To the Community
Below is a list of some of Union's ministries in service to others. Many of these programs and groups are also supported through donations from the Outreach Department. If you would like to provide assistance for any of these ministries, please contact the individuals listed.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS FAIR The Christmas season provides an opportunity to experience giving at its best as we share through an Alternative Christmas Fair, where donations are made in other's names or for purchases of fair trade items. Usually held the first 2 Sundays in December. Contact: Gloria Crist
APOSTLE'S HOUSE A five component program in Newark that entails: Emergency Family Shelter: provides for the immediate needs of homeless women and children. Transitional Housing: a second step in a continuum of care for homeless families. Clients in this facility also receive case management and substance abuse counseling. Food Pantry: Distributes bags of food to families and individuals who are referred for service and for the special nutritional needs of HIV/AIDS clients. Family Preservation Program: The Apostles' House staff works with families at-risk of having children removed from the home and placed in foster care. Multigenerational Transitional Housing: A pending program that will pair pregnant teenagers with senior citizens who provide mentoring and life skills training.
CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Orange is where you can find lots of Union folk on four Saturdays a year. We cook at home or at Union and serve for as many as 120 people – and we enjoy their company! Watch the website for the next scheduled date to help. Contact: Ted O'Dell
CUMAC, a food pantry in Paterson, New Jersey was born to provide emergency food to the local community. CUMAC is a supplier to other pantries and has been serving the community for over 30 years. Union youth groups have traveled to CUMAC to bring donations and bundle food packages. Contact: Gregg Deehan
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - NEWARK two or three time a year, 8 - 12 members of Union travel into Newark to work side by side with future home owners to erect a home. All phase of home building might be worked on from foundations to finished painting. Union raised a substantial portion of a home build in the recent past through a major offering. Contact: Bill Kelly
HOMECORP, a Montclair-based association that helps to provide safe, affordable housing in the area and to help promote neighborhood development. Since its founding in 1988, HOMECorp has restored and built new 19 dwellings (33 units) and 43 apartments. Union members sit on the board.
INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK Three times a year Union is one of 80 hosting congregations in Essex county that provides emergency overnight shelter and meals to families in need. The program operates 365 days per year and families in crisis usually stay at a hosting congregations building for one week before moving on to the next
hosting congregation. Contact: Mary Szumski
MISSION TRIPS are a popular ministry. Our senior highs have been to Belize, Costa Rica. Montreal, South Dakota, and Tennessee among others. In 2009 they travelled to Yakama, Washinton. Our middle schoolers have a two-week experience in Montclair. Our adults are eager to help those recovering on the Gulf Coast and in 2009 a trip to Pastores, Guatemala to help build a home. Contact: Gregg Deehan
SALVATION ARMY and Union have connected in a variety of ways. We helped the Army rehab Cornerstone, the only homeless shelter in Montclair and recently raised funds to help outfit the kitchen in the New Corps Community Center on Church Street. We have supported their ministry through our outreach budget and alternative Christmas Fair. Union members sit on the board.
SCEEP is a tutoring and cultural experience that we provide weekly during the school year for an elementary class from Sussex Ave. School in Newark. We are grateful for community members who expand our tutoring force. Contact: Cindy Stavitsky
TONI'S KITCHEN is a food ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, New Jersey. There, many guests are offered warm hospitality and a hot, nutritious meal every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Union has provided hand, funds and food.
