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ALPHA
- The Alpha Course is a 10 week opportunity to explore the
validity and relevance of the Christian faith to your life
today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of
Christianity center around a meal, a talk, and small group
discussion. Alpha is a practical introduction to the basics of
Christianity centered around a meal, music, video and small
group discussion.
We meet on Monday night from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The class
begins with a marvelous dinner and fellowship, after which we have music
and a video on an aspect of the Christian Faith. After dessert all the
participants move into small discussion groups, which end at 9:30 pm
sharp.
The first night isn't a commitment. It's
simply a chance to see if Alpha might be right for you. Bring a friend. If
you like what you hear and want to return for the rest of the Course, we'd love
to have you. Please call the Church Office for more information about the Course, or
visit the national Alpha website at at
http://www.alphana.org, or click on
ALPHA.
BOOK CLUB
- The book club started in 2005 with five in attendance at the
first meeting. We have grown steadily and as of January 2007
have approximately 15 members. We meet in the library on various
Thursday’s each month at 7:00 P.M. The book club is an informal
fellowship of men and women who love to read. We get together to
discuss our likes and dislikes of the book and any feelings it
may have stirred in us as we were reading. We have had a few
“movie” nights and have gone out to dinner to celebrate time
with the friends we have made! It is a great group of people!!!!
If you would like to
join us call the church office to learn which book we are reading and
which Thursday we are meeting that month. Happy Reading!!!
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CAREGIVERS - Caregivers of Toms River is
an interfaith coalition of churches and synagogues that provide
volunteers to serve the frail elderly, disabled and homebound of Toms
River and neighboring communities. Caregivers’ mission is to provide
supportive home services that allow people to live independently in
their homes, and to recruit and train volunteers for this purpose.
Volunteer services include transportation to medical appointments,
visiting, shopping, supportive phone calls, assistance with paperwork,
respite services for primary caregivers, yard work and linkage to
additional services. You can visit their site at
www.caregivervolunteers.org
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CHOIRS - The St. Raphael Choir
is the principal choir at Christ Church, singing at the 10:15 AM service
every Sunday as well as principal feast days. Regular rehearsal time is
Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. All voices welcome. No audition
necessary. Top
CHURCH LIBRARY - The Christ Church
Library, in the undercroft room named for St. Aidan and dedicated to
Evelyn Tucker church librarian, provides reference
works, volumes to deepen knowledge of our faith, inspirational books,
biographies, and fiction for young and older parishioners alike. On Sundays,
children arriving for Church School are greeted by a colorful rolling cart full
of books especially for them. At coffee hours, another cart carries a
sampling of books for adults on all topics. Interested volunteers are
welcome to join in maintaining this vital ministry. Top
CHURCH SCHOOL - Church School is
conducted each Sunday from at 10:00am during the school year for
children ages 3-13. Instruction in the tenets of the faith, the
traditions of the Church, and the joy of fellowship are the core
curriculum of Church School. Our direction is guided by our Church
School Mission
Statement adopted from the Baptismal prayer found in the Book of Common
Prayer, pg.308: "Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the
courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and
the gift of joy and wonder in all your works."
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FOYER GROUP are informal opportunities for parishioners to get to know one another. Intended as intimate gatherings of 8 – 10 people, foyer groups typically share fellowship and a meal once a month. Groups are assigned each fall based on the forms submitted by interested parishioners. Each group then decides when and where to meet, including pot luck dinners, informal gatherings with carry out cuisine, picnics, or even meals at a restaurant. Top
EYC - The Episcopal Youth Communion, the "EYC",
welcomes all members of our congregation from grades 8 through 12. We
meet on Sunday evenings for prayer, fellowship, and service and
evangelism projects. Past activities include assisting a NYC church
distribute food to the homeless, an annual Spaghetti Supper, sleepovers
at the church, and other regional youth events. Top
HANDBELL CHOIR rings at principal services such as Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil and several other Sundays during the church year. Handbell Choir rehearses Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30pm. If you have an interest in learning to ring bells, please contact the church office.
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HANDS FOR ALL - Hands for All is a
subsidiary of Homes For All that provides home repairs for low-income
families. Funded primarily by grants from Ocean County, it uses all
levels of skilled and unskilled labor to fix roofs, build wheelchair
ramps and repair damaged interiors. Hands for All volunteers have also
built an addition on a home of one of Christ Church members to enable
her to care for medically needy children, prepared the Day Center for
our Interfaith Hospitality Network guests at All Saints Episcopal Church
in Lakewood, and fixed up low-income rental homes. Projects are usually
scheduled for the fourth Saturday of each month, but volunteers can also
be used on weekdays. Top
INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK - Christ Church
is a founding
member and one of the host churches in the Interfaith
Hospitality Network of Ocean County. IHN is a group of churches within
our community that provide overnight lodging, meals, hospitality, and
social services for homeless families within our community on a rotating
basis. Host churches provide living space, and "buddy" churches assist
with volunteers who provide meals, supplies, and the personal touch.
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MONDAY NIGHT PRAYER GROUP - The
Monday Night Prayer Group is dedicated solely to the purpose of
intercessory prayer. Meetings are held weekly and consist of sharing
requests and thanksgivings, Bible study and corporate prayer. Prayers
are offered for the members of the parish and the community as well as
specific requests from the Sunday Bulletin and Prayer Box. Each request
is lifted up daily, covering the parish prayer list. Top
NURSERY CARE - Nursery Care is
available on Sundays during the 10:15am service. We welcome all
youngsters up to the age of 5. Top
MISSION TRIP - is a week-long
camping trip designed for teenagers, especially those preparing for
Confirmation. It is an opportunity to live in community but apart from
the distractions of the secular world. The focus is on Bible Study and
spiritual formation, Christian fellowship, and healthy doses of music
and fun.
There is also a mission trip for adults held once a year to our
Companion Diocese of El Salvador.
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WOMEN OF CHRIST CHURCH - The
ministry of the Women of Christ Church is to give women an opportunity
to serve God's purposes through their church. This organization is
open to all ladies who are members of our church. Some of their
involvements include: receptions, rummage sales, annual Holiday Fair,
providing financial gifts to Student Service Awards, EYC, & Children
with Aids to name a few. Within the Women's Group is The Morning Group
that meets Wednesday mornings to sew, cut, iron, paste, knit or
contribute in various ways to the work of the needy, such as lap robes
and gowns for nursing homes, baby hats knitted for the hospitals and
crocheted bandages and sheets to send to the African Leprosarium. Their
works of service help to deepen their own spiritual lives and provide a
service for their church, community and sometimes the diocese.
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