Outreach, How We Serve the Community Around Us
All aspects of our church are involved in serving our neighbors. From the children, to Deacons and our dedicated Mission Committee, see below our many efforts to help those in need and see how you might assist. Click here to
view our volunteer opportunities and contact us to help. Make a Difference
Today!
Shave & Haircut for Veterans on Memorial Day
The Mission Committee asked for your support with our “shave and haircut” project and your response was generous and sincerely appreciated. Many organizations provide meals and clothing, but often personal appearance becomes a vital part of one’s outlook on life. We wanted to aid veterans with having the means to accomplish that goal. With the assistance of an active American Legion in Kearny who see veterans on a daily basis, this collection provided haircuts and other hygiene items to help the veterans returning to civilian life, seeking employment, aging veterans on fixed incomes, and those who find themselves homeless.
We want to thank the Sunday school children for their beautiful cards and thoughtful messages to our veterans for Memorial Day. Eight delightful girls with wonderful smiles and lots of enthusiasm from our Sunday school helped collect your gifts at the doors with patriotic red, white and blue baskets. We thank them for their participation in honoring our veterans.
Community Alliance Banking Program
Boiling Springs Savings Bank, a long-time neighbor and friend of FPC, has provided us for a number of years with an unprecedented opportunity for fundraising. Through the Community Alliance Banking Program, Boiling Springs will make a quarterly donation, without cost to you, to FPC. The donation is based on the average balances in the participating member’s/friend’s designated accounts. Eligible accounts include checking, savings, CD’s, Premium Checking, Money Markets and Individual Retirement accounts. Both new and existing accounts are eligible.
When you open your new account at Boiling Springs, simply tell the customer service rep that you would like this account to be included as part of the Community Alliance Banking Program for First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford. If you already have an existing account with Boiling Springs, just visit one of their branches to fill out an enrollment form designating the account to be included in the Community Alliance Banking Program for FPC. It is very important to note that all of your account information is kept strictly confidential within Boiling Springs. No one from FPC will have any knowledge of the donor’s account information or account balance. To ensure complete privacy, when Boiling Springs makes their quarterly donation, they do not even provide a list of those who have named FPC for receipt of the funds. We encourage all members and friends of FPC to enroll because, to put is simply, the more members and friends that enroll the larger the quarterly bank donation becomes. For more information, please contact the Church office.
On March 6th we served over 100 meals at Family Promise in Hackensack. It was a wonderful experience, which we offer several times a year. Thanks to our generous Mission Committee and kind volunteers who cooked and served the meal!
Mission Committee News
The Mission Committee served dinner to two different programs of Family Promise of Bergen County on March 6th. Mary Hadrava and Barbara Treacy cooked and served dinner at First Presbyterian Church in Lyndhurst to families who spend a week in one location rather than moving daily. They served 2 moms, 3 children and the helpers. The same night, the rest of us were in Hackensack to serve the Walk-In Dinner. We served 118 people a hearty casserole, corn muffins, salad, cupcakes and drinks. In addition to committee members, we were joined by cooks Frankie Frederick and Patricia Ruggero-Porter. Helping us serve were Fran Blowers, Patricia Ruggero-Porter, LuAnn Poch and Bing Qiang Lu. Our thanks to all of you.
We collected Easter Basket candies and toys for the children at Oasis. Our participation helped Oasis to achieve their goal of providing 1,000 baskets for the children. Their mothers are given computer skills education, ESL classes, job training with employment assistance and needed child care. Thank you for your continued support. We continue to work with First Pres Kids in providing cards and greetings to the veterans living at Chestnut Hill in Passaic. We are always seeking new members for the committee as many hands make light work. Mission Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. Keep those whom we help and assist in your prayers. ~ Diane DeSantis
A Note from our Mission Committee
The Mission Committee had a busy 2016 Christmas season. The first week of December, we delivered to OASIS 2 large wheeled totes of toys from the congregation. They were surprised at our generosity. I received a tour and was told of the many things they do to help women improve their lives and their children. See me for more information on what they do.
We also helped several other groups:
All we do is done in the name of God and the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford.
The Mission Committee is always on the lookout for new projects and would welcome your ideas! Sometimes you read or hear about an organization that is working towards changing lives for the better. We welcome your suggestions and would surely welcome some new members. We are a friendly group that works well together. We meet the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the CE room, for about one hour. Please consider joining us!
Diane DeSantis
Mission Committee
Deacon's Annual Coat Drive
First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford collected new and gently used coats again this year for Jersey Cares annual coat drive.
With your support, we were able to provide 132 coats to others in need in connection with the New Jersey Cares Coat Drive. We appreciate your giving spirits and financial support in our endeavors. We would not be able to accomplish all that we do without your encouragement and support!
Thanksgiving Dinner 2016
On November 24, 2016 we hosted Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the fixings. The
event took place in
the Karen Kaiser Parish House with the dedication and service of numerous people
within the church and community. Thanks to all who assisted and gave so
graciously of their time.
Mission Committee Serving with Whole Hearts...
The Mission Committee provided (and served) 150 meals this March for the walk-in supper at the shelter in Hackensack (in conjunction with the Family Promise of Bergen County). Pictured to the left above Kathy Kazalis, Kathryn Kittredge, Bonnie Sheppard, Babs McGill, and Diane DeSanris. A special thanks to the First Pres Kids for assisting with the preparation of the fruit cups during Sunday School. Pictured to the right, above, Servers Fran Blowers, Diane DeSantis and Kathryn Kittridge getting the salads ready...that's Stuart Sheppard in the back lending a hand.
The Mission Committee gives a big thank you to Fran Blowers, Barbara Hoover, Bonnie and Stuart Sheppard, Babs McGill, Kathryn Kittredge, Chris Bologna, Kathy Kazalis, Diane and Liz DeSantis and Kathy Savino. It is a group effort and we on Mission could not get it done without our volunteers. Our next date to serve is June 6th. Mark your calendars! If you are available to assist, drop us a note through our volunteer form.
Thank you for your donations!
Sunday, February 7th, 2016 was more than Super Bowl Sunday—it was also Souper Bowl of Caring. On this special day, our youth held soup pots at the church doors and the congregation gave with tremendous generosity! We raised $451 for our local Food Pantry! Our First Pres Kids joined young people in churches and organizations all across the country to collect money for those who are hungry and hurting. As always, thank you everyone for your support of those in need.
Valentines for Veterans - February 2016
The Missions Committee has teamed up once again with our fabulous First Pres Kids to give to others. This February, as part of the monthly missions outreach, the special group of Korean and World War II veterans at Chestnut Hill Rehab Center (Passaic) received Valentines made by our creative children. The veterans were also given hooded sweatshirts from First Presbyterian Church. Thank you Missions Committee! Thank you First Pres Kids!
See the kids in action on our First Pres Kids Webpage.
greetings from the deacons
The Board of Deacons would like to thank you for all of the support that we have received from the Congregation and friends during 2015. This Holiday Season, the church collected 185 gently used coats as part of Jersey Cares' 20th Annual Coat Drive. The event was a huge success! Thanks to the church and community for helping those in need this Christmas.
The Deacons would also like to wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy 2016!
Past Service and Community Outreach Events
mission committee: 2015, a year in review
The Mission Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm for about one hour. Here's is what we accomplished this year:
Rutherford Food Pantry: Deliver weekly food collection from congregation, provided school supplies and snacks at the beginning of school year;
Pizza, Pack & Play: In conjunction with the children of Christian Ed, 144 Blessing Bags of daily care items were delivered to the Family Promise Shelter in Hackensack;
Camp Lots Fun: Provided a pizza lunch to campers and counselors;
Family Promise Overnights: Served dinner for families who stay overnight for one week at Lyndhurst Presbyterian Church
Veterans: Sponsored activities for Veterans of the Chestnut Hill Nursing Home through the American Legion Post 109;
Newark Sunday Feed the Homeless: Provided hats, scarves, gloves and socks for 150 people;
Project Christmas Morning: Envelopes prepared with children's wishes for Christmas through Children's Aid and Family Service. The congregation helped and 75 gifts were delivered
Project Homeless Connect: Donated through United Way
Provided gift cards to Center ford Hope and Safety for Christmas
Christmas Day Dinner: Made gift bags for guests;
Presbyterian Church USA: Donation made in response to earthquake in Nepal
Presbyterian General Mission: Made annual pledge.
Was it a busy year? Yes and no. This is very typical of what we do each year. Some things we've done for years, some are new. Each year, we tweak it a little and come up with new areas of need. Do you have something you'd like to see us do? Come join us at our next meeting. We would love your input and we welcome new faces. ~ Chris Bologna
christmas dinner 2015
Thank you to all the volunteers and to all our guests who joined us for Christmas luncheon. Another great event for the community of Rutherford and beyond!
project christmas morning, giving to families in need
Each Christmas we ask the congregation to help us as we assist those in
need so that they can have a Merry Christmas. Kathy Kazalis has done an
excellent job though the years spearheading Project Christmas Morning
for Mission. Children’s Aid and Family Service is a nonprofit
organization in Northern New Jersey. They cater to the needs of
children who have no family and families who are transitioning through
the everyday challenges of life. In 2014, Project Christmas Morning was directed to
Zoe’s Place in Garfield where we provided kitchen items, sheets,
toiletries, baby stroller, car seat and a couple kindles.
thanksgiving dinner 2015
On November 26, 2015 we hosted 150 people for Thanksgiving dinner. The event took place in the Parish House with the dedication and service of numerous people within the church and community. Thanks to all who assisted and gave so graciously of their time.
first pres kids, serving through the gift of art
During the November Sunday School sessions, our kids have been making
decorations for the Thanksgiving Dinner event. We are proud to see the
fine example of our youth in the giving to others.
mission committee and First Pres Kids pair up to help those in need
This November the Mission Committe and First Pres Kids teamed up for the event Pizza, Pack & Play. 150 care packages were complied for the Family Promise Shelter residents. Read More about this and our kids program here.
Deacons provide more than $1,200.00 dollars of fresh produce to Those in need!
The Rutherford Farmers Market Bucks program has now concluded for the
2015 year. Under the program, Rutherford Food Pantry clients were able
to purchase fresh produce at the Farmers Market. This year the Deacons
provided more than $1,200.00 dollars of fresh produce to these families.
Mission in Action
The below pictures show the mission committee in service at the Walk in Supper at the shelter in Hackensack. Set up through the Family Promise of Bergen County, each night a different church group (or organization) provides a meal. Many guests are residents of the shelter, however the program is open to anyone in the community. Up to 150 people may show up. This particular night, below, 115 people were served. First Pres serves here four times each year.
Mission Commitee: Chris Bologna, Diane DeSantis, Carol Geragotelis,
Kathy Kazalas, Kathryn Kittredge, Micki Roth, Kathy Savino, Kathie
Cockroft, Dimitra Skenderi, Pat Yenkosky
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