Please know our church and facilities remain closed due
to the attempt at physical distancing to curb COVID-19.
|
|
"Keep your face to the sun and you will never
see the shadows." ~Helen Keller
|
|
During this time, it's very easy to be overwhelmed by the shadows of uncertainty, fear, isolation, and the mundane. We are all seeking opportunities to find the sun to minimize those shadows and fulfill our various needs. We hope that your CUMC Weekly ENews will be able to provide a moment of light and offer you some resources to help. Because our needs are evolving, our Weekly ENews will adapt to meet those changes. We will continue to offer you links to our weekly schedule of online worship, virtual coffee socials, Facebook Prayers, and our ongoing Ministries.
Starting this week, we will also offer resources you may need to help you or your loved ones through this trying time. Because CUMC has always been a loving community of dedicated ministry, we know you are also seeking ways to give back to those in need.
With this in mind, there will be two new sections at the bottom of each week's email:
Seeking Resources
and
How to Help.
We will add links to resources that might help you meet some of the needs you may be experiencing. If there is a resource you would like to add, you may submit by
clicking here
.
May the warmth of the spring sun break through the clouds and dispel some of the shadows!
|
|
Staying connected this Week
|
|
Thursday, April 23
rd
Did you miss our
Prayers Live @5 on Facebook last night? Don't worry. You can
rewatch by clicking here. You don't need to be on Facebook to rewatch this link. If you would like to participate this coming
Wednesday, April 29
th on Facebook or you would like to submit a prayer request, see the information below for
Wednesday, April 29
th
.
|
|
Letters to say "Hello"
The Wilcox Family would like to invite those who know
Dave Wilcox
to send him a letter or card. Dave and Peggy have been faithful members of Chatham UMC for a very long time. His address can be found at:
David Wilcox c/o Abigail Dankert
Brookdale Senior Living
8 James Street
Florham Park, NJ. 07932
|
|
We Miss You!
We want to see you during our weekly online worship! We are still looking for brief videos for our passing of the peace. It's so simple to participate.
J
ust take a simple video of yourself looking at the camera and saying, “Peace be with you,” and then email or text it to Jeff. He’ll include two or three of these in each Sunday’s video.
Please send your videos to Jeff at
revjmarkay@earthlink.net
or text to (973) 769-5266.
|
|
Please scroll further down to read
A Letter for Advocacy and Support to End Bladder Cancer by
Bob Schreiber who grew up at Chatham UMC. If you would like to participate in a virtual walk, there is a pending deadline to register!
|
|
Sunday, April 26
th
Our worship service will be posted on Facebook, YouTube, and our Website.
We hope you will worship with us, and share the links with those who have no church or cannot worship at their church during this time.
Virtual Coffee and Conversation via Zoom at 10:00 AM on Sunday.
Join Zoom Meeting for Sunday, April 26
th
Meeting ID:
680 233 812
Password:
015665
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,680233812# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,680233812# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID:
680 233 812
Still need directions to get started with Zoom? Click Below
|
|
Prayers Live at Five on Facebook
All are invited to tune into a brief Facebook Live event on
Wednesdays at 5:00 pm
. We will be lifting up some prayer practices that might be helpful as we navigate this new landscape. If you have prayer requests that you would like lifted up, you can type them into the comments section of the FB Live event or you can
email them to Pastor Jeff at
revjmarkay@earthlink.net
These Wednesday Prayers videos will be stored on our Chatham UMC Facebook page for those who are unable to participate on Wednesdays at 5PM.
|
|
Sunday's Worship
:
sheets for readers and non-readers are available below for you to print at home!
Sunday School Kids
(PreK-3
rd
grade):
meet online Sunday morning at 9:30am
.
This Sunday’s theme: ASCEND. Today’s story of Jesus’ final farewell takes place after Easter but before Pentecost and is from Acts 1:6-14. Before Jesus ascends to heaven, he gives the disciples an important job to do – a job that is now in our hands! Email Karen at
youthchatumc@optonline.net
for info on how to connect on zoom and to receive supplemental materials
.
Submerge Class
(4
th
-7
th
graders):
meet online Sunday morning at 10:30am.
This week our session is “Jesus Brings Peace” and our story is from Luke 24:36-53 – have a Bible handy! The Gospel of Luke attempts to offer proof that Jesus was truly resurrected, and not a ghost or vision. We’ll go deeper and explore why this would have been important to the early Christians and why it’s important for us today. The Zoom Log-In is the same as last week but it will be emailed again on Saturday. Email Karen at
youthchatumc@optonline.net
if you'd like to be added to this email list.
Submerge / Tween Time:
T
hursdays at 4:00pm on Zoom.
Time to hang out, play some games, connect and help each other thru this time of social distancing. Email Karen at
youthchatumc@optonline.net
if you'd like to be added to this email list.
Confirmation Class:
meet online at 11:00am
.
We’re entering the final section of our confirmation studies, which lead to the decision to be confirmed or not. Sunday’s lesson is entitled:
A Faith to Confirm
. Making a profession of faith and understanding what it is you are saying you believe can be confusing. You’re not alone – even John Wesley had his doubts and struggles.
High School Discussion Group:
will meet this Sunday at 1:30 PM on Zoom.
This week's topic:
Seminarian Surprise!
Youth Group Hangouts
—
Thursdays at 5:30pm on Zoom for High Schoolers, Confirmands, RISE team
. Check your email for the log-in info but if you need it again,text Karen at 973.908.4474.
RISE Teams Past and Present
:
(from the RISE board)
We do not know yet what will happen for RISE's 40th summer. We are concerned about the needs of the people we help each summer in this difficult time. Let's have some fun and raise some money. For every picture of someone in a RISE shirt on social media, members of the RISE board will donate $5 to food pantries in Steuben and Allegheny Counties.
Tag RISE and use
#
RiseTogether40
|
|
Our CUMC musicians continue to make music while at home. Here's two of our latest musical posts. Click on each link and enjoy!
This past week two of
CUMC Youth Musicians
were busy music-ing at home. Take a listen to
Miriam Yarger
playing
Amazing Grace
on ukulele:
And
Hanna Giedraitis
singing Kacey Musgraves’
Rainbow
:
All friends and members of the congregation are invited to be part of a video of the hymn:
This Little Light of Mine
. We would like to show the world that we are all still singing even while away from the church building, social distancing, taking a walk outside, or working from home.
You need only take video of you singing a line or two of the hymn then send it to music director,
Peter Hill
at
petepiano@mac.com
. If you would be willing and interested in being part of this video project or for more information, please contact Peter Hill at
petepiano@mac.com
or 530-574-7539.
|
|
If you have people and situations that you would like lifted up in prayer, please email them to:
revjmarkay@earthlink.net
and indicate whether you want the prayers to be confidential, or shared with the greater Chatham UMC community.
All are invited to
Wednesday Prayers via Facebook Live at 5PM.
This will be done every Wednesday for the foreseeable future.
If you wish to learn and practice a spiritual resource that might help move us from the landscape of fear, to a place of peace, please click on the link below:
|
|
Prayers for April 22, 2020
For those who want to join hundreds of others who have been praying for the following people and situations, keep reading, and thank you.
We Remember in our Prayers...
- For teachers
- Please pray for social workers especially Family Promise people.
- Healing for Phyllis Conrad hospitalized at Overlook with a respiratory infection.
- Also, prayers for parents who are struggling with parenting while managing the fear around the virus and working and teaching their kids.
- For doctors, nurses, hospital staff and administrators, as well as their families.
- For Mallory, Dr. Franz, Dr. Becky M, Gabrielle, Carolyn, Jeanne, Sarah, Annie, Carol, Nancy,
- Bless them with stamina as they face tragedy on a daily basis. Bless them with moments of peace and purpose and rest. Bless them as they are often providing emotional support for patients, as well as the medical skills for which they are trained. For self-care as they work overtime and respond to monumental needs.
- Help them and all of us to process the feelings of guilt in not being able to do more.
- For Melissa’s Dad as he struggles with the coronavirus.
- For Mark, diagnosed with cancer
- For Gordy, in need of healing
- For Dale, a 17-year old with coronavirus in Florham Park
- For Marion, with coronavirus
- For Dave, who died this week, and for his wife Juanita who is grieving
- Tom G. who is struggling with the coronavirus
- For Edit, who broke her hand last week,
- For the homeless community, and those caring for them.
- For Annie’s Aunt Polly celebrating a 96thbirthday
- For Ziley as he undergoes surgery on Thursday, and for his family as they care for each other.
- For Alyssa’s brother, Karen’s nephew, and others graduating without graduation.
- For Chatham UMC’s graduating seniors, Miriam, Anna, Emma and Hanna
- For Jon working on the front lines in a supermarket
- For staff working in Intensive Care Units which at times extend to the hallways of hospitals.
- For Anne, in need of God’s healing touch.
- Manuel Sardinas, recovering from COVID-19
- For the Communities of Care calls, that they continue to be a mutual blessing for those receiving and making calls.
- For the health and safety of all first responders, all health care workers, and all chaplains and clergy as they minister to the needs of our population.
- For Ron as he goes through the next rounds of chemo
- For Mary in need of God’s blessing, and her family as they care for her
- For those with the power to make decisions that will help the world confront this pandemic with wisdom, knowledge and compassion
- For Christians, people of other faiths, and people of good will, that together we will offer compassion, love and wisdom to a fearful and hurting world.
- For an outpouring of empathy and compassion for those in need.
- Frank F’s brother Joe in the hospital. Please keep him & his family in prayer. (Chris)
- For friends who have lost their livelihood and income.
- For the Nauta Family who are grieving the death of Bill Nauta,
- For the family and friends of Rose Del Vecchio, who died last week.
- For Sue as she grieves the death of her husband (Fran)
- For a friend's husband, Darell, who entered Life Eternal
- Prayers for a friend Melissa and their 4 children for prayers. (Anna)
- Jenn B has a new medical problem
- For friend Ursula, who is fighting colon cancer (Jessica)
- friend Sabrina's father, who was recently diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia. (Jessica)
- For those living with COVID-19 and those treating them.
- Lori, who died from COVID-19, prayers also for her family. (Hal)
- For Arthur
- For Mike’s Dad Ed who is working security at a hospital
- For Mike’s Uncle Ratsy who has COVID-19 and is hospitalized.
- For Chelsea, Kevin and Leigh Ann as they volunteer at the COVID Testing Site for Morris County.
- For loved ones with compromised immune systems
- For those struggling with isolation
- For those having difficulties with their families
- For those who are dealing with addictions
- For those who live in fear of domestic violence
- For those with mental health challenges and those who are caring for them
- For those who are grieving, God grant them comfort
- For Jean and Andy as they grieve the death of Jean’s mother from the coronavirus.
- We give thanks for Jean W who was released from the hospital
- For all who are at Juniper Village and Chatham Hills who have the coronavirus and those who are caring for them.
- For Dawn as she grieves the death of her mother to the coronavirus.
- For those searching for you O God in a new way.
- The prayers of each of our hearts…
If you have people and situations that you would like lifted up in prayer, please email them to:
revjmarkay@earthlink.net
and indicate whether you want the prayers to be confidential, or shared with the greater Chatham UMC community.
We continue to pray for all our members in nursing care facilities
and shut-ins.
We continue to pray for friends and loved ones in military service:
Christophe Strunc, Justin Alexander, Dale Deeken, Joshua Garber, Shane Garrett, Toby Haughey, Brian Klecka, Phillip Knoecklein, Brandon Pillen, Kevin Sehulster, and Vanessa Lindsay-Kerr.
|
|
The scriptures and prayers that are being shared this week are below:
Scripture of the week April 20, 2020:
O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:1
Prayer that can be shared:
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Lord of All, to thee we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
(For the Beauty of the Earth, from the United Methodist Hymnal #92)
|
|
We recently received thoughtful letters of thanks from
Family Promise.
|
|
Thank You Panera Bread and The Bread Ministry!
We recently received an itemized list of all the products that Panera has donated to the Chatham UMC in 2019.
The “dough-nations” equal over $25,000 worth of bread, pastries and product!
Thank you Panera Bread Company!
Special thanks to our Bread Ministry people here at Chatham UMC, who pick up the day old bread from Panera on Saturday nights, bring it to the church, bag it, and bring it to various groups who receive the bread.
Recently we have been picking up the bread 5 days a week, and freezing it so that it can be brought to Grace Kitchen in Summit, who last week provided food for 1,580 individuals from 345 households.
This is almost double the numbers that they served two weeks ago.
If you would like to be involved in this Bread Ministry, please contact Edit Ostrom at:
nyuszi@mac.com or sign up to participate by
Clicking Here
|
|
A Letter for Advocacy and Support to End Bladder Cancer
|
|
Dear Members and Friends of the Chatham United Methodist Church (CUMC),
First and foremost, I hope you and your families are doing OK during this very challenging time.
And, thank you all for your prayers of support during my bladder cancer journey. It has involved a series of treatments, then major surgery (neobladder), and now ongoing testing to make sure I’m OK. So far, so good.
After I shared the fact of having this disease and my offer to help fellow patients and their families, during events at CUMC, some of you came to me to let me know of family members or friends with bladder cancer – or you helped me get in touch with other CUMC members and friends about this. I certainly hope that all of those fellow patients are continuing to progress through their journeys OK, as well. And for those of you who are fellow patients yourselves, thank you for the time spent on the phone, as we shared stories, exchanged info, and discussed advice and guidance...
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) Is hosting a special virtual walk event
Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 10am ET.
The
Virtual Walk to End Bladder Cancer
will be an interactive nationwide event which will involve participants walking from a place of their choosing. This event will broadcast on BCAN’s social media channels (
Facebook
, Twitter and YouTube).
1. It’s easy. Register at
www.bcanwalk.org
and recruit your friends, family, and colleagues to join the cause from wherever they are.
Be sure to register by Thursday, April 23, 2020 to receive your walk t-shirt prior to the event!
2. It’s fun. Joining with others or forming your own virtual walk team is a great way to stay connected in a time of social distancing.
3. It matters. In 2020, more than 81,000 people will hear the words “You have bladder cancer.” More than 17,000 of them will not survive their disease. Bladder cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S., but one of the least known and understood. The money raised from the Walks will help the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) continue its mission of advocating for bladder cancer research and supporting those impacted by the disease.
You can help end this disease by participating in the Virtual Walk to End Bladder Cancer to raise awareness, raise funds, and raise spirits in a time of social distancing.
We hope you will join us!
2020 National Walk Sponsors include: Astellas/Seattle Genetics, AstraZeneca, FerGene, Genentech, Janssen Oncology, EMD Serono/Pfizer, and Photocure.
Please visit
www.bcan.org
for more information about the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.
|
|
Volunteers are always needed for Ministry Outreach.
- A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR ONLINE LITURGISTS! In light of our current reality of virtual worship, we’re reaching out to all church members for pre-recorded Gospel readings. We've created easy to follow instructions- just grab your cell phone and click below! (Please remember to film Sunday’s Gospel message by the previous Tuesday!)
- Click Here for instructions
|
|
- Pop Up Outdoor Food Pantry Thank you Chatham UMC for your continued support of bringing extra food to the pop up food pantry located under the overhang of our Main Street entrance to the Sanctuary. We are also grateful for the greater Chatham and Madison Community who have contributed to this new expression of care.
|
|
- Communities of Care Chatham UMC has recently set up Communities of Care for those who wish to receive a call, a text or an email from someone at the Chatham UMC community. If you would like to be in such a group, please email the church office by clicking here.
|
|
Below is a small sample of resources available for our members and friends in need.
- For current information about New Jersey resources such as employment opportunities, medical assistance, housing assistance and financial assistance please Click Here for the New Jersey COVID-19 Information HUB.
- If you need to speak to someone for emotional support dealing with stress, anxiety and depression due to COVID-19, speak with a behavioral care specialist from the NJ Mental Health Cares Hotline 866-202-HELP (4357) daily from 8am-8pm.
- The Mom2Mom helpline offers 24/7 peer support to mothers of children with special needs. 877-914-MOM2 (6662)
- Crisis Text Line Connect with a crisis counselor, trained in active listening and collaborative problem solving, helping to defuse a “hot” moment or a crisis. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Text: "NJ" to 741741
- For a partial list of current food pantries in New Jersey, please Click Here
|
|
Below is a small sample of ways you can help or virtually volunteer during this crisis.
- The Library 1,000 Masks Challenge is On! Please help protect our front line workers by making masks with materials we will deliver right to your doorstep. You will need tightly woven cotton material, flannel, thread and elastic. To request materials, send an email to masks@chathamlibrary.org or phone us at 862-246-6108. Your materials will be delivered in a library tote bag provided in partnership with ECLC Pride while supplies last. Keep the tote and seal your masks in a zip lock baggie (multiple masks per bag). Details are at this link: https://www.atlantichealth.org/patients-visitors/donate-volunteer/donate-supplies-covid-19/make-facemask-help-covid-19.html Ready for pickup? Leave the masks in a bag on your porch and call 862-246-6108.
- Chatham/Madison FLAG (Frontline Appreciation Group) Support First Responders and Local Small Businesses by Clicking Here
- Help The Interfaith Food Pantry by donating to Habitat for Humanity's
|
|
All submissions for next week's CUMC Weekly E-news are due to Eileen Ruggiero by Tuesdays, 2:00 PM Submissions may be emailed to
chatumc@optonline.net
.
|
|
460 Main Street
Chatham, NJ-(973) 635-7740
|
|
If you cannot join us on Sunday or you would like to hear something again try our podcast. All
podcasts
are on iTunes and you may subscribe for free!
Try it by Clicking Here
|
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
