Giving our Gifts: Generosity Ministry Update
In this season of gift giving, the Generosity Committee is delighted to share with you the way they are helping us as a congregation give the gifts we have been given to share. One of the great gifts we have been given to share, is a bequest from Alex & Eunice Sharipen. As we considered how to steward this gift, tithing was the first act of the Sharipen Bequest Taskforce. Through their prayerful work…
$300,000 was given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help with US based emergencies.
They then designated an additional $75,000 for the support the other regular mission partnerships of the church.
To help continue to steward a discernment process around that $75,000 and those regular mission partnerships, the Session formed the church’s Generosity Committee. This ministry strives to give to missions and organizations that help us affirmatively answer the following questions:
Does their mission help us love like Jesus, building up our relationship with God, one another, and the community?
Does this organization help us offer unconditional love to our neighbor?
Does their mission emphasize equity? (Who do they serve? Why?)
Do they have access to other resources? Do they need the money? (Know this through their 990s) If they do need money, is there a specific financial ask?
Do we have a real relationship with the organization? (Would cultivating that relationship be possible? To what degree?)
After developing a thoughtful and prayerful process, the following are the organizations and amounts the Session has approved the Generosity Committee to disburse.
Congregational Care
HPC Deacons Benevolence & Special Needs Fund- $5,000
In addition to the responsibilities of visitation and care, the Hopewell Presbyterian Church Deacons lead the congregation in serving our community by confidentially addressing requests from local individuals and families for financial support. These funds will help the Deacons meet emergency needs when out of funds.
HPC Missions
Creative Connections Playschool - $3,000
This amount was designated for the “Green Fund” the scholarship fund of CCPS, set up to help families in our community afford early childhood education. CCPS “…was founded with a passion to provide a creative, meaningful, hands-on learning environment for children 3-6 years of age. CCPS Director and head teacher, Liz Blankstein, maintains a program inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. This philosophy is increasingly being adopted by early childhood programs in the United States. At CCPS we understand that the classroom is the third teacher and is designed to inspire learning. Provocations are set up for children to make hypotheses, investigate and create …”
Local Partners
Camp Johnsonburg - $10,000
The Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, located in the northwest region in New Jersey’s highlands, was established in 1959 to provide Christian education experiences in support of the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. They provide summer camp, programmed retreats, spiritual sanctuary, conference retreat venues, special needs camps and four weeks of service to the homeless. Their mission is to provide a place where all are welcome and where all are invited to share, and where gracious hospitality is provided in a joyful Christian community surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.
Chubby’s Project - $5,000
Chubby’s project is motivated by the desire to “…nurture the mind, body and spirit of our community.” They describe themselves as a”… hyper local program dedicated to food justice and building connections within the Hopewell community. ”Through our lunch program and food pantry, The Project aims to nourish the community’s mind, body, and spirit by creating a full circle of connection between recipients, volunteers, donors and food service workers.” “The Chubby’s Project, a non –profit corporation, and Chubby’s of Hopewell, LLC (the restaurant ) are two different entities working together. The restaurant provides meals, buys food and packaging at cost, infrastructure and labor, and the Project pays for the restaurant contribution using funds from grants and private donations.”
Arm in Arm - $2,500
This charity has its headquarters in Trenton, NJ and helps people who need food, housing and job support to connect with people who want to help. “Arm and Arm is a place where community comes together to make sure we all have the most basic needs of food and shelter and, as possible, the livelihood to maintain them.” They believe that when the entire community is thriving everyone benefits. It was started in 1980 by members of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Trinity Church to help those needing financial assistance. It was originally known as The Crisis Ministry but the name was changed in 2016 to focus on the collaborative partnerships of linking those needing help with those offering help.
Rescue Mission - $2,500
The Trenton, N.J. Rescue Mission’s goal is “… to help put an end to homelessness – one person at a time.” Over the years people have been helped through the Mission’s Shelter, the Behavioral Health Center, Vocational Development Programs, Supportive Housing, the Thrift Store and the Food Pantry.
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) - $2,500
TASK’s mission is to “… feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and offer programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life.” The Deacons and other church members help on a regular basis to serve meals to those in need at the Soup Kitchen.
National & International
Friends for Health in Haiti - $20,000
This amount will help cover the rebuilding of latrines in Haiti. Click here to learn more. The mission of Friends for Health in Haiti is “… to improve the health of the people of Haiti in a caring, compassionate manner as a reflection of our Christian faith.” Over the years, HPC has supported Dr. Katie Wolf. She developed a primary care clinic and maternity center located on the northern coast of the southern peninsula. Friends for Health in Haiti was founded by Dr. Wolf in 2006 which was also the same year she moved to take up permanent residence there. Because of the funds raised by Friends for Health in Haiti, Dr. Wolf was able to purchase land for a primary care medical clinic. This new clinic opened in March, 2014. In 2017 the Mission Committee of the New Brunswick Presbytery sponsored a work camp for church members to travel to Haiti to help Dr. Wolf.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - $20,000
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. that helps congregations to witness to the healing love of Christ by caring for people who have experienced catastrophic events. It is involved in long term recovery assistance such as natural disasters, the covid-19 crisis and provides help for refugees. This $20,000 was specifically directed to support Afghan refugees.
As we approach the celebration of the Christ-Child we are filled with wonder and awe at God’s amazing gifts. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) We are able to show our Christian love by supporting those in need through the extraordinary Sharipen gift. The shepherds were frightened but the angel of the Lord appeared to them and said Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10) Let us be thankful for this good news of the birth of our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor Melissa & Ruth Mortensen
Generosity Ministry