Dear Church Family,
I’m feeling really encouraged as I write this opening greeting to our monthly newsletter. Each day, I get a chance to see the Beloved Community of God in tangible and active ways, as our church building remains open for worship, service, and fellowship. We have, of course, followed all the recommended protocols for maintaining safety during this latest omicron wave of the protracted pandemic, but just as we discussed in last week’s adult education class, we understand that both caution and courage are necessary for living our faith together, especially during moments of isolation in public health crises.
I’m encouraged by our church’s determination to continue serving marginalized and underserved communities. I’m encouraged by our church’s commitment to spiritual growth and emotional care, through the many prayer meetings, study groups, and support programs offered here. I’m encouraged by the spaces created for children and youth. And I’m encouraged by the way God’s Spirit continues to move in smaller, steadier ways: through weekly worship, daily fellowship, and person-to-person care. And as this public health emergency trends in more promising directions, I’m eager for more and more of you to experience this same encouragement through greater connection to your church family.
As we enter February, which is Black History Month, we are very excited to celebrate the ways that Black faith—through art, struggle, and joy—has shaped who we are as a church. In every worship service, we come before God in sincere adoration, humble confession, and joyful assurance of God’s work in and through us; and attending to the history of Black faith expressions, set upon a backdrop of devotion, struggle, and liberation, gives us a powerful lens for understanding ourselves as disciples of Jesus. This month, under the guidance of our Antiracism Taskforce, we’ll be even more intentionally listening to the faithful witness of Black faith, through the music and liturgical expressions in our worship services. We hope you can find ways to participate and experience growth during this special month.
As always, we hope that this newsletter can both alert you to what is happening here, and also kindle within you a desire to connect with us to dream big dreams that impact our community.
See you soon,
Pastor Amos
P.S. Check out the photo gallery at the end of this email for church family highlights!
P.P.S. Check out Pastor Seth's "A Day in the Life of RCHP" after the photo gallery!
|
|
Upcoming February Events & Happenings |
TOMORROW! RCHP and South River Connect Through Vaccinations, Immigration Legal Services Outreach and Youth Group Clean-Up Day, February 5th
On Saturday morning, 10am, the RCHP Youth Group will engage in a Day for South River, joining in efforts to distribute info about Saturday’s Vaccination Clinic, to share news about new Immigration Legal Services and to help clean-out a Fellowship Hall that we hope will be useful to ministry in town going forward.
RCHP’s Engagement in Sunday morning at South River Starts on February 6th
For the past few months, RCHP has been talking about how we have an opportunity to ‘expand’ our worship and service life into South River. That will begin on Sunday, February 6th! We pray for Mckenzie Kramer as she crafts worship and prepares to lead a small congregation in a meaningful time of connecting with God. We pray for the South River Steering Committee as it gives direction and guidance for new opportunities. We also pray that you’ll consider joining Mckenzie in worship at 11am (maybe after attending RCHP at 9am?) . It would be so encouraging for South River church to have additional people joining in adoration, communion and prayer.
|
Nature Hike, February 12th, 9am
On Saturday, February 12th, join up with your church family for a walk in Thompson Park in Jamesburg. We’ll be walking the Thompson Park Big Loop Trail (2 miles). Departure time from church is 9am. Carpooling in the church van if desired. Also, parents, for ‘bigger kids,’ call Pastor Seth if you’d like to send them for the hike even if you cannot attend. 3rd grade and up can be chaperoned by Pastor Seth and the group, without a parent. (Extensive snow or bad weather could lead to a last-minute change of hiking location)
|
Listening Session for Parents - Tuesday, February 15, 8:00pm
These past two years have been difficult for many in our community, and we are especially aware of the toll taken on school-aged parents. Whether due to changing economic situations, or difficulty managing schedules, or lack of safe social engagement, or general anxiety about the state of the world -- we know that we, as a church, want to be able to better serve families with young children.
Pastor Amos (who is himself a parent of young kids), would like to hold a listening session on February 15, from 8:00 to 9:00pm, simply to chat with and learn from the experiences of parents in the community. Before offering new programming, we would first like to hear about the hopes, fears, and challenges facing the families in our church and wider community. For more information, or to express interest in joining this meeting (which will likely be held virtually on Zoom), please reach out to Pastor Amos at amoscaley@gmail.com
|
New Care Committee support group
Standing Strong Together: Coping with long-term effects of Sexual Assault
Dear Friends,
If you have experienced sexual assault in the past and would value the opportunity to come together with other members of the RCHP community who are also quietly living with the effects of sexual assault, please consider joining the new support group organized by the Care Committee: Standing Strong Together: Coping with long-term effects of Sexual Assault. “Long-term” here is defined as someone whose assault took place sometime in the past, and is no longer in active crisis. The purpose of the group is to connect those who feel they would benefit from talking with others who have had similar experiences. The group, led by Carol Turner and Sandy Russell Jones will provide a space in which participants can offer emotional and moral support for each other, and perhaps even form long-lasting bonds. It is scheduled to begin during the third week of February (final date to be determined) and will meet monthly until June 2022. Based on the desire and needs of the participants, it may continue on in fall 2022.
Participants will need to secure advance approval from a mental health professional (their own therapist, or one appointed by RCHP). If interested, please contact Sandy Russell Jones ahead of time at sandyrusselljones@gmail.com
|
NJ Interfaith Center for Cancer Care - Call for Artists!
Please spread the word! You don’t need to live in New Jersey to have your artwork featured on the NJIC3 website and social media. For more info., see the poster and contact Austin Morreale, Community Engagement Coordinator, at austin.njic3@improvingnj.org
|
|
Worship and Education Opportunities |
|
"Tricky Topics" Book Discussion Group
We are underway in our second session of Tricky Topics, reading “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans. Our next session will begin in early March, for the season of Lent, when we’ll read “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” by James Cone. If you’re interested in joining that book study, please reach out to Pastor Amos at amoscaley@gmail.com The group discussions are held on Zoom on Fridays at 4:00pm.
|
|
Adult Ed Topics for February:
February 6 - Redistricting in NJ: Why it Matters
February 13 - Green Burials: Creation Care for People & Planet
February 20 - Caregivers, Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
See Blog entry in Supporting Each Other section below for more info on self-assessment for Compassion Fatigue and Burnout from the W.I.S.E. Care Committee
February 27 - “Collecting Your Prayers” with Pastor Terry - Pastor Terry will guide participants in writing their own prayers based on his own contemplative journey.
|
|
RCHP Adult Education Course: Space for God Continues
Based on the text, Space for God: Study and Practice of Spirituality and Prayer by Don Postema.
Through devotional reflections and readings, art, meditation and prayer, Space for God provides a joyous guide for spiritual living. The video introduction to Chapter 4,’ ‘Gestures of Gratitude’ is now available on the RCHP website. Please use the following Link for direct access: https://www.rchighlandpark.org/spaceforgod-4 If you need a copy of the text… if you have any questions or concerns…please reach out to Pastor Stephanie, Pastor Amos or Carol Turner at cjteddpc@mac.com
All are Welcome. Three ways to participate. Choose the way that works best for you!
-
Audit the course on the RCHP website. Free and flexible. A new chapter uploads to the RCHP Website each month.
-
Independent Self-Study. Purchase a copy of the text with a free will donation (up to $25 to cover costs). Dive deep.
-
Read one chapter of the text, ‘Space for God, each month.
- Complete the ‘At Home’ exercises at the end of each chapter.
- Reflect on your experiences in a personal journal.
3. Small Group Connections. Share your journal reflections with other participants in a monthly meeting on the second Monday of the month (lunch hour in person or 7-8pm on Zoom).
|
|
The Table at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays in the Quilt room
Join your church family for a more intimate and informal version of worship which includes a simple meal with fellowship + a time for thoughtful prayer and biblical contemplation.
|
|
A Message from Pastor Terry
Don't forget to sign up as soon as possible for the middle school retreat (March 11-13), high school retreat (April 29-May 1), Camp Fowler (July 3-8), and/or high school work trip (July 31-Aug 6).
|
|
Jr High Youth Group, Sunday Nights at 7:00pm in the Cave
High School Youth Group 7:00-8:15 Wednesday nights
|
|
LYT
LYT (LGBTQ+ Youth Together) Dungeons & Dragons Night on Tuesday, February 8th from 6:30p-8:30p in the Cave at RCHP! Grab your suit of armor, magic wand, and a D&D-playing ally and join us for a campaign. LYT is an activity and discussion group for LGBTQ+ youth in 2nd-12th grade. (The group will be divided by grades if need be.) Allies are welcome at the February 8th meeting if they're invited by a LYT youth.
|
|
Seth’s 7:45am Wednesday Bible Study (February 2, 9, 16, 23) is turning to the Gospel of Luke.
If you’ve been looking to reengage scripture maybe Wednesday morning would be a good time to come out to church. If you need to leave early, to get to work on time, no problem! After the better part of a year reading Exodus we are going to head into a few months of a careful read of Luke’s gospel. Join us in the parlor.
Morning Prayer, Mon.-Sat. @ 9 am on zoom
Daily Morning Prayer Is a Great Way to Start the Morning Connected to God and Neighbor - For almost 2 full years now RCHP has offered a 6 day a week morning prayer time over zoom. This is a great way for those who are finding outings challenging to stay connected to the life of the church, and, even for those who are totally back in their routine, starting the day in prayer, with church family, has been something that some might want to continue engaging in forever! You are invited to join by going to the link at rchighlandpark.org on our website.
|
|
Wednesday night Singing, First Voices and Voices of Praise and Wednesday childcare, so parents can join gospel/chancel choirs.
Pastor Seth and Pastor Amos are very committed to keeping kids singing and praising God. We’ve moved our choir time to Wednesday evenings—6:45-7:15—and so far it is going great! First Voices is for very young kids, through age 6 or so. We sing, we draw, we act out songs, we laugh. Totally low key and fun. Pastor Amos’ choir, for 7 years-6th grade, is a great opportunity for kids to learn to read music, to try chimes, to learn to sing in parts and to prepare songs for worship. Both choirs are important to the spiritual development of the kids and to the worship experience for all of us!
Childcare on Wednesdays runs from 6pm-8:15pm, with a 30 minute ‘break out’ for the kid-choir practices.
New Adult Choir Rehearsal Schedule - All on WEDNESDAYS (Masks Required)!
5:30 to 6:00pm - Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary (for just that week’s team — respond to me if you need that schedule)
6:00 to 7:15pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Childcare provided upon request)
6:45 to 7:15pm - Children’s Choir Rehearsals in Parlor (Voices of Praise) and Prayer Chapel (First Voices)
7:15 to 8:15pm - Gospel Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Childcare provided upon request)
|
|
Connecting With One Another |
|
Coffee & Conversations
Coffee & Conversations is a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ adults to explore our thoughts and feelings, discuss our experiences and challenges, and share our stories. It offers us an opportunity to share and learn from each other while offering and receiving support and understanding, participating in spiritual and educational conversations, and pursuing healthy relationships with our families and our communities. This is a safe and non-judgmental space where all are welcome. Our group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Parlor at 7:00pm. Please drop in and join us.
|
|
NJIC3 Book Club:
We at NJIC3 are excited to tell you about our second brand-new book club! Join us biweekly on Wednesday evenings at six, as our group spends time reading from The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs and discussing topics such as life’s meaning, human mortality, strength and legacy. The environment provides for deep discussions, sharing of personal experience, and forging of relationships in community.
Short Summary: In The Bright Hour, Nina Riggs celebrates the last two years of her life. She chooses to embrace her experience with cancer and celebrate the bright moments shining through the dark. She finds joy in her family, in beach vacations, books, changes in the weather, in gardening and music. We hope you'll join us!
One-click-zoom link:
|
|
"LitLovers" Reading & Culture Group
If you love talking about media and arts, and would like a lightly structured format for sharing, give LitLovers a try on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Each week, participants are welcome to share about books, movies, TV shows, music and culinary delights. For February, Black History Month, we will explore innovative initiatives as well as stories of African Americans, including The Nap Ministry: Rest as Resistance.
|
|
Weekly Virtual "Drop-In"
All are welcome to drop-in for an hour of friendly, free-wheeling conversation on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Contact our host, Carol Perry caca98@aol.com for more information and for a Zoom link.
Thursday Sewing Circle
Each Thursday, from 10am-1pm, there is a wonderful opportunity to gather folks together for crafts and conversation. Please come to the Quilt Rm on Thursdays and check this out!
|
|
Serving and Working For Justice & the Beloved Community |
|
Lost Souls Public Memorial Project, Black History Month Program, Highlights a Forgotten Hero Whose Life Inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Classic Novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin - East Brunswick Public Library
On February 6, 2022 at 1:30pm, in collaboration with the New Brunswick Area Branch NAACP, an exclusive public screening of JOSIAH, a documentary that traces Josiah Henson’s harrowing journey from slavery in Maryland and Kentucky to freedom in Canada, will be shown in the E. Brunswick Public Library’s community room.
Josiah Henson (1789-1883) spent 41 years as a slave. He was a dynamic, driven man with unyielding principles who overcame incredible odds to escape his cruel masters and improve the lives of hundreds of freed people throughout his long life. Though immortalized by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her seminal, society-changing novel Uncle Tom's Cabin and catapulted to international fame in 1852, his story has been largely lost to history.
To accompany the documentary there will be an interactive discussion about the film and its relationship to the Lost Souls Memorial Project and Black history in America. This will be a family friendly program that will center the voices of our young community members. Watch the trailer: josiahhenson.com
|
|
DIRE Reorganizational Meeting - Thursday, Feb. 10th @ 12 Noon: The politics around immigration has changed a lot, and, in response, so too has DIRE (Deportation and Immigration Response Equipo). If you’d like to reengage with DIRE and learn about both the Support Service side of things, and the Legal side, please join us at Noon, on Zoom. Seth Kaper-Dale is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 1765 4529
Passcode: 632093
Interfaith-RISE Monthly Meeting: The Interfaith-RISE community will meet at 12 noon on February 17th. Join us and hear an update about all things refugee.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 837 8721 7553
Passcode: 360935
|
|
HP Food Pantry
During COVID our community is in need of the food pantry more than ever. The HP Food Pantry is collecting donations via an Amazon Wishlist. To donate badly needed items, click on https://tinyurl.com/s7pxpzn Contact Kathi Lombardi with questions: foxyrox18@gmail.com The items needed most this month are:
Food Pantry needs for February:
Adult Diapers- all sizes but especially Large
Canned Tuna, Salmon, Chicken
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Oats
Feminine hygiene products
In addition to the Amazon wish list, items may be purchased from big box stores like Costco or Sam's Club; contact Kathi for further details.
|
|
Supporting Each Other During Difficult Times |
|
Caregivers, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue
What is BURNOUT?
Burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.
What is COMPASSION FATIGUE?
Compassion fatigue is defined as an overexposure to suffering and pain that can cause personal stress and a reduced ability to be empathetic.
What are the risk factors?
- You have a heavy workload and work long hours
- You struggle with work-life balance
- You work in a helping profession, such as health care
- You feel you have little or no control over your work
What are the consequences, if left untreated?
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Sadness, anger or irritability
- Alcohol or substance misuse
- Heart disease, High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes
- Vulnerability to illnesses
You can actually assess your own levels of compassion fatigue and burnout by using the scientifically validated survey available at: https://proqol.org/
|
|
The Self-Help Support Group
Join co-leaders Jess Munger and Terry Horyn for nurturing support for the body, mind and spirit every Monday and Thursday from 4-5 p.m. in the parlor. Seating is socially distant and masks are required. Topics addressed can be anything from Covid fears to physical ailments to emotional challenges. All are welcome! For more info, contact Jess at jessmsn409@gmail.com
Church Based Mental Health
|
|
Bereavement Calendar
RCHP remembers all those who died in February and all those who still mourn
The following names have been offered for remembrance in February 2022:
Elizabeth Barrett, Beloved Mother of Mary Barrett
Thomas J. Cotton, Sr., Beloved Fiancé of Melanie Lincoln Potter,
and Beloved Grampa of Ellie Vardao
Benita Hunter, Beloved Sister of Tammy Lane
Jeannette WhitelawHill Marcal, Beloved Mother of Marcia Marcal Persiano
Thomas Wilpiszeski, Beloved Brother of Cathy, and Beloved Uncle of Anna Laycock
If it would be a comfort to include your loved ones in a monthly memory calendar, call Lisa at the RCHP office at 732-249-7349.
|
JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS AND MILESTONES |
|
 |
|
|
|
Welcoming Our Newest Members!
We were so blessed to have shared the joy with our Indonesian congregants - THREE baptisms in January! Congrats to the parents of Jemima & Zach Pangemanan and Christabella Rumambi!
|
|
|
|
Reaching Beyond Our Church Walls
Congratulations to Dr. Norma Bowe of Global Grace Health - recipient of the MLK Humanitarian Award (and Pastor Terry, who was a featured speaker at the ceremony)! GG Health’s vaccination efforts are truly something to be celebrated. And this map shows how far reaching our refugee resettlements are through Interfaith-RISE. Each pinpoint represents towns where our new friends are starting a new life.
|
|
|
And Speaking of GG Health & Reaching Beyond………
We give thanks for our new partnership with South River Reformed Church, where GG Health held a very well attended vaccination clinic in January - thanks be to God!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A “Cool” Winter’s Night Out
Pastor Terry led a recent ice skating outing for the RCHP Youth Group. A great time was had by all!
|
|
The Forever Spooky Bam-BOO Forest
Families and friends never tire of the bamboo forest at Rutgers Gardens on RCHP Saturday nature hikes - always new adventures to be had and discoveries to be made!
|
|
The Hum of the Kingdom of God, 7am-10pm, every day, RCHP
Friends, in our own small way our church building is central to the heartbeat of Highland Park. Here is a snapshot, currently, of what is happening in the building. From 7am-10pm or so, 7 days a week, there is a flurry of activity. Homeless people, cold from a night outside, sit in the quilt rm, warming up and getting some food. A Yoga group meets in the parlor. One-on-One sponsor meetings are going on. Refugees come through for employment services and English. Case managers connect with clients. Pastors visit with newcomers and with long-time members going through tough moments. Music is prepared for Sunday worship. The phone never stops, and Lisa somehow cordially and joyfully greets everyone, in person and on the phone! Bookkeeping occurs, rent is paid by hundreds of people who credit their housing to the work of the church. The police call to line someone up for ‘code blue’ for that evening. Young families gather in the basement for support and activities.
In the other basement the Thrift shop is humming, providing endless bags of clothing to those in need. Vaccination clinics are being prepared upstairs. In the social hall Global Grace Cafe is serving up delicious global meals, people are buying coffee, tea and household items to support artisans and farmers around the world. At half the tables are paying customers, and at the other half are case managers from area agencies who have found it is easiest to meet up with their clients here, at Global Grace Cafe. In the NeighborCorps, Cancer Care (NJI3), DIRE, Accompany Now, Still Waters, Interfaith-RISE offices there is planning and troubleshooting and care being offered. Throughout the day RCHP-AHC moving trucks are in and out, working at the warehouse at 127 Rarity, and in the homes that we are setting up for refugees and others. Three different passenger vans, and the RV, are in and out As the afternoon arrives the building fills with teens for the CAVE, then with choirs and AA meetings and Prayer shawl groups and a running group. There is a hum, and I love it. It is the hum of the Kingdom of God.
The Peace of Christ to you,
Pastor Seth
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
