Episcopal Partners in Ministry
in Cape May County

St. Barnabas - Villas                          St. Mary - Stone Harbor

In August 2007, this unique partnership of two churches in Cape May County emerged when The Rev. Debra Bullock was called to be both the Vicar of St. Barnabas-by-the-Bay in the Villas and Assistant to the Rector at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Stone Harbor.  As a result, we are able to participate jointly in adult education, fellowship gatherings, and youth events. 

In February 2008, Episcopal Partners in Ministry opened The Branches in Rio Grande. The Branches will serve as a meeting place for many of the events connected to Episcopal Partners in Ministry.  It will also serve as a space for community activities, education and self-help groups, and a place to grow our presence in the county.  The Branches is located at 1304 Rt. 47, Unit A-H in Rio Grande (a portion of the old Miracles Fitness location, across the parking lot from Bob's Pet Shop and Family Dollar).

The events on this page are upcoming shared ministry events.  To learn more about St. Mary's and their upcoming events, please see their website http://stmarysstoneharbor.org/. 

Coffee and Conversation

The Branches is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon for relaxation, conversation, good coffee, and baked goods. All are welcome to come in to meet new friends, play a game, read a book, spend some quiet time in our meditation space, or just hang out! The coffee is always on - and its free!

ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUPS

The Branches will be offering two new support groups for people with addictions on Thursday evenings beginning August 7^th at 7:30PM which will run for six weeks initially. One group will be for people who are in recovery from an addiction and would like additional support beyond the 12-step program. The other group will be for family members of people with addictions. This group will have more of a psycho-educational emphasis. The groups will be facilitated by The Rev. Ronald and Sandra Lockhart both of whom have completed a certificate program in alcohol and drug counseling at Villanova University. For more information about these groups, please contact St. Mary’s at 368-5922 or St. Barnabas’ at 886-5960.

THRIFT SHOP & Furniture Annex

The This 'n' That thrift shop and furniture annex, located next door to The Branches, are looking for volunteers to assist in the store. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gail Noble at 368-7189 or Shellie Tibbits at 368-0673.

In addition, the shops have a never-ending need for donations of clothing, household items (in clean and working condition), and furniture. Donations of furniture can be made on Saturdays between 10 am and 3 pm. All other donations can be dropped off during business hours (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 am - 4 pm or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 am - 1 pm).

Profits from the store will be used for affordable housing initiatives in Cape May County.