This Week at Christ Church

Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick

Worshiping God, Serving God's People

February 16, 2024 | Events for the week of February 18, 2024

Office Hours: Wednesday 9:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m., Friday 9:00a.m. -12:30p.m.

The First Sunday in Lent

Worship Services This Week

JOIN US IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM!

8:00 & 10:30AM

Eucharistic Service

Liturgical Ministers Needed!

See links below for sign-ups!

For those joining on Zoom

Click HERE to join the 10:30AM Service

Click HERE to watch the 10:30AM service live on YouTube, or HERE for Facebook, or watch anytime.

Find Sunday's worship service materials below:

8AM &10:30AM Parish Notes HERE
10:30AM Great Litany HERE

Follow along with the Book of Common Prayer HERE

Wednesday

Noonday Prayer-click HERE to join

Liturgical Ministers Sign Ups!

Please check your calendars

and sign up!!

February: Here

PARISH EVENTS THIS WEEK

SUNDAY

Holy Eucharist, 8:00AM

Choir Warmup, 8:45AM

Holy Eucharist, 10:30AM

Coffee Hour, 12:00PM

Meeting Church Again for the First Time, Ross Room, 12:00PM

TUESDAY

Tuesdayers, 7:00PM via Zoom

WEDNESDAY

Noonday Prayer via Zoom

Lenten Series, 7:00PM via Zoom

WomenSpirit, 7:30PM via Zoom

THURSDAY

Choir Rehearsal, 7:00PM

SATURDAY

Meeting Church Again for the First Time, Ross Room, 10:00AM

COVID GUIDELINES

Please review the most current COVID-19 guidelines from the

Diocesan Taskforce for Re-entering, Re-opening, and Re-imagining HERE

LENTEN SERIES 2024: REST IS RESISTANCE - A MANIFESTO

By Tricia Hersey (Founder of The Nap Ministry)

WEDNESDAYS VIA ZOOM 7PM-8PM

“You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.”

Join Revs. Joanna and Daphne on an exploration of how rest is not a gift, but a divine right in our capitalist, production-focused world. Written from a spiritual perspective centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics and Afrofuturism, this is a book for EVERY BODY as artist and theologian Tricia Hersey invites us into a beautiful meditation on our divinity as human beings and our worthiness of care.

Wednesdays via Zoom 7pm-8pm

Zoom Information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86492004593?pwd=R0M1aXBPKzFkTXdjbEdDaEhOZ2hnZz09
Call in: 1-646-876-9923; Meeting ID: 864 9200 4593 Passcode: 032087

Feb 21- Preface and Introduction. P. 1-42

Feb 28- Part 1: REST! P. 43-90

March 6- Part 2: DREAM! P. 91-126

March 13- Part 3: RESIST! P. 127-156

March 20- Part 4: IMAGINE! P. 157-196

Purchase your book here (audio version available): https://rb.gy/80nnq4

OR find it in your local library or bookstore!

Tuesdayers' Begins This Week!

Join the Tuesdayers' this Tuesday, as they discuss their Current Book: "The First Paul"

In “The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon,” Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan reveal a radical Paul who has been suppressed by the church. The Tuesdayers invite you to join our discussion. We meet over Zoom on Tuesdays (except the second of the month), 7:00-8:30 pm. For more information contact Jonathan Clark at im4canoes@yahoo.com.

Vestry Corner:

Key Topics from the February 2024

Vestry Meeting

1) The Vestry is pleased to Welcome Meegan Adames (Finance) and Jonathan Clark (Discipleship) to the Vestry. Their presence is a blessing!

2 ) Here is an update on the Music Minister search-7 candidates have applied; 4 or 5 will be invited for the first round of interviews taking place in the next two weeks, and it is expected that three will be invited to audition. A goal of a new music minister starting after Easter is planned.

3) Physical plant updates: PSE&G will be on site the second week of February to conduct an energy audit which is the first step in receiving assistance in replacing old boilers for newer, more energy efficient ones.

Minutes of the December 2024 meeting can be found HERE.

Return of Coffee Hour

Dear Christ Church members,

The Sign - Up sheet located on the notice board by the Nicholas Room, each host/hostess will be asked to bring some cookies or a comparable alternative as well as a juice item to be served for fellowship attendees. Thanks for your co-operation.

Wendy Benjamin – on behalf of the Fellowship Committee.

Taking Faith Home is a resource that provides a weekly guide for faith-filled conversations and actions during the church year. Taking Faith Home for the month of February can be found below:

Forward Day by Day booklets (large and regular print) for January, February, March and April have arrived. Please contact the office to have a copy mailed to your home.

Finance Update January 2024

Bishop French's statement regarding the Gaza and Israel: HERE

Beware: Scam Messages on the Rise:

Have you received any suspicious text messages or emails lately? Learn ways to protect yourself HER E

To help support those in the Middle East. Visit the link to donate HERE.

Thank you for your generous giving to support the Mission and Ministry of Christ Church!

We encourage you to send your pledges and donations to Christ Church in a variety of ways:

Go to the Donate/Pledge page on our website and give through PayPal
Schedule payments through your bank to Christ Church directly
Zelle to admin@christchurchnewbrunswick.org
Mail in a check to Christ Church

Thank you to Sheila Cooper, Shannon Pullaro, and to all those who participated in making Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner a wonderful success!

Lent Madness is back! Get inspired by the stories of 32 saints this Lent. The 40-day competition of historical saints, created by Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck, includes celebrity bloggers, weekly videos, a lively social media conversation and the Eastertide awarding of the Golden Halo. Read more about Lent Madness HERE.

This year's Saintly Scorecard is only available digitally. It includes a copy of the bracket to fill out. Print copies of the brackets will also be available during church and the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. If you want to guess who will win each match up, read up before Ash Wednesday and fill out your bracket.

Do this on your own or participate in the congregational challenge for a free-will offering to Laundry Love. To participate, email or hand in your filled out bracket to Penny Gordon for our congregational challenge. This is your chance to win bragging rights for the most correct picks!

Join the Episcopal Diocese Celebrating the Life and Work of Absalom Jones

A Service Witness to Black Ministry

in the Episcopal Diocese of New

Sunday, February 18, 2024 with the

Right Reverend Sally French.

Click the flyer above for additional details.

MEETING CHURCH AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME

Introduction to the Episcopal Church,

Confirmation, Reception into the

Episcopal Church and Reaffirmation Class!

In anticipation of Bishop French’s visit to Christ Church on April 28th , we will be holding a Meeting Church Again for the First Time class starting in February. On April 28th, the Bishop will be doing Confirmations, Receptions into the Episcopal Church and formal Reaffirmations of Baptismal Vows.

How do you know if you are a right fit for the class?

· You are already a Baptized and Confirmed Episcopalian and simply want a refresher.

· You are already a Baptized and Confirmed Episcopalian and want a re fresher in order to reaffirm your Baptismal vows.

· You are a Baptized in the Episcopal Church, but want to be Confirmed.

· You are Baptized and Confirmed into another Christian tradition and want to explore the Episcopal Church to see if you want to be received into it.

· You are Baptized and Confirmed into another Christian tradition and definitely want to be received into it.

This class will be intergenerational. (For youth under the age of 15 interested in

Confirmation or Reception, please contact Rev. Joanna directly to see if this is the right time

for this class.)

Sessions will be held in the Ross Room on these dates:

Sunday, Feb. 18*: 12-2:00 Orientation and Spiritual Biographies

Saturday, Feb. 24**: 10-3

The Bible, Church History and Polity

Sunday, March 3*: 12-2:30

Our Faith: What We Believe

Saturday, March 16**: 10-3

Worship, Sacraments and Ministry

Sunday, March 17*: 12-2:30 Spirituality, Confirmation Day Prep

· Sunday, April 28: Bishop’s Visitation (one 9:30am service)

*Bring your lunch

**Lunch will be provided.

Christ Church New Brunswick

Black Heritage Presentation

The Unique Sierra Leone – America Connection

Part II

Wednesday February 28^th, 2024, at 7:00pm

Due to the overwhelming response to the Black Heritage Presentation in February 2023, Mel Garber is going to give us another presentation highlighting even more how the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade created the unique connections between the United States and Sierra Leone and how this is manifesting itself today.

Part Time Music Minister and Organist

We are looking to hire an enthusiastic part-time Music Minister and Organist who will lead Christ Church, through a creative and lively music ministry, to be the faithful, loving, and serving congregation God calls us to be.

If you are interested in this position or know someone who is interested please view the full job description HERE.

Join St. Alban’s online each Thursday evening from 7pm- 8pm for Prayer Meeting and Bible Study. St. Alban’s has encouraged the wider community to join us and many of the attendees come from different congregations locally as well as internationally.

This week, they will continue the study of the Book of Acts, Chapter 8, verses 26-40.

We invite people to testify if they are prayerfully led and also encourage them to send their prayer requests in advance if they wish. Some attendees come prepared from time to time to not only testify, but to give a word of encouragement.

Please see the Zoom invitation below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659677391?pwd=aEM2Z21xWXJRWVBwYkxkYW1FcEd3Zz09

Meeting ID: 836 5967 7391

Passcode: 073305

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,83659677391#,,,,*073305# US

Meeting ID: 836 5967 7391

Passcode: 073305

Prayers requested for:

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Andre, Arnold, Barb, Christine, Dale, Danielle, Doreen, Dorothy, Eleanor, Isobel, Jacqueline, Jeannine, Jim, Jim, Joy, Karl, Lenora, Larry, Mary, Matthew, Sarah, Shawn, Tabby, Timothy, Vivian, and Winston.

Christ Church Ministry: Ushers

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan

Diocesan Cycle Prayer: The Canon Bruce W. Woodcock

Birthdays this week: Steven Caruso, Jonathan Clark, Stephanie Elson, Silvia Muller, Lillian Nichols, Keith Thomas, Samantha Vogelsand, Bret Zdanowicz

The flowers at the Lectern: are given by the Walworth-Chant & LaPorte-Burns Families in memory of Laurel Evans, Catherine and Paul Ambos in memory of Joseph J. Szeliga.

Faith Formation Newsletter

There are so many other ways to be involved at Christ Church! Find your inspiration HERE with 101+ ways to be involved at Christ Church!

Finance Committee Invitation

The Finance Committee will be having conversations about increasing our parish income! Meetings are on the 4th Saturday of each month at 10a.m. You may join the meetings using this link HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact Meegan Adames at meegzy79@yahoo.com.

News and Events from Diocesan Offices & Committees

Click HERE for Diocesan News and to subscribe to the Diocesan weekly newsletter, Good News in the Garden State

Opportunities to share your time, talent, and treasure

Secure donations for Laundry Love, RaiseRight, as well as General Donations or Pledge contributions can be made on our website by clicking HERE. You can also donate through the bill pay app at your bank, or by using Zelle. Zelle payments may be sent through your bank and directly deposited to the church via email to admin@christchurchnewbrunswick.org
You can still purchase your RaiseRight cards to support the church! You can pay through Zelle or PayPal and designate that payment to RaiseRight, Payments received will be reported to Paul Ambos. Please contact Paul by phone (732) 572-2067 or email HERE to place your order.
LAUNDRY LOVE is back to doing Laundry Love in-person at the Handy Street Laundromat, 314 Handy Street, New Brunswick, on the second Monday of every month from 5:00p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Parish volunteers to assist are always welcome. Email Catherine Ambos, msambos@gmail.com to volunteer. You can donate to Laundry Love through the DONATE tab on our web site HERE .