Direct Service encourages parishioners of all ages to serve others by donating their time and talent directly to organizations that need their help. Direct service can be as simple as bringing a dish to the Soup Kitchen, spending a few hours with the seniors that benefit from the Nursing Home Ministry, or getting involved with any of the local organizations that St. Peter's supports.

Current Opportunities

The following organizations are in need of volunteers:

Seamen's Church Institute - The Seamen's Church Institute was founded by the Episcopal Church in 1834 to meet the spiritual and physical needs of seamen coming into the ports of New York and New Jersey. Now an ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church, it provides pastoral care, maritime education and legal and advocacy services for mariners worldwide.

Since 1898 one of its most popular programs has been CHRISTMAS AT SEA providing knitted or crocheted gifts to mariners who are often far from home on Christmas Day. Volunteers across America participate in this program making hats, scarves, socks, vests or slippers. SCI will provide the patterns (many of them look very easy) and also the yarn, although they ask for a $2.50 donation for each skein. In 2007 nearly 9,000 gifts were given to deep-sea mariners and another 5,000 to America's river mariners.

Interested in putting your nimble fingers to work in a good cause while you watch TV? Go to the Seamen's Church Institute website, www.seamenschurch.org, click on "How to Help," and then on "Christmas at Sea," for more information.

Jersey Cares  - This non-profit, community-based organization provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.  Service projects range from building homes with Habitat for Humanity to comforting fragile infants at Hudson Cradle. Many projects are "Family Friendly" so the whole gang can get involved. There is a calendar of projects on their website which gives you the flexibility to pick the volunteer opportunities that best suit your schedule.

Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ  - This non-profit organization provides home health care services for patients and support for their caregivers and families. They are currently looking for volunteers to help at Friendship House, a warm and safe environment for adults who need daytime supervision and socialization opportunities. Located in Boonton, Friendship House is open Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The time commitment for volunteering is two hours a week and may include but is not limited to playing music, making crafts, and gardening.

For information on other volunteer opportunities that St. Peter's supports, visit the Community Ministries area of the St. Peter's website.