When you become active in one (or more) of our ministries, you extend your worship beyond Sunday morning, find yourself blessed with friendships, and have the opportunity to grow deeper in your faith.  


Music Ministry

Music is an integral part of worship here at Manasquan United Methodist Church. Whether you sing from the pews or take an active role in one of our music ministries, we encourage you to lift your voice in praise to the Lord.

You can join our choirs at any time of year, and no experience is necessary. Come with a willing heart and know you’ll be surrounded by love and laughter. Please contact Music Director Cristine Pasterchick for the weekly rehearsal schedule or to learn more.

Chancel Choir 

The Chancel Choir is our traditional choir, perfect for anyone who enjoys sacred music and wants to be part of something meaningful. We rehearse once a week and sing in worship about once a month, plus for special services throughout the year.

You don’t need to be a pro or read music to join – no auditions, no pressure, just bring your voice and your enthusiasm! We’ll help you grow in your singing and understanding of music along the way. More than just a choir, we’re a welcoming community where people connect, grow spiritually, and make some beautiful music together.

Bell Choir

Our intergenerational Handbell Choir is a fun and friendly group that meets weekly and plays in worship about once a month, plus at special services throughout the year. We’re blessed to have four octaves of Malmark handbells and three octaves of hand chimes – and we love putting them to good use!

Each spring, we host and participate in the local “Spring Ring” handbell festival, a great time to make music and connect with other ringers. Never played handbells before? No problem! You don’t need to read music — we’ll help you learn (and yes, we’ll totally help you count to four). New members are always welcome, so come give it a try!

Worship Ministry

There’s a place for everyone.

    • Greeters: You can be a welcoming face at either one of two entrances.
    • Ushers: Perhaps one of the least time-intensive volunteer roles at the church, our ushers help with the offering and with Communion.
    • Readers: Lead the congregation in the opening prayer and responsive reading, and share the Scripture passage associated with the week’s sermon.

Please contact Ministry Committee Chair Nancy Farley to participate or to learn more.

Outreach Ministries

Jesus was asked, “Who is your neighbor?” At MUMC we reach out in love with special programs targeted to meet the needs of others. Our church offers meeting space or financially supports programs including Al-Anon, the Girl Scouts, the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group, Family Promise, Interfaith Neighbors, La Senda Ministerio, Manasquan Area Food Pantry, Furniture Bank, Prison Ministry, Quilters, Weight Watchers, and Healthy Bones exercise classes.

Renee’s Road to Recovery Fund

Renee Tanay was a loving wife and mother, a devoted Christian, and a friend to all who knew her. A 25-year member of Manasquan United Methodist Church, Renee was diagnosed in 2007 with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which progresssed into acute Myeloid Leukemia. Throughout her illness, multiple hospital visits, and three rounds of chemotherapy, Renee kept a positive outlook and treated doctors, nurses, and hospital staff with Christian love and respect in the face of adversity. Renee had unshakable faith and trusted that whatever the outcome, God was with her and she was secure in His love. On January 4, 2009, God brought Renee home to Him.

During her illness, her church family provided an outpouring of love to Renee, her husband, and their three children. From leaf-raking parties at their home to gasoline gift cars to help family members commute to the hospital, the church’s support was wide-ranging, thoughtful, and helped enormously in coping during a difficult time. In honor of Renee’s enduring faith, her family created the Renee’s Road to Recovery Fund to assist families overwhelmed by medical emergencies.

To offer a tribute to Renee’s life, please send tax-deductible donations to: Renee’s Road to Recovery Fund, Manasquan United Methodist Church, 23 Church Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736. If you are aware of a local family in need of assistance, please contact Steve Bumbera (908-804-4666, steve@bumbera.net) or Pastor Javier through the church office (732-223-5432).

United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God, build supportive fellowship, and work for justice through service and advocacy. UWM hosts periodic fundraisers – usually a restaurant lunch or dinner – to benefit missions, scholarship, youth, or other key ministry. Through UMW, the women of our church have formed friendships that have lasted decades.

Hospitality Ministry

At MUMC, church doesn’t end once the service is over. Coffee Hour, held after the 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service, is a beloved tradition. It doesn’t take much to host Coffee Hour – bring some treats, pour some juice, and put out the cream for the coffee. Look for the signup sheet in Fellowship Hall.

Garden Ministry

Our church is surrounded by gardens lovingly planted and tended by faithful servants. Full sun the south side of the building provides the perfect growing conditions for roses, lilies, daffodils, lavender, and a wealth of other blooming plants. On the northeast corner of the property, the Memorial Garden is a reflective space surrounded by lush greenery. Because Christ lived and taught in an agrarian society, time spent in the garden has direct ties to His parables and teaching. Come spend an hour trimming, weeding, and caretaking, as your personal ministry.

Tech Ministry

This team works faithfully, week in and week out, to ensure our Sanctuary Service runs smoothly. We truly can’t do church without them, and there’s always the need for more help from tech-savvy volunteers to work with the sound system and visuals. Please contact Music Director Cristine Pasterchick to sign up or learn more.

Teddy Bear Care Ministry

At MUMC, there are bears in every pew. We like to think these plushies absorb all the prayers, songs, and Scripture lessons from Sunday worship. Filled with the unconditional love of God, these little friends then are ready to be given to those who are ill, lonely, in the hospital, or enduring a difficult situation. MUMC’s Teddy Bear Care Ministry helps us reach out to people with love, concern, and comfort.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Manasquan Ministerium Food Pantry

The Manasquan Food Pantry is one of the 60,000 pantries/meal programs supporting by Feeding America. The goal is to raise awareness of hunger and inspire the public to take action on behalf of families and individuals facing the burden of hunger. Please place donations of non-perishable items in the collection box near the back entrance of the church, near the church office. Non-food items such as paper products and toiletries are also welcome, as are monetary donations and gft cards for Aldi or ShopRite. Learn more here.