Dear Friends,
 
The only way through is through.
 
I am asking for assistance to develop our worship life in a hybrid environment.
 
With great technical help, and generous donations, we are becoming more adept at broadcasting our worship over the internet and integrated those at home with those capable of coming to in-person worship at Haytown Road.  
 
We are slowly creeping up the learning curve and all of you have been most patient.  Every week, we have an unanticipated technical breakdown and its different and adds to the helplessness of the moment.  However, with constancy and devotion, we lumber on.
 
That said, we are looking  to bouncing forward, not merely bouncing back.
 
Even when the pandemic is over, hybrid worship is here for good. The reality is, there will never be another "snow day."  (Sorry kids- school ain't never gonna be canceled again!)  There will be Sunday worship even on bad weather days cause there will always be internet broadcasts, even if from my
"basement chapel."
 
So who's up for helping?  We will begin with a creative conversation on Zoom, of course.  A date will be announced to those who respond directly to me.  
 
In the short run, we are also looking for vocalists to join our merry band - we are healthfully separated using mics in different spaces safely for all concerned.   It’s is our good fortune to have a modern worship space that allows for safe public worship. AND - remember, as always, no one should feel in any way pressured about coming here live.  Please stay home as only you can know best.  With folks only singing along softly in their masks, it's nice to have a PA system sharing the lyrics with a few voices, and if we had some harmony there, it would be great.  In the future, post-pandemic world, we're still going to want to broadcast hymn singing for those at home, so we are not just filling in temporarily.  This is a long term adaptation. And it will grow the mission of this church.  
 
Pardon for the bluntness here, but I know the world sucks right now and for a bunch of reasons and all at once.  Some days I just want to pull the covers up and hide for four months. But even so, we must rally, as we are able.  I have no idea what a "choir" looks like in the future.  One will have to be rebuilt here.  Among other things.  Our worship will need to emphasize the power and resilience of what a common life in Christ can build in the midst of chaos and calamity. 

Resolve.  Mindfulness. Courage. Tenacity.  How are these exhibited in our gatherings, our common prayers and ritual actions?  The unity of being one body in Christ is threatened.  The integrity of the witness of Jesus in the Gospels is put to the test and some are understandably confused by disparate messengers.  The Church has been here before.  We stand in the long train of the faithful, living through Nero, Caligula, and Diocletian, any number of plagues, the Dark Ages, and more.  We are reminded of their faithfulness and steadfast hope.  
 
So for those who want a stake in the shape of this worshiping life, give me a shout.  As goes worship, so too outreach, and stewardship, and formation, and all of it. All of it (us) will be bouncing forward.  We might not know what reshaping our ministries will look like except that they will all look more like Christ.
 
The only way through is through.
 
Philip+
 

After successfully being able to return our last book selection kit, "Educated," to the library, I believe it would be prudent to take a few more months' break from the Group.  There are several considerations involved in distributing the books to members, and some members, including myself, have voiced their reluctance to  meeting online in Zoom sessions to further compare notes about our readings. I am sure that we will be able to successfully resume our literary meetings in the future.  Until then, we should continue to stay safe and healthy.  

Suzanne Higgins

Our donations to the Open Cupboard necessarily were curtailed these past months because of Covid.  However, Father Phil and I believe we can again continue to support this vital component of our community via two drop-off locations.  

Although we originally were going to request school items, we are instead asking for: beef, lentil, or pea soup, or brown or white rice.  These items were listed on their website to support families while home schooling.

You can continue to place them in the Red Wagon in the narthex.  Additionally, WE ARE PLACING A LARGE, PLASTIC CONTAINER OUTSIDE BY THE PARISH HALL ENTRANCE. You can simply drop your donations off there, and I will make sure they get to the Pantry.  

Thank you for your continued generosity .  
Katie and Suzanne Higgins

Program Highlights

• Individual and Group Addiction Counseling with Individualized Treatment Plans
• Spiritual Development
• Participation in outside AA/NA meetings
• Relapse Prevention Strategies
• Health Services (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Legal Assistance
• Life Skills
• Health Counseling and Education
• Discharge Planning
• Workforce and Self Sufficiency Preparation
• A family program that provides support and education for family members and community
• Recreation & Enrichment with activities such as YMCA Membership, arts & crafts therapy, music therapy, field trips and special events
• Follow up and After Care

Your Health is Important to Us

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking extra precautions with the care of all clients, staff and guests to include health history review and enhanced sanitation/disinfecting procedures in compliance with CDC guidance.

Our Home is for Healing

For more admission information, call us at (908) 483-5395 or email intake@goodnewshome.org .

Generally, the pandemic has everyone short of nerve, and easily annoyed.  The stress factor is obviously carried from the personal to group behavior.  As pastor, I am asking for additional effort be expended to ensure we establish and maintain a gracious gathering across the many small groups that take place.  On top of the COVID factor, there is the challenge of an internet environment under which we exist in small groups which subject us to further risk of disharmony and disaffection.
 
General ethos:
1.     Our small groups do not gather to group think.  It is not our goal to agree.  The natural  tendency in these conflictual times is to long for agreement and to be annoyed should that not occur.  Be reminded that our goal is simply to share and listen.  Then we move along, without anxiety, should the conservation reach a dead end. “OK then. What’s next?” is a helpful mantra. 
​
2.     If we are not agreed with, there is no reason to take it personally.  That would be unhelpful.  Humans can disagree without being disagreeable.  A lighthearted, taking -ourselves-less-seriously approach is the only approach.  On this, you should all agree (kidding)!
 
Tech Considerations:

1.   Zoom meetings are deeply flawed.  It takes work to be gracious and Zoom makes it easy to be rude.  Rudeness happens when we fail to mute ourselves when not talking.  We should practice muting regularly. There is no reason to have an open mic.  Muting ourselves is a gracious and spiritual task.  Think of it as an important pause to collect your thoughts.  It might make our sharing more meaningful.  For those who enjoy more spontaneous conversation, we shall have to modify our behavior in this environment and see if we find  some benefit through the discomfort of it all.
   
   
2.   It is easy to talk over each other, or to suffer through awkward pauses, etc.  If we intend to pass the conversation off to one person, we need to declare it explicitly.  On the other hand, if it is an open question to the whole group, then we should allow for folks to jumble along and it will eventually clear up.  Asking someone else, “Sorry if I jumped in, did you finish your point?” is good etiquette.   If you get offended because someone talked over you, that would be taking it personally and that won’t help.  Better to chime in later,   “I wanted to finish by adding  . . .” and express yourself. 

 
Generally:
 
It takes intentionality to be gracious, forbearing other’s verbal and technical trespassing, and being present to a group through the flawed medium of internet communications.  Intentional graciousness, happily enough, is a charism well known and practiced among us already.  We just need to dial it up.                                    

​ Philip+

To take advantage of this time apart, some in our parish have expressed an interest in using this time to gain remotely a new skill, strengthen an existing talent, investigate a new hobby, or delve deeper into a new area of interest. Some lack the motivation to do so or don’t know where to start.

This is an opportunity for all ages to teach and learn!

Recognizing that many among us may have gifts and graces to share with others, Judy Linger has agreed to help match folks with remote “classes” (applied loosely) to offer, with members interested in growth.

Some examples:  Marge Keller agreed to help with learning conversational Spanish if the interest is there.   Fr. Phil indicated he’s willing to broaden our understanding of The Book of Common Prayer. Perhaps one of our gifted photographers could help us improve our photo compositions. Any history buffs interested it sharing fun facts, especially regarding local sights?  All done remotely, of course.

To kickstart this effort, please leave your thoughts about what you can share and when you are available with judy.linger@gmail.com.   It need be no more than one or two sessions but might continue as long as interest remains and folks are willing to teach or learn.

It’s true that much can be learned through YouTube or the Internet these days but such offers no opportunity for back and forth dialogue. Our current separation makes human interaction so much more precious and meaningful. As Fr Phil stated Sunday, interacting remotely when we know each other yields rewards we don’t anticipate

To get your creative juices flowing, here are some suggestions for “classes” you might like to teach or join:
Do you knit?  Crochet?  Do origami?  Paint or sculpt?  Scrapbook? Quilt?  Bake?  Do you want to learn how to tie beautiful bows for packages? Arrange scarves to good effect? Play the recorder?  The harmonica?  We can take advantage of our access to shared on-line programs like Zoom to connect safely with others in meaningful ways.  God gives us the talent.  Why waste it?

From the Church of England's "Thy Kingdom Come" website, resources for the family during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The last few months have certainly looked very different to normal. For many families, there has been more time to spend together and with the summer holidays swiftly approaching, we wanted to share some of our favourite family based resources with you. Our hope is that you can grow in faith as a family during this time.

Did you get to complete our Family Adventure Prayer Map? If you haven't, why don't you try it over the summer? If  you have, you could try it again and go deeper! Click on the image to find the map!

The Family Prayer Adventure podcasts are a fun and engaging way to help families pray together. At 10-12 minutes long, they feature a game, an interactive Bible story, a chance to pray and great music. Click on the image to hear the podcasts!

​Have you got young people in your household? Why not encourage them to work through the devotional series in this year's Prayer Journal which explores the theme 'The Fathers Love'. Click on the image to find the journal.

Further Ideas

'Bright Ideas for Families' has some creative and fun activities to help families pray together, such as pebble prayers or rocket prayers! Click here to see more >

Clinton Community Farmer's Market
North County Library, Halstead St., Clinton
Sunday 9-1 Opens June 28!

• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market, Flemington
• Lauber Brothers Farm & Country Market, Frenchtown
• Stockton Farmer’s Market, Stockton
• Stangl Factory Farmers Market, Flemington
• Holland Township Farmers Market, Milford
• The Sergeantsville Farmers Market, Sergeantsville
• Bobolink, Milford
• Cervenka Farm, Flemington
  

Find out more on the Hunterdon Happening website >