Check out what's going on this week at the UMC of Red Bank!
Connections
Friday, September 4, 2020
Outdoor Small Group Gathering Space
Our church council has approved the use of an Outdoor Small Group Gathering space for church groups of 10 or less. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing must be maintained. There are several places in the parking lot that we will be cordoning off and setting up chairs in to accommodate these outdoor gatherings. For more information or to request the space for your group, please contact Sheila Leavitt. Please know that Sheila is only in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Limited Open Office Hours
As the preschools in our church building prepare for the school year to start, we have been working hard to establish policies and procedures to keep everyone safe and healthy. While we are not yet resuming small groups or worship within the church building, starting this week, the main office will be open in a limited way. Tuesday through Thursday from 9-2 and Fridays from 9-1:30, either Sheila or Nell will be in the church office and able to let people in if you need to pick up or drop something off. Please note that any visitors to the building will be asked to complete a self-assessment (including questions about COVID symptoms and exposure, as well as travel to “quarantine states”). You will also be asked to sign in and abide by 6 feet social distancing and mask wearing. As of now, the restrooms are still closed to the public, so plan accordingly before making the trip to the church.
Worship Sneak Peek
September 6th, 2020 at 10am

Join in our online worship service on Sunday, September 6th as we wrap up our sermon series on the United Methodist Social Principles. This week, we will be learning how to be Christian ethicists by viewing contemporary issues through the lens of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
We hope to connect with you online!
Don't forget the Connect Card when you worship online
Each week while you are worshiping, please take the time to fill this out at some point during or after worship every week. It will only take a minute, but it will be incredibly helpful for us! Click here to submit your responses. Thanks in advance!
Online Fellowship Time Sundays After Worship
Join in a time to meet together and check in after online worship each Sunday. Sign in to the weekly Zoom call by clicking the following link - https://zoom.us/j/411045493. Or join by calling: (646) 558-8656  Meeting ID: 411 045 493#  Password: 7470446
Adult Education Class focuses on the UMC Social Principles
Sundays at 9:00 am
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Does the United Methodist Church take an official position on social issues affecting the world today? How is this position determined? Do we always agree? How can we use The Social Principles to guide our growth and thinking about these issues? How can we integrate our theology and our actions to live our faith with integrity and with influence upon our world? Join us in July and August for this new series and thoughtful discussion of how we apply our belief in God to how we think about critical issues of justice, stewardship, and encouraging all to live life abundantly. We meet by Zoom Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm and Sunday mornings at 9:00 am (pick either time that works best for you - or join us twice a week if you prefer!). Zoom connection information for each session is in the church calendar on the website. Any questions, please contact Mark Hackler.
Backpack Crew Update
New Fall Times!
The Backpack Crew pantry is now open EVERY Monday evening from 5-7pm. The current donation need is pasta and cereal! The Backpack Crew has continued to serve the increasing number of people who are impacted by food insecurity in the midst of this health crisis. Food donations are greatly appreciated on the back porch of the church, Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm. Thank you for your continued support. Email us at backpackcrewnj@gmail.com with any questions.
Getting Ready for School!
The Mission and Service team will be collecting school supplies on the back porch of the church through the end of September. The supplies will be shared with Lunch Break, Monmouth Day Care Center and Backpack Crew families. We will accept all new school supplies including: backpacks, glues sticks, colored pencils, crayons, notebooks, folders, No. 2 pencils, tissue packs, baby wipes, blue or black pens and hand sanitizer. Thank you for your continued support.
Send in your application early to vote by mail ballot
As the Coronavirus pandemic stretches on, avoid the question of whether or not to venture out to the polls for the General Election in November. Plan ahead by submitting your application for voting by mail ballot. Click on this link to download and print your application today, then simply mail it in to the address provided.
Desk Chairs
Desk Chairs Available!
The church has 15 or 20 of these desk chairs and they need a new home! They could make a nice study area for someone who is doing virtual learning this fall. They will be on the back porch over the next week or two so feel free to stop by and pick up as many as you can use.
Support UMCOR Disaster Relief

In the wake of the fires in California and the devastation of Hurricane Laura, we invite you to support the Disaster Response and Recovery fund of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Click here to contribute today to this relief effort. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own.
Youth Group Starts Up Wednesday, September 16th via Zoom!

Don’t forget that the start-up date for Youth Groups is just around the corner! So, don’t even think about missing out on all the fellowship and fun that is waiting just for you! COVID may change the way we do Youth Groups (for now anyway), but it can never stop the love and fun from flowing! So get ready for our first online gathering on Wednesday, September 16th! For more information, please contact Tammy at young@umcredbank.org or 732-299-6203. 
Bagels and Faith Summer Series

Are you a student in 6th to 12th grade and searching to find God’s presence in the midst of increasing global challenges, injustice and a pandemic? Do you ever wonder how (maybe even if) God is actually speaking to you? Do you just need a safe space to connect with other young people of faith and fellow seekers who have the same questions of faith and (fears) as you do?

This week, "seeing" through the eyes of Christ as we end our summer journey of seeking together. Class begins Sundays at 11:30 AM and can be accessed through this Bagels and Faith Zoom link. For information or questions, please contact Tammy at young@umcredbank.org or 732-299-6203. 
Children's Summer Sunday School

Calling all children of God ages K – 5th grade…Please join us for Summer Sunday School as we continue to explore The Art of Scripture! Designed to help our littlest disciples experience God’s Living Word through creative expressions of faith, such as drawing, coloring, music, body and breath prayers, and drama, this series is sure to offer fun and relaxing spiritual practices that will last a lifetime.

This week, join us for guided meditation to help bring a close to our summer of spiritual exercising. Please join us using this Zoom link. View this week's Faith in Action flyer. For information or questions, please contact Tammy at young@umcredbank.org or 732-299-6203. 
Support the 40th Annual Red Bank Crop Walk
For over 40 years, CROP Hunger Walk events have been held in hundreds of communities large and small raising millions of dollars to eradicate hunger and poverty. Help be part of the solution to end hunger in our local communities and around the world. There is ENOUGH for ALL. There are many ways you can participate in this year’s event.


• Register today! You can register and set up your online fundraising team for our 40th Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk. Click here for more information or to set up an online team.

• Support the 2020 CROP Walk by purchasing a mask, gaiter or bandana today. Submit an order via Venmo to Red Bank-CROPWalk. Indicate which item(s) you want to order and include your full name, mailing address and phone number. 
Balance and Strength Training
Tuesdays and Thursdays
at 12:00 pm
Join us for online Balance and Strength Training with Janet Tartaglia. Beginners welcome! Items needed: chair (with no arms) and weights (can be 2 16 oz. water bottles), or you can choose to follow along without the weights. Exercises done with chair or standing, no floor work. Join the Zoom meeting by following this link: https://zoom.us/j/96916489677 or call: (646) 876-9923 Meeting ID: 969 1648 9677# Password 7470446
Online Yoga - Wednesdays at 9:30 am
Join us for online yoga with Tiffany McCann on Wednesdays. Join the Zoom meeting by following this link: https://zoom.us/j/958496669. Or call: (646) 876-9923 Meeting ID: 958 496 669# Password 7470446
Pastoral Care
If someone is hospitalized or in need of pastoral care
please contact Rev. Jessica Naulty at 908-400-2343 or jbnaulty@umcredbank.org.