 In the Season of Epiphany, we will begin the calendar year by sharing one another’s experiences in an open forum, which will help us to prepare for the Annual meeting in January. The sessions will focus on five aspects of life in the Church: Worship, Leadership, Stewardship, Fellowship, and Relationships. These will be listening sessions so that Mother Kim, the Vestry, and others in leadership can hear from you about how this community responds to our baptismal covenant as a whole. If you are unable to attend in person on Sunday, other avenues of participation include sending an email to Mo Kim or participating in a midweek Zoom call. More information about these sessions can be found on our parish website or social media pages.
 The Church of the Holy Spirit, per its bylaws, will be having its Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2026. If you are responsible for submitting a report to the parish for a ministry, mission, or other aspect of our life, you should have received an online form from the office that will be used to create the Annual Meeting Report. If you need help accessing the form, please be in touch with Diane Hrozenick, senior warden, who has offered to help individuals with this process. Reports are due by January 4, 2026.
Service for Hope The Holiday Season is full of joy, but it can also be a difficult time for those who are experiencing grief. Grief is not only about death but also about changes in our lives and in our relationships with others. If, for any reason, you find yourself struggling this season, know that the Church is a place where you are welcome and you don’t need to hide your emotions. Feel free to join fellow Christians at the Califon United Methodist Church, 15 Raritan Road, Califon, NJ, for the Ecumenical Service of Hope, Remembrance, and Light on December 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m., with the intention of holding one another in solidarity and grace at this time of year.
To celebrate the start of the season, our diocesan Formation team is hosting an Advent Workshop on Saturday, December 13th! This multi-generational event will take place at Grace-St. Paul’s in Mercerville from 10 am to 3 pm, with snacks, lunch, crafts, stories, and games! All ages welcome. Registration is required for planning purposes. There is a nominal charge, with more details on the website...and financial aid is available if the cost is prohibitive. Children under the age of 5 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver; children 5 and up can be dropped off for all or part of the program day.   Dear friends,
Thank you to those who attended this past Sunday's conversation - an apt discussion about racism and forgiveness as the themes occur in both "James," and "See No Stranger." Our next selection is one recommended by Susan Kane, "Theo of Golden," by Allen Levi. Theo, an 87-year old man, arrives in Golden, GA, and becomes intrigued by a series of pencil sketches on a coffee shop wall. He decides to purchase them, one by one, and return them to the people portrayed in the portraits. According to review about this best selling novel, an underlying them is how there is goodness to be found in every human being, regardless of their station in life or outward appearance. (Sounds like a take on racism again!). So, grab the book, if you difficulty getting a copy, please see me, I've ordered two extra copies. And, have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration! Fondly, Suzanne Suzanne HIggins  Mark your calendars!
St. Nick is coming to Church of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, December 7th, and we’re celebrating with a Gingerbread-themed morning of holiday cheer! We’ll gather for one worship service at 9:00 AM, followed by a festive “Breakfast with St. Nick” in Dove Hall beginning around 10:30 AM and wrapping up by noon. This will be a potluck-style breakfast, so feel free to bring a favorite dish to share. We will have holiday crafts, games, and family photos with St. Nick, courtesy of Dabour Photography. Feel free to invite friends and family to join in the festivities! It’s a joyful morning you won’t want to miss, we hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Dale Dabour  You're invited to join the Holy Spirit Sangha for Mindfulness Meditation in the Plum Village Tradition (PlumVillage.org) of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
We practice slowing down, listening, and re-connecting our minds and bodies. If you'd like to sit on a cushion and mat (or folded towel or yoga mat), please bring one from home. Chairs will also be available if that's more comfortable. We plan to meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 6:30-7:15 PM in the church sanctuary. If you have questions, you may ask Chris Wyglendowski in person or email at [email protected]. There will be no Sangha Meditation gatherings in December. We'll resume as usual in January on the second and fourth Mondays.  ECS-NJ is a diocesan initiative that focuses on proactively addressing human needs and relentlessly working against both social and racial injustice. CHS is one of the founding members/supporters of ECF. Get engaged and make a difference! If you or someone you know has a skill or talent and a few hours a month to give, we need you! For more information, contact us: [email protected]. We would like to express our deepest gratitude. We are blessed with the congregations, individuals, and organizations, without whose kind generosity, none of this would ever have been possible. We are committed to working to achieve a more just and equitable world. Together, we’re able to do so much more. Let’s ignite an epidemic of compassion, donate today at www.dioceseofnj.org/donate-to-ecs. In April, Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of New Jersey (ECS–NJ) issued $111K in ECS–NJ Grants to fund Nine projects in seven counties in New Jersey. The ECS–NJ grants are designed to expand existing compassion and justice ministries of congregations or make new ones possible. Projects address one or more of the following:
Spring 2023 grants - For more information >CHRIST CHURCH, TOMS RIVER
Community Outreach to the Homeless Project focus: Housing Insecurity Grant amount: $15,000 ST. MARK’S, PLAINFIELD The Out of the Box Club: A Math & Science Club to Develop STEM Skills Using Experiential Learning Grant amount: $8,000 Project focus: Education ST. PETER’S, FREEHOLD Community Housing Clearinghouse Grant amount: $15,000 Project focus: Housing Insecurity ST. PAUL’S CAMDEN Feed My Sheep Grant amount: $15,000 Project focus: Food Insecurity ST. MARY’S STONE HARBOR Branches After School Instruction and Inspirational Care (aka BASIICS) Grant amount: $10,000 Project focus: Youth After School Program ST. JAMES, BRADLEY BEACH Fresh is Best Grant amount: $8,000 Project focus: Food Insecurity HOLY TRINITY, SOUTH RIVER Casa Amistad (Friendship House) Grant amount: $15,000 Project focus: Hispanic Ministry TRINITY, ASBURY PARK Trinity Radical Well-being Program Grant amount: $15,000 Project focus: Wrap-around services for people at risk in the community TRINITY CATHEDRAL, TRENTON ServSafe and Life Skills for Ex-Offenders Grant amount: $10,000 Project focus: Ex-Offender Rehabilitation and Mentoring |
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December 2025
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