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2012 Annual Conference is right around the corner. Click here to find all of the important information about Annual Conference.
In our celebration, there will be worship with an “installation” of all newly elected committee members of the Annual Conference, panel discussion with representatives from various General Boards and Agencies, and group workshops.
The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference's Commission on Archives and History is celebrating this year's Conference wide Aldersgate Celebration on Sunday, May 20 at the Chews United Methodist Church in Glendora. The worship service will start at 4:00 P.M. with the Reverend Doctor Bill Wilson preaching the sermon. We will be celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the first annual New Jersey conference session of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at the Halsey Street Church, Newark, in 1837. Directions to the church can be found at http://www.chewsumc.com/info.htm. Please plan to attend the event in order to celebrate your place in the "Endless Line of Splendor" that is Greater New Jersey United Methodism!
General Conference is well underway, so how are our delegates feeling? Rev. Jessica Campbell, Senior Pastor of Thiells UMC in Thiells, NY, took time out of her busy conference schedule to let us know how she's feeling, so far, as a first-time delegate. Rev. Campbell is participating on the Independent Committees Legislative Committee at General Conference. This Committee is charged with affirming and encouraging the work of the commissions of the UMC.
Rev. Campbell compared General Conference to an exciting rollercoaster. "It's been a thrilling ride. There have been low moments but they are followed quickly by high moments. The high moments leave me very optimistic for the future." She went on to say that her legislative committee seemed to be united in decisions. Before adjourning Friday night, after hours of discussing and voting on petitions, her committee sang, "We Are One In The Spirit." She said those words sang so true for her experience thus far.
One subject referred to continuously at General Conference has been the need to get more young people, especially young clergy, involved in the United Methodist Church. Reading the online Twitter feed, there has been a lot of concern that young people are not being respected and heard in the conference proceedings. As a young clergyperson, Rev. Campbell has had the opposite experience: "I've felt very respected within my legislative committee, which makes me very hopeful. I feel that I've been heard and been given respect in my committee. The members of my legislative committee have encouraged the young people to speak up and they have listened to us."
One of the many highs of General Conference for those in attendance and watching online has been the evening worship services, held from 8:30-9:30pm. According to Rev. Campbell, "Worship has been amazing." You can tune into the live online stream at gc2012.umc.org every night at 8:30pm to see the worship service led by Marcia McFee.
Another highlight of General Conference is in the lobby areas of the convention center where groups representing UMW, immigration, Imagine No Malaria, and many others have set up interactive displays to encourage delegates and visitors to support and learn more about their causes. Rev. Campbell found this to be "a very powerful witness for what the church can be when we all come together. Seeing how passionate people are about the church is amazing."
Overall, the experience has been "amazing" for Rev. Campbell. "I can really sense the presence of Christ leading us into the future, even if we might not understand it at this point. It's incredible to be able to have a voice here."
She asks everyone to continue to pray for the delegates at General Conference. Through Facebook, she has felt the encouragement and love from the GNJAC, which has helped all of the delegates feel like they are really representing the annual conference well. "It's an amazing feeling knowing that our Conference is praying for us. Keep them coming!"
Continue to follow what's happening at General Conference by visiting www.gc2012.umc.org or by following the GNJAC Twitter (www.twitter.com/gnjumc) and Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/gnjumc).
The Pre-Annual Conference Packet is now available for downloading online. It includes the following:
Section I - General Site, Badge and Meal Information, Bishop's Offerings, Secretary's Welcome, Conference Agenda, etc.
Section II - Annual Reports of the Committees, Task Forces, Boards and Agencies
Section III - Recommendations to the 2012 Annual Conference
*Note: Clergy members will not be mailed a legislation packet as per 2006 Annual Conference mandate. Lay Members will be mailed the packet during the week of April 23, 2012.
Visit the Annual Conference webpage to download the packet by section: http://www.gnjumc.org/pages/detail/449. Scroll down on the page to find the section labeled "2012 PRE-CONFERENCE LEGISLATION PACKET"
Follow along with the major General Conference events in Tampa, FL by watching the Live Stream!
The Tentative Live Streaming Schedule:
April 24
April 25
April 26
April 27
April 29
April 30
May 1
May 2
May 3
May 4
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Greater New Jersey Annual Conference UMC | 1001 Wickapecko Drive | Ocean | NJ | 07712
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United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
810 12th Ave. S.
Nashville, TN 37203
www.umcpresscenter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2012
Episcopal Address to Live Stream on Web and Mobile App
Nashville, Tenn.: When Bishop Peter D. Weaver delivers the Episcopal Address on April 25 at the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla., it will mark the 200th anniversary of the first Episcopal address.
While Weaver’s address, titled “The Resurrection Revolution: The Resurrection Christ with Resurrection People for a Resurrection World,” is steeped in historical tradition, it will mark the first address to be live streamed on the General Conference mobile app for United Methodists around the globe to experience. It will also be live streamed on gc2012.umc.org.
Weaver, from the Boston Episcopal Area, said his address was inspired by the spiritual context of General Conference meeting right after Easter. He explained, “Easter is the center of our faith, which speaks about death turning into life.”
The 30-minute address will take a theological look at the identity and mission of United Methodists and set the tone for the delegates’ collaborative work and decision-making.
“My aim is to try to remind us all that Christ is alive and goes before us,” Weaver explained. “We are a Resurrection people facing challenging times, and it’s important to trust the risen Christ to lead us into holy conferencing so that we might have more vital congregations making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Weaver was elected by the Council of Bishops to prepare and deliver the address on behalf of the entire council and received input from other bishops regarding its content. From 2004 until 2006, he was president of the council, which comprises 69 active bishops and 82 retired bishops from the U.S., Africa, Europe and Asia. The bishops provide spiritual leadership for the 11.5 million-member denomination.
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About General Conference
The General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, and meets once every four years to consider revisions to church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years. The 2012 meeting will take place April 24-May 4 at the Tampa Convention Center.
Media Contact:
Diane Degnan
ddegnan@umcom.org
(615) 742-5406 (office)
(615) 483-1765 (cell)
Who doesn't like to get a cash windfall? If you are an Active Plan participant, there's a $100 windfall coming your way! All HealthFlex participants have already received a postcard from the General Board of Pension regarding the Quest Screening that is available to both active and retired participants. The screening is the 1st of 3 steps HealthFlex has outlined in their Blueprint for Wellness. More about the other 2 steps later. The screening can be accomplished 2 ways.
1. On June 1 and 2, 6 am - 10 am, the screening will be held at Valley Forge Convention Center. In order to have the screening at that time, you MUST PREREGISTER NO LATER THAN MAY 11. Preregistration for the Valley Forge event will be discontinued on May 12 and you will not be able to register for the on-site event. Visit the HealthFlex/WebMD area of the General Board website www.gbophb.org, log in, and click on Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness on the left side of the screen to PRE-REGISTER for the ONSITE EVENT.
2. From now until July 31, 2011 you can have the screening done at a local Quest Laboratory location. Visit the HealthFlex/WebMD area of the General Board website www.gbophb.org, log in, and click on Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness on the left side of the screen to PRE-REGISTER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE SCREENING DONE AT A QUEST LOCATION!
For active participants (and enrolled spouses) only, you can (each) receive an incentive of $100 cash for taking the screening either at annual conference or a local Quest lab between April 1 and July 31. You must be enrolled in Virgin HealthMiles by or on the day of your screening in order to receive your incentive.
Please contact Barbara Gruezke, Insurance Coordinator, (732) 359-1037 or insurance@gnjumc.org if you have any questions about the screenings.
A gathering of Hispanic/Latino churches of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference in which there will be dinner followed by awards given for outstanding lay service at the local church.
This notice is to announce that Rev. Dr. Jisun Kwak will convene a Special Church Conference to take action on the report of the Paragraph 213 Study Committee regarding the discontinuance of Hilton United Methodist Church. The meeting will take place on May 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church located at 600 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040. We will be meeting in the Media Center.
Eat in or take out. The meal will include fish-n-chips, cole slaw, dessert and beverages. Chicken-n-Chips (four piece honey dipped) will also be available for children and adults. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended but not necessary. $13 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Call 845-735-2241. www.pearlriverumc.com
PIANIST and/or ORGANIST
(Temporary Position***)
The Millbrook United Methodist Church of Randolph NJ is looking for a pianist/organist for our 11am Sunday Morning Worship Service Starting May 20, 2012.
Please consider the Position at a Spirit Filled Church where fellowship and hospitality flows freely.
Please Contact: P/SPRC Chairperson Sally Weissman @ (973) 361-0822
Pastors: Jack Copas (201) 291-7710 or David Edwards (973)941-9616
Location: Millbrook UMC 246 Millbrook Ave Randolph, NJ 07869
This is a Temporary Position; however please contact us for the details.
Pianist/Organist Job Description
Tabernacle United Methodist Church
702 Seashore Road
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-3574
www.tumc-erma.org
Purpose: The major responsibility of the Pianist/Organist is to collaborate with the Senior Pastor and the Minister of Music to develop a worship experience, infrastructure, and environment that enables and inspires people to draw closer to God through worship.
Worship: At Tabernacle United Methodist Church we believe that God still speaks to hearts and desires to meet with His people. The worship experience should reflect creativity, planning, and excellence in all areas.
Responsibilities:
1. Play the piano and/or organ, select and provide hymns and music for the Traditional worship service.
2. Accompany and rehearse with the Intergenerational Choir (Wednesday evenings). The accompanist should consult with the Minister of Music to obtain the choir music. The accompanist is required to be prepared to rehearse and support the choir each week.
3. Further accompany soloists, instrumentalists, and ensembles for worship and/or special services.
4. Submit information for the bulletins in a timely fashion as determined by the office secretary.
5. Play for special services throughout the year (Thanksgiving Community Service, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, etc.)
6. The organist holds first refusal rights to all wedding and funerals. However, it is the expectation that the organist is a consistent person to call in times of these needs. The organist is expected to find their substitute.
7. Choose and purchase music within church budget guidelines.
8. Work with the Senior Pastor and the Minister of Music to plan Sunday morning worship services.
Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with experience.
Deadline: The application deadline is Monday, April 30th and the position will remain open until filled.
Vacation: The pianist/organist is given two (2) weeks of vacation per year. It is their responsibility to find an appropriate substitute for each of these weeks in enough time for preparation. Sick leave may be granted, but is addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Please forward questions or inquiries to:
Jessica Thomas, Minister of Music
Tabernacle United Methodist Church
Email: jjthomas05@gmail.com
Phone: (520) 343-3481
Part time Secretary needed
Hamilton United Methodist Church
Please call 732-922-2069 for additional information
Search for church/community outreach coordinator
Parttime, salaried position of approximately 20-25 hours per week. Salary commensurate with experience. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Duties:
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
This is a non-appointive position (not appointed by the bishop.)
Resumes should include three (3) references from non-relatives. The successful applicant will pass a background/fingerprint screening at the expense of the Church.
Please submit resumes and references to the PO BOX 25 or by email. Make inquiries using the contact information provided.
Deadline for submission is June 1, 2012.
Contact: Pastor Kim Wecht of Wesley United Methodist Church located at 24573 East Main St, Columbus, NJ 08022.
Email: columbusumc@aol.com
Address: PO Box 25, Columbus, NJ 08022
Phone: 609-324-0492
First United Methodist Church Collingswood is seeking a vibrant and creative Christian leader to guide volunteers in a variety of children programs (nursery through 5th grade). This part-time position (approx 15 hr/wk) requires a candidate who has a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, loves children and strong management and organizational skills. Additional job responsibilities include: volunteer recruitment, working with volunteers to review and select curriculum and overseeing the Safe Sanctuary screening of volunteers. The preferred candidate will have a 4 year college degree in education or related field.
Qualifications
• Strong and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• Demonstrated love for children.
• Commitment to introducing children to Christ’s love and promoting the development of Godly character.
• Personal experience in leading children’s ministries in areas such as teaching, music, and/or sports/recreation.
• Proven skills in communications.
• Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills (a team player).
• Skills in recruiting and training adults and older teens to lead, teach and help in children’s programs.
• Supportive of the mission, vision, and values of First Church.
• 4 year college degree in education or related field is preferred
For further information contact Pastor Sam Mountain, or Hiring Committee members Prin Pappas and Mark Hamilton at (856) 858-1186. Send resumes to Mark Hamilton, First United Methodist Church Collingswood, 201 Dayton Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108. Electronic submissions may also be sent to mhami1@verizon.net.
My mother had to move over ten times during her first twelve years of marriage. My father worked as a salesman and the companies he worked for were constantly assigning him to new places. We asked my Mom how she had managed to pick up everything and move with a family of five to a new town or city where she didn’t know a soul. “I would find a Methodist Church,” she replied, “because there I knew I could make a friend.”
I thought it interesting how she worded her response. She didn’t look for a “friendly church,” but rather a church where she could make a friend. There is a big difference. The difference was underscored for me recently upon hearing of a colleague who moved to a new town and sought out the closest United Methodist Church.
In the case of my colleague, he found a “friendly church.” People were kind. They smiled at him. Some greeted him during the after-worship fellowship hour. But, he wasn’t making any friends. He even went so far as to invite some of the church members he met to his home–to try to build a relationship--but they couldn’t find the time to come over. My colleague had found a friendly church, but not one where he could make a friend. He has given up trying and now is attending a church of another denomination where within two weeks of his first visit he was invited over to a member’s house for dinner.
People long to be connected to community. They need to make friends where fellowship can be taken to a deeper level. Many churches have systems in place to meet these needs. They are intentional about inviting newcomers to join small groups. The key issue is how we help move newcomers from interest to involvement. How can our churches do a better job of hospitality that goes deeper than mere friendliness. The first thing we need to do is acknowledge that the responsibility for making newcomers feel welcomed and loved resides with us–the church–and not with the newcomer. My colleague should not have had to invite members to his house. Members of the church he was visiting should have gone out of their way to invite him to theirs. That he moved on to another church speaks to the failing of the church he left and not anything he did or did not do.
Here are five simple steps to help your church move a newcomer from interest to involvement:
1. Help the newcomer form relationships with other members. Don’t let her get away from fellowship hour without introducing her to one or two members of the church.
2. Help the newcomer find a place in a small group, be it the choir, a Sunday School class, a UMW circle, men’s fellowship.
3. Help foster friendships for the newcomer. Make time to invite him or her to dinner, or to join an existing friendship group of the church on an outing.
4. Help provide opportunities for newcomers to Grow in their faith by getting involved in some form of Christian service. Does your church have a ministry of outreach or does it take a volunteer mission trip somewhere? Invite the newcomer along! While they engage in meaningful Christian service they will also deeper their relationships with fellow members of the church.
5. Help provide opportunities for newcomers to Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Once the newcomer is involved in the life of the church, create a system whereby he or she is the point person for newer newcomers. In this way they multiply the blessing they received and learn to disciple others.
My mother taught me a valuable lesson about the difference between a friendly church and a church where you can make a friend. It’s a lesson of which our churches need to be reminded. If you seek assistance for the hospitality ministry of your church, the Office of Congregational Development can help. Contact us at 732-359-1046 or send us an e-mail at Druffle@gnjumc.org.
Last month I had the privilege of listening to a presentation by the Reverend Jim Downing, lead pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, Missouri. Jim arrived at this old, downtown church in 1997 when the average worship attendance was 136. Over the course of the next 10 years the church established a second site about ten miles away and has taken in over 250 persons by profession of faith. Today the combined worship attendance of the two campuses is 750.
He shared his story with us and also talked about the seven things people look for in a church. I want to pass along the wisdom through this blog.
1. Does it fit my time schedule?
Time is often bully in today’s world. Time demands on a family’s schedule can send them in many directions at the same time and, as we all know, this includes Sunday morning. So, this question is a real one for many people. People who may be considering going to church ask, “Does the worship hour fit my busy schedule?” Remember, these people may not yet be fully devoted followers of Jesus. To get them into the door, the church is challenged to meet them part of the way by offering worship times that work. There are many stores open on Sundays and thus, many workers who have to work Sunday morning. Why not partner with neighboring United Methodist churches and together offer compatible schedules that include worship on Saturday and Sunday evenings as well as different hours on Sunday? Another aspect of this question is, “Will my time be well spent?” Will worship be alive, inspiring so that I will want to set aside the time to engage it?
2. Do you care more about me or my money?
There is a perception of many persons who do not attend church that all churches care about is the money I might give in an offering plate. This may not be a correct perception, but it’s there. Many of our churches are sensitive to this. At offering time they say, “If you are visiting with us today, we are honored by your presence. Please don’t feel obligated to make a contribution when the plate goes by.” Often, when given the freedom not to give, the visitor ends up giving because he or she wants to.
3. Are my kids really welcome?
Do congregants turn around and stare at crying infants? Are you giving newcomers with small children the unspoken message they are not welcomed by your body language? Is your nursery clean, bright and well-staffed such that a parent feels comfortable turning over their child for an hour? Do you provide Christian education for a child that keep their interest and nurtures them in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ? Some of our churches say they welcome children but act quite differently.
4. Is this a place where, in time, I can make friends?
More than friendly churches, we need churches where newcomers can make friends. One of the questions in the back of the mind of visitor is, “Will I be able to make any friends here?” Church experts say that if a newcomer to a church does not make a friend within the first six months, he or she will likely stop attending. For many of us, we are challenged to be sensitive to the newcomer to include them in our small groups, our informal family gatherings—to invite them over for dinner.
5. Can I explore my faith without fear of being judged?
Many newcomers to the church these days have little knowledge of Jesus, the Bible or the Church. Sometimes they are made to feel ashamed by this. We cannot assume people know where to find II Chronicles, chapter 12. Some come to church with many doubts about Christianity. They want to find answers to deep spiritual questions. Can they come into our churches and find a safe and open enough environment where their questions can be explored without fear of judgment?
6. Is the church in-fighting?
It doesn’t take a newcomer long to find out if there is in-fighting in the church. Sometimes it is downright obvious. Rev. Downing explained that there are three kinds of church people in relation to in-fighting. There are complainers who tear down other people, including the pastor, without offering anything to build up. We need to declare to our churches: The Complaint Department is closed! There are also critics. We can and should accommodate critics. Critics can be helpful when they offer solutions to the problem they see. What we really need are champions. Champions see an issue or problem and not only offer solutions, but they offer themselves as well to be instruments for the solution. They have a spirit that says “Yes” to what God can do in our midst. We often joke that the seven last words of the church are, “We never did it that way before.” How different would it be if we remembered the first seven words: We can do all things in Christ (see Philippians 4:13).
7. Do the leaders ‘buy’ the vision?
Here we refer both to the pastoral leader and the lay leaders who buy the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ, of reaching out to those in need. These leaders say, “Join me in this mission.” They are ready to put themselves on the line and invite others to join.
We might ask ourselves in our local churches how well prepared we are to respond to these seven questions people have regarding the church.
For questions you may have regarding church development, please visit our website at www.yourchurchcangrow.org or send an email to Druffle@gnjumc.org.
Retired Elder of the Greater New Jersey Conference, died on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Brasher Springs, Alabama.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 2 p.m. in First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, 115 S. 5th St., Gadsden, Alabama 35901.
Messages of condolence may be sent to his widow, Lois Watters Brasher, 5175 Gallant Road, Attalla, Alabama 35954. Memorial gifts may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Gadsden or Brasher Springs Camp Meeting, 77 Brasher Springs Road, Gallant, AL 35972.
The District Superintendents
Widow of the Reverend David A. Wilson, Jr., died on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Atco, New Jersey.
Funeral services will be held at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church Chapel, 29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Wilson’s memory may be made to the Haddonfield United Methodist Church Building Preservation Fund, 29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield, NJ 08033. Condolences may be sent to her son, Robert S. Wilson, 211 Woodland Court, Dagsboro, DE 19939-9232.
The District Superintendents
Retired Elder of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, died on Friday, April, 27, 2012.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Tenafly United Methodist Church, 34 West Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670.
Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, c/o Greater NJ Annual Conference, 1001 Wickapecko Drive, Ocean, NJ 07712. Please make check payable to GNJAC with “Global AIDS Fund in Memory of Chris Hinnen” in the memo line.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Reverend Hinnen’s family, in care of his daughter, Melissa Hinnen, c/o The UMC of the Village, 201 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011.
An obituary is available at http://tinyurl.com/hinnen
The District Superintendents
A Memorial Service will be held for the Reverend Robert Edward Kirk on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church, 48 West High Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876-2113. Reverend Kirk, a Retired Elder of the Greater NJ Conference, died on April 20, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Somerville. Messages of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Dorothy Kirk,
PO Box 914, Crossville, TN 38557-0914
The District Superintendents
Former Member of the Northern New Jersey Annual Conference and District Superintendent of the Southern District, died on March 22, 2012 in New York.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Windsor, 56 Chapel Street, Windsor, NY 13865 .
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Windsor, P.O. Box 36, Windsor, NY 13865, the Heifer International Foundation or Catskill Hospice.
Messages of condolence should be sent to his widow, Geraldine Tow, 28 Main Street, Deposit, New York 13754.
Retired Elder (Honorable Location) of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference died on Sunday, March 11, 2012 in Hackettstown, New Jersey.
There will be a Memorial Service on April 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Heath Village, 422 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Fellowship Fund at Heath Village, 422 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
Messages of condolence may be sent to his widow, Mrs. Beverly Jordan, 78 Heath Village, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840.
The District Superintendents
On March 2, 2012, 4 United Methodist Churches in Burlington County joined together to celebrate World Day of Prayer at the First United Methodist Church in Mt Holly. The 3 other churches were: Lumberton United Methodist, Smithville United Methodist,and St Paul's United Methodist Church. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service. The theme for 2012 was Malaysia located in the Pacific Ocean in Southeast, Asia. For 2012, the World Day of Prayer Committee of Malaysia developed the theme: Let Justice Prevail!
The women who prepared the service for 2012 open with the greeting "Selamat datang" which means "peace and welcome". The women name fair and just governance as the basis for peace. A clear message emerged: It takes courage, compassion and active engagement for justice to prevail. The stories that were read by women of the participating churches from the worship service about the Malyasia women experience gave credence to the suffering that empowers their prayer. We learned about the extent of violence perpetrated against the Malayasian women. Oppression of women cuts across class, creed, age and profession. It is rampant not only in the secular world it appears in the structures of churches and religions, too. At the end of the worship service those who had gathered for the service stood in a circle and held hands in a sign of solidarity with the women of Malaysia. Prior to the service a dinner reflecting the Malaysian diet was served. We continue to be in prayer for the courageous women of Malaysia.
On the morning of November 4th, John Pakosinski, 13 was a healthy, happy "kid" eagerly anticipating his football game that afternoon with his undefeated Wyckoff team. On the way he was struck with severe abdominal pain and his parents rushed him to Valley Hospital emergency room. That night he underwent the first of many surgeries to correct damage caused by a twisted bowel. Although the doctors are hopeful for his recovery, and he is making great progress, he has a long road ahead of him..John is currently staying at Children's Hospital in New Brunswick, receiving rehab and awaiting yet another surgery..
John's confirmation class at Grace United Methodist Church as well as his family and friends have been requesting prayers for John and publicizing his plight. The Confirmation class which is led by Assistant Pastor, Rev. Judy Anne Z. White, has also been seeking donations to a fund to help John's family with expenses. Tammy Marcus who is an assistant to Rev. White and parent, Adrienne Conklin have given significant time to this effort along with countless other friends. Confirmands have been working hard at school, at the church, in their neighborhoods, and at the local Stop and Shop collecting funds to help John's family. Donors receive a green and white wrist band bearing the message "God bless JOHN PAKOSINSKI"
The wrist-bands have served a dual purpose. They express the thanks of the young people for the donations and also serve as a reminder for people to pray for John. So far, the class has collected over $6,000.00 for John's family as well as remembering him with cards and gifts. They recently sent John a tiny Christmas tree decorated with individual ornaments provided by each confirmand especially for John.
Cash donations are still gratefully accepted as are checks made payable to Grace United Methodist Church and earmarked John Pakosinski fund. If you mail or bring your donation to the church at 555 Russell Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ., 07481, the confirmands will supply you with a wrist band on request.
Please keep John in your prayers as well as the other confirmands who, in addition to supporting John with this project are in the midst of completing a vigorous course of study and program of Community Service. They are Ethan Bell, Thomas Conklin, Trevor Hildebrandt, Heather Jans, Heather Lewis, Brandon Mazzola, Collin Modelski, Melissa Osieja, Kevin Purcell, Meredith Rivas, Christopher Rozell, Michael Saalfrank, David Schaeffer, Ryan Scialla, Kaylee Seiders, and Andrew Simin..
Greetings from Haiti: Bondye Beni Nou!*
On November 5, 2011, our team of ten flew from Newark Airport to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After spending the night at the Methodist Guest House with a rooster serenade, we left the following morning for the town of Mellier with our two interpreters and head cook. We arrived at the Methodist Church of Mellier in time for the 9 AM Sunday service, and though a language barrier existed between our English-speaking team and the Haitian Creole-speaking congregation, we shared a bond in praising the same Lord together. And throughout the week, we helped to construct the new church foundation, interacted with the children in a mini-VBS program, gave general medical check-ups to the students, visited an orphanage in Gressier, and sang Creole and French hymns with the kitchen crew and workers each night.
In an attempt to bring the life in Haiti back home with us, we took countless photographs. But they could not capture the heat or bright sun that we worked under while passing duct-taped buckets filled with stones and dirt. They did not bring the smells of dust-clouded, exhaust-filled, and trash-littered streets of the city or the toilets flushed with a bucket of water only after multiple turns of use. Our pictures could not keep the laughter of the children who reveled in play with soccer balls and jump ropes at the end of each VBS hour. The pictures could not bring back the tall nineteen-year-old’s tone of voice as he asked if a doctor would come to see him soon. They did not hold the warmth of the children who ran their fingers through my hair and touched my face and shyly hugged me (or not-so-shyly took my hand). And the pictures could not hold the joy in the workers who sang with us each night under the single light bulb or flashlight in the church building. And yet, it is what cannot be officially documented or recorded that stays with us the most. The pictures we took and the words we attempt to use to explain the trip are mere placeholders for the meaning and deepest impressions embedded into our lives then.
While in Haiti, we saw, heard, and experienced many things; had we stayed longer, we certainly would have seen, heard, and experienced more. However, now, we are back home with lives filled with electricity, running water, plentiful food, clothing, and material goods. What can we do if we are not directly participating in a mission trip or donating to an organization like UMCOR? (Although, if anyone is interested in going to Haiti, contact Kathy Ahmad at kahmad@comcast.net or call her at 732-865-3730.)
Here is a small list of practical actions one can take anywhere, though it is up to the individual to specify one’s actions and follow through:
These things may seem small and insignificant if done by a single person, but if we all do one good thing, then together we really can make the world a better place. :)
*English translation of Haitian Creole Phrase: God bless you all!
This year, Haiti is in Paterson. Those were the words used by Rosa Williams, our Conference Lay Leader in an address to her local church, Galilee United Methodist Church in Englewood, NJ, as she described the plight of CUMAC-ECHO following the recent winter storms. We all understood. While it is our Christian mission to address the needs of emergencies abroad, we must also find a way to respond to the needs of our neighbors.
Galilee United Methodist Church has a history of responding to local needs. In short order, Rosa arranged for a crew from her local church to work for one morning at CUMAC-ECHO in Paterson, NJ. Our mission for the day was to do whatever was needed. A group of eleven volunteers, including our pastor, Rev. Sherrie Dobbs Johnson reported for duty on Monday December 5, 2011. We thought we might be put to work folding donated clothing but after a tour of the facility we were escorted to the basement, where canned goods and other food staples were waiting to be bagged for distribution.
We got careful instructions: One each of rice, boxed stuffing, canned cranberry sauce, soup, canned vegetables, kidney beans (a meat substitute) and three boxes of prepared noodle meals went into a double plastic bag. Individual pop tarts, peanut butter and juice went into the doubled bags for snacks.
These limitations allowed the more than 500 recipients who come to CUMAC-ECHO each month to have some elements of basic nutrition. We learned that the basics of these packages will vary depending on which companies can donate.
We learned that many food products previously donated to this and other food pantries are now sold to Dollar Stores yielding a better return for some manufacturers. We learned that CUMAC-ECHO and similar pantries try to control distributions by limiting recipients to one food package each month. We saw that the foods we bagged were, at best, the bare minimum for an individual and could not sustain the average person for one month.
New Jersey is the home to many of the wealthiest people in the U.S. It is also the home of some of the poorest people in the U.S. These realities were clear when Hugh Dunlop created a food pantry for needy students in the late 1970s and remain as facts of life today. That food pantry has evolved over the years into CUMAC-ECHO, [Center of United Methodist Aid to the Community Ecumenically Concerned Helping Others]
Galilee United Methodist Church, NJ will continue its mission of service and support to CUMAC-ECHO and we urge you to join us in this effort.
Written by
Zandra Strother
Lay Delegate, Galilee UMC, Englewood, NJ
Do You Want My Socks?
By Frank D'Erminio
On a cold Winter's day, January 16, 2012, Martin Luther King's Day of Service the Beverly United Methodist Church hosted its monthly Meals of Love Dinner from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The dinners are held every third Monday inviting those who are in need.
I have had the honor to serve as a greeter at the program and have witnessed the actions of people loving and serving one another. We have been blessed by the talents and actions that our Volunteers bring to our dinners.
On our January date as I looked out the window I saw a frail, thin lady making her way up the wheel-chair ramp. Her coat was bigger than she was. It looked like the wind was going to blow her over. When I took her by the arm she was startled at first, but we made our way up to the hall and her dinner was served.
Later I went back to the hall. Ella was saying to me, "Take my shoes off! Take my shoes off! "I was already at Ella's feet helping her as she asked the frail lady, "Do you want my socks?" The lady really could not talk she simply shook her head yes. Shoes were flying, fingers were tying. Then the biggest smile that we all love to see said thank you for what you have done.
In one act of kindness, in a matter of seconds someone can become Christ-like. There was no thinking that day on Ella's part just action. That is the kind of love God wants us to give and have, but it is seldom seen. That is love that we all strive to give at the Meals of Love Program.
