St. Peter’s Annual
Crossroads Service Awards
Our 2026 Recipients are:
Parishioner Award – Jackie Jones
We recognize Jackie Jones for her indispensable contributions to the music ministries at St. Peter’s. She founded our handbell program 45 years ago and has led it faithfully and enthusiastically ever since, fostering a uniquely inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and capable, regardless of their age or musical background. In addition to the handbell program, Jackie was also an enthusiastic member of St. Peter’s Choir for many years and has offered her time and musical talents wherever they were needed over the decades. Outside of St. Peter’s, Jackie has also been a dedicated volunteer for a local animal shelter – every Christmas, the bell choir recognizes her love for animals and the ministry of animal shelters by making a donation to that shelter in her name.
Ministry Partner Award – St. Peter’s Thrift Shop
St. Peter’s Thrift Shop is more than a ministry of St. Peter’s. It has grown into a vibrant community institution with two talented, hard-working and committed managers and a team of volunteers from the larger community as well as the congregation. They serve the needs of the community by providing quality merchandise at affordable prices and support the congregation’s budget through creative marketing and carefully curated vintage merchandise.
Community Service Award – Freehold EMS
Freehold Emergency Medical Services has been serving the Freehold Boro and Freehold Township communities since 1941, formally called the Freehold First Aid Squad. Embarking on their 85th year of existence, the 140 active volunteers respond to 9-1-1 calls year-round providing prehospital first aid and medical care. In 2025, crews responded to nearly 5900 calls, transported over 4100 patients, maintained a 99.7 % answer rate, and provided mutual aid 189 times across 15 counties. The dedicated members spend their volunteer hours, training to provide quality medical treatment to their patients, educational programs, mentoring a Cadet Corp, and participating at community events to protect the attendees. Our Community is grateful for their dedication and the members of our St Peter’s parish who have served willingly throughout their long history as volunteer members and board members. Congratulations to the current Chief Jeremy Hoffman and their entire executive and operational leadership for your continued service and support to the Freehold EMS.
The St. Peter’s Crossroads Service Awards are presented each year to three individuals or organizations whose public service embodies that values that went into building Crossroads: Welcoming, Healing, and Celebration.
We were honored to celebrate our inaugural award recipients on
Saturday, October 5, 2024:
Mera and Lester Archambeau (Parishioner award)
Mera & Lester Archambeau have been long-time members of St. Peter’s Church. They moved away this year to live with one of their daughters. Over the decades they have served faithfully in worship, leadership, and community service.The St. Peter's Lunch Program (Ministry Partner)
The volunteers of the community lunch program have served under four separate organizations, from Open Door, to Jim Benedict’s Feed All God’s Children program, to Blessing Bag Brigade when Jim retired, and now under the St. Peter’s umbrella. The volunteers are not members of St. Peter’s Church but serve faithfully every Wednesday and Thursday. The core leadership team rarely miss a day, whether rain, shine or snow. They currently give out over 600 meals a week.J. Nolan Higgins (Community figure)
Nolan Higgins is a long-time leader in Freehold Borough. He is a former mayor and is passionate about the Borough’s history and St. Peter’s place in it. As the owner of Higgins Memorial Home, he has provided compassionate care to many in the Borough, including St. Peter’s, in their time of need. As a former mayor, he led the Borough with compassion and respect, especially for the places of houses of worship. He is a faithful member of St. Rose.