During the past several months, I have been reading about discernment and change in institutions, like the church. One of the buzz words in the clergy world is “LIMINAL.” A liminal season is when we are in-between the familiar, known, predictable world we’ve lived in, and the unfamiliar, unknown, unpredictable future that is ahead of […]
I am blessed with many talented and wonderful clergy colleagues during my 27 years of ordained ministry. Pastors who have served in large churches, mid-sized churches and small churches. Ministers who have been Executive Presbyters, served at synod level and served as leadership in the General Assembly. I am thankful for all those who have […]
At a called Session Meeting on Tuesday, June 1st, the Session, unanimously, adopted the following protocols for Worship: No social distancing requirements in the building; Bibles and Hymnals will be replaced in the pews to aid in worship; Communion, the Offering and the Passing of the Peace of Christ shall remain as we have been […]
I have been gathering via Zoom with clergy collogues on Tuesday morning over the last year and we have been discussing a variety of topics related to self-care, congregational care, worship, pandemic protocols and most recently returning to worship. At our last gathering, we looked at an article by Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, who is pastor […]
Scripture tells us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Becky Schad has done a wonderful job as Youth Director: building relationships with students, participating in Triennium, leading Bible Studies and offering pastoral care, but a new season is here. After consultation with the Executive Presbyter for […]
Slate Roof Tiles from the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury have been beautifully painted by member Becca Brown. There are six hand-painted tiles – each with a unique picture of the sanctuary up for auction. Bidding for a slate tile begins at $100.00 and the highest bidder will receive first choice of the tiles. The remaining […]
From the Pastor… On Tuesday, March 16, West Jersey Presbytery ended its ministry with the following statement: “Today we have celebrated with thanksgiving the life and work of the faith and ministry of the Presbytery of West Jersey. We have served as a witness to God’s presence for over 181 years. We have provided refuge, […]
From the Pastor… We are in the midst of a Lenten Study by Jon Meacham on the Last Seven Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross. During one of the recent Zoom gathering, we talked about the image of the cross and the symbolism of the cross for modern believers. How do we “see” this […]
The Session has decided that in the best interest and health of the community ALL Holy Week Services will be VIRTUAL via the church’s FaceBook Live page. This decision was not made lightly or without wrestling with the significance of this week in the life of the church. We were hoping that Covid Vaccinations would […]
The season after Christmas and before Lent can often seem like a “down” time in the church year—as if we’re simply marking time while waiting for another grand celebration. Whether it is because we are suffering from holiday fatigue or influenced by gloomy winter weather, the season of Epiphany can go by unnoticed and unheralded. […]