The Bridge
IN THIS ISSUE: Special Needs Sunday School PAGE 3
Connections: Small Groups & Adult Education PAGE 5
Children’s Corner PAGE 7
Upcoming Events & Open House Sunday PAGE 9
A bimonthly publication of Bridgewater United Methodist Church SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
Letter from the Pastor True confession: I’ve been swept up in the Pokémon Go craze. At first it seemed like just another passing fad of the Millennial generation. I couldn’t imagine myself ever playing a game that seemed so “pointless.” But as this new game became a record-breaking phenomena my curiosity peaked, and there was only one way to discover what all the finger-flicking fun was about. Fortunately, my 20 year old son, Johnny served as my tutor. Initially I thought he was speaking in another language, but with a little practice I was battling Pokémon and taking over gyms like a pro (did I just write that sentence?). What surprised me most was how this game fostered conversation and even friendships among complete strangers. Once I gave it a try, I found myself chatting with people I otherwise would have just passed without notice. Think about how many potential friendships we miss out on when we just sit quietly in our pew chairs on Sunday morning. If we only come to church for one hour and then slip away it is unlikely we will ever make friends or feel like we belong in the community. Joining a small group is one way to meet people and to discover a place where you can explore your faith at Bridgewater UMC. It may seem like small groups are just something other people do (like Pokémon Go did to me), but if you give one a try you just might be surprised at how much you enjoy the experience. This fall there are numerous small group offerings (see pages 6-7). Find one that works for you and join the fun! Peace,
Rev. June Tamburro Associate Pastor of Discipleship
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Pastoral & Church Staff
651 Country Club Road Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-526-1414 bridgewaterumc.org office@bridgewaterumc.org Vision Statement: We invite all people into an accepting and loving community of peace and refuge that makes disciples of Jesus Christ to impact lives through mission and service.
Rev. Dr. Vicki M. Brendler, Senior Pastor Rev. Ben Lee, Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation Rev. June Tamburro, Associate Pastor of Discipleship Jason E. Hill, Director of Worship, Music & the Arts Cathi Reckenbeil, Director of Ministries with Children, Younger Youth & Their Families
Mary Beth Gruber, Finance Manager/Treasurer Nick Jankucic, Property Manager Jannet Poole, Administrative Secretary Janet Ledbetter, Administrative Assistant Diana T. Berenter, Childcare Coordinator Jeanne Alusik, Director of Children’s Corner For questions or comments about this publication, please contact: veronica.sydlowski@gmail.com
Social Media Posts of the Summer Like and follow us on Facebook to view pictures/videos and find out what’s going on at church Throughout the months of July & August, a short service at the fire pit on Wednesday evenings featured music, prayer, readings, discussions, and roasted marshmallows.
Middle school (above) and high school (below) youth groups went on summer mission trips to Heifer International Farm and working on houses in West Virginia respectively.
“Deep Sea Recovery” was the theme of Vacation Bible School this year during the first week in August.
Volunteers sold pizza and drinks at the Somerset County 4-H Fair in mid-August to raise money towards the church’s ministries.
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“An equal plane when receiving love from God” By: Veronica Sydlowski In a small room in the Sunday School wing, there are numerous posters, pictures, and notes about the stories of the Bible, God, and Jesus. What makes this room unique though are the students inside—all young adults with special needs. For the past 19 years, Connie Burck and Lori McManus have been teaching the special needs Sunday School class and adapting the curriculum to the needs of the students. Lori and Connie both have experience with special needs children outside of church. Lori was a teacher and worked in a school with children with autism. Connie recently retired from Bridgewater-Raritan School District after 25 years as a special education instructional assistant. Although no one knows who exactly began the class or how many years prior to Connie and Lori it began, its longevity speaks to the need that it helps meet. Mary Hogarth began bringing her sons, James and Bob, when they were 8 years old. Mary had been hesitant to come, as she was Catholic, but was “desperate to find a place who would accept them.” When James and Bob first started, Mary would stay in the 3 | | September/October
classroom and they would use behavior charts to keep the boys on task. If they made it though Sunday School they were able to earn a doughnut during fellowship time. It was important to Mary that her sons go to church. She wanted them to learn to be quiet at the appropriate times and be comfortable enough in any church and know that the same type of rules applied. When James and Bob were of confirmation age, Lori and Connie were their mentors, and both of the boys completed community service, a requirement for all confirmation students. For Kathy Chapin, whose son Kyle attends, the class has allowed him to learn in a way that is engaging for him. Kathy said that he does not totally understand what is going on in a church service, but loves seeing his teachers and other students.
Over the years Connie and Lori have used some curriculums that have been geared towards special needs students, but now that all of the students are in their 20s and 30s, they have sought out online resources and mostly created their own. Connie said that they have been using a Bible with illustrations and shorter stories to help everyone understand the concepts. She and Lori stick to simple themes—creation, the 10 Commandments, and Jesus’ birth and death—and tailor the activities to each students’ strengths. “We try to make it relevant and meaningful to them,” said Lori. Connie echoed the same sentiment and said that they aim to help them understand faith through ministries, such as a card ministry they started several years ago. For certain holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter they made cards using a variety of art mediums such as sponge painting and watercolors. Depending on the level of each student they may copy a Bible verse or their name. The
cards are sent to shut-ins or those on the prayer list. Connie and Lori have a bulletin board of notes they have received from people thanking them for their handmade cards. After nearly 20 years together, the teachers, students, and their families have a tight bond. Mary and Kathy both expressed how much their sons love Lori and Connie. Lori and Connie have expressed the joy of watching them grow in their faith. Connie said the rewarding part is “seeing them understand their faith and not just mimicking what we’ve said.” That’s why the class continues and why the students continue to come back. “We are very blessed to have such a community of people who love them,” said Mary. “It is a place where they are accepted with open arms, for who they are. There is no judgement, only a willingness to love them as they are and teach them about Jesus. Our gratitude is beyond what words can express.”
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SUNDAY 9:15am Adult Sunday School Leader: rotates Starts: September 18 Duration: ongoing September-May, 9:15-10am Place: Room 25
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Praying in Color
Drop-In Bible Study
Leader: Elaine Carlsen Starts: September 26 Duration: 6 weeks, 7-8pm Place: Room 25
Leader: Rev. June Tamburro Starts: September 13 Duration: ongoing every Tuesday, 10-11:15am Place: Choir Room
Prayer Shawl 10am Adult Sunday School Leaders: Don and Kathy Schulz Starts: September 18 Duration: ongoing September-May, 10:3011:30am Place: Room 25
Leaders: Jean Hart and Sandy Allen Duration: ongoing, year-round 1-3pm Place: Room 25
Book Group Leader: Sandy Allen and Kathy Schulz Starts: September 20 Duration: 3rd Tuesday of each month Place: Member’s homes
The Daniel Plan Leaders: Mary Hogarth and Lynn Kheshgi Starts: October 4 Duration: 6 weeks, 7:309pm Place: Room 25 5 | | September/October
If you are interested in joining a group, please contact Rev. June Tamburro at 908-526-1414 ext. 8 or jtamburro@bridgewaterumc.org or contact the group leader. WEDNESDAY Invitation to Romans: A Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Study Leader: Rev. Vicki Brendler Starts: September 21 Duration: 8 weeks, 7:30-9pm Place: Room 25
Developing the Spiritual Life of Children Leader: Veronica Sydlowski Starts: September 20 Duration: 6 weeks, 7:45-8:45pm Place: Online (via ZOOM Conferencing)
THURSDAY
SATURDAY
DATES VARY BASED ON ACTIVITY
The Art & Practice Men’s Emmaus of Prayer Reunion Group
Bridgewater Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives
Leader: Rev. June Tamburro Starts: October 6 Duration: 7 weeks, 8-9pm Place: Online (via ZOOM Conferencing)
Leaders: Robin Bonner and Linda DeLukey Duration: monthly, September-May Place: varies
Leader: Mark Papera Duration: ongoing every Saturday, 7:30am Place: Bridgewater Diner (Route 22)
Men’s Discipleship Children and Families Ministries Study Leader: Rev. Ben Lee Starts: September 17 Duration: ongoing every other Saturday, 9am Place: Room 25
Leaders: Diana Berenter and Cathi Reckenbeil Duration: ongoing, year round (average 1 event each month) Place: varies based on activity
News from the Pews Leader: Rev. June Tamburro Starts: September 26 Duration: ongoing Place: Facebook discussion group (you must have a Facebook account to participate)
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Children’s Corner has been teaching children and serving their families for over three decades By: Veronica Sydlowski Every year before the start of school, director Jeanne Alusik touches each wall and visits each classroom in Children’s Corner, praying for a good year, the students and their families, and the teachers. Since 1984, Children's Corner of Bridgewater United Methodist Church (BUMC) has been providing high quality, loving care to children between the ages of 2 and 6. Children's Corner is a ministry of BUMC, although they have their own budget and board. They have 116 children enrolled, but 92 attend each day due to a number who attend for a half day and/or part time. Although Children's Corner is a Christian based school, it is open to anyone. Many of the children who attend Children's 7 | | September/October
Corner are 2nd and 3rd generation families - a testament to the excellent care that children receive. The average staff member has been at Children's Corner for 15 years which is a long time in the early childhood education industry. Jeanne attributed their success due to the part that "we are all very strong women who see the big picture." What makes Children's Corner unique is that they help children understand their choices by learning right and wrong and treating others with love and respect. While they use state standards for the basis of their education, the teachers create their own curriculum. Jeanne stressed several
times, "We are a team and we all work together. We collaborate and go through a creative process together." The creativity allows the teachers to adapt to the needs of the children as they want them happy and excited to learn, not stressed out. That philosophy extends to the staff as well. They have the month of August off so that they can recharge their batteries which gives them the ability to be better teachers. For ages two and three the biggest emphasis is on play and social skills which allows them
to learn in a group. All ages groups receive music, gym, and science a few times a week which helps other skills develop and grow. "We will take care of your child like our own," said Jeanne. "And we've always been there for families and really want to help and do what's right." For more information on Children's Corner, please visit www.theccorner.org or email childbumc@gmail.com.
CHILDREN’S CORNER AT BUMC 651 Country Club Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-526-9596 • www.theccorner.org childbumc@gmail.com Ages 2-6 • Full and Half Day Programs September/October | | 8
September Highlights To see more events and details, please visit our online calendar at bridgewaterumc.org. All events take place at church unless otherwise noted. SEPTEMBER 2016
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Open House Sunday Ministry Fair 10-10:20am Sunday School Open House 10-10:20am Service in Sanctuary 10:30am Potluck following service
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Sunday School Begins 9:15-10am
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Terrific Tuesday Begins Various youth music and bell choirs
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IGNITE Retreat—High School (9th-12th) Wildwood, NJ
Open House Sunday 10-10:20am
Sunday School Open House—families are invited to meet teachers and see the classrooms Ministry Fair—meet people and learn about the many ministries to meet the needs of all individuals
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One Service in the Sanctuary
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Potluck—please bring a side dish or dessert; burgers, hot dogs, and beverages will be provided
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Children & Family Ministries’ Meet & Greet Picnic Infants through 4th grade; Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ
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Family Promise Volunteers needed for 3 hour shifts and to make dinners JYF (5th-8th Grade) Fall Bible Retreat Lebanon Baptist Camp, Lebanon, NJ
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Raritan Valley Church Conference Day 8:30am-5:30pm
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Trunk or Treat 3-5pm
Giving while on the web Did you know you can have a portion of your Amazon purchase go to the church? Simply go to Amazon Smile and select “Bridgewater UMC NJ” as your charity of choice and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the church. This is FREE and works with Amazon Prime. GoodSearch is a search engine like Google, but they donate 1¢ for each search. Simply designate Bridgewater UMC as your charity of choice. September/October | | 10
October 30 • 3-5pm Snacks and Drinks will be available For more information or to volunteer, please contact jennifer.schaber@gmail.com
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