St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Vernon, originally incorporated as a mission in 1848 and then again in 1981 after a ten year closure, has a unique ministry within the Diocese of Newark. Nestled in the New Jersey Highlands only 2 miles from the Appalachian Trail, St. Thomas’ has found their calling to ministry by practicing Radical Hospitality to those intrepid hikers of the 2,175 mile long trail through their Hiker Hostel. For 15 years, through creative use of their undercroft space, they have offered a place to rest, take hot showers, and use laundry facilities. They provide their guests an opportunity to email home and, through their camp store, help them replenish much needed supplies. Members of the congregation routinely bring homemade meals to serve to weary travelers. This ministry is in operation from May through September with the flexibility to host the occasional off-season sojourner. Close to 400 hikers were welcomed at the Hostel this past season.
Recently, St. Thomas’ has been notified by the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority that it is required to connect to the municipal sanitary sewer system. The mandatory connection will require disconnection of present sewage treatment facilities in addition to the construction of the new sewer system. Cost estimates for the removal and connection are estimated to be approximately $50,000. St. Thomas’ is a mission of the Diocese and unable to undertake this expense itself. Conversation is ongoing among the lay leadership and clergy of St. Thomas’, the Ward J. Herbert Board, and the Trustees to determine how the costs will be met.
Your generous support is deeply appreciated to help this congregation defray the cost of this municipally mandated project.
