Our Community Cup, a “pay what you can” coffeehouse, is an initiative of New Avenue Foundation and Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church. We are located at 2 E. Sylvan Avenue, Rutledge PA 19070 (610-246-8939). We recently were awarded our 2nd year grant from the Presbytery of Philadelphia to help continue and grow our mission. They see that what we are doing is meeting a need and helping people feel valued. And an article was written about us in their Covenant Connections.
We started this coffeehouse primarily as an activity for people with disabilities, all disabilities, to attend. However, it is open to everyone. We want to help everyone respect each other’s differences. By bringing us all together, we will build a better community. We have had many singer/songwriters and bands who have expressed interest in performing at Our Community Cup coffeehouse. The church basement provides a relatively small venue, seating a maximum of 50 people. Check out our FAQs page to find out more.
The coffeehouse includes activities and free time with an emphasis on promoting an environment that will encourage social interaction, cooperation, and fun. In a true coffeehouse spirit, there will, of course, be live music. As the performers start to sign up for certain dates, their biographies will appear on the Performers page.
We provide a social venue for you to share and enjoy the company of others while doing things that you like. Maybe play a game, chess, checkers or Magic or other card game. Please bring your favorite game to share. Feel free to sing along or just listen to the music.
We do not charge a fee but rather provide this experience in the gift economy. Please come and participate and share a gift with us according to your ability as a symbol of gratitude. The relationship we have with you is based on trust, which we need more of in our world. You trust us to provide a worthwhile experience and we trust that you will support us. We set a suggested amount for each event but then allow you to give whatever amount you feel that you can afford. You will determine what value our coffeehouse can provide to you.
So that everyone can get the most out of their experience at the coffeehouse, there will only be one rule that everyone must follow and that is the Golden Rule:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Our opening night was a success with well over 50 in attendance. We were busting at the seams!
We will be open every Friday night. Hope to see you soon!
Upcoming Events
How to find us
If you can get to the Route 109 bus or the regional rail R3 line, we are withing a half mile of the R3 Morton station. Here are some links.
Public Transportation
Bus Schedules
Regional Rail
Here is our fall lineup.
A “moment” – what is a moment? So many of us are looking for something; a job, a friend, happiness. But what do they all have in common – they all start with a “moment”. Without that moment or opportunity, a dream or wish will never happen. While at Grace Otley’s fundraiser one Saturday, I wondered why the musicians came to sing only one song. Then, I realized it was a “moment”, their moment. It was something that may never come again.
So, I’ve been thinking what can I do to provide a “moment”. In the past year at our coffeehouse, we were blessed with our helper Rebekah being a talented musician and always opening up for the main performer. We don’t have this any more since she moved on to her career. How about if I open up this spot to anyone who would like to come to our coffeehouse on a Friday night around 7:00pm. This will sort of be an open mic, and you will have 15-20 minutes to play.
If you like this idea, please email or message me that you would like to have “this moment”.
Our coffeehouse is partially funded by a grant from The Presbytery of Philadelphia. Our 2nd year grant is helping us continue. This past year they did a story about their outreach and we are proud to be part of it.
Being able to spend my time at the coffeehouse this past year has been such an amazing experience for me. What you have created is truly special. It means so much to so many different people. This experience has helped me grow as a person. I am so grateful to have had it. Thank you so much for all that you do! I’ll miss everyone!
Rebekah Worley
We’ve had a great year and a half. It’s well exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to our 2-year anniversary on Saturday, February 11, 2017. It is called Share the Love Fest. We had over 100 people in attendance last year and look forward to an even grander event this time.
Check out this article in the Delco Times about our 2016 event.
Check out this recent article in The Swarthmorean.
We are looking for partners and supporters for this venture. And we are always looking for musicians.
You know the world can see us, In a way that’s different than who we are — “Breaking Free” was written by Eigner, Christian / Knechtova, Katarina / Smith, James Sutherland. Jamie Houston was the composer.
