Volume LXI OCTOBER 2017 No. 10 Hearts Ignited, Memories Forged, Lives Changed By Josh Kinney [email protected] “This weekend was life-changing,

WILDWOOD – The scene was capti- and I’m so grateful to have been vating, the feeling – fi red up, as hundreds able to share it with such amazing of students rose to their feet leaving slews of empty seats, processioning people. I had so much fun and made toward the IGNITE stage. Youth leaders, volunteers, and young adults with linked memories that will last forever” arms stretched the length of the stage’s - Carolyn Weiss, Trinity UMC base, ready to embrace those coming forth to make a decision for Jesus. Reggie Dabbs, the IGNITE confer- ence speaker, watched from center stage as students came forward. With a furrowed brow, beads of sweat trickling down his face and watery eyes, he knew his work was done, and the Holy Spirit would take it from there. “We all have chaos,” Dabbs cried from the mic. “It brings us to our knees. In the midst of the chaos, God is there.” He continued, “No matter where you’re from, no matter what you’ve done, the fi re of God is for you.” The fourth annual highly-anticipated IGNITE youth conference unleashed a Over 1,300 students gathered for the 2017 IGNITE youth conference in Wildwood, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1. Photo by Josh Kinney rush of energy and exhilaration, burst- ing through the doors of the Wildwoods bowing their heads in prayer as hearts As one of the most sought-after public Nationally-acclaimed Christian singer Convention Center on Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. were stirred for God. school and event speakers in the U.S., and songwriter Meredith Andrews led Students were greeted by a group of “This weekend was life-changing, and Dabbs brought his passion and raw, worship services as longtime IGNITE supercharged district superintendents I’m so grateful to have been able to share honest testimony to the IGNITE stage. emcee and founder of The Youth Alli- high-fi ving groups as they entered. Of the it with such amazing people,” said Caro- His boldness and character touched the ance, Preston Centuolo motivated the over 1,300 youth in attendance, several lyn Weiss, a student from Trinity UMC. hearts of the students as they chanted in crowd and delivered inspiring messages hundred clamored against the stage on “I had so much fun and made memories unison, “Reggie, Reggie, Reggie!” before alongside alumni from the Compassion Saturday night, hugging their leaders and that will last forever.” his speaking sessions. Continued on page 12 Laity Bring Energy, Hopefulness to Leadership Academy By Josh Kinney “We learned a lot from each other [email protected] about challenges in our churches as well as things that are working well,” said NEPTUNE – “You could actually feel Drew, who was especially excited to have the excitement in the air,” exclaimed GNJ Rev. Charles Perez of Morristown UMC Lay leader Rosa Williams. “All of the la- come with a student from his church’s ity were eager, excited, and engaged in Holy Hoops Ministry. In the group’s time learning with delightful energy and a spirit of worship band coaching they incorpo- of hope.” The Mission and Resource rated freestyle Christian rap. Center was packed and bustling with laity “That was pretty fun,” said Drew. from across GNJ participating in the day Arthur Harrell and Helen Hunter, who long 2017 Laity Leadership Academy on both have a healthcare background, led September 9. a track about vital ministries with older Designed to provide the tools and adults due to the amount of congregants skills required for lay leaders to empower in GNJ who are aging and have family their churches for the challenges of the members responsible for taking care of 21st century, the academy featured six them. different tracks with action plans for laity “There’s a lot of stress associated to bring back to their congregations. with the aging process and we wanted “It’s an inspiration to witness the to try to address some of the stresses faithfulness of the laity that attended this and effectively alleviate them for care training event,” said Diana who? , “Some givers,” said Harrell. “We sought to pro- of them got up very early and traveled far vide participants with local resources for to be with us for the day. It’s truly a joy to both care givers and the people they’re GNJ Lay Leader Rosa Williams greets those gathered for the 2017 Laity Leadership Academy on Sept. 9 at the Mission and Resource Center. Photo by support of the Board of Laity in all that Continued on page 10 they do to equip the laity of GNJ.” Biho Chung Trey Wince, Director of New Disciples led an evangelism track on “connecting with your community in not-so-scary ways.” “People are just so excited to be invested,” said Wince. “And that’s what makes it a fun group.” The evangelism track focused on ways their churches could seek out local issues and meet with community leaders to link the church with the community. They discussed marketing their church and actively making connections with people outside their church. Eric Drew, Director of Worship, led a track called “I’m with the band” fo- cused particularly on leading worship. With members of worship bands from throughout GNJ coming to engage in GNJ celebrated installations for two District Superintendents in September. Rev. Glenn Conaway was installed as Delaware learning and dialogue, the group also Bay Superintendent with a service at Trinity UMC in Mullica Hill on September 10 and Rev. Frank Davis was installed had a chance to jam together. as Capital Superintendent at St. Mark’s UMC in Hamilton Square on September 24. Photos by Paul Guba and Brittney Reilly 2 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017 • We are doing more observation from the sidelines before we rush in to play A Message from the Bishop the game • We are talking more to people in the community about what they would like Complicated Blessings to see in church • More GNJ churches are becoming multicultural By my senior year of high school, I had played Churches stepping into these blessings are seeing a different future, not better football for 11 years and had started at quarterback but different. The operative word here is future; they see a future. I propose we add for nine of those years. During one of my games, I some new beatitudes to the Bible: dropped back to pass the ball and saw an opening Blessed are those on the sidelines, they will experience more of the game with the around the right end. We needed nine yards for a people at the margins. critical fi rst down and I took off down the fi eld. As Blessed are those who take risks and fail, they have a future through trial and error I approached the fi rst down marker, an opposing rather than playing it safe. player lunged to tackle me with his helmet catching Blessed are those who worry less about those who are leaving and focus more on my knee. We made the fi rst down. When I got up who God wants to send our way, they will enjoy new company. and started jogging back to the huddle, my knee Blessed are the churches that are becoming more diverse, they are becoming the gave out and I went down to the ground. I was Kingdom of God. raised in a family that when you got hurt you were taught to walk it off. I got up, took a step, and down I went again. My senior year season was over and I wound up in a Keep the faith! leg cast for six weeks. John Today I want to talk with you about complicated blessings, particularly at this time Bishop John Schol - United Methodists of Greater New Jersey in the church’s life. Blessings are gifts in the unexpected. The Beatitudes in the Gos- pels of Matthew and Luke speak of such blessings. Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom of God, blessed are those who hunger for you will be fi lled, blessed are those who weep for you will laugh (Luke 6:20-21). The Beatitudes are sometimes call reversals, because in God’s realm, what seems most devastating can be reversed into unexpected blessing. Liminal Season Many are calling this time period for the church a “liminal season.” A liminal time is an in-between time. One chapter of the church’s history has come to a close and a new season has not yet begun. For instance, the protestant reformation can be seen as a liminal season. 500 years ago, there was an emerging dissatisfaction within the church. Some stopped going to church, others worked to reform the church and oth- ers started new denominations. What was clear was the church would not return to business as usual, but what wasn’t clear was what the church would become. Susan Beaumont, a national leader in helping the church fi gure out what’s next, is Rediscovering Baptism working with GNJ leadership on our next strategic ministry plan. She says that dur- ing a liminal period, the church needs to shift from knowing to learning, from doing to becoming. I also believe that we cannot compare ourselves to the past to shape our future. As we look back, we see the church in the United States at a time when it was larger than any time in its history. Eighty years ago, the Methodist Church in America was the fastest growing church in the world. From the 1940s to 1970s we had to do very little, except open the doors and people would come. What Are We Learning Today, the culture has a much different attitude and understanding of the church. Here are some things we are already learning. People are interested in a variety of Join this Spirit-driven movement as GNJ congregations experiences. When I was in high school there were only a couple brands of sneakers, and most of us in Philadelphia wore Converse that came in either black or white, high rediscover the power of the redemptive grace of God in top or low top. Today there are numerous brands, styles and colors. People expect a Jesus Christ through baptism. Resources include small variety of choices when they come to church. The culture is also telling us they want more transparency, less institutionalism and more understanding of how God and the groups discussion guide, sermon series, baptism Bible connect with their everyday life. renewal, liturgy, videos, graphics and much more. In GNJ we are learning from more than 500 people who shared with us in recent surveys and small group conversations that they like our focus on leadership develop- ment, prioritizing the mission and ministry of the congregations, and the new resources GNJ developed. A number of people also told us that they are afraid for their congre- gation’s future, the money is running out and fewer people are worshiping. They told Register today for available us they like what GNJ is becoming but are afraid for their future. resources starting in November. In high school when my football season ended because of injury, it actually was just getting started, but in a different way. It was a complicated blessing. I continued www.waterandroots.org to go to practices after my injury and the coach encouraged me to give players tips about how they could improve. On game days I limped up and down the side lines and the coach had me call the plays. That senior year of high school, I learned a lot about myself, about leadership, and about how to make a difference from the sidelines. It’s a complicated blessing because I wasn’t looking to get injured, but because of it, God developed me for what was next in my life. Sometimes the church looks like its limping on the sidelines in a losing game, but maybe God is up to something. Maybe God wants us learning how to better connect with the culture, to let go of things that, well, quite frankly may not matter that much to new generations of believers and even to God, and to focus on the things that are about real faith, relevant mission and life changing messages. New Blessings The thing about complicated blessings is that they always start out by looking bad, and then in God’s own way, God reverses things on us and we wind up with a blessing. :ŽŚŶZ͘^ĐŚŽů͕ŝƐŚŽƉ Here are some of the blessings I am beginning to witness in GNJ: dŚĞhŶŝƚĞĚDĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚŚƵƌĐŚŽĨ'ƌĞĂƚĞƌEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞLJ • We are taking greater risks and not seeing failure as a bad thing but a learn- ϮϬϱ:ƵŵƉŝŶŐƌŽŽŬZŽĂĚ͕EĞƉƚƵŶĞ͕E:Ϭϳϳϱϯ ing experience ZĞǀ͘ŚƌŝƐƚŽƉŚĞƌ,ĞĐŬĞƌƚ͕ŚĂŝƌ͕ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶŽŶŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶ • Laity are stepping up to learn and lead ϴϱϲ͘ϰϮϵ͘ϬϰϬϯ͕Ğdžƚ͘ϮϬϵͮĐŚĞĐŬĞƌƚΛŚĂĚĚŽŶĮĞůĚƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ • We are starting more new faith communities than we did over the last 30 years Z>z^d&& • We are diversifying worship experiences and changing things so they are not Josh Kinney͕ ĚŝƚŽƌŝĂůDĂŶĂŐĞƌ always the same from Sunday to Sunday ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϰϳͮũŬŝŶŶĞLJΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ • We worry less when people leave because they do not like the changes Carolyn Conover͕ ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌŽĨŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶĂŶĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϭϲͮĐĐŽŶŽǀĞƌΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ ƌŝƩŶĞLJZĞŝůůLJ͕KŶůŝŶĞĂŶĚŝŐŝƚĂůŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶDĂŶĂŐĞƌ ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϰϬͮďƌĞŝůůLJΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ ĞŶŝƐĞ,ĞƌƐĐŚĞů͕ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŶŐtƌŝƚĞƌ ŶũϲƉĂĐŬΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ ZĞǀ͘DĞůŝƐƐĂ,ŝŶŶĞŶ͕ŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŶŐtƌŝƚĞƌ ŵĞůŝƐƐĂ͘ŚŝŶŶĞŶΛŶLJĂĐͲƵŵĐ͘ĐŽŵ

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HOW TO CREATE A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY Adapted from a Horizon Blog by Joel Mickell

DON’T HOLD POSSESSIONS TOO CLOSE tŚĞŶ:ĞƐƵƐƐĂŝĚ͕͞tŚĞƌĞLJŽƵƌƚƌĞĂƐƵƌĞŝƐ͕ƚŚĞƌĞĂůƐŽŝƐLJŽƵƌ ŚĞĂƌƚ͕͟,ĞŵĂĚĞĂĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶǁĞƐŚŽƵůĚŶ͛ƚŽǀĞƌůŽŽŬʹŚĞĂƌƚ ĂŶĚƉŽƐƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ͊tŚĞŶǁĞ͛ƌĞŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐǁŝƚŚŽƵƌƉŽƐƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ͕ ŝƚĐŚĂŶŐĞƐƵƐďĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐǁŝƚŚŽƵƌŚĞĂƌƚƐĂŶĚŝŶƚƵƌŶ͕ŽƵƌůŝǀĞƐ͘

INSPIRE OTHERS 'ĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJŝŶƐƉŝƌĞƐŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJ͘dŚĞŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJǁĞůŝǀĞŽƵƚŝŶŽƵƌ ůŝǀĞƐůĞĂĚƐƚŽŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJůŝǀŝŶŐŽƵƚŝŶƚŚĞůŝǀĞƐŽĨŽƚŚĞƌƐ͘^ĞĞ1 ŚƌŽŶŝĐůĞƐϮϵ͗ϭͲϵ͘ REMEMBER GOD’S GENEROSITY tĞĂƌĞŵĂĚĞƚŽďĞŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐďĞĐĂƵƐĞǁĞ͛ƌĞŵĂĚĞŝŶƚŚĞ INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS ŝŵĂŐĞŽĨĂŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐ'ŽĚ͘tĞĂƌĞŵŽƐƚůŝŬĞ'ŽĚǁŚĞŶǁĞ͛ƌĞ WĞŽƉůĞĂŶĚƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉƐĂƌĞǁŚĂƚŵĂƩĞƌŵŽƐƚƚŽ'ŽĚ͘/ƚ͛ƐǁŚLJ ŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐ͘ :ĞƐƵƐĐĂŵĞƚŽĞĂƌƚŚĂŶĚĚŝĞĚŽŶƚŚĞĐƌŽƐƐ͘tŚĞŶǁĞ͛ƌĞŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƌƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͕ǁĞŝŶǀĞƐƚŝŶƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ƵůƟŵĂƚĞůLJĐŚĂŶŐŝŶŐ LISTEN TO JESUS’ WISDOM ůŝǀĞƐĂŶĚƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵŝŶŐƚŚĞǁŽƌůĚ͘ :ĞƐƵƐŚĂĚŵŽƌĞƚŽƐĂLJĂďŽƵƚŐŝǀŝŶŐ͕ŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJ͕ĂŶĚ ƐƚĞǁĂƌĚƐŚŝƉƚŚĂŶ,ĞĚŝĚĂďŽƵƚĂŶLJŽƚŚĞƌƐŝŶŐůĞƚŽƉŝĐ͘/ĨŝƚǁĂƐ INVEST YOUR BLESSINGS ƚŚĂƚŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚƚŽ:ĞƐƵƐ͕ƐŚŽƵůĚŶ͛ƚŝƚďĞƚŽƵƐ͍ ^ƚĞǁĂƌĚƐŚŝƉŝƐ'ŽĚ͛ƐďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐƉůĂŶĨŽƌĨƵŶĚŝŶŐƚŚĞǁŽƌŬŽĨ ŵĂŬŝŶŐĚŝƐĐŝƉůĞƐ͘'ŽĚŐŝǀĞƐƵƐĞǀĞƌLJƚŚŝŶŐǁĞŶĞĞĚƚŽĂĐĐŽŵƉůŝƐŚ BE JOYFUL ǁŚĂƚ'ŽĚǁĂŶƚƐŝŶƚŚĞůŽĐĂůĐŚƵƌĐŚ͘tĞ͛ƌĞŝŶǀŝƚĞĚƚŽƌĞƚƵƌŶĂŶĚ dŚĞŚĂƉƉŝĞƐƚƉĞŽƉůĞĂƌĞŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐƉĞŽƉůĞ͘ϭdŚĞƐƐĂůŽŶŝĂŶƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƵƌďůĞƐƐŝŶŐƐĂŶĚƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͘ ϱ͗ϭϲĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞƐƵƐƚŽ͞ďĞũŽLJĨƵůĂůǁĂLJƐ͊͟'ĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĂŶƵŶĚĞŶŝĂďůĞƉĂƚŚƚŽŐƌĞĂƚũŽLJ͘

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, &ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶŽƌƌĞƐŽƵƌĐŝŶŐ ŝŶƚŚĞĂƌĞĂŽĨ'ĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJĂŶĚ ũŽLJ͕ƉĞĂĐĞ͕ƉĂƟĞŶĐĞ͕ŬŝŶĚŶĞƐƐ͕ ^ƚĞǁĂƌĚƐŚŝƉ͕ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ŐĞŶĞƌŽƐŝƚLJ͕ĨĂŝƚŚĨƵůŶĞƐƐ͕ ZĞǀ͘:ĂŶĂWƵƌŬŝƐͲƌĂƐŚ ŐĞŶƚůĞŶĞƐƐ͕ĂŶĚƐĞůĨͲĐŽŶƚƌŽů͕͟ ϳϯϮ͘ϯϱϵ͘ϭϬϱϳ Ͳ'ĂůĂƟĂŶƐϱ͗ϮϮͲϮϯ;E^ZsͿ ũƉƵƌŬŝƐďƌĂƐŚΛŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐ 4 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017 In the Midst of Hurricane Irma, the Power of Prayer and Connection By Josh Kinney “We prayed that God would preserve [email protected] Kathy’s dad,” said Lank. “We prayed that the connectional system would work. Tom Lank, the Northeastern Jurisdic- We prayed for all those who were still in tion Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, harm’s way while we sat comfortably in a was in the middle of preparing to lead cool, dry, electrifi ed room. And we prayed a training session for long-term volun- that God would use us as necessary to teers in upstate New York, when his cell meet the needs of people like Kathy and phone buzzed with an incoming call. her dad.” A heart wrenching voicemail was left As the session concluded, a class by Kathy Foley, a member of Marlton member approached Lank whose mother UMC, describing how her father was was a clergy in the North Georgia Confer- asked to evacuate from a nursing home ence and had clergy friends in Naples. in Naples, FL for Hurricane Irma without “She had already been in touch with family nearby to transport him. With her her mom and her mom had contacted her father having only a few hours of oxygen Naples friends,” exclaimed Lank. “They left, Foley was near tears as she fi nished got the address for Kathy’s dad and got her story. Kathy’s number. The pastor in Naples “I called back and told her I would got in touch with a clergy colleague even try to fi nd help,” said Lank, who called closer to the nursing home and they were a local disaster response coordinator in able to get Kathy’s dad oxygen and into Southwest Florida, who directed him to an air-conditioned room.” the Florida Conference’s Disaster Call All of this happened in the span of Center. The young woman on the other nine hours, which was exactly how much line could hear the urgency of the need oxygen Foley’s dad had left when Lank Terri Porter from the Skylands Outreach Depot reports that GNJ United and took down Foley’s contact number, fi rst received the call. Methodists have been so generous in relief efforts. Pictured above is John telling Lank to pass along the proper “Because of the boundless goodness Callanan from United Methodist Communities who dropped off 500 hygiene numbers for FEMA and the Red Cross. of God, the faith of a GNJ parishioner, kits and Gabby Diee who joined members of Sussex UMC in restocking the He texted Foley the information and and the amazing connection of the United shelves. Photos provided walked into the training session late. Methodist Church, a plea for help went “I told the class that I needed to pray from Marlton, NJ to Windsor, NY, to and I needed them to pray with me,” said Rome, GA, to Naples, FL, and a miracle Lank. He explained the situation and the happened,” said Lank. group gathered around to pray. Relief and Recovery Updates To date, GNJ has collected over $242,000 for UMCOR disaster relief for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. On Oct. 3, Sam Perez, a member of Bishop Janes UMC delivered a check from GNJ for $50,000 directly to Bishop Hector Ortiz in Puerto Rico for relief efforts. Thank you! Learn more and ind out ways you can help by visiting www.gnjumc.org/ Children at Florence UMC join the Tabernacle UMC in Erma held a “Hygiene Kit Packing Party” to support ϐlood bucket making efforts. Photo hurricane victims. More than 100 people participated from the church and disasterresponse provided by Brittney Reilly community, assembling over 400 kits. Pictured above, the local Girl Scout troop assist with the mission. Photo provided by Rev. Glenn A. Scheyhing Church Sponsors Pet Rescue Mission After Hurricane By Denise Herschel helping with the mission had been ‘to get were thousands of animals who were [email protected] the word out’ particularly to the broader rescued from the hurricane. community outside of the four walls of “The International Humane Society ALLENDALE - With the recent dev- the church. had just sent an airplane to retrieve those astation in southeastern Texas due to “I used mostly social media to do available for displacement so we did not Hurricane Harvey, many have stepped this. I also coordinated the pickup of the bring any pets back with us. The dogs up to help those in need who have suf- donated items prior to his trip to Texas. and the cats at the Houston Humane fered from the effects of the destructive When John fi rst came to me with this Society (HHS) at that time were strays, storm. It is not only people who have idea, I thought that it would partner well so we could not displace them until they been displaced from their homes but pets with our church’s monetary donations to had been there for 30 days in case the as well and when Archer UMC member UMCOR (United Methodist Committee families came to claim them. The HHS John Underfer was updated about the on Relief) that we had already started. are wonderful people who took in over hurricane’s impact on the region, he It also gave me the opportunity to talk 200 dogs and cats that had been aban- knew he had to be of assistance. As the about God’s care for all of creation doned or from shelters in Galveston and owner and operator of pet transportation including our four-legged friends,” said Corpus Christi,” he said. company, SafePet Transport, Underfer Korkuch. “The church and the broader Although the rescue mission was a decided to utilize his business and em- community responded by filling our “one-time” trip, Korkuch added that there bark on a “mission of mercy to Houston narthex with pet supplies, especially will be a long-time ongoing need in Texas to help the four-legged members of God’s food. I heard from people who had no for both humans and animals. creation” in early September. connection with the church whatsoever, “We have been encouraging our folks “John created the idea and spear- as well as fellow United Methodists from to continue to give generously to UM- headed the mission. He is in the business neighboring congregations. It was a good COR. We also know that many rescued Archer UMC youth gather pet supplies of pet transport and wanted to give back example of how the connection can work pets have been brought to our area so in the wake of Hurricane Harvey,” said for animals affected by Hurricane in times of need!” local shelters are going to need both Rev. Tom Korkuch, Archer UMC senior Harvey. Photo provided According to Underfer, over 6,000 donations of time and money in the im- pastor. pounds of food and supplies were do- mediate future,” he said. “I own the best transportation com- loved and integral member of your family. nated with Girl Scout Troop 96353 of For more information about the con- pany in the world so it was in my sphere I made contact with the Houston Humane Franklin Lakes helping by spending their tinual need for donations and assistance of infl uence and something I could offer Society and delivered 6,000 pounds of Labor Day weekend outside a local su- go to www.safepettransport.com or call to help out with,” Underfer said. “SafePet food and supplies.” permarket collecting supplies. 844-WOW-SAFE. Transport knows that your pet is a be- Korkuch added that his involvement in Underfer added that he believes there OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 5 Well Project Saves Lives, Transforms Communities By Denise Herschel sard’s family wanted to give the gift of [email protected] pure, safe water to a village that lacks what “we all take for granted” as a me- FARMINGDALE - Mention the morial for her. name Alice Hassard to members of the “The mission chosen by Alice’s family Farmingdale First UMC community and is to dig a well for people in an African what comes to mind is a unsung local village where there is no access to hero who gave tirelessly of herself to water, much less clean drinking water. those in need. Whether sewing quilts for Alice’s presence in our community was the elderly and newborn babies or rais- very much like clean water to drink, to ing funds for those coping with disasters bathe in or to wash clothes. She relieved by providing warm blankets, Hassard, systematic suffering wherever she went, a past Farmingdale United Methodist even in the midst of being poor herself,” Women President for many years, was Dawn Richards, a former member of the well-known for supporting missions. So Farmingdale United Methodist Women, when Hassard passed away in August said. 2009, this treasured member of her Alice’s Well Project began in Has- church community had a project started sard’s honor with the fi rst well completed in her honor dubbed ‘Alice’s Well.’ in December 2013 in Budondo-BF Ma- “Alice had a dream to build a well for here, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a village in a third world country. She making Hassard’s dream a reality. knew what a nearby source of fresh clean “Contact was made with organizations Community members of Felsi Berebre in Ethiopia are pictured gathered around water would mean to the people of that that build wells throughout the world. country - especially to the women and Charity: water was the agency selected their Alice’s Well. Photo provided the children,” Marie Andreen, Chairper- because the organization works closely water, said. woman made many yarn covered coat son Mission Outreach and Member of with the villagers throughout the entire According to Jordan, the second well hangers that were given with a fi ve dollar United Methodist Women, said. “Alice process and reports back to those who was built in Felsi Berebre, Ethiopia and donation. A lifelong childhood friend Car- was a woman who gave what she could, have given the money for it,” said Donna completed in September 2016. ol, who knew she was dying, requested when she could, to whatever project was Jordan, former Farmingdale United “We recently sent in money to pay that donations to Alice’s Well Project be before her. Just weeks before her death Methodist Women President and current for a third well in June 2017 which I was made in her name. Many donations from she was sitting with me in the front yard church member. “Charity: water selects told would take about the same time to many other groups of United Methodist of my mother’s home helping with a yard the village that they recognize as having be completed as the other two wells - Women who knew my aunt sent dona- sale for the Mission Outreach Team. the greatest need.” 18 to 22 months. You always have to tions. My Aunt Alice would be amazed by While sitting and talking with my aunt, According to agency, the water project consider the time line can vary due to this gift that is given to honor her. What she questioned me about what project funded in the Democratic Republic of the circumstances beyond anyone’s control. better tribute than to give the gift of living could be undertaken by the Mission Congo allowed 250 people of Budondo- This third well is a rehabilitated well to water; clean, clear water. My aunt was a Team. A water project was on the top of BF Mahere to have access to clean and be built in Malawi. Now we are again in woman who knew what the widow’s mite the list. After her death, I was approached safe drinking water. The project took 22 the process of raising funds for a fourth was and gave it and more through her by members of the United Methodist months to complete and for many, was well. We are very fortunate to have so charitable endeavors as a United Meth- Women about what could be done to a gift and an answer to years of prayer. many sources of donations to Alice’s Well odist Woman, a Christian woman and a honor her. A water project was the fi rst “It was a sudden realized and unex- Project,” Jordan said. woman of this world,” Andreen said. thing that came to mind and so it began.” plained hope in a forgotten place where “There were many who donated just For more information about Alice’s According to Andreen, the Farming- dreams of a better future had died long a dollar or two, some who gave every Well Project email farmingdalefumc@ dale United Methodist Women and Has- ago,” Scott Harrison, founder of charity: month until we had enough. A young optimum.net Rivers of Life Transforming Lives Among Arabic-Speaking Community Pt. 2 By Douglas Ruffl e soon was giving leadership to the Wesley shares the message via Facebook. In Christian origins, including Pentecostal, druffl [email protected] Arabic-speaking group. addition, the regular Sunday worship mainline Protestant, and Coptic Ortho- “I would look through the phone book service is streamed live from Bayonne dox. It is a great leap from someone of BAYONNE - Rivers of Life was started and identify the Christian last names from to more than 500 viewers from around Coptic origins, a Christian Church that in 2003 as part of the ministry of the an Arabic-speaking background and I the world. has been in Egypt since the earliest Wesley UMC in Bayonne. Emad Gerges would send them Christian messages,” Most who attend worship come from Continued on page 9 left a successful career as a mechanical he said. “Eventually, I invited people to engineer in Cairo, Egypt, to respond to a attend a gathering at Wesley UMC.” call to ministry that led him to Bayonne. His District Superintendent arranged AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON He had started preaching in Egypt even that he attend licensing school. After- while continuing in secular jobs. Though wards, he enrolled in the Course of Study 'RXJ5XIÀH¶V he had grown up in the Coptic Orthodox at Wesley Theological Seminary so that Church native to Egypt, as a young adult, he could be certifi ed as a local pastor. he said that he was not at peace and be- “The Course of Study program and ROADMAP gan searching for alternatives. He found ESL classes helped me learn English. to a church in Cairo that traced its heritage I was still not fl uent, however, when the to British Methodism and he began at- District Superintendent asked me to tending. Soon he became a sought-after serve both the English and Arabic speak- RENEWAL preacher. As a lay preacher, he began ing congregations.” is available in a newly revised edition that preaching not only in Egypt, but in Iraq, The Superintendent insisted he serve includes a study guide. Take a journey Libya, Lebanon, Syria, England, and the both congregations, even though the together with others from your local church - Sudan. Once he preached before 3,000 English congregants resisted the idea a road trip that will help you rediscover your people at a revival in Khartoum. Amid of him becoming their pastor. “Start with true mission. the preaching and successful business translation,” suggested Dr. Terrell, “and This newly revised and updated edition of Roadmap to Renewal career, he received a clear call from God once you become more comfortable with will serve as a vital resource enabling you to reconnect to your to leave his secular work and dedicate his the language, begin to preach in English.” life to full-time ministry. He received invi- 14 years after it started, “Rivers of mission area. Use the step-by-step process in a small group to tations from Arabic-speaking Christians Life” has grown to an average worship come up with a Ministry Action Plan for your community of faith. in the United States to come. attendance of 200. The English-speaking Know your community. Know your mission. Know your strengths and One of those invitations came from a congregation still gathers for worship ev- challenges. Know where you are going. Reach people with the good group of four Arabic-speaking Christians ery Sunday at 10 a.m. They are a much news of Jesus Christ! in Bayonne. This group had been rent- smaller group, sometimes worshipping ing space at the Wesley UMC. After he about 15 people, but nevertheless faithful ALSO visited them they invited him to stay. members of the church. Pastor Gerges’ “How can I do this?” he prayed to family joins him in this ministry. His wife, AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON, God. “How can I go from preaching to Marianne, directs the Sunday School thousands of people to pastoring a group program and Youth Mission. Their son, COKESBURY.COM, UPPERROOM.ORG of four?” David, now fi fteen years old, serves on 'RXJ5XIÀH¶V After two weeks of prayer, he sensed the praise and worship team playing the from God a clear message: “Don’t look keyboards and drums. Their daughter, at how many people you are preaching Joy, 13 years old, helps with the Sunday A MISSIONARY to. I need you here.” School and editing videos. Emad spoke no English at the time, 90% of the “Rivers of Life” congrega- MINDSET however, his wife, Marianne, spoke Eng- tion are Egyptian by birth or heritage. Using the timeless principles of E. Stanley lish fl uently. With her help and translation, The remaining 10% come from Jordan, Jones, A Missionary Mindset transfers them he met with the pastor of Wesley UMC, Lebanon, and Iraq. Gerges keeps in for use today. Teaching us to approach the Rev. Gary Frieze, and found this church touch with his well dispersed parish similar in many ways to the Wesleyan through YouTube video messages that PLVVLRQ¿HOGDVLIZHZHUHIURPDGLIIHUHQW church he had joined in Cairo. He and he posts every morning at 6am. He calls country and learning a new culture, a new Marianne joined Wesley UMC as mem- these “Faith Messages” and attaches the way of communicating, and a new way to bers. He met with the District Superinten- YouTube links to emails. He also records connect people to the good news of the dent, the Reverend Dr. Lloyd Terrell, and audio messages for his fl ock. He also gospel of Jesus Christ. 6 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017

Youth from Pinelands UMC enjoy the IGNITE beach bonϐire.

Students clap, laugh and cheer for their friends at the ϐirst ever ‘IGNITE’s Got Talent’ show.

Over 1,300 students took part in communion together on World Communion Sunday at IGNITE.

Eric Drew, Director of Worship and IGNITE thanked the young adult IGNITE Squad for all of their work.

“I will never forget this

Compassion alumni share powerful testimony of how sponsorship can IGNITE” change lives, families, and futures. – Kayla Eberly Vincetown UMC

Bishop John Schol high ϐives a student from the IGNITE stage after a closing prayer.

All smiles glowing in the IGNITE beach bonϐire. It was hard to tell who was more Fired Up for IGNITE, the youth of the GNJ District Superintendents. Photos by Josh Kinney OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 7

Leanor Ortega Till “Jeff the Girl” of Five Iron Frenzy shared From musical performances, singing, rap, comedy, poetry and dance, IGNITE’s Got Talent was a hit. her story of following her passion and her faith.

DJ Vow kicked off Friday and Saturday nights, spinning tunes mixed with Hundreds of students came forward to make a decision for Jesus after Reggie worship music. Dabbs’ sermon “No matter where you’re from, no matter what you’ve done, the fi re of God is for you” – Reggie Dabbs

Nationally renowned Christian singer and songwriter, Meredith Andrews, led worship and spoke to Reggie Dabbs challenged, inspired, and shared his the hearts of youth. story from the depths of his heart.

Preston Centuolo described the annual IGNITE conference as a “family Christian rap artist Tedashii closed out Saturday night as hundreds danced reunion.” and sang surrounding the stage. Photos by Josh Kinney 8 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017 Church Helps Initiate Apostles in our Midst: Bria Pierre and Camp YDP ID Program for Community A 2017 Series on Apostolic Leadership in GNJ

By Kamelia Ani becomes a serious issue for them. By Laura Wise [email protected] Community and church members as- [email protected] serted at the council meeting on August MORRISTOWN – Rev. Brandon Cho 1 that being able to produce identifi cation Mission: On the corner of 1st and of Morristown UMC started getting calls and proof of residence would greatly Arch in Paterson, NJ, the mission is from congregants who were worried improve interactions immigrants might children. CAMP YDP (A Community about new federal immigration policies have with law enforcement offi cials and Association with a Ministry to People and he knew something needed to be ICE to prevent swift action regarding – Youth Development Program) is a full- done. In a joint effort with Wind of Spirit deportation. The council unanimously day preschool, afterschool enrichment - an immigration advocacy organization, approved the program. program, and full-day summer camp. the Morristown Clergy Council, and Mayor Timothy Dougherty was so Over 60 years ago, United Methodist backing by city offi cials, the Morristown enthused by the initiative that he was the Rev. Maxwell Tow founded the camp to Municipal ID program was conceived. fi rst in line to sign up for a card. Now all serve as a safe haven for single moth- garden. Money is great, we need it, but ers and low-income families. Presently, The need for a municipal id was clear. people, including immigrants can make it’s also important for our children to know in partnership with Greater New Jersey, that people care, so your presence is Proof of residency is required for open- an appointment, go to Morristown city CAMP YDP has transformed into a important.” ing a bank account, certain health care hall, and within minutes have an ID card children-centered mission, focusing on Apostle: Bria Pierre has a long his- services and accessible hospital medical stamped with a hologram which will make creating a space where students feel tory in education, teaching preschool information. their lives much easier. The process is empowered, nurtured, and enriched. for over ten years. After taking a break Parents need to proof of residency to safe and private, and no information is In the heart of a city plagued by crime from her career to have and raise her sign up their children for sports activities shared regarding the legal status of those and poverty, students are still excited to children, Pierre was itching to get back or to swim at the municipal pool need ID. who apply. The cost for the ID cards is come to CAMP, and Executive Director to work and give back to the community. “Our ultimate goal is to always be a fair minimal, ranging from $7 to $15 depend- Bria Pierre counts that as a blessing. Evaluating what might be the best fi t for and welcoming community,” said Cho. ing on the age of the applicant. The ID “They are dealing with a lot of things her at the time, she decided to explore “Many of our congregants are recently cards are also useful for underage stu- in the outside world,” she said. “We want job opportunities in Georgia to be closer arrived immigrants. We strongly feel dents who don’t have driver’s licenses, CAMP to be a place where they feel re- to her mother. At the same time, she that they are an asset to the community as well as senior citizens. spected, so that’s what we strive to do. learned about the opportunity to serve at and this country. We want them to have Cho says this program is a part of We can’t do it alone. It’s important that CAMP YDP from her church, St. Mark’s access to the same opportunities as the a larger initiative his ministry is taking we all work together.” UMC in Montclair. rest of us. All they want is a shot at the in aiding the immigrant population. He Not only does CAMP provide an en- During her interview, Pierre learned American dream, and we want to help believes in a “holistic approach” to these riching learning experience for students, that CAMP was struggling with only 30 give that to them. This ID program is the issues. So far, the ministry has hosted it also serves as a resource for students’ students enrolled. This kept her up for fi rst of many steps in that direction.” several workshops in conjunction with families. They’ve partnered with CUMAC, two days thinking about ways to increase Morristown is a culturally diverse Wind of Spirit to help address immigra- another United Methodist affi liated non- enrollment and how to teach the 30 chil- city with 34% of the 19,000 population tion issues and educate the community profi t based in Paterson working to allevi- dren to strive and push forward. having Latino or Hispanic origin. Morris- on their rights and options. The church’s ate hunger, and are able to offer food to “That became my mission,” said their families every Wednesday. town UMC launched a bilingual ministry, next plan is to create a Hope Center, Pierre. CAMP depends on the tuition dollars Pierre and her staff worked to update Nueva Esperanza (New Hope) to make led by Associate Pastor Charles Perez, from the families of students, yet 80% of programs and secure new opportuni- worship more accessible to everyone in to help aid the immigrants living in Mor- these families experience low-income. ties for students. In less than a year, the community. ristown. For this group of students, tuition is the school grew from an enrollment of Many members of immigrant com- For more information about Morris- subsidized by the state but the program 30 to reach capacity at 115 students. It munities do not drive or have a driver’s town UMC and its programs, visit mor- is dependent on funding. Pierre and her doesn’t stop there. CAMP will be adding license. Obtaining proper identifi cation ristownumc.org. staff work to create new programming another classroom this year to help grow that attracts students of different back- the program further. grounds to the school to help balance Pierre has seen God at work at CAMP out their overhead costs. in more ways than she can count. It’s the Pierre’s goal is to continue growing small things that have touched her and CAMP. Not only are funding relationships help to validate her work. important, but so are cultivating relation- “We took the kids ice skating about ships with other nonprofi ts and members three miles from Paterson,” she shared. of the Paterson community. “Three miles makes a difference. Some STORYTELLERS “We always need fi nances, but more of them have never been outside of this so, we need people to get involved,” said fi ve block radius where all they see is CHANGEMAKERS Pierre. “We need people to become a violence and drugs. To see hope grow ORGANIZERS part of the change and movement that where there was no hope, that makes it is creating a better Paterson. If you have all worth it. We just know that God has a WE ARE SENT an idea for an enrichment class, come THEOLOGIANS purpose for us and for the work that we’re teach it. Come work in our community doing. It’s all for God’s glory!” PAStorS WE’RE ON November 11, 2017

Aldersgate United Methodist Church | East Brunswick NJ

Check out a video resource archive of GNJ produced videos! YOUTUBE.COM/GNJUMC The Great Commission calls us to go, make disciples, baptize and teach. Learn from a storyteller, changemaker, organizer, theologian and pastor on how to be SENT into this world. SENT: a one day conference for us all. BREAKOUT SESSION LEADERS: Marcia’s Melodies Purchase the 10 page anthem “When We All Get to Heaven” with middle StorytellerS | CHANGEMAKER | ORGANIZER |THEOLOGIAN | PASTOR ǀĞƌƐĞƐƌĞͲŝŵĂŐŝŶĞĚĨŽƌϮƐŝŶŐŝŶŐŽƉƟŽŶƐ͘^Wη͗ϭϬϰϯ͘KŶůLJΨϭ͘ϵϬĞĂĐŚ͘ Catalogs for “Anthems”, “Solos, Duets, Quartets” DANIELLE FANFAIR MARK DEVRIES CHRISTIAN ERIC BARETTO MICHELLE & MARLON HALL ‹‹•–”›  —„ƒ–‘”• COON ”‹ ‡–‘ MATTHEWS and the “Everything Catalog” are free for the asking. ‘ŽŽ‘”‡ƤŽ• ”„ƒ‹ŽŽƒ‰‡ Š‡‘Ž‘‰‹ ƒŽ ‹‰•–‘™‡ Š—” Š ‡‹ƒ”› ‘—‹‘

Music from Marcia’s Melodies will be available only by phone or by email ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚƚŚĞǁŝŶƚĞƌŵŽŶƚŚƐ͘tĞĂƌĞŚĂǀŝŶŐĐŽŶƟŶƵŝŶŐƚƌŽƵďůĞǁŝƚŚ FIND OUT MORE AT: WWW.GNJUMC.ORG our computers and our phones. Thanks for understanding. To contact us, please leave a message at: Call: 732.988.3191 | Email: [email protected] OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 9 Racial and Cultural Understanding in Appointments By Laura Wise and several members of the Intercultural [email protected] Competency Taskforce, the team leading GNJ’s 10-year commitment to growing NEPTUNE - GNJ in partnership with intercultural competency. the General Commission on Religion and “Racial and cultural understanding Race (GCORR), is taking on intercultural takes hard word and intentionality,” said competency in the church through love Pak. “As a faith community, putting our and learning. On Saturday, September trust in a God larger than this world, this 23, GNJ hosted the fi rst Cross-Racial is a message and initiative that we should Cross-Cultural Appointment Training with all be able to get behind.” the goal of strengthening and growing di- The day kicked off with devotion versity, communication, and collaboration and was followed by breakout sessions in our local churches and communities. covering the topics, ‘identifying your Rev. Juel Nelson, Director of Lead- own cultural identity’ and ‘understand- ership Development, spoke about the ing culture.’ Participants then broke into importance of the training. She pointed small groups to process what they had to the statistics of the cross-racial and heard and were given the opportunity to cross-cultural appointments in GNJ say- come up with a strategy to share what ing, “This year we had nearly half our they learned with their congregations. new appointments being cross-racial Participants were also provided with or cross-cultural, meaning the pastor is GCORR training resource “Learning from a different culture and or race than the Strangers” which takes a deep dive into On Sept. 23, GNJ hosted the ϐirst ever cross-racial, cross-cultural appointment majority of the congregation.” the joys and challenges of cross-racial training at the Mission and Resource Center with the goal of strengthening Cross-racial and cross-cultural ap- and cross-cultural ministry. and growing diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in local churches and pointments are a gift to the pastor, After hosting a successful fi rst train- communities. Photo by Biho Chung congregation and community. How- ing session, the work is only just getting ever, these appointments can also be started for these congregations. This challenging without the tools to openly training served as an introduction to the engage in a dialogue of understanding topic, while more meaningful follow-up around differences, but more importantly, conversations around cross-racial and similarities. cross-cultural dynamics have already The Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural been planned. Rev. Nicole Caldwell- Training was led by Rev. Giovanni Arroyo Gross, Director of Mission and Commu- and Rev. Dr. Grace Pak of General Com- nity Development noted that a pastors mission on Race and Religion (GCORR). gathering will take place on January 31, Nineteen churches participated in the 2018, and a pastors and congregational event along with District Superintendents gathering is also scheduled for March

The training, led by Rev. Giovanni Arroyo and Rev. Dr. Grace Park of GCORR provided a time of learning, worship, fellowship and laughter. Photo by Biho Chung

17, 2018. people together and building peace with Pak, a member of GNJ, shared an justice. Remember, this work is not just important closing message with the a one-time event, but this is a process participants: of changing the culture of our churches, “We are called to celebrate diversity our families, our communities and our as God’s gift, learning and growing in world...May the Lord bless you on this While the training served as an introduction, further meaningful conversations love toward each other. When we do journey toward God’s Kingdom here around cross-racial and cross-cultural dynamics are being planned for 2018. this well, then we can have impact in on earth as it is in heaven! Thanks be Photo by Biho Chung the surrounding community, bringing to God!” Rivers of Life Transforming Lives Among Arabic-Speaking Community Pt. 2 Continued from page 5 centuries of our common era. Their long fi nd appropriate places of service for community partners and fundraisers to faith to belong to. We were blessed when history and deep-seeded cultural tradi- the people.” help them realize their vision. Bishop John Schol visited our worship tion makes transition into a Protestant Gerges and his lay leadership want to When asked how the new governmen- service shortly after the devastation of church diffi cult. Some Coptics in New be sure that a newcomer to the church tal administration has affected Arabic- Hurricane Sandy.” Jersey would like to keep it that way. A fi nds the right place to fi t into the mission speaking immigrants and refugees, Bishop Schol and current District priest from a nearby Coptic Orthodox of the church. Whether it is leading youth, Gerges replied, “People are afraid.” Superintendent, Rev. Manuel Sardiñas, Church even warned parishioners not serving as a technician in the recording It is much harder to obtain political have urged Gerges to plant satellite to visit Rivers of Life lest they be barred studio, forming part of a volunteer in mis- asylum and get proper documentation campuses of Rivers of Life. He plans from communion. This warning, however, sion team traveling to a place in need, or nowadays. Many are forced to fi nd work to respond to that call as soon as he only stirred curiosity sending Egyptian making hospital visits, the church wants without documents and are at the mercy completes his Masters of Arts in Ministry Coptics out to visit Pastor Gerges in everyone to feel that they are part of the of employers who pay wages far below degree at Drew Theological Seminary at Bayonne. mission. the minimum. the end of 2017. Even though many were Christian Gerges has a larger vision to establish It also makes it hard to run a church. The Pastor and lay leaders of the before coming to Rivers of Life, Gerges a Center for Arabic-speaking People that Despite having 200 or more in worship, church would welcome any help they and his lay leaders developed a well- would reach out to all refugee people in only 2-3% of the members have the could receive so that their ministry could defi ned discipleship system to nurture the New Jersey and New York areas. means to support the church with tithes. continue to provide hope and life to Ara- spiritual growth among parishioners. He envisions this center providing much Many others have family in their country bic speaking immigrants and refugees It usually starts with a personal con- needed services to immigrants and of origin who count on them to send funds living in the New York area. Persons versation with the pastor or lay leader. refugees, helping them navigate life in to help them put food on the table. interested in supporting this ministry Then, the newcomer receives an Arabic the United States, from obtaining proper “How can I not support someone who should write to Pastor Gerges at Wes- language book that explains what it documentation, including drivers’ licens- sends much needed funds back home?” ley UMC, 970 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ means to follow Jesus. The next step es, to fi nding the right kind of cemetery asked Gerges. “They are a life-line to so 07002-3023. is an invitation to a small group where to bury a loved one. Often, immigrants many people… But we still have bills to In the meantime, the ministry of he or she learns about the foundations fi nd the US practice of burial starkly dif- pay, a heating system to get us through transforming lives in the name of Jesus of faith. Gerges administers a test after ferent from what they have known. This the winter, electricity bills, and contribut- continues. The Muslim woman who found a person completes the class. The test is especially true of immigrants from the ing to the shared ministry of our denomi- thirst-quenching help continues to be in helps determine a person’s readiness to Middle East and Asia. He sees a place nation. It is a big challenge.” contact with Gerges and she has found a join the church and what kind of service that would provide hospitality and care, Indeed, the church building that hous- job. She found something more through they would like to do. They are given an help immigrants learn how to speak es Wesley UMC was built in 1848. The the encounter. She found a lifeline to application (like a job application) to help English, and fi nd a place to stay for up to parsonage is also very old. Keeping them Jesus and a community of faith willing identify the appropriate area of service in two months while they fi nd their bearings up and running takes a lot of resources. to hear her story. Rivers of Life are fl ow- the life of the faith community. in a new land. He also would help immi- “And yet,” says Gerges. “We are ing through the streets of Bayonne and “I wasn’t expecting many people to grants—regardless of where they come blessed by our connection in The United the wider New York metropolitan area complete the applications,” said Gerges. from—to fi nd a place to worship in their Methodist Church. We are blessed to thanks to the ministry of Wesley UMC, “I was surprised when so many were own language. Gerges and the “Rivers have a building and to have colleagues its lay leaders, Pastor Emad Gerges, coming back. We had to work hard to of Life” congregation could use some in ministry who provide a larger family of and his family. 10 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017 Connecting in Mission: From Tanzania to Greater New Jersey By Rev. Melissa Hinnen refugees, women, and children, including [email protected] those who have been orphaned, started attending. And then we started new small RED BANK – Rev. Mutwale Ntambo churches in the surrounding area.” In the Wa Mushidi was called to church plant. past 25 years, in partnership with six With his wife Kabaka Ndala Alphonsine other missionaries, dozens of churches and four children, he left his home in the were started around the country with Congo by boat and arrived in Tanzania ordained pastors. with nothing but the call to ministry. They Alphonsine, who said, “I always didn’t know anyone, didn’t speak the wanted to help children,” taught Sunday language, and didn’t even have the bare school. When she realized that many of necessities. Now, 25 years later, there the younger children did not have enough are 68 new United Methodist worshipping money for education, she began a pre- communities in Tanzania. school program that prepares Christian “We left our home in DRC (the Demo- and Muslim children for primary school. cratic Republic of the Congo) and were She also teaches women to make told by the bishop, ‘you go start the UMC handbags and other livelihood projects. in Tanzania.’ We left by boat and crossed They dye batik and sew dresses. “If they the deepest lake in Africa,” Mushidi told don’t have machines, we show them how Rev. Mutwale Ntambo Wa Mushidi and his wife Kabaka Ndala Alphonsine visit a group who had gathered at Red Bank to farm together and sell some of the the Mission and Resource Center on Sept. 9, sharing their story with GNJ laity. UMC. food,” she said. Photo by Biho Chung Janie Schildge, a member of the A new ministry in partnership with the area. The income generated will support Following a mission trip to Tanzania church, helped organize the event while denomination’s General Board of Global the projects. “Please come stay with us,” in 2013, LeDuc said, “We dedicated the missionaries were visiting the U.S. It Ministries is the Tanzania Health Board. Mushidi invites United Methodists. “You ourselves to helping them raise funds for was the third time they visited the church After being accepted by the local govern- can stay in the guesthouse and volunteer the Annual Conference Center.” in the past fi ve years. “We are here to re- ment, the health board will address public in ministry with local pastors, children, In addition to Vincent and Red Bank, fresh our relationship and to thank you,” health, teaching women about family refugees.” GNJ churches who are supporting United Mushidi told them. planning and how to protect their families Methodist mission in Tanzania include: Recalling their fi rst days in Tanzania, from malaria and HIV/AIDS. Covenant Relationship with GNJ West Park UMC, Bridgeton; First UMC Mushidi shared that he went out and met With the help of GNJ United Methodist Rev. David LeDuc, the pastor at Vin- of Toms River; Saint Andrew UMC, Toms his neighbors, who brought the family Churches such as Red Bank and Vincent cent fi rst met Alphonsine and Mushidi River; Pitman UMC; Emmanuel UMC, food and drinking water. He explained to in Nutley, a 15-acre banana plantation in 2012. Because GNJ and the North Oaklyn; Little Falls UMC. them that he was there to start a United was purchased for the conference center. Katanga Conference are sister confer- Churches and individuals who are Methodist Church. Mushidi and Alphonsine plan to build a ences, supporting Congolese mission- interested in supporting these mission- He and Alphonsine started a house new conference center, clinic, and guest aries serving in Tanzania was a natural aries and their ministries can make a church with six Tanzanians the fi rst week. house, among other projects. They need connection. “We were inspired by their gift through the General Board of Global “By the second week, we had twenty to raise $200,000 for a guesthouse that amazing faith and their dedicated mission Missions Advance at www.umcmission. congregants. Each week we grew as will be a resource for people visiting the work,” he said. org/give Laity Bring Energy, Hopefulness to Leadership Academy Continued from page 1 workshop had ended, visibly having sev- caring for.” eral small epiphanies and getting more Harrell and Hunter hope to set up a excited about their website-in-progress.” model program within the Raritan Valley Other tracks included an expressive District where they reside, to act as a liturgical and praise dance workshop led springboard resource for others in GNJ by Pamela D. Gordy, and building an to do something similar. effective church social media strategy, “The workshop was really well struc- facilitated by Debbie Bruce, George tured,” said Hunter. “People contributed Lagos, and Eric Lottes. so much and everyone seemed to really “It seems that there’s a distinct aware- benefi t from the experience. They left ness that by not making social media excited to go back to their churches with a priority, the UMC could ultimately fresh ideas.” lose members and fail to attract new Eric Valosin’s track on creating a members,” said Lagos, GNJ Director church website was particularly innova- of Lay Servant Ministries and President tive for those in attendance. The group of Rockland Computer Service, LLC. REHABILITATION discussed emerging trends in web “Social media is the way followers are design, tips from the United Methodist found and made.” PERSONALIZED PATHWAYS TO HEALING branding manual, the tools needed to Speakers from Raptor Marketing host a website and a hands-on website Group and Blue Vista Solutions educated Consistent with United Methodist Communities’ innovative service to building tutorial; working together to build the group in the many areas of defi ning seniors, rehabilitation represents the perfect intersection of healthcare, a page for a hypothetical church website. church core values, determining target long-term care and technology. Customized and therapeutic tools most Participants sketched out on paper the audiences, selecting the right social effectively restore function, helping you and your loved ones reach pages age of the website they wished channels, and creating professionally their full wellness potential. Complemented by the environment and branded imagery. to build and gave a short presentation a collaborative multi-disciplinary team, we can successfully treat even of each page, explaining their reason- “Applying these vital strategies en- seniors with multiple and complex health conditions. ing behind their decisions for the group sures that we engage and grow our to critique. church community for the future. How “Being tied only to the pencil and pa- can we not afford to make social media Bristol Glen Pitman per rather than an existing online frame- an immediate priority?” said Lagos. “In UMCommunities.org/BristolGlen UMCommunities.org/Pitman work freed the group to come up with addition, real budget monies need to be Newton | 973-300-5788 Pitman | 856-589-7800 some very imaginative designs,” said dedicated to this area when setting said Valosin. “It was fun to see them continue budgets.” Collingswood The Shores to discuss with each other even after the UMCommunities.org/Collingswood UMCommunities.org/TheShores Collingswood | 856-854-4331 Ocean City | 609-399-8505

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The November 2017 Issue Deadline Lay members gather to learn and network at the 2017 Laity Leadership is October 23, 2017 Academy. Photo by Biho Chung OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 11 Connectional Table Afϐirms Work of Strategic Planning Team By Carolyn Conover sessions this time were more produc- [email protected] tive,” said Rosa Williams, GNJ’s Lay Leader. “It gave people the opportunity After the 2017 Annual Conference in to focus on what we are doing well and May, the strategic planning committee how we can improve and not focus on was given the bold task to pull together the problems.” a fi ve year strategic plan to take Greater During the process, the planning team New Jersey into 2023. The strategic heard concern that respondents needed planning committee comprised of 12 a space to share not just what is work- laity and clergy leaders from across the ing but what is not working. After the conference worked this summer to lay fi rst group of sessions, the team added the ground work and research to embark questions for consideration on the GNJ on the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan to be website to address this concern. presented for consideration at the 2018 After the listening sessions, the plan- Annual Conference session. ning team read and coded each work- The team met in June and July to sheet. This information was combined gather research, results and statistical with the survey results and presented reports and to lay out plans for survey- to the Connectional Table at the GNJ ing lay and clergy throughout Greater Conclave last month. New Jersey. Waleska Trinidad, pastor of Primera Susan Beaumont, a consultant, pas- Iglesia Metodista de Wesley in Tren- tor and coach who led the 2017 Bishop ton and member of Strategic Planning Clergy Convocation about tending the Team said, “We took time to listen to soul, is facilitating the planning team the responses. We are grateful for the meetings. With her consultation, the honesty in the listening sessions and on planning team determined to use the the surveys. It gave us a better view of appreciative inquiry process to lead plan- where we need to go.” ning. Appreciative inquiry is a process The Connectional Table affi rmed the that uses the best of what is in order to work to date from the planning team. The imagine what could be. planning team is reconvening in October Rev. Hector Burgos, Connectional to talk about next steps. The team will Ministries Director and Chair of the take the information presented to prepare Strategic Planning Committee said, a fi rst draft of the plan in November and “Appreciative Inquiry builds on what is December. The schedule includes draft- working so that we have a direction. We ing elements of the plan for feedback are thankful that Susan Beaumont has from the conference in January. The led us in this direction.” goal is to present the fi nal plan to the The team crafted an online survey, Connectional Table in March so that it emailed it to church leadership and clergy can be included in the pre-conference and posted it in The GNJ Digest weekly journal as legislation for consideration e-newsletter and on the GNJ website. in Annual Conference 2018. In addition, the team set up six listening Burgos said, “I give thanks to God for sessions across GNJ. Listening sessions the leadership of the conference and the used guided conversations to using ap- Connectional Table as we discern what preciative inquiry. God has next for our ministry in Greater “I was a part of developing the fi rst New Jersey.” strategic plan but I thought the listening

WESLEYAN WORSHIP ALBUM: Support Music and Mission

CENTER OF IT ALL is a labor of love featuring contemporary Wesleyan worship music written NEXT GENERATION and performed by Eric Drew, UNITED METHODISTS Director of Worship at The United OF GREATER NEW JERSEY Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey.

50% of all proceeds go directly to the GNJ Mission Fund, supporting WE’RE COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION! the causes of Imagine No Malaria Next Generation Ministries (NextGen) the youth and young adult ministry and A Future With Hope. The other plan approved at the 2017 Annual Conference, is ready to engage. 50% is dedicated to creative United Methodist worship projects in GNJ.

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EĞǁŝƐĐŝƉůĞƐͻsŝƚĂůŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐͻdƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĞĚtŽƌůĚ www.GNJUMC.org or www.GNJNEXTGEN.org 12 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017 Hearts Ignited, Memories Forged, Lives Changed Continued from page 1 International child sponsorship program. Several students raised their hands to receive a packet to sponsor a child, some choking back tears. During a breakout workshop on Sat- urday, students packaged more than 80,000 meals for the hungry through the nonprofi t Rise Against Hunger; nearly three times the amount packaged at this year’s Annual Conference. “I’ve heard others tell me that the younger generation is lazy and discon- nected,” said Rev. Charlie Kinch, pastor of Malaga UMC. “Yet the youth and young people at IGNITE, with the help of ‘older’ individuals, packaged 80,000 meals! They’re not only ‘fi red up,’ but they’re ‘woke!’ (aware).” Kinch continued, “I’m so glad I was able to be a part of this weekend. The youth are our future.” Amy Lynn Charleston was one of the students moving to the beat of the music as she and her friends systematically assembled the meals. Pictured above, youth from seven urban churches from across GNJ: First UMC and John Wesley of Bridgeton, St. Mark’s of “We were singing and dancing while Montclair, Christ Church of Paterson, St. Matthew of Pennsauken, Spring Valley UMC of N.Y. and Mt. Zion UMC of Lawnside. packing,” she exclaimed. “Multi-tasking!” The youth of these churches meet quarterly through N.J. and N.Y. to fellowship, worship, and learn. Photo by Josh Kinney Leaders were impressed to see their students give up personal time to reach mother. “I also really enjoyed spending Yudichak. “It was so amazing! And Reg- Bishop John Schol stated. “I believe the the goal of 80,000 meals. the weekend with my daughter. Watching gie’s sermon made our whole church church’s future is going to be through our Leanor Ortega Till, better known as her shine, seeing the confi dent young cry!” students.” He continued, “Worshipping “Jeff the Girl,” addressed the youth dur- woman she is growing into.” Sue Jolly Hudler of Toms River com- with these young people and witnessing ing a main stage plenary and workshop With shouts of “Amen,” songs of mented, “I wish I were a teen again! their faith in action is to fully realize that session. As saxophonist for the popular praise, prayers for unity and a sense of Would have loved to be able to attend we can overcome this world; that there Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy, Till expectation, dozens of young adults from a convention of this magnitude when I is victory in Christ.” shared her stories of touring the country throughout GNJ took part in the 2017 was a kid.” Christine Dombrowski of Hillsborough in a band that performed as a witness IGNITE Squad Young Adults Experience, For the fi rst time ever, GNJ churches said, “I wish our whole church could have for Christ. Till testifi ed to God’s faithful- gathering in the mornings for a devotional were invited to spend Sunday morning shared this experience.” ness in the midst of the ‘dens of life.’ and time of prayer. As volunteer stage- worship at IGNITE, showcasing support For Kayla Eberly, this year was her Kids clamoring around the edge of the hands, ushers, promoters, ministers, and and solidarity for the next generation. third IGNITE conference. stage gazed up at her in admiration as assistants, the IGNITE Squad has grown Congregations who sent students to the “I left feeling a whole different way she emitted a cool, punk rock vibe with over the years into what has become conference joined the over 1,300 person than I’ve ever left an IGNITE before,” a deep love for Jesus. the next step for high school seniors at crowd inside the Convention Center she said. “I loved all of the hugs and This year’s open mic style coffee IGNITE as well as a fresh opportunity for as well as families of IGNITE youth, how Meredith sang and really spoke out. house was dubbed the fi rst-ever ‘IG- young adults in GNJ to connect, fellow- churches thinking about sending a group She moved me the most. But most of all, NITE’s Got Talent’ and was moved into ship, learn and serve together. of students in 2018, and those near and I had a lot of tears this weekend about a ballroom to accommodate the over- With stellar performances by DJ Vow far who decided to join in and support I don’t even know; I was so confused whelming audience and participants. For and national Christian rap artist Tedashii, GNJ youth in prayer and worship. why I was crying. I think it’s because two hours, students showcased their gifts the auditorium thumped with vigor, ex- “The success of IGNITE is only as I’ve fi nally found God. I will never forget from singing, dance, rap, comedy, poetry, citement, and the glow of LED light up successful as our youth ministries,” this IGNITE.” and musical performances. foam wands. “I loved the hugs from people I didn’t “My favorite part was being with my know and making new friends,” said one best friends for the weekend,” said Julia

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Reggie Dabbs showed off his saxophone skills and answered questions for the youth with the IGNITE Squad. Photos by Josh Kinney OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 13 Celebrating Diversity: Love in Every Language

By Laura Buchanan agrees. Her church members represent [email protected] 13 nationalities. She advises churches to “create an environment that is brave METUCHEN - “Globalization has rather than safe, where people can share changed our whole world; the world is their stories.” at our doorsteps. Church is changing “Unless we talk to each other, we and neighborhoods are changing,” said always have a fear of others. To over- the Rev. Anna Thomas of Centenary come that, you have to really connect United Methodist Church in Metuchen, with people over food or Bible study,” New Jersey. “God loves all of us. How she continued. do we share that love in this complex, When barriers feel too strong to over- diverse world?” come, especially when there is no com- The myriad of cultures and languages mon language, patience is key. increasingly interwoven in the fabric of Rev. Grandon-Mayer said, “Even the U.S. present abundant possibilities though sometimes we can’t communi- for local churches. But with those op- cate [with someone], we know they are portunities also come challenges – of the part of the congregation. Language isn’t unknown, of different backgrounds and a barrier for us; we can communicate of language barriers. through the language of love. We make God calls the church to overcome an effort to understand and show love fear, to care for others and to be a com- and tolerance.” munity of hospitality and peace. Your “You have to open your eyes and congregation can become a place where ears,” said Rev. Thomas. “Sometimes it people from richly diverse cultures and will be diffi cult, but you have to be patient Members of Centenary UMC in Metuchen, New Jersey, celebrate diversity and backgrounds come together as unifi ed and able to have that understanding to the love of God through service and community. Photo provided believers who all speak a common lan- sit and listen.” guage of love. The congregation, which includes 13 “A multicultural, multiracial church is nationalities, gathers for worship at Cen- be said with a smile.” and new relationships to be melded and what the church is in the 21st century,” tenary UMC in Metuchen, New Jersey. Some churches choose to have two brought together,” said Rev. Thomas. said Rev. Thomas. services, each in a different primary CMUMC hosts an annual Taste of Uniting in worship language. Rev. Grandon-Mayer is fl uent Centennial event, inviting each congre- Breaking barriers Communication can be a major ob- in English and Spanish, so she leads a gant to share food, music and customs The congregation at Centennial stacle when it comes to worshiping as worship service in each language every from their native lands. The community Multicultural United Methodist Church a congregation that speaks different week; but these services are simply two is invited, and attendees have a unique (CMUMC) in Rockford, Illinois, incorpo- languages, but there are ways to bridge expressions of worship rather than two opportunity to travel the world through rates people from 16 different countries, the language gap. Different expressions separate congregations. CMUMC is taste, sound and conversation. from Egypt to Sweden to Mexico. With of worship allow people to relate to, and careful to strengthen unity through fre- “It shows the community who we each person coming from such diverse participate in, the service. quent joint worship services and church- are…we are diverse, but we praise places around the world, fi nding unity Sometimes a primarily English wor- wide gatherings and events. one God. We can love each other even could be diffi cult, but the church has ship service incorporates different lan- though we are all different,” said Rev. risen above their differences of culture guages through prayers, liturgy or songs. Building community — inside Grandon-Mayer. and language. Morgan Stafford, cross-cultural strate- and out Churches like CMUMC have found gist and ministry intern in the Nashville Churches that focus on celebrating Partnering in ministry that the most effective way of breaking Episcopal Area of The United Methodist the cultures and languages represented Relationship-centered ministry also down barriers of fear is to inspire people Church, suggests incorporating a mul- within their membership often have en- extends outside of the congregation. to develop relationships that encourage tilingual worship experience because hanced opportunities to reach out. Meaningful, fruitful ministries are born empathy, patience and understanding. many young people speak more than Last Thanksgiving, Centenary UMC when there is a willingness to connect “We need to see that we are one. one language. hosted a dinner for anyone who needed with people and to embrace a deeper Sometimes churches are divided by lan- “A bilingual and multicultural service a place to go to celebrate the holiday. understanding of the cultures, lan- guage or culture, but when you feel you captures the best of both worlds. Every- More than 45 people came, bringing guages, needs and abilities found in the are one and all part of the same family… one can be with their families,” he said. diverse food, culture, language and faith community. anything can happen,” said CMUMC’s “It’s less about language and more about to a common table. Stafford recommends an assets- pastor, the Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer. hospitality. Relationships can be built “When we can connect with each oth- based approach when discovering min- Rev. Thomas, who is from India, without a common language — a lot can er, we love each other. We have to make istry opportunities. “It’s so important to room for new conversations to happen get to know your neighbors. Churches should seek to be in relationship fi rst rather than focusing on worship or event planning,” he said. “Ask, ‘How can we WHAT FOOTPRINTS DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE? be in ministry with the community rather than for or to?’ Once the relationship is there, the engagement follows.” CMUMC has built a strong relation- ship with the children in their community. For the last 25 years, they have hosted a Saturday Kids’ Club that offers food, fellowship and activities. Centenary UMC offers an all-ages Vacation Bible School every summer, where 80 diverse people come together for nightly worship, con- nection and a family experience. “So often, the innovative work is simple: partnering with schools, inviting neighbors to church. It doesn’t require a lot of money; it takes energy and some sacrifi ce of time. Many hands make light work,” Stafford said. Leading the way Church leaders are instrumental in encouraging openness among the congregation and in setting a tone of inclusivity. Pastors and lay leaders who refl ect their congregation’s diversity can After a life of service, retirement should be simple, peaceful and fulfilling. For more than 25 years, Clergy Retirement also open doors to people searching for Advisors has worked with ministers to create effective retirement plans. 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GNJ received from Sovereign Insurance, a $71,000 dividend check on the Worker’s Comp Policy from 2015. This occurred because of the positive loss ratio and the continued work of GNJ staff. Pictured above from left to right: Alexa Taylor, Tiffany Lupo, Kevin Gallagher, Bishop John Schol, Rhonda Pozorski, and Alex Mayer. Photo by Josh Kinney

Joel Burgos of Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls. Photo by Scott ADVERTISE IN THE RELAY Faytok for NJ Advance Media REACH MORE THAN 7,000 MONTHLY READERS By Josh Kinney to my head.” [email protected] Burgos was voted Player of the Week during the Sept. 18 Shore Conference. TINTON FALLS – In the state of New He attributes his faith to his focus on Jersey, the number one scorer in soccer the fi eld. is Joel Burgos, 17, with 24 goals so far “My faith keeps me calm, focused, this season. and level-headed so I can go out there, A senior at Monmouth Regional High perform my best, and do what I have to School in Tinton Falls, Burgos is a lifelong do to make sure my team has the best United Methodist, originally from Puerto possibility to win,” he said. Rico and member of Oasis UMC in Burgos plans to continue his edu- Pleasantville. He currently attends Simp- cation studying health science and is son UMC in Perth Amboy and is captain interested in physical therapy and sports of his school’s Varsity Boys Soccer Team. medicine. He dreams about playing soc- Published 12x a year, over 90,000 issues printed annually. The Relay is mailed free of “It’s a very pleasant surprise and cer in college in Division 1 and is currently ĐŚĂƌŐĞĞǀĞƌLJŵŽŶƚŚƚŽĂůůĐůĞƌŐLJ͕ůĂLJůĞĂĚĞƌƐ͕ĂŶĚĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞůĞĂĚĞƌƐŝŶŽǀĞƌϱϱϬhŶŝƚĞĚ honor to be where I am at right now at exploring several universities that have DĞƚŚŽĚŝƐƚĐŽŶŐƌĞŐĂƟŽŶƐƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚƚŚĞ'ƌĞĂƚĞƌEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞLJƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘ this point in the season,” said Burgos. shown interest in recruiting him for their “Knowing you’re one of the bigger threats soccer teams. FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: gnjumc.org/the-relay out there is a cool feat to have in the In the meantime, Burgos wants to go Or contact: Josh Kinney at 732.359.1047 | [email protected] back of your mind, but I can’t let it get on an international mission trip.

2017 Tipple-Vosburgh Lectures and Theological School Alumni Reunion October 29–30, 2017

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Christian Coon, the co-founding and lead pastor of Urban Village Church, comes on the Uncovered Dish to talk about how he and Trey Hall: dreamed of a church in Chicago that is both gospel-centered and LGBT-inclusive, used community organizing techniques to plant the church, and failed boldly throughout the whole process.

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DREW UNIVERSITY | MADISON, NJ WATCH & LISTEN TODAY AT: gnjumc.org/podcast OCTOBER 2017 UNITED METHODIST RELAY 15 CONFERENCE HAPPENINGS Registration Opens for UMW Assembly 2018 The United Methodist Women Assembly 2018 will mark the offi cial celebration of the organization’s 150th anniversary, returning to Columbus, Ohio, where the fi rst assembly was held in 1942. Registration for the May 18-20, 2018 event is now open. Visit www.umwassembly.org 2017 Annual Conference Journals Available Online Hard Copies in the Mail The 2017 Annual Conference Journal is available online in digital form at www. gnjumc.org. Clergy and lay directories are available through Arena. Lay members without Arena credentials can email Kaitlynn Deal at [email protected] to receive their online copy of the lay directory. Hard copies have been sent to those who ordered in advance. 2017 Bishop’s Days on the Region Gatherings have begun and all clergy and laity of GNJ are welcome. SPRC chairs are highly encouraged to attend.

Northern Region Calvary UMC in Kearny Celebrates Success of Back Pack Ministry Including Palisades, Skylands and Gateway North Districts Celebrating over 15 years in ministry, Calvary UMC’s “Back Pack” and “Outside Clergy Session of Church Sunday School” ministries which started with 20 bags fi lled with school October 26 | 9:00 a.m. | Grace UMC in Wyckoff supplies which has multiplied to presently over 130 bags this year, with donations Laity Session from several neighboring churches. The bags were distributed to Newark Episcopal October 26 | 7:00 p.m. | Grace UMC in Wyckoff House, Grace UMC in Kearny, North Arlington school system and Crescent Lanes Central Region in Irvington as well as extra supplies donated to hurricane victims. Including Raritan Valley, Capital and Northern Shore Districts Clergy Session December 7 | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate UMC Laity Session OBITUARIES December 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Aldersgate UMC E.T. Holland, Retired Full Elder, died on Sept. 5. A celebration of Life took place Open Enrollment Starts Nov. 1 on Oct. 7 at First UMC in Newton, NJ. HealthFlex Annual Election (Active Plan) United Healthcare Annual Election Memorial donations (in lieu of fl owers) may be sent to the United Methodist Com- (Retiree Plan) and Guardian Dental Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 – 16. Elections mittee on Relief (UMCOR) at www.umcor.org or by mailing a check to The United made during this time will take effect Jan. 1, 2018. For more information, contact Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey Mission and Resource Center, 205 Jumping the GNJ Benefi ts Specialist at [email protected] Brook Rd., Neptune, NJ 07753, attn.: In memory of E.T. Holland. Let the Mission and Resource Center Serve You Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Dr. E. Thomas Holland & Rev. Clarissa Visit www.gnjumc.org/meeting to fi ll out the Conference Meeting Room request South-Holland, 1501 Cabot Ave., Whiting, NJ 08759 form and reserve space for your congregation, agency, or committee. Peace on the Korean Peninsula Forum The General Board of Church and Society invites you to attend the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Forum in Washington, D.C., to learn about the unrest and tension on the Korean Peninsula and what people of faith can do. Visit www. umcjustic.org to learn more and register by Oct. 27. Laity Sunday: “Therefore, Go! With Hope Through Hospitality” NEED INSPIRATION? On Laity Sunday, Oct. 15, United Methodists celebrate the calling, laity as well as clergy, to go and make disciples. We are called to be the church together in a world so desperately in need of hope. Resources for this Sunday can be found at ZĞĂĚΗdŚĞŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶΗďůŽŐĂƚ͗ www.umcdiscipleship.org ŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐͬĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶ UMVIM Awareness Sunday The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is inviting United Methodist churches and annual conferences to participate in United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Awareness Sunday on a date of their choosing. Visit www.umcmission.org/ Plug in and connect with the 5 markers volunteer to learn more. of vitality and hear from the GNJ ŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶĂůDŝŶŝƐƚƌŝĞƐdĞĂŵ͘

Wespath is hosting a revitup! for a Lifetime in Ministry educational event for young clergy ages 39 and under Nov. 13-15 in Pensacola Beach, FL. The event serves to strengthen personal, fi nancial and leadership skills to sustain a lifetime in ministry. Scholarship opportunities and childcare are available. Visit www.wespath. org/events/revitup for details and to register.

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INTERPRETATION EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE 'E:ŚĂƐŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƚĂƟŽŶĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞĨŽƌĂŐĞŶĐŝĞƐ͕ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞƐĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌ ŐƌŽƵƉƐƐŽLJŽƵƌŶĞdžƚĞǀĞŶƚŽƌƐĞƌǀŝĐĞĐĂŶďĞŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƚĞĚŝŶƵƉƚŽĨŽƵƌůĂŶŐƵĂŐĞƐ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ŐŶũƵŵĐ͘ŽƌŐͬƚƌĂŶƐůĂƟŽŶͲĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚͲƌĞƋƵĞƐƚͲĨŽƌŵ 16 UNITED METHODIST RELAY OCTOBER 2017

A DAY OF PRAYER The 5th Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy Sunday, October 29, 2017

On the 5th Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, United Methodists of Greater New Jersey we remember the estimated 2,500 homeowners that are still on the path to recovery in New Jersey. Resources for your congregation to join the Day of Prayer on Sunday, October 29 are available at www.afuturewithhope.org.

You can download videos, litany, prayers, information on homeowners and a list of every volunteer group that has joined the rebuilding effort. Many of these volunteers are now preparing to deploy to help survivors of hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria.

Join us in prayer for the renewal of those on the path to recovery, for those struggling WRÀQGWKHUHVRXUFHVWRUHEXLOGDQGIRUWKRVHZKRKHDUWKHLUFDOO

Volunteer. Pray. Donate. 732.359.1012 • www.afuturewithope.org