Notes About Saturday, December 17
- 9am: Women's Breakfast "Carols, Conversations And Cookies"
Join us for a nutritious and delicious breakfast with annual Christmas carol sing and sharing of Christmas memories. Following the breakfast, we will have our Annual Cookie Swap. Those who wish to participate in the swap should bring 3 dozen (36) cookies. Please bring an extra container to collect your cookies. We will also be delivering extra goodies to homebound members. Attendees are asked to donate $5.00 to cover the breakfast. Please contact Karen Ermler to RSVP and with questions at [email protected]. Guests are always welcome!
Notes About Sunday, December 18
- Children's Pageant: Parents - If You're Child Is Participating In The Pageant, Please Arrive No Later Than 9am.
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Children's Pageant/Sunday Worship will be available in person and on the livestream. Please let folks unfamiliar with the church know that the link for the livestream is on the front page of our website: www.unioncong.org
- A Light Lunch Will Be Provided Between Sunday 10am Worship And Union Congregational Church's Sanctuary Choir's Holiday Cantata "Jubilate Deo"
- Our Holiday Cantata will be available in person and livestreamed.
- Please be aware that Essex County has raised the Covid Risk Level to "High" and masks will be required for all church events that take place in the sanctuary.
For Remaining Services In December And January 1: Please be advised that childcare will not be provided for Christmas Eve services, Christmas Day service or Sunday, January 1 worship.
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NEXT WEEK
December 19-December 25
(Clickable Links Are Underlined. Bold Takes Place At Church.)
Wednesday, December 21, 7pm: Blue Christmas Service With Rev. Ron Verblaauw - in person and livestreamed
From Rev. Ron: Welcome to the Blue Christmas service, a time when we can, in company with each other, acknowledge the sadness we feel at Christmas time. This is the time of the shortest day and longest night of the year, when memories of past experiences and the pain of present reality can become overwhelming. Recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone, in this service we will be invited to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, and the sorrow we may feel and offer it all to our great sign of hope, the Holy Child of Bethlehem.
The Christmas Season is primarily known for Hope and Joy, focused on community and familial gatherings of celebration and thanksgiving. However, for some, the winter holidays season may be difficult due to personal loss and grief. Click underlined event title/date link about to register, or CLICK HERE.
Saturday, December 24: Christmas Eve Services will take place in person at 5pm and 8pm. Only the 5pm Christmas Eve Service will be livestreamed and then it will be available for replay.
Sunday, December 25, please note 11am Start Time: Christmas Day Service - in person and livestreamed
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Thank You To All Who Volunteered At CUMAC As A Part Of Our Christmas Offering: More Than Bread Gifts Of Time: |
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COUNCIL CAPSULE DECEMBER 2022 |
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Submitted by Michele Sionas, Secretary:
We heard from Ron that he feels welcomed by those he has met, is looking forward to moving into P1 later this month and to being present at worship on a regular basis. Jon informed us about administrative changes that will help relieve the staffing shortage resulting from Angie’s continued leave of absence. Suzanne Tuck is working in the church office 3 days a week. Aplos and Baker Bookkeeping are providing professional bookkeeping services. With regard to our financial reporting, Jon and Bob have taken advantage of Aplos’ user-friendliness and are close to being able to supply LC with a report of expenses through November 2022.
Katrina is grateful for Ron’s presence and assistance. She is having continued conversations with Glen Ridge Cong and Grace Presby about establishing a combined youth program. In the meantime, Kayla Jackson will begin in Jan. to help with events for our youth. She is truly appreciative for the Outreach team’s Christmas theme, “More Than Bread,” that successfully integrates volunteering, learning, and donations of food and money.
Stewardship is going well which will help us create a budget. We had a healthy discussion around preliminary budget figures and are looking forward to input from the congregation at a 2nd Hour on Jan. 22 and at the Annual Meeting on Jan. 29.
Task Forces:
Financial Health Tom emphasized that the process of evaluating, defining, and instituting financially sound practices is a long-term process. The task force will provide guidance, not fundraising, as some may assume.
Membership: As part of our Strategic Visioning commitment, a membership Task Force will soon be created to define what it means to be a “member.”
Discernment: This task force will be created with the mandate of discerning the ministerial needs of the congregation.
Fundraising: Marcie feels that this will be a big priority in 2023. We may need to undertake a capital campaign in order to accomplish Strategic Visioning projects.
Nursery School: Walter Swett and Lynn Kulik have been consulted on the changes that may need to be made in anticipation of the effects of public pre-K on our nursery school. A decision will need to be made by June 2023.
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Submitted by Rob Iracane, Stewardship Chair:
The Stewardship team would like to thank everyone who has answered the call over the past month and made their pledge commitment for next year. We are glad to announce that we have so far received a total of $342,050 in pledge commitments for 2023 from 78 members and friends. That places us more than two-thirds of the way towards our goal of $500,000! This includes 40 pledges that are an increase from the prior year as well as two new pledges. Those who have increased their pledge did so by an average of 12%. We are truly a generous congregation, not just with our financial giving but also with our volunteer efforts and care for the community.
For those who have not yet made a pledge commitment, we urge you to make your pledge no later than December 30th as this will help us plan our 2023 budget in time for the annual meeting. We have many great things planned for the new year and need support from everyone to help fulfill our missional goals. Please submit your pledge online at this link, or email Rob at [email protected] to make your 2023 pledge. Please also consider completing your 2022 pledge commitment before the end of the year through the Donate/Pay link on our website.
On behalf of the Stewardship team, I thank you for your time and wish you a cheerful Christmas.
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A FEW SPOTS LEFT FOR WOMEN'S RETREAT 2023
WOMEN'S RETREAT 2023: Friday, January 13 - Sunday, January 15.We will head to beautiful Trinity Retreat Center in Connecticut for a weekend of spiritual growth, rest and fellowship. Rabbi Ariann Weitzman of Bnai Keshet will leads us in studying "The Spiritual Tools Of Sabbatical In Our Lives." For questions, contact Joy Mishkin, [email protected] or 626-241-2128.
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COMING IN THE NEW YEAR!
(Clickable Links Are Underlined. Bold Takes Place At Church.)
You May Want To Pick Up Our Next Congregational Read "How To Begin When Your World Is Ending: A Spiritual Field Guide To Joy." Book Discussion To Take Place On Zoom February 1, 7pm With Author Molly Baskette.
Children And Youth:
- January 8, 11:15am-Noon - Meet With Rev. Katrina And Patty About Learning Centers
- Side Door Returns January 20
- Magazines No Longer Needed
High School Youth Group:
We Are Excited To Announce That Kayla Jackson Is Going To Lead The High School Youth Group On A Temporary Basis From January Though June 2023.
Daytime Bible Study On Break Until Tuesday, January 10, 12:30pm. Reading "How Jesus Became God."
Understanding Christian Nationalism On Break Until Tuesday, January 10, 7:30pm.
Christian Formation Starting Evening Bible Study Thursday Evenings In January Reading The Gospel Of John With Elissa Johnk's "Listen Up" Study Guide.
From The Office:
- The Church Office WIll Be Closed Monday, December 26 - January 2, 2023. The Church Office Will Reopen On Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
- Due To The Amount Of Happenings At The Church Over The Next Seven Days And Space In This E-Newsletter, Comprehensive Strategic Visioning Updates Will Be Posted In Next Week's E-Newsletter.
- A Few Spots Left For Women's Retreat January 13-15, See Information And Video Above.
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Your contributions to Union Congregational are gratefully received. You may contribute in the following ways:
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www.unioncong.org: Scroll down and click on the “Payments” icon, or click the button below.
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Stock Gifts: If you wish to make a gift of stocks or securities, call the church office or click here for instructions.
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ACH Transfer: call the church office for details
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Checks are always accepted; please note in the memo what the contribution is for, and mail to the church office.
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UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-744-7424
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