GOOD SHEPHERD OUR OUTREACH AND OTHER MINISTRIES
OUR OUTREACH
Our Thrift Shop sells gently used clothing, housewares, books, and decor, all at affordable prices. It is staffed by parishioners and community volunteers. This year our Thrift Shop also provided warm clothing for the people of the Ukraine thanks to a financial donation from the Lincoln Park Lions.
Food Pantry donations are brought each Sunday by parishioners for the Kiwanis Montville Food Pantry. Once a month a team led by a parishioner also helps distribute food. The Church also encourages donations to the Lincoln Park Food Pantry.
St. John’s Boonton “Drop in” Lunch is held every Saturday offering a hot meal to anyone in need of food or fellowship. Four times a year our parishioners purchase food, cook, and serve this hot meal for those who choose to come.
CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walks to fundraise. After a CROP Hunger Walk, 25% of the funds raised is returned to the host community to support local hunger fighting efforts. Held annually it is supported by our parishioners and others in the community through donations and participation.
Grains of Hope provides sustainable solutions to help relieve poverty worldwide and to connect people with global response efforts. Parishioners donate and raise money for this ministry. Parishioners along with other volunteers help pack thousands of meals to be sent to Ukraine.
North Porch Women & Infants' Centers provide emergency aid, of baby supplies, to mothers and infants in northern New Jersey, help them stabilize, and improve the quality of lives. At each visit clients receive one week's supply of diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and toiletries. Parishioners donate supplies to this ministry.
Prayer Shawls are gifts for people who are at a point in their life when they need to know they are loved, supported, and remembered. Made by parishioners and prayed over with each stitch, the prayer shawls are blessed by the congregation and then given to those who are ill, mourning, apprehensive, dealing with stress, or in need of comfort. Our shawls are a tangible reminder that we are never alone. God’s Grace and the loving community of Good Shepherd are with them even in the darkest times.
OTHER MINISTRIES
Altar Guilds in the Episcopal Church developed in the late nineteenth century. In the early days of the Church of England, altar care was the task of clergy. Many years later, laymen and eventually women were included in this ministry.
Altar guilds today are people who are called to serve God by preparing and tending the places where we worship, enabling the liturgy. (“Liturgy” literally means, “the work of the people.”) The altar guild has a special role as the priest’s liturgical partner by making the worship life of the parish run smoothly. Selection of members is a thoughtful process and by invitation of the rector and guild. The work is an offering of time and talents. It is a ministry of love undertaken in the name of Christ.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers or Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Training for parishioners who are interested in being licensed by the bishop to become
Lay Eucharistic Ministers or Visitors will begin this Autumn.
Grounds and Maintenance
Our buildings and grounds are maintained for the most part by a cadre of community and parishioner volunteers who keep our building in running order and clean.
Music and Choir
The church has a talented professional musician, Shana Grassi.
The parish enjoys being lead in singing hymns and listening to sacred music. It is hoped to restart the choir in the near future. From time-to-time selections of music videos are posted on our Facebook page.
Morning Prayer Officiants
These are parishioners who lead the service on Sundays when Morning Prayer is used. The Officiants are frequently assisted by other lay readers who read passages from the scriptures and prayers during the service.
Good Shepherd’s Parish Hall
is presently used by:
- AA, 3 evenings each week
- Square Dancing Class
(A small cleaning fee is charged.)
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For more information about these programs or ministries please call (973) 334-2882 and we will be glad to provide more information and answer your questions.
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