Our Ministries
The ministries at CHS have evolved to nourish our parish and meet the needs of our larger community.
Ongoing Spiritual Growth Opportunities
Bible Study. Every Tuesday, from 7 to 8 AM, a faithful group meets at the local diner to discuss Sunday's gospel. They read the words of scripture aloud and then discuss how the words speak to them individually. The rector usually attends, but the group is essentially self-sufficient and has been meeting for over 30 years.
Theology on Tap. The books pictured here are representative of the serious theological works this book group has featured in recent years. Led by the rector, it is intended for people who wish to wade into serious theological issues. It used to meet in local "watering places," but, since COVID, it is held at the church or on Zoom; members bring libations to share.
Bible Study. Every Tuesday, from 7 to 8 AM, a faithful group meets at the local diner to discuss Sunday's gospel. They read the words of scripture aloud and then discuss how the words speak to them individually. The rector usually attends, but the group is essentially self-sufficient and has been meeting for over 30 years.
Theology on Tap. The books pictured here are representative of the serious theological works this book group has featured in recent years. Led by the rector, it is intended for people who wish to wade into serious theological issues. It used to meet in local "watering places," but, since COVID, it is held at the church or on Zoom; members bring libations to share.
|
|
Children & Youth Formation. We have adopted a One-Room-Sunday-School approach for children’s formation as the number of young parishioners has dwindled. Children of all ages gather on the first three Sundays of each month to hear a simple Bible reading followed by a chat session. Then they work on service projects together. All youth in sixth grade and above are welcome to join youth group activities
Parishioner-Initiated Programs. Over the years, many individuals have taken the initiative to share their knowledge with fellow parishioners. For example, recently a member introduced Sangha meditation, a bi-weekly session on mindfulness meditation techniques. During COVID a Holy Spirit Zoom School offered about a dozen different classes taught by CHS members. A few continue to meet regularly.
Spiritual Enrichment. In addition to these ongoing opportunities, every year the rector offers one or two adult formation series for spiritual enrichment. Recent sessions included a book study of Four Thousand Weeks. Time Management for Mortals and a class on effective techniques for the oral interpretation of literature and scripture. It has become our practice to offer these courses both in-person and on-line.
Spiritual Enrichment. In addition to these ongoing opportunities, every year the rector offers one or two adult formation series for spiritual enrichment. Recent sessions included a book study of Four Thousand Weeks. Time Management for Mortals and a class on effective techniques for the oral interpretation of literature and scripture. It has become our practice to offer these courses both in-person and on-line.
Outreach and Inreach Ministries
Red Wagon. Although Hunterdon is a well-to-do county, many families here have to rely on a local food pantry to meet their needs. The CHS congregation collects food donations for this pantry in a red wagon that stands in the narthex. It is pulled into the church and blessed every Sunday during the Offertory. Last year, CHS donated 1700 pounds of food to the food pantry.
Prison Ministry. CHS volunteers have been visiting the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in nearby Union Township for over twenty years. Currently, volunteers offer Bible study in one of the units in the prison twice a month and join the crochet club in Maximum Security once a week. In recent years, the prison population has gone down, and, as a result, the number of permitted volunteers has been significantly reduced. CHS is developing plans to expand our ministry to imprisoned persons -- some of the least of the least in our community
We Care. This ministry offers assistance and support to members of our own faith community. The We Care team drives CHS parishioners to medical appointments, visits shut-ins in their homes, takes meals to those recovering from surgery or illness, and, perhaps most important, provides a network of concern and awareness so that no one’s urgent needs are neglected.
Knit & Chat Shawl Ministry. Several women who volunteered at Edna Mahan before the COVID pandemic meet regularly to make prayer shawls, which are blessed and given to people who are ill or have suffered loss. The shawls comfort recipients and remind them that they are being prayed for.
Christmas Outreach. The Jesse Branch is a ministry in which we give gift cards to children and adults living in local group homes.
Red Wagon. Although Hunterdon is a well-to-do county, many families here have to rely on a local food pantry to meet their needs. The CHS congregation collects food donations for this pantry in a red wagon that stands in the narthex. It is pulled into the church and blessed every Sunday during the Offertory. Last year, CHS donated 1700 pounds of food to the food pantry.
Prison Ministry. CHS volunteers have been visiting the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in nearby Union Township for over twenty years. Currently, volunteers offer Bible study in one of the units in the prison twice a month and join the crochet club in Maximum Security once a week. In recent years, the prison population has gone down, and, as a result, the number of permitted volunteers has been significantly reduced. CHS is developing plans to expand our ministry to imprisoned persons -- some of the least of the least in our community
We Care. This ministry offers assistance and support to members of our own faith community. The We Care team drives CHS parishioners to medical appointments, visits shut-ins in their homes, takes meals to those recovering from surgery or illness, and, perhaps most important, provides a network of concern and awareness so that no one’s urgent needs are neglected.
Knit & Chat Shawl Ministry. Several women who volunteered at Edna Mahan before the COVID pandemic meet regularly to make prayer shawls, which are blessed and given to people who are ill or have suffered loss. The shawls comfort recipients and remind them that they are being prayed for.
Christmas Outreach. The Jesse Branch is a ministry in which we give gift cards to children and adults living in local group homes.
