11 Wilkins Station Road, (MAILING: PO BOX 805), Medford, NJ 08055
Fr. John Shimchick, Rector - Church: (609) 654-4865 - Rectory: (856) 665-2491

​​​Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross

Inreach/ Outreach Group

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In response to our Lord’s teachings in Matthew 25:34-36, this ministry examines the needs of individuals and families in our own parish community (Inreach) and the greater Medford area and beyond (Outreach), and responds in consistent and organized ways:  Our ministry:


Works to alleviate suffering through:

  • CROSSROADS PROGRAM serves homeless, abandoned, and abused youth
  • VETSHOUSE INCORPORATED provides housing, job placement, personal skills and development counseling, and food and transportation.
  • COMMUNITY HOPE helps veterans and their families overcome mental illness, addiction, homelessness, and poverty by providing housing and support services.
  • HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS, a pro-life organization, assists pregnant women and their families with support services that ease their life burdens and give them hope.


Works to alleviate hunger through:

  • Community Luncheon Program, which prepares food for the working poor and homeless people in Burlington County
  • Participation in food distribution with Wawa Harvest Program
  • Fund raising for Crop Walk Hunger Program
  • IOCC-International Orthodox Christian Charities donations
  • Providing meals, fellowship, and hosts for Interfaith Hospitality Network.
  • Distributing food collections and monetary contributions through Community Services and St. Vincent dePaul.


Visits the elderly and homebound wherever they may reside to offer support and keep them connected to their fellow parishioners


Provides meals to parishioners experiencing major life events.


Offers opportunities aimed at educating parishioners about resources in the community, building relationships. and giving purpose to our coming together.  Previous topics include:

  • Becoming a Healing Presence
  • Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
  • Emotional and Spiritual Wholeness
  • Heart Health
  • AED and CPR Instruction
  • Healthy Body, Healthy Mind. Healthy Relationships
  • Internet Safety and Security          


Annually celebrates and honors the service of our veterans


Offers a community-wide Blessing of the Animals


Celebrates the senior members of our parish and promotes intergenerational relationships through ACROSS THE AGES.  Activities include Parish History Month, Parish Family Dinner, Brunch Month, PATHWAYS month, and Volunteer Month

Meets monthly after the Divine Liturgy and all are welcome.   Dates of meetings are posted in the Crossroads newsletter and the Weekly Bulletin.