Dear Church Family,
 
As we enter March (oops, we're already a few days in!) I want to invite you to think about Lent as a season of Repair. There is a lot that is broken right now. There is a lot that needs fixing. Throughout the month we'll be exploring this theme.
 
But maybe, before starting a project of putting things back together, you need to first tear some things down. Maybe old, broken foundations, are still enticing to you. Maybe it's tempting to start building on them again, because you remember what was...once upon a time. Or, maybe, something that is actually 'sort of put together' 'sort of working' is the very thing that needs to be broken down, so that the rebuilding process can start from scratch.
 
I would suggest, early in Lent, that you take time to think about what in your life needs a little deconstructing. What are you clinging to that needs to be cast to the wind?  
 
What needs to die in order to be raised again?
 
Peace, Pastor Seth
Tuesday, March 10: Sacred Space
Sacred Space is a time of contemplative worship.  As you arrive you are invited to light a candle and then join in song, silence, prayer and readings.  At the end of our worship, all are invited to share in Communion.   Sacred Space will be meeting one time per month this Spring.  We will gather in the sanctuary at 7pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month: March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9.  All are welcome!
Welcome Newcomers!
Are you new to RCHP?  Come to the Quilt Room between services on March 15 to get to know members of the Fellowship Committee and ask any questions you may have about RCHP.  Look for the table that says 'Welcome Newcomers" anytime between 10:10 and 11:05.
Wednesday, March 18: RCHP Retirees Welcome
The next monthly meeting of RCHP Retirees is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18th from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Parlor. Kim McGraw, Senior Program Coordinator, will describe the wide variety of social, recreational, and educational activities that are available for the benefit and enjoyment of Highland Park Seniors. Thank you to Monica Day for arranging this speaker. Free for lunch?  Drop in at the Retiree table at Global Grace Cafe every Thursday at 12:30pm, hosted by Carol Perry.  Questions or suggestions? Speak with Elmira Nazombe or email Carol Turner at  cjteddpc@mac.com .
March Calendar

SUNDAYS March 15, 22, 29 and April 5: Join us for REPAIR CAFE after second service. Come and enjoy delicious soup from Global Grace Cafe and participate in a variety of experiences of "repair." Each week, on Fridays, the REPAIR CAFE WEEKEND UPDATE will let you know what you can expect to experience at the cafe. RCHP is experimenting for the first time with repair cafe. If you're interested in learning more about this model:  check out this video
 
MONDAYS March 16, 23, 30: Book Study of "Christ In Crisis" by Jim Wallis, join Pastor Amos and Brian Szura for a thoughtful reflection on faith and our national political and social milieu.
 
TUESDAY March 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st: Prayer Shawl Ministry 7pm-9pm , A beautiful ministry at RCHP is this group that knits beautiful shawls for those going through a time of trial in their lives. Many lives have been touched by this gesture of love. Come and have fellowship with a beautiful group of people and create gifts for those in need!
 
WEDNESDAY March 11, 18, 25: Wednesday Nights are nights for music, food, book study, and hangout time for kids! Our church is alive on Wednesday nights! Come to First Voices and Voices of Praise from 5:30-6:00, Gospel Choir 6:30-7:30, Chancel Choir 7:30-8:30, Book Group 6:30-7:30  "No Friend But the Mountains" by Behrouz Boochani. 
 
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY DETENTION CENTER VISITATION : Being present for those who are detained and imprisoned is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Tuesdays, 6pm. Wednesdays, 8pm. Please take time to repair the world through detention center visitation this Lent.
 
THURSDAY March 12th, DIRE meets to plan out our work of protecting our neighbors from renegade immigration policies. The meeting is at NOON.
 
THURSDAY March 19th, Interfaith-RISE meets to celebrate refugee arrivals and to plan for more arrivals in the month to come. The meeting is at NOON.
 
SUNDAY, March 29th, We celebrate the baptism of  Jason Sundalangi, son of 
Steven and Jeasita.

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 10am-12noon: Easter Party
Singles Sojourners Social Network
Have you heard about SingSoJo at RCHP? The purpose of this group is to provide opportunities for connecting socially in an atmosphere that is fun, joyful and welcoming, without the goal of "coupling". SingSoJo is always welcoming of new people and we invite you to come along for the journey!
Adults over the age of 18 and any gender or sexual orientation are welcome to participate as well as contribute their ideas for events and activities. 
For more detailed info., please contact Deb Convery at  deborah.convery@gmail.com
Sunday School Request
Do you appreciate the spontaneity  and creativity of children?  Would you like to be blessed by spending time with people younger than you? Do you want to understand the stories of our faith more deeply? Are you ready to smile and laugh on Sunday morning? If can answer yes to these questions, you may be a great fit for our Sunday school teaching teams. From May - mid June I am looking for 4-6 adults to come along side our current teachers and support our Sunday morning education program.  We serve approximately 80 children in Sunday school at RCHP and I  need assistants to serve this spring with the possibility of continuing to teach again in the fall. You may want to consider volunteering with a friend or partner; it's a great way to serve together.  Please reach out to Wendy Jager if you are interested.   wendyjager3@gmail.com.
Big Band Swing Dance Fundraiser for Who Is My Neighbor
Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 8:30-10:30pm, the Highland Swing Orchestra will play 3 sets.
         Come early for optional dance instruction 7:30-8:15pm.
Location: The Social Hall of RCHP
Cost: $10 admission all ages. Proceeds benefit the community based programs of Who Is My Neighbor including The Cave afterschool program for middle school students and The Family Den early childhood enrichment and parenting program.
To purchase tickets in advance: https://www.whoismyneighbor.net/

Join us for an evening of music and dance featuring the Highland Swing Orchestra, a 15 piece big band in the swing era tradition. The swing era, from 1933 to 1947, was a time when big band music was the most popular music in the country. The Highland Swing Orchestra brings this almost lost musical tradition back to life in the modern era, performing this music for audiences, many of whom have never heard it before. The Orchestra performs songs from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and even Weather Report and Herbie Hancock for audiences both young and old.


Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. Program funded by Middlesex County, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.


RCHP remembers all those who died in March 
 and all those who still mourn

The following names have been offered for remembrance in March 2020:
Heinz Betz, Beloved Husband of Kathe Betz;
  Esther Buck, Beloved Wife of Ray Buck, Beloved Mother and Grandmother of the Buck Family;
  Sarah Buell, Beloved Great-Grandmother of Sarah MacKinnon;
  Leigh Davis, Beloved Wife of Bruno Oriti;
  Mavis Dyght, Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Mother-in-Law of the Beckford Family;
  Franco Juricic, Beloved Husband of Jacquelyn and Father of Noah and Ana;
  Nana Lee, Beloved Mother of Tim Cassidy;
  Jim McMahon, Beloved Husband of Joan McMahon;
  Tom Monroe, Beloved Husband of Ellie Monroe;  
Walter Wilpiszeski, Beloved Father of Cathy and Grandfather of Anna Laycock.
 
If it would be a comfort to include your loved ones in a monthly memory calendar,  call Lisa at the RCHP office 732-249-7349.
Happy March Birthday!
3/1- Jenny Chapman
3/2- TJ Carman, Pat Devlin
3/3- Layda Poluan-Rumagit,  Michael Adeniji
3/4- Joan McMahon, Wendy Nussman
3/5- Benjamin Giacalone,
3/6- Amina Megalli, Kathy Malkiewicz
3/7- Ellie Monroe, 3/7- Silas Wertz,
3/8- Anna Laycock, 3/8- Franklin Moreno
3/10- Katie Buck 
3/11- Kathe Betz,  Keiko Kereh
3/13- Steve Woodside
3/14- Carmella Hepburn
3/15- Jonathan Faust
3/16- Renee Clark, Christy VanHorn, Zachary Meyer,Linda St. Pierre,
Patrick Poluan-Rumagit, Ethan VanDorn
3/17- Marc Laurano
3/19- Rose Marie Hepburn
3/20- Amos Breslin,  Awatt Awatt, Grace Proctor
3/22- Colleen McKay
3/23- Richard Adelmann, Richard Bloomfield, Thomas Buck
3/24- Awatt Awatt, Jr., Sharon Buck-Teahl,  Jan Hansen
3/27- Mateo Jeremie-Brink, James McMahon, Jr.
3/28- Christopher Willard-Kyle,  Shawn Molinari
3/29- Janet Tappen, Joey Teahl
3/30- Kolade Kolawole
3/31- Jonathan Varga,  Piney Arp
   
Happy March Anniversary!
Richard & Kathryn Riss - March 3
Ashley & Colleen Mackay-Wharton- March 22
Gary & Lilliam Costa- March 30
We are thankful for...
Willie's important work cleaning, Stillwaters anti-trafficking sharing their work, Senior prayer breakfast keeps growing, RCHP Retirees gather for monthly meetings, Daily deliciousness at Global Grace Cafe, The Cave moves outside in beautiful weather, Full services for Lent, Nature hikes are so much fun, RCHP-AHC purchases a new house in Keyport for a family in need, Anthony paints the prayer chapel purple in memory of Franco, Love at the Global Grace Marketplace, RCHP supports transgender and non-binanary awareness I Am Jazz book reading, Wishing the Alamasi family well as they move to Iowa.