OUTREACH  MINISTRIES



Angel Tree: A Christmas Project

Coordinators: Lynn Czarniecki & Barbara Winson

Program Description  For a number of years, St. Stephen's has worked with social service agencies to provide Christmas gifts for needy families in our area.  Last year, the agency was the Family Place, part of a program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, that serves children and families living with HIV/AIDS and other families from Newark.


Ministry at St. Stephen's  Parishioners who participate in the Angel Tree project may elect to provide gifts to an individual or to an entire family. Guidelines for appropriate gifts are provided.
Calendar  Beginning on the last Sunday in November, members of the parish are given the opportunity at coffee hour to take paper angels on which the first names of children and adults are written.  Gift collection is at the coffee hour on a Sunday in mid December.
Service Opportunities  In addition to bringing gifts, parish members may assist the coordinators with the sorting and distribution of gifts.
How to Volunteer   When Angel Tree time approaches, call Lynn Czarniecki or Barbara Winson.

Easter Party

Coordinator:  Judy Baldwin

For the past eight years, on the Saturday before Easter, St. Stephen's has hosted some of the families we know from Newark whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS.  Service Opportunity  Parishioners volunteer to cook, direct games with children and teenagers, visit with older guests, set up, clean up, and generally help this day happen.  How to Volunteer  When Easter approaches, please speak with The Reverend Judy Baldwin.

Food Barrel

Coordinator:  Melissa Hall

St. Stephen's has a food barrel in which we collect food for distribution to the hungry.  We have a basket under the ushers' table at the entrance of the church, and we ask that you bring food offerings to the Sunday service that you attend and place them in the barrel. During the week, the food barrel is located in the narthex.  Some appropriate items are pasta, canned vegetables, canned fruit, dried fruit, soups, cereals, peanut butter, rice, beans, powdered milk, coffee, tea, and canned tuna.  Food is collected primarily for two Diocesan programs:  North Porch, a pantry for mothers with small children, and Apostles' House, a transitional house for the homeless.  Both of these programs serve Newark.  Some food is also used to serve the needs of our own community.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

Program Coordinator: Alex Cole
Meals Coordinator: Sara Ruth Dorn

This is an ecumenical ministry to homeless families of Essex County.  The Director of the Essex County IHN works with churches and synagogues that are members of the network.  Each participating congregation houses three to four families in their buildings for a week or two each year.  The families move each week to another host church or synagogue until they find suitable housing.  The Network Director screens and selects the families, who are referred by the Legal Aid Society, Welfare, and other social agencies.  She guides them in their search for housing, job training, and employment.


This outreach project involves 50 or more parishioners during each hosting week and affords opportunities for everyone to help.  Some volunteers stay in the Parish Hall overnight with the guest families.  Others prepare and serve meals, move cots and belongings, do laundry, play with children, and make monetary and food contributions.  There also is the opportunity just to be a friend to another or to offer a listening ear.


St. Stephen's hosts IHN guests twice a year, normally during the vacation weeks for the Preschool in February and April.
How to Volunteer  IHN hosting dates are published in SPEAKS and in the Sunday church bulletins.  Volunteers who wish to be alerted when IHN dates are known should indicate that desire on the attached Time and Talent Bank sheet.  Additional information and volunteer assignments are available by calling Alex Cole or Sara Ruth Dorn.


Turkey Box Dinners: A Thanksgiving Project

Coordinators: Owen and Patricia Moore

Each year during Thanksgiving season, community agencies in Essex County distribute box dinners to families in need.  For several years, St. Stephen's has donated box dinners to three community groups, one in Maplewood and two in Newark.  These groups focus on the provision of assistance and services to families affected by AIDS.
Service Opportunities and Calendar  Parishioners are encouraged to donate a box dinner.  A list of the items to be included in the box is given in advance to each donor.  Parishioners are asked to sign up in advance so that St. Stephen's may advise the agencies of the number of dinners to be provided.  Lists of menu items and a sign-up sheet are made available in coffee hour about three weeks before Thanksgiving.  Turkey dinners are collected in the Parish Hall on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

In addition to donating box dinners, drivers are needed each year to make deliveries to the agencies.  Parishioners may volunteer for delivery service when signing up to provide a dinner.

Lent a Hand Initiatives

Overall Coordinator:  The Rev. Lynn Czarniecki
During the past Lenten season, parishioners were invited to participate in a variety of outreach activities, among which were programs such as IHN and Food Barrel that already have been described.  Projects initiated by Lent A Hand that continue to offer service opportunities for parishioners are listed below with the contact persons.


Heifer Project:  Barbara Winson
Heifer International helps hungry people feed themselves, earn income, and care for their environment.  Our goal for the year is to raise $5000 for this organization.  Anticipated projects are a square dance, a junior choir concert, and sale of stained glass pieces.  Donations are accepted by a "talking animal" during coffee hour.