Please know our church and facilities remain closed due
to the attempt at physical distancing to curb COVID-19.
Our Church Building is Closed,
But Our Ministry Always Continues…
This Sunday, April 5 th, is Palm Sunday
This Sunday is Palm Sunday; we would traditionally gather together to wave our palms and sing "Hosanna!" as we mark the start of Holy Week.
This year, we know that Palm Sunday and Holy Week services will need to be different. Please know your CUMC family and CUMC staff have been working diligently to find and create new resources and ways for you to participate and worship from home.

Palm Sunday Worship Service, Holy Thursday Service, Good Friday Service, and Easter Sunday Service will be posted on Facebook, YouTube, and our Website.
Below is a list of resources you may utilize as we prepare
for Palm Sunday:
Palms:
If you wish to pick up your Palms, there will be a table set up in front of Chatham UMC on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They will be placed on the table near the entrance to the Sanctuary close to our Pop Up Food Pantry (for more information about the pantry, please see below). If you pick up a palm leaf, we ask you to please maintain social distancing guidelines and exercise the same precautions as you would as if you were shopping for your groceries.
Create your Own Palms:
You can download, print, and color paper palms if you choose. Please click here! for a paper template.

If you have Palms or strips of paper, you can make a Palm Cross . Directions are on the right.
Coloring Pages:
We have included three different Palm Sunday Coloring pages for you to enjoy this week. Coloring is not just for children! It is a wonderful, calming activity for adults to enjoy as well. You may click on each link below to print out and use.
New Expressions of Ministry, Community
and Care
Communities of Care
We human beings are created for community. With the isolation that we are experiencing due to the pandemic, we are exploring ways to create community through various means. 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.
The scriptures and prayers that are being shared this week are below:

Scripture of the week March 30, 2020:

Matthew 11:28-30 (New Revised Standard Version)
28  “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Prayer that can be prayed over the phone:

MORNING PRAYER (United Methodist Hymnal #877)
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
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 have seen food come from people who have the means to purchase extra food. We have also seen that food taken by people and families who can’t afford extra food.

We are also grateful for the greater Chatham and Madison Community who have contributed to this new expression of care.
United in Prayer
Beginning this week, prayer requests that are submitted during the week for our Wednesdays Facebook Live at 5 will be listed in the Weekly ENews. 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. More information can be found below in the Staying Connected This Week section below.
We Remember in our Prayers...
Here are the prayers that were lifted up at yesterday’s
Wednesday Prayers via Facebook Live:
  • For Walter Szarko who entered Life Eternal. Bless his daughter Janice Szarko and their family as they grieve his death and celebrate his life, that in Christ has no end.
  • For the Rev. Sherrie Boyens Dobbs Johnson, who entered Life Eternal after a brief battle with COVID-19. Bless her husband Bishop Alfred Johnson as he grieves her death, and celebrates her life, that in Christ has no end.
  • For Sue and Oscar P, who are grieving the death of his elderly mother.
  • For Hal’s Cousins Louise and Martha who are both grieving the deaths of their husbands within weeks of each other.
  • For Conner as he finishes Auburn and starts looking for a job in this uncharted landscape.
  • For Alyssa’s roommate, whose grandmother died in Indonesia.
  • For Alyssa’s Mother who is working in a hospital, and for the staff and patients that she oversees.
  • Prayers of thanks for Alyssa, and for the many ways God uses her to be a blessing in our midst.
  • For Dorothy, caring for elderly parents
  • For teachers
  • For parents who are now teaching, in addition to everything else they did before the pandemic
  • For Mallory, working in an ER
  • For Gabrielle, working in an ER.
  • For Jeanne, Sarah and other nurses.
  • For those who have had to give up their pets due to losing their incomes.
  • For those who adopt pets.
  • Prayers of gratitude for food, shelter and the gifts of life, breath and being.
  • For Anne, in need of God’s healing touch.
  • For Edit’s mom Margit who is in the hospital with a simple stomach flu.
  • Thanksgiving for Cheryl C’s daughter-in-law Leean, who spent 14 days with a fever and a migraine. Then her 12-year-old daughter, Kayla, got the virus and was sick for five days. They are both feeling better now. Prayers for the rest of the family.
  • For a friend Kim and husband Tom. Thanksgiving that Tom has just been released today from a hospital in Loveland, CO. Asking now for ongoing prayers for his healing and strength. (Annie W.)
  • For District Superintendent, Rev. Manuel Sardinas, who is hospitalized with COVID-19, and for his wife Elizabeth who has symptoms.
  • For Bishop John Schol as he adds the Gateway North District to his growing responsibilities.
  • For the Communities of Care calls, that they continue to be a mutual blessing for those receiving and making calls.
  • Erin, as she has been battling severe Lyme disease and other tick-borne disease for over five years.
  • For Sean, Denis and Pat, for strength and compassion.
  • For Eileen, as she provides mental health counseling to children.
  • For Erica, her husband Fred, and their son Henry.
  • For the health and safety of all first responders, all health care workers, and all clergy as they minister to the needs of our population.
  • For Annie’s cousin Jana facing challenges of a new round of chemo.
  • For Ron as he goes through the next rounds of chemo.
  • For Arthur as he goes through dialysis.
  • For Mary in need of God’s blessing, and her family as they care for her.
  • For doctors, nurses, hospital staff and administrators, as well as their families.
  • 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.

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.
Staying Connected this Week
Today!
Did you miss our Prayers Live @5 on Facebook on Wednesday? 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 on Facebook or you would like to submit a prayer request, see the information below for Wednesday, April 8 th .
Holy Week 2020
Although this will be unlike any Holy Week in our memory, we will stay connected and,nonetheless,
it will be Holy.

Sunday, April 5 th Palm Sunday, 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.

Jeff Markay is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: CUMC Virtual Coffee and Conversation on Sunday mornings at 10am.
Time: This is a recurring meeting

Join Zoom Meeting for Sunday, April 5 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
Find your local number:  https://zoom.us/u/aeeMb9ybJT

Still need directions to get started with Zoom? Click Below
See Youth and Kids News below for details and printables.
Wednesday, April 8 th
Prayers on Facebook 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.
Thursday, April 9 th Holy Thursday Service, Friday, April 10 th Good Friday Service , and April 12 th , Easter Sunday 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.
Sunday's Worship: Look for Pastor Sharon's children's message in Sunday's worship video! Activity 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. Sunday’s theme:   HOSANNA! Hosanna is a joyous cry – it is us calling out to God “save us!” in moments of both joy and grief. It is recognizing that, even when we least expect it, God can show up and turn everything upside down. Today’s story is Matthew’s Holy Week – the triumphal entry to the crucifixion – from Matthew 21:1-11; 27:27-66. Email Karen at  youthchatumc@optonline.net   for info on how to connect and to receive supplemental materials.

Submerge Class 4 th -7 th  graders:  meet online Sunday morning at 10:30am. This week our session is “Staying Awake” and our story is from Matthew 26:31-56 – have a Bible handy! As we wrap up our study of Holy Week, we’ll have some discussion, talk about intercessory prayer and try some “praying in color”. If there’s still time, we'll look at this week’s magazine article. 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.  Review last week’s question: What's Next? Life After Death. Then we will move on to discussion of the Creeds.

High School Discussion Group: will meet Sunday at 1:30pm on Zoom. This week we’ll talk about Being the church and how we can create community in the midst of isolation.

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.
Find Chatham UMC’s music online at:
www.facebook.com/chathamunitedmethodist n j   or on our YouTube page. This week we have shared Mike Maguire’s own composition,  The Crow’s Nest . Look for new music from our musicians who are hard at work while staying safe at home! Our music groups continue to stay in touch via Zoom meetings and email. Please contact Peter Hill, music director for more information at petepiano@mac.com .  
CUMC Outreach
Volunteers are always needed for Ministry Outreach.
Please click on the following to get involved:
Local Outreach
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. No need to leave home thanks to Friends of the Library Book Sale funding and volunteers.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).

Here’s a process that will enable you to make at least 5 masks within an hour!
Ready for pickup? Leave the masks in a bag on your porch and call 862-246-6108.
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