THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

RUTHERFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

APRIL, 2016

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Council Members

Phil Reynolds, President

Sandy Hennessey, Treasurer

Monica Fisher , Clerk

Carol Marshall & Suzanne Reynolds - Members at Large

Phil Reynolds, Interim Pastoral Relations Committee

Frank Bronico & Ken Taylor - A & M

Kevin Porro, Mission

Robin Reenstra-Bryant, Finance

Ellen Dammers, Worship

Carol Anderson & Cindy Hastie, M & F

Rae Fisher, Christian Ed

Staff

Interim Pastor: Rev. Ronald E. Verblaauw

Teresa Bronico, Office Admin.

'A Word to the Church' The leadership of the United Church of Christ, concerned with the political rhetoric aimed at the marginalized people of society in this election cycle, spoke out in support for and solidarity with a Holy Week statement released by The Episcopal Church. The UCC national officers and Council of Conference Ministers, in testimony to the ecu-menical relationship between the two churches, expressed gratitude to The Episcopal Church for "the courage to speak, and for granting us the kindness of joining them in this statement." Here is the text of "A Word to the Church" from The Episcopal Church House of Bishops for Holy Week 2016. "We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others." On Good Friday the ruling political forces of the day tortured and executed an inno-cent man. They sacrificed the weak and the blameless to protect their own status and power. On the third day Jesus was raised from the dead, revealing not only their injus-tice but also unmasking the lie that might makes right. In a country still living under the shadow of the lynching tree, we are troubled by the violent forces being released by this season’s political rhetoric. Americans are turning against their neighbors, particularly those on the margins of society. They seek to se-cure their own safety and security at the expense of others. There is legitimate reason to fear where this rhetoric and the actions arising from it might take us. In this moment, we resemble God’s children wandering in the wilderness. We, like they, are struggling to find our way. They turned from following God and worshiped a golden calf constructed from their own wealth. The current rhetoric is leading us to construct a modern false idol out of power and privilege. We reject the idolatrous no-tion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others. No mat-ter where we fall on the political spectrum, we must respect the dignity of every hu-man being and we must seek the common good above all else. We call for prayer for our country that a spirit of reconciliation will prevail and we will not betray our true selves.

Continued

Immediately after this was released Wednesday, March 16, the United Church of Christ officers and Council of Conference Ministers unanimously and enthusiastically expressed support for the statement from the House of Bishops. "This clear, powerful statement written by our friends and partners in The Episcopal Church expresses some-thing that we, too, feel very strongly about," said the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, UCC general minister and presi-dent. "Rather than write our own statement, we affirm the unity of our vision and voice and join them in mak-ing our feelings known. What we are seeing unfold across the landscape of America in this election cycle frightens us; and requires those of us with the agency to do so to lift up those concerns and remind ourselves that our faith asks bigger things of us." "In the eloquent and faithful word from the Episcopal Bishops, the UCC Council of Conference Ministers dis-cerns a prophetic and gospel-based message with which we resonate," said the Rev. Rich Pleva, Iowa Confer-ence minister and chair of the Council of Conference Ministers. "The CCM is deeply concerned that a spirit of division and disparagement in public discourse threatens the fabric of our diverse society. We are especially mindful that as people of faith – particularly Christian faith – we are enjoined to attend to the welfare of 'the least of these.'" The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, and his staff -- the Rev. Margaret Rose and Canon Chuck Robertson -- appreciate this ecumenical affirmation. "In this Word to the Church I believe that we are speaking as followers of the way of Jesus and as those who love this country and the deepest and most noble values of it," said Curry. "Times of great testing, times such as these, must summon forth not the lowest and the worst within us, but the highest virtues and the "better an-gels" of our nature." The Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ are part of Churches Uniting in Christ. At a recent CUIC plenary in St. Louis, these communions re-committed themselves to challenging racial injustices and the myriad of issues that come as a result. "Taking this action in concert with sisters and brothers in The Episcopal Church demonstrates that this concern is not merely that of a single church," said Pleva. "We hear the voice of God’s spirit in the letter and are proud to add our voice to theirs in commending this message to the whole of the UCC and to people beyond our re-spective churches." "The United Church of Christ continues to live into the ecumenical and justice commitments that are a core part of our identity," said the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC minister for ecumenical and interfaith rela-tions. "We look forward to finding ways to lend the bold public voice of the UCC to these and other social in-justices as we seek to ensure that all can live with human dignity."

Update from Pastor Ron - The short version is, I am doing very well. I can now say that I am free of both the pain caused by the herniat-ed disks in my back and the post-surgery pains caused by my nervous system's need to "calm down" from the trauma caused by the herniated disks and the surgery itself. What I now feel is the normal pain and discomfort of having surgery - a surgical incision in my back and the fusion of the vertebrae in my spine. That discom-fort is much easier to handle! While I continue my recuperation, please support Pastor Sarah as she leads you in worship during this season of Lent and Easter. I know you enjoyed your time working together in the "Easter Egg Factory"! Remember, the most important job we have is "showing up" for each other. Looking forward to the time when I can again "show up" with you! God bless and prosper all of you, Pastor Ron

Keep in prayer those who have serious illnesses, including:

Ken Snapp

Chuck Marshall

Nora Esposito

Dave Toole

Caroline Sundell

Mary Ellen Penna

Sylvia Camille

Gail King

David Reiner

Scott Morrissey

Madeleine Haig

Henry Snapp

Dana Reyngoudt

Nora Marshall Esposito

Caroline Di Napoli

Well Spouse Meets Monthly

“To take care of myself is not an act of selfish-ness.”

There will be a meeting of a Well Spouse Association support group in the library of our church on the third Wednesday of each month. This group offers support for wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 20th, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Group leader 201-933-4759 www.wellspouse.org

ADULT EDUCATION

Book Club meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Marshall home, 248 Washington Avenue. On March 28 we

look forward to discussing H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald. Our book choice for April 25 is

Oleander Girl by Divakaruni and on May 23 we will discuss The Beautiful and the Damned by F.

Scott Fitzgerald.

All are welcome.

New Women’s Bible Study Women’s Bible Study will continue to meet at the Marshall home, 248 Washington Avenue, 7-9

p.m. Our next meeting is April 4. The meeting dates for spring and summer will be chosen at

that meeting.

We are using On Being: Civil Discourse; From Separation to Engagement. We will listen to Kris-

ta Tippett’s interviews with contemporary political and moral leaders as they explore key topics

triggering public debate. Our current topic is Journalism and Compassion..

Small Group Discussion on Being invites a respectful and inclusive exploration of varied faith ex-

pressions and worldviews within a mainline, liturgical Christian framework.

All women are welcome.

Worship Board Notes

Our Holy week observances and Easter celebrations are now over. We enter into the

Sundays following Easter till the middle of May leading up to Pentecost and Trinity

Sunday. Then, according to the church’s liturgical year, we enter into Ordinary Time

which lasts till near the end of the year. Didn’t I just make 2016 fly by?

Looking into the month of April, we will be moving Communion to the second Sunday

as we did in March, due to the fact that Pastor Sarah will be off the Sunday after

Easter and we will be having pulpit supply.

We do not yet have a firm date as to when Pastor Ron will be well enough to resume

his pastoral leadership. He is healing well and hopes to be with us as soon as he is

able. He will update everyone when he knows more information.

Pastor Sarah Pomerantz will continue to lead worship until Pastor Ron returns.

Dates to note:

Sunday, April 3 - Second Sunday of Easter-Pastor Sarah off-pulpit supply

Sunday, April 10 - Third Sunday of Easter-Communion

Sunday, April 17 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 24 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 10th 2:45 - 5:45 PM

“Folk Music Meets Neuroscience”

Traditional and current folk songs interwoven with a power-point presentation (seven (7) presenters.

Christian Education Spring Schedule

April 3 - Intergenerational Worship and Communion

April 4 - Bible Study

April 10 - Classes - Theme - People changed by Easter

April 17 - Classes - Theme - Jesus’ healing power continues in Christian community

April 24 - Classes - Theme - If you love each other, everyone will know you are followers of Jesus April 25 - Book Club - Oleander Girl by Divakaruni

May 23 - Book Club - The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

May 1 - Intergenerational Worship and Communion May 8 – Mothers’s Day/ Classes – Theme - Women and house church May 15 - Pentecost May 23 - Book Club - The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald May 22 - Preparation for Church School Sunday

May 29 – Planting the Children’s Garden/ Memorial Day Weekend

June 5 – Intergenerational Worship and Communion

June 12 – Preparation for Church School Sunday

June 19 – Church School Sunday/ Father’s Day

Change for Charisse

Thank you for contributing to the church school’s special mission, the sponsorship of Charisse Ca-rino. Charisse is an 11-year-old , who lives in the Philippines. We sponsor her through the UCC, by sending $30 a month. Her most recent letters and photos are posted on her bulletin board in the fel-lowship hall. Have a look! There are baggies in a basket at the back of the sanctuary for anyone who wishes to support this mission with change or small bills. Contributions may be left in the basket at any time. If you pro-vide your name, your contribution will be included in your church donations record Christian Edu-cation for Adults

APPLICATION FOR TABLE

RUTHERFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

251 Union Ave

INDOOR GARAGE SALE SATURDAY MAY 7, 2016

DEADLINE TO RESERVE A TABLE IS MAY 1

NAME (please print) _____________________________PHONE:_______________

NUMBER OF TABLES:_________@ $25/TABLE (Tables approx. 6 feet by 3 ½

feet)

NUMBER OF RACKS FOR HANGING @ $10/RACK _________

AMOUNT PAID :________( circle one): Check Cash

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING ANY UNSOLD ITEMS

WE WILL SET UP AND BREAK DOWN TABLES

SET-UP: Friday, May 6th 7 PM TO 9 PM

SALE: Saturday, May 7th 9 AM TO 3 PM

CLEAN-UP: 3 PM TO 4 PM

Rutherford Congregational Church will advertise the indoor-garage sale

in the local newspapers.

Tables will be available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis.

For further information call the church office at 201-438-6324 mornings.

SIGNATURE__________________________________DATE_________________

Rutherford Congregational Church

Interim

Pastor: Reverend Ronald E. Verblaauw

Office Admin.: Teresa Bronico

An Open and Affirming Congregation Keeping Faith, Reaching Out, Welcoming All Please join us at 10:30 am for Sunday service

Phone: 201-438-6324

Fax: 201-438-9535

Email: rccucc@verizon.net

Website: www.rccucc.com

Up Coming Events

APR 04 Bible Study

APR 10 Intergenerational Worship/Communion

APR 10 Concert

APR 14 Council Meeting

APR 20 Well Spouse Meeting

APR 25 Book Club

251 Union Ave

Rutherford, NJ 07070