OUTREACH AND SERVICE

We believe that the ministry of Outreach is critical to the mission of our church. The Vestry has made this real by committing a percentage of our budget to Outreach, and increasing it each year. We look for organizations that also provide hands-on opportunities for us to serve our neighbors. We have an Outreach Committee that works hard to ensure our funds and talents are well used. It performs the work of Christ utilizing the resources of The Church of the Atonement by:

  • Responding to the needs of people in our area with appropriate contributions of money, time and talent.
  • Providing assistance locally, using the resources of the Church of the Atonement where appropriate: focusing on clothing, food, shelter and counseling.
  • Involving, inspiring, and communicating with all members of the Church of the Atonement regarding our outreach efforts.

The Outreach Committee meets 5-6 times a year. Each spring we send out grant applications to local organizations. These applications are returned to us and the committee reviews them. We assign committee members to contact the various organizations and have a telephone conversation or visit with the directors.

By November, the Committee presents its final list of grants to the Vestry.  The Vestry receives the Committee’s report and approves distributions to be made in December. The list is published in the church newsletter, The Chronicle, shortly thereafter.  Thank-you letters from organizations as well as other information can be found on the Outreach bulletin board outside the church office. 

New members of the Committee are welcome at any time.  Contact Deedy Clark, chair.

Outreach Sunday – February 12 
In addition to Bishop Croneberger’s visitation and dedication, Sunday, February 12th is when Atonement’s outreach to the community will be recognized, including its ongoing commitment to addressing hunger.  This year we will be hosting Deacon Diane Riley who joined the Community FoodBank of New Jersey as Director of Advocacy last April. For the past five years, she served as Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Apostles’ House where she worked throughout Northern New Jersey to educate people on the factors that contribute to hunger and to help communities explore activities and changes to policies that address the underlying causes and solutions. She is also an Episcopal Deacon who serves as a resource to faith communities in issues of economic justice. Diane will speak to the congregation during the 10:00am service about her work on hunger in our diocese. She will also assist during the service with Rt. Rev. Croneberger and Rev. Lynne Weber.  The service will also include special prayers and music relating to outreach.

Committee Members:
Deedy Clark, Gloria Layne, Kate Miller, Carol Petrovich, Janice Smith, Mary Elizabeth Smith and Wilson Reimers. We welcome new members at any time.

2011 GRANTS APPROVED – The Outreach Team completed their review of grant applications received during 2011. With their recommendations and the Vestry’s approval, funds were given to the following outreach partners:

  • Bright Side Manor
  • Center for Food Action
  • Family Promise of Bergen County
  • Pascack Valley Meals on Wheels
  • North Porch
  • Rebuilding Together
  • St. Paul’s Development
  • St. Peters Haven
  • Shelter Our Sisters

We thank the members of the Outreach Team for their hard work and dedication.

Community Outreach Projects

Environmental Initiatives
Environmental concerns, education and justice have been an important part of Atonement’s ministry for many years.  We recognizethat we are called upon by God to be faithful stewards of the earth and all that God has provided.  Find out more about our environmental initiatives.  Read more…   

St. Paul’s Shelter, Paterson, NJ
Atonement cooks, delivers and usually serves a meal for the men at the St. Paul’s Shelter in Paterson, NJ on the second Sunday of each month.  This is an important “hands-on” outreach that touches the lives of those receiving the meal.  Volunteer members decide on the menu, cook the food and deliver it to the shelter, where the men come out to the car and retrieve the food.  The fully equipped kitchen is set up for the volunteers to simply layout the food and serve it (cafeteria style) to the men, who are grateful and appreciative. 

Ecumenical and Interfaith
We recognize and value that our spiritual journey is shared by our sisters and brothers in Christ of all traditions, and our neighbors who follow other religious paths.  We find ways of sharing that journey and building a more peaceful world through praying, learning, sharing, and reaching out to our community together. Read more…

Open Doors/Open Hearts
We are determined to modify both our facility and our programs, to include members of our community who face barriers to worship, to education and to fellowship. Our plan strives to create barrier-free access, and modernize our facility, while retaining the historic beauty of our church and respecting the environment. Read more…

Santa Maria/Santa Margarita Companion Church
Read about our sister church, an organized Episcopal mission in Margarita, a former canal company town on the northern coast of Panama. Read more…

Shawl Ministry
Members knit lovely shawls for those who are spiritually in need.  it is a ministry of love and a mutually nurturing gathering of people praying through their craft in community. Read more…

Opportunity Shop
Visit our resale boutique housed since 1956 in Atonement’s lower level to find new and gently used clothing for all ages and household items at a great bargain. Read more…