We will once again have choir camp this summer! It will take place at Holiday House/Cape May on July 17-21. Check the website!  Choristers 10-18 years of age from the Diocese of New Jersey and the Diocese of Newark are welcome to join us. You may register with Kathe Christiansen at the Church of the Advent (609.884.3065 or adventsecretary@comcast.net).

All campers will be required to be fully vaccinated, and show proof of vaccination. Our staff this year will be Mark Trautman (Director; St. John's, Somerville), Daniel Romero (Organist; Grace Church, Newark); Cat Sabine (Lead counselor; St. Mary's, Burlington) and Giulia Utz (Vocal coach; St. Paul's, Englewood).

The fee for each camper is $475--this includes accommodation at Holiday House, dinner on Sunday through Wednesday, lunch on Monday through Thursday. The week ends with Choral Evensong on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. Trebles and changed boys' voices are welcome.
 
You may register for camp with Kathe Christiansen at the Church of the Advent (609.884.3065 or adventsecretary@comcast.net). There is also a registration form on the website:  https://njchoircamp.weebly.com
​

Dave Dabour's photos from the Good Friday Day of Service >

More photos from Holy Week and Easter

We are collecting perishable and non-perishable food for delivery to Cristo Rey, our sister parish in Trenton, sometime after Good Friday. Note the change.  They are not ready for us.
 
There will be a special collection box/basket in the Narthex near the Red Wagon for non-perishable foods (canned or dry) anytime until Good Friday morning.  PERISHABLE FOOD cannot be accepted! 

We all are aware of rising prices everywhere.  This is especially impactful when you live on low or limited income.  In the Cristo Rey neighborhood there are no major grocery stores, only Mom and Pop’s, so shoppers were already paying higher prices for groceries before this current economic spike.  Please be generous with your donations.

All of us are upset by what is happening in Ukraine, especially when we see some of the heart wrenching photos of children and families fleeing their homeland which is being overtaken by another country.

Hello CHS Members, 
​A friend of mine, Tracy Fink, has put together a list of much needed items for people in the Ukraine.  She has partnered with Pandemic of Love and Global Empowerment Mission and created a wishlist on Amazon based on their recommendations.   

How it works: You buy from her wishlist link below and the items go to a Florida warehouse for processing and then onto Poland/Ukraine.  Make sure you use the GEM/Doral FL (warehouse) shipping address.  Please don't buy anything not specified on the list. 
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BISBTTEEWKUQ?ref_=wl_share
Janet Matts

Attached is a copy of a letter June Filipski received from Phil Beekman, Sr VP of Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation, outlining how they are joining with other hospitals to send supplies.  They have committed $20K, but will use additional donations to purchase more supplies.

If you would like to join the Health System in supporting these efforts, you can make a tax-deductible donation through Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation. 100% of your donation will be used for the purchase of additional medical supplies for Ukrainian hospitals. Please visit the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation website (hltps://foundation.hunterdonhealthcare.org) and click on the yellow "DONATE" button located at the top of the screen. Once redirected, enter in your desired donation amount in the space provided, and under "Gift Designation" click on the option "Direct my gift to" and then select "Ukraine Humanitarian Relief' from the drop-down list. 

Follow these steps:
1. click to their web https://foundation.hunterdonhealthcare.org/​,
2. click donate,
3. scroll to inputting dollar amount
and then
4. select  “Direct my gift to”
5. and then scroll down to the end
to “Ukraine Humanitarian relief. “

As always, Episcopal Relief and Development is reaching out with support in a crisis.
As we pray for an end to violence and for those fleeing Ukraine, please also pray for Episcopal Relief & Development and other ecumenical agencies working to respond to the current crisis. Specific needs will change as the crisis evolves. As of right now, there is a need for cash, blankets and hygiene supplies. Please consider partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development in this response. Visit episcopalrelief.org for more information. Attached is a flyer.
Go to the website (https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/) and choose Ukraine Crisis Response Fund.

Sunday Services
In Person and Online - Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Beginning on  Sunday, April 25, the projection of the Zoom worship services will NOT include on-screen musical notations for the hymns. Those who do not have hymnals at home are urged to download the service bulletin  in order to see the hymns.

During this time of the Covid-19 epidemic, we will follow the diocesan guidelines.
Required Precautions for Gathering

• Any individual who is not fully vaccinated (two weeks or more after the final recommended dose in their vaccine series) must wear a mask at any gathering of the congregation or on church property, whether indoors or outside. 
• Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks, indoors or out.

Find the most recent update here >​dioceseofnj.org/covid-19-resources/

CHS Worship is also on FaceBook Live  (available without Facebook) 

 8:00 a.m. - Holy Communion

Church of the Holy Spirit is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96238557143?pwd=SUlqdVpqUHdTdVdOWUY5U1BpU0NBUT09
Meeting ID: 962 3855 7143
Passcode: 087656
​
FaceBook Live site link
http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship
or http://online.churchholyspirit.net

  10:00 a.m. - Holy Communion

Church of the Holy Spirit is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91376817129?pwd=WGg5SGZyRnN5RmtyNWp3UVQwbFFzUT09
Meeting ID: 913 7681 7129
Passcode: 254800

FaceBook Live site link
http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship
or http://online.churchholyspirit.net
 
Follow and pray along using the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

 

The COVID-19 Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining (RRR) Task Force has recommended to the clergy gathered at the zoom meeting that congregations in lower transmission areas (such as ours in Lebanon/Hunterdon County) may return to the recommendations earlier in the year, that is,  

• masking is voluntary,
•  if all are vaccinated, singing in groups is permissible
• continue to respect individual choices in how we respond 
• urge everyone to become vaccinated and receive boosters when available
• a gradual conservative return to physical gatherings is advised

In practice, the clergy will mask in procession, when at the Altar and when distributing the host.

​In response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations of July 27, 2021, due to the rising levels of infections of COVID-19, the RRR Task Force is recommending congregations return to requiring face masks that fully cover the nose and mouth for indoor activities for all worship attendees and outside group participants immediately, regardless of vaccination status, in counties where the infection rate is more than 5 per 100K (check https://covidactnow.org/) or where the community transmission is moderate or above (check https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view).  Currently, this includes all the counties in the Diocese of New Jersey.
Congregational singing is allowed with the use of face masks.

Congregational leadership can decide about local practices for offering communion, pastoral support, formation classes/programs (including Vacation Bible School), and fellowship activities. Fellowship activities that involve removing one’s face mask are not encouraged.
 
Please continue to encourage all community members to get vaccinated.

Some of you are aware that Morgan, a 16-year sophomore at North Hunterdon, was diagnosed with AML last August.  Since, she has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy to kill off the leukemia, has spent most of the time since the diagnosis in RWJ or CHoP hospitals, had 2 rounds of radiation to kill off the last of her immune system.  Morgan made the news when her 5 siblings all tested as extremely good matches for a bone marrow transplant.  The procedure was done 2 weeks ago with her next youngest brother as the donor. Thus far, everything is proceeding well.  Morgan is very tired, the treatments have left her with sores in her throat (limiting her ability to eat or drink).  She will be in isolation at CHoP for about 100 days, coming home sometime at the end of the summer.

In preparation for the homecoming, the hospital has provided the family with an overwhelming list of things that must be done (clean the house thoroughly from top to bottom, steam clean Morgan’s bed and all the carpets—the list seems endless).  There is also a list of items that must be purchased to keep Morgan from getting any infections that would compromise her health. The list includes bedding, toiletries, clothing, even a separate vacuum and air purifier!

If you can help, here is the link to Amazon where still unpurchased items are listed.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1U7VGSNSZLH0F?ref_=wl_share

You may also make a donation to her GoFund me account at https://gofund.me/db0c168d
Cards may be to her at
Morgan Hewitt, c/o Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA. 19104, Rm. 45  3 East

Thank for your thoughtfulness.  For further information, speak to Marge Keller.

New Guidelines Allow Reopening at Local Discretion

This post features highlights from a new report issued by the Diocese Reentering, Reopening, and Reimagining (RRR) Task Force, allowing in-person worship without prior approval from Bishop Stokes.

Read the entire report online      (español)
Download the report.    (español)

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  --John 13:34-35
 
As vaccination rates and availability rise, and public health guidance and federal, state, and local mandates are reduced, we as the gathered Body of Christ are able to eliminate many of the limits on gathering that we have diligently followed for many months.

What does not change, and cannot change, is our primary commitment to love one another as Jesus has loved us. That commitment must grow even more active on the part of congregations and individuals, and must adapt to the unique situation of each congregation, as guidance from diocesan and state leadership changes in response to the evolving science and facts around us.

This new report from the Reentering, Reopening, and Reimagining (RRR) Task Force is meant to help congregations, their leaders, and members care for one another and consider how we gather joyfully and appropriately in this transitional time of a global pandemic.
 
Required Precautions for Gathering

• Any individual who is not fully vaccinated (two weeks or more after the final recommended dose in their vaccine series) must wear a mask at any gathering of the congregation or on church property, whether indoors or outside. 

• Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks, indoors or out.
  • Any individual may choose to wear a mask at any time, and should not be questioned about their reasons for doing so. Many may choose to continue to mask at church gatherings out of care for others who are not vaccinated.
  • Congregations should make the applicable requirements for masking clear for all visitors, worshippers, members and guests.
  • The congregation is not required to verify the vaccination status of anyone entering the church property or worshipping with the congregation, except for limited ministries described below.

• The congregation must verify and record the fully-vaccinated status of choir members (whose ministry requires them to project their breath further and more forcefully than most worshippers), lectors or readers, and any liturgical leaders whose ministry requires speaking to the congregation.
  • If the fully-vaccinated status of a choir member or liturgical leader cannot be verified, that individual must remain masked and at least six feet distant from anyone not in their household or immunological bubble, 10 feet while speaking and 15 feet singing.

• Communion shall continue to be offered in one kind only. The common cup is not yet authorized in this diocese.

• The congregation must make clear what parameters will apply to worship and gatherings so that individuals may make an informed choice about whether it is safe and appropriate for them to attend or participate in person.

• Worship materials, such as Prayer Books and Hymnals, may be returned to the pews and used as needed.
• Masking and distancing is still required for any children’s activities.
  • In Sunday school classes and activities for children under 16 (until July 10, and for children under 12 until two months after an approved vaccine for that age group is authorized), all children and adults must be masked. Adults are to maintain a six-foot or greater distance from children not in their household, and children are to maintain a three-foot or greater distance from one another.
  • Congregations and their tenants must continue to follow state and local guidance governing summer camps, schools, and pre-schools.
    

During the quarantine, when we did not have live services, flowers were not needed on the altar.  Prior to last March, we welcomed donations of flowers for Thanksgivings, Memorials, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Births, or other special occasions.
 
We are again LIVE at CHS and are asking for your donations of flowers for the altar each week.
 
To have flowers placed  at the altar and ambo, please use the "Donate" button below. Please indicate the reason so that we can acknowledge your gift in the bulletin. Right under the "Make this a monthly donation?" there is a tiny pencil.  That is where you click and type your reason - "in thanksgiving for the birth of our grandchild" .  No, it is not obvious!  If you can't figure out how to make the memorial online, email your reason to Support@churchholyspirit.net  along with the information that you donated online.

Altar Flower Donation

(If you use the  DONATE button at the bottom of CHSNews, the Trumpeter and/or the website please indicate that it is a flower donation and the reason so that we can acknowledge in the bulletin.)

To have your offering listed in the bulletin each week, we ask that you make your donation online no later than one week before; if you wish to pay by check, please email your information to Support@churchholyspirit.net no later than one week prior and mail your check to the church, attention Altar Guild.  The suggested donation amount remains at $35 per offering.
 
It will be lovely to have flowers on the altar every week.  Thank you for your donation.

We are modifying some of the CHS Lay Ministries to enable more parishioners to serve again in our current Hybrid (worship in-person & virtual) environment:

• 1st Reader / Psalm – can be virtual or in-person.  Reads the Old Testament Reading and The Psalm.
  
• 2nd Reader / Intercessor – can be virtual or in-person.  Reads The Epistle and The Intercessory Prayer.
  
• Prayers of the People Responder – can be virtual or in-person.  This lay minister will be un-muted, if virtual, or given a microphone, if in-person.  They voice the People's responses (italicized) after the Intercessor voices the People's petitions.  If you have been a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), we are hoping you will temporarily serve as Responder to the Prayers of the People.
  
• Usher/Greeter – Serves in-person.  We have combined the Ushers and Greeters.  This lay minister is changing the most.  She/he will be stationed at a control console located in the sanctuary and will:    
  >Welcome parishioners and visitors joining the Zoom or arriving in person
  >Control which camera feed is being broadcast
  >Aim moveable camera(s) upon different subjects (for example, the congregation, musician, preacher)
  
• Altar Guild - in-person.  Prepares the sanctuary for Sunday worship.
  

Please note that the following lay ministries will continue to remain temporarily paused:  Acolytes, Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV), and Counters.

The next scheduling period will be from February 7th  through April 25th.   Please update your availability in Ministry Schedule Pro (MSP) by Wednesday, January 28th.   We will generate the new schedule Thusday morning, January 29th. 

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Shawl Ministry at the NJ Women's Prison has been shut down. No shawls are currently being made by the inmates of the prison. Consequently, our stock of shawls for distribution by CHS to persons in need has been almost totally depleted. If you are a knitter or crocheter, think about picking up your needles and hooks to help replenish our supply. Yarn is available in the hallway bins adjacent to the church office. If you need patterns or advice (or encouragement), ask any member of the Prayer Shawl Prison Ministry: John Andrews, Susan Kane, Vicki Brooks, Diane Bendahmane, Karen Murray, Roberta Maas, Judy Linger, Carol Crawford Jones, Anne Simpson, Dot Hospador, and Father Philip. Unleash your creativity and help the Shawl Ministry through this tough period. You will be glad you did.
 

The information below is still true, but Fanta has asked that we hold off on donations for the moment.  While she is still able to cook, she wants to cook her African foods so that she can pass them on to her children as part of their heritage.  Wow!!  What strength. (Since they are cooking and still shopping for other things, ShopRite or COSTCO gift cards are appreciated! )

As you may know,  Fanta has been battling metastatic breast cancer for years now and has just gone through several months of chemotherapy. She is now finishing up radiation. This has taken a big toll on her energy level. Preparing meals is presently not a priority for her.   As a community,  the best way we can support this loving family is to provide a daily meal. Bintou, Lossenie, Blessing, and Caroline are very helpful and supportive of their mom. Fanta is still the strong, independent person that we all know and love. Most of all, Fanta is to be admired for her unwavering faith throughout this diagnosis.

The family does not eat any pork including bacon and sausage, however,  these can be made out of turkey. Beef (as in stew or hamburger meat) and all types of chicken/turkey are enjoyed.  Broccoli is a favorite vegetable.  Spicy foods are fine along with soups.  Please remember that the children are now all teenagers and have appetites to match!

A Give In Kind website has been established to make this food train work.  Go to https://giveinkind.com/inkinds/P4Q4O3G/supporting-fanta-and-children

On that website you will find ways that you can provide a meal.  You can make a meal, order a take-out from a restaurant, or provide a gift card.  Holly Warnowicz and Susan Kane have offered to do delivery for you, and the information about securing their help, as well as other information, is on the website - you have to click on the buttons!  

"Food Pick Up Time" gives you a pop-up window with information about how and where to deliver food or arrange to have it delivered for you.

"Anyone with a Smoker" gives you information about smoked meats, as well.

Scrolling down or using the "From Calendar" button gets you to a calendar. You can see the dates from now on and the option to "Claim" a day.  The days that are claimed show what the donor is bringing. If you click the "Claim" you will be prompted to join or login.  You can login with Facebook or Google or you can join by giving an email and password.  Once you are in, you will be able to type in what you will bring on that day, that you'll bring something but you don't know what yet, or that you will order from a local restaurant.  You can also add a personal note to Fanta (she will get these notes!).  After you do that, you will get the information about Fanta's address and the option to add it to your calendar.  You will also get a confirmation email.

This isn't rocket science!  You can do it :).  We are family.

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+