Family Ministry
Keeping up with the changing face of our church 
In 2008, we were challenged by Tony to meet the needs of the growing number of families, both inside and outside our church, who are choosing to stay and raise children in the city.
Just a few years ago, the thought of a Family Ministry seemed out of step with the needs of the church. In the last two years, however, we have moved from just a few families to over 35 children in the nursery, toddler and elementary school classes.
We started in February 2008 as just two people with a few ideas having lunch with Tony and trying to figure out what we should do next. Our first big step came in the spring, when we held a “Family Summit” event, which, to our surprise and delight, drew over 50 people. At that meeting, we brainstormed about how best to serve the families of Hoboken. It seemed important to all to have events that simply gave the parents a chance to get to know each other, and build from there. With a few low-key picnics and "Ice Cream Sundays" under our belt, we are looking at trying our hand at some bigger events for 2009.
Here’s how the new year is shaping up:
“Parent's Night Out” on Jan 25th will give parents the opportunity for an evening out while we take care of the kids. We realize the combination of time, money, and childcare is tough to coordinate!
In March, we are planning the first of two “Workshops for Parents”. The Mustard Seed School is an excellent location and a great way to open these events to the community. Stay tuned for details.
We look forward to a great year and hopefully we will have lots of feedback and new ideas from you! Redeemer Hoboken strives to be a place where families feel welcome and encouraged, as we all try to figure out how best to raise our children in the small spaces of this great city. If you'd like to help or share ideas, let us know. Most importantly, please be with us in prayer as we search for ways to reach our neighbors.
Mom's Group of Hoboken
Redeemer Hoboken takes leadership of longstanding group
It’s been said that if you have to walk through a minefield, follow someone. This holds true for parenting as well as the battlefield. This group offers fellowship with other mom’s walking the minefield of raising Christian children in a secular society.
We are extremely excited that, as of January 1st, the Mom’s Group of Hoboken will now come under the stewardship of Redeemer Hoboken. This multi-denominational group, in existence since 200?, currently is comprised of 27 families from the greater Hoboken area who meet every Wednesday from 9:30am – 11:30 am at The Evangelical Free Church at 9th and Clinton. The group conducts weekly bible studies, monthly fellowship events, and twice-annual service projects … all with the blessing of professional child care.
"I have been attending the mom's group for a couple of months now and it has been such a blessing to me. The other moms welcomed me right from the beginning and made me feel right at home. It is a great place to fellowship, laugh, and share with other Christian moms. I look forward to it each week."
"I think the group is a wonderful spiritual "time out" in a world that (for me, anyway) never seems to stop."
"The mom's group has been a place of safety and support for me. Parenting can really make you feel weak and clueless, and I've been so grateful to have people I can be honest with, who don't judge me, but pray for me and with me as I seek God's guidance. And I never fail to be blessed by the opportunity to study God's word with others. I learn so much from the insights and experiences of this diverse group of women. God shows Himself to us through each other. It's pretty amazing!"
"Where else can you cry from exhaustion, laugh with your friends and learn from God's Word? To be reassured that you will get sleep one day, your children will learn to share, and you will have a conversation with your husband that won't be interrupted... to be able to get experiences and opinions from such a range of amazing women -- it's wonderful!"
"It's the only group I've ever been in where I could be so vulnerable and yet feel so loved. Besides being married, motherhood is the hardest job I've ever had. It's been so comforting to share with women who understand exactly what I'm going through."
'Moms' group is a place to laugh, cry, pray and learn, a place where I feel safe enough to share all the brokenness in my life, express my inadequacies and know that I'm still accepted."
For more information regarding the group, please email Mary Miles at marytmiles@hotmail.com.
We are also excited to bring the first Family Home Fellowship Group to Redeemer Hoboken. We are excited to bring the first of what we hope to be many family friendly Home Fellowship Groups.The group's leader, Jonathan LaCrosse, says,
"Our small group is designed to meet the needs of families. Our unique style is one that helps the family grow spiritually: Each month our schedule calls for a week each for the families, couples, men and women. Thus, we get varied perspectives."
Our location also rotates from homes in West New York, NJ to homes in Jersey City.
We meet on Friday nights at 7:30. In 2008, we finished our study of the book of James and began our study on Song of Songs."
If you have any questions about our group, contact Jonathan at jdlravens@hotmail.com.
Family Home Fellowship Group
First Family Home Fellowship Group for Redeemer Hoboken
We are also excited to bring the first Family Home Fellowship Group to Redeemer Hoboken. We are excited to bring the first of what we hope to be many family friendly Home Fellowship Groups.The group's leader, Jonathan LaCrosse, says,
"Our small group is designed to meet the needs of families. Our unique style is one that helps the family grow spiritually: Each month our schedule calls for a week each for the families, couples, men and women. Thus, we get varied perspectives."
Our location also rotates from homes in West New York, NJ to homes in Jersey City.
We meet on Friday nights at 7:30. In 2008, we finished our study of the book of James and began our study on Song of Songs."
If you have any questions about our group, contact Jonathan at jdlravens@hotmail.com.