IN OUR CHURCH
ANNUAL COAT DRIVE
Each fall, we collect gently used coats and outerwear for men, women and children. They are distributed to folks who need them at the Green in Morristown during November.
LOCAL FOOD PANTRY
We collect and deliver non-perishable food and personal care items to the Boonton Food Pantry at First Reformed Church. Food donations are welcome anytime, but we especially encourage people to remember to donate items on the first Sunday each month as we celebrate Communion. Leave donations by the Outreach basket in the Church Kitchen. Help us feed those in need!
HOLIDAY DINNER OF SHARING
We host 100+ guests from the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris for a wonderful holiday meal every December. It is a terrific intergenerational, fun, and festive event. You can sign up to prepare a tray of food, to be a table host, and/or to serve on the night of the dinner.
GIVING TREE
During Advent, all are invited to take tags from the Giving Tree to purchase & wrap one or more of the gifts suggested on the tag. In this way, we provide Christmas gifts to local families and children in need. This past year our Giving Tree supported families from the Neighborhood House.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
As a United Church of Christ congregation, we support the work of the wider church through our congregation's pledge to Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) and our individual gifts to Special Mission Offerings including One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need, and The Christmas Fund. Read more about these Special Ministry Offerings and who they support here.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
We help provide individualized tutoring, mentoring, and homework assistance to children from low income households. This is a great opportunity to help children to achieve personal growth and increased self-esteem by helping to build their distinctive abilities as individuals. Anyone 14 & over is welcome to participate after school.
SATURDAY LUNCH SOCIAL
Every other month we prepare and serve lunch at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boonton to those who live with food insecurity. Donations of food or money and volunteers to cook or serve are always welcome! Call our Church Office (973-334-6500 or look at our weekly email) for the next date we serve.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
We bring a team to Habitat for Humanity building sites in Morris County several times a year. We are always looking for new volunteers age 16 and over. No experience is necessary – a willingness to work hard is all that’s needed! Call the Church Office (973-334-6500 or look at our weekly email) for our next “build” date.
HOMELESS SOLUTIONS
Our church has cooked and served bi-monthly dinners at the Homeless Solutions shelter in Morristown for about 18 years. Several families help out in this Outreach effort and are eager to train new volunteers.
FAIR TRADE
We are now serving fair trade coffee! We have made the switch to support living wages and sustainable agriculture for coffee farmers. Join us for fellowship time and try it for yourself!
In December, start your shopping at our Fair Trade Christmas Bazaar to make purchases that support living wages for artisans from around the world. You’ll find unique items including baskets, chocolates, soaps, jewelry, ornaments, scarves, Christmas items, and pottery, just to name a few.
JUSTICE ISSUES
Occasionally we host an event to learn about a particular issue and how we can respond to or understand it better. For instance, we sponsored a Human Trafficking 101 program led by an advocate from our church, who gave an informative and thought-provoking presentation on this often hidden but pervasive crime. Is there an issue you are curious about or have a passion for? We would love to hear your ideas and work together to learn more!
CHURCH WORLD SERVICES
Our congregation partners with Church World Service to support disaster relief efforts. We periodically collect supplies for clean-up buckets to help those affected by devastating hurricanes or other natural disasters.
NORTH PORCH
Each spring, we collect formula, diapers, and wipes for North Porch, a group that serves women, infants and young children. These items are particularly in need and difficult to afford on a limited budget.
HOLY JOE'S CAFE
This coffee house ministry offers an informal, welcoming place for soldiers to receive spiritual care and a good cup of coffee. Donations provide supplies for military chaplains around the globe.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES
Each year, we participate in Earth Day clean-ups in the local area as part of our mission to care for creation. We have also done things like collect funds for the Keep Hope Alive! Olive Tree Replanting Campaign that seeks to restore orchards for Palestinian farmers.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We support many groups with specific needs, requests, or financial donations including: Heifer Project International, Church World Service, St. Peter’s Orphanage, Franciscan Works, Roots and Wings, Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris, New Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Deirdre’s House, Neighborhood House, and Homeless Solutions.
