Greetings from Our New Pastor

Greetings in Christ!

Hi, this is Pastor Julie, the incoming pastor for Hillsdale UMC. I pray that you and your families are doing well and staying healthy during this extended situation we find ourselves in. First and foremost I want to express my deepest gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to join the Hillsdale Family as your pastor.

I wanted to share a little about myself before I start my ministry at Hillsdale. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in a Christian family with my mother, who is a pastor, my father and my two siblings; an older sister and a younger brother. Ever since I was little I enjoyed going to church, singing in the choir and being connected with God. It was a surprise to me when God called me into ministry because I never thought about being a pastor and I thought that the image of a pastor didn’t match with my character. But after praying on the matter, I finally accepted God’s call and I felt joy that I never experienced before. That joy confirmed my calling. Since then, God has equipped me little by little to be a vessel for the Kingdom of God.

 In 2009, I came to the United States to study at Drew Theological School. I completed my Master of Divinity in 2012. After Drew, I wanted to earn a doctoral degree in Liturgical studies, so I went to Yale Divinity School. While studying at Yale, I realized that my call was not to school but to parish; to serve God’s people. After completing my Mater of Arts degree in 2015, I came back to New Jersey where my husband was and started my ministry in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. This year I was approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry as a Provisional Elder. I currently live in Palisades Park with my husband Michael and my 3-year-old Son Nathaniel. We are also expecting a second baby in August.

Michael is a pediatric otolaryngologist at Hackensack University Medical Center. Nathan loves ocean animals and likes to help his mama. I love to bake whenever I have a free time. Hopefully you guys like French macaroons. 

I would describe myself as caring and energetic. My nickname is “roadrunner” because I always seem to be running around. If you see me running around the church building, please feel free to stop me to say hello. I would like to get to know every one of you.

This season of transition is a challenge for all of us. In addition, we are living through a COVID-19 pandemic and everything feels uncertain. Many of you might wonder when we should reopen our church doors. The reopening plan team has been working this out. Based on scientific data and the results of the congregational survey we have decided to postpone reopening our church doors until the end of the August. We are doing this because we care about you and your safety. Meanwhile, we will continue to provide virtual worship services and virtual small group meetings. I know this news might disappoint some of you. I am sad that we have to start off like this. But instead of feeling down, I’d love to ask you to join me in prayers for our church, our nation and the whole world in this time of uncertainty because our God, Jesus Christ never leaves us. He is always with us and cares for us always; “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. Church, lean on Him and keep your faith in Him. Let’s be connected to one another wherever we are because together we are the church.  I promise that I will keep you posted about our reopening plan and will try my best to work with the reopening team to make our sanctuary a safe place to worship and to have fellowship together.  Until we meet again in person, may God’s peace be with you all.   

 In Christ,

Julie Lee

pastor.julie@hillsdaleunited.org

On Reopening the Church

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

— 2 Timothy 1:7

Its been over a month with shelter-in-place orders from the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, but it seems the worst of it may be over. The Palisades District, which is our group of United Methodist Churches, has had zero new deaths and no new cases of coronavirus in the last two weeks. Many people are beginning to wonder “when will the church open again?” The answer to that is not straight forward. The Bishop of our Annual Conference has instructed our churches to follow state guidelines and only reopen when it is deemed safe by the Governor. The last month has been “stage zero” with only essential personnel allowed to work and essential businesses open. As of May 18th some businesses have reopened, gatherings of 10 or fewer people are allowed and gatherings with everyone inside of closed cars are allowed. This is what’s known as “stage one” reopening. Stage two and three still have to take place before churches will finally be allowed to reopen. We know many are eager to return to our usual patterns, including worship, so we are watching closely for direction from the state. We have been given further details from the Bishop of steps we must take before reopening, which you can read here. Ultimately, our Church Board must meet and decide when is the right time for us to hold public worship again.

Some have wondered if our church could have just a few people gather at one time for worship, or have a worship service with everyone in their vehicles in the church parking lot. Though this is possible, the Church Board decided to maintain our online worship services through Facebook and telephone lines. We believe this is the best use of our resources, especially in the midst of a pastoral transition. We hope you will stay engaged through worship, small groups and mission opportunities (details are available through our congregational emails).

As for the coming pastoral transition, I would like to share how blessed I and my family have been to be a part of this church. It is difficult for us to leave, but we know the love you have shared with us will carry us. I will be preaching up to the date of my last sermon on June 14th, but after that I will only be dealing with pastoral emergencies until my last day, June 30th. After that Pastor Julie Lee officially begins. There is a schedule to make sure worship continues during the transition so continue to watch on Sundays, and be sure to give Pastor Julie a great welcome on July 5th!

If you have any questions be sure to reach out. We continue to answer email and check the church office voicemail daily. God bless!

Holy Moments in a Pandemic

Trey Wince is the director of new disciples at the Annual Conference, and he shared a message to the Palisades clergy gathering a few weeks ago that has stuck with me. He told us about Ehud, a left-handed man with a withered hand that little was expected of.  The guards seemed to not bother to check him thoroughly when he went before the king because they didn’t expect much from someone they saw as “crippled.”  Yet, he was able to change the course of Israel’s history! Trey left us with a question: what is it that can be done in this season that you would otherwise not be able to do?  This has lingered with me all the way through Holy Week. What can I do that I otherwise could not?

The question was especially poignant when it came to Holy Thursday. Our “mandate” to serve one another, just as Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet in the upper room, is something I really believe in.  Some have argued that washing one anothers feet fits all the criteria of a sacrament – it is commanded by Jesus, he participated in it himself, and it is a channel of God’s grace.  Every time I stoop down to wash someone’s feet, whether its other staff of the church or members of the congregation on Holy Thursday, I am moved and blessed in this humbling act.  But the coronavirus has left something of a hole in our acts of service.  We can’t be with others; we can’t touch their feet or serve in our usual ways of feeding someone, giving them clothes or offering prayer and a hug.

As I considered this problem for worship on Holy Thursday I was left with only one solution – my family. Usually my two little boys are asleep by the time Holy Thursday services begin. I have never once washed their feet as an act of service (I’ve only washed their feet to get mud and dirt off before bed!).  But this year would be different.  Emily had to care for our new six-week-old foster baby Rosie, so that left just me and my two boys.  As we set up the cameras and I began explaining the meaning of foot washing, where the practice comes from and why we do it, I was blessed to be explaining it to my own children.  As I took their shoes and socks off, and poured cold water on their feet (oops), the giggles and sacred whispers moved my heart.  God was there in that moment.  God touched my heart as I did something that never would have happened were it not for the coronavirus.

I know these times are challenging for many folks.  The hardships are great for many, especially those who do essential work to keep the rest of us fed and healthy, but in the midst of it all there are also great opportunities.  There are also things we can do now that we never could have done before.  I invite you to be open to the possibilities God has for you in this season.  I invite you to look closely for that act of love you can share with another person that, otherwise, you wouldn’t have time for, or space for.  God is at work among us, even in these hardships. Let’s have eyes to see it; let’s be like Jesus who said shortly after washing the disciples’ feet, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). Amen.

Patient in Tribulation

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

— Romans Chapter 12 Verse 12

To the Congregation of Hillsdale United Methodist Church,

We are grateful for your continued support in these trying times. Despite the unusual circumstances of a shelter-in-place order from the Governor of New Jersey effectively closing many businesses and making public worship in our church unavailable for at least several weeks, we continue to carry through on our mission.  We are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. People still need physical, emotional and spiritual support, and we are finding creative ways to meet those needs. Let me update you on a few things happening in the church.

Worship is still happening each week! For the last two weeks we have broadcast our services on Facebook live.  You can continue to watch our services there or on our website. Details for how to watch online or even to call in and listen by phone are on the backside of this letter. The information to watch or call should remain true throughout the pandemic, so keep this information handy for the coming weeks.

We will also continue a weekly Bible Study on Wednesday nights. For now it is focused on our series, ‘The Walk’ which is encouraging us to grow spiritually in our walk with God in this Lenten season.  After that series concludes, we will continue a Wednesday night study, so we invite any and all interested in keeping their connection with God and with others in the church vital, to join us for that time of reflection and discussion. Details for participating in that via internet or phone are also included on the backside of this letter.

The Food Pantry is reopening this coming Monday, March 30th. There is a need to keep the shelves stocked so others can have food. If you have the means, we strongly encourage our church and extended community to purchase a set of food items needed for one pre-packed load of groceries that will be distributed by the food pantry. The list is on the backside. You can drop items off at the church in the bin by the Food Pantry entrance on Magnolia Street. The Pantry does not need volunteers at this time. They are trying to work with a small crew to reduce risk, but any food donations are greatly appreciated.

There are many other ways you can help out in this time. The church’s biggest need at this time is for donations to keep staff employed.  We strongly encourage everyone who can to make online donations. If you mail in a check, it may be weeks before people are allowed to gather to count and deposit the checks, so online is best. You can also volunteer to babysit for essential personnel, call members of our community, pledge money to support those who get sick, lose jobs or need food and shelter. This is the time for the church to be the church.

Our methods may change, but our purpose will not! Please do what you can and support our church and community. You are a blessing from God, so listen for the voice of the Lord and respond as you are able. Be blessed to be a blessing!

In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville

Worship with us Sunday at 9:30am:
www.facebook.com/hillsdalenjumc
or call 1 (929) 205 6099 (meeting ID: 278 172 100)

Do Bible Study with us Wednesdays at 7:30pm:
online - https://zoom.us/j/459436347 Meeting ID: 459 436 347
by phone - +1 (929) 205 6099 Meeting ID: 459 436 347

Help others have food through the Food Pantry:
Here is the list of food items included in a prepacked bag for clients (priority items are in bold):

1 cereal                       
1 pasta                        
1 pasta sauce   
1 can chicken            
1 can tuna
1 can canned pasta      
1 green beans              
1 corn              
1 jelly                                
1 toilet paper
1 peanut butter            
1 fruit cup (pineapple, fruit cocktail, peaches, pears, mandarin oranges)           
1 mac & cheese                       
2 soups (chicken & vegetable)   
1 can beans (black, check, kidney or white)

Support the work of the church by giving online

On a cell phone:
1. Download the “Give Plus” app (on Apple or Android)
2. Open the “Give Plus” app
3. Enter the church zip code 07642
4. Select Hillsdale United Methodist Church
5. Select “Give Now”
6. Select the + symbol at the bottom right
7. Select a dollar amount and click “Add”
8. At the top right select the arrow à
9. Enter Credit, Debit, Checking or Savings account info
              and select “Next”
10. Select “Complete Donation”

On a computer:
1. Go to www.hillsdalenjumc.org/give
2. Click the image that says “stewardship”
3. On the Vanco Eservice payment page:
     + Enter the dollar amount in any category
     + Use the down arrow for “Donation From”
     + Use the drop down arrow for “Frequency”
     + Use “Start Date” for withdrawal date
     + Click “Next”
4. On the Donation Information page enter your information (red asterisks * are required)
5. Confirm the payment with the “Process” button

To maximize your donation to the church we encourage donations from your checking or savings account. The whole amount goes to the church with only a 25 cent charge. If you give by credit card or debit card 3% of your donation goes toward processing fees. Monthly checking or savings account transfers are the most efficient way to give, so consider signing up for recurring payments.

Continued Thoughts on Coronavirus

Dear Congregation of Hillsdale UMC,

This is a trying time for many people in our country and our communities.  With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) schools, businesses and large gatherings are being shut down.  It remains to be seen the impact this will have on people and places in our area, but hear this from the Apostle Paul:

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG)

In our church, we are making adjustments during hard times to a different kind of ministry. We are mailing you the sermon and have transitioned to no public worship. Instead, we are streaming our services on Facebook Live (search for Hillsdale United Methodist Church on www.facebook.com). We know this will remain in place until at least March 22nd and will do our best to keep people informed of future worship services. We are also looking at ways we can be engaged with the community. Many people will not have their usual social services in place, so food, medicine and community support are critical in this time. To address this we ask two things from you: 1) will you let us know about people and places that are in need? We want to provide mental, physical and spiritual support in this challenging time, so we need your help to discover the needs. 2) will you make yourself available to volunteer time, energy and resources to help those in need? If so, please let us know so we can connect you with the needs in our community. If you are willing to give additional financial support to the church, I encourage you to give to the discretionary fund, so we can help those who are hurting most. 

In our own context, the Church Board voted to fully fund all the staff at Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Even though staff won’t be doing their usual jobs, they are all finding ways to stay connected with the groups they work with, and finding missional ways to serve our communities. I am especially grateful to our staff and volunteers that made online worship possible. They did a great job! Unfortunately, we were not able to collect an offering this past Sunday, so, if you can, we invite you to mail in a check, or give online at www.hillsdalenjumc.org/give. I am including a copy of this past week’s sermon. I hope you find comfort and inspiration in it. On the other side are some recommendations to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and a list of activities that are appropriate amidst “social distancing,” one of the keys to containing the virus. We hope you find this helpful. Let us know of any needs that may arise, or ways you are willing to help. Keep trusting God and God bless!

In Christ,

Pastor Brian Neville

“Simple Steps to Help Stop the Spread of Disease

• Wash hands often with soap, for at least 20 seconds, including fingertips
• cough into your elbow instead of your hand
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, if someone is sick
• stay 6 feet apart
• stay home if you feel sick
• contact a health worker if you have symptoms; fever and a dry cough are most common (shortness of breath is the distinctive feature of coronavirus (COVID-19)

ø Don’t touch your face
ø Don’t travel if you have a fever and cough
ø Don’t wear a face mask if you are well”

MISSIONAL

•Write or call family, friends and neighbors, especially those that may be vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19)

•Volunteer with the church to help those in need with groceries and medication

•Choose one or two people in need who you can visit with consistently (note: social distancing means we maintain the same, consistent network; not that we cut ourselves off from others completely)

•Set up a conference call to encourage others in their faith

•Donate to the food pantry or discretionary fund at church so others have food, medicine and paid bills even if they can't work

•Check the "gossip" about the outbreak against trusted sources, such as the CDC. Help keep people properly informed.

•Pray for those who are sick and scared. Join us in prayer for our district Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 9am (call the church for details of how to join)

SPIRITUAL

•Worship on Facebook Live or listen to our podcast (you can even host a "viewing party" so you and your friends can chat during the service)

•Read the scriptures. Try a new reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app.

•Pray and meditate

•Do a daily or weekly fast

•Journal your thoughts and feelings (direct them toward God)

•Make a budget and consider how much you might give to the church and those in need

•Practice contemplation

•Offer confession to the pastor or a trusted friend

•Practice solitude

•Show gratitude by thanking God and telling others about ways you feel blessed

•Practice silence

•Practice frugality (being content with what you have)

•Participate in spiritual guidance

SOCIAL

•Read a book

•Take a virtual museum tour*

•critique amateur films

•learn a foreign lanugage (or at least afew words)

•expand your vocabulary with a thesaurus or dictionary

•explore nature

•start birdwatching

•go on a secluded run

•get takeout food from a great local restaurant

•try a new recipe

•play board games

•build an enormous puzzle

•make art

•do your taxes (and consider a gift to the church if you get a refund!)

•do some house work and build with purpose

•send an encouragement to your favorite players on your favorite sports teams

•Rewatch a favorite sports game

•Do family yoga

•*requires internet

A Response to Coronavirus

UPDATE - March 13th, 2020 - Public worship will be canceled March 15th and 22nd. We will offer online worship via our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HillsdaleNJumc/

Friends, many of you have heard in the news about an outbreak of a new virus circulating the globe called “coronavirus.” People have tested positively for this in California, New York and now New Jersey. This disease has the potential to kill those who acquire it, particularly the elderly and those with compromised health. Here at Hillsdale United Methodist Church we take this very seriously. Though children are very unlikely to experience many of the more debilitating symptoms, they can still carry it and pass it on to those who may. We want the Church, the Nursery School and the Food Pantry to be safe places for people to go and get what they need, spiritually, mentally and physically.

We will continue to monitor the Center for Disease Control website for the latest recommendations regarding best practices to reduce the spread of disease, as well as recommendations regarding public gatherings. Our church prioritizes the health and safety of our members. In the case of an emergent outbreak we will notify our congregation through our website, mailings and email about closings. In the meantime we encourage you to follow simple guidelines to stop the spread of infectious diseases: stay home when you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands often.

In worship we will continue the practice of "passing the peace of Christ,” but invite everyone to touch elbows, do fist bumps and wave to one another instead of shaking hands. We will also continue to have hand sanitizer available in the sanctuary every week. These may seem like small, ordinary things to do, but we know that our faith, even when it is small like a mustard seed, can do extraordinary things. Practice these small acts of clean and healthy living for your own benefit and for that of those around you. This is our way of fulfilling the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Be sure to reach out if you have any further questions. The information from the CDC is provided below. God bless!

In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville

A New Appointment

It is with profound sadness that I pass along the news that I have been appointed to a new church. On June 14th, 2020 I will preach my last sermon at Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Emily, Davy, Halloran and I will be moving to Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey to begin a new appointment. I spoke to my father the other day when I found out I would be moving and he said he was sure it must be bittersweet for me, and he is right. I will be so sad to leave the friends we have made here. We have journeyed together for eight years and have experienced so much together. We have talked together, prayed together, worshiped together and eaten together. Indeed, have we ever eaten together! From Souper Bowls to Bible studies, I have been richly blessed knowing you. I take heart knowing that we are not too far from each, and that the blessing of your life will always be with me.

The Cabinet of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference is currently working on selecting the next pastor for Hillsdale. The Staff/Parish Relations Committee will interview with the incoming pastor once he or she is identified. We were told that will probably take about two to four weeks. Please keep the Bishop and the District Superintendent in your prayers as they consider who the next pastor will be, and we will pass along the news as soon as we have it.

In other news, our year long experiment with two worship services will come to an end Easter Sunday, April 12. The church board is currently working on plans for what we’d like to see as we bring that time to a close. We’ll be sure to get the input of the incoming pastor before making any final decisions, but we are grateful for all who have given up something for us to try out having both a traditional and contemporary service. If you’d like to share your insights or give us your input we’d be happy to hear it! God bless.

Pastor Brian Neville

The United Methodist Church in the News

Friends,

The United Methodist Church is in the news again, this time with a headline about how our denomination is going to split. While there are some elements to what is being reported that are accurate, I would describe the overall characterization as largely inaccurate. Let me help clarify here some of what is in the news. We’ll also spend some time next week in our worship service discussing what is happening in our denomination.

So, what is accurate about these reports? What is accurate is that our denomination has been arguing back and forth about what to do regarding pastors performing weddings for the LGBTQ community, as well as whether clergy themselves should be ordained if they identify themselves as part of that community. This is nothing new; its been happening for over forty years. And though some have very strong feelings one way or another around this issue, I am grateful that our denomination is one that has thoughtful dialogue around difficult subjects. We don’t jump to conclusions; we work hard together to discern a way forward.

Pretty much everything else I’ve read in these articles is conjecture or inaccurate. Our denomination cannot split without a vote at the General Conference that takes place every four years. So as of right now nothing has changed in our denomination. Is it possible that the Church will split at the next gathering? Yes, its possible, but most United Methodist Church leaders believe that there are not enough people that want to split for that to happen. The event that sparked a myriad of articles many of you have read is a group of 16 United Methodists who created a plan on how to allow a small contigent, called the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) to leave the denomination. That plan has to be proposed, along with literally a thousand other pieces of legislation, which is sorted, combined and reworked for a vote by committees. If it receives enough votes in committee, then and only then does it come before the whole General Conference. So anyone who says they can describe how the denomination will split is wrong - no one can know that because such work hasn’t even taken place yet. It may be helpful for you to know that anyone that is a member of the United Methodist Church can propose legislation to change our denomination. The plan of 16 is one among many proposals for how our denomination can navigate the issues we are dealing with. One such plan is called the Indianapolis plan. Another comes from our own Annual Conference, where they are rewriting the entire Book of DIscipline with many simplifications. The plan of 16 was largely formed to create a path for the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) to leave the UMC and create their own denomination. The WCA has about 1,700 members and is a tiny fragment of the 13 million member UMC.

As a thousand pieces of legislation go to General Conference it is impossible to know what will happen. So as we wait, let me offer a recommendation for what to do in the meantime. I recommend we pray - we pray for our denomination, we pray for our leaders, we pray that we might be a blessing to one another even in the midst of our differences. And as we pray, remember to trust God. Our church will still be here after May of 2020, and we’ll still be working hard to know God, advance God’s kingdom and do God’s will. We’ll still share God’s love with everyone, learning to accept ourselves and to accept others. We’ll still be working on boundaries that honor one another and honor the scriptures that guide us. The point is that the work of the church goes on no matter how the denomination changes or how churches choose to align themselves. We keep loving God and we keep loving others.

I invite you to join us this next Sunday (1-12-20) as we take some time to talk through some of the questions you may have. God bless as you thoughtfully consider what is happening in the denomination.

In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville

For further reading:

the bishop’s letter to United Methodist Pastors

a helpful discussion on the details of the plan of 16