Rumson, Fair Haven, Sea Bright

Nov 15, 2022

The Outreach Mission of St. George’s by the River

By Lori Draz

The exquisite St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson may be on the National Historic Registry, but it has an active worship calendar and a generous community of parishioners. Throughout the year, they host several signature fundraising events like the Canterbury Fair and the Canterbury Art show, with the profits of each going to support the church’s outreach mission. That mission, to “SEEK, SHARE AND SERVE,” enabled the church to issue 20 grants this year totaling more than $62,000. Since 2003, St. George’s has issued $1,158,700 in grants a large list of nonprofits that are making a difference in the lives of the community. 

“We strive to share our faith and our gifts with those who are too often overlooked or forgotten, and we work to serve our neighbors with a variety of hands-on initiatives that impact real people in practical and tangible ways,” said The Rev. Jeffrey Roy, Rector of St. George’s by-the-River. “Central to our faith as Episcopalians are the promises that we make or are made on our behalf at baptism. Two of these promises are key to living our Christian faith in the world around us. These are, ‘Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?’ and ‘Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?’ The work of St. George’s Outreach Committee in support of our local communities demonstrates the commitment we have, as a community of faith to those in need throughout Monmouth County.”

St. George’s grants this year were focused on three areas: ongoing food and housing insecurity, overall mental health and the needs of children post-pandemic. 

“Our work has most certainly been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of its great blessings is that it has reminded us of the innate goodness of people, their desire to care for one another in challenging times and a recognition of our shared humanity,” said Pat Locke and Suellen Sims, co-chairs of St. George’s Outreach Committee. “If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that our lives are so connected. Our fates so tied to one another that the least among us must be elevated and valued if we are all to not just survive but thrive. It is our honor and privilege to research and award grants to the extraordinary agencies working diligently to care for the neediest among us in the name of St. George’s-by-the-River.”

There will always be needs in the community, and thanks to these diligent and caring individuals and their generous community, those needs will continue to be addressed, next year and into the future. 

St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church is located at 7 Lincoln Ave. in Rumson. Call 732-842-0596 or visit StGeorgesRumson.org for more information.