Missions

Putting our faith into action is a far reaching conviction at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church. Serving in our own backyard and beyond through prayer, volunteers and financial support we encourage and aid the missions listed below.

Funds are given by each church to their Presbytery. Some funds are used within the Presbytery and some are distributed to the Synod and the general Assembly for Missions purposes.

Presbytery funding support includes the following local missions

• Homeless (Habitat for Humanity, Brand New Day, Union County Homeless, Elizabeth Homeless, Friends of the Carpenter, Interfaith Hospitality Network),
• Hungry (Agape Soup Kitchen, Elmora Church Soup kitchen, Food Pantries),
• Prison ( Somerset County Jail Chaplaincy),
• Immigrants ( El Centro in Plainfield )
• Elderly ( Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly)
• Youth (Family and Children's Services) , and
• Mission Outpost ( Elizabethport Presbyterian Center )

This mission was started by members of the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church. Somerset Chaplaincy to the Elderly provides regular chaplaincy services to residents in nursing homes in Somerset County not being served by another agency.  It also provides a ministry of trained church volunteers in each nursing home and supports and enhances the role of those who care for the elderly.  The Chaplaincy is supported by contributions from area congregations, organizations, and individuals.

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County (IHN) is a non-profit organization which enables the religious community to unite to provide shelter, meals, and assistance for homeless families. Pluckemin Church is a founding member of IHN and one of the host congregations. We house up to 14 people for a week approximately 3 - 4 times a year. Other churches and synagogues in IHN provide overnight lodging for other weeks. IHN coordinates with social service agencies for screening and referrals, day programs and other homeless support services. 

RVHFH is a non-profit, ecumenical, Christian ministry that builds affordable homes for low-income families in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.  Volunteers from churches and the community work side by side on the house construction with the partner family.  Volunteers also carry out a wide range of tasks, from family support to public relations to accounting.   As one of the founding churches for RVHFH, PPC provides prayer, volunteers and financial support for Habitat's work.

Somerville Area FISH provides emergency help in the form of food or financial assistance for rent, utility bills, or other needs.  It is an all-volunteer organization which utilizes an answering service and volunteers who serve one day a month fielding phone calls. Gently used children's clothing is also collected and distributed. The Somerset County Food Bank is their collection point. Bags should be labeled, "for FISH.") FISH works closely with social service agencies and the Somerset County Food Bank.

The mission of The Food Bank Network is to distribute food and to provide other basic human needs to those less fortunate in our community in a manner which recognizes and advances self worth and human dignity. Our method of distributing this food is through three food pantries, located in Somerville, Bound Brook, and North Plainfield, and a warehouse in Bridgewater. Our goal is to help create the opportunity for each person to become self-sufficient.

New City Kids Church ministers to the children and youth in Jersey City with a Kids Church. The mission was started by Reverends Trevor and Linda (Rogge) Rubingh. (Linda grew up in the Pluckemin Church). New City Church ministers to over 600 kids through music and prayer via Trevor and Linda's teen leaders. Recently the city of Jersey City approved the purchase of a warehouse which has been renovated to support the expanding mission with the help of volunteers from PPC and many other church groups.

Brand New Day, Inc. is a charitable, non-profit community development corporation that was formed in 1985 to provide affordable housing for low and moderate families and individuals in the Elizabethport area, through acquiring and rehabilitating existing structures and/or acquiring land and constructing new buildings.  In addition, Brand New Day is assisting to empower its residents toward increased self-sufficiency and the general enhancement of the quality of life.

The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program. Founded in 1984, this Somerville-based organization is dedicated to helping the homeless and working poor secure needed services. These services include assistance with emergency interim housing, counseling and other support services aimed at getting SHIP's clients back on their feet and regaining self-sufficiency.

Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) is a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to the fight against world hunger. Its primary mandate is to strengthen the ministries of missionaries and national churches as they assist small farmers or urban gardeners in the third world. It offers assistance to others doing similar work, such as Peace Corps volunteers and development workers.

Started by members of Pluckemin Church this ministry loans out gently used medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, recliners, hospital beds, etc. for those in need. This is a community out reach program. For more information on how to borrow something, assist i the ministry or to make a donation contact the church office
908-658-3346 or email  ppcmedequip@gmail.com

Fort Defiance, on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, serves many needs and proclaims the Gospel to people living with poverty, unemployment and hardship.  The ministry continues only because of the continuing concern of the Presbyterian Church. PPC Mission support started over 20 years ago with a Sunday School project.

Living Waters for the World trains and equips mission teams to share the gift of clean water with communities in need.  From rural Appalachia, to Latin America, to Asia and beyond, Living Waters for the World is making a difference.

A growing number of our church family is now supporting more than twenty children through Compassion International. Compassion exists as an advocate for children, releasing them from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Founded by Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean war orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.

Today, Compassion helps more than 600,000 children in more than 20 countries. Learn how to participate by calling the church office at 908-658-3346.