Outreach Opportunities

Giving is an expression of love. As God gave us his only son, we believe that joyful giving to those in need is one of the greatest expressions of our love for our church, for our community, and for one another. Outreach is an important aspect of parish life at Church of the Messiah. Whether you have an abundance of time and resources, or just a little to share, every contribution is deeply appreciated and we hope that you will join us in participating in one of our vital Outreach programs.​

Senior Resource Center of North Jersey
Besides offering space for classes and workshops weekly, Messiah houses the SRC Festival of Trees materials and provides hundreds of service hours during the SRC Festival of Trees, a community wide event which is held annually at the Barn in Chester. Our Church also applies for grants on behalf of SRC. Visit the Senior Resource Center's website.

Spreading Giving Kindness: The Church of Messiah and its Outreach Team extend their gratitude for SRC's collaborative contribution to the Thanksgiving Food Drive especially for the donations of 5 additional turkeys as well as the trimmings.  The Food Drive items were donated to the Chester Mendham Food Pantry. 

​Food Pantries: Staples & Holiday Gifts
For decades, the Church of Messiah has been donating staples and produce to the Chester Mendham Food Pantry and the Long Valley Food Pantry.  The donations  are blessed weekly at the altar.  Additionally food baskets are prepared for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and Easter Baskets. Food staples routinely needed for the pantry include canned fruit, beef stew, mayonnaise, chicken and beef broth, instant potatoes, soups, tea, coffee, and spices.  Any other contributions of non-perishable, non-breakable food items, personal toiletries, and cleaning supplies are also welcome. You can also make direct donations to these organizations.

Backpacks for Kids
We will once again collect items for backpacks for the kids associated with the Chester Mendham Food Pantry. You can purchase items and leave them at the Church (collection box in parish hallway) or consider a donation marked backpack program in comment or on envelope. Any questions contact the Church Office. 
View the blessing of the backpacks.
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​For the Care of Children BCP #46 p. 829
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Book clubs and other collaborative events are frequently posted on the Harriet Tubman Regional Network webpage and on the HTRN Facebook Page.  You can subscribe or join the network listing. This is a good way to think about the opportunities to collaborate with other churches.

Homeless Solutions Meals & Holiday Gifts
Members of Messiah have been cooking and serving dinners once monthly at Homeless Solutions located in Morris Township.  Service dates are the 2nd Friday of even months and the 3rd Saturday of odd months. Anyone 9 or older can participate. We share this ministry with St. Mark's in Mendham.
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In addition our congregation supports Angel Gifts at Christmas and we deliver Holiday trees to the Shelter and Transitional Housing.​

NorthPorch Women and Infant Center

The Outreach Committee helps provide critical supplies for babies and toddlers in need.  Please place needed items such as diapers, formula, baby food, toiletry, and new/gently used baby clothes in the back of the sanctuary.  The items are blessed weekly at the Altar. 

To minimize your carbon footprint you can also donate directly on-line. Supplies can be purchased at Amazon, Walmart, Target and other stores and shipped directly to North Porch. Please use the NEW shipping address below for shipping:  

North Porch Women and Infants Center
179 Route 46 West Suite 15-182
Rockaway, NJ 07866   Phone 973-586-1100
Note: MUST reference Suite 15-182 to get to us.
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Visit the NorthPorch website to make a donation.

Posting from Rev. Ellen

Thanks to the generosity of parishioners from Church of the Messiah-Chester, St. James- Hackettstown, and St. Luke’s - Phillipsburg, hundreds of diapers, plus lots of other baby care supplies were donated to North Porch Woman & Infants’ Center. Our Mother’s Day 2024 collection, which filled an SUV floor to ceiling, was delivered this week. It included formula, Pedialyte, baby blankets, clothes and bath accessories.

This season Messiah is continuing in the tradition of Giving to North Porch, collaborating with St James in Hackettstown and joining their Happy Birthday Jesus Annual drive.

​Neighbors in Need
Collecting requested items throughout each month (on a rotating basis) for the Chester Food Pantry, the Washington Township (Long Valley) Food Pantry, and North Porch in Dover, which ministers to the needs of mothers and infants. Our members bring their donations to Messiah, where they are brought up the altar to be blessed during the offertory hymn. 

CrossRoads Camp & Retreat Center
Members have opportunities to serve at CrossRoads for cleanup days as well as special events such as the Prison Ministries program for kids and the Good News Garden. Visit CrossRoads' Website

Good News Gardens 
Members tend and grow fresh produce from three locations including the on-site Eagle Scout Messiah Garden, a plot at the local Chester Community garden, and 2 plots at the Community of St John Baptist Garden of Hope.  Produce is distributed to food pantries in the region (Chester Mendham Food Pantry, Long Valley Food Pantry, Roxbury Food Pantry) and to Homeless Solutions and Chester Area Senior Housing. 
​Good News Gardens: Grow It Green Greenhouse Work and Annual Fundraiser
​Good News Gardens - Join the Movement to Plant, Prayer, and Proclaim !
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​​Help Ukraine
It is hard to turn on the television these days with the horrible scenes in Ukraine. At the same time, it is heartwarming to see how their European neighbors are stepping up to help the refugees. Here are some respected ways you can help:
Episcopal Relief and Development
International Rescue Committee
Global Citizen

Haven of Hope
Members volunteer at this center to provide outdoor barbeques for families with children facing health challenges.
Visit Haven of Hope's Website

Chester Area Senior Housing
Members participate in a Holiday Caroling event and deliver produce from the gardens. Visit CASH's Website

Refugee Assistance Morris Partners
When RAMP requests items Messiah places a call to members for donation of new items or identifies items that can be repurposed through St Elsie's Thrift Shop. Visit RAMP's website.

​Good Shepherd Home
Help the children of Good Shepherd Home, Cameroon, West Africa. Sr. Victoria Michelle of the Community of St. John Baptist told us about the wonderful work of the sisters at the forum on Jan. 22. One of the ministries they help support is the Good Shepherd Home in the African nation of Cameroon. Founded by the late Sr. Jane Mankaa, Good Shepherd houses more than 150 orphaned children who are fed, clothed, educated and loved. Learn more about the Good Shepherd Home and donate to help the poorest of the poor.

Annual Outreach Giving
Each year the Outreach Team meets to identify out to use Outreach funds for various groups.  Recent donations include the following groups:​

• Bishop’s Fund for special needs in parishes
• Operation Chill Out (local veterans)
• Prison Ministry Bibles
• Afghan Refugee Resettlement Fund at St. John's, Boonton
• Refugee Assistance Morris Partners (RAMP)

• ​Community St. John Baptist
• Diocesan Alleluia Fund
• Episcopal Relief and Development Fund
• Haven of Hope

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.