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GNJ DIGEST
GNJ DIGEST is an e-mail service from the Communication Office of the Greater New Jersey
Conference of the United Methodist Church.- It provides leadership across the conference
with information about resources, programs, and news. It is a way to send timely information,
and links to more extensive materials.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Devadhar announces new appointments
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has announced that the appointments below are complete and
effective as of July 1, 2007.
The Greater New Jersey Conference Cabinet is busily and prayerfully at work setting clergy
appointments for the 2007 year. Please remember them in your prayers as they work through
this appointment season.
City Church Name Pastor Name
Maplewood Morrow Memorial Barbara Rambach
Freehold First Ramon Evangelista
Cape Atlantic District Paul Maliel
Manasquan Manasquan Reggie Albert
Hamilton Township Groveville Fran Ballinger
Mt. Ephraim First Pat Wentworth
Morristown UMC in Morristown Neil Tolboom
Newton First Dorothy Dann
Chatham Chatham Richard Knox
Blackwood Blackwood Karen Onesti
Masonville Masonville Glenn Miller
Hightstown First Walter Mander
Hopatcong West Side Michael Williams
Spring Lake St. Andrews Frances Preston
United Methodist Homes celebrates 100 years
The Homes will celebrate 100 years of service to senior men and women throughout 2007.
We will honor our past and look to the future. Three elderly women moved into the first home
on Clark Street, Ocean Grove on April 21, 1907. The Homes now serves more than 1,500
residents. Every generation has been committed to standards of quality and excellence now
recognized by our accreditation and outstanding awards.
Visit http://www.umh-nj.org/centennial/ for information about our Centennial Celebration
events and community activities. Information about the Centennial Celebration Day, your
Pearls of Wisdom, 100 Trees/100 Years for Arbor Day, Homes Centennial at Ocean Grove,
memorial and honor gifts to the Centennial Campaign and other ways to participate and
volunteer are available.
Centennial Celebration Day is April 21, 2007 at 11 a.m. to register for the days activities
please visit http://www.umh-nj.org/centennial/invitation.aspx
The Bishop’s Annual Award from GNJ Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Each year two awards are presented at Annual Conference in recognition of service in the
area of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. One award is presented to a person who
has endeavored to reach out in ministry beyond their local congregation in partnership with
persons of faith who are not United Methodist. This ministry may be associated with a
community ministry such as a food pantry, a coalition for human dignity &r rights or joint
worship. The second award is presented to a congregation who is in ecumenical and/or
interfaith ministry.
The commission seeks nominations for this award from the members of the annual
conference. This also allows us to get a better understanding of the work of Christian Unity
and Interreligious Concerns being done in our conference. You are invited to make
nominations on this form. The person or congregation should not have already received this
award.
Nominations must be received by May 1st. Send nominations to:
The Rev. Jacqueline M. Burgess
95 Third Avenue
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
For more information you may contact Rev. Burgess at revsrus@verizon.net or
(732) 291-0485
Free Minister's Conference
Attention Pastors: Free Minister's Conference- Trinity UMC of Pennsville will be hosting Dr. J.
Ellsworth Kalas on April 16th for a combined Ministers conference with Delanco Camp. Dr.
Kalas is President of Asbury Seminary and one of our former speakers at Convocation. He is
one of the premier teachers of preaching in the seminary world today. Come join us for the
day. A full course Dinner will be served at lunch. The day will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude
at 2:30 p.m. Registration is $20.
Mail Registration to: Rev. Carlton W. Bodine, Jr., 166 River Drive Ave., Pennsville, N.J. 08070
or E-Mail to: tumcpv@verizon.net or Call: 856-678-5147.
Please feel free to e-mail or call. Payment can be received the day of the conference but we
need to know how many to prepare for.
Covenant Discipleship Group Leader Orientation Seminars
Order of Elders executive team will provide "Covenant Discipleship Group Leader Training
Seminars" on Tuesday March 27th from 10 a.m. to noon
Covenant Discipleship Groups are a contemporary adaptation of the Methodist Class
meeting. These small groups were the "method" of Methodism.
Information on how to begin a Covenant Group will be shared. If you want to form a clergy
covenant group, you are invited. If you don't belong to any clergy covenant group, we will get
you connected to folks already interested in forming a group in your area. Select from one of
the below orientations offered to help you become a Covenant Group Leader.
For more information please contact Rev. Sang-Won Doh, Order of Elders, Co-Chair, 500
Morgan Ave., Palmyra, NJ 08065 , email: swdoh@hotmail.com
2007 Denman Evangelism Award Information available
The Denman Evangelism Award was established in 1980 by The Foundation for Evangelism
to honor pastors and lay persons who are doing the work of responsible evangelism in the
local church. Each year more choose to participate. This is a time of inspiration which reminds
all attending the annual conference of the church's purpose for existence, "to make disciples
of Jesus Christ."
The Denman Evangelism Award information and application forms for laity and clergy are
available for download at http://www.evangelize.org/index.php?id=denman-awards Feel free
to download the information and celebrate the work of evangelism in the Greater New Jersey
Annual Conference. The Foundation for Evangelism sponsors this yearly award and provides
certificates to be presented during the 2006 annual conference.
Please return applications to Rev. Doug Spencer at 159 South Main Street Williamstown, NJ
08094 no later than April 1, 2007.
2007 Annual Conference
______________________________________________________________________
Reserve Space for Focus Lunch Groups at 2007 Annual Conference
GNJAC group leaders can contact Ron Danielson to reserve a room for their Focus Lunch
Group during one of the four days of Annual Conference, May 30 thru June 2, in Valley
Forge, PA. The deadline to have your reservation form to Ron is April 8th, Easter Sunday.
Persons wanting to go to a Focus Lunch simply pick up their box lunch and go to the
designated room on the day posted in fliers in registration packets. Don't wait to get your
form in...first come, first serve as there are space limitations for each day. Please email Ron
at rdanielson59@yahoo.com to request a form. Or reach him at Fax: 732 389-1364 or
phone 732 542-5013 (wk) or 732 531-1375 (hm).
Booths/Displays at Annual Conference
Annual Conference will be held at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.
Once again, we have made arrangements for displays. Please let us know of your interest in
reserving space for your Conference Team or your agency.
As Conference will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday (May 30th), with registration beginning at
8:30am, all displays need to be ready by 10:00am. It would be better if they were ready
earlier for those who will browse after registering. If you are able to arrive the day before, you
will be able to set up your display anytime after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday (May 29th). However,
the cost for the extra night will be the responsibility of you or your organization. Displays will
need to be taken down by 5:00pm on Saturday, June 2nd.
Please contact Glenn Ferguson, by phone at 856-429-4469, by fax at 856-427-0383 or by
email at saumc.pastor@verizon.net . Please indicate if you need an electrical outlet, wall
space, and whether you need a half table or a whole table. Table covers and skirts need to
be provided by your team or agency.
Youth and Young Adult
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runway Lights: Single Young Adult Event – April 20-21
Single young adults are invited to “come to meet, mingle, to grow in faith, and to be spiritually
refreshed!”
There will be a special event for single young adults called “Runway Lights” April 20-21 at
Teaneck United Methodist Church. Sponsored by ENTRIX, the single young adult ministry of
the Palisades District, on Friday night the event will include dinner, fellowship, praise and
worship, and talks by Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and Gaius Charles, an actor from the TV
show “Friday Night Lights” and member of Tenafly United Methodist Church. On Saturday
morning, there will be breakfast, Bible Study, time with Gaius, and praise and worship.
A multicultural music experience will be led by DeLyn Selec of Morrow UMC in Maplewood.
Overnight accommodations can be arranged through the nearby Glenpointe Marriott. Please
register by April 15
For more information and to register, visit the ENTRIX website: www.entrixsingles.org or
contact Rev. David LeDuc at flumpastor@msn.com or 201-891-0022.
Job Openings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billing Specialist
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration has approved the hiring of a Billing
Specialist to assist with the collection of outstanding balances for Shared Ministry, Pension,
Insurance Plans and Loans. The selected individual will report to the Conference Treasurer
and work in the Conference Office at 1001 Wickapecko Dr. Ocean, NJ 07712. Major
responsibilities include following up outstanding Accounts Receivable balances with local
churches; preparation of monthly reports to District Superintendents; liaison with Conference
Treasurer, D.S.’s and local churches to establish payment parameters. The Conference is
looking to fill this position as soon as possible.
Prior Accounts Receivable experience is required as well as MS Excel and excellent written,
verbal and interpersonal skills. Please send resume to employment@gnjumc.org or fax to 732-
359-1039.
Organist / Choir Director Wanted
Do you dream of directing a church's music program? Does playing a pipe organ excite you?
Epworth UMC is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Christian to complete our worship
team, someone who is trained in playing the pipe organ and piano. We prefer someone who
has choir director experience. The time commitment is about 5-6 hours weekly, including
contemporary and formal services on Sunday mornings and choir rehearsal on Wednesday
evenings. There will also be seasonal requirements for special services and concerts.
Interested? Please send resume or contact Epworth U.M.C., Palmyra, NJ 08065
(856)-829-1908, E-mail: Epworth.umc@verizon.net Fax: 856-829-2441
Organist/Accompanist Wanted
To complete a Worship team of professionals and volunteers in a Spirit-filled suburban (New
York City area) United Methodist church, someone trained and called to accompany a weekly
traditional worship service is needed. Approximately six hours per week is required, including
an evening choir rehearsal, warming up the choir prior to worship and preparing for and
playing a three-manual Moeller pipe organ on Sunday morning. Salary will be established
according to training and experience.
If interested, please send resume or contact Cranford (N.J.) United Methodist Church, 908-
276-0936; fax: 908-497-0101; web site: www.cranfordumc.com
Tabernacle UMC
The Tabernacle United Methodist Church is seeking to hire someone to organize and
coordinate events, programs, and educational opportunities to help youth of Jr and Sr. High in
our church to grow deeper in their faith and to connect with each other and the church. The
ability to lead and vision, to nurture a leadership team, organize events, use technology, and
share the Christian faith are essential. Part time, 20 hours per week.
For more information, contact Rev. Jack Howard at 609-884-3574 or pjtumc@comcast.net
Trinity UMC of Roebling
Trinity UMC of Roebling is looking for an accomplished musician to serve as Organist and
Choir Director. Hours would include Sunday worship (10 am), Thursday choir practice (7 - 8:
30 p), and special holiday services as needed.
Responses maybe made by phone: 609-499-4809 or email: TrinityUMCRoebling@yahoo.com.
Camping Ministry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Camping at Pinelands Center at Mt. Misery and Aldersgate Center
The Greater New Jersey Conference Commission on Camps, Conferences and Retreats, Inc.,
offers two different summer resident camping locations in New Jersey. These sites are
opportunities for young people to learn about themselves, their relationship with each other
and most importantly, their growing relationship with God.
Our camps need your support to thrive. GNJ Camping Ministry has set a goal to register 1000
summer campers. As of March 12 we have :
49
We can do better!
Both sites need the support of the churches of our conference. Don’t let the opportunity for a
child of God to be nurtured in a wholesome environment slip away. Please continue the rich
history of Greater New Jersey local church support of camping ministry by signing up a young
person today!
To view the summer programs and registration information at Aldersgate Center please visit
http://www.aldersgatenj.com/summer-program.html or call (973) 383-5978.
For information on the summer programs and registration information at Pinelands Center at
Mt. Misery please visit http://www.gbgm-umc.org/mtmisery/ or call (609) 893-3354.
For more information on Greater New Jersey Conference Camping please contact Rev. Allan
Brooks at 732-359-1042 or ABrooks@gnjumc.org.
www.gnjumc.org 877.677.2594
GNJ DIGEST is an e-mail service from the Communication Office of the Greater New Jersey
Conference of the United Methodist Church.- It provides leadership across the conference
with information about resources, programs, and news. It is a way to send timely information,
and links to more extensive materials.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Devadhar announces new appointments
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has announced that the appointments below are complete and
effective as of July 1, 2007.
The Greater New Jersey Conference Cabinet is busily and prayerfully at work setting clergy
appointments for the 2007 year. Please remember them in your prayers as they work through
this appointment season.
City Church Name Pastor Name
Maplewood Morrow Memorial Barbara Rambach
Freehold First Ramon Evangelista
Cape Atlantic District Paul Maliel
Manasquan Manasquan Reggie Albert
Hamilton Township Groveville Fran Ballinger
Mt. Ephraim First Pat Wentworth
Morristown UMC in Morristown Neil Tolboom
Newton First Dorothy Dann
Chatham Chatham Richard Knox
Blackwood Blackwood Karen Onesti
Masonville Masonville Glenn Miller
Hightstown First Walter Mander
Hopatcong West Side Michael Williams
Spring Lake St. Andrews Frances Preston
United Methodist Homes celebrates 100 years
The Homes will celebrate 100 years of service to senior men and women throughout 2007.
We will honor our past and look to the future. Three elderly women moved into the first home
on Clark Street, Ocean Grove on April 21, 1907. The Homes now serves more than 1,500
residents. Every generation has been committed to standards of quality and excellence now
recognized by our accreditation and outstanding awards.
Visit http://www.umh-nj.org/centennial/ for information about our Centennial Celebration
events and community activities. Information about the Centennial Celebration Day, your
Pearls of Wisdom, 100 Trees/100 Years for Arbor Day, Homes Centennial at Ocean Grove,
memorial and honor gifts to the Centennial Campaign and other ways to participate and
volunteer are available.
Centennial Celebration Day is April 21, 2007 at 11 a.m. to register for the days activities
please visit http://www.umh-nj.org/centennial/invitation.aspx
The Bishop’s Annual Award from GNJ Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Each year two awards are presented at Annual Conference in recognition of service in the
area of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. One award is presented to a person who
has endeavored to reach out in ministry beyond their local congregation in partnership with
persons of faith who are not United Methodist. This ministry may be associated with a
community ministry such as a food pantry, a coalition for human dignity &r rights or joint
worship. The second award is presented to a congregation who is in ecumenical and/or
interfaith ministry.
The commission seeks nominations for this award from the members of the annual
conference. This also allows us to get a better understanding of the work of Christian Unity
and Interreligious Concerns being done in our conference. You are invited to make
nominations on this form. The person or congregation should not have already received this
award.
Nominations must be received by May 1st. Send nominations to:
The Rev. Jacqueline M. Burgess
95 Third Avenue
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
For more information you may contact Rev. Burgess at revsrus@verizon.net or
(732) 291-0485
Free Minister's Conference
Attention Pastors: Free Minister's Conference- Trinity UMC of Pennsville will be hosting Dr. J.
Ellsworth Kalas on April 16th for a combined Ministers conference with Delanco Camp. Dr.
Kalas is President of Asbury Seminary and one of our former speakers at Convocation. He is
one of the premier teachers of preaching in the seminary world today. Come join us for the
day. A full course Dinner will be served at lunch. The day will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude
at 2:30 p.m. Registration is $20.
Mail Registration to: Rev. Carlton W. Bodine, Jr., 166 River Drive Ave., Pennsville, N.J. 08070
or E-Mail to: tumcpv@verizon.net or Call: 856-678-5147.
Please feel free to e-mail or call. Payment can be received the day of the conference but we
need to know how many to prepare for.
Covenant Discipleship Group Leader Orientation Seminars
Order of Elders executive team will provide "Covenant Discipleship Group Leader Training
Seminars" on Tuesday March 27th from 10 a.m. to noon
Covenant Discipleship Groups are a contemporary adaptation of the Methodist Class
meeting. These small groups were the "method" of Methodism.
Information on how to begin a Covenant Group will be shared. If you want to form a clergy
covenant group, you are invited. If you don't belong to any clergy covenant group, we will get
you connected to folks already interested in forming a group in your area. Select from one of
the below orientations offered to help you become a Covenant Group Leader.
For more information please contact Rev. Sang-Won Doh, Order of Elders, Co-Chair, 500
Morgan Ave., Palmyra, NJ 08065 , email: swdoh@hotmail.com
2007 Denman Evangelism Award Information available
The Denman Evangelism Award was established in 1980 by The Foundation for Evangelism
to honor pastors and lay persons who are doing the work of responsible evangelism in the
local church. Each year more choose to participate. This is a time of inspiration which reminds
all attending the annual conference of the church's purpose for existence, "to make disciples
of Jesus Christ."
The Denman Evangelism Award information and application forms for laity and clergy are
available for download at http://www.evangelize.org/index.php?id=denman-awards Feel free
to download the information and celebrate the work of evangelism in the Greater New Jersey
Annual Conference. The Foundation for Evangelism sponsors this yearly award and provides
certificates to be presented during the 2006 annual conference.
Please return applications to Rev. Doug Spencer at 159 South Main Street Williamstown, NJ
08094 no later than April 1, 2007.
2007 Annual Conference
______________________________________________________________________
Reserve Space for Focus Lunch Groups at 2007 Annual Conference
GNJAC group leaders can contact Ron Danielson to reserve a room for their Focus Lunch
Group during one of the four days of Annual Conference, May 30 thru June 2, in Valley
Forge, PA. The deadline to have your reservation form to Ron is April 8th, Easter Sunday.
Persons wanting to go to a Focus Lunch simply pick up their box lunch and go to the
designated room on the day posted in fliers in registration packets. Don't wait to get your
form in...first come, first serve as there are space limitations for each day. Please email Ron
at rdanielson59@yahoo.com to request a form. Or reach him at Fax: 732 389-1364 or
phone 732 542-5013 (wk) or 732 531-1375 (hm).
Booths/Displays at Annual Conference
Annual Conference will be held at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.
Once again, we have made arrangements for displays. Please let us know of your interest in
reserving space for your Conference Team or your agency.
As Conference will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday (May 30th), with registration beginning at
8:30am, all displays need to be ready by 10:00am. It would be better if they were ready
earlier for those who will browse after registering. If you are able to arrive the day before, you
will be able to set up your display anytime after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday (May 29th). However,
the cost for the extra night will be the responsibility of you or your organization. Displays will
need to be taken down by 5:00pm on Saturday, June 2nd.
Please contact Glenn Ferguson, by phone at 856-429-4469, by fax at 856-427-0383 or by
email at saumc.pastor@verizon.net . Please indicate if you need an electrical outlet, wall
space, and whether you need a half table or a whole table. Table covers and skirts need to
be provided by your team or agency.
Youth and Young Adult
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runway Lights: Single Young Adult Event – April 20-21
Single young adults are invited to “come to meet, mingle, to grow in faith, and to be spiritually
refreshed!”
There will be a special event for single young adults called “Runway Lights” April 20-21 at
Teaneck United Methodist Church. Sponsored by ENTRIX, the single young adult ministry of
the Palisades District, on Friday night the event will include dinner, fellowship, praise and
worship, and talks by Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and Gaius Charles, an actor from the TV
show “Friday Night Lights” and member of Tenafly United Methodist Church. On Saturday
morning, there will be breakfast, Bible Study, time with Gaius, and praise and worship.
A multicultural music experience will be led by DeLyn Selec of Morrow UMC in Maplewood.
Overnight accommodations can be arranged through the nearby Glenpointe Marriott. Please
register by April 15
For more information and to register, visit the ENTRIX website: www.entrixsingles.org or
contact Rev. David LeDuc at flumpastor@msn.com or 201-891-0022.
Job Openings
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billing Specialist
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration has approved the hiring of a Billing
Specialist to assist with the collection of outstanding balances for Shared Ministry, Pension,
Insurance Plans and Loans. The selected individual will report to the Conference Treasurer
and work in the Conference Office at 1001 Wickapecko Dr. Ocean, NJ 07712. Major
responsibilities include following up outstanding Accounts Receivable balances with local
churches; preparation of monthly reports to District Superintendents; liaison with Conference
Treasurer, D.S.’s and local churches to establish payment parameters. The Conference is
looking to fill this position as soon as possible.
Prior Accounts Receivable experience is required as well as MS Excel and excellent written,
verbal and interpersonal skills. Please send resume to employment@gnjumc.org or fax to 732-
359-1039.
Organist / Choir Director Wanted
Do you dream of directing a church's music program? Does playing a pipe organ excite you?
Epworth UMC is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Christian to complete our worship
team, someone who is trained in playing the pipe organ and piano. We prefer someone who
has choir director experience. The time commitment is about 5-6 hours weekly, including
contemporary and formal services on Sunday mornings and choir rehearsal on Wednesday
evenings. There will also be seasonal requirements for special services and concerts.
Interested? Please send resume or contact Epworth U.M.C., Palmyra, NJ 08065
(856)-829-1908, E-mail: Epworth.umc@verizon.net Fax: 856-829-2441
Organist/Accompanist Wanted
To complete a Worship team of professionals and volunteers in a Spirit-filled suburban (New
York City area) United Methodist church, someone trained and called to accompany a weekly
traditional worship service is needed. Approximately six hours per week is required, including
an evening choir rehearsal, warming up the choir prior to worship and preparing for and
playing a three-manual Moeller pipe organ on Sunday morning. Salary will be established
according to training and experience.
If interested, please send resume or contact Cranford (N.J.) United Methodist Church, 908-
276-0936; fax: 908-497-0101; web site: www.cranfordumc.com
Tabernacle UMC
The Tabernacle United Methodist Church is seeking to hire someone to organize and
coordinate events, programs, and educational opportunities to help youth of Jr and Sr. High in
our church to grow deeper in their faith and to connect with each other and the church. The
ability to lead and vision, to nurture a leadership team, organize events, use technology, and
share the Christian faith are essential. Part time, 20 hours per week.
For more information, contact Rev. Jack Howard at 609-884-3574 or pjtumc@comcast.net
Trinity UMC of Roebling
Trinity UMC of Roebling is looking for an accomplished musician to serve as Organist and
Choir Director. Hours would include Sunday worship (10 am), Thursday choir practice (7 - 8:
30 p), and special holiday services as needed.
Responses maybe made by phone: 609-499-4809 or email: TrinityUMCRoebling@yahoo.com.
Camping Ministry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Camping at Pinelands Center at Mt. Misery and Aldersgate Center
The Greater New Jersey Conference Commission on Camps, Conferences and Retreats, Inc.,
offers two different summer resident camping locations in New Jersey. These sites are
opportunities for young people to learn about themselves, their relationship with each other
and most importantly, their growing relationship with God.
Our camps need your support to thrive. GNJ Camping Ministry has set a goal to register 1000
summer campers. As of March 12 we have :
49
We can do better!
Both sites need the support of the churches of our conference. Don’t let the opportunity for a
child of God to be nurtured in a wholesome environment slip away. Please continue the rich
history of Greater New Jersey local church support of camping ministry by signing up a young
person today!
To view the summer programs and registration information at Aldersgate Center please visit
http://www.aldersgatenj.com/summer-program.html or call (973) 383-5978.
For information on the summer programs and registration information at Pinelands Center at
Mt. Misery please visit http://www.gbgm-umc.org/mtmisery/ or call (609) 893-3354.
For more information on Greater New Jersey Conference Camping please contact Rev. Allan
Brooks at 732-359-1042 or ABrooks@gnjumc.org.
www.gnjumc.org 877.677.2594
