Dear Gateway North District,
As we get close to the Christmas season and the end of 2016, I want to reach out to you to wish you happy holidays and at the same time congratulate you for the steps we have taken this year of 2016 that have gotten us closer to achieving our goals in ministry, to strengthen the ministry and mission of our churches, and to serve the communities in which we are minister, being hands and feet of God to others.
We celebrated our Charge Conferences starting on September and finalized them earlier than last year. Doing our Charge Conferences together helps us to devote less time to the administration and more to the mission of the church. This year we drastically reduced the use of paper for our documents by going from a paper based system to a digital system. All our churches completed their transition and finalize their reports on time.
As all you know, I suffered a dramatic accident on September 26, after finishing just the first round of Charge Conferences that were celebrated at Caldwell UMC. I was limited in my movements and abilities but thanks to the work of the Circuit Elders, Presiding Elders, Pastors and Local Congregations, we were able to continue doing the work and finished that important piece of our work together. To you all, I want to say thank you!
In a few days, on December 2nd, I will see most of you at our Pastoral Family Christmas Celebration, which is at Morrow Memorial in Maplewood this year. I want to share with your families and you and enjoy some time together dedicated not to work but to enjoying the company of each other, the music, and the opportunity to dine together as sisters and brothers in the ministry of Christ.
For all of us this season, there is more work to do and more responsibilities to carry on. I encourage all of you to seek opportunities to be with family and friends and to be overflowed by the peace and the love of Christ our Lord that is expressed to us in the eyes of our children and in the companionship of friends.
Happy Thanksgiving! May the Almighty bless you abundantly! Amen!
Yours,
Manolo
The Rev. Manuel Sardinas
Gateway North District Superintendent
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Church Happenings
Click here to view all the church to church happenings on the Gateway North District. Church events and flyers are updated on a regular basis so you will never miss out. If you would like your church event to be posted on the Gateway North district events page please email gatewaynorth@gnjumc.org.
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2017 Spring Team Vital: Registration ends December 1
Leaders have the opportunity to create a strategic ministry plan using the five markers of vitality. Each church receives individual technical support, monthly consulting and other resourcing opportunities from the conference. Click here to see a list of churches who are already participating in Team Vital. Watch the new Team Vital promo video here and fill out an application today! .
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Pastoral Family Christmas Celebration
Date: Friday, December 2
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church, 600 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040
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Northern Region Year-End Statistical Report Training
Date: Tuesday, December 6
Session 1: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Session 2: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Totowa United Methodist Church, 105 Church Street, Totowa, NJ 07512
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2017 Bishop's Clergy Convocation
Date: January 23-25, 2017
Location: Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch NJ
Featuring plenary and small group sessions led by author, coach and consultant Susan Beaumont and a special event presented by The Music Paradigm
Click here to register!
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Regional Day of Learning
Keynote and workshops will focus on reaching new people for Jesus Christ.
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bethany United Methodist Church, 491 Alps Rd., Wayne NJ 07470
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GNJ Financial Management Training Video
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. This will help to ensure that you have the resources for accurate and complete financial records. Click here to watch the video or download the transcript. Questions? Contact John Cardillo, Conference Treasurer or Jack Scharf, CF&A Chair of Shared Services.
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