2022 Annual Conference

On May 23 & 24 the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference is meeting virtually from 8am to 1pm.

To see the schedule, click the link; https://www.gnjumc.org/2022-annual-conference/

You can watch Monday session through the link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B3_ZmYjkPc

You can watch Tuesday session through the link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftGo6X4JHto

This time we will select an individual to be the Episcopal nomination from Greater New Jersey to Northeastern Jurisdiction. To see the info of the nominees, click the following link; https://www.gnjumc.org/2022-annual-conference/episcopal-nominations/

Reopening Update (As of January 28th, 2022)

As of January 28th, new covid protocols will be applied to all activities and worship services that are held in the church building. They are as follows:

-Masks are optional but are still strongly recommended.

Note: Children 3 and over, church staff and volunteers, who are in contact with the children of our congregation must wear a mask or face covering.

-Social distancing is NOT required but recommended.

-Windows stay closed during worship services.

-Congregational singing will be allowed.

-No fellowship (consuming food) is still in place until further notice.

Reopening Update (As of December 24th)

To prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants, some changes regarding in-person worship protocol have been made. They are as follows;

-Masks and social distancing are required.

-All windows will be open during worship services, appropriate clothing for low temperatures is strongly recommended.

-Congregations are not allowed to sing but welcome to hum along

-No Coffee fellowship until further notice

-If you are sick or have symptoms, please stay home.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these times!

Reopening Update (As of November 14th)

  • As of November 14th, Coffee fellowship (consuming or serving foods in the church building) is allowed in the church building. This change has been made by the church board on Nov. 10th

  • Masks are NOT required if you are fully vaccinated, this includes youth in the 12-17 age bracket who are fully vaccinated, but masks are still STRONGLY recommended.

  • Children 3 and over, church staff and volunteers, who are in contact with the children of our congregation must wear a mask or face covering.

  • There are no capacity limits for in-person worship services and any activities using the church building. But social distancing will still be in place. Therefore, we will NOT be using seat reservation system for in-person worship and there will be no more temperature taking.

  • Singing will be allowed.

  • Live Streaming on Facebook live and Zoom will still be offered

Joy of Torah

Greetings!


ZOOM DISCUSSION GROUP entitled "THE JOY OF TORAH" (Torah is the designation of the first 5 books of the Bible, - attributed to Moses). The 50 weekly sessions (Tuesday nites from 7 - 8:15 PM) will be guided by Rabbi Bradley Artson's book "The Bedside Torah. Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams". It is enlightening while being entertaining. Each week we read 3-5 Torah chapters and a short passage from the Prophets paralleling the Torah reading. I will add a few passages from the New Covenant/Testament that parallel thematically, demonstrating continuity between all four (Torah, Prophets, Writings, New Testament), - to hopefully 'make sense of it all'.


As a bit of a "teaser" It's interesting that when Jesus interacts with the religious leaders, his arguments are always based on Torah/Sinai Covenant faithfulness as per the "Prophets", and "Writings" (Psalms, etc.). If the Torah/"Law" is understood, as Jesus is tested regarding the "woman caught in adultery", she is actually "saved" by Jesus' adherence to, and proper application of the Torah's/Law's legal/judicial requirements. It is NOT Jesus saving her from Torah/Law legalities. Jesus' statement that "he who is without sin shall cast the first stone" is a steel Torah trap. If anyone is "without sin", the one who "picks up e first stone" WILL COMMIT SIN based on multiple Torah/Covenant legal violations incurred if capital punishment (stoning) was carried out on the spot. "SNAP" goes the TORAH TRAP! Oops! (Jesus 1, "testers" 0)


TIME COMMITMENT AN ISSUE? Join weekly as you can, with a goal of 2x per month and/or join for specific Books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). I will provide a schedule that provides a start date for each. I would recommend especially Genesis (first book of Moses) and Deuteronomy (last book). As Julie Andrews intones, "The beginning is a vey good place to start, la, la, la...", and Jesus also speaks of "beginnings" as representing foundational understandings that represent God's intentions and goals for us. Deuteronomy summarizes much of the prior books, so it's a "very good place to end....la, la, la".


Life is busy, "complicated" and unpredictable, so participation does not need to be "all or nothing"! Hillel, the great Jewish sage, said, "Do not say, 'when I have leisure I will study, for you may never have leisure." Pretty good insight, - right?! So, let's do some socializing via Zoom and study the foundational scriptures with “open and open minds” (keep the brain and heart active).

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To join, click the zoom link and enter the passcode; "JOT"

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83340042960?pwd=WWJmcEdRU0RMdnB0Szk5Vk05Z2RGdz09

You can call in as well;

Dial at +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) and press the meeting ID; 833 4004 2960


Invitation to Back to Church Sunday

The "Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit" is hot among New Yorkers and New Jersey residents. I remember when Bill Griffeth posted his experience of the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit on his Facebook page and so many people gave him a like emoji and commented on it. Many of my friends went there and urged me to go as well. So I did... and it was awesome. Entering the darkroom was at first a bit strange. Yet, the exhibit broke the confines of the framed canvas and allowed visitors to step into a larger-than-life experience where paint is applied all around them. It gave visitors who were already familiar with the artworks of Van Gogh a fresh impression. A rich and unique multimedia experience gave new life to Van Gogh's classical art works. Watching the art exhibit allowed me to have a moment of wonder and afterwards I wanted to tell all of my friends so they could also experience the same feeling. Then I thought to myself "this is similar to what the Holy Spirit does in us. We experience something amazing and we want to invite our friends and our family to join us for worship to feel the Holy Spirit that rejuvenates our tired souls."

So, Friends and family of Hillsdale, I want to invite you all to "Back to Church Sunday (Sept. 12th)" as we have an OUTDOOR service with a special backpack blessing and fellowship after worship service. I know some may not be quite ready to get back to church physically, so this special outdoor worship service will be a great opportunity for you to come back to your church, fill your thirsty souls, and have a fellowship with one another. More importantly, we miss you dearly!

Save the date; Sept. 12th @ 11am. (Note: not 10AM!!)

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Julie

Volunteer Needed for Food Pantry

#1 Volunteers needed to empty bin outside Food Pantry

We are looking for volunteers to come to the Helping Hand Food Pantry Tuesday between 3pm-5pm, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday around 11am -12pm to check the bin for donations and bring them down 15 steps to the pantry. The key for the pantry must be obtained from the Hillsdale Police Department and returned to them when done emptying the bin. Once downstairs the donations are to be stacked on the donation tables. Donations can range from a few bags or boxes to the bin overflowing. Some boxes can be heavy as we receive many canned items. If the boxes are too heavy extra bags can be brought up from the pantry to fill with excess items.

If someone is willing to stop by on multiple days that would be appreciated. Masks and gloves must be worn during this task.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact pallatta@verizon.net

#2 Volunteers needed to bring food drive donations down into the Food Pantry

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to come to the pantry after school, during the evening or on a Saturday with short notice to bring food drive donations down the 15 steps to the pantry and stack on the donation tables. Bags & boxes can be heavy as many contain canned items. It would only take about 30 minutes or less depending on the amount of volunteers.

Masks and gloves must be worn during this task.

For more information or to volunteer contact theresajsayers@yahoo.com

#3 King’s Donations Pickup and Delivery to Pantry

We are looking for volunteers, Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 8am, with larger SUVs or trucks or vans, to pick up donations from King’s in Hillsdale and deliver to the pantry. There are usually about 40 bags, King’s personnel do not assist in pushing the carts to your vehicle or the loading of the bags. At the same time, we are looking for people who can carry bags down the stairs to stack on the donation tables. Some of the bags may be heavy as we often receive canned goods but there are extra bags available to redistribute the load. Pantry members will be at the pantry to unlock the door and supervise.

Masks and gloves must be worn during this task.

For more information or to volunteer,

contact perdew6@yahoo.com