Cross Roads Sunday and Guest Preacher | April 28, 8am & 10am

This Sunday, we warmly welcome Anthony Briggs as our guest preacher. Anthony has served as Executive Director of Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center since 2010. He began his career in Youth and Outdoor Ministries in 1993 and has a passion for equipping others to grow and to develop their own unique leadership potential. We are also joined this Sunday by Cross Roads’ Program Director Helen Payanzo. Cross Roads is a joint Episcopal-Lutheran ministry co-owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the New Jersey Synod, ELCA.

The Bishops’ Cup Golf Outing

Monday, June 24 

Join Episcopal and Lutheran golfers from around the state for a fun day of golf at Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, NJ to support the ministry of Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. Funds raised by the Bishops’ Cup support generous camperships to help families who can’t afford even their modest fees. If you would like to join a team from Christ Church, contact Don Syracuse or learn more here.

Cross Roads Summer Programs

Weeks during July & August

Cross Roads, our Episcopal camp, provides an amazing opportunity for people of all ages to have a classic camp experience in a safe and supportive environment and was listed on the 2023 Newsweek List of America’s Best Summer Camps. If you are interested in attending a week at Cross Roads, contact Rev. Bowie or Chris Whitaker. Children and teens from Christ Church will be attending throughout the summer. Learn more and register here.

Christ Church Recognized for Excellence in Church Communications

Last week, Christ Church received three Polly Bond Awards at the Episcopal Communicators Conference held in Portland, Maine. The Polly Bond Awards recognize excellence in church communications across the Episcopal Church. 

Christ Church received the Award of Excellence (the top award) in communication accessibility for our Webcast Page, the Award of Excellence for the Layout of the Faure Requiem poster, and an Honorable Mention for best email for our 2023 Lenten Devotional. Congratulations to Chris Whitaker and Libby Clarke! 

View all 2024 Award Recipients

Annual Meeting & Brunch

Mark your calendar and plan to attend our Annual Meeting & Brunch immediately following the 10am service on Sunday, May 5. The Annual Meeting will elect new vestry members and provide updates on all of the vibrant ministries of Christ Church. 

Creativity Time with Rev. Bowie

First Friday of the month at 9am | St. Mark's Room | Continuing May 3

Next Friday, set aside time to be creative in community. We’ll gather with coffee provided, get set up, and then spend 30-45 minutes being creative in silence together. You can write, knit, scrapbook, watercolor, or be creative in any way that feeds your soul and can be easily done in a group setting.

Then we’ll share our hopes and projects, intentions for the coming month, and encourage one another. This is open to anyone from the community. Contact Rev. Bowie with any questions or if you are interested. Drop-ins welcome!

Holy Grounds

Each Sunday 9:00am

St. Mark’s Room

Continuing this Sunday

This Easter, Holy Grounds cracks open the hymnal and explores our faith through the songs and prayers found therein. Join Rev. Paul and others around a pot of coffee in the St. Mark’s room as we learn about the history of hymnody and our very favorite hymns! 

[Learn more]

Faith & Film

Sundays 3pm

Parish Hall

Final Screening May 5



This spring, join Rev. Paul and others for popcorn, film, and conversation as we watch the second season of the critically acclaimed show, The Chosen. Each episode is about an hour long, and we follow it with reflection about what’s happening in the show and in our own life of faith. Two Sundays a month at 3pm in the Parish Hall, continuing on May 5.  [Learn more]

Rector's Bible Study

Second & Fourth Tuesdays 12pm

Continuing May 14

This spring, Rev. Bowie is leading a Bible Study on John’s Gospel. The Rector’s Bible Study meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 12-1pm in the St. Mark’s Room and via Zoom. Feel free to bring your lunch. Weekly schedule of readings can be viewed by clicking the link below and you are encouraged to read before the weekly gathering.  [Learn more]

Scout Plant Sale

Saturday, May 4, 10am-3pm

Scout Troop 15 will host their 73rd Annual Plant Sale in the Christ Church parking lot on Saturday, May 4 from 10am to 3pm. Forms to pre-order plants can be found in the info center outside the Parish Hall. All proceeds support Troop 15 and their work and activities through the Short Hills community. Any leftover plants will be sold after the 10am service on Sunday, May 5. 

IFPO Food Truck Fundraiser

Wednesday, June 5 | 6pm

Support the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges and their ongoing mission to assist our food-insecure neighbors at their Food Truck Fundraiser on Wednesday, June 5 from 6-8 pm. Your participation is vital in helping us to meet the unprecedented demand for nutritious foods and other essentials. The IFPO looks forward to honoring 3 of our most dedicated volunteers at this outdoor, festive fundraiser. Our “Warehouse Warriors”, Don Jaffe, Frank Langendorff and Christ Church parishioner, Ken Udland, make sure that our operations run smoothly every Monday and Wednesday.

Please join us for a fun night with unlimited food truck items and beverages! Early Bird ticket sales of $50 in effect until May 1, will go up thereafter to $125.

Purchase Tickets

Make a Tribute to Ken Udland

Each week, we continue to remember those in need of prayer. 

Special Prayers: Catalina, Manny, Joey, Arlene, Steve C., Skip C., Gloria, Phil B., Elsie F., Kenny L., Hilary S., Sol, and Byron M.

Ongoing Prayers: Kathy G., Skip C., Kenny L., Kay S., Diana B., Julienne, Christina, Rebecca M., Mabel, Leonor D., Suzanne M., Paul J., Vivian J., Jane H., Graham P., Sofia D., Liz D., Ginny, Celine, Frank B., Angelo B., Andrew G., Peter M., Duke L., Joanie, Katia G., Priscila F., Winnie, Curtis F., Lupe V., Sandra, Donna N., Sen K., Ruth G., Elena B., Anne T., Mildred, Kathy, Graham, Lin K., Chase, Jason, Chun L., Ethan L., Jiawei L., Linda G., Hilary S., and the Zusky Family.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: We pray for St. Paul’s & Resurrection, Wood-Ridge; Grace Church, Westwood; Church of the Holy Innocents, West Orange.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: We pray for the Church of Bangladesh

We pray for: For Peace in the world and an end to war, especially in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine. For Haiti. 

Please contact the Rev. Paul Keene if you have any prayer requests or would like a pastoral visitation.