Ministries
and Resources
Social
Ministries Committee - Jubilee
If your parish is doing similar activities, please contact the Rev. John Major to be included in this list.
Allentown
Church of the Mediator
1620 Turner St.
Allentown, PA 18102-3637
(610) 434-0155
Fax: (610) 434-6306
Jubilee Ministry
We provide an after school ministry Just for Kids. This serves children in 6th, 7th and 8th grades from the Raub Middle School from 3 to 5 pm
Volunteers of all faiths provide adult supervision Tuesdays and Thursdays. Snacks, games, baking activities, crafts or just hanging out with friends is available in this safe place.
More volunteers always needed!
Contact person:
Kathy Robinson
(610) 434-0155
Grace Church
108 North Fifth St.
Allentown, PA 18102-4108
(610)435-0782
Jubilee Ministry
Grace Church provides the following:
AIDS Outreach. Has served 800 families of patients, and 239 deceased AIDS patients.
Grace Community Foundation. Neighborhood food bank serving 150 clients.
Grace Montessori School. Provides high quality preschool to a diversified student population including one third means based scholarship.
Grace daycare. Care giving to 3-4 year olds supporting neighborhood needs.
Contact person:
Linda Lobach-Gallagher
106 N. Fifth.
Allentown 18102
(610)435-8424
email: aidsout@rcn.com
Ashland
North Parish
106 N. 12th Street, P0 Box 82
Ashland, PA 17921
(570)875-2931
Jubilee Ministry
North Parish consists of:
St. John’s Ashland, Christ Church, Frackville Holy Apostles, St. Claire.
Food Pantries are supported the these communities. Sick and shut-ins are visited, Fire Victims are aided. Financial and other support is provided to Gaudenzie House and to Schuylkill Women in Crises. Food is also donated to the Pottsville Soup Kitchen.
Contact person:
Dolores Evans
18 N.Balliet St.
Frackville 17931-1302
(570) 874-1818
Athens
Trinity Church
701 South Main St.
Athens, PA 18810-
(570) 888-5715
Fax: (570) 888-5715
Jubilee Ministry
We are participants in and contributors to the Bridge of Penn-York Valley Churches which provides food, clothing, help with rent and other basic expenses.
We take monthly collection for Valley Food Pantry, free food for the hungry.
Ministry to people outside the Penn York valley who need funds from time to time.
Donated electric heaters to the Area Agency on Aging.
Contact Person:
Barbara Caum
(570) 888-5715
email: bcaum@diobeth.org
Bethlehem
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
321 Wyandotte St.
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610) 865-0727
Fax:(610) 865-0447
Jubilee Ministry
The Cathedral supports with people and financial resources:
New Bethany, South Side Ministries, South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, Center City Ministries and Share Care Ministries.
The Diocese, through our Bishop, is supporting the ministry of the new Canon for Mission whose ministry is to serve as an evangelist in South Bethlehem. The Cathedral understands that its primary mission focus is in South Bethlehem.
Contact Person:
William B. Lane, Dean
(610) 865-0727
Easton
Trinity Church
234 Spring Garden St.
Easton, PA 18042-3680
(610) 253-0792
Fax:(610) 253-4808
Jubilee Ministry
Trinity Easton has a varied program of giving. The Outreach Budget and special Ingatherings provide the financial support for:
- PBF Honduras/Kosovo
- ProJeCt- Organization begun by Protestant, Jewish and Catholic clergy to help poor and needy.
- Food Bank for needy, run mostly by volunteers including teachers and tutors for children
- UTO
- Trinity Care Circle at Third Street Alliance Home for homeless women and children
- AIDS Outreach
- Safe Harbor- Easton Area Shelter for homeless adults.
- ARK soup kitchen. Lunch every Saturday in our parish hall. Members of the parish donate and serve the food. 50-60 people every week. Several other churches in the area have helped as have the Easton High School Key Club, Honor Society and two Scout troops. Parish has provided 70 food providers with 10 “regulars and 17 “make food ahead” persons.
Could use more help!
Contact Persons:
Mike & Dottie Viglione
610) 253-7046
Mission Outreach
Anne & Bob Nourse
(610) 258- 4444
Trinity Circle of Care
Sharon & Joe Affuso
(610)- 258-1621
ARK Soup Kitchen
Hamlin
St. John’s Church
P0 Box 118
Hamlin, PA 18427
(570) 689-9260
Jubilee Ministry
St. Catherine’s Guild (ECW) provides a “Drop-in Center”
Luncheon and fellowship for anyone in the community every Monday -
March through December. They also support several children and women’s
centers and provide “ditty bags” at the holidays for nursing
homes or women’s centers.
Parish youth offer and Easter Egg Hunt and a Safe
Halloween Party and Dance for children and youth of the community.
They have also sponsored after-school basketball for community children
and youth once a week from January through March.
Many parishioners are actively involved in social
ministry outside “official” sponsorship: Rotary, Lions,
Scouting, 4H service projects, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity,
Red Cross aid missions throughout the US and Western hemisphere. Many
other services provided to those in need, especially emergency aid.
Currently, we are exploring prison ministry, after
school homework and recovery programs to support.
Contact person:
The Rev. Edward K. Erb,
P0 Box 125,
Hamlin 18427
(570)689-9260
Honesdale
Grace Church
827 Church St.
Honesdale, PA 1843 1-1824
(570) 253-2760
Jubilee Ministry
Grace Church Provides:
Last Saturday Lunch (11 am- pm). Free meal in parish
house.
Contact persons:
Janice Carter (570) 253-0683
Janice Wilson (570) 253-4084
Food Pantry (Honesdale Community Pantry). We collect
canned and dry good once a month. Food available to those in need
every 3 months.
“Thanksgiving Together” , “Holidays
Together” community ministry housed at Grace Church. Free meals
at main holidays.
Contact person:
Janice Carter (570) 253-0683.
Considering a ‘drop-in-center’ for mentally
challenged and more direct support of Habitat for Humanity.
Jim Thorpe
St. Mark’s & St. John’s Church
21 Race St.
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229-2003
(570) 325-2241
Fax: (570) 325-2241
Jubilee Ministry
On the fourth Sunday of the month the congregation sponsors a community
for which we make no charge. The suppers are cooked by church people
who also do the serving and clean up. The cost of the food comes from
the outreach budgets. We serve about 100 people each time. It particularly
helps seniors, who at the end of the month often run low on food.
It also gives time for fellowship with both the parishioners and those
who come to supper.
We also provide funds for local organizations such
as ambulance volunteers and fire departments.
Provide funding for clothing for poor students.
Contact Person:
Thomas Lager
(570) 325-2233
Kingston
Grace Church
30 Butler St., P0 Box 1776
Kingston, PA 18704-0776
(570) 287-8440
Fax: (570) 287-8440
Jubilee Ministry
Early intervention program through local MD’s office. Children’s
books provided for waiting room and mothers encouraged to read to
their children and to feel free to take books home. The doctor serves
many patients who are poor and have not had higher education. He hopes
to teach these women how important education is and that they are
their children’s first and most important teachers.
Squares for quilts. Christmas presents to area youth
and elderly. Periodic gifts of food to local shelters. Personal care
items to the diocese. Cards from children. Bread, jam and cookies
from children to the elderly.
Contact person:
Polly Mitchell (Outreach Chair)
94 Yeager Ave.
Forty Fort, PA 18704
(570) 283-6090
email: pollym®ptdprolog.net
Montrose
St. Paul’s Church
P0 Box 314
Montrose, PA 18801-0314
(570) 278-1429
Jubilee Ministry
Seventy five years ago St. Paul’s parish house was given to
the parish to be used for the benefit of the parish and the community.
It is currently used for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Literacy
Council, Girl Scouts and Brownies, Cub Scouts and Mental Health and
Retardation. It is also used for Red Cross Blood drives and fund raisers.
The parish house also houses the equipment supporting the local access
cable TV channel which is used to broadcast worship services to people
who cannot attend services in person.
Eighteen years ago St. Paul joined with Holy Name
of Mary, the Presbyterian and the Methodist church in forming the
Ministry of Christian Service to distribute food parcels and gifts
to children at Christmas and grocery vouchers at Easter. St. Paul’s’
provides the space for collection and distribution. Additionally,
funds collected from the four churches make other help available throughout
the year to those people who fall through the cracks between welfare
agencies which provide long term assistance. There is no means testing
to ‘qualify’ the recipients.
Other Activities include visits to hospitals and
nursing homes, Meals on Wheels. Some parishioners employed in full-time
jobs in social ministry; group homes for retarded, state agency for
children at risk. Others serves on Boards of Directors at the Library
and other agencies concerned with the well being of the community.
Contact Persons:
Edward and Peggy Stark
Mt. Pocono
Trinity Church
Box 25, HCRI
Mt. Pocono, PA 18344
(570) 839-9376
Jubilee Ministry
Trinity acts as hosts for Resources of Recovering Families, Inc. at
no charge. No one is turned down because of inability to pay.
Trinity has recently concluded an agreement with
the American Red Cross to become a Mass Care Shelter. The Red Cross
will provide trained personnel and food and the Church will provide
volunteers to operate the facility.
Pecan Mountain Ecumenical Hunger Ministry. This group
of 8 churches & 2 community groups takes turns on Saturday morning
serving 20-40 families. The basement of Building #2 Collabra Municipal
Center in Tobyhanna provides the space for this service.
Contact persons:
Jean Shirk (570)839-9153
The Rev. Canon Ginny Day
(570-839-9376
Nanticoke
St. George’s Church
408 East Main St.
Nanticoke, PA 18634
(570)735-6066
Jubilee Ministry.
Food is collected for REACH.
Contact person: Rev. Henry Pease
New Milford
St. Mark’s Church
115 Main Street, P0 Box 406
New Milford, PA 18834
(570) 465-3896
Jubilee Ministry
For over 26 years St. Mark’s has operated a Good Used Clothing
Thrift Shop for area people. Most items are priced under $1.00. Additionally,
clothing and other items are provided free for victims of fire, breakdown
(we are very near 1-8 1) and those in extreme need. On a recent Thursday
154 clients went through the shop. The shop also makes available information
from County Welfare, Women’s Resource Center and other social
services as it is received.
Volunteers come from St. Mark’s and other area
churches and the community. Volunteers are always needed for sorting,
stocking and general work around the shop.
Contact person:
Ruth Kowalewski
(570)-879-2892
Reading
Christ Church
P0 Box 1094
Reading, PA 19603-1094
(610)374-8269
Jubilee Ministry
Christ Church has many ministries: Preparing and serving food at the
shelter and at the soup kitchen. Giving food and transportation vouchers.
Mentoring. Offering dental care. Giving clothing at neighborhood elementary
school. Supplying food for the Food Pantry. Giving $5000. grant each
year for children and youth programs. Offering the use of our facilities
for training programs. Thanksgiving Dinner at the Shelter. Bikes for
Kids program in the neighborhood.
Contact person:
Sherry Faust,
377 McCoy Lane,
Leesport 19533
(610) 926-1690
Sayre
Church of the Redeemer
201 South Wilbur Avenue
Sayre,PA 18840
(570) 888-2270
Jubilee Ministry
We collect food and financial support for the local food pantry. We
also provide a free community meal once a month. Financial support
is given to Habitat for Humanity.
Scranton
St. Luke’s
232 Wyoming Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503-1464
(570)342-7654
Jubilee Ministry
Safety Net: An interdenominational ministry of city churches in Scranton
whose purpose is to provide aid in situations where established social
services cannot assist those in need or who cannot react quickly to
emergencies. Safety Net acts as a referral source, a guiding hand
and a listening ear. They can provide vouchers in emergencies. Their
vision is to encourage, support, educate, advocate for and promote
cooperation among those in need. St. Luke’s and three other
churches fund salaries and administrative costs for this ministry.
Every dollar given in private donations and grants is used for the
needs of those who come to Safety Net.
For more information or to volunteer, call the coordinator
weekdays I 2-4PM (except Wednesday) at 570-347-4739
Senior Craftsmen Shop: The Senior Craftsmen Shop
works on consignment where all merchandise offered for sale is handmade
or hand-crafted by area seniors. It provides an outlet for their creativity
as well as gives shoppers an opportunity to find special and unique
gifts, clothing and home decorations not often found.
They are located adjacent to St. Luke’s Church,
232 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. Hours of operation are M-F, 1 0-4PM
and Sat. 10-2 PM. Phone: 570-344-7089
Sinking Spring
St. Alban’s
2848 St. Alban’s Drive
Sinking Spring, PA
Jubilee Ministry
It is the function of our Social Ministries Commission to review needs
and requests of individual’s and organizations our current benevolence
programs and to take actions to meet those needs. An effort is made
to acquaint the parish members with the needs of several local, national
and international agencies.
Greater Berk Food Bank- -
Our annual goal is to provide 2000 pounds of food.
Last year members and friends donated 1,437 pounds of food in addition
to $95. Food is delivered monthly by Harold and Gloria Bjorken. St.
Alban’s is one of two churches giving regular donations to the
Food Bank.
Children at Risk-
The Special Needs Barrel focused on Children at Risk
and 33 packaged kits were put together by our Sunday School children
as part of a project sponsored by the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women.
Rainbow Home -
Salvation Army Angel Tree -
Reading
-Berk’s Emergency Shelter
Members and friends participated in the annual Gift
Wrap program to benefit Rainbow Home, the Tree provided gifts for
poor children and $441. was raised for the Emergency Shelter.
Volunteer Home Care — Kids (& Adults) Closet
clean-out.
Several St. Alban’s members are active in this
program and financial aid in the amount of $ 300. The main request
is for transportation. Deliveries are being made weekly to various
agencies to distribute the clothes, toys, and various household items
deposited in the Barrel.
Planning ahead- -
Continued support for the above named activities
plus a Lenten in gathering for United Thank Offering, youth involvement
with Habitat for Humanity and response to any additional requests
of the Diocese of Bethlehem.
Contact person: Kathy McNally, Chair Social Ministries
Commission
Stroudsburg
Christ Church
200-205 North 7th St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570)421-7481
Jubilee Ministry
We furnish facilities for AA and NA groups.
Invite leaders from Women’s Resources
Support: PATH (Pocono Area Transitional Housing)
for the poor and abused men, women and children. Habitat for Humanity,
Children and Youths’ Services, the Giving Bus and the Giving
Tree.
J2A and Rite 13 youth groups are involved with the
Little Rosa Orphanage and adopting an orphan.
Contact Person:
Carolyn Treier
Tamaqua
Calvary Church
300 West Broad St.
Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-6556
Jubilee Ministry
Social Ministries include:
Tamaqua Adult Day Care Center which uses the undercroft
weekdays at no charge. Many of the adults who utilize this center
have Alzheimer’s Disease.
We work with The Salvation Army to provide goods
for the Food Pantry, Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets. Contributions
are made by the ECW toward a Bed and Breakfast Fund to provide needy
a meal and a night’s lodging.
The offering of the Least Coin, a collection of loose
change taken at ECW meetings is given to the local Church Women United
to be used in social ministry.
Health Kits are made to be given to homeless people
and special Christmas
Stockings are made up to be sent to a juvenile work center, Camp Adams,
at
Hickory Run State Park
Marion Price Trust Fund is established in Schuylkill
CQunty to provide help for elderly Episcopal parishioners. Kathy Burda
is a visiting nurse who is employed by this fund. Calvary Church is
represented by Karen Gildersleeve.
Annually, a collection is taken for the United Thank
Offering and for the Presiding Bishop’s Fund. During special
global crises additional funds are gathered as well.
Trexlertown
St. Anne’s Church
PO Box 368
Trexlertown, PA 18087-0368
(610)398-3321
Jubilee Ministry
Our ministries include the following: Habitat for Humanity, Second
Harvest Food Bank, Macungie Food Bank, Lehigh County Conference of
Churches programs, New Bethany Ministries and the bikes project for
Fr. Kiju Paul’s diocese.
Contact person:
Sue Jacobsen
Mission and Outreach Leader
Troy
St. Paul’s Church
195 Elmira St.
Troy, PA 16947
(570) 297-4864
Jubilee Ministry — St. Paul’s houses
the Troy Food Pantry in their Social Ministries Building. This has
interdenominational support. We provide workers to help pack the food
for one month each year. and have pledged a monetary donation each
month.
We support the work being done at St. Jude’s
Ranch for Disadvantaged Children in the West.
One parishioner has been a foster parent in the past
and keep in contact with their former foster child. Parishioners also
supply that child with Church School material which she enjoys and
gets help with from caretakers. As the child was known to members
of the parish they remember her with cards for her birthday and Christmas
as well. Other parishioners help individuals with food, rides and
other needed services
Contact persons:
Sandy Traegler
RR2 Box 129A
Troy 16947
(570) 297-4312
Lyn Ryan
309 Elmira St.
Troy 16947
(570) 297-3413
Tunkhannock
St. Peter’s Church
POBox459,Rte.6
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
(570) 836-2233
(570) 863-3569
Jubilee Ministry
Local and Regional Ministries: Layette Items for the Guild of Child
Care which includes handmade quilts, booties, bonnets, etc. for infants.
My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Group. Bedrolls for
the homeless. Small personal items and a copy of Forward Day By Day
are included and distributed to homeless men and women. (183 bedrolls
completed to date)
Response to ECW “Kits for Kids” project.
Parishioner(s) organization and involvement in “Relay
for Life’t, American Cancer Society. Share “n” Care
ministry: distribution of food, clothing , cards, flowers, toys, cleaning
supplies and other acts of caring within the local community and college
students. Habitat for Humanity, individuals and parish sponsorship.
Funeral luncheons for members of the community and their families.
“Mommy Camp” -giving mommies a weekend of respite. Interfaith
Wardrobe and Wyoming Peace Commission.
“Mile of Pennies” to buy reading materials
-The Church Periodical Club (We are on our second mile). Collection
of used eyeglasses. PBF. especially for Hurricane Mitch. “Cows
for Kenya” project.
Hosted M. Kiju Paul for one week and pledged to support
one of Kiju’s children with tuition for a year of education
from the “Wednesday Group”. Support UTO
Contact Persons:
Rev. Ray Howe, Rector
P0 Box 459,
Tunkhannock 18657
570) 836-2233
email; ehowe@epix.net—”Cows for Kenya”
The Rev. Vivian Bennett, Deacon (570) 833-2225
West Pittston
Trinity Episcopal Church of West Pittston
220 Montgomery Avenue
West Pittston, PA 18643
Contact: The Rev. John Major
570.654.3261
Trinity Episcopal Church of West Pittston has recently
established itself in the local community as an Episcopal Good Neighbor
Center where neighbor and neighborhood advocacy services afford parishioners
and neighbors alike an experience of the true meaning of our national
Episcopal motto, "We're here for you!".
Good Neighbor Center Outreach
Provide-A-Ride Services
Goals: (1) To engage the members of Trinity Episcopal Church in providing
helpful services to their neighbor; (2) To provide for the transportation
needs of parishioners throughout the week; (3) To provide for the
urgent transportation needs of neighbors.
Emergency Meals and Emergency Food Referrals
Goals: (1) To engage the members of Trinity Episcopal
Church in providing helpful services to their neighbor; (2) To provide
a home-cooked meal to any parishioner or neighbor in need of an emergency,
nutritious dinner; (3) To establish a collaborative and referral relationship
with Pittston Meals-On Wheels; (4) To establish a collaborative and
referral relationship with West Pittston Salvation Army.
Food Bank Sunday
Goals: (1) To engage the members in offering requested
food items as a gift to the Salvation Army Food Bank in the spirit
of thanksgiving for our plentiful blessings (2) To stock Trinity's
emergency supply cupboards for food distribution among those with
urgent needs; (3) To further establish a collaborative and referral
relationship with West Pittston Salvation Army.
Prayer Network
Goals: (1) To encourage the sharing of needs among
neighbors; (2) To encourage prayer and relationship with God; (3)
To communicate the value of prayer with God; (4) To provide witness
that God hears the prayers of His people
Prescription Help
Goals: (1) To provide information to parishioners and others on free
or reduced cost prescription opportunities; (2) to provide assistance
to parishioners and neighbors in the application for free or reduced
cost prescriptions.
Referral Services
Goal: (1) To establish Trinity's Good Neighbor Center
as a place where needs are identified and referrals are made to appropriate
area service providers. (2) To train volunteers to utilize referral
resource publications for the purpose of assisting neighbors in need.
(3) To establish a dedicated phone line, gathering space and the regular
availability of volunteers for assisting neighbors in need.
Neighborcare
Goals: (1) To train and staff volunteers to be sensitive
and alert to the needs of elderly and homebound parishioners and neighbors
through the use of pastoral visitation assessment techniques; (2)
to establish a regular visitation, assessment and reporting process
for volunteer pastoral care visitors; (3) to maintain communication
connections between elderly or homebound neighbors and the larger
community; (4) to regularly assess needs and make referrals or directly
address the needs of elderly or homebound neighbors; (5) to develop
holy relationships between visitors and area residents.
The Episcopal
Church USA recently "affirmed and designated" five parishes and one
agency of the Diocese of Bethlehem as Jubilee Centers.
Bill Lewellis
Diocesan Life, January 2002
For more information about Jubilee Centers visit the
national web site www.ecoservedev.org/jubilee.
Please direct any questions or comments to the webmaster@diobeth.org
