Shepherding Zion, our sister congregation
April 9, 2012
St. Paul’s is the “shepherding congregation” for members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jersey City, which will close its doors on April 22. Zion has been a presence in the Greenville area since 1877. As a shepherding congregation, we will welcome any of Zion’s members who wish to join us and maintain their record books for six months, after which they will go to the NY Synod archives. Pastor Jessica will write letters of transfer for any Zion members who wish to join other churches. We mourn with our sisters and brothers from Zion and offer them our prayers and support.
Zumba is coming!
March 19, 2012
Sharing Place volunteer David Smith is promising Zumba classes in May to help raise money for the Sharing Place food pantry. Stay tuned!
Women’s group meeting
March 19, 2012
The women’s group of St. Paul Lutheran Church is reading An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. The group typically discusses two or three chapters per session. We meet at the parsonage, and usually someone brings a snack to share. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 23, at 7 pm. See Pastor Jessica if you would like to receive a copy of the book–but don’t stay away just because you haven’t read it.
New members received
March 19, 2012
We were pleased to receive two new members into our fellowship in February: Chuck and Meg Heery. If you have not already welcomed them, please do. In case you can’t find them, Chuck is the tall one and Meg is the one with the flute.
Sharing Place news
February 12, 2012
The Sharing Place, St. Paul’s food ministry, continues to serve about 500 needy families and individuals each month. We have been blessed to f orm relationships with other nonprofits that visit when we are serving food to provide information to our clients, the Community Food Bank’s Food Stamp Outreach program, PACO, Healthfirst, and HOPES CAP among them.
We are grateful to our funders and supporters. Grants from the City of Jersey City and Hudson County help us purchase food. We also have received generous gifts from Appaloosa Management, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Provident Bank, and Bayonne Community Bank, as well as from many individuals. Beverly Savage of Hudson County CASA helped to provide school supplies. Many groups contributed warm hats, scarves, and gloves.
South Asian ministry
February 6, 2012
At St. Paul’s congregation meeting on February 5, Pastor David Achariam, mission developer, provided an update on his work in the South Asian community in our Five Corners neighborhood. With the help of a few volunteers, Pr. David has been spreading the Word throughout the neighborhood. A prayer walk and meetings with community leaders have helped to increase the visibility of St. Paul’s South Asian ministry. Pr. David is looking for space in which to hold a weekly lunch meeting with businesspeople in the heart of Jersey City.
A fish farm, a couple of goats, and some chicks
February 6, 2012
During Advent, worshipers at St. Paul Lutheran Church contributed to “God’s Global Barnyard,” a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We raised just $364, but we learned that this small contribution could buy a fish farm to help feed an entire community, a goat or two to provide milk (and more goats) for a family, and several chicks that will provide natural pest control as they grow and eggs (and more chickens) when they mature. We rejoice to be able to help sustainable development in some of the world’s poorest regions.
Taking care of business
February 6, 2012
The annual business meeting of St. Paul Lutheran Church took place on Sunday, February 5, after the liturgy. In addition to sharing reports about our ministries to one another and to the community, the congregation approved a budget of approximately $438,000. This budget reflects the work not only of the church but also of the Sharing Place and the St. Paul Center for Caring. Another important item of business was electing our congregation’s leaders.
Sharing Place donations appreciated
January 4, 2012
Sharing Place patrons were very grateful for the gifts of winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves, all provided by generous donors. Your support for the neediest members of our community is much appreciated. Thank you!
Winter-weather donations
December 29, 2011
On Saturday, December 24, the Sharing Place distributed hundreds of donated winter coats, as well as hats, scarves, and mittens, donated by community groups, members of St. Paul’s, and our neighbors in the Five Corners of Jersey City. These gifts were much appreciated. Thanks to all who donated!