IN THIS ISSUE: A New Ministry: Hiking Group PAGE 3
Community Easter Egg Hunt PAGE 4
Meet Member Pat Bodden PAGE 5
Upcoming Events PAGE 9
A bimonthly publication of Bridgewater United Methodist Church MARCH & APRIL 2018 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6
Letter from the Pastor Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice; they shall have their fill. — Matthew 5:6 Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, I have never experienced true physical hunger. Sure, there have been times when I may have skipped a meal and felt some hunger pangs that sent me searching for that old granola bar at the bottom of my purse, but never have I been truly hungry. When we are hungry, our sole purpose is the quest for food, and the hungrier we are the more zealous we are in our pursuit! Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds that those who hunger for justice are blessed and will have their fill. What did he mean by “justice” and why is justice to be pursued as if it were food to a starving person? Unlike ministries of “mercy” that address immediate needs, justice focuses on the root causes of problems. Mercy is giving a poor hungry person a sandwich; justice asks, “What are the causes of poverty, and what can I do to change those systems?” Jesus, like the prophet Micah, taught us that both are important, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Both justice and mercy are necessary if God’s kingdom is to come on earth as it is in heaven.
The charge of the Church and Society (C&S) Ministry Team is to seek justice—to stand along side of those harmed by oppressive systems and to advocate for change. Don Schulz and I are rejuvenating C&S here at BUMC and we need other hungry disciples to join us in our work. What are you hungry for? If you hunger and thirst for justice then join us for our organizational meeting on March 1 at 7:30. Jesus promises you will be filled! With joy for the journey, Rev. June
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Pastoral & Church Staff
651 Country Club Road Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-526-1414 bridgewaterumc.org office@bridgewaterumc.org Vision Statement: Inviting All, Engaging Hearts and Minds, Serving Others with the Love of Christ
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Cho, Senior Pastor Rev. June Tamburro, Associate Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Laura Steele, Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation Evan Currie, Director of Music Ministry/Organist Mary Beth Gruber, Treasurer/Finance Manager Janet Ledbetter, Office Manager Ken Temby, Administrative Assistant Jim Cox, Membership Secretary Nick Jankucic, Property Manager Jeanne Alusik, Director of Children’s Corner
For questions or comments about this publication, please contact: veronica.sydlowski@gmail.com
CHILDREN’S CORNER AT BUMC We are a Stephen Ministry congregation and all calls/ emails are confidential. To reach a Stephen Minister, please contact stephenmin@bridgewater umc.org or 908.872.0503
651 Country Club Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-526-9596 www.theccorner.org || childbumc@gmail.com Ages 2-6 || Full and Half Day Programs
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By: Maggie Buckridge, high school junior God calls upon all of His children to rejoice in His wonderful creation, to appreciate the beauty in the natural world around us. This past fall, Christine Dombrowski felt called to bring her love for hiking to the church community. To fulfill this calling, she extended her weekend hiking trips with friends to the entire congregation. The Bridgewater United Methodist Church is blessed by the new hiking group that has evolved. The group has gone on three hikes thus far, with Christine’s favorite being a trip to Sunfish Pond along the Delaware Water Gap. Each hike has varied in mileage, with the average length being nine miles. Christine’s goal is to vary between long hikes and short hikes, as well as between local hikes and farther trips. All members of the congregation are welcome to join, from experienced hikers to those who simply want to enjoy the outdoors.
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God invites us all to connect with Him and strengthen the covenant through nature. The Bible tells us, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being (Job 12: 2-13 New Revised Standard Version).” The hiking group is an amazing opportunity to grow in fellowship with one another. In all of the chaos, it is easy to stray from the paths that God has planned. Hiking allows us to appreciate the indescribable beauty of His creation and keeps us grounded in a hectic world. The group is always looking for new people to join them on a hike. Additionally, Christine is seeking a co-leader to share in the planning. If you are interested in becoming a part of this vibrant group, contact Christine Dombrowski at cjdombrow@gmail.com.
Join Us For the BUMC FREE Community Easter Egg Hunt!
Sunday, March 25th Directly following the 10:30am Palm Sunday Worship Service Bridgewater United Methodist Church 651 Count ry Club Road, Bridgewater, NJ We are looking forward to a great turnout. Even the Easter Bunny will be there, posing for pictures with the kids! Children ages 0-11 are invited to attend. After all of the eggs have been found, the children will come into Fellowship Hall to learn the Easter story. We are currently accepting donations of plastic eggs and treats (NUT-FREE candy, stickers, erasers, bouncy balls, etc.) Please place donations in the designated bin, located in the Missions Closet. We are also looking for volunteers to stuff the eggs on Friday, March 23rd at 7:30pm, as well as volunteers to assist on the day of the event.
Please contact Michelle Krynicky at 732-266-2333 or mmkrynicky@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer for either of these tasks. March/April | | 4
“I feel like I’m blessed”
Member Pat Bodden shares her story of growing up in another country to the work that keeps her busy in retirement.
By: Veronica Sydlowski For Pat Bodden, giving back has been a strong theme of her life. As a child, growing up in Honduras, her family was always helping each other and others out. Now, she gives back as a court advocate for children and through the various ministries at Bridgewater United Methodist Church (BUMC). Growing up in a small island in the north part of Honduras, Pat and her family attended a Methodist church and she recalls winning a Bible study contest when she was 8 or 9 years old. Pat moved to the United States in 1985, with her son, after her husband passed away as there seemed to better opportunities for her. She moved to New Jersey as her sister was in the area at the time. She originally lived in Plainfield before settling in Bridgewater, due to a good school system for her son. Pat worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City and as a manager of operations and finally as the compliance department manager until 5 | | March/April
her time of retirement two years ago. Although Pat is retired, she keeps an active schedule. An area she is passionate about is social justice. Pat has a lot of gratitude for those that helped her as a single mother and for adjusting to a life in a new country. “I see so many areas where I can help,” says Pat, “I wanted to give back to extend the same help I received.” She has been active with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and has served as a court appointed child advocate for Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties for the past year and a half. She makes sure that communication and treatment for the child continues. “I help make sure that the children don’t fall through the cracks,” says Pat. At BUMC, Pat has been involved with social justice as well. She helps at Covenant Free Meals in Plainfield and Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) in Somerville. She recently became a Lay Servant, helps with knitting prayer shawls, and also serves as the Financial Secretary for the church. She has also been helping “behind the scenes” of the Church and Society team. Pat also became involved with the Prison Ministry through Rev. June Tamburro.
When Pat was struggling a few years ago she felt like she could talk to Rev. June about anything. She said, “Rev. June would help in the way she could and helped me through.” During their time together Rev. June “saw something in me” to suggest the Prison Ministry. Pat enjoys the ministry and especially connects with the women of the Hispanic community. She continues to “pray for Him to put me in the place I need to be.” Although Pat had attended BUMC off and on, she officially became a member eight years ago. She says that Isaiah 30 is a chapter that still resonates with her. Several years ago she attended a women’s retreat where that chapter was the theme and it reminds her that “I’m going to be ok.” In her free time, Pat enjoys reading religious books and scuba diving.
Pat was recently part of a group of 10 other members who became Lay Servants at BUMC.
Pat was recently recognized, along with other members, as a member of the Prayer Shawl ministry. The ministry has knitted over 300 shawls for church members and community.
Pat serving as a volunteer at Covenant Free Meals in Plainfield.
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We are again going to pack meals for Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now). Rise Against Hunger is a hands-on international hunger relief program that coordinates assembly-line packaging of highly nutritious meals for needy 3rd world countries. The food is distributed through the schools, which helps keep the children in school. Of course, education is a means to break the cycle of poverty.
Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018 Time: 11:45am (We will have only one service that day) Location: Fellowship Hall Type of event: Intergenerational. There are tasks for children all the way to seniors. Types of tasks: Supply truck unloading and set-up, starting around 9:30am. Supplies can weigh up to 50 pounds (Need 5-10 volunteers.) Actual meal packing task (Need 100 persons of all ages and physical capabilities) Reloading the truck and clean-up (Need 5-10 strong volunteers)
Goal: Pack 15,000 meals (We packed 13, 000 meals in 2016) Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based initiative that provides highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Since the inception of the meal packaging program in December 2005, these packaged meals have been used primarily to support school feeding programs in developing countries. Hunger is the common thread among the world’s most challenging issues. Targeting hunger — specifically by supporting school feeding programs — leverages support to other causes including poverty, disease, education, and the welfare of women and children. 7 | | March/April
Bridgewater United Methodist Church Social Media and Photography Opt-Out Form I do not authorize Bridgewater United Methodist Church to use media recordings in which my image or voice is prominently featured in whole or part for advertising, media, video, audio, or other marketing purposes. I hereby confirm that I am of legal age (over 18) and have every right to contract in my own name. With this form I have attached a picture of myself to be used as reference to assure my exclusion in media used by Bridgewater United Methodist Church. In signing this form, I understand that Bridgewater United Methodist Church will make reasonable efforts to avoid access to, or remove, my image or voice for all purposes identified herein. To this end, I will notify photographers in my vicinity that I do not wish to be photographed when attending a church sponsored event.
Adult (Over 18) Date: _____________ Address:
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Child (Under 18) Date: __________ Email:
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I hereby confirm that I am the Parent or Guardian I further affirm I have read the above “Opt-Out Form,” and am familiar with its contents. Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________ Return this form including a reference photo to the church office. For Office Use Only: Photo Received By: ________________________________________ Date: _______________________ March/April | | 8
March & April Highlights To see more events and details, please visit our online calendar at bridgewaterumc.org. All events take place at church unless otherwise noted. MARCH 2018 Su
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World Day of Prayer Bradley Gardens Community Church, Bridgewater, NJ
2-4pm
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United Methodist Women (UMW) Spring Luncheon 10am-12:30pm Community Wide Easter Egg Hunt Immediately following 10:30am service
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Immediately following 10:30am service Youth Auction Fundraiser 6:30-9:30pm
Lenten Soup Supper and Service
You are invited on Wednesdays, March 7, 14, and 21 for a soup supper from 6:30-6:50pm followed by a short service at 7pm. See the bulletin board outside the office for more information or sign up to bring soup.
3/29 Maundy Thursday Service—7:30pm 3/30 Good Friday Service—7:30pm 4/1 Easter Sunday Services— 6:30am, 9am, 10:30am 6:30am—Sunrise Service at Fire Pit (weather permitting) 9am—Traditional Worship Service 10:30am—Contemporary Worship Service
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Our Lenten small group study, Made for a Miracle, has started. Several small groups meet throughout the week.
Inviting All, Engaging Hearts and Minds,
At Covenant Free Meals, we fed 100 people with a homemade, hot meal.
We continue to offer two monthly support groups for those who are caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Serving Others with the Love of Christ After four weeks of collecting, the children at Sunday School counted and sorted over 500 cans/boxes of food for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was a success and helped raise money for the music ministries of BUMC.
Our Children and Families Ministry made kindness cards and delivered them to the Bridgewater Police Department. The middle and high school youth groups enjoyed the Keswick Midwinter Advance Retreat and were “fearless” in their faith.
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