Volume 60, November 06, 2024 | |
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Where Grace Happens
This newsletter has a message from Pastor Arlene Romaine and many dates for upcoming events at CPC Ringwood. We also have information about the Hiking Group, dates for our Community Youth, our Summer Mission Trip report, an opportunity to join outreach to the community training, an introduction to teachers from SLC and information about concerts from Clarum Sonum. We have also included information from the Presbytery of the Highlands.
Our next newsletter is due on November 20th - please let Sue or Christine know if you have news to share.
Community Church website
CPC Ringwood YouTube Channel
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Pastoral Pondering...
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! It’s simple, really. We get some food, gather some friends and family, and remember just how blessed we are. There are no elaborate decorations, no tree, no wrapping paper or gifts. Just the simple pleasures of home, food, and family.
On Harvest Sunday, November 24, the Community Presbyterian Church family is invited to our “house” to gather for the same kind of blessed celebration. It begins in worship, as we thank God for everything we have and everything we are, ask God to bless our gifts, tithes and offerings, and offer up to God the Faith Promises we make to one another for 2025.
Following worship, we gather as family around the table(s) to share a simple meal, celebrate all of God’s goodness, and create new family memories. THIS is what Thanksgiving is all about! Faith, family, and the joy of a simple celebration.
It is my greatest hope that you will be there. It just wouldn’t be the same without you!
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Harvest Sunday: Save the Date!
November 24 Harvest Worship and Luncheon
- The sanctuary will be decorated for Thanksgiving.
- 2025 Faith Promise Pledges will be dedicated in worship.
- Bring an offering of canned and boxed food donations for CFA, to be brought forward during the offertory.
- Celebration Luncheon to follow.
Desserts Wanted!
Do you love to make delicious desserts? Then your gift is needed on Harvest Sunday, November 24! Sign up to provide a dessert following our meal, together, by letting Dan Daley know! daily855@gmail.com
Women’s Book Group
Starting in late November, we will begin reading Brené Brown’s seminal work, The Gifts of Imperfection. This group will meet twice per month to discuss the latest chapter and how Brown’s work might influence our lives for the better. Want to be included? Email Pastor Arlene rev.arleneromaine@gmail.com We will be picking a day/time to meet, soon!
Faith Testimonies—THANK YOU!
Thank you to Bruce Gibson, Charlotte Williams, and Neil McDonald for sharing your faith stories with us in worship during our November Stewardship season. It takes a village to raise a child of faith, no matter how young or old we are! What a privilege it is to be part of the story.
Election Day Prayer—THANK YOU!
Thank you to the Worship Committee for making possible our Election Day Prayer Open House. Members of the committee staffed the church’s entry and the sanctuary from 8 AM-6PM, allowing church members and friends, Daycare families, and the general public an opportunity to pray for our nation.
Upcoming Committee Meetings:
• Finance Committee 7:30 PM Nov. 13
• Worship Committee 1:00 PM Nov. 19
• Facilities Committee 4:00 PM Nov. 19
• Session 7:30 PM Nov. 20
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Save the Date Ringwood Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
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NJ Together: Organizing Community Outreach Training
Pastor Arlene will be attending this timely training event. EVERYONE interested is welcome to attend with her, by letting her know. rev.arleneromaine@gmail.com
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Calling all Middle and High School Youth!
Nov 17 - meet during worship and then carry over into lunch and a movie. Bring a drink - Tracy will provide lunch. We will be finished for a 1 pm pick-up.
High School Retreat at Johnsonburg
November 22 (7pm) - 24 (11am)
Reach out to Tracy if you are interested and have not told her yet racyrynkowski@gmail.com or text 973-897-4864 - or both!
December 15th - Community Youth Christmas Party! Bring a friend or two and your favorite Holiday Dessert! Time TBA soon
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Bible Studies
Tuesdays at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall
Thursdays at 10:00am at the Romaine residence, 195 Magee Road
Join us, as we read through the first-written book of the New Testament— the Gospel of Mark. All questions, ponderings, and doubts welcome! Just bring your Bible for this in-depth look, led by Pastor Arlene and Ron. The Tuesday sessions continue and we have now added another opportunity to join on Thursday mornings at 10:00am.
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Church Hiking Group - this Saturday!
Last month, a lively group turned a stroll in the grounds of Skylands into a hike up to Warm Puppy Rock and back! Perhaps it was something to do with having the Romaines' "warm puppy" with us!
Since October's outing turned into more of a hike than a stroll, this coming Saturday's hike will be just a leisurely walk, suitable for all, so please come join us.
The good weather looks to be holding for this Saturday, so don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with our friendly group!
Once again, the hike will be this coming SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, and as usual we will meet at 8.00 am in the church parking lot.
Any comments, questions or suggestions - please call or text Colin at 201-741-6090.
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Meet the Skylands Learning Center Toddler Teachers
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Mission Trip Report Part Two
The second home we worked on was the home of Mrs. Doreen and her family. Mrs Doreen had a bad heart and it made her too weak to walk. She had steps into her home and she could not manage them anymore. Her son was having to carry her up and down to go to the doctors.
We built a wheelchair ramp so that it was easier and safer for everyone. The ramp went from her front porch to the driveway so she could to the doctor so they could help get her ready for heart surgery. Now with the ramp her daughter-in-law can also help take her to the doctor because she can just push the wheelchair down the ramp to the car. She won't always have to wait for Mrs. Doreen's son to be home to help and that way he won't have to take off so much time from work.
This trip was so amazing and we are so glad to have gotten to spend time with the two families we helped. Thank you for supporting us so that we can go with Son Servants to help make a difference.
Virginia & Lily
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Upcoming Clarum Sonum Concerts
Advent Meditation Concert on Saturday, December 7th @ 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 326 Avenue C, Bayonne, N.J.
Candlelight Carols Concer on Sunday, December 15th @ 4:00 p.m.
Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church - 600 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, N.J.
Both concerts are free with a goodwill offering to be taken. For more information go to clarumsonum.org
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Creating a Culture of Change: Discern, Anticipate & Adapt
Presenter: Rev. Rich Hong
Thursday, November 7, 2024,
7:30pm Via ZOOM
Congregations can thrive by creating a culture of continual change that seeks to discern, anticipate, and adapt to their context. This workshop will discuss current trends, adaptations to congregational programs, online worship, and the use of social media,
How can we lead our congregations -
- to be more innovative?
- to take chances on new initiatives?
It's a steady journey, not a quick fix. We'll hear possibilities taken from Rich's own story of moving a congregation forward, and hopefully give you ideas that you can adapt to your particular context.
Rich has been the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood NJ since 2005. Having run his own software consultancy for twenty years, Rich brings his technological background to ministry, and he writes a regular column on the "digital church" for Presbyterians Today magazine.
Rich has a passion for evangelism and mission, and leads a church that he hopes will continue its growth as an inclusive, multicultural, and intergenerational community.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Prayers after Election Day
From the Book of Order, Directory for Worship, W-50304 – Justice and peace
God sends the Church to work for justice in the world: exercising its power for the common good; dealing honestly in personal and public spheres; seeking dignity and freedom for all people; welcoming strangers in the land; promoting justice and fairness in the law; overcoming disparities between rich and poor; bearing witness against systems of violence and oppression; and redressing wrongs against individuals, groups, and peoples. God also sends the Church to seek peace: in the church universal, within denominations, and at the congregational level; in the world, where nations and religious or ethnic groups make war against one another; and in local communities, schools, work places, neighborhoods, and homes, These acts of peacemaking and justice are established upon God’s gracious act of reconciliation with us in Jesus Christ, and are a way of participating in Christ’s priestly intercession or advocacy for the world..
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