Parish Profile Church of the Resurrection, Millville, New Jersey, 08332

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Introduction

Church of the Resurrection is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, and the Anglican Communion located in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey.  In 2008, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bridgeton, and Trinity Episcopal Church, Vineland, entered a partnership, the Episcopal Shared Ministry of Cumberland County (ESMCC). In 2014, the two congregations merged forming the Church of the Resurrection, a county-wide Episcopal ministry. The Church of the Resurrection is made up of dedicated and enthusiastic Christians anxious to take the next step on their quest to build Cumberland County’s regional Episcopal Church. Much of the hard work has been done. The voluntary merger of St. Andrew’s Bridgeton and Trinity Vineland a decade ago, along with the sale of their costly to maintain church buildings sowed the seeds for a financially stable and energized congregation. Recently, parishioners from Christ Church Millville have joined our congregation adding even more energy to our mission. We believe in the future of the Episcopal Church, and as such, Church of the Resurrection is poised to grow and serve the worship needs of the many Christians in our community in search of a church home.

Mission Statement

Church of the Resurrection is a Christ-centered congregation based in Cumberland County, New Jersey, with a mission to reach out to reconcile all people with God and each other in Christ by proclaiming justice, peace and love. We express this mission through ministries of worship, prayer, study, fellowship and service in Jesus’ name.

Our Next Rector

We are seeking an engaging speaker who can draw the congregation in and has the ability to bring scripture into our everyday lives, as well as someone who is comfortable working in an inclusive parish. As we progress, we are looking for a forward-thinking leader who enthusiastically embraces outreach to help us grow our church community.  We would like someone who is comfortable working with all age groups who can help grow our Sunday School, re-connect us with inactive members and help rebuild some of the fellowship and traditions lost during the Pandemic.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who shares our belief in the importance of the Episcopal Church to the universality and inclusivity of Christ’s teachings and the vision to help us create a regional home in Cumberland County for those who share that belief.

Qualities for our new Rector 

Energy

Vision

Passionate

Caring

Open minded

Community Oriented

Strengths and Challenges of Church of the Resurrection  (COR)

STRENGTHS

Location- Cumberland County, New Jersey

Faithful Membership-Our church attendance and pledge income has been very stable since the end of Covid.

Adaptability/Resilience-Our parish has survived and prospered while merging two congregations and accepting multiple changes to COR’s worship location

Operating Costs: By selling its two historic buildings and purchasing its current location, COR dramatically reduced its building maintenance costs

Welcoming-COR has created a safe and welcoming worship space for the diverse spectrum of Christ’s followers

Outreach-COR has a strong tradition of community outreach

Financial Stability-COR is financially sound with a substantial endowment, stable pledges, providing the foundation for success

Currently adding a new sanctuary and own another tract of land with the ability to build and expand to accommodate growth

CHALLENGES

Aging Congregation with comparatively few young families.

Attract new members and bring inactive members back

Develop stronger biblical education.

Develop volunteers for leadership and support positions.

Develop the “Episcopal” brand in an area in which the church has never had a high profile.

Develop a sustainable outreach program reflective of COR’s new location, mission to be Cumberland County’s regional Episcopal Church and resources.

Re-energize or develop new church fellowship programs lost during COVID.

Develop new fundraising programs based on COR’s current location and resources.

Worship

Although many of our congregants are familiar with Rite I, Rite II was used almost exclusively by our previous priest. During our priest vacancy, our supply priests occasionally use Rite I. Our congregants enjoy and appreciate both.

During Covid, we began projecting the service on large monitors in lieu of using the BCP and hymnal, a practice we have continued. We also transitioned to recorded music during COVID and have continued that practice. Our Saturday services are an opportunity for experimentation including the use of more modern music, while our Sunday services are more traditional, although our congregants have shown an openness to liturgical variation in what can be described as a “broad” liturgical orientation.

Current Weekly services

Saturday 6pm

Sunday 10 am

Pastoral Care and Community Outreach

With the support of our congregation, pastoral care is extended to a wide range of individuals, including those served by the various outreach programs in which our parishioners participate. Historically, the COR and its predecessor churches have sponsored or participated in numerous community support activities such as food banks, Code Blue, clothes closet, Interfaith Rise and addiction recovery support. Many COR members participate and occupy leadership positions in local charitable non-profit organizations.

At this time, we actively support a local food pantry three times a month in collaboration with another local church. Our members volunteer to run the pantry, collect donations and disperse the food to the clients.  Our members are also actively involved in refugee resettlement by collecting donations and assisting with teaching English as a second language.

The COR has traditionally had strong lay participation in eucharistic ministry, Bible study, and service as acolytes, ushers and readers. During this interim period, we have developed lay leaders for morning prayer through Diocesan training and practice on Saturdays or Sundays when we have no supply priest.

We are currently engaged in developing additional lay participants to replace those we have lost through natural attrition.

Fellowship

Once a month we hold “dinner church” during the Saturday Service.  The Episcopal Church Women have multiple events a year including a tea, and luncheons.  We have an annual church picnic in a local park.

Service Ministries

Leadership is shared by many people in the congregation. The COR has traditionally had strong lay participation in eucharistic ministry, Bible study, and service as acolytes, ushers and readers. During this interim period, we have developed lay leaders for morning prayer through Diocesan training and practice on Saturdays or Sundays when we have no supply priest.

We are currently engaged in developing additional lay participants to replace those we have lost through natural attrition.

Financial Report

Rendering of our new worship space, construction to begin August 2025