Grow It Green’s Annual Spring Fundraiser

town, now in its 14th year, continues to promote health and strengthen our diverse community through urban agriculture, extensive education offerings, and equitable food access. Each year, the organization holds one major fundraiser to support its programs.

This year’s Spring into Action fundraiser will be on Monday,

Kitchell Memorial...

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May 1 at 5:30 pm at Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown.

Tickets are $85. Guests will enjoy a casual evening with light fare, including tastes from the Urban Farm and a custom ice cream flavor donated by Beenie’s; seasoned petite maize popcorn from Madison Park Foods, an exclusive Glenbrook beer; and an eco-friendly this community.”

Allred considers being a pastor a privilege and talked about what she finds most rewarding about it: “People inviting you into their lives, that is the most touching…allowing you to be their pastor… being witness with them to the highs and lows of their lives.”

Allred’s family includes her husband, Patrick, their children, Henry and Jane, and their two dogs, both rescues: Olive and Boomer. Allred’s hobbies include reading, running, and sharing meals with friends.

Sunday service at Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church is at 10am each Sunday. Allred describes the service as “casu- wine tasting, courtesy of Cambridge Wines. Also included - a swag bag, music from the team at DJ Chelli, and a collection of tricky tray baskets.

The event will also include a virtual Silent Auction with fantastic getaways, golf outings, Mansion in May tickets, and more. You can even bid to name one of the famous Urban al”. She noted that it has the traditional liturgy you would find in a Reformed Church but has a laid-back atmosphere. It is a very participatory service with different lay people taking on roles such as readings, leading portions of the service, and sharing announcements. Churches services are also streamed live on YouTube and can be viewed by clicking on a button on the church’s homepage: www.kitchellchurch.org/

The service has a variety of musical offerings thanks to the talents of the church’s music director, Rick Kaller. Kaller, a graduate of Julliard and the Executive Director of the New Discovery Orchestra, directs the senior choir and handbell choir plus, through his connections, brings in artists to share special music (guitar, cello, etc.). “[He is] so collaborative and enthusiastic about all things worship,” said Allred. She recalled once telling Kaller about how she was going to give a sermon called, “Signed , Sealed, and Delivered” (also the title of a Stevie Wonder song). For the postlude of the service, Kaller blended a classical organ piece with Wonder’s song.

As part of its outreach to welcome young families, there is a nursery on Sundays from 9:30am – 11:30am handled by a childcare professional with the assistance of a church volunteer. Having a nursery

Farm chickens! Sponsorships and ads are also available to help support our programsemail kathy@growitgreenmorristown.org

“Growing and distributing sustainable, fresh food to thousands of local residents is a super power, one made possible by events like our Spring into Action fundraiser. With allows parents to not only attend the service without interruption, but also for those who sing, it would give them a chance to have their children cared for while they attend choir rehearsal before church.

There is a fellowship time after church with coffee and treats. However, getting together isn’t just on Sundays. The church has events throughout the year like its game nights, occasional trips, Bible studies and Christmas tree lighting. Their first tree lighting was held this past Christmas with even the building outlined in lights. For information on the church’s events, see its website.

Outreach has been, and still is, an important part of what Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church is. Corea, shared the various ways the church reaches out to help others. The church donates to a variety of local organizations: Interfaith Food Pantry (with donations of money, food, store gift cards/certificates and Thanksgiving baskets prepared by the Deacons), Market Street Mission (donations of coats and warm clothing), Community Soup Kitchen, Morristown (now known as Nourish. NJ, it receives monies from the church’s “Souper Bowl of Caring”), Department of Children Protection and Permanency (formerly DYFS, the church donates items for the state of our world today, there’s never been a more important time to collectively join together in this mission,” said Lisa Alexander, Executive Director. school-age children and teens, especially at the start of school and at Christmas time) plus it helps NJ Battered Women and Habitat for Humanity. The church also supports Presbyterian Church (PC USA) causes like One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Joy Offering, the Peacemaking offering, and Presbyterian Disaster Relief. In the past, Kitchell has also donated to many international charities such as the Asian Rural Institute, Charity:water, the Heifer Project and mission work in Kenya.

For ticket sales: growitgreenmorristown.org. Can’t make the event? Register for free to visit the Silent Auction and provide some support.

Corea added, “The Outreach and Sharing committee has recently augmented its mission giving budget to help support local service agencies and first responders as well; recently, we have donated to the East Hanover Fire Department, East Hanover EMS, and the Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter, to name a few. We are looking forward to working with the Highlands-Nairobi Presbyterian Partnership in a cooperative future mission endeavor, among other projects taking shape within Morris County.”

Reflecting on all that’s happening at the church and Allred’s coming to be pastor, JoAnn Macdonald noted, “[There’s] a new energy and [it’s an] exciting time [at Kitchell].

For more information, visit www.kitchellchurch.org