About us & our missions
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. That’s why Outreach is such 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.
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 here.
https://dioceseofnewark.org/rmn-harriet
Think about the opportunities to collaborate as we enroll in a new way of church.
https://dioceseofnewark.org/rmn-harriet
Think about the opportunities to collaborate as we enroll in a new way of church.
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.
For additional Information about the Chester Mendham Food Pantry https://www.chestermendhamfp.com/ You can also make direct donations or see items in need in real time.
Additional Information about the Long Valley Food Pantry https://www.facebook.com/LVCAP-1439330193012592/ You can also make direct donations or see items in need in real time.
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.
For additional Information about the Chester Mendham Food Pantry https://www.chestermendhamfp.com/ You can also make direct donations or see items in need in real time.
Additional Information about the Long Valley Food Pantry https://www.facebook.com/LVCAP-1439330193012592/ You can also make direct donations or see items in need in real time.
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.
For additional information about SRC https://www.srcnj.org/
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.
For additional information about SRC https://www.srcnj.org/
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. The Food Drive will continue to take place throughout the holiday season and upcoming year on a weekly basis to serve both Chester Mendham Food Pantry and Long Valley Community Assistance Program.
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. The Food Drive will continue to take place throughout the holiday season and upcoming year on a weekly basis to serve both Chester Mendham Food Pantry and Long Valley Community Assistance Program.
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.
***
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.
To make cash or other donations go to www.northporch.org/make-a-donation/
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.
***
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.
To make cash or other donations go to www.northporch.org/make-a-donation/
Happy Birthday Jesus Donation Drive for North Porch
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. Keep up those Acts of Kindness...So far we have recently collected the following items and the numbers keep tending upwards..
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. Keep up those Acts of Kindness...So far we have recently collected the following items and the numbers keep tending upwards..
- 70 servings folge-3 mulch * 276 diapers
- 8 Similac bottles * 11 containers Enfamil
- 1 Enfamil The Wonder box * 10 cereal boxes
- 30 food meals * 12 vinyl glove boxes
- 21 pacifiers * 1 nursing bag and shaw
- 300 breast storage bag * 2 pairs of sneakers
- Dozens of onesies
To minimize your carbon footprint you can also donate directly on-line and/or order items that are shipped directly.
North Porch Online Supply Donations - Supplies can be purchased online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and other stores and shipped directly to North Porch. Please use the NEW shipping address below for all online orders.
NEW Shipping Address:
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.
North Porch On-Line Monetary Donations Monetary donations can be made through the North Porch website at http://www.northporch.org/make-a-donation/ .
NP accepts credit cards, PayPal and (NEW)Venmo. https://www.venmo.com/u/Northporch
For additional information about NorthPorch http://www.northporch.org/
Haven of Hope
Members volunteer at this center to provide outdoor barbeques for families with children facing health challenges.
For additional information about Haven of Hope https://havenofhopenj.org/
Chester Area Senior Housing
Members participate in a Holiday Caroling event and deliver produce from the gardens.
For additional information about CASH http://chesterareaseniorhousing.org/
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.
For additional information about RAMP https://cfnj.org/ramp/
Click here for the RAMP Fall Newletter
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.
For additional information about CrossRoads https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/
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.
Martin Luther King Jr Community Day of Service
Members provided donations and worked with St Lukes of Long Valley to provide day pack snacks for Faith Kitchen and Hygiene Kits for Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County
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:
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.
Click here for view the blessing of the backpacks.
Any questions contact Julie at [email protected]
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.
To minimize your carbon footprint you can also donate directly on-line and/or order items that are shipped directly.
North Porch Online Supply Donations - Supplies can be purchased online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and other stores and shipped directly to North Porch. Please use the NEW shipping address below for all online orders.
NEW Shipping Address:
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.
North Porch On-Line Monetary Donations Monetary donations can be made through the North Porch website at http://www.northporch.org/make-a-donation/ .
NP accepts credit cards, PayPal and (NEW)Venmo. https://www.venmo.com/u/Northporch
For additional information about NorthPorch http://www.northporch.org/
Haven of Hope
Members volunteer at this center to provide outdoor barbeques for families with children facing health challenges.
For additional information about Haven of Hope https://havenofhopenj.org/
Chester Area Senior Housing
Members participate in a Holiday Caroling event and deliver produce from the gardens.
For additional information about CASH http://chesterareaseniorhousing.org/
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.
For additional information about RAMP https://cfnj.org/ramp/
Click here for the RAMP Fall Newletter
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.
For additional information about CrossRoads https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/
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.
Martin Luther King Jr Community Day of Service
Members provided donations and worked with St Lukes of Long Valley to provide day pack snacks for Faith Kitchen and Hygiene Kits for Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County
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
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.
Click here for view the blessing of the backpacks.
Any questions contact Julie at [email protected]
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.
Homeless Solutions Meals & Holiday Gifts
Members of Messiah have been 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.
In addition our congregation supports Angel Gifts at Christmas and we deliver Holiday trees to the Shelter and Transitional Housing.
For additional Information about Homeless Solutions https://homelesssolutions.org/
To Sign Up to Cook and Serve Dinner Homeless Solutions volunteer opportunities for 2024.
Click this link to sign up.
Members of Messiah have been 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.
In addition our congregation supports Angel Gifts at Christmas and we deliver Holiday trees to the Shelter and Transitional Housing.
For additional Information about Homeless Solutions https://homelesssolutions.org/
To Sign Up to Cook and Serve Dinner Homeless Solutions volunteer opportunities for 2024.
Click this link to sign up.
While Messiah's Wednesday Group has ceased, we want to remind others that CrossRoads Retreat Center offers wonderful Wednesdays Away each Month.
Although there is a fee (lunch is provided) and the sessions are longer sessions, the events are amazing. Most leaders have Episcopal connections.
Here is the link to their information which describes the workshops
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away/
Although there is a fee (lunch is provided) and the sessions are longer sessions, the events are amazing. Most leaders have Episcopal connections.
Here is the link to their information which describes the workshops
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away/
Good News Gardens: Grow It Green Greenhouse Work and Annual Fundraiser
Good News Gardens - Join the Movement to Plant, Prayer, and Proclaim !
Good News Gardens - Join the Movement to Plant, Prayer, and Proclaim !
Click here to learn about opportunities to assist with Three Munsee Sisters Farm
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: support.episcopalrelief.org
International Rescue Committee: help.rescue.org
Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ways-to-help-ukraine-conflict/
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: support.episcopalrelief.org
International Rescue Committee: help.rescue.org
Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ways-to-help-ukraine-conflict/
Click on the image below for a video of the International Day of Peace ceremony on 9/21/22
Photos from a recent visit by Messiah members to Homeless Solutions
