Ministries

God's grace is personal yet has communal, societal and global dimensions

Restore Ministries
"Whoever welcomes this child welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me." Restore meets three afternoon/evenings a week at Second Church, along with special trips to theatre and the arts. Many of the young people come to our Sunday School. Restore youth participate in an after-school Homework Center, including discussion groups, college and trade school visits and a summer day camp. Restore has recently hired a new Program Director. For more information about Restore visit their website at www.Restorekids.org.

Prison Ministry and Community Theatre
"I was in prison and you visited me.” In response to God’s call in Jesus Christ this project develops alternative worship and community theatre on themes of trauma, mass incarceration, and recovery along with educational ministry taught in local and state prisons.  Community theatre partners directly with our brothers and sisters who were incarcerated to write, direct, and perform original plays.

AGAPE Community Kitchen at First

"I was hungry and you fed me." The Agape Community Kitchen operated for five years out of Second Church after re-construction stalled at First Church. With construction now completed, the meal program has returned to First Church on Broad St. and serves dinners to hundreds of people in need every Wednesday night from 5-6 pm, 52 weeks a year.  Since 2000, the Agape Kitchen has served over 100,000 meals to people in the Elizabeth area. Young people from Elizabeth and from Westfield and other suburbs have first-hand experience working together in a vital mission project. As they serve those in need they build important friendships.

International Rescue Committee

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me” ESL classes for new immigrants taught in partnership with IRC and with students and faculty from Drew University.