The Faith in Action Council provides invaluable connections with our many church and other faith-based partners by engaging congregations as advocates for the children and families we serve. The Council meets regularly to learn about projects their congregations can support and to stay updated about our work.

Faithful partners have long supported the work of the two organizations that merged to form Gemma Services – theVillage and Silver Springs-Martin Luther School. Congregations have supported theVillage since its founding in 1877 as Presbyterian Orphanage in Southwest Philadelphia, and similarly have worked to advance the mission of Silver Springs since its founding in 1859 as the Germantown Orphans Home.

The history of this Council originated with theVillage where, for several decades, the Church Relations Council (CRC) was comprised of volunteer representatives from many area churches who contributed their time, talents, and treasures to support the children and families served by theVillage. In 2015, when Presbyterian Children’s Village changed its name to theVillage, the CRC became known as the Faith in Action Council. In 2019, when theVillage and Silver Springs merged to become Gemma Services, the Faith in Action Council expanded to welcome volunteer representatives from churches and congregations of all faiths that had been supporting Silver Springs. The Faith in Action Council invites those of any faith to join us.