Ministries

There are many ways to get involved at St. Andrew and Holy Communion (affectionately known as '“SAHC”).

  • Engage and make a difference through our Outreach Commission, as we actively serve and support our neighbors through various initiatives, including feeding those in need, provisioning a women’s shelter, helping children of parents in prison, or helping with our ESL program

  • Participate in the services including as a member of the Altar Guild; singing in the choir; ushering; being a lay reader, a mentor for an aspiring confirmand, or an acolyte

  • Join our adult spiritual education, including Wednesdays at SAHC, an online spiritual group, or small faith groups

  • Come to one of our fellowship events, such as Fish Fry Fridays during Lent, or our frequent game nights

Outreach

The Outreach Commission continues its mission of providing support to neighbors in need through various initiatives, including several collaborations with the Youth Group.

 
 

Among our regular programs:

Hosting an ESL Program for the community.

Installing a Community Garden.

Hosting meals at Christine’s Kitchen, the soup kitchen at Holy Trinity Church in West Orange.

Providing formula, diapers, wipes and other infant supplies to North Porch.

Supporting the Prison Ministry of the Diocese of Newark, hosting activities for children of incarcerated parents, donating back to school supplies and providing holiday toys and gifts.

Supporting the U.S. District Court of Newark’s RENEW Program, which seeks to reduce recidivism among individuals who have been released from prison. SAHC provides backpacks with essential personal items to individuals on probation who are returning to their communities.

 
 

 Children’s Worship (Christian Formation)

Sunday School

(both on Zoom and in person)
Sat 9:30, age 4 through Grade 8.

Teachers Susie Ellis and Tamicha Adams meet with children on Sunday mornings for a scripture based, fun-filled half hour lesson. On the second Sunday of each month, the children participate in the 9:30 worship service.

All Ages Service

On the second Sunday of the month, the youth of the church actively participate in the service. They do lay readings and serve at the altar as acolytes, and Rev. Rose gives a special children’s sermon. This is a great way for our children to learn about the Eucharist service!

Confirmation Class

For age 13 and above

Teachers Kathy Yamaoka and Grey Ellis lead a Catechism-based class to prepare teens for Confirmation. Classes begin in the fall and end in spring, usually offered every other year.

 
 

Adult Christian Development/Formation

Wednesdays at SAHC

(Via ZOOM)
7:30-9:00 PM

Rev Rose leads this group in exploring our spirituality, through reading and discussion. Among the books read are An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor, Love is the Way, by Bishop Michael Curry & Sara Grace and The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu.

Lenten and Advent Programs

Special programs included The Hope of Glory, Reflections on the Last Words of Jesus, by Jon Meacham, and a podcast series, Hope Through History, also by Jon Meacham, as well as studying the Book of Joy by the Dali Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Gospel of Matthew.

 

Saints Alive!

A recently established ministry for SAHC. Every month, we will choose a saint to celebrate and learn more about. To date we have learned about Saint Mary Magdalene and Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Martyr, 1965

Small Faith Groups

(Via ZOOM)

“The purpose of an intentional faith-based small group is to build trusting relationships with God and one another.” An initiative of the Episcopal Church USA and the Diocese of Newark, this program offers a way to keep us connected, socially and spiritually. The four components are Gather, Share, Reflect, Prayer.

Small Faith Groups are small groups that are lay-led and meet regularly to gather, share their lives, reflect on scripture, pray and offer thanks to God. They are generally a mixture of different age groups and diverse backgrounds. We are currently meeting on Zoom.

 

Worship and Other Ministries

 
 

Worship Ministry

Acolytes assist in Sunday worship. Open to grades 3 to adult.
Altar Guild cares and adorns our Sanctuary.
Audio/Visual Team
Bulletin Assembly
Welcomers welcome visitors to our church and to coffee hour,
Healing Team and Eucharistic Ministry take Holy Communion to the sick and shut-ins, whether they are at home, in nursing homes or hospitals.
Lay Readers bring the readings of the Old and New Testament, Psalms and Prayers of the People alive during our services
Ushers greet members and visitors to services and assist during the offertory and communion parts of the service. Worship Committee plans services for the different seasons of the year

 

Youth Ministry 

Provides opportunities for young adults in grades 6-12 to get together for fun activities. 

 

Outreach and Justice Ministries

Outreach allows volunteers to come together to extend care to the local community through various programs, such as hosting a soup kitchen at Holy Trinity Church in West Orange several times during the year, providing Thanksgiving baskets, providing Christmas gifts to families in a homeless shelter and delivery of baby products to babies in a shelter.

GreenFaith brings together people of faith who pledge to continue to learn how to lead a responsible and sustainable lifestyle to protect and honor God’s creation. We hope to carry out environmental projects in our church and in the community.

 

Property Ministry

Property helps to maintain our church’s building and physical structures in good repair. We have changed our lighting to energy efficient LEDs and recently completed changing our heating system from oil to a more efficient gas system. Recurring maintenance has also been accomplished such as painting, gardening, roof repairs, refinishing floors and fixing plumbing.

 

Social Ministries

Book Club meets monthly either at people’s homes or at a local restaurant to discuss a book we have chosen and enjoy each other’s company over dinner on Friday evenings.

Men’s Ministry organizes the Fish Fry during Lent and a Mother’s Day Brunch

Women’s Ministry holds fundraisers to assist with the capital campaign for air conditioning in the Parish Hall and hosts a Father’s Day Brunch

Friend Raising – holds fun events open to the public like cake decorating, Carol singing, and game nights

 

Financial Ministries

Audit Committee audits the church’s finances and financial reports and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee

Finance Committee oversees the church’s investments, prepares a budget for approval by the Vestry, develops fiscal controls to ensure maximum transparency and monitors expenses, income and cash flow.

Fundraising Committee plans events that are fun and raise much needed funds. We have had dinner dances, auctions, cake decorating parties and yard sales. We are also raising money for the boiler fund.

Stewardship Committee runs the annual campaign to encourage each parishioner to pledge to contribute at least a specified amount that he chooses. This amount is needed to determine the amount of income that may be relied on in the following year so that a budget may be developed.

 

Administration Ministry

PR/Communications Committee developed and updates the website, updates the Directory, prepares weekly email blasts, administers the Facebook and Instagram pages and seeks new ways to communicate with parishioners and the community.