The Board of Deacons is comprised of 18 members as well as our Pastor Scot, who is our pastoral facilitator.

Love Lines Christmas Ministry:

It's that time of year again where we help to support our friends at the Center for Family Services. Center for Family Services is a leading non-profit social services provider that works with families in Morris and Essex county to provide a comprehensive range of services from counseling, education, family support, safe housing, and workforce development. 

This year Hilltop would like to support Center for Family Services by providing a combination of gifts and gift cards for families in need around Christmas. If you or your family would like to contribute a gift, please feel free to visit the Fletcher Room at Hilltop Church where you can take an angel ornament with a specific gift that has been requested by a child. These gifts will be collected at church on Sunday Dec.11th. Gifts do not need to be wrapped. If you do decide to wrap a gift, we encourage you to use a gift bag with tissue paper instead of paper wrapping. 

You may also look over this sign up genius and contribute gift cards in the amounts specified. These will be collected at Hilltop House Sunday Dec 4th and Sunday Dec 11th from 8-10am OR you can bring them to Meg Nervi's home at 41 Oak Knoll Road in Mendham any time before Dec 11th. 

Finally, monetary donations can be made to Hilltop Church (with Lovelines written in the memo of your check) and these funds will provide for outreach efforts to Center for Family Services throughout the year. 

Feel free to direct any questions to either Meg Nervi (908-868-7431) or Marilyn Willet (973-647-7281).

We are so excited to help support our friends at Center for Family Services once again this Christmas!

We continue to offer our Lunch with Friends Ministry. This effort began several years ago and offers community members a homemade meal and opportunity for fellowship among friends. The diners are entertained by the joyful voices of the children at the Hilltop Church Nursery School, and occasionally by the Brookside Belles. Paula Raimondo leads this efforts and even raffles off one of her gorgeous handmade quilts to those to attend the lunch. We are so very grateful to those who cook and serve. The lunches are held on the second Wednesday of each month excluding Lent and August.

The Deacons coordinate providing meals for Hilltop members in times of need. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with illness, or loss. We are delighted to offer these acts of kindness so please don’t hesitate to reach out if this is something you would like.

Deacons also enjoy preparing sunshine baskets for church members facing difficulty circumstances. Cards are also sent to church members when we learn of particular struggles or hardships. Plants, baked goods, and other goodies are often included in the baskets as a way to bring a little joy to those in need.

There are a number of Deacons who provide outreach and ongoing contact to our members who have moved on to college. We recognize our seniors in the spring with handmade scarves in their college colors and make efforts to stay in touch with gift cards and notes throughout the school year.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with a trying situation? We have a group of Deacons that are talented knitters. They knit baby blankets for baptisms, as well as prayer shawls for those who need a bit of warmth and comfort. The ministry is also beginning to consider a new endeavor, Knitted Knockers, to help support breast cancer survivors. Keep an eye out for more information about this and how you might get involved.

Deacons coordinate Hilltop’s support for Family Intervention Services throughout the year. FIS is a local charitable organization that strives to strengthen and support families in New Jersey with critical needs. Hilltops ongoing support has ranged from gift certificates to complete Thanksgiving meals. The Love Lines program also provides Christmas gifts for children in need. We are proud to have supported this wonderful organization for 40 years.

The Deacons host two annual gatherings for the congregation that provide fellowship and fun. The Pancake Supper is held on Shrove Tuesday. Funds raised are donated to a local community organization

The Deacon’s Picnic is held each spring typically on the first Sunday in June. It’s a lovely opportunity to gather in the spring and enjoy a BBQ style picnic complete with food, fun and games for the kids.

On the second Sat in June, Hilltop Deacons participate in Mendham’s Town-wide Garage Sale which is hosted by the Ralston Women’s Auxiliary. Members donate items, and work at the sale. If you are interested in donating gently used items or would like to help out with this endeavor, please feel free to contact any of the Hilltop Deacons.

Deacons provide assistance needed for receptions following services at Hilltop. The Deacons and other Hilltop volunteers provide everything needed except for the food. We provide set up, service, and then clean up the space after the event. We hope to assist and attend to the needs of the family during a difficult time.