St Elizabeth's has the possiblity for teens to serve throughout the summer! See below for opportunities throughout the summer at St. Elizabeth's and in the greater community.

A reminder that serving in worship also counts towards service hours! We are holding refresher training for all youth acolytes in 4th grade and up tomorrow, Thursday July 9th at 4 pm. Can't make it but are interested? Contact Rev. Melina for a make-up session. Visit the Acolyte and Lector sign up here.

SUMMER CAMP/VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

There are two local opportunities for a week of faith formation for younger kids. Contact me for more information about either day camp.

Christ Church in Ridgewood is hosting Crossroads Camp again this year for a week long day-camp at their facility. Volunteers will assist Crossroads staff in managing their groups as they go from activity to activity. This camp takes place August 3-7, 9 am - 3 pm in Ridgewood.

Mrs. Jennifer Hommez, our amazing Associate Choirmaster, will be leading the music portion of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer's morning Vacation Bible School (VBS) program held August 3-7, 9:30 am - noon in Ramsey. Teens will help guide participants through activities during this morning VBS program.

SUMMER GRANT WRITING

Over the summer, Teen Outreach groups meet with either Emmanuel Cancer Foundation or Ridgewood Social Services as a team to interview them about their request for funds, write up our recommendation based on our meeting, and present our recommendation to the St. Elizabeth's Outreach committee. It's a great way to get to know some of the organizations in our community who do amazing work, and you can get a head start on some of the service hours you’ll need for the school year.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this amazing learning and leadership opportunity, please email me. These sessions will take place mid-to-late August.

SERVICE AT ST. ELIZABETH'S

Plenty of ways to assist here at St. Elizabeth's!

Serving as an acolyte - throughout the summer we need assistance during our worship service. You can serve as a crucifer, torch bearer, lector, or usher. Each time counts towards two service hours. Sign up here.

Hosting a Lemonade Hour following Sunday services - Each Sunday after our 10am worship service, we gather in Parish Hall to connect with fellow parishioners over lemonade, iced tea, and light refreshments. Volunteers provide food and clean up. Sign up here.

Provide a meal at St. Paul's Shelter in Paterson - Donate time cooking and serving or to serve prepared food from a restaurant or deli to the residents of the St. Paul's Men's Shelter. August and September meals needed! Sign up here.

Volunteering to teach Sunday School - We are looking for new members of our Church School Leadership team! All materials are provided, including lesson, reading, talking points, activities, and craft ideas. Teens in 9th and 10th grade who are Confirmed may volunteer with an adult. Teens in 11th and 12th grade who are Confirmed may volunteer in pairs. All volunteers must complete the required Safe Church training. Classes will start in mid-September. It's a great opportunity to do WITH your parents! Contact me for more information.

Volunteering to assist the Children's and Youth Choir- Ms. Hommez can always use help with her children and youth choirs! Come sing together and add your musical talent and leadership abilities as you lead by example for our younger choristers. Contact Ms. Hommez if you are interested.

Volunteering to deliver food donations to designated monthly recipient - We have a new food pantry donation shelf located outside our parish office. The Blessing Shelf is a rotating donation providing items to local organizations. Collected items will need to be delivered to Emmanuel Cancer Foundation in Midland Park after August 1, and to Social Service Association in Ridgewood after September 20.

Hearts, Hands, & Hours at Philip's Academy Paterson 

 For volunteers aged 15 and up

At Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson, they are dedicated to providing their students with a nurturing and enriching educational environment.

Philips invites you to become a volunteer or a more active volunteer at their school! Your hearts, hands, and hours will have a profound impact on our students and their learning journey. There are numerous ways to get involved, including:

• Tutoring and Mentoring: Share your knowledge and inspire students by helping them with their studies or guiding them through personal development.
• Event Support: Help us plan and execute events, from academic fairs to community gatherings, that bring our school community together.
• Classroom Assistance: Work alongside teachers to support classroom activities and ensure a productive learning environment.
• Summer School Weekly Classroom Helper: Work alongside teachers to support classroom activities and ensure a productive learning environment.

Volunteering is a fantastic way to engage with students, share your passions, and make a lasting difference in their lives.

Kindly review the options found here and click to indicate which events you would like more details about.

Youth Confirmation

St. Elizabeth's offers a Youth Confirmation program for anyone in 8th grade and above. If a teen feels “ready and duly prepared,” he or she has the chance to be confirmed, which is “to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”  At St. Elizabeth’s, preparation for Confirmation is a three part commitment to education, liturgy, and service. Class will be forming for interested youth in September. You do not need to be a member of St. Elizabeth's to attend. Reach out to me for more information.

Experienced childcare attendants aged 16 and older are needed for our Church Nursery program for 2026-2027.

The paid attendant provides for the physical, emotional, and intellectual safety and needs of children ages 0-3 years while working in the church's nursery. Ideally, applicants should have 1 to 2 years of experience with infant, toddler, and preschool aged children and have First Aid Training/CPR Training. Attendant is required to be at church primarily on Sunday mornings from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm, but may involve other days and times as needed. Online Safe Church training will be required. Candidate will start September 13th. Please contact me with interest in this paid position.

Friends are always welcome to join us for fun ways to give back to our community together. Have an idea for a service project? We love to see leadership in action! Let us know what your passion is and we will see how we can help.

We are very excited for this upcoming year and look forward to seeing how our amazing teens will be contributing to our church and our greater community.



Yours in Christ,

Beth

Beth Van Emburgh, Associate for Children, Youth and Family Ministries

bvanemburgh@stesridgewood.org

201-444-2299

St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church | 169 Fairmount Rd., Ridgewood, NJ

www.stesridgewood.org