Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick
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March 13, 2020 | Calendar of Events: March 15-21, 2020
This Week:
The Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Sanctuary (Traditional Lenten Service)
9:15 a.m. Adult Forum, Ross Room, Animate Faith
9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Sanctuary
We welcome alumnae, staff & friends of the Annie Walsh Memorial School, Sierra Leone
10:45 a.m. Children’s Ministry for Ethnos, Chapel
Noon Coffee Hour, hosted by AWOGA

Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Tuesdayers Book Club, Chapel

Wednesday
12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Children’s Chapel
6:00 p.m. Food Pantry Distribution
7:30 p.m. WomenSpirit, Ross Room
Thursday
5:00 p.m. Laundry Love, Handy Street Laundromat
7:30 p.m. Canticum Novum Rehearsal, Chancel
Friday
9:00 a.m. Food Pantry Distribution
Saturday
    10:00 a.m.Joyful Noise Choir Rehearsal, FRC
Church School Easter candy sale is underway!
Special service THIS Sunday, March 15th
The 10:30 service on March 15th will include special hymns and songs, prayers, a guest preacher, and alumnae of the Annie Walsh Memorial School, Sierra Leone.  
The group will host a reception in the Nicholas Room (with overflow to the Children’s Chapel) immediately following the service. All are welcome!

Parishioners who wish to attend a traditional Lenten Service should plan to attend the 8:00 a.m. service on that date.
Ring in Easter!
The music program is forming a group to play handbells at the 10:30 Easter service on April 12. Everyone is welcome to join the Easter handbell choir. No experience is needed. You do not need to know how to read music. The handbell choir will rehearse on the dates listed below, and we ask that you do your best to attend each rehearsal. No commitment required beyond Easter. Try it out and see if you enjoy it! Rehearsals will take place in the organ loft.
March 18 - 7-8:30
March 25 - 7-8:30
April 1 - 7-8:30
April 8 - 7-8:30
April 12 (Easter) arrival 9:00 for set-up; 9:30 rehearse with choir/orchestra
To register, or for further information, please contact Stephanie Cronenberg at 
In the month of February the food pantry served
· 178 families (505 persons)
· 243 were under age 18
· 71 were seniors
· 110 of these families reported at least one working adult
· 55 of these families received TANF or Food Stamps
 
Our monthly delivery will arrive this Tuesday,March 10 at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers are always welcome and needed!
Holy Week & Easter

April 5 ~ The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
8:00 a.m. Rite I
10:30 a.m. Rite II

April 9 ~ Maundy Thursday 
6:30 p.m., Agape Meal,
Holy Eucharist, and Foot Washing

April 10 ~ Good Friday  
Noon (St. Alban's) Good Friday Office
7:00 p.m. (Christ Church) Stations of the Cross 

April 11 ~ Holy Saturday
10:00 a.m. Holy Saturday Office
*8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter
(Christ Church) shared with St. Alban’s,
Canterbury House, and St. John's

April 12 ~ Easter Sunday
The Sunday of the Resurrection
 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Festal Holy Eucharist *

An Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages will be held after both services on Easter Sunday

* Hypoallergenic incense will be used at these services
CANCELED!
The Spring Scarlet Day of Service
Saturday, March 28

Due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, Rutgers has canceled this event. It is not expected to be re-scheduled.

Questions? Contact John Ager or Steve Caruso.
Thirty One is an at home shopping company, led by consultant Erica Olsson Piechota, who has agreed to do an online fundraiser for Christ Church. This Facebook show will be on March 30, at 8 PM . If you are on Facebook, and we are not friends on Facebook, I will share a link. Not on Facebook? No problem. I will have catalogs and order forms in Church on March 22, and 29, along with some sample items for you to look at. 
Questions-please contact Sheila Cooper .
The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.
The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live, and so much more.
The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.  

Each year, Census data informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction, and education. 

There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
Women of the Woods 2020 Spring Retreat
Saturday, April 25, 2020 — 10:00am to 3:00pm
 
THE HEART:
WELLSPRING OF LIFE

The house Next Door & Labyrinth
Prince of Peace Lugheran Church
177 Princeton-Hightstown Rd.
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
 
"God's love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit." Romans 5:5
Symbol of love and source of life, our hearts beat to the
various rhythms of our days. Together we will practice ways to care for this life-giving gift, integrating body, mind, and spirit through movement, prayer, labyrinth, and conversation.
Presenters: Kelly Kenny, yoga and fitness instructor
Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover, retreat leaders
HYGIENE BEST PRACTICES FOR EUCHARIST

Care required to ensure good health

As the flu season continues, and amid growing concerns about the possible spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, now is a good time to remind everyone about best practices for hygiene during Eucharist and other services.

"Because the potential for hand-to-hand germ contact is increased through intinction, I am prohibiting the practice of intinction until further notice." The Rt. Rev. William H. Stokes, D.D., 12th Bishop of New Jersey

There has never been much evidence of risk of disease associated with the shared communion cup, but of course each parishioner must make up their own minds about its use. 

HAND-SANITIZERS are available in the rear of the church, and in the choir stalls. We've also added sanitizer in the center aisle as you approach the communion rail. Sanitize hands before and after contact with others.
Thank you to all those who helped freshen up our acolyte robes! We’re in great shape for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter!
Please let me know by the end of the month the number of robes you “loved” so I can make the contribution to Laundry Love.
Thanks, Deacon Pete
Join us for a seven-week series on faith! Each session, presented by leading theologians in their own voices, will be on a different topic and will include lots of rich discussion and opportunities for reflection. Come, and let us continue to grow together!

Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the Ross Room
 
Session 3: March 15
Jesus: The Revolution of Love (Mark Scandrette)
 
Session 4: March 22
Salvation: Abundant Life Now (Shane Hipps)
 
Session 5: March 29
Cross: Where God Is (Nadia Bolz-Weber)
 
Session 6: April 5
Bible: A Book Like No Other (Lauren Winner)
 
Session 7: *April 19*
Church: An Imperfect Family (Bruce Reyes-Chow)
Tuesdayers Book Group
The Tuesdayers Book Club, which meets on Tuesdays, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Children's Chapel, will start reading Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles’ Creed on March 10 (176 pp.) by Brother David Steindl-Rast. 

From Amazon: 
"In Deeper than Words: Living the Apostles’ Creed, Brother David reexamines the words with which the early followers of Jesus summarized their faith. Reading line-by-line with an open perspective, he reveals the often overlooked message of trust, compassion, peace, love, and awareness contained in this widely known but rarely examined statement.  
“Deeper than Words moves beyond ritual and exclusivity and instead finds a deeper faith based in real human experience and the sense of limitless belonging that is shared by all people who seek to understand themselves and the world. The words of the Apostles' Creed are Christian, but its heart is a universal and timeless guide to fullness of life. From this transformation perspective, developed over a lifetime of contemplation, Brother David presents a powerful call to renewal through reconnection with the spiritual and a reawakening to shared sacred truths.” 

All are welcome! If you would a book ordered for you, please let Sheila Cooper know by Wednesday, March 4. The cost will be approximately $11.00. Sheila will give the exact amount once the order has been placed. Please pay with cash or checks made out to Sheila. 
Outreach Opportunities during Lent
Catherine Ambos, Vestry Member and Outreach Coordinator

How can you reach out to God’s people in the City of New Brunswick this Lenten season? Here are several options.
1. Does your personal Lenten discipline involve “giving up” something for Lent, such as chocolate or some other treat? Consider donating a portion of what you would have spent on that indulgence to one of the Outreach ministries at Christ Church, such as:
Food Pantry
Laundry Love
Rector’s Discretionary Fund
Hall Fund (Scholarships for graduating New Brunswick students) 
2. Help those in need with Laundry Love. . .donations are always welcome and we are in dire need volunteers! Please join us for our next session on March 19th, Handy Street Laundromat (5-7pm)
Christ Church Food Pantry can use volunteers. 
Distribution: (Shift times start 30 minutes before the distribution and end 15 minutes after, are listed below)
2nd & 3rd Wednesdays:  5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
March 11 and 18, April 8 
Last two Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
March 20 and 27
Last two Saturdays: (10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.)
March 21 and 28
IMPORTANT!
Groups that meet regularly MUST contact the parish office to request parking vouchers one week in advance of the need.   Sunday ushers are not permitted to provide vouchers for weekdays. Please don’t put your ushers in the awkward position of having to refuse your request.
View meeting minutes and agendas!
Vestry minutes from the February 2020 meeting can be found here.
The agenda for the March meeting can be found here.
Topics on the Minds of the Vestry (from the March 10th meeting)
  • A link for approved Minutes of past Vestry Meetings will be included in weekly emails. A limited number of copies will be available in the back of the church. 
  • The Vestry held extensive discussions about security at Christ Church and concerns around COVID 19. 
  • Plans for celebrations for outgoing staff are underway: Peter Cornell, John Sheridan and Kathy Fisher, bookkeeper. 
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Caribbean Night at Christ Church, South Amboy
Saturday, March 21, 2020
6:30-9:30 p.m.

Diocesan Women's Lenten Retreat
March 28, 2020

The 2020 Census is approaching . Learn everything you need to know here.

 Discover the Joy of being a Hospice Volunteer
If you have a warm heart, a listening ear, and the gift of compassion, you can make a difference in the life of a hospice patient or family member. VNA Health Group is offering training for all individuals interested in becoming hospice volunteers in several counties throughout New Jersey. 
There are many rewards and opportunities available to hospice volunteers though home visitation, companionship, administrative support, pet therapy, or phone calls from one of our offices.
Training will be provided by members of the VNAHG Hospice team on 3 consecutive Mondays, March 23rd, 30th,and April 6th from 10 am till 3:00pm at VNA Health Group, 23 Main Street, Suite D1 Holmdel, NJ. Volunteers must attend all 3 sessions.
Advanced registration is required, please call Pauline De Palma, BSW (732) 224-6933  

For more information about VNAHG volunteer services visit www.vnahg.org
Readings for the next 3 weeks
(click on the date to view full text)  




Attention: Ministers of the Liturgy
PLEASE REVIEW
The March schedule is now complete. Click here to view the schedule.

Please notify  Terry Ann Schwarz by noon on Wednesdays when you make a substitution in the Sunday schedule. If you would like to become a volunteer for one of the many roles available at each service, please contact Reverend Joanna   rector@christchurchnewbrunswick.org.
Our Usual Info
  Pastoral Care
 
If you are in crisis, having surgery, are in the hospital and are in need of pastoral counseling from a clergy person, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our clergy team:
 
            The Rev. Joanna Hollis -732.307.7244
            Archdeacon Pete Cornell -732.789.4484
            Deacon Cathy Brunson -732.778.7685
 
If you would like to schedule home communion, please contact Rev. Joanna and she will arrange for either herself, one of the other members of the clergy team or a Lay Eucharistic Visitor to bring communion to you.
 
If you would like to contacted by one of caring members of the Pastoral Care Team for friendly and prayerful visits or are ill and would like to request help with meals, please contact Deacon Pete Cornell , Chair of Pastoral Care, at 732-789-4484.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact either Rev. Joanna or Deacon Pete if you know of someone who is in need of care or counseling.

FAQ
DIRECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON ANY PAGE OF OUR WEB SITE .
 
FREE PARKING VOUCHERS are available for the Lower Church Street parking deck next to the church grounds. Please see an usher for a voucher and an instruction sheet. Tip: For easy exit from the Church Street Deck, please use the voucher at the right-hand exit gate. 
 
THERE IS A LIVE FEED of the sanctuary in the Nursery (located near the Parish Offices) for those parents or guardians who might choose to take their children there during services.
 
IF YOU NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH for an upcoming worship service or other church activity, please call Terry Ann Schwarz, Business Operations Manager, at the Parish Office 732.545.6262 and let her know which service or other activity for which you would like a ride, as well as your pickup location.
 
WEEKLY PUBLICATION DEADLINES: Please keep in mind that information you would like included in our weekly publications must be submitted in a timely fashion.
For printed Parish Notes, the deadline is Wednesday at 11 a.m.; for the weekly
 e-mail, please submit by Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation.  

External Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick
732 .545.6262 |  Visit us on the web


Parish Staff
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE.
Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick | www.ChristChurchNewBrunswick.org