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Guest Writer, Myrna Bethke
Gateway South District Superintendent
News flash: Christmas is on Sunday this year!
Dear Friends,
I have a confession to make. It is my favorite day when Christmas falls on a Sunday. In my last appointment, the children’s minister and I, differed on that! It was her least favorite time. Over the ten years we served together we had a good time giving each other grief about Christmas falling on a Sunday.
Why is Sunday my favorite day to celebrate Christmas? It’s because it reminds me that God’s breaking into the world, collides with our ordinary days. Christmas on a Sunday is disruptive—we have to change around some family traditions, adjust our schedules, and face a church service after just having been at church the night before. Christmas on a Sunday powerfully reminds us God is with us. When Christmas is on a Sunday we can’t ignore that everything changed when God chose to be born as a helpless child.
I invite you to explore how to celebrate the collision of the ordinary and extraordinary this Christmas. Make your church service different to acknowledge it’s not just another routine Sunday.
What if...
- You invite the children to come in their pajamas, and to bring one of their Christmas presents for a blessing.
- Sing the favorite Christmas carols that might have got missed or learn a new one!
- Ask the congregation to share memories of how they experience God anew at Christmas.
- Serve hot chocolate and Christmas Cookies after worship.
Have a Blessed Christmas!
-Pastor Brian
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Church Opportunities and Resources
Church Happenings
Click here to view all the church to church happenings on the Cape Atlantic District. Church events and flyers are updated on a regular basis so you will never miss out. You can also visit the Southern Regional Informational page to view events that are going on throughout the region. If you would like your church event to be posted on the district events page please email capeatlantic@gnjumc.org.
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Message from Bishop Schol
Mandatory clergy meeting for pastors appointed to churches
Date: January 11, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Calvary Korean United Methodist Church, 572 Ryders Ln., East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Click here to read full message from Bishop Schol.
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2017 Registration now open!
Do you feel frustrated? Do you feel alone? Do you feel like you're reinventing the wheel every single week? Well you don't have to, by joining a PaCE Group! PaCE is an initiative to facilitate peer learning groups that help shape pastoral identity, imagination and develop leadership excellence. This program supports clergy excellence by building trust, reducing isolation, exploring ideas through shared experiences, providing multiple viewpoints, unlocking creativity and engaging in group in deep conversations.
Click here for more information. Deadline to register is January 15, 2017.
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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! First price break ends today!
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IGNITE Youth Leaders Day
Date: February 11, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Calvary Korean UMC, 572 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick 08816
Cost: $15.00
IGNITE Youth Leaders Day will provide practical resources and tools to help students grow in their faith. Churches of any size will leave with a better understanding of youth, youth ministry in 2017, how to organize and grow a youth ministry, and how to help students grow in their faith. Featuring Preston Centuolo, Kenda Creasy Dean, and Greater New Jersey church leaders.
Click here for more information.
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Revolutionizing Stewardship
A Clergy retreat led by Horizons Stewardship
Date: February 22-23, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. registration
Location: Congress Hall, Cape May NJ
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Revolutionizing Stewardship Action Planning and Training
Pastors are encouraged to form a team from their congregation to attend a three session training to create a year-round stewardship action plan and Fall 2017 campaign.
TRACK 1: Churches UNDER 250 in average worship attendance
(Must attend all 3 sessions)
Session One: March 25, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session Two: April 30, 2017 from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Session Three: June 24, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
TRACK 2: Churches OVER 250 in average worship attendance
(Must attend all 3 sessions)
Session One: March 18, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session Two: May 13, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session Three: June 24, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location and cost is TBD. Registration will begin in January.
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Graceful Controversies Event
Date: March 4, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Mission and Resource Center, 205 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune NJ 07753
Cost: $10.00
Bishop Schol invites all laity and clergy from GNJ into a deeper conversation to develop our hopes and aspirations for the future of The United Methodist Church and send them to the Commission on the Way Forward. Click here for more information and resources.
Registration will open February 10
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Wesley Heritage 2017 Tour: July 19 - July 27, 2017
Clergy and laity from Greater New Jersey will be traveling together to England on a nine day Wesley Heritage tour leaving Newark airport on July 19. Optional extensions in London or Ireland is available. There are 2 C.E.U.'s available for clergy and discounts for making registration and payment deadlines. Pastors can contact Glenn Ferguson about becoming a host for a group from your church. Click here for brochure and additional information.
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