen your understanding of service, and enrich you with new a outlook of who you’re serving, and discover God in the many face you’ll interact with. Mission can brings out a side of people that you don’t usually get to see in both your youth groups and the people you are serving. It cultivates a new perspective of the world by allowing people to look at it through the lens of Christ. Through daily prayer, reflection, and discussion, we challenge youth to embark on an epic journey us and live out the 5 Marks of Mission as reality and not a dream.
Why Philadelphia?
In 2015, Philadelphia was named the poorest of the 10 major cities in America. According to the US Census Bureau, 26.2% of Philadelphia residents are living below the Federal Poverty Line; that’s a little over 1 in 4 people. Many are at risk of joining or are already part of the ever growing homeless population here. The high poverty rates means high hunger rates. About 1 in 5 people are considered at risk for hunger or “food insecurity” and resources are limited. Currently, there are over 464,000 residents relying on food stamps (SNAP) and food pantries, but it’s not enough. On any given night almost 200,000 children go to bed hungry. The education for these children is also in critical condition. Recent funding cuts have lead to the closure of 24 schools and the loss of over 4,000 jobs. Schools are now short staffed and underfunded, and the children of the city are suffering.
Philadelphia embodies some of the greatest struggles our neighbors in the United States are facing. This context allows youth from all backgrounds and experiences to grapple with how to love and serve our neighbors. And the high-levels of social justice issues in Philadelphia will help them identify the same issues in their own community. Our city is one that needs the openness and interest of those from other places and also has much to teach others about the work God is calling us to do to establish God's kingdom of love, equality, and justice here on earth. The Episcopal Mission Center strives to help groups develop long-term solutions they can use in their own community and missionary work.
Philadelphia is also a city with an amazing history and culture. Groups who come to Philadelphia will receive the gifts of our city's history of the past and communities of the present. It is a place with much to teach and much offer. Join us in this beloved community!
Who do we work with?
Groups will get an opportunity to work with their peers and forge the kind of unbreakable bonds that can only be made through the spiritual journey of service. While here, groups will work alongside our EMC team who will guide them in service projects and camp activities, as well as offer a new perspective into what it means to dedicate yourself to serving God and these communities. Groups will also work with our EMC Service Site Partners, service organizations throughout the city committed to social justice in diverse and in-depth ways. Learn more about EMC Service Site Partners here!
What type of projects will we complete?
Youth groups can expect to experience a variety of fulfilling service opportunities during their weeklong stay at the Episcopal Mission Center. Each day there will be a chance to work alongside community members at one of our many day camps across the Philadelphia area; help with community cleanups, gardening, and other environmental projects to breathe new life into the neighborhoods we serve; assist community members with home repairs and other chores that they are unable to do; and participate in various outreaches such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and learning centers.
The EMC is committed to not "creating" projects but working with our Service Site Partners to identify already-existing needs and activities. We understand our role as journeying alongside the work they're already doing and supporting that work in ways that grows our partners' own organizational mission. This is a part of our commitment to authentic urban ministry experiences.
What if I’ve never done this kind of work before?
The learning is part of the fun! We promise that you will never be asked to do anything outside your range of capabilities, and you will never be alone on a project either. It is our goal at the EMC to teach groups how to work in harmony and find the joy that we find in serving God. Our experienced team will be with groups every step of the way to guide them and hopefully teach them some new skills along the way!
Who can attend?
Our summer program is specially designed for youth groups with students in grades 7th through 12th. Due to the nature of the work at many of our partner sites, we are not able to accommodate anyone under 12 for summer programming.
The EMC welcomes people at any age for year-round programming!
For our Alternative Break and Summer retreat sessions, we ask groups for a minimum of 7 persons. For our Weekend retreats, we ask for a minimum of 3 persons.
The Episcopal Mission Center complies with the Safe Church Policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. We require that for every 5 participants under the age of 18, your group provide 1 adult leader. Adult leaders must be at least 21 years of age. Likewise we require that your group provide at minimum 1 adult leader of each gender present for the duration of your stay.
What if I am not a member of the Episcopal Church?
The EMC welcomes people of all faiths! As long as you are passionate about helping people in the community and open to expanding your worldview through service, you are welcome here.
Is the area safe?
While the area of Germantown that the EMC is located in is considered safe, like any city, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings. Rest assured that we take every precaution to keep your youth safe during your time here. The Episcopal Mission Center is locked and alarmed and the public does not have access to the buildings that your youth will be staying in.
What are the accommodations?
The EMC sleeps 60 people with two bunkrooms each containing 30 beds. We have 5 gender-neutral, individual shower rooms. We have two large communal areas as well as a large dining area. There is also parking on-site.
The EMC also provides meal services. In the summer, meals are set for all groups. We provide summer groups with buffet-style breakfast, bagged lunch, and a homemade dinner. For groups throughout the year, you can select meal services on an a la carte basis. All meals are made fresh at the EMC each day with love!
What should we bring?
We recommend that participants bring personal items like a sleeping bag, toiletries, sunscreen, a water bottle, and appropriate clothes to work in. The EMC can also rent linens to participants for $12. A full packing list can be found here.
How much does it cost?
We will work to build a program that is affordable for your group. Trip costs depends on length of stay, meals, and programming.
The Episcopal Mission Center can also customize your groups next event, and is a great venue for Lock-ins, Happenings, Confirmation Retreats and more. Contact us at 215-844-8544
How do I sign up?
Complete an initial registration form right here. Our sessions are booked first come, first served, so get your spot early!
Complete an initial registration form right here. Our sessions are booked first come, first served, so get your spot early!
What is the Episcopal Mission Center?
The Episcopal Mission Center (EMC) is a social justice and retreat program located in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown. We seek to instill missional living through authentic experience of urban ministry. We actively live out the 5 Marks of Mission of the Episcopal Church while valuing an ecumenical partnership with various peoples of backgrounds and faiths.
What can I expect my experience to be like?
We seek to instill missional living in all who come to the EMC. This is more than a week of work! Coming to the EMC is an opportunity to build community in your youth group by building up the community around you. Your mission experience will widen your understanding of service, and enrich you with new a outlook of who you’re serving, and discover God in the many face you’ll interact with. Mission can brings out a side of people that you don’t usually get to see in both your youth groups and the people you are serving. It cultivates a new perspective of the world by allowing people to look at it through the lens of Christ. Through daily prayer, reflection, and discussion, we challenge youth to embark on an epic journey us and live out the 5 Marks of Mission as reality and not a dream.
Why Philadelphia?
In 2015, Philadelphia was named the poorest of the 10 major cities in America. According to the US Census Bureau, 26.2% of Philadelphia residents are living below the Federal Poverty Line; that’s a little over 1 in 4 people. Many are at risk of joining or are already part of the ever growing homeless population here. The high poverty rates means high hunger rates. About 1 in 5 people are considered at risk for hunger or “food insecurity” and resources are limited. Currently, there are over 464,000 residents relying on food stamps (SNAP) and food pantries, but it’s not enough. On any given night almost 200,000 children go to bed hungry. The education for these children is also in critical condition. Recent funding cuts have lead to the closure of 24 schools and the loss of over 4,000 jobs. Schools are now short staffed and underfunded, and the children of the city are suffering.
Philadelphia embodies some of the greatest struggles our neighbors in the United States are facing. This context allows youth from all backgrounds and experiences to grapple with how to love and serve our neighbors. And the high-levels of social justice issues in Philadelphia will help them identify the same issues in their own community. Our city is one that needs the openness and interest of those from other places and also has much to teach others about the work God is calling us to do to establish God's kingdom of love, equality, and justice here on earth. The Episcopal Mission Center strives to help groups develop long-term solutions they can use in their own community and missionary work.
Philadelphia is also a city with an amazing history and culture. Groups who come to Philadelphia will receive the gifts of our city's history of the past and communities of the present. It is a place with much to teach and much offer. Join us in this beloved community!
Who do we work with?
Groups will get an opportunity to work with their peers and forge the kind of unbreakable bonds that can only be made through the spiritual journey of service. While here, groups will work alongside our EMC team who will guide them in service projects and camp activities, as well as offer a new perspective into what it means to dedicate yourself to serving God and these communities. Groups will also work with our EMC Service Site Partners, service organizations throughout the city committed to social justice in diverse and in-depth ways. Learn more about EMC Service Site Partners here!
What type of projects will we complete?
Youth groups can expect to experience a variety of fulfilling service opportunities during their weeklong stay at the Episcopal Mission Center. Each day there will be a chance to work alongside community members at one of our many day camps across the Philadelphia area; help with community cleanups, gardening, and other environmental projects to breathe new life into the neighborhoods we serve; assist community members with home repairs and other chores that they are unable to do; and participate in various outreaches such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and learning centers.
The EMC is committed to not "creating" projects but working with our Service Site Partners to identify already-existing needs and activities. We understand our role as journeying alongside the work they're already doing and supporting that work in ways that grows our partners' own organizational mission. This is a part of our commitment to authentic urban ministry experiences.
What if I’ve never done this kind of work before?
The learning is part of the fun! We promise that you will never be asked to do anything outside your range of capabilities, and you will never be alone on a project either. It is our goal at the EMC to teach groups how to work in harmony and find the joy that we find in serving God. Our experienced team will be with groups every step of the way to guide them and hopefully teach them some new skills along the way!
Who can attend?
Our summer program is specially designed for youth groups with students in grades 7th through 12th. Due to the nature of the work at many of our partner sites, we are not able to accommodate anyone under 12 for summer programming.
The EMC welcomes people at any age for year-round programming!
For our Alternative Break and Summer retreat sessions, we ask groups for a minimum of 7 persons. For our Weekend retreats, we ask for a minimum of 3 persons.
The Episcopal Mission Center complies with the Safe Church Policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. We require that for every 5 participants under the age of 18, your group provide 1 adult leader. Adult leaders must be at least 21 years of age. Likewise we require that your group provide at minimum 1 adult leader of each gender present for the duration of your stay.
What if I am not a member of the Episcopal Church?
The EMC welcomes people of all faiths! As long as you are passionate about helping people in the community and open to expanding your worldview through service, you are welcome here.
Is the area safe?
While the area of Germantown that the EMC is located in is considered safe, like any city, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings. Rest assured that we take every precaution to keep your youth safe during your time here. The Episcopal Mission Center is locked and alarmed and the public does not have access to the buildings that your youth will be staying in.
What are the accommodations?
The EMC sleeps 60 people with two bunkrooms each containing 30 beds. We have 5 gender-neutral, individual shower rooms. We have two large communal areas as well as a large dining area. There is also parking on-site.
The EMC also provides meal services. In the summer, meals are set for all groups. We provide summer groups with buffet-style breakfast, bagged lunch, and a homemade dinner. For groups throughout the year, you can select meal services on an a la carte basis. All meals are made fresh at the EMC each day with love!
What should we bring?
We recommend that participants bring personal items like a sleeping bag, toiletries, sunscreen, a water bottle, and appropriate clothes to work in. The EMC can also rent linens to participants for $12. A full packing list can be found here.
How much does it cost?
We will work to build a program that is affordable for your group. Trip costs depends on length of stay, meals, and programming.
The Episcopal Mission Center can also customize your groups next event, and is a great venue for Lock-ins, Happenings, Confirmation Retreats and more. Contact us at 215-844-8544
How do I sign up?
Complete an initial registration form right here. Our sessions are booked first come, first served, so get your spot early!
