August 14, 2025

Church News

Prayers from August 10th

  • For Uwe as he grieves the death of his mother
  • For just and lasting peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Armenia, Sudan, and Syria
  • For Barbara as she recovers from a recent hospitalization, and for Glen and Annie as they care for her
  • For Pastor Tanya and Ken Bennett as they go through health concerns
  • For those dealing with anxiety, depression, and the challenges that go with them
  • For Steve H. who suffered a heart attack last year and is experiencing some side effects
  • For all who will be traveling this week
  • For students who are starting a new chapter and their families

Shirley J. Lee Funeral and Repast Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Chatham UMC

(Shirley is the older sister of Donald Underhill)


10:00am Viewing in the Sanctuary

11:00am Funeral Service in the Sanctuary, followed by a burial at Heavenly Rest Cemetery.

Upon returning to the Chatham UMC there will be a luncheon in Rodda Hall until about 3PM.


If you would like to help with the ministry of welcome, please come to the church at 9:30am on Saturday, August 16.



If you would like to help Donald with the luncheon, please come at approximately 1:00PM, or contact Donald directly.

Dear Friends,


Kevin Irwin, former member of Chatham UMC, died recently after battling cancer. Let us keep his wife Allie, and their adult children Jason and Catherine in our prayers, as they grieve his death, and give thanks for his life, that in Christ lives on. 


Cards of condolence and compassion can be sent to:

Allie Irwin

6378 E. Quail Lane

Huntsville UT 84317


With prayer, and with trust,

Jeff

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2


Dear Friends of CUMC,


Sometimes we wonder how we can help someone experiencing some difficult situations. We now have the opportunity to help one of our former associate pastors Tanya Bennett and her husband Ken.


Tanya was our associate pastor here at CUMC in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ken was a RISE supervisor for many years, and their three kids were raised in CUMC and Chatham schools. Ken and Tanya have helped so many people over the years. Now, Ken and Tanya are in need of our support as they are dealing with some serious health issues.


Jeff has reached out to see how we can help. For now, we can support them with ready-made food. If you would like to help you can either purchase Grubhub or Door Dash gift cards which can be purchased at CVS, Walgreens or Amazon. You can put them in an envelope marked For Ken and Tanya Bennett and leave them in the church office. 


If you would like you can also include a message of encouragement/or memory in with your card. Thank you so much.

Small Group Discussion on the Letter from Taize, entitled “Hope Beyond All Hope.”

Sundays in August from 11:30am-12:15pm

Rodda Hall at the Chatham United Methodist Church

It is so easy to give into despair. It takes intentionality to remain or become people of hope. The Brothers of Taize produce a letter each year that is read by hundreds of thousands of young people. This year’s theme is entitled “Hope beyond all hope.” It is inspired by scriptures, Christian mystics, theologians, and young people living in war zones in Ukraine, Gaza and Central America. Our congregation had some roundtable discussions about the letter during Brunch Church a few weeks ago, and some conversation after church last week. Those who came, want to continue the discusussion. These are stand alone discussions so even if you haven’t been a part of previous discussions, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME! I’ll bring printed copies to our discussion on Sunday morning. If you would like a copy of the letter sent to you, let me know. Here is a link to the Taize website if you want to read it online: https://www.taize.fr/en_article39682.html

 

For those interested in further discussion on hope and the Letter from Taize, we’ll be gathering in Rodda Hall on Sundays, after 10:am worship through the end of August. Feel free to get something to eat or drink at the refreshment table, then let’s meet in Rodda Hall from about 11:30am until 12:15pm 

 

All are welcome! Hope-filled or not!

 

With hope, and with trust,

Pastor Jeff

Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service will feature Ronald Campbell, voice, performing The Lord Is My Light by Frances Allison and Hall Johnson’s Witness. Join us!


Our music groups will begin again in September for the new program season! The Covenant Choir will begin rehearsing on Sunday, September 7th at 8:45 a.m. in the Music Room. CUMC’s Instrumental Ensemble, Wesley Ringers, and Ukulele Orchestra will begin later. For more information contact Peter Hill, Director of Music Ministries at petepiano@mac.com

Community Events

Chatham UMC has supported CUMAC in Paterson for many years as they have been a faithful expression of United Methodist compassion for those in need in the city of Paterson. CUMAC is celebrating their 40th Anniversary on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5PM at the Westmount Country Club. Chatham UMC is invited! I am on their Board of Trustees and will be attending with my wife Julie. If you would like to carpool, let me know. Here are the links to RSVP: 40th Anniversary Celebration

With gratitude, and hope,

Jeff

New Food Panty Pick-Up Program

Would you like to donate food items to the food pantry but you don't have time? or you mean to, but forget? or maybe you are unable to get to the church to drop off? Well, Chatham High Schooler, Blake Zidle, has come up with a terrific plan to to make it easier to donate food and keep the CUMC Community Food Pantry stocked: He will drive to your home and pick up your non-perishable food donations. Blake is learning to drive so for now his mom will help him with pick-ups. But in the Fall, when he gets his drivers license, he's looking forward to running the program himself.

Blake has designed green reusable grocery bags that can be picked up from the church office, or from the food donation bin outside the back door. Please support his efforts. See flier below for details.

To support the community and ministries here at

Chatham UMC.

Feel free to keep writing checks, or giving through our website, or now through Zelle!

Thank you for your generous support of our community and ministries here at Chatham UMC!

With Gratitude, The CUMC Finance Team


Help keep our food pantry and weekly distribution sustained.


 Click Here to donate online!


Want to know more about our Pop Up Pantry and how to help? Check out our webpage.


Or, if you wish, you can contribute directly online by visiting our donation page.

Online Worship Liturgists Needed!


Please sign up to record yourself reading scriptures; this will be a blessing to our online worshiping community. 

Sign up here.

Bread Ministry


The bread ministry is looking for more volunteers to assist in collecting bread from Panera. Please contact the church office for more information.

Communities of Care


If you wish to receive a call, a text or an email from someone at the Chatham UMC community please contact the church office.

Chatham United Methodist Church

460 Main Street

Chatham, NJ 07928

(973) 635-7740

Email: info@chathamumc.org

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