HANDS-ON LOCAL MISSIONS
New Jersey Firemen’s Home
Once a month our church Deacons hold and lead a worship service including communion for all who attend, including aides and family members They support the NJ Fireman’s residents by visiting, supporting, praying with all in attendance. The NJ Firemen’s Home was established in 1898 to care for the aged, indigent, and disabled firefighters of New Jersey. Clients receive the best of care by licensed and certified nursing staff, certified social worker, certified activity director, certified dietary manager and licensed dietician. To learn more click here: http://www.njfh.org
St. John’s Luncheon
St. John’s Saturday Luncheon Social (SLS) is a program which has been led and sustained by lay ministers at St. John’s and supported by the laity of several local churches for many years. Boonton Presbyterian provides meals once a month for SLS. St. John’s along with other area churches on a rotating schedule provided a home cooked meal and fellowship for an average of 24 folks each week. Currently around 25-30 people participate in this shared meal from 12-1pm each Saturday. To learn more click here: http://www.stjohnsboonton.com
Annual Coat Drive and Luncheon
Every fall, the Deacons run a coat drive which encompasses the collection of coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, as well as blankets for men, women and children. The second Saturday in November people from the immediate and surrounding communities are invited to come and receive whatever they need for their families to keep warm throughout the winter. A hot lunch is also served where guests can be fed and connect with one another, and make new friends.
Thanksgiving Baskets
In partnership with the Boonton Food pantry located in Boonton’s townhall, members of our church supply 50-75 Thanksgiving ‘baskets’ which includes all the elements needed to make a full Thanksgiving meal for a family of 5-7. The baskets also include gift certificate for the purchase of a turkey or another protein. These baskets are delivered to Mt Carmel Catholic Church for sorting and distribution to Boonton families. Around 250-275 families receive these baskets annually.
Angel Tree
In partnership with the Boonton Food pantry located in Boonton’s townhall, members of our church supply Christmas gifts for 75-100 families and individuals every holiday season. Like the Thanksgiving baskets this annual gift giving is a highlight for
Dover Faith Kitchen
Our board of Deacons fund, prepare and serve a hot meal to 120-140 people 5-6 times a year. Housed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dover, we serve men, women, children, the elderly, the working poor, the unemployed, veterans, immigrants, the homeless, and those who are food insecure. All are welcome without regard for race, religion, or ethnicity. We endeavor to serve with love, respect, and compassion. https://faithkitchendover.org
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry services over 150 families weekly in the Boonton and surrounding areas, is located in the ground floor space at the First Presbyterian Church. The mission is to provide food to those in need of assistance, encourage good nutrition, increase self-sufficiency, and give hope to those who may have none. The clients that we serve are those with food insecurity and needs in Boonton and the surrounding area. The pantry is a cooperative effort between our congregation and the Boonton United Methodist Church. The charity is designated as a 501c3 non-profit organization. To learn more about opportunities to donate or volunteer, visit their website at LFCFP.org.
Gateway Community Resource Center: part of the Loaves and Fishes, organization is Resource Center developed to serve our community by offering Help, Education, and Enrichment. They do this by partnering with local professional organizations that provide practical, hands-on programs based on the needs of our local community. Programs are offered in the professionally-equipped training and meeting facility. Beyond hosting a wide variety of supportive and educational services, Gateway offers fully-equipped space for use by small businesses to host events. They provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. To learn more, go to http://www.gcrcnj.org.
In addition to Hands-on Mission, we have supported a number of charities that have been vetted by our Missions committee.
GLOBAL MISSIONS THROUGH THE PC(USA)
One Great Hour Sharing
Our church supports One Great Hour of Sharing thru our offerings, and specific fund- raising events. One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. While specific allocations differ in each denomination, all use their One Great Hour of Sharing funds to make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, development aid and more. To learn more click here: http://www.onegreathourofsharing.org/purpose/
Peacemaking and Global Witness
The Peace & Global Witness Offering encourages the church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace our God’s mission of reconciliation to those around the corner and around the world. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace.
Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.
For the last 4 years our church has raised and then matched each dollar to support the Association for Suicide Prevention. To learn more click here: https://afsp.org
