NOVEMBER 2016 No

Volume LX NOVEMBER 2016 No. 11 Rebuilding Continues Chungdong First UMC, Drew and Four Years After Sandy GNJ Remember Appenzeller By Josh Kinney of Drew Theological School as a gift [email protected] from the Chungdong First UMC in Seoul, South Korea. Started in 1887 by Appen- Risk-taking ministry can transform zeller, Chungdong remains vibrant as the the world. In 1885, a fi re sparked in- country’s largest Methodist church, many side the heart of 26-year-old Henry of the country’s leaders including the G. Appenzeller at the chapel of Drew fi rst president having come through its Theological School’s Seminary Hall and doors. Appenzeller’s roots can be traced ignited a willingness to step out in faith. back to Greater New Jersey and Drew The result was an entire country forever Theological School, where he received transformed. his education, as well as Green Village Kneeling before the chapel’s altar, UMC where he served his fi rst pastoral Appenzeller responded to his calling by appointment. making a commitment to bring the gos- “As a sculptor, I have made many pel to Korea, where he introduced and artworks, but there is something special established a United Methodist move- about this one,” said Chungdong Elder, ment. 130 years later, the very same Changgon Kim, who sculpted the bust of room was packed with decedents of his Appenzeller. “For the people who will see Korean church plant who traveled across and appreciate this monument, I hope the globe to pay homage to his sacrifi ce they will long remember the love of God through gratitude, commemoration and and inherit Rev. Appenzeller’s devotion a special memorial. to missions.” Left to right: Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, A On October 21, a bronze bust of Ap- Leaders from Chungdong and Drew Future With Hope Construction Manager Rev. Lou Strugala, and U.S. Rep. Frank penzeller was dedicated on the campus Continued on page 5 Pallone helped mark the 4th year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy with the Capraun family in Union Beach. Photo by Josh Kinney

By Josh Kinney would be without A Future With Hope. [email protected] Thank God someone stepped up.” Capraun, who struggled with the loss UNION BEACH – Through tear of her father-in-law in the midst of her stained eyes, Bonnie Siegel watched fi ght to get back home, never missed as her friend of over 20 years stepped a day at her job as special education foot onto her Union Beach property four teacher. years to the day after Superstorm Sandy “There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for ravaged New Jersey and left her home Jen,” Siegel’s husband Larry added. “She in ruins. Jen Capraun, a mother of two, needs all the help she can get, and we’re joined volunteers and staff from A Future willing to do it.” With Hope on a tour of her new home Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith being completed by A Future With Hope and U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone on Saturday, October 29. gathered alongside A Future With Hope volunteers from Cranford and Haddon- fi eld UMCs. Mission teams from the congregations had been working on the Capraun home since the early morning. “You guys are unbelievable,” said Pal- lone about the United Methodist Church. “I don’t know anyone stronger than “Throughout the storm and after the A bronze bust of Henry Appenzeller was dedicated on the campus of Drew Jen,” Siegel said. “The grace of God is storm, we saw you and we’re really ap- Theological Seminary on Oct. 21. A Drew grad, Appenzeller established a United how she did it. I don’t know where she Continued on page 6 Methodist movement in Korea over 130 years ago. Photo by James Lee Ministry Offers New Model to Service Churches, Nurture Youth By Josh Kinney management practice. The churches egy for Mosaic Ministries has resulted in already given by God to the congregants [email protected] benefi t with innovative leaders who can the expansion of thirteen churches and we serve.” challenge congregations in new ways. fi fteen pastors working in partnerships of Empowering lay leadership and build- Young pastors and small churches Pastor Laura Steele of East Millstone mutuality and trust in sharing resources, ing on the gifts of those in his church has have much in common. They both are UMC and Mt. Zion UMC says the pro- leadership, and a vision for ministry that’s been one of Wooten’s focal points. In his important to the life and future of our gram has been an “unbelievable” experi- vital, relevant, and mission driven. brief time as a co-pastor, the church’s church and can fl ourish when coupled ence thus far. “Young pastors feel called to ministry adult Bible study, small groups, overall together for ministry. “God is truly at work through the but might not know how to balance a attendance, and youth ministries have Mosaic Ministry strives to do just that. students and leaders of this program,” budget, build a church website or main- all experienced growth. The ministry pairs together two seminary said Steele. “Not only do we have an tain a blog,” said Trey Wince, Director of “Most importantly, I have seen God students with complementing skill sets opportunity to learn practical and valu- New Disciples who heads up the ministry. moving powerfully in the lives of United to each work 20 hours a week pastoring able components to pastoral ministry, we “This creates space to free up these stu- Methodists of all ages,” said Wooten. their appointed churches. Bright, young automatically have an amazing cohort of dents to pastor by learning organizational “Whether that be in our seventeen-year- communicators, administrators, vision pastoral friends and colleagues built into leadership, how to write and manage cal- old who led his own confi rmation service casters and leaders from seminary are the Mosaic connection.” endars, databases, technology, navigate to the members in their 80’s and 90’s who sought after and recruited to expand Steele’s fi rst Sunday serving was full diffi cult meetings, track attendance and have a passion for witnessing in our neck their theological education with practical of both excitement and anxiety. She was just the overall business end of running of the woods, there is no denying the overwhelmed with happiness and cried a church.” Holy Spirit in this community of disciples.” tears of joy on her drive home from her Pastor Zach Wooten, who’s in his Becky Joslin attends First UMC of second service. second year serving the First UMC of Mount Holly and has praised the ingenu- “I knew that this was God’s plan for me Mount Holly, is a senior M. Div. student at ity of both Wooten and co-pastor Donald and that serving was what I was meant Princeton Theological Seminary. Hungry Kirschner. to do,” she declared. “I couldn’t feel more to serve the church while pursuing theo- “These pastors seemed to have blessed to be a part of this growing min- logical education, he got the opportunity brought the place back to life,” Joslin istry, and I look forward to discovering through Mosaic Ministries to link hands- said. “Their ambition and creativity is what the future brings through Mosaic.” on learning with theological refl ection. exhilarating. Even our older folks appre- In 2013, three congregations were “Serving as a co-pastor has given me ciate the new life that these two breathe selected to pilot a Small Church Initiative, amazing experiences in pastoral leader- into the church. I think the word is getting which later became known as Mosaic ship,” said Wooten, who expressed his out that we are a fun place to be. We are Ministries. In 2015, the ministry expand- gratitude of Wince’s mentorship. “Trey trying all sorts of new things to attract ed to four campuses, with a leadership challenges us to be innovative leaders potential worshipers.” staff of three campus pastors and two who care not only about the rich tradition The goal is to respond to the pulse student interns. A shift in vision and strat- of Methodism, but also the rich resources Continued on page 4 2 UNITED METHODIST RELAY NOVEMBER 2016 learn from more orthodox practices. For orthodox believers: to have a more A Message from the Bishop generous spirit and openness to develop relationships with people and ideas that are different. Generosity begets generosity. Jesus had a particular gift for navigating conlict. He did not avoid it nor did – Luke 6:38 The Message he reject the views and experiences of others. He even changed his orthodox view of Canaanite women. He reversed his view from seeing them as unworthy Graceful Controversy – Generous of the scraps from under a table to a generous heart that offered a Canaanite woman and her family healing and redemption (Matthew 15:21-28). A very Orthodoxy generous spirit. And Jesus created controversy. Jesus publicly invited himself AJ Jacobs decided to take the Bible literally to the home of Zacchaeus and offended religious people because Zacchaeus for a year – seriously, literally. It was a project was a sinner (Luke 19: 1-10). As a result, Zacchaeus, a tax collector, offered for a book he was writing. He dressed and half of what he owned to the poor. wore the type of clothing the Bible speciies, Jesus did all of this with a generous spirit and his generosity produced white and non-mixed ibers (Deuteronomy generosity. Jesus had a liberal orthodoxy approach to controversy. He dem- 22:11 and Leviticus 19:19). He only ate foods onstrated generosity in his orthodoxy and orthodoxy in his generosity. This allowed by the scriptures. No pork, no lobster, is gracious controversy. no shrimp and no fried ish (Leviticus 11). As Jesus demonstrated and Jacobs shared, by experiencing and living into He even carried small pebbles in his biblical another side of ourselves or the world, we develop more fully and understand clothing. Think of pictures of Jesus when I say one another, just as the two brothers understand and deeply love one another. biblical clothing. Why stones in his pocket? Our denomination has formed a commission to look at how we will navigate Because the Bible says to stone adulterers (Exodus 21:28 and Deuteronomy our current impasse concerning homosexuality and identify recommenda- 22:24). When he did ind a person who admitted that he was an adulterer, tions to send to General Conference. Thirty-two people were selected to serve, Jacobs took a couple of pebbles and threw them at him. and not all conferences have representation on the commission. A “crackpot” you might think, but actually he was very serious. He wanted I want to invite laity and clergy from GNJ into a deeper conversation that to experience what it would mean to apply the Bible literally. He lived an models generous orthodoxy. I invite us to develop our hopes and aspira- orthodox life for a year. tions for the future of The United Methodist Church and send them to the Today is part 3 in my series on Graceful Controversy. How can we have commission. More importantly, we have the opportunity to model graceful controversies that are acts of grace, particularly in light of our signiicant controversy. We will hold a gathering for GNJ members to identify how best controversy about biblical understanding and homosexuality? What does it we would like to see the church move forward and all church members and mean and look like to be generous and orthodox in our controversies? clergy are welcome to participate. Go to www.gnjumc.org/gracefulcontro- Generous means to be liberal with your possessions and your life. Orthodox versies to learn more and to sign up. means to be conservative in holding to strict standards of tradition. Liberal I am blessed to lead GNJ, a theologically diverse conference that is passion- conservatism or conservative liberalism are two words that just don’t seem ate about its beliefs and commitment to Jesus Christ and the church. As I to go with each other. travel throughout GNJ, I ind people who are deeply orthodox and generous In local church, conference and denominational controversies, generos- and liberals whose living is shaped by orthodoxy. In your congregation and ity and orthodoxy seem to be at the heart of the conversation. One group of the world, in general, I invite you to broaden your experiences, to practice people takes a more liberal approach and the other a more orthodox. But can generous orthodoxy and to be graceful in your controversies. Generosity someone be both liberal and orthodox, generous and conservative? begets generosity. I look forward to our continued ministry together and to Jacobs was not a religious person or believer but a self-described agnostic our graceful controversies. before he started living the Bible literally. After the year-long experiment, he didn’t change his beliefs although he said he was now a reverent agnostic. He Keep the faith! confessed that the experience was particularly challenging. His wife was not happy with the project. He took Sabbath literally which meant there were John many things he did not do on Saturdays like drive a car or do housework, or any other activity considered by the Bible to be work. Keeping kosher was no picnic for the family either. He had an interesting revelation after his year of living the Bible literally. He said it literally gave him a new appreciation for ritual and that we shouldn’t disregard the irrational. He better understood sacredness and how keeping Sabbath provided greater balance to his life. Ultimately it is experience that changes us, Jacob’s explains. We do not think our way into change, but we act our way into change. We don’t become more generous or orthodox by thinking about it or reading about it. We change through our experiences. I know two brothers who grew up together separated by a couple of years in age. They had the same parents, went to the same elementary and high schools, had the same teachers, and went to the same church. One chose to work right after high school, and the other went to college. He would be the irst to graduate from college in his family. The one brother worked in restaurants and construction while the other got a management position shortly after college. The one brother was deeply affected by the economy and was unemployed several times, and the other made steady progress in his career. The one brother stayed close to home, and the other lived in ive different states and traveled the world for his company. This brother mostly traveled to developing countries where he encountered cultures very different from his own. The other brother felt his unemployment was a direct :ŽŚŶZ͘^ĐŚŽů͕ŝƐŚŽƉ result of politicians and that society favored some cultures over others. The dŚĞhŶŝƚĞĚDĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚŚƵƌĐŚŽĨ'ƌĞĂƚĞƌEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞǇ one brother drinks beer, not craft beer but beer right off the shelf and the ϮϬϱ:ƵŵƉŝŶŐƌŽŽŬZŽĂĚ͕EĞƉƚƵŶĞ͕E:Ϭϳϳϱϯ other drinks cabernet wine. These two brothers have different views about ZĞǀ͘ŚƌŝƐƚŽƉŚĞƌ,ĞĐŬĞƌƚ͕ŚĂŝƌ͕ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶŽŶŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶ religion, politics, race, the economy, and social issues. ϴϱϲ͘ϰϮϵ͘ϬϰϬϯ͕Ğǆƚ͘ϮϬϵͮĐŚĞĐŬĞƌƚΛŚĂĚĚŽŶĮĞůĚƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ By now you may have formed an opinion about these brothers. Maybe you have identiied with one or the other. If you have made a judgment, it most Z>z^d&& Josh Kinney͕ ĚŝƚŽƌŝĂůDĂŶĂŐĞƌ likely is based on your own experience. ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϰϳͮũŬŝŶŶĞǇΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ The one brother holds a literal view of the Bible and the other does not Carolyn Conover͕ ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌŽĨŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶĂŶĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ hold a literal view of the Bible. Their experiences shape their views and ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϭϲͮĐĐŽŶŽǀĞƌΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ understandings of faith and the world. ƌŝƩŶĞǇZĞŝůůǇ͕KŶůŝŶĞĂŶĚŝŐŝƚĂůŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶDĂŶĂŐĞƌ This was also true in Jesus’ day. Some disciples of John the Baptist were ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϰϬͮďƌĞŝůůǇΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ sent to Jesus by John to ind out if he was the Messiah they were looking for. ZĞǀ͘:ĞƐƐŝĐĂ^ƚĞŶƐƚƌŽŵ͕ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŶŐtƌŝƚĞƌ Jesus said, the blind see, the lame walk, and those with leprosy are healed ϲϬϵ͘ϯϵϳ͘ϮϯϯϯͮũĞƐƐŝĐĂͺƐƚĞŶƐƚƌŽŵΛǇĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ (Luke 7:22). In other words, what you and others experienced veriies I am ZĞǀ͘DĞůŝƐƐĂ,ŝŶŶĞŶ͕ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŶŐtƌŝƚĞƌ the Messiah. Experience was a valuable teacher for Jesus. His parables were ŵĞůŝƐƐĂ͘ŚŝŶŶĞŶΛŶǇĂĐͲƵŵĐ͘ĐŽŵ all experiential. Things people could relate to because they too had a similar experience. EĞǁ^ƵďƐĐƌŝƉƚŝŽŶƐ͕ƌĞŶĞǁĂůƐ͕ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ͕ĂŶĚĐŽƌƌĞĐƚŝŽŶƐƐŚŽƵůĚ While very different, the two brothers mentioned earlier don’t just love ďĞĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞĚƚŽĞǀĞƌůǇ<ĂƌůŽǀŝĐŚ͕[email protected]ŽƌďǇŵĂŝůƚŽ͗ each other, but they respect each other. They have generous spirits rooted hŶŝƚĞĚDĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚZĞůĂǇͮϮϬϱ:ƵŵƉŝŶŐƌŽŽŬZŽĂĚ͕EĞƉƚƵŶĞE:Ϭϳϳϱϯ in their faith as different as their faiths are. The one does not believe in gay marriage and yet treats gays and lesbians like family members. He has gen- &KZsZd/^/E'Zd^͕/E&KZDd/KEĂŶĚW>DEd erous orthodoxy. The other brother admires his brother’s rootedness in the :ŽƐŚ<ŝŶŶĞǇ͕ũŬŝŶŶĞǇΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ values of work, generosity, and faith. He has orthodox generosity. The United Methodist Relay (USPS.343-360) is published monthly by the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Office of Publication: Office of the Bishop, 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune NJ 07753. Periodical Postage Paid at Generous orthodoxy invites us to lean into the side of us that is not our Red Bank, NJ DQG DGGLWLRQDO HQWU\ RIILFHV0DLOHG IUHH WR VHOHFWHG OD\ OHDGHUV DQG FOHUJ\ RI HDFK FKXUFK 2WKHUV PD\ VXEVFULEH DW WKH UDWH RI SHU \HDU POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UNITED METHODIST RELAY, 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune NJ 07753. dominate experience. For liberals, not to be dismissive but to experience and NOVEMBER 2016 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 3

THIS MONTH’S VITALITY RESOURCE MISSION SIX WAYS YOUR CONGREGATION CAN PARTNER TO TRANSFORM LIVES THIS ADVENT

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1. 2. 3.

CAMP YDP A FUTURE WITH HOPE RESPOND INC. • Founded by a United Methodist Pastor over • ,ĂƐƌĞďƵŝůƚϮϰϳŚŽŵĞƐĂŶĚŚĂƐϭϴŵŽƌĞŝŶ • ^ĞƌǀĞƐƚŚĞĂŵĚĞŶĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ 60 years ago. ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐ͘ ĐŚŝůĚĂŶĚƐĞŶŝŽƌĂĚƵůƚĐĂƌĞ͕ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐĨŽƌ • KŶƚŚĞďƌŝŶŬŽĨĐůŽƐŝŶŐƚŚŝƐƟŵĞůĂƐƚǇĞĂƌ • &ŽƵƌǇĞĂƌƐůĂƚĞƌϱϬйĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐĂīĞĐƚĞĚďǇ ƚŚĞŚŽŵĞůĞƐƐ͕ƌĞŶƚĂůŚŽƵƐŝŶŐĂŶĚŚŽŵĞ ĂŵƉŚĂƐƐŝŶĐĞŵŽƌĞƚŚĂŶĚŽƵďůĞĚŝƚƐ ,ƵƌƌŝĐĂŶĞ^ĂŶĚǇĂƌĞƐƟůůŶŽƚďĂĐŬŝŶƚŚĞŝƌ ŽǁŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ͕ǇŽƵƚŚƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕ĞŵƉůŽǇŵĞŶƚĂŶĚ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚĞŶƌŽůůŵĞŶƚ͘ ŚŽŵĞƐ͘ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͘ • Currently cares for 90 children in both • tŚŝůĞŵŽƐƚ^ĂŶĚǇƌĞĐŽǀĞƌǇŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĂƟŽŶƐ • ,ĂƐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚĐŚŝůĚĐĂƌĞƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐĨŽƌ ƉƌĞƐĐŚŽŽůĂŶĚĂŌĞƌͲƐĐŚŽŽůƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐŝŶƚŚĞ ŚĂǀĞĐůŽƐĞĚ͕&ƵƚƵƌĞǁŝƚŚ,ŽƉĞŝƐƐƟůů ĂƉƉƌŽǆŝŵĂƚĞůǇϱϬ͕ϬϬϬŝŶĨĂŶƚƐĂŶĚĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ city of Paterson. ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚƚŽƌĞďƵŝůĚŝŶŐŚŽŵĞƐĂŶĚůŝǀĞƐ͘ ĨŽƌƚŚĞůĂƐƚϱϬǇĞĂƌƐĂŶĚĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ͘ • /ƐĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚƚŽƚŚĞŝƌŵŽƩŽŽĨ͞ŚĞůƉŝŶŐ 'Ž͞ďĂĐŬƚŽƐĐŚŽŽů͟ƚŚŝƐĚǀĞŶƚĂŶĚǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ͕ 'ĞƚŽƵƚǇŽƵƌƚŽŽůďŽǆĂŶĚŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĞĂƚĞĂŵŽĨ ƉĞŽƉůĞŚĞůƉƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ͘͟ ĚŽŶĂƚĞŽƌƐƉŽŶƐŽƌĂĐŚŝůĚ͛ƐŚƌŝƐƚŵĂƐtŝƐŚ>ŝƐƚ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐƚŽďƌŝŶŐĂĨĂŵŝůǇŚŽŵĞƚŚŝƐĚǀĞŶƚ ĂƚDWzW͊ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ĐĂŵƉǇĚƉ͘ŽƌŐ ǁŝƚŚ&t,ͮ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ĂĨƵƚƵƌĞǁŝƚŚŚŽƉĞ͘ŽƌŐ /ƚ͛ƐǇŽƵƌĐŚĂŶĐĞ͗ĚŽŶĂƚĞƚŽZĞƐƉŽŶĚ/ŶĐ͘ƚŽĚĂǇ ĂŶĚŚĞůƉƉĞŽƉůĞŚĞůƉƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐĨŽƌƚŚĞŶĞǆƚ ϱϬǇĞĂƌƐͮ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ƌĞƐƉŽŶĚŝŶĐ͘ĐŽŵ

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NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER IMAGINE NO MALARIA CUMAC • ,ĂƐďĞĞŶƐĞƌǀŝŶŐĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶĂŶĚĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐŽĨ • DĂůĂƌŝĂŝƐĂĚŝƐĞĂƐĞƚŚĂƚŝƐϭϬϬй • ϭŝŶϳƉĞŽƉůĞĨĂĐĞŚƵŶŐĞƌŝŶƚŚĞhŶŝƚĞĚ ƚŚĞĂŵĚĞŶĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇĨŽƌϭϬϯǇĞĂƌƐĂŶĚ ƉƌĞǀĞŶƚĂďůĞ͘ States. ĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ͘ • ǀĞƌǇϮŵŝŶƵƚĞƐĂĐŚŝůĚĚŝĞƐŝŶ^ƵďͲ^ĂŚĂƌĂŶ • /ŶϮϬϭϱĂůŽŶĞhDƐĞƌǀĞĚŽǀĞƌϯϴ͕ϬϬϬ • ƵůƟǀĂƚĞƐƚŚĞŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌŚŽŽĚƚŚƌŽƵŐŚĂŶ ĨƌŝĐĂĨƌŽŵŵĂůĂƌŝĂ͘ EĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞǇƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ͘ ƵƌďĂŶĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇĨĂƌŵ͕ĐŚŝůĚůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ • dŚƌŽƵŐŚhŶŝƚĞĚDĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶĂů • tŚĞŶƚŚĞǁĞĂƚŚĞƌŐĞƚƐĐŽůĚ͕ƚŚĞƌĞŝƐŽŌĞŶĂ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ͕ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇŬŝƚĐŚĞŶ͕ƚĞĞŶĞůĞŵĞŶƚĂƌǇ ŐŝǀŝŶŐ͕ŵĂůĂƌŝĂĚĞĂƚŚƐǁĞƌĞĐƵƚŝŶŚĂůĨŝŶƚŚĞ ͞ĨƌĞĞǌĞ͟ŽŶǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ͕ĨŽŽĚĂŶĚĨƵŶĚŝŶŐĨŽƌ ĂŶĚƐĞŶŝŽƌĞŶƌŝĐŚŵĞŶƚƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ͘ ǇĞĂƌϮϬϭϱ͘ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĂƟŽŶƐĮŐŚƟŶŐŚƵŶŐĞƌůŝŬĞhDŝŶ • /ŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚƐĂƚǁŽŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚƚŽ Paterson. ůŝŌŝŶŐĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐŽƵƚŽĨƉŽǀĞƌƚǇ͘ ĂƐƚĂǁŝĚĞƌŶĞƚƚŚŝƐĚǀĞŶƚĂŶĚŚŽƐƚĂŶ /ŵĂŐŝŶĞEŽDĂůĂƌŝĂtŽƌƐŚŝƉ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞŽƌŐŝǀŝŶŐ 'ĞƚŝŶƚŚĞƌŝŶŐ͊&ŝŐŚƚĂŐĂŝŶƐƚŚƵŶŐĞƌĂŶĚ ,ĂǀĞĂƐĞĂƚŝŶƚŚĞ͞ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͛ƐůŝǀŝŶŐ ĚƌŝǀĞͮ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ŝŵĂŐŝŶĞŶŽŵĂůĂƌŝĂ͘ŽƌŐ ƐƉŽŶƐŽƌĂĨŽŽĚĚƌŝǀĞŽƌĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶŝŶǇŽƵƌ ƌŽŽŵ͟ǁŝƚŚĂƚĞĂŵŽĨǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ͕ŵĞŶƚŽƌƐŽƌ ĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƚŚŝƐĚǀĞŶƚͮ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ĐƵŵĂĐ͘ŽƌŐ ĚŽŶĂƟŽŶƐƚŚŝƐĚǀĞŶƚͮ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ŶĐŝĐĂŵĚĞŶ͘ŽƌŐ 4 UNITED METHODIST RELAY NOVEMBER 2016 Property Manager to Release Ministry Assets THE CENTENARY FUND AND By JD Watson maintenance costs and liability.” [email protected] GNJ currently has 26 properties for PREACHERS’ AID SOCIETY sale. Mayer said he had one property “There are always challenges,” said under contract, one in negotiation, one Alex Mayer, the new Property Manager awaiting a letter of intent, “and one closed ZĞŵĞŵďĞƌŝŶŐĂŶĚĂƌŝŶŐĨŽƌƚŚĞZĞƟƌĞĚ for Greater New Jersey as he spoke yesterday,” Mayer said. “We have six or Clergy and Families since 1839 by phone while driving to yet another seven sold or in progress.” conference-owned property. A secondary goal for Mayer is to be a Since joining GNJ in August, Mayer resource for District Superintendents with has crisscrossed the state, averaging major issues at active local churches. more than 1,000 miles a week on his Bishop Schol explained that Mayer car, visiting many of the empty build- will alleviate Superintendents from hav- THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ings, former churches and abandoned ing to deal directly with property issues. OF GREATER NEW JERSEY cemeteries owned by the conference. Having Mayer in place will free Superin- Part of his job is to create a photo tendents to “grow vital congregations and library of all buildings, arrange for lawn assist with starting new faith communi- 205 Jumping Brook Road care and snow removal, ensure that all ties,” Bishop Schol said. Neptune, New Jersey 07753 contracts and insurance policies are up “If there is asbestos on site, or a roof to date and in order and all oil tanks and leak, I can be a resource, I can advise,” boilers are properly maintained and in Mayer continued. In the future, Mayer working order. plans to have a list of vendors to which The ultimate goal is to sell the proper- churches can turn when issues arise. “I’m ties to beneﬁ t growing vital congregations also looking for a more consolidated way and starting new faith communities. to buy fuel oil and propane.” Even though the properties are to be Mayer is uniquely qualiﬁ ed for the po- THE EDUCATION SOCIETY OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF GREATER NEW JERSEY sold, Mayer still needs to maintain the sition. He started in construction during appearance of each. “The property’s his college years. appearance needs to look presentable,” “I learned how to frame houses, read Mayer said, not only to increase the blueprints, I became the foreman,” he probability of selling the property but to explained. maintain neighborly relations. “Many of His varied career includes owning his these buildings are in small towns.” own limousine business and as a car Bishop John Schol explained the need sales manager. Are you pursuing to sell the buildings. “It is helping us As GNJ’s Property Manager, Mayer reduce property inventory. GNJ has a described his goal for the future. “I want ĂŶĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶŝŶŵŝŶŝƐƚƌǇ͍ number of church buildings and parson- to come up with a standard protocol for Scholarships and loans for those ages for sale,” said Schol. “Church prop- when we close a church, or when there ĂŐƌĞĞŝŶŐƚŽƐĞƌǀĞĂƚůĞĂƐƚĮǀĞǇĞĂƌƐ erties are hard to sell and already Alex is a merger and we have to sell off a ĂƐĂŵĞŵďĞƌŽĨ'ƌĞĂƚĞƌEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞǇ͘ has helped us. This not only provides church or a parsonage. So we are not GNJ income but reduces insurance and playing catch-up.” FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: :Ž͘DĂůĞƐƐĂĂƚϴϱϲ͘ϳϴϲ͘ϬϮϵϯ ŵĂͺŵĂůĞƐƐĂΛĐŽŵĐĂƐƚ͘ŶĞƚ

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Published 12x a year, over 90,000 issues printed annually. The Relay is mailed free of ĐŚĂƌŐĞĞǀĞƌǇŵŽŶƚŚƚŽĂůůĐůĞƌŐǇ͕ůĂǇůĞĂĚĞƌƐ͕ĂŶĚĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞůĞĂĚĞƌƐŝŶŽǀĞƌϱϱϬhŶŝƚĞĚ DĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚƚŚĞ'ƌĞĂƚĞƌEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞǇƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘ FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: gnjumc.org/the-relay EĞǁŝƐĐŝƉůĞƐͻsŝƚĂůŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐͻdƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĞĚtŽƌůĚ Or contact: Josh Kinney at 732.359.1047 | [email protected] NOVEMBER 2016 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 5 Revitalized CAMP YDP Reaches Paterson Youth By Josh Kinney [email protected]

PATERSON – Small children scur- ried about the playground across from the CAMP YDP building, crunching fall leaves beneath their shoes and taking rides down the sliding board. The hub of activity bustled with laughs, energy and smiles. With enrollment up and resources expanding, the Paterson youth program founded by a Methodist minister in 1959 has undergone a progressive transforma- tion, rapidly bouncing back from decline. The determination of local Paterson community members coupled with a partnership with Greater New Jersey that included a $70,000 investment, the after- school, preschool and summer day camp service was brought back from the brink of closure. Now rejuvenated and fl our- ishing, CAMP YDP has benefi ted from a facilities upgrade by GNJ volunteers. “This new partnership is a credit to the hard work and perseverance of our dedicated staff members,” said CAMP YDP board member Patricia Francis. “Because of them, we can continue to go forward.” Over 60 years ago, the late Rev. A group of happy, smiling children pose for their close-up at Paterson’s CAMP YDP. Photo by Josh Kinney Maxwell Tow along with local Paterson pastors, laity and volunteers made it their mission to become active in the trips, after school enrichment programs, had changed them,” Phillips said. “Hear- nitely working,” said Camp YDP Direc- community, reaching people and families photography classes, a girl’s empowering that was just amazing.” For Phillips, tor Bria Pierre, who along with Phillips, in need. Camp YDP was birthed out of ment club, tech, chess and book clubs, the biggest shift has come within the last tributes the organization’s growth to the that movement to help and continues to an elocution class and a time of devotion few months as she’s witnessed and been help of GNJ as well as their various in- remain steadfast in its mission to provide with respect to all faiths. The new curricu- a part of relationship and trust building clusive community events and activities. high-quality, affordable childcare to the lum is integrated across the spectrum of with neighborhood parents. Additionally, word of mouth and Camp children and families of Paterson while ages, modifi ed and tailored to each age “Something we’re doing here is defi - YDP’s vastly improved online presence has stimulated progress and interest. In November, during Camp YDP’s “Camp Cares Week” preschool children packaged nutrition bags for the city’s homeless. “It’s really impactful,” Phillips said. “Teaching kids to give back and to live generously is so important.” Plagued by rising crime and poverty, Paterson has endured signifi cant challenges. However, the rise of Camp YDP offers children a hopeful future in the midst of tumultuous times. The nonprofi t strives to foster innovation, teamwork, and diversity through open and productive communication that ensures students work at a pace unique to their needs. The organization plans to build a second playground on the grounds and to add a community garden which would provide fresh vegetables for neighborhood residents. For more information about Camp Y.D.P and to fi nd out how you and your congregation can participate, go to www. campydp.org

CAMP YDP Operations Manager Susan Phillips and Director Bria Pierre celebrate at Camp’s summer block party kick-off celebration. Photo by Josh Kinney cultivating achievement through academ- group under the unity of an overarch- ic, social, and emotional empowerment. ing theme. According to Camp YDP’s Michelle Hughes has been a teacher philosophy, the organization believes in at Camp YDP for three years and enjoys the value and uniqueness of each child arts and crafts with the children. served. “Camp is just so awesome,” she ex- “The kids can tell our staff is a fam- claimed. “It’s very important that we’re ily,” said Susan Phillips, Camp YDP here catering to our community.” A vibrant Operations Manager. “They can see it and animated Hughes joined the children and sense it, and it’s positive for them at a tiny table, carefully watching them to be seeing that example of genuine create art. “We want to encourage our community.” Phillips, a Paterson native children to become lifelong learners, and graduate of Seton Hall University, critical thinkers and productive members previously worked for the American Can- of society,” she said. cer Society in New York City, Habitat for Inside the building on the corner of Humanity, and AmeriCorps. Her life has North 1st Street, freshly painted bright come full-circle, returning to serve her colored walls and a mural exude a hometown. warm, inviting space for both children Phillips was moved by a recent back and parents. This summer, Camp YDP to school night at Camp YDP where the celebrated its gains with a “relaunch organization experienced its biggest carnival” block party with music, min- turnout yet. iature golf, a bounce house, food, and “My favorite part was listening to book giveaways. With a new curriculum these parents say that before, their kids A jovial CAMP YDP youth shouts for joy after scoring a hole-in-one at the and staff, Camp YDP now offers fi eld wouldn’t read or be social, but Camp YDP organization’s summer block party. Photo by Josh Kinney 6 UNITED METHODIST RELAY NOVEMBER 2016 Rebuilding After Sandy Continued from page 1 preciative of all that you do. I’m happy to effort has become complex for many be here because I want to stress the role homeowners,” said Bobbie Ridgely, Ex- of volunteerism and nonprofi ts like you.” ecutive Director of A Future With Hope. Union Beach was one of the hardest- “People are struggling with government hit areas of New Jersey, and the Capraun resources, fraudulent contractors and home will be the 11th completed by A Fu- delayed insurance payouts. Their options ture With Hope in that town. Union Beach are narrowing. A Future With Hope and Mayor Paul Smith wished the Capraun’s United Methodists are committed to be- the best, adding, “To A Future With Hope, ing a place where they can turn for help. we can’t thank you enough.” Today we get to help Jen and her family Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy take a step closer to recovery.” Director Serena DiMaso was also pres- Thanks to good friends like the Sie- ent at the anniversary event. “I’m a true gel’s, Capraun didn’t bear her burdens believer that with everything bad some- alone. thing good grows out of it,” DiMaso said. “To us, it was just important that Jen “Look around; you are that good.” could get up every day and be the strong Acknowledging that rebuilding is person that she is,” said Mrs. Siegel. just one step in the recovery process, “What A Future With Hope has done is a special gift card was donated to the outstanding.” Working together to rebuild homes and lives, volunteers from Cranford and Capraun’s to help them refurbish their Rev. Chris Heckert, a member of the Haddonϐield UMC’s helped with ϐinishing work on a home in Union Beach, 4 home with items lost in the storm. Board of Trustees for A Future With Hope years to the day after Superstorm Sandy made landfall over New Jersey. “Four years after Sandy, the recovery and pastor of Haddonfi eld UMC spoke Photo by Josh Kinney at the event, highlighting the work that Foundation, The American Red Cross, remains years later and the more than The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief 4,000 families who have not recovered. Fund, The United Methodist Committee “The winds and rain were quick to on Relief, as well as congregations, in- harness a storm four years ago, but we dividuals and organizations from across were quick to harness the power of hope the region. They work in partnership with through volunteers. But we don’t need other long-term recovery groups includ- a storm to spread hope,” Heckert said, ing The Affordable Housing Alliance, adding that A Future With Hope would OCLTRG, SBP, The Episcopal Relief and continue to harness the power of what Development and others. it’s built over the last few years to provide A Future With Hope will continue its people with hope through Hope Centers. evolution living into its name by providing “While other recovery organizations hope throughout New Jersey by means have scaled back and closed up, we’re of Hope Centers that will build up com- here to stay,” said Heckert, explaining munities and provide needed services. that the good will and energy created Camp YDP, a preschool, aftercare pro- in response to Sandy through the or- gram and summer camp in Paterson will ganization would live on to meet needs be the fi rst Hope Center and eight other throughout New Jersey. opportunities have been identifi ed to join The Capraun home will be the 250th the movement. Rev. Chris Heckert, a member of the Board of Trustees for A Future With Hope rebuilt by A Future With Hope with the “We need to continue to lift each other and pastor of Haddonϐield UMC spoke at the 4th anniversary of Superstorm help of more than 11,000 volunteers. To up and move each other forward,” said Sandy event in Union Beach, offering prayer and highlighting the work that accomplish this feat, the organization has DiMaso. “I hope this feeling of goodness remains years later. Photo by Josh Kinney received support from The Robin Hood and kindness never leaves us.” Chungdong First UMC, Drew and GNJ Remember Appenzeller Continued from page 1 and John Huyler, a great-grandson of Ap- started a school, assisted in medical mis- penzeller joined Bishop Schol in dedicat- sions, and focused on Bible translation. ing the statue with words, music, dance “Appenzeller was a great model of a and prayer, including Chungdong senior transformational leader,” said Lee. “We pastor, Rev. Dr. Ki Sung Song, and Drew hope GNJ will continue to produce lead- President Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger. The ers like him to transform the world.” moving dedication symbolized a home- Rain caused the event’s liturgical coming for Appenzeller’s legacy. opening service to be held fi ttingly inside “For the people of Chungdong and the chapel Appenzeller was sent forth Methodists in Korea, it’s as if Appenzeller from. However, the weather cleared, came to Korea, gave himself up, and and the crowd gathered outside around now 130 years later, we’re expressing the veiled bust and joined Bishop Schol our deep gratitude by bringing him back,” in prayer. said Sehyoung Lee, Chungdong’s pastor “The face frames the soul,” said of English Ministry. Schol, after the statue was unveiled. A pioneer spirit, Appenzeller arrived in “This pathway, this ground will forever a Korea shrouded with uncertainty, but be framed by the face of Henry Appen- with trust in God. He founded a church, zeller.” Schol stated that he hoped the

The powerfully moving dedication ceremony to Henry Appenzeller at Drew Theological Seminary featured words, song, and dance. Photo by James Lee monument would serve to inspire others Art” in Korean. to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar “At that moment I know we all felt a to serve God with the courage to say, thrilling and enormous power of the Holy “Here I am, Lord.” Immediately following Spirit,” Lee said. “You know the story Schol’s benediction, a sudden burst of where Jesus heals ten, and only one sunlight lit the statue as if on cue from comes back to express gratitude? Well, the divine. Participants gasped with awe this is our small gift of thanks; a thanks and applause at the powerfully moving for giving us the church and transforming moment, joining to sing “How Great Thou our country.” SUBSCRIBE NOW The Relay is sent to lay leaders and clergy throughout The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey. You can receive a yearly On Oct. 19, a plaque was dedicated at Green Village UMC recognizing the subscription for just $10.00 by sending your request to: church’s shared history, mission and service for Christ made possible by Rev. Appenzeller who served the church prior to bringing the gospel to Korea. THE UNITED METHODIST RELAY Chungdong First UMC Senior Pastor joined Green Village UMC pastor Rev. 205 Jumping Brook Rd. • Neptune, NJ 07753 Frederick Boyle in celebration. Photo provided NOVEMBER 2016 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 7 Demarest UMC Explores Prophetic Forum By Rev. Melissa Hinnen Haydar explained to the group who [email protected] gathered at the UMC at Demarest that the “Ask a Muslim” initiative was a way Last year, following the attacks in for her family to present themselves, not Paris and San Bernardino, a young as an authority of Islam, but “what it looks American Muslim couple took a brave like to me as a practitioner. How I engage step to choose peace building over fear. in the world in my everyday life.” Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins She says, “I am a Muslim by way of put signs on their car, stocked up on do- Abraham. By way of Jesus. By way of nuts and coffee and invited neighbors in Mary, Moses, and Noah – people who their Cambridge, MA community to “Ask brought the same message I am trying a Muslim.” to bring.” Haydar explains that they wanted She shared that beyond the more to replace the existing social narrative overt rituals such as praying fi ve times a that connects Islam with terrorism. “I’m day, “glorifying God and asking for God’s just like you,” she says. “People want to help,” her faith directs her to smile at ev- equate terror with Islam. It is a fi ctional ery stranger because “A smile is charity.” creation of our imagination. Terrorists At the core of who she is as a Muslim, comprise .004% of a faith made up of is the question, “am I affi rming life? Am I 2 billion people. The fact that Sebastian creating lasting relationships?” she asks and I are out there helps change the nar- in every aspect of her life. “A Muslim is rative and humanizes Muslims.” one who submits to that call to be in rela- Noting the extensive news coverage tionship with other humans to know God.” they received, Haydar, who is a perfor- When asked about the signifi cance mance poet and activist, laughs saying, of wearing hijab, Haydar explains that it “When giving away donuts and coffee is a spiritual discipline. “It is a reminder makes the news, surely it is a sign that that I am so much more than this physical we need more love in the world.” body. I’m not a piece of meat who can be Mona Haydar, a Muslim poet, activist, practioner of Permaculture, and mediator Rev. Myung Sun Han of the UMC at consumed by those in the world.” spoke at the UMC at Demarest’s fall forum on Oct. 16 under the banner of “Love Demarest invited Haydar to speak at Noting that all Semitic traditions cover Always.” Photo provided the church’s fall forum on October 16. their heads, she continued, “When you have in order to heal the world.” Rev. Han says that the fall forum “Every fall, we invite one or two speakers sit in prayer, that channel is open. When She continues, “This is a Uni-verse... series is focusing on “prophetic” topics who share about relevant social issues you are in the world, you need to keep God’s poem written to us. It is structured including the interfaith conversation in prophetic ways,” he explains. “When your energy sanctifi ed.” so we can know each other to know with Mona Haydar. The series opened I learned that Mona was a Master of She shared that she was recently with God. We were made in the image of the on October 9. Rev. Dr. Vanessa Wilson, Divinity Student at Union Theological her young son and two men began talk- creator.” chair of the GNJ Commission on Religion Seminary in New York City, it was a great ing violently about her, threatening to rip and Race spoke with participants about opportunity for our community to engage the scarf from her head. About Forums at the Cultural Competency. Rev. Han is con- in interfaith dialogue with her.” Haydar is concerned stories about UMC at Demarest sidering a “pastoral” Lent forum that will violence against Muslims will become Am I Affi rming Life? Several years ago, the UMC at De- focus on grief and healing. normalized. The best thing allies can do Weaving together stories of faith, po- marest began holding forums in the fall In his closing prayer on October 16, is stand with the person being harassed, etic expression, womanist theology and and during Lent. Inviting speakers from Rev. Han prayed, “Teach us and lead she suggests. As a Muslim born in the experiences of being a Muslim Ameri- the community, GNJ, and theological us so that we see each other not as an U.S. with Syrian heritage, she says, can, Haydar’s easy-going and open school faculty, guest speakers enhance objective or tool. Help us see each other “Christianity is embedded in U.S. culture demeanor created space for respectful the congregations’ understanding of a as fellow human beings created in Your and history. We need to heal some of the and enlightening conversation. range of topics. image.” serious theological God problems we Ministry Offers New Model to JOIN THE GNJAC Service Churches, Nurture Youth WATER FILTRATION TRIP Continued from page 1 JANUARY 7 – 14, 2017 of the surrounding communities with council and other ministry team meetings impactful, Christ-centered ministry, pro- according to their discerned needs and grams and outreach opportunities that level of involvement while leading their directly address the needs of the com- churches in growing stewardship. munities they serve. A major component of Mosaic Min- “Small churches who may have felt istries is team building and mentorship. neglected are getting special attention Pastors participate in regular team from people with a lot of energy that meetings about pastoral leadership and genuinely want to lead great ministry,” vision-casting as well as refl ection with said Wince. conference staff and leadership. With For Wooten, Steele and the thirteen three major retreats a year including In Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, close to other Mosaic pastors, the responsibility a preaching boot camp and a church 70 percent of the people do not have direct access to potable of shepherding their congregations, en- fi nance gathering, the Mosaic team ben- water. Waterborne illnesses, such as typhoid, cholera, and visioning ministry and leading the church efi ts from sharing personal experiences chronic diarrhea, are the cause of more than half of the deaths staff and volunteers falls solely to them. and stories; doing life together and learn- in the country every year. Mosaic pastors build community relations ing from one another. and lead their church in engaging with To be a part of Mosaic Ministries, a We will be taking at least 100 their community through mission and person must be between 22 and 30 years ϐ meeting identifi ed needs while increasing old, have a heart to serve God and a de- we will conduct training their church’s presence and relevancy. sire to explore how they can serve God sessions for families who will The pastors lead their churches in mak- and be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. receive them. ing disciples through weekly worship The ministry seeks men and women who and engaging in preaching opportunities are emotionally, cognately, and ideologi- throughout the year. Participants develop cally fl exible with a willingness to pursue If possible, team members and provide a plan for leadership of unconventional and innovative ideas. Pa- and a translator will small group ministries and Bible studies tience, perseverance, a heart of service, accompany representatives and lead their church in creating and or mission-focused passion, and an open, of the families to their strengthening ministries to families. They self-starting spirit are desired traits. ϐ participate in regularly scheduled church are properly positioned and verify that proper maintenance procedures are followed. JOIN THE TEAM! The December Issue Deadline Contact Kathy Ahmad, Conference UMVIM is November 23, 2016 Coordinator at [email protected] 8 UNITED METHODIST RELAY NOVEMBER 2016 New Superintendent Search The Greater New Jersey Cabinet has also been referred to the Council for the been working with Bishop Schol to identi- Church who will prepare the complaint fy a new superintendent for the Delaware for a trial. Bay District. Former superintendent, Rev. In selecting a new superintendent, Dr. Jisun Kwak, is on involuntary leave Bishop Schol solicited input from the of absence. Delaware Bay Superintendency Com- Rev. Kwak, following a hearing with mittee. He will use the more than 60 the Conference Relations Committee, names that laity and clergy from across was placed on involuntary leave of GNJ submitted when he was considering absence by the Board of Ordained Min- a new superintendent for the Palisades istry Executive Committee. Rev. Kwak District which resulted in the appointment was suspended from ministry in June of Gina Kim. ͞/ƚ͛ƐďĞƩĞƌƚŽŚĂǀĞĂƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƚŚĂŶŐŽŝƚĂůŽŶĞ͘^ŚĂƌĞƚŚĞǁŽƌŬ͕ and when a just resolution could not be Bishop Schol asks you to pray for Rev. achieved, the cabinet recommended Kwak. He also asks for your prayers as ƐŚĂƌĞƚŚĞǁĞĂůƚŚ͘ŶĚŝĨŽŶĞĨĂůůƐĚŽǁŶ͕ƚŚĞŽƚŚĞƌŚĞůƉƐ͟ Rev. Kwak be placed on involuntary he and the cabinet work together to ap- - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (MSG) leave of absence. The complaint has point a new district superintendent.

RECONCILING TRAINING SponsoredS by the Greater NJ Reconciling Team With Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, the Northern Regional Organizer from Reconciling Ministries Network DECEMBER 3, 2016 | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ͞dĞĂŵsŝƚĂůƐĂǀĞĚƵƐϵŵŽŶƚŚƐŽĨǁŽƌŬŝŶŽƵƌĐŚƵƌĐŚ͛Ɛ ŵŝŶŝƐƚƌǇ͘͟ͲdĞĂŵsŝƚĂůƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚ^ƵŵŵĞƌϮϬϭϱ Red Bank UMC 247 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 WHAT IS TEAM VITAL? Team Vital helps leaders create, expand, share, and implement • Learn how to invite and include LGBTQ people in a strategic ministry plan using the 5 markers of vitality. your congregation. Each church receives individual technical support, monthly • Learn how to make your church inclusive to all ĐŽŶƐƵůƟŶŐĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌƌĞƐŽƵƌĐŝŶŐŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘ŚƵƌĐŚĞƐ people. regroup periodically to assess their progress and share lessons • Learn about intersectional justice. ůĞĂƌŶĞĚ͘ŚƵƌĐŚĞƐůĞĂƌŶĨƌŽŵĞĂĐŚŽƚŚĞƌ͕ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƚĞ͕ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ • Learn the difference between sexual orientation and ĂŶĚŚŽůĚĞĂĐŚŽƚŚĞƌĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĂďůĞƚŽƉƵƌƐƵĞƚŚĞŝƌŵŝŶŝƐƚƌǇ ƉůĂŶƐ͘/ƚ͛ƐĂůůĂďŽƵƚǁŽƌŬŝŶŐƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ͘As a part of Team Vital, gender identity. ĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐĐŽŵĞĂůŽŶŐƐŝĚĞŽŶĞĂŶŽƚŚĞƌĂƐƚŚĞǇ͗ • Learn from transgender people about what it means to be transgender. • ĂƐƐĞƐƐƚŚĞŝƌŽǁŶĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐĂŶĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌǇĂƐƐĞƚƐ • Learn how to train others to be inclusive. • ďĞĐŽŵĞĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚĨŽƌĞīĞĐƟǀĞŵŝŶŝƐƚƌǇ • plan future ministry SUGGESTED DONATION $20.00 • ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂůƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĨŽƌƉƵƫŶŐƚŚĞŝƌƉůĂŶƐŝŶƚŽĂĐƟŽŶ • ĂŶĚĂƐĂƌĞƐƵůƚŐƌŽǁŝŶƚŚĞŝƌǀŝƚĂůŝƚǇ Light breakfast and lunch included. R.S.V.P. ůůƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ'E:͕ĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐŚĂǀĞƌĞŶĞǁĞĚƚŚĞŝƌǀŝƚĂůŝƚǇ Email Bobbie McArdle at: [email protected] ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚdĞĂŵsŝƚĂů͘&ĂůůϮϬϭϲƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƟŶŐĐŚƵƌĐŚĞƐŝŶĐůƵĚĞ͗ or call 732.618.8218 NORTHERN REGION CENTRAL REGION SOUTHERN REGION

ĂůǀĂƌǇhD ^ƚ͘DĂƌŬhD ŵŵĂŶƵĞůhD;KĂŬůǇŶͿ ĂůĚǁĞůůhD ĨƌŝĐĂŶhD ^ƚ͘WĂƵů͛ƐhD ŚƌŝƐƚhD ŽƵŶĚƌŽŽŬhD ƐďƵƌǇhD 'ƌĂĐĞhDŽĨ<ĞĂƌŶǇ ^ĞƌŐĞĂŶƚƐǀŝůůĞhD dƌŝŶŝƚǇhDͬWĞŶŶƐĂƵŬĞŶ sŝŶĐĞŶƚhD tŚŝƚĞŚŽƵƐĞhD ƐďƵƌǇhD ZŽƐĞůůĞhD DĂƚĂǁĂŶhD hDŝŶƌĂŶĐŚǀŝůůĞ ,ĂƌǀĞǇDĞŵŽƌŝĂůhD tĞƐƚ^ŝĚĞhD ƐďƵƌǇhDͬůDĞƐŝĂƐ ^ƵƐƐĞǆhD hD sĞƌŶŽŶhD

WHAT’S MISSING? YOU! ZĞŶŽǀĂƚĞǇŽƵƌĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶ͛ƐǀŝƚĂůŝƚǇ͘^ŝŐŶƵƉƚŽĚĂǇĂŶĚ ďĞĂƉĂƌƚŽĨĂŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƚŚĂƚ͛ƐĞŵƉŽǁĞƌŝŶŐ͕ĞƋƵŝƉƉŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ'E:͘dŽƐĞĞĂĨƵůůůŝƐƚŽĨĐŚƵƌĐŚĞƐƚŚĂƚŚĂǀĞ ďĞŶĞĮƚĞĚĨƌŽŵũŽŝŶŝŶŐƚŚĞƚĞĂŵ͕ŐŽƚŽ͗ www. gnjumc.org/team-vital

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They had conversations with around during the service,” Peterson square and round rice crackers because We call our worship space a ‘sanctu- community leaders and other churches says. When the service is designed to of gluten sensitivity, one child holds the ary,’” says Rev. Victor Peterson. “But who were doing similar work. be welcoming and inclusive, families paten, and another holds the cup of traditional church does not always feel Peterson says this was one of the can worship freely without the burden of grape juice while each person shares in safe to everyone.” most important parts of developing Make societal pressure. the sacrament. This was a reality that prompted a Joyful Noise. Considerations that he Joyful Worship Incorporating Joyful Noise Ridgewood UMC, where Peterson is the would not have thought of were brought A typical service is about 25 minutes, in Ministry pastor, to start the “Make a Joyful Noise” into the strategy. “We learned that people and each part has a corresponding Peterson says that congregations worship service last Advent. Recognizing with developmental disabilities need Keynote slide projected. Peterson said who are not ready to create a separate that there were people in the congrega- structure. It’s important to maintain con- that while 21st-century technology is a worship service to serve members with tion who experience the world in different sistency and routine from the pattern of valuable tool, much of the worship design special needs can still integrate elements ways with different responses to light and the service to where each person sits.” refl ects a fi rst-century church gathering to serve families. sound, he began looking for an alterna- Peterson continued, “Experience is more with an ecumenical approach that wel- According to Peterson, any church tive service format to meet special needs. important than words. Using participa- comes everyone with minimal dogma. can make their worship more acces- The seed was planted in October 2014 tory music and interactive visuals help The children feel safe, and the parents sible. From making manipulative items with the church’s involvement in Access interpret the message to those on the support each other. available to incorporating videos that Ridgewood, a program started by the autism spectrum.” Each week the order and most of are appealing to children on the autism mayor to support those in the community Make a Joyful Noise worship is held in the songs are the same, and the goal spectrum, to including songs with clap- who have special needs. By April 2015, the chapel because it is a smaller space. is always to establish a sense of love ping, to assuring families that it is okay Peterson imagined how those strategies The families sit in self-designated seats and community. Rev. Peterson warmly for their children to make a joyful noise, could translate to the worship setting. and tend to gather close together. Ma- welcomes worshippers at the door. The church leadership can be intentionally Working with his wife, Cindy, and church nipulative items such as spongy stress service opens with the gathering song, welcoming to families seeking refuge. member Kim Roberts whose grandchild balls, LED fl ashlights and electronic tea “Wa Wa Wa Emimimo” sang four times. “The most important part of this minis- is on the autism spectrum, the idea was candles help the children focus. Dur- A child lights the candles, and the con- try is to listen to the needs and be patient presented to the administrative council. ing the songs, worshippers are offered gregation sings “This Little Light of Mine.” and adaptable,” Peterson says. The lay leader and administrative council maracas or invited to clap, and there is “The Story” shares the Bible lesson Make a Joyful Noise offers families chair joined the team to begin develop- room for dancing. for the day followed by a 2-4 minute video an opportunity to worship together in ing a new kind of worship service where The ministry is designed to meet not that relates to the lesson. The congrega- a hospitable and fl exible environment. children and families with special needs only the needs of the children but also tion participates in an experience that He tells the story of Emily who told him, could worship. their families and supporters. Peterson often utilizes a parachute or other inter- “I fi nally got to go to work on Monday says that Roberts was uncomfortable Joyful Process active props to illustrate and internalize morning and tell my coworkers I went to with his grandson Luke disrupting wor- Throughout the summer, the Peter- the message. church yesterday.” ship, but it was important to him that they GNJ United Methodist THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US Paddles for Clean Water TO MAKE AN IMPACT.

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1,243 $434,259 in community Margo Pellegrino of Medford UMC stresses the need for global awareness, residents served resources particularly regarding water quality issues. The ocean activist recently set off on a two-month journey padding from Chicago to New Orleans “to emphasize the importance and raise awareness of the nation’s water crisis.” Citing Flint, Michigan, the Rio Grande River and ailing coastal waters, Pellegrino seeks to encourage others to be good stewards of the environment and to become more aware of issues of water quality. Pellegrino left on August 10 from the Lincoln Park Boathouse in Chicago in her 20-foot outrigger canoe and ﬁ nished her journey to New Orleans on Sept. 24. To date, Pellegrino has paddled more than 5,000 miles of the country’s coast. $6.1 million 26,000+ of uncompensated pastoral contacts Small Group Symposium charitable care Explores Approaches

* Statistics as of June 30, 2016, except pastoral contacts which are as of August 31, 2016.

On Oct. 20, Drew University hosted a GNJ Small Groups Symposium spon- Home Office sored by the Northern Region Resource Team of GNJ and organized by Rev. Beth 3311 State Route 33 | Neptune, NJ 07753 Caulfi eld, Director of Small Groups. The specially targeted event was geared for 732-922-9800 | UMCommunities.org clergy and seminary students interested in exploring what’s next for small group ministry in their churches. Speakers included Rev. Dr. David Watson of the United Affordable Senior Living | Independent Living Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Timothy Myung-Hoon Ahn of Arcola UMC, Rev. Dr. Assisted Living | Memory Support | Rehabilitation Frank Fowler of Trinity UMC in Hackettstown and Rev. Jenny Smith-Walz, also Respite | Long Term Care | Hospice & Palliative Care of Trinity Hackettstown. NOVEMBER 2016 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 11 United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen Attains Deϐiciency-Free Federal Survey United Methodist Communities at goal and to accurately survey and as- Bristol Glen Attains Deficiency-Free sess, visits are always unannounced, Federal Survey taking organizations by surprise. NEWTON, N.J. — United Methodist Over a fi ve-day period, the survey Communities at Bristol Glen Administra- team had full access to every operational tor, Jeff Lisk proudly reports, “Achieving aspect of Bristol Glen assuring compli- a defi ciency-free federal survey affi rms ance with established standards, require- and motivates us to practice the highest ments and regulations. Their methodical standards each and every day.” It all exploration of clinical practices included began on September 2, when a team reviewing medication passes, medica- of five qualified health professionals tion carts, resident charts, and observing arrived at the bustling 235,000+ square- meals for issues of quality, sanitation and foot retirement community where 473 resident dignity. associates and residents cooperatively They scrutinized high risk residents, work and live. wound care practices and other innumer- Five representatives, four from the able clinical components. Individuals and state and one from CMS (Centers for groups of residents, family members, Medicare & Medicaid Services), part of powers-of-attorney, and associates were the federal Department of Health and interviewed by the fi ve team members. Human Services, came with a specifi c Executive Director, George Arezzo, mission. CMS maintains oversight for proudly remarked “In light of the fact that compliance with the Medicare health generally, federal surveys rarely occur, a and safety standards for facilities serving defi ciency-free outcome is a remarkable Council of Bishops Meeting Medicare and Medicaid benefi ciaries. accomplishment. I extend my congratu- Therefore, in order to accomplish that lations to the entire Bristol Glen team.” By Bishop John Schol and critical report. The bishops are [email protected] working under the constraint that The Book of Discipline requires any legisla- Earlier this month the Council of Bish- tion to be presented 280 days prior to Open Enrollment for ops, more than 140 active and retired General Conference. This will give the bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe and Commission a little more than a year to 2017 Health Insurance Plans the United States, gathered for its bian- do its work. nual meeting. The Council gathered to Open enrollment for the Active and increased to $2,600. GNJ does not offer pray, worship, meet in covenant groups Others have asked why not just wait Retiree Health Plan is scheduled for an FSA for clergy. Entering an amount for support and accountability, discuss until 2020 for the regularly scheduled Nov. 2-17. Watch for the Notice of Open in Line 10 does not constitute an FSA important matters before the church and General Conference to receive the Com- Enrollment being mailed to all churches. plan - see Line 10 instructions below. world, and receive updates on our prog- mission’s report. I believe having a spe- FSA payroll deductions must be held in ress toward growing vital congregations cial General Conference will give us the Active Employees a qualifi ed FSA plan offered by your local Federal Law requires that the oppor- and our four areas of focus. opportunity to offer our attention to this church. Detailed receipts are required One of the most meaningful experi- one item that will shape the future of the tunity to enroll be offered to every eligible for reimbursement of IRS qualifi ed ex- employee, including church controlled ences for me was during the meeting denomination. I will keep you informed of penses. when the bishops all knelt together to the developments as they occur. nursery school employees. Eligible • Line 10 - Flexible Spending Ac- employees (30 or more house/week) - seek God’s forgiveness and pray for the The bishops also gathered all of the count – Reporting an amount on church. As bishops, we recognize we are superintendents, lay leaders, treasurers, clergy and lay staff, this is the time to this form does not constitute a enroll or waive coverage for yourself, add not perfect, and as a Council, we are not connectional ministries staff, commu- Flexible Spending Plan. This is an always of one mind and are in need of nications staff and other leadership to or remove an eligible child or spouse, amount withheld from the pastor’s waive coverage for eligible dependents God’s forgiveness. focus on how we will continue to grow salary and used by the church to We also heard an update from those vital congregations and align the ministry from your HealthFlex plan for coverage reimburse medical or childcare beginning Jan. 1, 2017. organizing the Special Commission for of the church. GNJ was a model for the expenses on a tax-exempt basis. how we, The United Methodist Church, gathering. Among conferences in the Retirees over 65 The maximum allowable amount will work through our differences about U.S., GNJ has moved to number four in Eligible retirees may enroll in the is $2,600. Do not use this line to homosexuality. The General Conference congregational vitality. Hector Burgos, United HealthCare Medicare Advantage report medical expenses that are asked the Council of Bishops to form the our Director of Connectional Ministries, National PPO Plan if they meet the eli- not reimbursed under a qualifi ed Commission to review all of our policies spoke to the more than 750 leaders gibility requirements in the Health Insur- Section 125 plan - use line 15. The concerning homosexuality. The United gathered about our work together. He ance Guidelines. Retirees who previously church’s plan must have a written Methodist Church does not permit the did an excellent job, and many in atten- waived coverage in retirement may enroll Plan Document and an Enrollment ordination of gays and lesbians, clergy to dance asked him and other GNJ leaders at this time. Form. A Plan Form is required to marry gays and lesbians and congrega- about our progress. We have achieved change the amount withheld per tions to allow their buildings to be used our fruitfulness because of God’s work 2017 FSA Salary IRS rules. Professional assistance Reduction Increase for same gender weddings. through our lay and clergy leadership. is recommended to set up Section The Commission is made up of 32 Congregations throughout GNJ are mak- The IRS announced that the 2017 125 Flexible Spending Plans. maximum salary reduction has been members including laity, clergy and ing progress in their ministry. bishops from around the world. Sixty I ask for your prayers for the healing conferences span the globe, and there- and uniting of our church and our nation. fore more than half of the conferences do As we work together, God will bless our not have a person on the Commission, witness in the world. Today I am wit- OBITUARIES including GNJ. I have called for GNJ nessing how diffi cult it has become for to organize an opportunity for laity and people who have differing views to work Rev. Thomas Naglee, Retired Elder, died on Oct. 1. A celebration of life took place clergy to gather on March 4 to receive together - to hold civil conversations and on Oct. 23 at Cape May UMC in Cape May, NJ. input for the Commission from the people to address the challenges of poverty, Memorial donations (in lieu of fl owers) may be sent to: The United Methodist Com- of GNJ. You will hear more about this injustice, and hopelessness together. In munities at Pitma, 535 North Oak Ave., Pitman, NJ 08071 later, but I invite you to set March 4 aside GNJ I have had a different experience. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Margie Naglee, Pitman Manor, 535 North so that you can participate. I witness genuine respect for difference Oak Ave., Pitman, NJ 08071 The bishops also voted to call a spe- and a willingness to work together in the cial General Conference in early 2019 midst of our difference. We are the light of Rev. Majorie Eriksen, Retired Full Elder, died on Oct. 20. A celebration of life took to receive and act on a report from the Christ set on a hill. Let us work together place on Oct. 21 at Morristown UMC in Morristown, NJ. Commission. Some have asked why wait so that we build up one another and the Memorial donations (in lieu of fl owers) may be sent to: Morristown UMC, 50 South until 2019 to receive such an important church for the witness of Jesus Christ. Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960 Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Neil Eriksen, c/o Christopher Eriksen, 50 Encampment Dr., Bedminister, NJ 07921-1828 Central Region Lay and Clergy Rev. Linwood G. Sharp, Sr., Retired Local Pastor, died on Oct. 25. A celebration of life took place on Oct. 29 at Freitag Funeral Home in Bridgeton, NJ. Memorial donations (in lieu of fl owers) may be sent Friendship-Finley UMC, 252 to Take Wesley Heritage Tour Centerton Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 Members of the Northern Shore, ence of fellowship and memory building. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Mrs. Stella C. Sharp, 262 Cornwell Dr., Capital, and Raritan Valley districts will Clergy who are taking groups from Bridgeton, NJ 08302 be leaving on a nine day tour of England their churches have the opportunity to be- on July 19, 2017, to explore their roots come tour hosts. Two units of Continuing Frances B. Ballinger, Retired Associate Member, died on Nov. 4. A celebration of in places associated with the life of John Education credits are available as well as life took place on Nov. 9 at Allentown UMC in Allentown, NJ, an interment at Hillcrest Wesley, discounts for timely payments. Memorial Cemetery in Pitman, NJ and a meal at Magnolia UMC in Magnolia, NJ. The tour has been designed to maxi- For further information and/or bro- Memorial donations (in lieu of fl owers) may be sent to Allentown UMC, 23 Church mize opportunities for sightseeing, spiri- chures, contact Glenn Ferguson, pastor St., Allentown, NJ 08501 tual enrichment, and cultural learning in at Fair Haven, at [email protected] or Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Christopher and Deanne Ballinger (son a group that assures a wonderful experi- by calling 732-856-0699. and daughter-in-law) 236 E. Washington Ave., Magnolia, NJ 08049 or to Andrew Ballinger (son) 117 NE Atlantic Ave., Magnolia, NJ 08049 12 UNITED METHODIST RELAY NOVEMBER 2016

#GI INGTUESDAYGNJ NOVEMBER 29, 2016

JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

HOW CAN I JOIN? Your congregation, your community, your family and your friends can join us in supporting the Mission Fund for Giving Tuesday.

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GIVE TODAY AT: gnjumc.org/themissionfundcampaign/givingtuesday

The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey