ENGLEWOOD, N.J., January 27, 2020 —A group of Episcopal Churches in Northeastern Bergen County, N.J., known as District 9, will celebrate their ministries through worship and the launch of the group’s annual fundraising campaign for Lent 2020.
The group’s first-ever joint Service of Readings and Hymns for the Epiphany Season will be held on Sun., Feb. 23 at 5:00 P.M. at St. Paul’s Church in Englewood. During the service, a free-will offering to support the ministry of North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers will be accepted at the doors. A festive reception will follow.
“Light of Light ere the Worlds Began” Service Embodies Major Themes of Epiphany Season
Reflecting the many talents and diverse backgrounds of the parishioners in its member churches, the District 9 service will feature instrumentalists and a combined choir under the leadership of Mark Trautman, Music Director at St. Paul’s and Missioner for Music and the Arts for the Diocese of Newark. The readings and music, including offerings in both Korean and Spanish, will tell the story of the season that celebrates the birth and baptism of Jesus, the launch of his ministry and his transfiguration. The Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber, Rector of Church of the Atonement in Tenafly and Convener for District 9, will preside at the service, and the Rev. William Allport III, Rector of St. Paul’s, will preach. A festive reception will follow.
District 9 Launches 2020 Lenten Fundraiser to Benefit North Porch Women & Infants’ Centers
“Many of the churches in our District already support their own outreach efforts as well as other local charities with food, goods and monetary donations throughout the year. District 9’s Lenten campaign has evolved over the years into an effort by each of our congregations to go above and beyond their normal giving, raising $500 — or more — each. Those combined monies go toward a common goal and reinforce our unity as church. This year, we have chosen North Porch as our beneficiary,” said Rev. Weber.
North Porch is a 501(c)(3) organization and a member of the Community Food Bank of Northern New Jersey. The first North Porch center was incorporated in 1984 in Newark, N.J., by the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Newark. Today, through its centers in Newark, Paterson and Dover as well as a satellite centers in Hackettstown, Morristown and Jersey City, the organization remains dedicated to helping fill the gap in emergency situations when needy families are displaced or have shortfalls in their budget. Referred by social service agencies and religious organizations, North Porch clients are able to visit up to four times a year and at each visit receive one week’s essential supply of diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and toiletries.
District 9 is one of ten regional groups in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. The participating churches include All Saints’ Episcopal Korean Church/Bergenfield, Church of the Annunciation/Oradell, Church of the Atonement/Tenafly, Grace Church/Westwood, Church of the Holy Communion/Norwood, Holy Trinity Church/Hillsdale, St. Matthew’s Church/Paramus, St. Paul’s Church/Englewood, St. Andrew’s Church/Harrington Park, St. Luke’s Church/Haworth and St. Paul’s Church/Montvale. In addition, All Saints Church/Leonia will support District 9’s joint fundraising effort. Check out District 9’s new page: https://www.facebook.com/District9Churches
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FACTS AND FIGURES FROM NORTH PORCH
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North Porch serves an average of 3,500 children per year
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Disposable diapers cost up to $72/month, per child*
– * www.babycenter.com/baby-cost-calculator \
DAILY CHALLENGES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
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Many families can’t afford transportation to warehouse discount stores to buy in bulk. They must purchase supplies at local convenience stores which can double or triple the monthly cost.
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Cloth diapers are rarely an option. Coin-operated laundromats do not allow customers to wash cloth diapers due to sanitation concerns.
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Due to income constraints, disposable diaper “life” is sometimes extended by drying and reusing them. Babies can spend a day or longer in one diaper, often leading to diaper rash, staph and urinary tract infections.
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Most childcare centers, even free and subsidized, will turn away a child who arrives without a day’s supply of disposable diapers.
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Diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps.
– Source: www.NorthPorch.org
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Media contact: Claudia Smith
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Music Director (and PR Contact)
(cell) 201-519-1564 * e-mail: claudiasmith@msn.com Church: Office@StLukesHaworth.org