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DECEMBER 2020 Vol THEUNITED METHODISTS RELAY OF GREATER NEW JERSEY DECEMBER 2020 Vol. LXIV/No. 12 gnjumc.org Two Churches Address Special Needs By Heather Mistretta [email protected] he COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the entire population, but T for those more vulnerable, the im- pact has been isolating, debilitating and life-changing. For many intellectually or developmentally disabled, which accord- ing to the CDC make up about 24 percent Sharing Ministry Brings Vitality of New Jersey’s population, the transition toward working from home may not be a to Our Churches simple path or impossible. As a result, many have been faced with the decision By Heather Mistretta to either stay at their in-person jobs or [email protected] forfeit their jobs in exchange for the safety of their homes. nfusing vitality into our congregations looks a little Resources for individuals with different these days, but when done with love and disabilities can be found at www.drnj- I compassion it can inspire others to grow and covid.org/. If you have a similar ministry, make disciples. we want to hear from you. Rev. Han Seung Koh and the Korean Community Church of New Jersey is a living example of connection- Mays Landing Food Ministry alism that makes United Methodist ministry stronger. Stretches its Outreach The church recently tithed a portion of PPP funding As relationships deepened through they received to the COVID-19 Relief Fund because the First UMC of Mays Landing’s food they recognized the value of the ministry of churches ministry partnership with the Hamilton in other communities who were denied this funding. Township Cares initiative this summer, “We are very happy to be a church where we can it was discovered that a local hotel, the share God’s love in this area when it is difficult due to Plaza Hotel, was home to homeless and the pandemic,” he said. “I have always been asking why disabled families. the church exists. Of course, it is because of preaching “As our volunteers were delivering food the gospel to the world. That is why I think the church to needy children from the school district, should participate in missions to the world. However, one family’s address was the hotel,” said the world does not necessarily mean only overseas, but Rev. Linda Ross. “After delivering the food, also our community.” the volunteer contacted Amy Hassa (a Since September 24 Korean Community along with Three churches in Bergen County, NJ, have embraced the power of school board member and licensed social Cornerstone UMC has been helping Galilee UMC, who collaboration as they work together to feed the hungry in their community worker), and Amy went over to find 20-30 Continued on page 8 at Galilee UMC. Photo: Rev. Elouise Hill-Challenger people living there in terrible conditions.” As the path toward helping others forged a new trail, Hassa contacted the mayor, police department and the de- partment of health, prompting a deep Finding a Safe and Just Place to Call Home clean of the facility. The hotel’s residents were also added New Local JFON Offers Hope to Immigrants to the list of people on the Main Street Pantry client list, so they now receive food from Hamilton Township Cares monthly When a foreigner resides and from the school district weekly. among you in your land, do not “Also, since Amy is a social worker, she mistreat them. The foreigner has helped some residents find perma- nent housing,” Ross added. residing among you must be The people living in the hotel come treated as your native-born. from all walks of life, most of whom re- Love them as yourself, for you leased from Ancora Psychiatric Hospital were foreigners in Egypt. I am with no place to go—disabled residents the LORD your God with special needs. Most people with in- —Leviticus 19:33-34 tellectual and developmental disabilities require in-person care or critical therapeu- tic support in their living environments. By Heather Mistretta Access to those services has been tempo- [email protected] rarily lost by many during the pandemic. According to a recent report from the or some immigrants, hard work, New Jersey Disabilities COVID-19 Action support from family and oppor- Committee, adults with a disability experi- F tunities along the way allow ence food insecurity at twice the rate of them to achieve excellence; they have United Methodists recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of those who do not have a disability. As this a voice to shape their own lives, a place country of origin, as members of the family of God. GNJ Hope Centers Justice for vulnerable population slips through the to belong and room to thrive, but for our Neighbors and First Friends of NY and NJ live out these social principles. cracks of assistance and faces insurmount- the millions of undocumented immi- able financial challenges, churches in GNJ grants, that trajectory has been broken Recent immigration policies have ened terror of being torn from their are digging deeper to help. or stymied by bureaucracy, language jeopardized the lives of immigrants, the families and homes. For many asylum On Nov. 22 the team served a Thanks- barriers and restrictions imposed amid majority of whom are Latino and Black seekers today, that path, often a solitary giving Dinner to the residents living at the pandemic. and are already living with the height- Continued on page 7 the hotel. Continued on page 6 2 THE RELAY DECEMBER 2020 A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP “HAPPINESS IS EXTERNAL; Happiness Isn’t What JOY RISES UP FROM WITHIN US. It’s Cracked Up to Be HAPPINESS IS FOR A MOMENT; Bishop John Schol JOY IS FOR A LIFETIME. ur United States Constitution says that we have the unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. In my life, I have pursued a number of things to experience O happiness. I have pursued hobbies, friendships, vacations and even rooting for HAPPINESS IS PURSUED; the Philadelphia Eagles, which doesn’t bring much happiness these days. In my pursuits, I came to learn that happiness is something external that changes my JOY RISES UP FROM WITHIN. mood. Like the weather, if it is a sunny warm day, it brightens my spirit and gives a lift to my day. The weather affects my attitude. That is the problem with pursuing happiness; it depends on an external motivator to influence our feelings. One of the things I have learned along the way is to choose joy because happiness isn’t enough. HAPPINESS IS PURSUING SOMETHING WE DO NOT HAVE; The angel appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus and said, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will bring great joy to everyone.” JOY IS ENJOYING WHAT WE HAVE. —Luke 2:10 Here is the difference, we pursue things and people to be happy, but the Christmas story is that God pursued us so that we could enjoy and have life, abundant life. JOY IS GOD’S LIFE AND SALVATION THROUGH —John 10:10 Happiness is external; joy rises up from within us. JESUS CHRIST REGARDLESS OF OUR CONDITION, Happiness is for a moment; joy is for a lifetime. Happiness is pursued; joy rises up from within. SITUATION OR SURROUNDINGS. JOY IS A GIFT; Happiness is pursuing something we do not have; joy is enjoying what we have. Joy is God’s life and salvation through Jesus Christ regardless of our condition, situa- HAPPINESS IS WORK. SO, CHOOSE JOY.” tion or surroundings. Joy is a gift; happiness is work. So, choose joy. As I write this, it is at the anniversary of my mother’s death, a sad time. Yet, my mother is in me and around me. — Bishop John Schol When I think of my mom, I smile and even laugh. When I think of my mom, I see the love of Jesus. When I think of my mom, I thank God. Is it just an attitude, an experience, or something more. I think it is what the shep- herds experienced out on the hillside — a sense of fear and yet a sense of joy that they There are many things this year that seek to steal our joy. In fact, there are more were a part of God’s unfolding story. Shepherds were the lowest class of people in that things trying to steel our joy than the amount of happiness that can be pursued. day. Their joy wasn’t because of their social condition. It was a workday for the shep- We each have a choice, to be overwhelmed by all the things that have occurred this herds. Their joy wasn’t because of what they were doing. No, their joy was a gift from year, or to receive God’s gift of joy through Christ. I choose joy because happiness God that wells up from the inside. is not enough. John R. Schol, Bishop United Methodists of Greater New Jersey 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, NJ 07753 Heather Mistretta, Editorial Manager 732.359.1047 | [email protected] Carolyn Conover, Director of Communications 732.359.1016 | [email protected] Clergy Renewal Laura Canzonier, Communications Administrative Assistant 732.359.1063 | [email protected] Services Brittney Reilly, Online and Digital Communications Manager 732.359.1040 | [email protected] We celebrate your resilience and hard work during this difficult time. Christopher G. Coleman, The Relay Designer [email protected] Recorded worship services will be available so clergy can take a break after Christmas. New Subscriptions, renewals, address changes, and corrections should be addressed to Beverly Karlovich, [email protected] or by mail to: United Methodist Relay | 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune NJ 07753 Stay tuned to the GNJ Digest for more information.
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