Check out what's going on this week at the UMC of Red Bank!
Connections
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Pastor Cam's Weekend Update
Reminder: We have resumed in-person worship and continue to live-stream the service on our website and YouTube channel.
This Sunday is Kickoff Sunday!
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of a new program year with a church picnic after church! If it rains, we will eat in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in bringing a dish, let Barbara Roguski know at bkroguski@gmail.com If you are able to help with setup on Saturday, please let Ken Glossbrenner know at ken@glossbrenner.us.
Sanctuary Choir & Hand Bell Choir Rehearsals Start September!
Sanctuary Choir will resume rehearsals today from 7:00-9:00 pm. Hand Bell Choir resumes rehearsals on Thursday, September 14 at 1:00 pm. For more information on this and any of our wonderful music programs, contact Evan Courtney, Director of Music Ministries, at ecourtney@umcredbank.org.
Youth Happenings-
We are excited to offer a full compliment of Sunday school classes starting back up September 10th. Littles (2-4 year olds) Room 110, Early Elementary (5-2nd Graders) Room 112, Tweens (3rd-6th Graders) Room 114. The Sunday school morning begins with Embodied Prayer and singing in Room 114 and then kids are dismissed to their classrooms). Bagels & Faith for High Schoolers will start back up at 8:45 on September 17th. Youth groups for 3rd - 12 grades are starting back up on September 13th. We are looking forward to seeing the youth back in the building this fall!
UWF Craft Group- 9/12
Craft Group will meet on Tuesday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Library Lounge area. You are invited to come for all or as much time as you have available. Come to help us make greeting cards or bring your knitting or other crafts to do with us.
This Sunday we won't set up the Card Table in Fellowship Hall because of the Church Picnic planned for after the 10 a.m. service, but if you need some cards, see Peggy Wien or any member of the Craft Group as we could show you the type of cards you need. 
Card purchases help United Women in Faith (UWF) make their budgeted mission donations.
Church Grounds Updates-
Thank you to Dave Becker for the quick and beautiful work in painting the parking lot! (And to one of our youth, Leila for hand painting one of the handicapped parking spots) Check it out, it looks great!
Mildred Ruth Circle Meeting- 9/14
Summer is almost over, and next week we will have our September Circle meeting on Thursday, September 14 at 11 a.m. in the Lounge. This is an important meeting as we will discuss items we have for our baskets. (You can bring what you have already purchased.) Then we will discuss what we need to complete our baskets. We are planning one basket of Thanksgiving items and another basket entitled "Let There Be Light."  We will need to put our baskets together at our October 12 meeting as the baskets will go on display in mid-October.
Please bring devotions, stories, poems, etc. that you have been putting aside during the summer to share with Circle members. We will also be discussing UWF plans for the rest of 2023. Come join us for our hour of fellowship together.
Campfire Worship-9/17
We are excited about embracing the new program year "all together now!"  We hope that you can be a part of a special worship experience in the parsonage backyard on Sunday Sept 17th @ 6PM! We will gather around the campfire, sing some songs, have time for reflection, and toast s'mores!  We will provide s'mores materials. We encourage you to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
August Solar Update-
The CO2 emissions that were avoided this month by solar generation was 8512 pounds. Total CO2 emissions avoided since system startup is 1138947 pounds or 516.5 Metric Tonnes
Green Faith Corner-
As part of our Green Faith certification, we have bike racks available to encourage those who are able to help the planet by biking to church. Check out two of our "green" congregants, Ken Glossbrenner and Michele Naples, using the racks located in front of the back porch!
Door Monitors for Community Group Meetings Still Needed!
We are still in need of volunteers for our team of door monitors for the community group meetings during the week. If you are available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:45-1:15 and/or Wednesdays from 12:45-2:30, please contact Amanda in the office with your availability or sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F45ABAF2FA0FE3-community. We appreciate the constant generosity of our congregation here and send our heartfelt thanks to all who lend their time to help us serve the community.
Book Club- September Selection
The next UWF Book Club meeting will be on Thursday, September 28 from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Church Lounge. The selection to read for this meeting is "The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver. All are welcome to attend. Contact Helen Vetter for more information
Worship Readers-
Would you lend your voice to our worship service on Sundays? If this interests you, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/9040f45abaf2fa0fe3-worship1#/ to sign up to read. We appreciate the generosity of this congregation always being willing to serve our church in many ways. Contact Amanda in the office with any questions or if you need help signing up.
Mark Your Calendars and Register Your Teams!
Backpack Crew Pantry
Donations Always Welcome
The Backpack Crew has continued to serve the increasing number of people who are impacted by food insecurity in the midst of this health crisis. Food donations are greatly appreciated on the back porch of the church, Monday though Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.
The current donation request is CANNED FRUIT of any kind.
Thank you for your continued support. Email us at backpackcrewnj@gmail.com with any questions.
Pastoral Care
If someone is hospitalized or in need of pastoral care, please contact Pastor Cam at (732) 747-0446.