St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

 

51 Mountain Way
Morris Plains, NJ   07950-0104
Telephone:  (973) 285-0884

E-Mail:  parishadmin@stpaulsmp.org


 top of page


Ministries

 


Worship

Acolytes
Altar Guild
Altar Flowers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM)
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV)
Lectors
Music Program
Ushers


Stewardship of our Physical Resources

Building & Grounds
Capital Campaign Discernment Committee
Gardening Group
Memorial Garden

 

Christian Education and Formation

Adult Christian Education
Church School
Junior High School Youth Group

             

Outreach

12-Step and Community Groups
Boy Scouting Activities
Community Care Commission
Prison Ministry Pen Pal Program


Pastoral Care and Parish Life

Crestwood
Eucharistic Visitors
Fellowship Commission
Guild of the Christ Child
St. Paul's Book Club
St. Paul's Bridge Group
St. Paul's Prayer Group
Warren Haven

 


Worship


Acolytes

Acolytes assist the parish clergy at worship, and in doing so help to lead the whole worshipping community in prayer.  The Acolyte program at St. Paul’s is open to anyone between the ages of 8 and 18 who has a desire to be an important part of the service.  The Acolytes are divided between servers and torch bearers and participate in the service one or two times a month. The servers carry the cross and assist the priest at the altar with the bread and wine. The torch bearers also assist with the distribution of the offering plates.  The Acolytes have a longstanding historic position in the Anglican and Episcopal Churches. That tradition continues at St Paul’s.


Altar Guild

In addition to seeing that the parish's vestments are properly cleaned and set out, the Altar Guild cleans the sanctuary and choir areas, sets up linens and vessels; attends to the frontal and pulpit and lectern hangings; sets the readings in the various books used for the service; and sets the hymn numbers in the hymn board for the congregation.  After the service, things are cleared and stored until the next service, which may well be a wedding, baptism, funeral or mid-week service.



Altar Flowers

Flowers may be placed on the altar in memory of a loved one, for a special occasion or simply in thanksgiving for God's blessings.  There is an altar flower sign-up chart on the wall just to the left of the entrance to the Lounge.  During Lent, no flowers are placed on the altar, except on Rose Sunday.  At Easter and Christmas, we ask for special flower memorials.


Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained and licensed by the Diocese to assist the clergy at worship or to lead worship in the absence of clergy.  At St. Paul's, LEMs help by serving at the altar, reading the second scripture lesson and leading the psalm, and by assisting at the Eucharist as first chalice bearer.  A second LEM also assists by administrating the second chalice.  In addition, the LEMs go to Crestwood Nursing Home on Whippany Road to lead Sunday afternoon worship services for the residents. 


Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV)

Lay Eucharistic Visitors, who are trained and licensed by the Diocese, assist parish clergy with pastoral visiting and bringing the sacrament to those who are hospitalized or homebound.


Lectors

Lectors assist at public worship by reading scripture (usually the first lesson) and leading the Prayers of the People.  From time to time, Lectors are also called upon to serve at weekday services for Holy Days.


Music Program

Our music program at St. Paul's continues to thrive through our fine choir.  This choir, composed of parish volunteers, sings a wide variety of choral repertoire from the Renaissance to 21st century compositions.  In addition to providing music leadership at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning services from September through mid June, the choir also sings at the Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Advent Lessons and Carols services, and Christmas Eve services.  An informal pick-up choir meets during the summer months to continue un-interrupted music leadership for the entire liturgical year.

The choir is always interested in new members.  Participation is open to anyone of high school age and older.  Prior musical training is not required, just a sincere desire to regularly offer one's singing ability in a choral setting in service to God.

Regular rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00, and on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 9:45, prior to the 10:00 service.


Usher

Thank you for your patience while we complete our website.

 


Stewardship of our Physical Resources


Buildings & Grounds

Our picturesque Church building was built over a two-year period in the late 1920s. The Church itself is of traditional English “puddingstone” construction, with a muted, multi-colored slate roof and topped by a bell tower. Entering through large oak doors, the Church seats approximately 160 people in two rows of pews on either side of a wide center aisle. Leaded glass windows line the walls of the Church, while a beautiful stained-glass window depicting Christ in four biblical scenes rises above the raised altar and choir benches. Local tradition has it that the building is an exact replica of a much-older church somewhere in England. In any case, it has a warmly inviting storybook character about it, set far back as it is from the street, behind the spreading branches of a huge old beech tree. This unique and lovely architecture is frequently what first draws newcomers to St. Paul’s. 

Attached to the Church proper are a sacristy, vesting room and choir room. A large undercroft is used for meetings and social occasions and has a large, well-equipped kitchen. A significant addition, featuring Church offices, a lounge, a nursery, and Sunday School classrooms, was completed in the late 1960’s. 

Adjacent to the Church is our memorial garden, used for the burial of the ashes of departed parishioners and friends. A memorial plaque listing the names of those interred in the garden is located just inside the front door of the Church.



Capital Campaign Discernment Committee

Thank you for your patience while we complete our website.


Gardening Group

An informal gardening group was formed at St. Paul's in the fall of 2007.  It is comprised of people who enjoy gardening and wish to help beautify the church grounds.  When a gardening need arises (i.e., a bush needing to be pruned, ivy to be removed from an area, weeding in a particular spot, etc.), the group will be contacted, mostly by e-mail.  Anyone interested in taking care of a particular project would respond; the others are then advised that the project is being taken care of. 

There will be occasional planning meetings or work parties, as needed; we do not expect to hold regular meetings.  Some folks wish to come out for work parties and some wish to putter in the garden in solitude.

All are welcome.  It is not necessary to be an experienced gardener, just to have a desire to make the grounds of St. Paul's more attractive.  Interested in getting on the e-mail list, or just learning more?  Contact siteadmin@stpaulsmp.org, or leave a message at the church office.


Memorial Garden

Thank you for your patience while we complete our website.

 


Christian Education and Formation



Adult Christian Education 
 


Church School

St. Paul's Church School takes place on Sundays during the 10:00 a.m. worship service, with the children returning to the service for communion.  Our classes are separated into four groups:  preK and K, 1st-3rd grades, 4th-5th grades and the Junior High class which contains 6th-8th grades.

A new curriculum, "All Things New", has been introduced to grades K-5 this fall and has been well received by the teachers and students.  The new curriculum is a mix of age-appropriate activities centered on scripture.

Our Church School program could not take place without all of our committed parishioners who volunteer their time to teach our children.  However, we are still in great need of teacher volunteers and classroom helpers.  We need your help to continue to have a successful program, so please consider volunteering some time.


Junior High School Youth Group

The Youth Group (grades 6-8) meets every other Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  One of the goals of the Youth Group is to have fun while increasing our knowledge and understanding of Christian principles.  They seek to serve others as Christ would do.

In 2007, they enjoyed a variety of fun and service activities.  They hosted a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and a jewelry party, and continued their participation in the town clean-up, all of which served as fundraisers for the group.  Additionally, they "adopted" some families at Easter and made baskets for them, made Easter crafts for our own parish homebound and hosted the parish Easter Egg Hunt.  They also walked in the Homeless Solution walk-a-thon, raising approximately $500.  In the fall, they went bowling, did another town clean-up, sponsored a Halloween Party for the children of the parish, fed approximately 80 people at Homeless Solutions, "adopted" a family for Christmas and had a party of their own.  The group often meets in the newly refurnished Youth Room.

The Youth Group is looking forward to more parties, field trips and service activities.  More youth, families and adult leadership would be very welcome.  If you are interested in joining the Youth Group or becoming a Youth Group mentor or chaperone, please leave a message with the church office at parishadmin@stpaulsmp.org.

top of page



Outreach


Twelve-Step Groups and Community Groups

Ministry at St. Paul’s continues virtually around the clock, seven days a week. The parish provides meeting space for a number of community groups. Five 12-Step groups, including meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and SA, make use of St. Paul’s on weekdays for their meetings (the Al-Anon group that once met here has disbanded). In 2007  we entered into a new relationship with the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a non-profit professional organization that has been providing training opportunities for professionals working in the field of quality control. The New York City Church of Christ continues to use our building for men’s and women’s study groups, youth activities, and occasional Sunday worship and will return in 2008. A small aerobics class gathers in the Undercroft twice a week and organizations such as the Morris Area Girl Scouts use church facilities for district-wide workshops and training sessions on Saturdays. The Vikings football team from Parsippany has held their annual dinner in our Undercroft for a few years, and our ongoing relationship with Homeless Solutions brings the organization to St. Paul’s annually for their walk-a-thon fundraiser.

We have also become a more actively used gathering place for diocesan events, having hosted meetings of the Commission on Ministry, District 3, the Diaconal Ordination Committee and a weekly, local clergy bible study group. Parishioners have also made use of our facilities throughout the year for birthday parties, baby showers and other family celebrations.


Boy Scouting Activities

St. Paul's has sponsored Pack #233 for over thirty years.  At present, roughly 45 boys in grades 1-4 are involved in den activities.  In addition to regular leadership meetings held at St. Paul's, several dens have been holding their meetings in our classroom spaces in 2007 and more have requested to do so in 2008.  Our undercroft also hosts the Pack #233 Pinewood Derby each year and the annual Blue & Gold Dinner. 

Plans have been made, once good weather returns in the spring, for the Pack to do a service project for St. Paul's - painting of the outdoor storage shed - in thanks for all our support of their work.

Our new relationship with the Boy Scout's Fishawack District for monthly regional meetings of commissioners and Roundtables at St. Paul's has been greatly appreciated by the group and will continue to draw about 50 adults and scouts to St. Paul's each month in 2008.


Community Care Commission

St. Paul's continues its tradition of outreach in many forms.  We've recently participated in coat, soup and Thanksgiving drives to help in the community. 

We are particularly busy during the Christmas season.  Each year, we erect the "Karen Tree" in the hallway leading to the sanctuary.  Parishioners leave gifts of scarves, gloves and hats on the tree, and place wrapped toys and gifts under the tree.  These gifts are donated to the following:  Interfaith Food Pantry - Hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and children's boots are taken by the Pantry, who then brings them to food distribution centers for needy individuals and families; Morris County Correctional Facility - Gifts of basic toiletry items for the inmates are gratefully accepted, as well as home baked cookies; Paterson Affirms Restoring Kids' Safety (PARKS) - Wrapped toys, books and clothing are left under the tree for this group.

The primary mode of communication with regard to our Outreach activities continues to be the Sunday bulletin and postings on the Community Care bulletin board, which is located just outside the Lounge.


Prison Ministry Pen Pal Program

For several years, the diocese has sponsored a pen pal program to provide fellowship to inmates who would otherwise have little contact outside prison walls.  If you're interested in exploring this ministry, contact Karen Eberhardt at deacon@stpaulsmp.org.



Pastoral Care and Parish Life


Crestwood



Eucharistic Visitors



Fellowship Commission



Guild of the Christ Child

Children under the age of four are invited to become members of the Guild of the Christ Child.  In recognition of membership, each child receives a card and small gift at Easter, Christmas and on his or her birthday and anniversary of baptism.  Look at the Guild bulletin board at the Hillview Avenue entrance for pictures of many of our members.


St. Paul's Book Club

The St. Paul's Book Club meets monthly, usually on the third Tuesday, except during the summer months of June, July and August.  The meetings take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge, where the current book is discussed and new ones selected.  The Book Club is open to all for camaraderie and fellowship, even if you haven't finished the "book of the month".  If you would like more information, you can send a note via our online contact form


St. Paul's Bridge Group

The Bridge Group meets on the second Monday of every month in the Lounge from 12:30 until 4:00 p.m.  They are a relaxed group - no pressure.  There are players at all levels.  Players provide their own snacks and beverages and each player donates something toward the heating of the Lounge.  All persons who would like to play are welcome.  If you are interested, please speak to any bridge player or send a note via our online contact form.   


St. Paul's Prayer Group

Thank you for your patience while we complete our website.


Warren Haven

Thank you for your patience while we complete our website.

 

 



 

 For questions about the website, contact:
siteadmin@stpaulsmp.org