November, 2017
Help Us to Host the Homeless
Christ Church will host homeless guests from the Family Promise program, October 31 - November 7. Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and meals to our guests. Volunteering is easy! Register for a task that suits your time and talent: https://www.volunteersignup.org/QBPEJ
A Service of Thanksgiving
Holy Eucharist will be offered on Thursday, November 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. in recognition of Thanksgiving.
Coping with Bereavement during the Holidays
Discuss coping strategies for handling the holidays while grieving the loss of a loved one at a free presentation by the Faith Community Health Partnerships, Tuesday, November 14th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newton Medical Center. Dinner and discussion facilitated by licensed grief counselor Lori Optiz, MA.

RSVP: Randy Parks, randolph.parks@atlantichealth.org or 973-579-8625.


 
Stewardship Update & Celebration
The annual Stewardship Campaign is underway; brochures and pledge cards are in the process of being mailed to all parishioners. Additional information is available in church and at www.christchurchnewton.org . To those parishioners who have already offered their 2018 pledge, “Thank You!” If you have not yet provided your 2018 pledge, please prayerfully consider your commitment to our parish. Pledge cards can be returned by mail or can be placed into the collection plate on Sunday. Pledges are requested by November 1st so that the Vestry and Rector have ample time to finalize the budget for next year.
 
Party with Us!
All parishioners who have made a financial contribution to our church are invited to a special dinner on Saturday, November 18th, 6:00—8:00 p.m .in Holley Hall. Celebrate our diverse congregation by sampling cuisines from the different parts of the world represented in our parish! RSVP by contacting the church office at 973-383-2245 or at christchurch@ptd.net .

Episcopal Church Women News
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will meet on Thursday, November 16th, at 11:45 a.m. in the Church Parlor for their monthly pot luck luncheon.

To be added to the email distribution list for the ECW, contact Diana Greene at dianatgreene@gmail.com.
Christian Education Update
Journey
Journey, the Christ Church Youth Group, meets every Sunday, 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. with the exception of Breakfast Sundays, Christmas/New Years, and Easter. If you are a 7 th – 12 th grade student and you want to go a bit deeper in your faith, have questions about the whole spiritual path “stuff”, or just want to learn a few things about the Bible (and maybe even make a friend or two along the way), JOURNEY may be for you – come check us out! If nothing else, the snacks are pretty good too!!! Got questions? Contact facilitator Randy Parks, 862-266-0513, or email Randolph.parks@atlantichealth.org

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Party
Students in preschool through 6th grade will launch rehearsals for the Christmas pageant with a celebration on Sunday, November 12th, from 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. The pageant will take place at the 5:00 p.m. Family Service on Christmas Eve. Contact Susie Mittelstadt, susan@njworks.com, with questions.
Blanketeers Meeting
The Christ Church Blanketeers will meet on Saturday, November 11th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Those who like to crochet, knit, quilt, applique, or just give moral support are invited to attend. Bring a bagged lunch; tools and supplies are provided and community service credits are available. Yarn donations are appreciated.

The group is now making pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles, and is need of new or used sewing machines! Free knitting and crochet workshops, along with support for personal sewing projects, are provided at each meeting. Group projects are also available. For more information, contact Karrie Miller at the church office, 973-383-2245 or Dawn Charlton at dlc.charlton@yahoo.com.
Manna House Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are welcomed and needed to prepare and serve the free lunch provided to approximately 60 people per day at the Manna House program offered at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton (54 High Street). Volunteer servers from Christ Church are needed on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 9:50 a.m.—12:50 p.m.; the next date is November 22nd.  To volunteer, contact Laura Booker at 973-383-7635 or email Laura at lauradeanbook@embarqmail.com .
Nomination Committee Announced
The Nominating Committee for parish elections in February, 2018, will include:
Rector Ex officio
Bill Hinkes
Ann De Pietro, Diana Greene, Kurt Lutz, and Danise Tellefsen
Junior Choir Seeks New Members
We extend an invitation to all children who are in the first grade through sixth grade to become a musical contributor to our worship service. Junior Choir rehearsals are held after church and a quick snack until 12:30 p.m. every Sunday.  
 
Benefits of being a member of the JUNIOR CHOIR @ Christ Church: Learn to sing, learn about our liturgy, learn how to read music, learn more about Jesus and stories in the Bible, meet new friends, have fun and become part of an awesome group of kids who make a difference in the worship at Christ Church!
 
What should you do to join? After you have some goodies at coffee hour, just come downstairs to the Sunday School room. You can also email Mrs. Debbie Mello at: dmello435@gmail.com to sign-up.
Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants!
  • Robert Griner, Randy Parks, Matt Genung, Tim Evans, Kat Lerch and the teens who participated in the park restoration project in Paterson;
  • Terry Syberg and all those who assisted with the recent Helping Hands project;
  • To all those who contributed and assembled the 27 care packages for our parish family members currently enrolled in college.
Birthdays and Anniversaries this Month
We celebrate with those parishioners who will be marking a special day in November:

Birthdays
Barbara Parker, Fletcher Kirby, Kim Genung, Daniel Beatty, Jason Harris, Sharon Weed, Spencer McLoughlin, Carl Marquard, Patricia David, Natalia Quintero, Julie Regenthal, Danise Tellefsen, Amber Seames, Coray Kirby, Dawn Charlton, Jesse Griner, Cooper Morris, Darren Manser, Lianna Halkyard, Ellari Hillard, Allison Mello, Luz Quintero.

Anniversaries
Greg & Muriel Kelsey, George & Barbara Wink, Arthur & Diana Riker, Rich & Arlene Ralph, Donald & Mary Ann Risley, Mark & Kathy Hoyer.
Sunday Servers & Coffee Hour Hosts
Those who have volunteered to host Coffee Hour, provide flowers, support the Sanctuary, serve as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Acolytes, Crucifers or on the Altar Guild can check their schedule on the Christ Church website.
Schedule Change for Christmas Services
The Christmas worship schedule will be modified this year, as follows:
Sunday, December 24th:
  • Holy Eucharist, 8:00 a.m.
  • Choral Eucharist, 10:00 a.m.
  • Family Service with Pageant, 5:00 p.m.
  • Carol Sing, 7:30 p.m.
  • Festal Choral Eucharist, 8:00 p.m.

Monday, December 25th:
  • Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m.
  • Fellowship Luncheon, 11:00 a.m.
New Ministry Opportunity
Volunteers are needed to shop for and prepare dinner on Tuesday, November 28th for the Pathways to Prosperity program.

Pathways to Prosperity is an exciting initiative to end poverty. It provides support and resources to families, called Path Leaders, who have made a serious commitment to change their lives by becoming self-reliant and resilient. Path Leaders complete comprehensive education resulting in the development of an action plan that maps out their road to success. Through education, mentoring, skill building and networking, Path Leaders make real and positive changes in their lives to achieve self-reliance and resiliency. 

Pathways to Prosperity meets every Tuesday evening in Sparta. Dinner is provided to all participants and their children—usually 50-60 people. Christ Church volunteers will shop for and prepare dinner one Tuesday a month. Expenses are reimbursed up to $150. Please contact Terry Syberg if you are interested in joining this team.
Bible Study
Bible Study will take place on Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16 & 30, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the Church Parlor. Join the Rector to discuss the Gospel for the coming Sunday.
Church Breakfast
Join us for breakfast on Sunday, November 5th, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
Looking Ahead
Got too much stuff? 
 Donate it to the Christ Church Toy Sale!
  Saturday, December 2nd
9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
 Accepting new and gently-used toys for children of all ages. Drop off at the church Sunday, November 26th—Friday, December 1st
 
Christmas Schedule
  • The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols will be held on Sunday, December 17th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. A reception will follow;
  • The pageant will be staged during the Family Service on Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m.;
  • A Carol Sing will begin on Christmas Eve at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Festal Choral Eucharist at 8:00 p.m.;
  • The Christmas Day service will be offered at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Fellowship Luncheon to which parishioners and community members are invited.
Spring Retreat
The ECW will offer their annual Retreat on Saturday, March 10, 2018.
Church Calendar Online
Stay up-to-date with the events at Christ Church by checking out the calendar on our website.
Christ Church Newton | Phone: 973-383-2245 | Fax: 973-383-8077 | christchurch@ptd.net | www.christchurchnewton.org