The flowers in the chancel on Sunday,

September 26^th are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of our Mom/Grandma, Jo Babbitt,

whose legacy was love.



~The Babbitt-Incardona Family

In last Sunday's Service, we received the following requests for prayers...

• Of Healing: My friend, Bob. He has been in the hospital for over a month with covid.
• Of Healing: Baby Sophie following her surgery this week (AW)
• Peace with a family
• 9-11-01 Victims, first responders, those left behind
• Happy Birthday Kate and Angela!

The Chatham United Methodist Church is actively seeking an organized and detail-oriented Church Office Administrative Assistant to keep our church running smoothly and efficiently. This is a great opportunity to assist the church staff, congregation and ministries with its diverse activities and provide general administrative support on a part time basis (22 hours/week). Applicants should possess strong communication and recordkeeping skills along with financial and light bookkeeping skills in order to assist the Financial Manager. Solid computers skills are also required- working knowledge in Word, QuickBooks, and Excel. This position will also support the Community Relations & Communications Coordinator with the church’s interface with outside groups and the greater community. Interests and resumes can be sent to the church office by clicking the button at right or by calling the church office at (973) 635-7740.

This Sunday, September 26^th, 10:00 a.m. worship service will feature the Covenant Choir singing Darlene Zschech’s The Potter’s Hand. Join us!

Members of our Ukulele Orchestra will next meet in-person and online on Saturday, September 25^th at 11:00 a.m. in the Asbury Room! Email Peter Hill at the below email address for our Zoom and in-person info. 

Our Chatham UMC music groups have begun our new program season! The Wesley Ringers rehearse at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and the Covenant Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Music Room. If you would like information about our gatherings and/or any of our groups: Covenant Choir, Youth Musicians, Wesley Ringers, Ukulele Orchestra, Praise Band, or Wind Ensemble email music director, Peter Hill at petepiano@mac.com. 

Book Review: The Return of the Prodigal Son:

A Story of Homecoming

 “I came to see Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son as, somehow, my personal painting, the painting that contained not only the heart of the story that God wants to tell me, but also the heart of the story that I want to tell God and God’s people.”  ---- Henri Nouwen 

 Quite by accident, Nouwen came upon a poster of Rembrandt’s painting while visiting a friend in Paris. The painting, especially the father’s hands on the younger son’s shoulders, struck him deeply, and he later went to St. Petersburg to see the original. Over time, Nouwen came to see himself as each of the three main characters in the story. He thus divided his book into three sections: The Younger Son, The Older Son, and The Father, carefully analyzing not only the painting, but also his life as each of the sons and, ultimately, being called to become the forgiving father. Nouwen, who left a professorship at Harvard, eventually joined the L’Arche community for the mentally handicapped in Toronto. He came to realize that it was those men and women at L’Arche who blessed him with their hands on his shoulders, welcoming him home.

Through Nouwen’s story we are encouraged to see each character within ourselves and to feel encouraged to forgive and be forgiven. Very much recommended.

Reviewed by Ronald Yarger

Sunday School/Christian Ed. for all ages 4 – 104 is back in person! Thanks to all the families who responded to the poll to find a new time for classes. The majority across all age groups prefer to meet after the worship service.  We had some great groups last Sunday and will look forward to seeing even more of you in person at 11:10am this week

 (If you would like a Zoom option for your child’s age group please let Karen know at youthchatumc@optonline.net)

PreK / Elementary (age 4 – 4th grade) – This Sunday at 11:10am meet with Kate Radler and Edie Myers-Arnold on the upper level in room 6. This week’s theme: Pray for One Another - a good lesson as we all need prayer, whether we’re happy or in need of healing! We’ll read the story from James 5:13-20 and see how the Whirl kids interpret this in their lives today.

Check out this prayer song from VBC: Hear Us As We Pray

Submerge (5th-8th grade) – This Sunday at 11:10am meet Karen in the Wesley Room. (We’ve had a request for a Zoom option so check your email for the link if that’s your preference.) Last week we had some interesting insights into what the two creation stories tell us about our relationship with God. In our story his week, humans face temptation and rebel from God’s ways.  

High School Discussion – This Sunday at 11:10am meet with Jesse Dicken (our new seminarian) and Matthew Beland on the upper level. This week’s plan is to get to know Jesse and to join the journey through the Old Testament. This week – The Hebrew Bible. It’s full of gardens and rainbows...and anger, violence, infidelity, and doubt. We’ll do some wrestling with this to discover the redemptive story of God’s love and desire to be in relationship with us.  

Once we get settled in our new Sunday morning routines we’ll add back our regular youth group activities. Look for a new schedule in October. 

Please sign up to read and record yourself reading scriptures, this will be a blessing to our online worshiping community. 

Latest Newsletter is Out!

The Senior Center of the Chathams is an independent, 31-year old non-profit organization located here in town and offer a wide range of programs, activities, and services to older adults in Chatham and the surrounding areas. Click Here to read the latest newsletter and learn about their fantastic programs. 

All submissions for next week's CUMC Weekly E-news are due by Tuesdays, 2PM. Submissions may be emailed to Eileen Ruggiero.