Emmaus Christian Community Ministries
Community ministries and programs are grouped into three major categories: Liturgy and Spirituality, Community Spirit, and Operations. Most individual ministries and programs each fit well into a single category, though some may tend to overlap one or more categories.
Each ministry or program is governed and run solely by members of the Community in cooperation with the Guiding Council. Many were initiated by individual Community members who put in their own time and energy to make the ministries or programs happen. Any member of the Community is welcome to participate in any of these ministries and programs.
Liturgy And Spirituality Ministries
Guiding Council Sponsor: Marguerite Stewart (Sept 30, 2023 - Sept 30, 2025)
The single most important aspect of our intentional community is spirituality and liturgy, which provides a foundation and nourishment for our individual and shared faith journeys, and for all aspects of our community life.
Each community member is given many opportunities to participate in the preparation and execution of our masses, and of our other spiritual activities.
Community Retreat (Administrators: Diane Gallo & Al Pach)
The Retreat Ministry works to provide the Community with a variety of experiences and practices to enliven and inspire our individual and shared spiritual journeys. One such offering is the annual Lenten retreat. Other examples include topical/seasonal ‘table sharings’ at coffee hour, gatherings for a book/movie discussion, and contemplative ‘forest bathing’.
Eucharistic Ministry (Administrator: Jody Pfeiffer)
The Eucharistic Ministers help distribute Communion during Mass. They also help provide the Eucharist for the sick.
Lector Ministry (Administrator: Carl Maulbeck)
Each week, lectors, in concert with the Liturgy Coordinator, are scheduled to proclaim the 1st or 2nd reading or the Responsorial Psalm, to create a Prayer of the Faithful or to select a Communion Meditation. A Mass Coordinator is also scheduled to oversee the ’nuts & bolts’ of our liturgies, for example, to deliver the welcome & closing statements, to facilitate Dialogue, to arrange the Offertory procession and to assist with distribution of Communion.
Liturgy Ministry (Administrator: Carl Maulbeck)
The Liturgy Committee, in coordination with the Music Ministry, plan Seasonal, Sunday, and Special Services. Believing that liturgy is “the work of the people” the ministry provides an opportunity for all Community members to participate in our liturgies.
Music Ministry (Administrator: Marge Leonard)
Music presented as part of Mass is offered in support of the scripture for the day or the message of the homily. On other occasions, it supports the theme or the reason for the gathering. Our community is culturally, religiously, and socially diverse. It follows that our music should be varied in order to reach as many of these different backgrounds as possible. Varying musical approaches are used, including vocalists and instrumentalists. Varying musical styles and genres are used, including music from different historical periods so that we might both celebrate our musical past and explore today's creativity.
Community Spirit Ministries
Guiding Council Sponsor: Jaya Avirappattu (Sep 30, 2022 - Sep 30, 2024)
Our Community Spirit ministries stem from the belief that developing community and responding to the needs of others is a cornerstone of our intentional community. Our faith in God and relationships within the community are nurtured in serving others, both within our community and "off the hill". Whether we engage in projects addressing social justice, or care for members by providing coffee or home visits, we strive to serve all of our community on their journey to deepen their faith.
Coffee - Sunday after Liturgy (Administrator: Jody Pfeiffer & Divya D’Sousa)
We welcome everyone to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or juice every Sunday immediately following Liturgy. This is a great time to socialize, and get to know one another. We rotate teams to provide the beverages, serve them and clean up. Volunteers are welcome! Coffee Duty instructions can be found here.
Community Weekly Bulletin (Administrator: Margaret Lorenzo)
The Bulletin is published weekly by one or more Community member volunteers to inform community members about what's happening in the various ministries within the Community. The Bulletin also includes reports on Community meetings, requests for prayers, birthday and anniversary announcements.
Community Service Project (Administrator: Tama Hampton)
The Community Service Project serves as an effort to join members of ECC in providing a service to the needy "off the hill". The project is held once a year and may include: providing a salad day for homeless brothers and sisters in Elizabeth, NJ; preparing a 'meal in a bag' for the food insecure; or as needed projects for another community.
Help Feed The Hungry
Individuals and families from the Community donate suggested food items and household supplies (such as disposable diapers) about 5-6 times a year collected at Sunday Liturgy. The collected Food Pantry items are then delivered to the St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth NJ, which distributes the food to families in emergency situations whose only alternative is hunger.
Pastoral Care Ministry (Administrator: Ellie Redington)
Members of this ministry are notified of any person and family who is sick, is recovering from surgery or an accident, has a newborn baby or has lost a significant loved one. Services provided can include cards, phone calls, visits, a ride to a doctor, food shopping and meals and other services. Eucharist can also be taken to the home or hospital.
Sandwich Ministry (Administrator: Joanne McAneny)
The Sandwich Ministry supports the Daily Bread Program of St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth. ECC members donate sandwiches monthly which are then delivered to SJSS for distribution. For more information on SJSS click here.
Welcoming Ministry (Administrator: Ellie Redington)
The purpose of the Welcoming Ministry is to create an atmosphere within Emmaus of acceptance and friendship, especially for attendees who have never been to an Emmaus liturgy before. Members of this ministry watch for new attendees at liturgy, welcome them, and explain the Emmaus practices that might seem unusual, such as dialogue homily (this is in addition to the welcome offered by the liturgy coordinator at the beginning of Mass). Greeters also invite guests to join in our post-liturgy coffee and answer any questions that guests might have.
Operations Ministries
Guiding Council Sponsor: Betty Ann Kelly (Apr 1, 2022 - Apr 1, 2024)
Our Operations ministries focus on budgeting, fund-raising events and communications. Fund-raising is done within the context of social events which also foster stronger community ties. Communication is accomplished through a website which provides needed information to community members and is also used to communicate to those outside our community.
Brunch (Administrator: Ellie Redington & Peggy Olack)
This popular social event is held after liturgy a few times a year. It provides a chance to enjoy fellowship as well as delicious food.
Finance Committee (Administrator: Marge Dukes)
The Finance Committee exercises a "stewardship role" regarding the Community's financial affairs. Specifically, the committee serves the other ministries, programs and activities by providing guidance and support to their projects. Quarterly and annual reports are published and reviewed with the Community. Meetings are held as required.
Service Auction (Administrator: Gordy Glose)
The Annual Service Auction is a Community fundraiser, held (usually) the second Saturday of March, that provides scholarship money for education. Its mission is to assist in providing the opportunity of a Catholic high-school education for inner-city grade-school students. Currently, our beneficiary school is Immaculate Conception High School, Montclair, NJ. This auction is also one of the major Community social events of the year, complete with a different theme each year--with music, decorations, and Community members in theme-related costume adding to the wonderful energy and spirit of the event. Community members get to know one another better throughout the year by selling and buying of services from one another (examples: Hosting a dinner party, baby-sitting, or leading a day hike in a state park).
Members of the volunteer Service Auction Committee choose a theme, publicize the auction, solicit services to be donated, publish a services booklet, advertise within the Community, provide decorations, and prepare and serve food at the auction. The Committee's first meeting is held in January each year. You can see more information and pictures of our Service Auction Events by clicking here!
Technology/Communications (Administrator: Michael Wiley)
We communicate through emails, Zoom, and Facebook. This ministry maintains and updates our sites as technology evolves. These sites are also available to those outside Emmaus who might want to learn more about us.