We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing

www.chathamumc.com NOVEMBER 2014 973-635-7740 ~ [email protected]

In this issue… Sunday, November 2, we will recognize  Thanksgiving Service, p. 1 All Saints Day with a special service at 9  RISE Dinner, p. 4 and 11 a.m. This is an ancient tradition in  Sacred Economics, p. 6 which Christians remember loved ones  New Member Info, p. 7 who have finished their courses in faith,  Church Conference, p. 7 and now live in the heavenly realm. We  Advent Groups, p. 8 will light candles in their memory, speak their names, toll the bell,  Alternative Gifts, p. 10 and give God thanks for their lives and their homecoming into  Giving Tree, p. 11 Eternal Life. If someone you know has died in the past year and you would like to lift up his or her name, call the office, or come to the Regular Features: altar on Sunday, November 2. All people are welcome here.

Pastor’s Pen 2 Lectionary 3 Youth and Kids 9 Church & Society 10 UMW 12 Missions 13 Community News 15 Nursery School & 14 Mothers Morning Out

Thanks to a fabulous AV crew, all of our Sunday We Gather Together to ask the Lord’s Blessing... services are recorded and The Chatham Interfaith Council invites the entire community posted on our website and to gather for the Community Thanksgiving Service on the Facebook page. Tuesday before Thanksgiving at 7:30pm. Please visit Bring your family, bring your neighbors as we make this a www.ChathamUMC.com joyous expression of gratitude for all the many blessings, we, to view or listen to any of individually and as a community, have received. CUMC’s Sunday services. This year’s service will be held on November 25 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ, 07928. Page 2 The Circuit Rider November 2014

The Pastor’s Pen Rev. Jeff Markay [email protected]

Dear Friends,

Twenty-five years ago this month, the Berlin Wall fell without a shot being fired. It still amazes me. In March of 1989 I spent a week in Berlin with other Fulbright Scholars who were studying throughout Germany that year. A few of us walked along the wall, gazed over the wall at the East German border guards looking at us through binoculars with automatic machine guns over their shoulders. The no man’s land between East and West Berlin was lined with barbed wire, mines, and trip wires that would strafe bullets if anyone dared to walk out there. It was unimaginable to me that this wall would ever come down.

A few months later, I had begun full time ministry at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Berlin seemed a lifetime away even though it had only been a few months. I remember watching Tom Brokaw broadcast from the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 as East Berliners began climbing up on the wall, taking pick axes to the structure and miraculously spilling over into West Berlin. As people ran across the border they shouted to the media as they passed, “Unvorstellbar,” (inconceivable) “Kaum zu Glauben,” (hard to believe.) “Ein Traum” (a dream). They hugged total strangers in West Berlin, drank champagne, and wept. I too wept. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Years later, Germans were still asking how this happened without bloodshed. The secret police known as the Stasi were asked why they didn’t shoot at people climbing on and over the wall, as they had been trained. One former leader of the Stasis said, “We were prepared for violence. We were not prepared for prayers and candles.”

Prayer and candles! Christians in the former East Germany had been training in non- violent and prayerful protest. Many Christians placed themselves literally in between crowds of protesters and the police as a buffer of peace, holding candles and saying prayers.

(Continued on page 3) November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 3

(Continued from page 2)

There are so many lessons to learn from this epoch of history, for us as followers of Jesus. For some, we need to be reminded that by God’s grace and people of good will, walls can come down, and the impossible is made possible. For others, we need to take greater faith in the spiritual power and witness that has been entrusted to us in the Christian tradition. For others, we need to be encouraged in the struggle and long- suffering that it takes to overcome unjust systems. For others, we need to be reminded that walls fall, and that we might not want to invest so much time and energy in erecting them. For others, we might need to be faithful in lighting candles, and saying prayers, trusting that the God of All People will do something magnificent with them.

Ich wünsche euch Gnade und Frieden von Gott, unserem Vater, und unserem Herrn Jesus Christus.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2 (NRSV)

Peace,

Jeff Markay

Lectionary for November November 2: Twenty-first Sunday in Kingdomtide, All Saints Sunday Joshua 3:7-17; Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 (UMH 830); 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12

November 9: Twenty-second Sunday in Kingdomtide Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7 (UMH 799); 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

November 16: Twenty-third Sunday in Kingdomtide Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123 or 76 (UMH 797); 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

November 23: Last Sunday in Kingdomtide, Christ the King Sunday Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100 (UMH 821); Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

November 30: First Sunday in Advent Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (UMH 801); 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 Page 4 The Circuit Rider November 2014 Events in November

Church & Society is pleased to welcome back to Chatham UMC our friends from the Peace Islands Institute for a Gathering after church on Sunday, November 9 at 12:15pm. Peace Islands Institute is a non-profit organization working to promote peace between different religions, especially Muslim, Jewish, and Chris- tian denominations. The program, which will include a short video, will focus on the work being done here in New Jersey. Peace Islands Institute will bring lunch for the first 30 people to sign up for the Gathering. (See the sign-up sheet in the hallway by the office.)

Veteran’s Day Dinner The 2015 youth RISE team invites you to join them in saluting our veterans at a dinner in Rodda Hall on:

Tuesday, November 11, from 5:30—7:00 pm Featuring pasta and a selection of homemade sauces, salad, garlic bread and patriotic desserts

Adults: $10 Seniors/children under 12: $8.00 Family max: $40 Veterans in uniform eat free! All proceeds help the 2015 RISE team travel to the Steuben County in the NY Appa- lachians to make homes warmer, safer, and drier. November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 5

The College of Saint Elizabeth and the Holocaust Education Resource Center invite you to the following programs during their 24th Annual Week of Holocaust Remembrance, November 10-14, 2014. Pastor Jeff will be among the presenters in the interfaith dialogue on Thursday, Nov. 13 (details below). All programs are free and open to the public. The College of Saint Elizabeth is located at 2 Convent Road in Morristown.

Page 6 The Circuit Rider November 2014

Henri Nouwen Lecture Series Sacred Economics & the Spirituality of Money Offerend by: Drew Theological School in partnership with Interweave Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30pm Craig Chapel, Seminary Hall, Drew University Taize Service led by Pastor Jeff Charles Eisenstein has some new and revolu- tionary ideas about money and “gift economy” in his book Sacred Economics. In it he de- scribes how our current monetary system, based on interest and usury, has led to fear, alienation, competition, and compulsive need for continuous economic growth. He explores a new economics of negative-interest currencies, local currencies, resource-based economics and the restoration of the commons. Ei- sentein issues a clarion call to global cultures to practice “gift economics” - based on a trans- competitive, ecologically sustainable, common good. He also considers the personal dimen- sions of this transition, how to find “right livelihood” and live according to spiritual ide- als in a world ruled by money.

Reception and book signing to follow! Everyone is welcome!

If you would like to learn more about what it means to join the Chatham UMC, please keep reading. Perhaps God is gently nudg- ing you to say yes to be more fully involved in what God is doing here at Chatham UMC. New Community Member Mixer, Sunday, Oct. 26, 5-7pm. Come to the Davis’ home to meet others in our congregation and learn what being a CUMC member is all about! New Member Orientation session #1, led by Rev. Jeff Markay Sunday Nov. 2, 10:15-10:50am in Asbury Room. New Member Orientation session #2, led by Rev. Jeff Markay Sunday Nov. 9, 10:15-10:50am in Asbury Room. New Member Service followed by reception, Sunday, Nov. 16 at 9:00am.

To get started, call the church office at 973-635-7740. We look forward to sharing our community of faith with YOU!

Stephen Davis, New Member Chair

We’re two months in- to the new Common Wednesday, November 19 Meeting night structure and have received positive feed- back. As a reminder, all church members Everyone is invited and encouraged to and congregants are invited and encouraged attend the Chatham UMC annual to attend the gathering time at the beginning Church Conference on Wednesday, of the evening, from 7:00 until 7:30, after November 19, at 8:00pm in the which committees break off into separate sanctuary. As you may know, this is meeting rooms. The community gathering one of the most important meetings we time is an opportunity to share devotions, vi- have; it is our opportunity to meet sioning, spiritual nurture, and information for together as a congregation and focus on the common good. our church’s present and future. The The common meetings are generally sched- meeting will be led by our new District uled on the 1st Monday of each month. (Note: Superintendent, Rev. Manuel Sardinas, April’s meeting is on the 2nd Monday to ac- who has expressed interest in hearing commodate Easter). The remaining dates for some brief statements of witness from the current program year are: church members. Where have you November 3, 2014 March 2, 2015 sensed God at work in the Chatham December 1, 2014 April 13, 2015 UMC? January 5, 2015 May 4, 2015 Please come and join in this time of February 2, 2015 June 1, 2015 discernment and fellowship for our

congregation. Consider yourself invited! Page 8 The Circuit Rider November 2014 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION / SPIRITUAL FORMATION

One of the tried and true ways that people grow and deepen in their faith, is to be a part of a small group of seekers and believers that meets regularly. During the first three weeks of December 2014 you are invited to join a small group that will meet here at the Chatham UMC to discuss the booklet: Walking the Road to Bethlehem: Your Journey to Christmas by Rev. Adam Hamilton This book has thoughtful scripture, reflections, and prayers for each day of Advent and will be a springboard into discus- sions with our small groups. If you would like to participate in a small group, please contact the church office. If you would like to be a co-facilitator of a small group, please contact Rev. Jeff Markay at [email protected].

Children’s Church We are looking for 3 more people who would be willing to help out in this low- level commitment, high-level joy opportunity to meet the needs of our young families. (see below from Sept. Circuit Rider) Grab a friend and join our first two volunteer teams or sign on as a single and we’ll match you with a partner. We have a growing population of young wor- shippers in church. Hallelujah!! It’s great to Parents of Young Children (birth— encourage them to sing the songs, pray the prayers, and learn to worship with the family PreK) bring your brunch/coffee and your of God. However, a full hour can be a long children to the Activities Room follow- time to sit still. ing the 9am service on Nov. 2.* While “Children’s Church” takes place during ser- the children play, adults can engage in mon at the 9am worship service each Sunday casual conversation, swap stories, offer and includes a reading of the day’s scripture support, share faith, and spend some from a children’s Bible, a brief discussion or time in Christian fellowship with other activity, and prayer time. All materials are provided. new or maybe just new-ish parents. Sign up today across from Pastor Jeff’s office * This group will meet regularly the first or email Karen: [email protected]. Sunday of each month.

Thanks to all the many helpers who pitched in to get Rodda Hall ready for the festive Halloween Bash in October. We hope everyone had as much fun attending as we did planning the event! November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 9

News for Youth & Kids

[email protected] * 973.908.4474

In October the Junior Youth Fellowship group took action against hunger by working a food drive at the Kings in Chatham to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry which serves Morris

Action Against Action Hunger County. Flyers with needed items were given to shoppers on their way into the store and bags were collected as they came out. See results below!

Youth Opportunities Nov. 2 - Taize Logistics Mtg. Nov. 8 - HP vs. Madison Nov. 9 - Peace Island Gathering Nov. 9 - RISE dinner prep Nov. 11 - RISE Veteran’s Day Dinner Nov. 30 - Thanksgiving Weekend: No Fellowship

Looking ahead: Dec. 7 - Alternative Gifts Fair: Volunteers needed Dec. 20 - RISE Sticky Bun Prep Dec. 21 - RISE Sticky Bun Distribution

What if you woke up today

with only the things

you thanked God for

yesterday

A grand total of 555 lbs. of food and $256 Page 10 The Circuit Rider November 2014 Church & Society

Gifts that Give Twice:

Chatham United Methodist Church is again hosting the Alternative Gifts Fair on December 7, 2014. The fair offers the opportunity for gift shoppers to learn about and support organizations doing charitable work locally and globally, while giving gifts that bring greater meaning to the giver and the recipient. A great variety of merchandise will be offered: Ugandan jewelry, baskets, and totes; Fair Trade coffee, tea, and choc- olate; beautiful handmade knitwear; a variety of beautiful gifts from UMCOR’s partner, SERRV. You can also choose honor cards for your gift recipients from organizations such as Heifer Interna- tional, Family Promise, American Diabetes Association and A Future with Hope, a Hurri- cane Sandy relief organization affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Come learn about some of the new organizations that will benefit Volunteers needed please! from our support: American Diabe- December 7, 2014 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm tes Association, whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to im- The Alternative Gifts Fair is more than a way to prove the lives of all people affected raise funds for organizations doing good work— by diabetes. more fundamentally, this annual event is an opportunity for us to promote the true spirit of A Future with Hope gets people back Christmas above the commercial din of the home by providing case managers, season. The alternative nature of the gifts professional construction supervisors, offered encourages us to re-imagine giving gifts and thousands of volunteers to work that bring greater meaning to both the giver and together to repair, rebuild, and re- the recipient. new. This is a mission of the United Please consider volunteering for an hour to make Methodist Church Greater New Jer- the experience an enjoyable Christmas tradition sey Conference of UMCOR. and give something of yourself in the spirit of the The Alternative Gifts Fair will be season. We need bakers, cashiers, checkers held December 7, 2014 from 10:00 and greeters. Then do some Christmas am to 12:00 pm. There will be re- shopping while you are there!! freshments available. We look for- Please email Bonnie Srygley at ward to seeing you there! [email protected] to sign up or with any questions. November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 11

The Giving Tree Yes, we know it is early and fall has just started, but the Giving Tree project is starting early this year due to much activity at CUMAC (Center of United Methodist Aid to the Community) our food bank and outreach mission center located in Patterson, NJ.

CUMC’s Junior Youth Fellowship will be coordinating our annual Christmas Giving Tree with guidance from Dave and Becky Meyer. This year, the tree, which is located at the top of the stairs near the elevator, will be up from October 20 thru Sunday, November 9. To participate in this special holiday mission, follow these simple instructions: (directions also at the tree!) Choose a gift tag (or two!) from the tree Sign your name on the Donor Sign Up poster so we can track Shop!! Put the unwrapped gift in the gift box by the tree on or before Sunday, November 9 so we can meet our early delivery date of the gifts to CUMAC.

Gift tags on the tree have information about the new gifts requested by families in need. This year we are sponsoring 25+ children ages 6 months to 17 years old. Please use your discretion as far as how much to spend on the gift. If a child has asked for a particularly ex- pensive gift, perhaps a group of people can pool their money to make that wish come true. If you opt to purchase a gift certificate, please choose one from a major department or special- ty store, as the recipient can live anywhere in Passaic County and likely relies on public transportation. (Target, Kohl’s, Old Navy, and Best Buy are popular choices, as are gift cards to Clifton Commons Movie Theater or something like a VISA gift card that can be used anywhere.) Please remember, that while these children have little, they have similar wants to any other child.

Monetary donations are also accepted as we often shop for gifts that we don’t receive or to “balance” among siblings. If you have any questions please contact David or Becky Meyer.

Thank you and Bless you, The CUMC Youth

And while you’re in a shopping mood... An Easy Way to Support Chatham UMC AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Chatham United Method- ist Church every time you shop, at no cost to you. To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device, search for “Chatham United Methodist Church,” and select it as your charitable organization. Then, every time you shop at Amazon, start at smile.amazon.com (you can add a bookmark to make it even easier). You’ll find the same prices, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price of eligible products to Chatham UMC. It can really add up and that can make us all smile! Page 12 The Circuit Rider November

Calling all Circles and interested women of the church: After many years of service, our co-Presidents are resign- ing. In order for UMW to continue on in its current state, it needs new leaders. We would love to hear from anyone interested in filling the roles of president and treasurer. UMW is a fulfilling mission that has a strong history in this church and there is much to be proud of regarding the work that it does. Please let Kate or Susan know if you are interested in stepping forward, either on your own or with a friend.

We will hold a UMW meeting, open to everyone, on Sunday, November 23, between services, in the Asbury room, to introduce new leadership or to come up with ideas for UMW’s future at CUMC in the event there are no volunteers.

Fun & Fellowship at the Fall Rummage Sale Creating order from Chaos - CUMC volunteers miraculously turn discarded items into treasures twice a year. Everyone has a mission—some have been working the same rooms for over 20 years! All proceeds are given to missions selected by UMW. Unsold items find new homes at other places of service - nothing is wasted. Thanks to all who gave time and “treasures” to this UMW fundraiser which serves so many people in so many ways. Just a few of the many faces who made it all work!

Photos by C. Ziegler November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 13 Missions Committee News

For the past several years CUMC has donated $1,000 annually to Homeless Solutions in Morristown. This year, Homeless Solutions will be our local charity for Christmas 2014 Giving. Founded in 1983, and originally named Morris Shelter, Inc., this worthy organization provided beds and hot meals to men in the Manse of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. From there, they moved to a new site at the old Morris View Nursing Facility. In 1994, the Family Shelter Program was expanded to offer educational services through the GED/Adult Basic course and a Life Skills Course. In 1995, the Safe Haven Program was started to serve the mentally ill homeless that were living on the streets. In 1996, the Family Transitional Housing Facility was completed. Throughout these expansions, the shelter expanded its mission to include development of affordable housing for working poor families. Today, Homeless Solutions, Inc. provides shelter for 25 homeless men, 10 homeless women and 20 safe haven guests. The Guests receive services including case management, transportation to work and necessary appointments, money management and employment assistance, housing search assistance and daily living skill training. Referral services for counseling, substance abuse intervention and prevention are also provided. Homeless Solutions, Inc. employs 49 staff and is governed by a Board of Trustees and is incorporated as a nonprofit of the State of New Jersey.Next month we will tell you what impact our annual donation of $1,000 has had on the organization as it has gone through these transitions. We will also give a list of needed items that we can donate through our Epiphany White Gifts Program. Stay tuned to hear more about our good work!

Christmas Donations 2014 The CUMC Missions Committee has selected the following organizations to receive this year’s Christmas Donations:  Local— Homeless Solutions (details above)  National— A Future With Hope- UMC Committee for Sandy Relief Superstorm Sandy was the most destructive storm New Jersey has ever experienced. It left 2.7 million New Jerseyans without power, 253,000 households sustained damage and tens of thousands of homes were uninhabitable. Sandy disrupted or discontinued thousands of jobs and im- pacted tens of thousands of people’s lives. A storm this size calls for many partners working together to bring relief and recovery. The United Methodist Church, through its 600 congregations in the Greater New Jersey Conference and its 30,000 churches across the United States, collabo- rates with other relief agency partners to rebuild a future with hope.  Global— Doctors Without Borders Doctors Without Borders provides medical care to people in nearly 70 countries worldwide, sav- ing lives threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. As a humanitarian organization, it treats people in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.  $7.50 can purchase treatment for seven young children suffering from malaria  $15.00 can purchase a month of clean water for eight refugee families  $30.00 can purchase a month of therapeutic food to treat a severely malnourished child  $60.00 can purchase supplies to make 15 emergency wound dressings in a conflict or disaster Page 14 The Circuit Rider November 2014

Mother’s Morning Out The Mother’s Morning Out is enjoying fall fun at school. The children have eased into the preschool schedule and are now attending full time sessions from 9:15-11:15am. We have been spending lots of time on our playground and exploring our new surroundings. We are get- ting used to our new routine, and doing lots of growing along the way! We are celebrating pumpkins and ghosts in our art projects. The mission of MMO is to provide a warm and caring environment for toddlers, age 18 months to 3 years. Through varied and positive experiences, our goal at MMO is to help children grow. Mother’s Morning Out is a state licensed childcare facility. We follow guidelines set by the New Jersey Department of Health and Human services, including a certified teacher as director. The program consists of free play, outside play, snack, story time, circle time, music/movement, and simple crafts. Amy Crandall, Director, MMO [email protected]

in the classroom and a visit enjoying their time in the Nursery School to the Church Food Pantry Red Room. The class if of- to make some special dona- fered to children attending tions . Kindergarten and they can choose to come two days a Mrs. B, puppeteer, will visit week. It is so nice to see the Threes to introduce the many of our alumni children class to a variety of fantastic return as well as some new puppets. The children will faces. The class continues to have a real up close and per- October was such a busy learn about authors and il- sonal experience as they month so we are looking for- lustrators as they make meet and chat with an in- ward to a quiet month as we their first class book. credible array of puppets. get ready for Thanksgiving. All the Halloween decora- The Fours Friday Enrich- tions are down and we are ment class is in full swing. decorating the room with A different theme is present- colorful fall projects. As the ed each week which is so in- weather turns colder we will teresting to the children as continue to play outdoors they participate in many but will also be using Rodda hands on activities. This We wish everyone and their Hall with some of the new month the families a very Happy equipment we bought with classes will be Thanksgiving! the funds raised by “Ladies “Building and Night Out” last spring. Blue Prints” and “Bees”. The Fours will learn about hibernation and end the month with a Sharing Feast Kindergarten Enrichment is November 2014 The Circuit Rider Page 15 Community Announcements

Fall Back! Dear Church Friends, Daylight Savings Time ends This thank-you is in appreciation November 2 for prayers, cards, calls, e-mails, food, flowers and support related to Nan’s hip replacement surgery. We are thankful for many caring and concerned friends. She already has resumed some of her church activities thanks to your encouragement. Together 65 Years With grateful thanks, Still Young at Heart! Nan & Dale

The Thanksgiving Feast in Rodda Hall will not be taking place year. Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery for our beloved Master Chef.

Looking for company on Thanksgiving?

If you are looking for friends with whom to give thanks, or you are willing to open your home and share the holiday with someone far from home and/or loved ones, please call the church office Otmar and Ruth Schreiber celebrated their and we will help make connections. 65th wedding anniversary recently. If Otmar looks flushed it’s because he stole a kiss from Ruth after Pastor Jeff’s blessing!

CARE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

To share God’s love with all our church family, volunteers are needed to prepare meals, deliver meals, and provide rides to doctor’s appointments. Please call Marie Watt at (973) 635-7326 if you can help.

If you need a ride or meals, please call the church office at (973) 635-7740 or Marie. The Circuit Rider

Chatham United Methodist Church NONPROFIT ORG. 460 Main Street U.S. POSTAGE Chatham, NJ 07928 PAID

UNION, NJ PERMIT NO. 1017 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The CUMC Ministry Team Mark Your Calendars Ministers: All Members of the Congregation

Pastor: Rev. Jeff Markay November 2: All Saints Sunday Youth & Children’s Ministry: Karen Berry November 9: Peace Islands Institute Gathering Seminary Intern: Micah Coleman Campbell November 11: Veteran’s Day Dinner Music Ministry: Peter Hill November 19: CUMC Church Conference Meeting Organist: Yang-Hee Song November 27: Thanksgiving—office closed Secretary: Heather Stober November 30: Advent begins December 7: Alternative Gifts Fair Interim Communications Admin.: Sue Palatini December 14: Children’s Christmas Pageant Sexton: Donald Underhill Finance & Office Manager: JoAnn Graziano Lay Leaders: Loren Taylor & Peggy Melvin Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Robert D. Simpson

~ OUR MISSION ~

To Celebrate the Good News by The December Circuit Rider deadline for submis- Empowering all to follow Christ, sions is Monday, November 10. Please send all Equipping all to do what is just, articles and announcements to the church office: cha- Encouraging all to show loving kindness, [email protected]. Energizing all to walk humbly with God.