News

GNJAC Haiti UMVIM Trip

  January 11th - 18th, 2014. Our seventh GNJAC UMVIM Trip to Haiti was a blessing both to the GNJAC UMVIM team members and our Haitian hosts. This was the first conference team to go to Haiti since the end in November, 2013 of the collaborative Haiti Response plan of UMCOR and EMH (Haitian Methodist Church). As was the intention, EMH has taken over the scheduling and hosting of UMVIM teams going to Haiti. The process of scheduling and the logistics of the mission experience...

Peace with Justice Grant Applications: Due April 21st 2014

Have You Applied for a Peace with Justice Grant? Applications for Peace with Justice Grants for the coming year are due on Monday, April 21, 2014 and should be mailed to Ginny Kaiser at the Conference Office. Applications may be submitted by any group related to the Annual Conference - a local church; an agency of the conference, a district, or by two or more such groups in cooperation. If the organization/group received a grant after 2009, the organization/group cannot receive a grant for the...

UMC's Event for A Future With Hope

The UMC in Union, NJ has decided to make a start on its pledge to A Future With Hope in two ways.   First, by dedicating the quarterly project offering envelopes in our congregation's offering envelope packets for 2014 to A Future With Hope, and secondly, to dedicate profits from certain events that raise funds to the cause.  On February 15, 2014 the UMC in Union held its annual Pasta Lover's Supper for both the congregation and all comers from the town and surrounding areas....

Pre - Lenten PowerPoint Now Available

At the Pre-Lenten Service and Fellowship, newly appointed District Superintendents Myrna Bethke (Gateway South) and Drew Dyson (Raritan Valley) joined the Director of Connectional Ministries, Bruce Hartman, in a presentation to outline the next steps in implementing the strategic plan.  The implementation is focused on supporting and resourcing pastors and congregations to help grow vital congregations.   Click here to view their presentation.  ...

Message from Bishop Schol Regarding Resourcing

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As the clergy and lay leadership in GNJ, I want to share with you about our recent clergy gathering and update you on our next steps in the implementation of the strategic ministry plan. More than 350 clergy gathered for our Pre-Lenten Gathering on February 25. I am grateful for everyone who attended. The worship was spirited, the testimonies were inspiring and the conversation was engaging. I want to especially thank Calvary Korean United Methodist Church in...

Drew University Welcomes Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger as 12th President

Bishop John Schol had the opportunity to serve on the search committee for a new President of Drew University.  The following is the announcement of the board's selection. DREW UNIVERSITY WELCOMES DR. MARYANN BAENNINGER AS 12TH PRESIDENT Dr. Baenninger will be Drew’s first full-term woman president in the university’s 147-year history. Madison, N.J. – The Board of Trustees of Drew University announced today that it has unanimously selected MaryAnn...

Central UMC (Linwood) Wins 2014 Robert B. Steelman Methodist History Award

The Greater New Jersey Commission on Archives and History would like to congratulate the Central United Methodist Church in Linwood, for winning our 2014 Robert B. Steelman Methodist History Award.  To see an electronic version of the winning entry go to: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/60288214/Central%20UMC%20-%20Linwood.pdf. If your church is interested in submitting an entry for either the Steelman Award, Best Ethnic History Award or Best Multimedia History Award, go to our...

Local Church History Awards 2015

Present your Church History via Written, Audio or Visual Media. The History Needs the Following Elements: Historical Dates Memorable /Famous Events & People Images, Former & Present Ministers (contact our archivist at waltretired@optonline.net) Prior Histories must be revised within last five years Deadline January 30, 2014.  Please note that we have moved up the deadline date. The Greater New...

Message from Bishop Schol Regarding Clergy Appointments

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, God may give it to you.  –Jesus, John 15:16 The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. —Max DePree from the book, Leadership Is an Art February 17, 2014 Dear Sisters and Brothers, Our calling is to make...

2014 History Conference on Colonial Methodism in New Jersey

Did you know that Drew University owns John Wesley’s famous 1791 letter to William Wilberforce about ending slavery? Did you know that Wesley’s image and slavery tract are part of a permanent exhibit housed in George Washington’s Army Headquarters just up the road from Drew University and the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History? Or you may not know that the Episcopal Church parsonage in Newton, New Jersey is where Francis Asbury slept when traveling...

Cokesbury Improves Online Store & Customer Experience

UMPH is the oldest agency of what is now the United Methodist Church having been in continuous operation since 1789. The mission has always been to advance the cause of Christianity by developing and providing inspirational, useful and educational materials that help people come to know and love God through Jesus Christ and learn to live as his disciples and help transform the world. The nature of the materials and means of delivery have continually changed to meet the needs of churches and...

GNJ Conference Office CLOSED February 13th Due to Snow Forecast

Due to the forecasted snowfall in New Jersey, the Conference Office will be CLOSED on Thursday, February 13, 2014.   Thank you for your understanding.  We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe through the storm....

Pray for St. John's UMC-Turnersville After Fire Damages Chapel

Friends, please pray for the people and leaders of St. John’s UMC in Turnersville, NJ. Early Friday morning, a fire damaged their prayer chapel. Dr. Ron Smith, pastor of St. John’s, reports there was severe damage to the chapel but thanks to a good fire alarm system, the quick response from the Washington Township Fire Department and church facilities managers, and the grace of God, the fire was contained to just that area. The fire marshal has cleared the remaining parts of the...

Invitation from Bishop Schol to the Pre-Lenten All Clergy Gathering

The world needs passionate Christ-like disciples that are stirring up faith, hope and justice. We are finding that these disciples are more often made in vital congregations. That’s why we are working with you to move from 14 to 41 percent vital congregations in GNJ. Dear Clergy Colleagues, Grace and peace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year we have gathered prior to Lent to renew and recommit to the Lenten journey and our calling. This year we will worship, share call...

All Reports & Recommendations for 2014 Annual Conference Due by March 3rd

According to the Standing Rules of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, all Reports and Recommendations to be included in the Pre-Conference Workbook for 2014 must be submitted in writing to the Conference Secretary and signed by the author (Rule 3-19 a, b). Please refer to the Pre-Conference Report and Recommendation Instructions found at www.gnjumc.org/annualconference. It is expected that all committees, boards and agencies will submit an Annual Report. In addition...

2013 Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums

Is your church eligible? The Federal Government is offering a rebate in the form of a tax credit to employers, including churches, who provided health care insurance for employees (including pastors) in 2013. Any church that did the following in 2013 is most likely eligible for the credit: Paid Federal taxes (withholding and/or Social Security) for its employees AND Paid health insurance for at least one of its employees (pastor and/or staff) Is it worth the effort? The credit can be...

Inspiring Sermons Create Excitement at Westwood UMC

The Westwood United Methodist Church is in their final weeks of A Future with Hope Mission Fund Campaign and Pastor Glenn Scheyhing shared his sermon for the third week “Who are We Together.”   Take a listen and then share your sermon with us too!  ...

Churches Are Engaged in Local Missions Through A Future with Hope Mission Fund Campaign

Mission, mission, mission our conference is in mission: UMC of Suffern is already engaged in four mission projects, but with their pledges of $3,900 to the Mission Fund Campaign, they are researching what additional mission project is next for them and their community. 25 members of Repaupo UMC collect and deliver both canned/dry goods for a local food pantry. Members from this church pledge $5,106 for the Mission Fund Campaign. 100% of the...

Bishop Schol Announces Two New Clergy Appointments

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I am pleased to announce two new appointments that will take effect July 1, 2014. Rev. Barbara (Bobbie) Rambach is being appointed to the position of Bishop’s Associate to replace Rev. Charles Bender who will “re-retire” this year. I am grateful for the leadership Bobbie has provided as the District Superintendent of the Raritan Valley District. She has served as the Cabinet’s Dean and has been a blessing to me personally during the 2012...

Conference Office CLOSED Monday, February 3rd Due to Snow

Due to the forecasted snowfall in New Jersey, the Conference Office will be CLOSED on Monday, February 3, 2014.  The office will reopen at 8:30am on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Thank you for your understanding.  We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe through the storm....