Serving
Scripture says that “Faith without works is dead…” It’s a valuable reflection on the need we have to be of service to those beyond our own walls. St. George’s supports each person in their volunteer work to make a better society in whatever form that takes. There are so many good causes and we hope that our community and prayerful worship strengthens and inspires each in their respective ministries. We also share some outreach efforts as a faith community focusing on issues of hunger, families in crisis and need, and most recently with undocumented immigrants and seekers of political asylum. We all have unique gifts that call us to different forms of ministry. Our hope at St. George’s is to inspire in each person the desire to heed that call and seek God not only in the quiet of prayer, but helping serve the needs of others.
No matter what tradition you follow, wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at St. George’s and we hope you will find inspiration to share your gifts with us.
Outreach Ministries
Outreach
The Outreach Committee provides grants and other opportunities for those in need. In 2018, 4.5% of projected operating income was devoted to Outreach activities totaling $19,895 distributed. In 2019, 5% was devoted to Outreach totaling $21,700 distributed. In 2021, 4.5% was devoted to Outreach totaling $18,525 distributed. In 2022, 5% was devoted to Outreach, with $1,000 going to the Social Justice and Advocacy Ministry, totaling $20,171 distributed.
MISSION STATEMENT
St. George’s parishioners are engaged with the world and find many ways in their daily lives to reach out to those in need. The Outreach Committee is made up of parishioners who look for ways for the parish as a whole to work on issues and projects that reflect our parish’s commitment to help others in our communities and the world beyond.
To accomplish these goals, the Outreach Committee:
- Identifies volunteer opportunities and provides financial grants to local organizations, especially those serving families affected by poverty and people confronting crisis in need;
- Learns about, discusses, and participates in events related to local and global issues of suffering, poverty and social justice; and
- Provides relevant information on these issues to the congregation.
In selecting organizations to support, the Outreach Committee gives preference to organizations which serve populations in our area, where our contribution makes a material difference to the operation of the organization and to the people it serves, and where parishioners are actively involved in the organizations. The following are recent grant recipients.
Hunger
Holy Trinity Food Pantry/Christine's Kitchen/Thrift Shop
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Orange sponsors several programs focused on local needs. Christine’s Kitchen provides free meals once a week for approximately 200 guests. The Food Pantry offers community members the opportunity to take home bags of nutritious food. The Thrift Shop receives donations of gently used clothing, household items and other practical items to find new purpose and use by the community.
For more information about Christine’s Kitchen, contact Lindsay McHugh at mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com or view holytrinitywo.org/outreach.html
Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry
The Food Pantry, located in South Orange, is a volunteer-led effort supported by the church and local businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals. The Pantry is a member of MEND (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity), a support network of 18 interfaith food pantries across Essex County. The Pantry is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, between 300 and 350 families were provided with groceries each session.
Contact Lindsay McHugh at mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com for more details
St. Joseph's Food Pantry
Children & Families
North Porch Women & Infants Centers
North Porch provides emergency 7-day supplies of diapers, Enfamil formula, toddler food, baby wipes, diaper rash ointment and toiletries for needy mothers/caregivers and their infants and toddlers in the Newark, Jersey City, Dover, Hackettstown, and Morristown areas of northern New Jersey.
Contact Lindsay McHugh at mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com or view their website at www.northporch.org
Family Promise Essex
Family Promise is in transition. Their ultimate goal is to provide temporary housing for families in a proprietary facility. Until that point, they are providing temp housing primarily in apartments. They also provide counseling and assistance to people in danger of becoming homeless to prevent that from ocurring. The organization offers life-skills counseling to families who have experienced homelessness, food and gas assistance, and after school programming for children.
South Orange - Maplewood School District Parenting Center
The Center is a community resource addressing children’s needs and parents’ concerns. Participation is voluntary and free. A library of parenting literature and videos, parenting support groups and an evening speaker series offer opportunities to share ideas and resources. A directory of local, state and national resources is available to parents for a larger network of support.
Diocesan Prison Ministry
The PATCH program provides fun and educational activities for the families of the incarcerated once each month, mostly on Saturdays. Volunteers act as chaperones and mentors to the families. The Diocesan Prison Ministry coordinates a summer backpack program and Christmas gift collection for the families of the incarcerated. They also hold a bible study at Northern State Penitentiary. The study is held on Wednesdays at 1pm and is led by a priest and a lay volunteer
Afghan Resettlement Program/St. John's Episcopal Church, Boontoon, NJ
Begun in 2021, the Afghan Resettlement program was started by six churches in the “Constance and Her Companions” region. It currently provides housing and assistance to two families; assistance is both financial as well as helping them to navigate adjusting the live in the US from finding jobs and ESL programs to enrolling their children (currently 12 between the two families) in school, dealing with social services etc.
Education
First Friends
South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service
St. Andrews and Holy Communion ESL Program
Outreach Grant Requests
In selecting organizations to support, the Outreach Committee gives preference to organizations which serve populations in our area, where our contribution makes a material difference to the operation of the organization and to the people it serves, and where parishioners are actively involved in the organization.
Return the completed form via mail or fax to: St. George’s Church, Attn: Outreach Grant Request. Address: 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040; fax number: 973-762-9213.
Note: Grant decisions will be made in March, June, September and December. Please submit an application by the last date of the preceding month to ensure that your application will be promptly considered.
For further information on the Committee, its grant process and sponsored organizations, please contact one of the co-chairs or parish office
Lindsay McHugh – 973-868-2233 or mchugh.lindsay@gmail.com
Page Bigelow – 973-762-8913 or pebigelow@yahoo.com
