The ministry of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, or anyone in distress. The Deacons’ mission of compassion has many facets and touches KPC members, residents of the tri-county community, and world-wide.
The Giving Garden was begun in the spring of 2011 thanks to a generous memorial gift which provided a fence for the garden at the rear of the church property. Every harvest since has yielded an abundance of tomatoes, peppers, onions, zucchini and cucumbers throughout the summer. The harvest supplements our donations to Arm in Arm, the South Brunswick Food Bank, as well as local families in need. KPC families and individual members work the garden through the spring and fall.
Giving Garden 2019 Update – The Giving Garden was the recipient of a grant in 2019 for the second year in a row! Awarded through The Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund, Inc., the grant was awarded to KPC for our contributions to our community to help relieve hunger by maintaining a thriving garden that provides fresh produce which we donate to our local food panties. In 2018, the CDEGF awarded a grant of $1,200.00 to KPC for the Giving Garden.
The 2018 grant enabled the purchase of equipment and supplies to expand the garden. The 2019 growing season may be done for us but we are already planning for the 2020 KPC Giving Garden and this grant will allow us to expand on those plans. We are so thankful for the growth opportunities this grant allows for the garden and we are thankful for our many dedicated and hard-working volunteers who plan, plant, tend, water, harvest and deliver with so much care.
In the 2019 growing season the Giving Garden allowed us to deliver over 600 lbs. of fresh produce to our local food pantries! Can’t wait to see what the 2020 season will grow!
Food Collections –The Deacons sponsor special food collections throughout the year which are donated to the Arm in Arm (formerly the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County), the South Brunswick Food Bank and local families. The Christmas Food Donations can be brought to the church on Christmas Eve, or New Year Eve’s Day and we will take them to the food banks.
Christmas Giving Trees –The “Angel Tree” – specific gifts for families referred at Christmas time by the Somerset County Division of Youth and Family Services; The “Gloves, Mittens, & Hat Tree” – gifts to help vulnerable residents keep warm in winter through Arm in Arm and Homefront.
Forrestal Service – Monthly worship service for the residents of Windrows, an independent living complex at the Forrestal Center. Residents look forward every third Sunday to an afternoon that features favorite hymns, an uplifting message, scripture readings and the renewal of friendships with the Deacons.
Pot Luck Fellowship Events are held throughout the year to bring the church family and friends together to enjoy great food, conversation, games, crafts, and entertainment.
Prayer Chain – Prayer requests from any member or friend of our congregation are shared with over 40 faithful members dedicated to praying for the various needs expressed. Prayer requests are submitted during Sunday morning worship, by telephone and email.
Nurture and Care for Members includes sending congregants greeting cards or notes for birthdays, a special anniversary, in times of illness, or other challenging situations; Visitation of members in hospitals, nursing homes, or at home. The Deacons provide;
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Support for Members at times of Loss – Coordination of Funeral Receptions in the Assembly Hall; Support and information to family members to help them through the grieving process and sponsorship of The GriefShare program
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Emergency Assistance to KPC Members and Residents of the Community; Requests are received and handled with discretion and confidentiality. Requests for food, assistance with past due utilities, car repairs, and transportation costs have been met. Prayerful consideration is given to all requests as funds are limited. Requests can be submitted to the pastor, members of the Board of Deacons, to the church office at 609-921-8895. An email address through the website will be available in the near future.