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A Future With Hope is the mission arm of the United Methodist Church of Greater NJ dedicated to helping families with Sandy recovery and developing Communities of Hope resourcing for our congregations.

Sandy: 4 Years Later

Saturday, October 29th marks the 4th year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. United Methodists working with A Future With Hope are one of the last recovery groups on the ground helping the estimated 4,000 people who have not been able to recover. We will mark the anniversary in Union Beach with one of our homeowners and her family as we acknowledge the progress that has been made and the work that still remains. We expect area news coverage and local elected officials to participate. You too can participate by contributing to a special gift card we will present the homeowner and her two young children. Click here to contribute.

Mark the Anniversary by Taking Action

What will you be doing to mark the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy? Now is the perfect time to volunteer. Click here to take action.

Don't Go it Alone. Team up!

What's missing in your congregation? Register by Dec. 1 to be a part of Team Vital this upcoming Spring and find out. Watch the new Team Vital promo video here. Leaders have the opportunity to create strategic ministry plans using the 5 markers of vitality. Click here for an overview or here to see Fall 2016 participating churches. Fill out an application here.

GNJ Podcast

Episode II: Making New Disciples - Evangelism and Church Planting

GNJ's second podcast episode features Trey Wince, Director of New Disciples, and asks him about evangelism in the 21st century and what GNJ is doing to create 90 new faith communities by 2018. Click here to listen.

United Methodists throughout the conference are working toward the goal of $12 million to help rebuild homes, save lives and inspire local church mission. Learn how you and your congregation can join the campaign.

Imagine No Malaria Provides Advent Resources

This Advent season, let Imagine No Malaria help you and your congregation imagine a world filled with hope, joy and love through a collection of downloadable materials that includes sermon starters, hymn suggestions and children's messages. Additional materials include litanies, prayers, and a short video that can be shared in small groups or the congregation. Click here for more.

Save the Date: IGNITE Leaders Day

Youth Leaders, be sure to save the date for February 11, 2017 for an IGNITE Leaders Day. Preston Centuolo, Kenda Creasy Dean, and GNJ local church leaders will be presenting. Stay tuned for more information soon!

IGNITE Video Devotionals

To keep our IGNITED following since the biggest IGNITE Conference to date, our artists, speakers and leaders have teamed up to make a series of devotional videos for youth. Click here to watch the YouTube series.

GNJ NEWS

New Superintendent

The Greater New Jersey Cabinet has been working with Bishop Schol to identify a new superintendent for the Delaware Bay District. Former superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jisun Kwak, is on involuntary leave of absence.

Rev. Kwak, following a hearing with the Conference Relations Committee, was placed on involuntary leave of absence by the Board of Ordained Ministry Executive Committee. Rev. Kwak was suspended from ministry in June and when a just resolution could not be achieved, the cabinet recommended Rev. Kwak be placed on involuntary leave of absence. The complaint has also been referred to the Council for the Church who will prepare the complaint for a trial.

In selecting a new superintendent, Bishop Schol solicited input from the Delaware Bay Superintendency Committee. He will use the more than 60 names that laity and clergy from across GNJ submitted when he was considering a new superintendent for the Palisades District which resulted in the appointment of Gina Kim.

Bishop Schol asks you to pray for Rev. Kwak. He also asks for your prayers as he and the cabinet work together to appoint a new district superintendent.

Save the Date: 2017 Bishop Convocation

Featuring plenary and small group sessions led by author, coach and consultant Susan Beaumont and a special event presented by The Music Paradigm, the 2017 Bishop Convocation will be held January 23-25, 2017, at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ. Come for renewal, learning, and fellowship. Registration opens Tuesday, Nov. 1.

UM Volunteers in Mission Leadership Training

If you're interested in learning more about being a UMVIM team leader or hosting teams, this training is for you. Join Rev. Tom Lank on Nov. 5 at the Mission and Resource Center to find out how you can be a part of exemplifying "Christian Love in Action." The deadline to register is Friday! Click here for more info.

Join a UMVIM Trip to Haiti

Do you want to help change the world this winter? Be a part of a UMVIM team mission to Haiti, Jan. 7-14, 2017, join the GNJ Walter Filtration Team or donate to the GNJ Clean Water for Haiti fund. Click here for more info, call (732)865-3730 or email Kathy Ahmad to find out more.

Monday Deadline for Worship Conference Registration

Doxology: A Worship Conference sponsored by the Central Region and hosted by renown worship leader Kurtis Parks will bring together leaders from around GNJ for a day of learning new ways to embrace the worship experience on Nov. 12. The deadline to register is Monday! Find out more and register here and watch the video above.

2016 Fall Advanced Lay Servant Registration

A local church Lay Servant serves the community through ministries of leading, caring and communicating. There is still time to register for fall classes. You may attend classes in any district. Click here for 2016 Fall Lay Servant ministry certification and re-certification.

Central Region Wesley Heritage Tour

Clergy and lay members of the Northern Shore, Capital, and Raritan Valley districts will embark on a 9 day tour of England on July 19, 2017, exploring the roots of John Wesley. Tour host opportunities are available for clergy taking groups from their church as well as two units of Continuing Education credits and discounts for timely payments. Email Glenn Ferguson or call (732)856-0699.

Housing Resource Fair for Sandy Impacted Residents

A free housing resource fair in Ocean County for New Jersey residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy will take place this Friday, Oct. 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River. Call (609)393-3752 or send an email with questions. A Future With Hope representatives will be on hand that day to help.

Bishop's Days

Southern Region:
Laity: Wed. 12/14 - 7:00 p.m. at UMC of Mantua
Northern Region:
Laity: Wed. 11/09 - 7:00 p.m. at Little Falls UMC
Clergy: Thurs. 11/10 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Little Falls UMC

Central Region:
Clergy: Thurs. 12/08 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Aldersgate UMC
Laity: Thurs. 12/08 - 7:00 p.m. at Aldersgate UMC

Health Insurance News

Open Enrollment for 2017 Health Insurance Plans

Open enrollment for the Active and Retiree Health Plan is scheduled for Nov. 2-17. Watch for the Notice of Open Enrollment being mailed to all churches. Click here for the 2016 Health Insurance Guidelines.

Active Employees

Federal Law requires that the opportunity to enroll be offered to every eligible employee, including church controlled nursery school employees. Eligible employees (30 or more house/week) - clergy and lay staff, this is the time to enroll or waive coverage for yourself, add or remove an eligible child or spouse, waive coverage for eligible dependents from your HealthFlex plan for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2017. Click here for open enrollment info for HealthFlex (Active employees)

Retirees over 65

Eligible retirees may enroll in the United HealthCare Medicare Advantage National PPO Plan if they meet the eligibility requirements in the Health Insurance Guidelines. Retirees who previously waived coverage in retirement may enroll at this time. Click here for open enrollment info for United Healthcare (Retirees over 65)

Finance News

New GNJ Financial Management Training Video

To ensure that you have the resources for accurate and complete financial records, a new training video has been created by the Greater New Jersey Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) designed for laity involved in financial management of our churches. Click here to watch or download the transcript. If you have questions contact Conference Treasurer, John Cardillo or CF&A Chair of Shared Services, Jack Scharf.

UMC NEWS

Resources for UMC #GivingTuesday

As a passionate disciple of Christ, your participation is vital to living out God's mission through The United Methodist Church. Nov. 29, you're invited to come together with thousands of United Methodists to support the work of Advance projects and missionaries on UMC #GivingTuesday. Click here for more info.

Bishops Name Commission Members

The Council of Bishops has announced the 32 United Methodists who will serve on the commission charged with bridging the denomination's deep divisions on homosexuality and fostering church unity. The group includes eight bishops, 13 other clergy and 11 laity. In parallel to this commission, Bishop Schol will be working with Greater New Jersey leaders to create a process that invites all clergy and laity to be involved in the discussion. Read the story here.

Academy for Spiritual Formation

Clergy and laity who are hungry for a deeper relationship with God and looking for spiritually disciplined community are welcome to be a part of the Academy for Spiritual Formation. Sponsored by Discipleship Ministries, the Academy is open to lay and clergy who want to rediscover Christianity's rich spiritual heritage through worship, learning and fellowship. Click here for more info.

Archives and History Holds Organizing Meeting

The United Methodist Commission of Archives and History honored the Rev. Ted Campbell with a Distinguished Service Award, inducted its 24-member board and began planning for the next four years. Read the press release here.

Communication News and Tips

Tech Assistant and Other Career Opportunities

GNJ is seeking a Technical Assistant to support the Communications Dept. Click here for more info. Job opportunities in Greater New Jersey are available to browse on the web. From youth directors, Sunday School teachers, musicians and custodians, you can click here to see the latest postings.

Let the Mission and Resource Center Serve You

Don't miss out on the available resources the Mission and Resource Center has to offer. Click here to fill out the Conference Meeting Room request form and reserve space for your congregation, agency, or committee.

How to Get in The Relay and Digest

Have a good story idea for The Relay? Contact Josh Kinney at: jkinney@gnjumc.org. Do you have information for The Digest? Contact: gnjdigest@gnjumc.org. The deadline to send news for the following month's Relay is the 15th of each month. The deadline to send news to the Digest is noon every Tuesday.