Local Ministries

We, at Calvary, believe in the utmost importance of nourishment of the body and soul. We extend our hospitality, committing to helping others through the giving of our time, abilities, and resources to serve Christ in all people, loving our neighbors as ourselves. We support and join with others who provide nutrition and shelter, practicing faithful stewardship, regardless of one's faith community. Our mission is to help others find empowerment that comes from lifting each other up and drawing new life from the living Christ.

If you are interested in participating in one of our current outreach ministries, or if you have a passion for a vulnerable population that you would like to see Calvary support, please contact Rev. Carrie at ccabush@calvarysummit.org.

The Alleluia Fund distributes funds collected from individuals and parishes across the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, as well as funds allocated to outreach within the diocesan budget. These funds assist the most vulnerable of God’s people in our diocese by supporting programs that provide food, housing, education, and other services in our diocese and abroad. Calvary donates to the Alleluia fund annually.

Bridges is a Summit-based organization that reaches out to the homeless in Newark, Irvington, Summit, and Rahway every week. Over 2,000 volunteers each year help deliver 65,000 meals, seasonal clothing, and necessities without question and with genuine respect. Calvary regularly donates to Bridges and involves youth in Bridges outreach including: packing sustainable lunches and hygiene kits, and distributing meals to those in need.

The Community FoodBank of NJ serves over 800 local soup kitchens and food pantries in 15 counties in order to fight hunger and poverty in NJ. They purchase and collect food for distribution, help people with SNAP applications, bring mobile pantries to communities with limited resources, run a 14-week culinary job-training program, and provide hygiene products on a monthly basis. Calvary regularly donates towards these efforts.

Family Promise is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children, and help them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. Calvary creates and distributes Welcome Baskets filled with cleaning supplies to ease the stress of moving and to welcome the families graduating from the temporary shelter program into their own homes. During Advent, Calvary also collects toys and other gifts through our Giving Tree to ensure the families have a festive holiday season.

GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials) meets community needs with community resources to enable good health and success of our vulnerable and underserved neighbors in the Summit area. GRACE distributes approximately 16,000 pounds of fresh food and supplies to an average of 430 households each week. GRACE also uses community networking to help families meet other needs, such as school supplies, medical checkups, immigration support, etc. Calvary regularly donates funds to GRACE as well as in-kind donations such as school supplies and spices.

Hosted by St Teresa’s Catholic Church in Summit, Loaves & Fishes stocks nonperishable food items for weekly distribution to approximately 60 local families. Each week Calvary collects food items in baskets at the back entrance of the church and delivers them to Loaves & Fishes once the basket is full.

Morris Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates houses in partnership with families in need. They are currently working on a new construction project which will result in 12 affordable condos on Morris Avenue in Summit for low- and moderate-income families. Calvary has contributed to this project financially, and sent a group of volunteers to paint multiple units in the summer of 2023.

The Diocese of Newark’s Prison Ministry runs several programs benefitting incarcerated individuals and their families. These initiatives include a Bible study within Northern State Prison, a pen pal program, and PATCH (Parents and their Children), which supports children of incarcerated parents by accompanying them on visits to see their parents, hosting Saturday mentor programming, and collecting supplies for school and gifts for Christmas. Each year Calvary collects backpacks and schools supplies for children of incarcerated parents. In 2023 we were able to donate 184 filled backpacks!

SHIP (Summit Helps Its People) has been serving has served breakfast and provided sack lunches every weekday using Calvary’s facilities since October 1991. The Summit Interfaith Clergy Fellowship formed a task force of clergy, public officials, and concerned citizens whose goal was to assist homeless and those at-risk of homelessness not served by other programs. SHIP provides over 16,000 meals annually.

Summit Interfaith Council

The membership of the Summit Interfaith Council is composed of 14 houses of worship and 3 nonprofits dedicated to the welfare of our community.

Summit Warm Hearts

Summit Warm Hearts invites our “neighbors without address” into local houses of worship to provide a safe and warm place to share a meal and spend the night. The program is currently run through the Summit Interfaith Council. The day program runs 7 days a week from mid-November until late-March, providing lunch, snacks, a shower, coordination for laundry, and connection to vital services like medical care and social services. Overnight shelter is provided at several local houses of worship. Throughout the winter season Calvary’s parishioners participate in this vital ministry by serving as onsite hosts and cooking or delivering fresh meals.