CPC Ringwood Newsletter January 7, 2026

Volume 26-01, January 7, 2026

Church News and Updates

Where Grace Happens

Happy New Year! Welcome to our CPC church news, which includes details of many of our upcoming programs in January and February. Read on - you don't want to miss any of it!

Our next newsletter will go out on January 21st, 2026

Please let us know if you have news to share.

Our calendar on the Community Church website

CPC Ringwood YouTube Channel

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Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1Corinthians 12:12-14

As I write my note to you, I am sitting at the gate of my flight at Newark Airport, on my way for a short visit to see my daughter who lives in Florida. As I sit here, I am remembering how blessed this Christmas season has been, and just how quickly it is now over!

While February may feel like a long way off, the reality is our Annual Congregational Meeting is just four short weeks from today—on Sunday, February 1st, immediately following worship. Our church’s Congregational meeting is a time to celebrate our life together and God’s continual call and care. It is a special moment in the life of our community to discern God’s will for us in the coming year(s), to celebrate our many successes, plan ahead for our upcoming challenges, and participate in the shared responsibility of being Christ’s church. It is my sincere hope that you will be present on February 1st for this important time together!

What a joy it is to see our church growing, changing and thriving, as is the hope of us all! The Spirit’s presence is palpable when we are together, as was testified to this morning, when a young woman who was visiting lifted her praises to God. Next week, John Lavoie will be using his gifts in leading worship while I am away, prompted by the Spirit’s call. Soon, we will hear the faith testimony of a long-time member, who is being touched by God’s Spirit in new and surprising ways.

This is what the Spirit does with us when we are open to receiving God’s good gifts. We gather. We plan. We participate. We praise. We serve. We give.

There is a place for you and many others, here at CPC. In 2026, look for the new ways you can “plug-in” to carry out your life of ministry. Such ministries include support of time, talent, treasure and prayer. All of God’s people are called to participate!

Happy New Year to All!

Important Upcoming Dates - mark your calendar now

Collection of non-perishable food items and monetary donations for CFA - Sundays, January 11 - Feb 8.

Church Hiking Group - January 17th at 8:00am

The Skylands Chorale rehearsals begin - January 18.

Women's Book Group - January 26

Annual Congregational Meeting - Sunday, February 1 after worship

Bible Studies

11:00 - 11:40 am on Tuesday mornings on Zoom.

7:00 pm on Tuesday nights in Fellowship Hall

10:00 am on Thursday mornings at Pastor Arlene & Ron's house.

Support Groups

7:00 pm on the last Monday of the month - Special Needs Caregiver Support for adult caregivers of special needs children and youth. Meets on the last Monday of every month.

7:00 pm on the last Wednesday of the month - Caregiver Support Group for adults caring for the ongoing physical, medical, and emotional needs of others.

ALL are welcome. Please help spread the word!

Congregational Prayer Requests

"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

Jessica Ann Harris

Ryan

Marge

Estelle

The McDonald family

The Butler family

Lorraine

Steven

John

Barbara and Joe

Margaret

Evelyn

Tim

George

Caregivers

New Members Class

Have you been coming to CPC and are interested in becoming a member? What are the perks of membership, you may ask? Members vote at the Annual Congregational meeting and may be asked to serve as an Elder on Session. But more than this, membership is an expression of one’s belief in God’s call and Christ’s mission, here at CPC.

We are about to begin a new, New Members Class. Everyone interested in joining should speak to Pastor Arlene.

Women's Book Group

January 26 Chapters 16-18

February 9 Chapters 19-Conclusion

February 23 Dinner: time and location TBA

Skylands Chorale

The Skylands Chorale for experienced adult singers ages 18 and up begins rehearsing on January 18. They will be hearing new members this Sunday, January 11. To learn more and submit an application form, visit skylandsmusic.com. The concerts will take place on Palm Sunday weekend - Saturday, 3/28 at 4:00pm and Sunday, 3/29 at 4:00pm - mark your calendars! We will share concert registration details soon..

Church Hiking Group

After a break in December, we need to walk off all those big meals and treats from the holiday season, so we will try to resume our regular hikes this month. So please put our next hike on your calendar for Saturday, January 17th.

Especially at this time of the year it goes without saying that our hike will be weather dependent. If it is raining, snowing or just plain too cold we will err on the side of caution and stay home in the warm! If the weather is decent, we will meet as usual in the church parking lot at 8:00 am

Any questions, comments or suggestions, please call or text Colin at 201-741-6090

Children, Youth and Family Ministries

Children’s Church at CPC partners with our three missions: CFA, Charity: Water, and Son Servants. This winter, we’ll begin the year by supporting CFA through the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide food drive that helps local food banks.

Starting on Sunday, January 11, we will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for five weeks. Thanks to food bank partnerships, every $1 donated can provide up to $10 worth of food for people in our community.

Many families are struggling to meet basic food needs right now. Please consider adding a $1 bill with each food item you donate—your gift provides immediate help and multiplies the impact for the future.

There will be Green Baskets for the food donations in the entryway and there will be a youth or child there with a small basket for any monetary contributions you might want to share.

We hope you’ll join us in caring for our community. Questions - email Tracy at tracyrynkowski@gmail.com

Community Plastics Collection

This picture is of the final 61 pounds of recyclable plastic that put us over the 1000 pounds required to garner another Trex bench. It was accomplished in a little over 3 months.

Plastic collection will continue to benefit BASS, the animal shelter on Margaret King Ave. They are already in possession of a bench.

After their collection reaches the required weight our own Skylands Learning Center will begin their own project for a bench out in the playground.

Please support this effort not only to benefit these organizations but to do our part in reducing plastics going into the waste stream.

Hope For Ukraine

Our mission to collect clothing and other supplies for victims of the war in Ukraine continues. This is a picture of the 30th dropoff for Hope for Ukraine to their warehouse in Florham Park.

All are encouraged to participate in this ongoing effort to do our small part to relieve the suffering experienced by the Ukrainian people.

Further information about the organization can be found at www.hfu.org.

Of the Father's Love Begotten

John 1:1-18

God with us

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1:2 He was in the beginning with God.

1:3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can find all the videos from Presbytery workshops, meetings and other events on our webpage? The last few years of videos are available for viewing. Click on the picture for the videos.

View videos here