Restoration: serve, equip & connect

Restoration is the process of making something new again. It’s a very down to earth way of describing the work that God invites us into. NEC reaches out to those in need locally, regionally and globally and provides volunteer power, resources and financial help. NEC often partners with other individuals and non-profits to multiply our ability to do good.

Check out our opportunities below and complete the volunteer interest form to let us know what interests you. If you need assistance from any of these ministries, please visit our 'need help' page.

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NEC Cares

NEC Cares is one to one support for anyone experiencing a difficult time in life. We walk with you through serious illness, bereavement, caring for others, job crisis, divorce, and other challenges that disrupt your life because NEC Cares.
If you would like to have a care giver walk with you or if you would like to be trained as a care giver, please reach out.

Caring Meals

This group provides meals to those who have given birth, are sick, had an accident or surgery, had a family death, or who are, for numerous reasons, temporarily incapacitated.

SOS Team

SOS stands for Serving Our Savior. It evolved out of the experience on US Disaster Relief Trips. We found a dire need for home repairs for someone in our church and pulled a group together. It was such a positive experience that we made it an outreach ministry in 2015. Our services include basic home repair, painting, and other small projects for individuals in need of a helping hand within our church family and other local communities. SOS works one or two Saturdays a month. No special skills are required and kids 11 and older are welcome to participate with a parent! Absolutely no pressure...join in when you can!

Paper Angels

This team sends out thoughtful sympathy, encouragement and get well cards to people going through a rough time. Cards are sent to anyone brought the team’s attention.

Prayer Blanket Ministry

This ministry invites individuals to pray for a person who is going through an extremely difficult time such as loss of a child or spouse, life-threatening diagnosis such as cancer, or homelessness, etc. We prepare a no sew fleece blanket and a special card is handmade and matches the theme of the prayer blanket. Anyone is invited to come, say a prayer and sign the card of encouragement for the person. The cornerstone of the prayer blanket is the Holy Trinity that it is tied with a ring signifying God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus and signifies that it is an official New England Chapel Prayer Blanket. If you would like to nominate a person to receive a Prayer Blanket or would like to know when we are working on a Prayer Blanket use the volunteer interest form at the top of the page.

Local

Franklin YMCA

NEC partners with the Hockomock Area YMCA in community development projects including the school supply drive, the summer lunch program, family fun events and more.

Franklin Food Pantry

In our partnership with the Food Pantry, NEC volunteers pick up Panera Bread on Monday nights to deliver to the pantry on Tuesday mornings; help to organize food and stock shelves; assist with special projects; and help organize local food drives.

Current Needs Include: Assorted bags of chips (8-10 oz), Assorted cookies and crackers (8-12 oz), Gluten-free amd Vegan shelf-stable items, Cereal - 10-20 oz, Hot chocolate mix, Baby wipes, Tooth paste, Disinfectant wipes, Pet food, Kitty litter.

Franklin Neighbor Brigade

Neighbor Brigade brings a network of community volunteers together to help people in crisis with free, temporary, non-medical assistance. This may include light house work or yard projects, providing meals or helping with transportation.

Regional

Straight Ahead Ministries

Straight Ahead Ministries works with juvenile offenders to help them know Christ’s transforming love. Youth are mentored closely every step of their journey, from lock-up to a monitored home environment and finally to independence as they become self-sufficient, productive citizens. NEC partners with Straight Ahead through their community programs and holiday outreach. Stop by the lobby in February & March of 2024 to support the Easter Basket Collection.

Walking in Light Ministries

Walking in Light is faith-based mission who partners with a large cross-section of Bible-centered churches in New England to minister to hundreds of families in low-income housing projects in Worcester, including one of the largest in Massachusetts. NEC assembles Thanksgiving baskets for families every year, provides Christmas gifts and winter clothing for the children, collects food to help families through the winter and spring school breaks as well as school supplies in the summer, and participates in the Summer Bible Experience for teens.

US DISASTER RELIEF - Trip coming in Summer 2024

NEC partners with World Renew Disaster Response Services to help communities impacted by natural disasters. Our teams have served in New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina), Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Jersey and North and South Carolina alongside community residents and local long-term recovery groups! After immediate needs are met and coverage of a disaster has faded from the news, volunteers are still needeed to help families and communities as the work of recovery continues. The next trip is summer of 2024. Email Mike McDermott at mmcdermott31@yahoo.com for more information.

Visit nechapel.org/missions24 for more information.

Manos Curativas

A NEC partner organization, Manos Curativas, Inc is a non-profit organization providing health care to unserved and underserved people in the Dominican Republic. Teams of volunteer medical professionals, translators, logistic and support crews travel to remote areas one week every other June. Group trips are currently on hold at this time.

Haiti Empowered Inc.

Formerly Mission E4

A NEC partner organization, Haiti Empowered Inc. has been leading teams on mission trips to Haiti for nearly two decades. You can be part of the long-term change in Haiti by joining a week-long trip. During your trip you will spend time in their schools, churches and the boys and girls orphanages. Work projects range from physical labor and construction to making lunches for the team, performing skits, giving books & uniforms to school children, or registering new children. There is also opportunity for medical personnel to perform routine exams. There is something for everyone, both young and old! Mission trips are currently on hold at this time.

If going to Haiti sounds like too much for but you still want to help the cause, don't worry, you still can! Mission E4 also has a child s ponsorship program where you can sponsor a child in Haiti for $41 a month. Your sponsorship provides the child an education including books and uniforms, a hot meal at school and free medical care.

Vineyard Christian School

Uganda

A NEC partner organization, the Vineyard Christian School was established near Soroti, Uganda in 2008. In a country ravaged by war in the 1980's and 90's, concerned parents and a pastor joined forces to impact positive change. The mission of the Vineyard Christian School is "Preparing today's children to become tomorrow's answer". The school enrolls over 600 children from many local villages, providing a Christian education and more.

Mission Trip Videos