Learning and Responding to the events in Israel/Palestine: Zoom Convo Monday 10/16, 7:30pm

Friends,

The horrors of the last week in Israel and the Gaza Strip have been almost unspeakable. I was humbled to listen to my Jewish colleagues in the Montclair Interfaith Clergy Association on Wednesday talk about the despair they and many in their communities feel, which extends not just to those Israelis killed or kidnapped, but also to the millions of people now trapped in Gaza without water or electricity. If you are also feeling despair, grief or anxiety, know that you are not alone, and that we hold you in care and prayer.

I know I have felt at a loss for words, and for the courage to speak in the face of devastation and the intense political climate surrounding it all.

I invite you to be present with our Jewish neighbors at their services this weekend along with others from the Montclair Interfaith Clergy Association to show our care -

Temple Ner Tamid (936 Broad St, Bloomfield) 6:30pm Friday

Bnai Keshet (99 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair) 8:45am-9:15am Saturday

Shomrei Emunah (7 Park St, Montclair) 10:15-10:45 Saturday

I have also invited my colleague Rev. Loren McGrail, who served as a mission co-worker for the UCC and Disciples of Christ at the YWCA of Palestine from 2013-2018 (and who visited Union Cong around 2018 to talk about that experience), to lead us in a conversation via zoom on Monday, October 16 at 7:30pm. It is my hope that we can gain some context and understanding for the current situation, and out of that find a way to offer faithful witness to friends and neighbors near and far.

We have invited the entire New Jersey Association of the UCC to participate as well. Because of the heightened sensitivity around this topic, we are requiring everyone to register on Zoom to attend. You can REGISTER HERE.

-Rev. Katrina

THIS SUNDAY: THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS SERVICE! BRING YOUR PETS!

Scripture: Genesis 1:20-25

Della Smith, preaching

All animals must be on leashes or in cages or carriers at all times. Everyone is welcome to attend this spiritual service with or without pets. This is a joyous, special community event to acknowledge and celebrate all animals, especially the beloved pets who share our lives. By honoring them in a community setting, we remind ourselves of the intrinsic worth of all creatures and of our responsibility to be kindly stewards of them and of our environment.

Children are invited to bring their stuffed animals to be blessed during the service, too!

Middle School Gathering: Sunday October 15, 6pm-8pm @ St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 73 S. Fullerton.

This week the youth will share dinner and be able to paint their own pottery!

Middle School Youth Group will generally meet the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.

High School will generally meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

ADULT EVENING DISCUSSION SERIES

"AMERICA'S UNHOLY GHOSTS: THE RACIST ROOTS OF OUR FAITH AND POLITICS" - A FIVE WEEK SERIES - STARTING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

AT 7PM AT CHURCH

America's Unholy Ghosts examines the DNA of the ideologies that shape our nation. These ideologies are as American as apple pie, but too often justify and perpetuate racist ideas and racial inequalities. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us to investigate the "ideational roots of our hate," and that's what author Joel Edward Goza opens up in this short film series created around some of the themes in his book "America's Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots Of Our Faith And Politics."

It is our intention to provide a space to deeply listen, reflect, and discern together as we view the video clips and discuss together the origins, obstacles, and opportunities to experience intimacy with God and God's children. The intention of these weekly journeys is a path to curiosity, presence, and radical change.

We offer this series driven by a commitment to God's love and the renewing of our minds as we understand truth and as part of our congregational missional priority of racial justice. It is our hope that you will want to deepen your understanding of Joel Goza's teachings, the historical context of his experience, and the work he references. At the end of each session, you will be provided with links to books, talks, articles, and resources for listening more deeply and expanding your perspective. For more on this series, click here.

WOMEN’S BREAKFAST

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21^ST AT 9AM -

Come to the October 21^st Women’s Breakfast featuring Daryl Hester, Guitarist and Lutist. Daryl began guitar studies at the age of ten. He graduated from Kean University and studied under John Varner. He has performed in master classes by Eliot Fist and Raymond Burley. Daryl has made guest appearances on radio and television and made his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall. Now retired, he currently is a guitar instructor at the Newark School of Arts.

A delicious and nutritious breakfast will be served with gluten-free options.

A $7.00 donation will be asked for to cover the cost of the food.

Please RSVP to Karen Ermler at [email protected] or 973 820 6122 so that we know how much food to prepare. Guests are always welcome!

Text Link

POP UP PARTIES CONTINUE!

Saturday 10/21 @ Carlos and Janet's Home

Saturday 10/28 @ Sally and Rob's Home

SAVE THE DATES

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 AT 11:30AM

IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM

Agenda Highlights:

Update from the Membership Task Force
Update from Building Renewal Task Force
Progress Report on our Mission Priorities '23-'24
Report from the Clergy Discernment Task Force and Discussion

INTERGENERATIONAL HALLOWEEN EVENT

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29

Immediately following the service, participate in freaky fun and ghoulish games in the Assembly Room. Ghosts and goblins of ALL ages are invited to wear costumes to church and bring a bag of candy to donate.

FALL WORK DAY - NOV 5

Please plan to lend a hand for the Fall Work Day following worship on Nov 5. Tasks will all be indoors.

CIVIL RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE JAN 31 - FEB 4

Together with Christ Church, Summit, we are planning a five-day trip to Atlanta and multiple sites in Alabama to learn and wrestle with America's history of racism and freedom struggles. More information coming soon! If you are potentially interested in participating in this trip, please let Pastor Ron know, to aid in our planning.

WOMEN'S RETREAT JAN 12-14

Rev. Katrina will be leading this year's women's retreat, taking place at Trinity Retreat Center in CT (home of delicious food and adorable donkeys). The theme of the retreat is “We Take Care of Each Other: Exploring the Spirituality of Interdependence”. More information coming soon.

Because of You … We help lift up the African American experience

Our Easter offering and your personal gifts are helping Howe House create a gathering place to educate our community about the past, present and future of African Americans in Montclair. Read a message of thanks below:

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE:

NEW SPACE USE SIGN UP FORM; CHILDCARE POSITION OPEN; SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR LEARNING CENTERS

NEW SPACE USE SIGN OUT FORM

Christina Carter, our new office and facilities administrator, is fully on-boarded and working hard in the church office.

To clarify roles:

Christina is in charge of the church's space use calendar and
Kim is in charge of communicating to the congregation (and the community at large, bulletins, e-blasts, etc.) about your small group gathering or event.

We have a lot happening at the church in October. We have eleven larger church events, forty small church group gatherings, a handful of outside rentals, and are providing space for multiple ministries of Grace Presbyterian in the wake of their fire.

Moving forward, to keep track of scheduling and all space use room set ups and room flips, we will need everyone requesting space at the church to complete the Space Use Form by clicking this link or the box below. The Space Use Form can also be found on the front page of our church website. You do not have to complete a space use form for any event or small group gathering that is already on the calendar, but everyone must complete the Space Use Form for any future church room use. This applies to all events and small group gatherings. Please do not consider the space confirmed until you receive confirmation from Christina directly. We understand that this is a more formal change in how space use has been reserved in the past, but we think it is absolutely necessary to keep track and successfully accommodate all of the incoming inquiries for use of church space.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR COMPLETE THE CHURCH SPACE USE FORM

CHILDCARE POSITION OPEN

We are currently seeking a second Childcare staff person. For more information, please email Patty at [email protected]. Click here for the Childcare job description.

SEEKING LEARNING CENTER AND CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

Would you be willing to help by being occasionally on-call to support our Learning Center and Childcare staff?

Each volunteer will sign up for a date or dates throughout the program year. The volunteer would then be "on call" for those Sundays. When we know what our needs are for the morning, we will let you know if you are needed in a classroom or are free to participate in worship. For more information, please email Patty at [email protected]. Click here to sign-up.