As you gather around the table for Thanksgiving this year and bow your heads in prayer, our hope is that you will feel the sincere gratitude of all of us at Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey. Your continued support gives us the strength we need to further serve the needs of those in New Jersey who hurt, who are in need, or who have limited choices.
Our extended arms surround and embrace those who live in our senior residences, the children receiving temporary shelter in our Children's Home, those who show up on the doorstep of New Visions Homeless Day Shelter, and those families who have opened their hearts and homes to adopt children in need of a loving family.
What better way to feel the spirit of this benevolent holiday than to see it expressed directly on the faces of those who receive the benefit of your participation and support.
We are grateful to you for the extension of love and support you provide today, tomorrow, and always.
Many wonderful Thanksgiving blessings to you and your extended family, from all of us at Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey.
PRAYERS AND GOOD WISHES BLESS THE VILLA AT FLORHAM PARK
"Let the doors be opened" announced Bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Tracie Bartholomew, as she and 3rd Vice President of the New Jersey District Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod Reverend Andrew Dinger officiated the blessing which brought together the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and LSMNJ for a formal transition of ownership at The Villa at Florham Park in Florham Park, NJ.
Residents of the Villa, as well as staff members, also participated in the blessing.
Superstorm Sandy Long-term Recovery Efforts Continue, But at a Reduced Level
The New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NJVOAD) released an recovery process update as the fourth anniversary of Sandy surfaced.
Though NJ non-profit re-builders have completed more than 3,000 reconstruction projects, there are still thousands of homeowners that remain displaced from their homes citing contractor fraud, limited financial resources, and other factors that have delayed or extended their return.
LSMNJ's Lutheran Disaster Recovery continues to participate in the process by coordinating volunteer efforts in recovery, providing funding for unmet needs, and providing resiliency and preparedness through membership in the NJVOAD.
NJ ADOPTEE'S BIRTHRIGHT ACT - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
In January 2017, The New Jersey Adoptees' Birthright Act will give adult adopted persons who were born and/or adopted in New Jersey the right to obtain a copy of their original birth certificate (OBC) upon request to the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
At any time, birth parents whose child was born and/or adopted in NJ may indicate their preference regarding contact - either directly, through an intermediary, or no contact at this time. Birth parents may change their preference at any time in the future.
Birth parents whose child's adoption was finalized before August 1, 2015 have until December 31, 2016 to request removal of their identifying information from the copy of the OBC sent to the adopted adult. Birth parents may revoke request for removal at any time.
