Advent Gathering at the Parsonage

Sunday, December 3, 2023

4:30-6:PM

48 Elmwood Ave in Chatham

Dear Friends in the Chatham UMC,

Julie and I would like to invite you over to the parsonage for a time of fellowship, refreshments, conversation, singing and prayer. We hope you will bring an Hors d'oeuvre to share. We’ll have some hot apple cider on the stove, some punch on the table, a fire in the fireplace, and the Christmas décor up. At about 5:30 we’ll light some Advent Candles, have some brief Advent devotions, and sing some favorite Christmas carols around the piano. We’ll be finished about 6PM which will give everyone time to finish homework and get ready for Monday. We hope you can come!

Peace,

Jeff Markay

From the Greater NJ Conference of the UMC:

NJ Medicaid Recipients Must

Reenroll For 2024

(Corrected from our November 8 issue of Digest)

A recent gathering of the New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders, which GNJ supports, raised a concern about the renewed reenrollment requirement for state Medicaid coverage, known as NJ Family Care. To be eligible, enrollees have always had to reapply annually—that is until the Covid pandemic, during which the reenrollment rule was suspended. Now, however, re-enrollment will be required again before 2024.

“Thousands of NJ residents could lose their Medicaid if they do not fill out a substantial packet, which they have not needed to complete for several years,” reports Eric Drew, GNJ’s Connectional Ministries Director. He attended the meeting along with Bishop John Schol and other, elected conference leaders. “The state Department of Health is worried about very low return rates. We need to get the word out in every way we can.”  Here is the webpage for information about reenrollment: https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/staycoverednj/coverage/. Churches and leaders are asked to please pass on this urgent information.

This Sunday's November 19th service will include The Covenant Choir singing Vincent C. Johnson’s Come Unto Me and the Wesley Ringers ringing Music from the Royal Fireworks by G. F. Handel, arranged by Larry Sue. Join us!

The Ukulele Orchestra will next meet in-person and online Saturday, November 18th at 10:00am in the Asbury Room and on Zoom. For more information contact Peter Hill at petepiano@mac.com.

The CUMC Instrumental Ensemble will be performing on Sunday, December 4th. If you play an instrument and would like to know more about joining the Instrumental Ensemble, contact Peter Hill at the above email. 

The Suburban Music Study Club will host a recital on Thursday, December 14th at 10:30am in our very own CUMC sanctuary featuring Mike Maguire, organ and piano, Lauryn Boyle, voice, with Peter Hill, piano, and Carol Walker, dulcimer. All are invited to this free “Music For the Holidays” themed recital. Refreshments will be served following. 

Adult Discussion Group

This Sunday Peter Hill offers Part 2 of “Hymns, Sacred Songs, and Hymnology”. What is it about your favorite hymn that appeals to you? How does it make you feel? Putting yourself in the author’s shoes, how would you describe the intent of the text writer? Join us this Sunday, even if you missed Part 1; we meet in the Asbury Room at 11:15am after worship. Any questions? Contact Ron Yarger at ryarger@optonline.net. 

You’re Invited!

Advent Small Groups Begin Sunday, December 3!

All Are Welcome – in Person or via Zoom

Our Small Groups offer an opportunity to connect more deeply with God and with one another. Groups will gather weekly for one hour to discuss

“Amy Ekeh’s Advent, Season of Divine Encounter helps us look closely at three key Scripture passages to recall, recognize, and anticipate the ways God comes into our lives and our world.” Print and electronic editions of the book may be purchased at amazon.com, and a wide variety of other online booksellers.



Groups will meet in hybrid format in-person in the Asbury Room and via Zoom:

Sundays (12/3, 10 and 17) at 11:15 am, facilitated by Ron Yarger. To participate, contact Ron at ryarger@optonline.net

Mondays (12/4, 11 and 18) at noon facilitated by Pastor Sharon Yarger. To participate, contact Sharon at scyarger@optonline.net

Come for dinner and a show! A potato bar will be available for dinner complete with butter, chili, cheese, onions, salsa and anything else you like with baked potato! Free will offerings will fund our youth mission trip to RISE in July, 2024.

Pumpkins might still be in the patch but we are already planning ahead for Thanksgiving, Advent, and beyond!

Here are a list of dates and events to keep in mind...

November:

• 11/18 Annual Turkey Drive 9am-2pm - look for the truck near CUMC rear lot

• 11/21 Chatham Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - 7.30pm St Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 41 Oliver St, Chatham

• 11/23 Happy Thanksgiving - (office closed noon 11/22 and reopens 11/27)

• 12/3 First Sunday of Advent- Look for Poinsettia forms!

December:



Information about Sticky Bun Sales coming soon!

All are invited for fun, fellowship, and cookies! CUMC will be providing decorated Christmas cookies for the inmates and staff at the Morris County Correctional Facility as part of their Chaplaincy’s Christmas Gift Collection. We’ll gather in Rodda Hall to bake, decorate, and package about 500 cookies. A fun event for all ages – feel free to bring friends!

Can’t be there? Consider donating plain homemade cookies for us to decorate. Questions? contact Pastor Sharon Yarger at the church office or at scyarger@optonline.net.

CIDER & DONUT PICK UP THIS SUNDAY

Anyone who ordered the RISE Cider & Donuts fundraiser from Lain Farm can pick up your order THIS SUNDAY from 11 - 2pm in Rodda Hall.

Questions: Dave Meyer - 201 400 9043

Chatham High School Presents:

Macbeth

Chatham High School Auditorium

Thursday, November 16, 4:00pm

Friday, November 17, 7:30pm

Saturday. November 18, 7:30pm

From November 16-18, the Chatham High School Theatre Department will present their fall drama, Macbeth. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the title character receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself until the people of Scotland begin to retaliate.   

Macbeth is recommended for ages 13 and above.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday performances are $12.00 for students, $15.00 for adults, and FREE for senior citizens (use the comp code: FREESC at checkout). Tickets must be purchased in advance online at https://chathamsd.booktix.com starting Monday, November 6.  

Tickets for the Thursday performance are GENERAL ADMISSIONS only. $5 for students, $15 for adults. Senior citizens do not need a ticket for Thursday’s performance only.

Following the Thursday performance is a complimentary dinner for senior citizens. An RSVP for the dinner is required and reservations can be placed by emailing seniorfallplay@gmail.com . No ticket is required for this show, but an RSVP is needed to attend the dinner.

For more ticket information please email Alexis Irene at airene@chatham-nj.org . 

Masterworks Presents

Messiah Sing

Sunday, December 3, 2023

2:00 pm

Chatham United Methodist Church

460 Main Street, Chatham NJ

Conductor: Carol Walker

Celebrate the season! Sing those fabulous choruses from Handel’s Messiah with members of The Masterwork Chorus. Messiah is Masterwork’s signature piece. Each year since 1961, the chorus has presented its exhilarating performance of the classic at Carnegie Hall, always to standing ovations and often to a nearly full house.

Patterned after Masterwork’s popular Summer Sings, the Messiah Sing–Along will be conducted by Masterwork’s own Carol Walker. Following the singing, singers are invited to the church hall for holiday fellowship and a complimentary afternoon tea.

Reservations are not necessary, but please bring your own Messiah score if possible. A limited number of loaner scores will be available at the door. For further information, call Katherine Becker of The Masterwork Chorus at 973-919-2507.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Masterworks Presents

Sounds of the Season

Sunday, December 10, 2023

4:00 pm

Chatham United Methodist Church

Conductor: Chris Shepard

Our holiday concert will feature music by conductors Chris Shepard and Martin Sedek, as well as Bach’s Advent Cantata, “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”, BWV61. The Masterwork Women’s Ensemble will sing the original version of Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols”, led by Carol Walker.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Chatham United Methodist Church

460 Main Street

Chatham, NJ 07928

(973) 635-7740

Email: info@chathamumc.org