A coalition of Gloucester churches, also known as the “Jubilee Churches of Gloucester,” gathered last week to formalize a partnership to respond to needs in the community. The new group will support local nonprofits in its work to support vulnerable residents of Gloucester County.

Through a small working group led by the Rev. Scott Parnell, rector of Ware Episcopal Church, the jubilee has expanded to include nine local congregations with the expressed goal of increasing collaboration between local nonprofits and churches and to encourage collaboration across these agencies. The involved churches include Abingdon Episcopal, Apostles Lutheran, Bellamy United Methodist, Church of St. Therese, Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Newington Baptist, Salem, Susanna Wesley United Methodist, and Ware.

The idea for a coalition of churches was conceived in late fall 2021 in response to a Gloucester Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) breakfast convened by Emergency Management Coordinator Jan...