Pastor's e-Note
June 8, 2021
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Kudos to our Youth and Young Families of BUMC! At the Pride Ally Rally last Saturday, they painted flag murals and rainbow crosswalks to wish our LGBTQ+ friends a happy pride and stand in solidarity with them as allies. Thank you so much for doing this important ministry for our church and community. We will celebrate Pride Month as a body of Christ where God’s rainbow of unity and inclusivity for all LGBTQ+ families, friends, and neighbors. Let us continue to bear witness for all inclusion as a Reconciling Congregation.
From this month of June, please note that we will move our worship to the sanctuary from our church parking lot if we encounter rain. But, we won’t be able to provide child care, sermon time activities, and won’t use TV screens. We will continue to have outdoor services until August. We also ask you to wear masks inside our church building for the time being.
We will continue to provide for you our online services. From September, we will transition to indoor for all of our ministries and meetings. We want to thank you for your patience, prayers, and faithful support.
Last week, we held a memorial service for Jim Lester, our beloved church member. Thank you to many of you for attending his service. Please continue to keep Pam and her loved ones in your good thoughts and prayers.
Indeed, I hope and pray that we will walk with each other with compassion, understanding and support as the body of Christ. Let us do all we can to build up our church with mutual love.
In Christ’s Love,
Rev. Jennifer
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Sunday Outdoor Worship
June 13 at 9 a.m.
This is the second Sunday of our sermon series, “God’s Beloved Community.” Rev. Jennifer Cho will preach her sermon entitled, “The New Community” and the scripture reading will be Acts 6:1-6. Joy Son will play the music for this service.
Please remember to bring your own chair. Masks are now optional for this outdoor service, but are required should you need to enter the building.
We are in need of volunteers to help with this service. Click the link below to sign-up.
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Sunday Online Worship Service
June 13 at 10 a.m.
This is the second Sunday of our sermon series, “God’s Beloved Community.” Rev. Jennifer Cho preach her sermon entitled, “The New Community” and the scripture reading is Acts 6:1-6. Sanctuary Choir and Foundation singers, Cherub choir, Margin Alexander, and Karl Dietel will present various music.
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Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need of prayers.
We share prayers for those with unspoken prayers.
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Summer Book Study
We’re excited to offer three uniquely inspirational book groups this summer to learn and grow in your faith journey. Whether you like to read on the beach, on the morning train or on your porch with the fireflies, you’ll want to grab these books and join friends for lively discussions. Read and complete each book at your own pace and then join us by zoom to reflect upon these thought provoking gems. Contact Rev June to register and to receive the zoom links.
Across That Bridge, John Lewis
Tuesday, June 29, 7:30-9:00 pm
The Book of Longings, Sue Monk Kidd
Thursday, July 29, 7:30-9:00 pm
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, Barbara Brown Taylor
Wednesday, August 25, 7:30-9:00 pm
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Vacation Bible School
August 2-6 from 9am -12 pm
This year's VBS will take place from August 2-6 from 9am to noon. It is open to children age 3 through those going into 5th grade. All children must be potty trained. We will be meeting in-person and using both indoor and outdoor spaces (weather permitting). The cost is $20 per child or $35 for a family of 2 kids or more.
Volunteers are needed to assist during the week. If you are willing to help out, please contact Veronica.
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Backpack Collection
August 22 & 29
"Alert Summer Shoppers"
Lydia Circle will be collecting backpacks for the Martin Luther King Youth Center during the last two Sundays of August. The backpacks will be delivered the first week of school.
We hope you will be able to help support this mission project.
Thank you,
Lydia Circle
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In honor of Pride month, we will be providing a variety of resources each week. You can find this information in our weekly e-note, posted on our Facebook page on Monday evenings throughout June, and on our website.
Week 1 - LGBTQ 101
*Click here to learn what LGBT stands for?
*Click here to learn the story of the rainbow flag.
*Click here to view a LGBT 101 video for youth and adults.
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Food Drive Donations
Thank you for donating food to our neighbors. Please bring your non-perishable/non-expired items to the church, and place them in our “Food Bank” containers.
If you would prefer, you can bring your items to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County located at 7E Easy St, Bound Brook, NJ 08805. Thank you very much.
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Find Something for You and Your Family
In the Grant Dittman Memorial Library
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Search the online catalog to find what wonderful books and media are in the church library. Or come meet with a librarian and browse the collections yourself. Appointments are available on the following days --
Mornings: Tuesday or Thursday and afternoons: Monday through Saturday.
We look forward to your visit.
Featured Item for Pride Month
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I Am Jazz! by Jessica Herthel
The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of the author. Told in a simple clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents and teachers.
(For Grades Pre-K - II, in the Children’s Collection)
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Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide For LGBTQ+ Christian Teens, by Leigh Finke
Written to educate young queer people of faith and to help them stay safe, healthy and secure.
(For Grades VII and up, in the Junior Readers Collection)
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Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and The Rainbow Flag, by Rob Sanders
The story of the Gay Pride Flag from its beginnings in 1978. A story of love, hope, equality and pride.
(For Grades K - II, in the Children’s Collection)
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BRIDGEWATER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
651 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD • 908.526.1414
BRIDGEWATERUMC.ORG
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