Founded in 1965 by the Presbytery of Elizabeth, E’port provides a caring, loving witness to Jesus Christ for the disadvantaged residents of Elizabeth. Services include day care, after school programs, summer camp, tutoring, scholarships, social services, vacation bible school, job readiness, senior citizens outreach, and family strengthening classes. E’port is in the midst of rebuilding to better serve the community. The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge has supported this mission through the General Mission budget for many, many years. We are also participating in a special multi year commitment to undergird the rebuilding program.
Church members shop, prepare and serve dinners to residents (including both adults and children) at this Morristown shelter four times throughout the year.
Our General Mission budget provides for helping other Presbyterian causes through Presbytery, including some support for E’port, and generally for other churches in the Presbytery having difficult financial times.
The Protestant Community Centers, Inc. (PCCI) is a non-profit agency that ministers to the educational, social, recreational and spiritual needs of Newark youth and their families. Among other offerings, PCCI coordinates SCEEP programs with participating churches, provides after-school and evening educational and recreational activities for students, promotes a love for reading through free book distribution, and provides summer camp opportunities for inner-city youth in the Catskills.
Since 1994, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity has built 35 homes in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. These homes now provide safe, decent, affordable housing for 126 low-income residents, including 84 children. The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge supports Habitat through the General Mission budget and provided work crews in building the Bernardsville project.
In 2005, Siloam Hope Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, NJ and The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge entered into a sister church relationship. Several years ago, a number of work crews went to Elizabeth to help update plumbing facilities in their basement area. We would like to explore different opportunities for ministry as we continue this sister church relationship. Could you feel called to help?
For one week in July, youth and advisors from our church and community travel to Maine to rebuild homes in rural areas for those in need. This is an awesome opportunity for our young people to see how their hard work and spirit really does make a difference in the lives of others.
If interested in learning more about Mission opportunities, please contact Dr. Maureen Paterson.