Dear Parents,

We are in the process of planning Sunday School for the children of our parish.  With the pandemic ongoing, we plan to offer options with COVID precautions and options for post-pandemic. Your input is key to our planning.  Below is a link to a questionnaire to be used to develop programs beginning in January, 2022 and onwards.  

For the fall, Fr. Phil is conducting "Godly Play" sessions during the 10 am service for the youngest members of our parish.  Separate Confirmation sessions will be offered in November/December just for the confirmation age students.

Please complete this questionnaire (button below) by November 15th, so that we have time to plan and prepare the classes/workshops/outings, etc...

Please feel free to contact us directly with any comments.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Philip and Wendy Hallstrom (whallstrom@gmail.com)

​Our Home Chats visitations will begin on Wednesday, October 20th at 7 PM.  The chats will be online via Zoom every Wednesday through December 8th (except Thanksgiving week). We have divided the parish address list by area and we sent a postcard showing the date for which your area is scheduled.  We hope you can make it! But, if not, feel free to join one of the other meetings.  We'd love to see you and have time to visit with you and other members of Holy Spirit. See you there

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.

Immediate:

1. Items: Strollers and baby box kits needed now for families at military base. Collect and deliver to Christ Church Bordentown or contact Fr. Ryan Paetzold to coordinate pickup.
2. Funds: EMM’s Neighbors Welcome Afghan Allies Fund. EMM has to build up capacity rapidly after previous administration’s cutbacks for refugee support.
3. Volunteers:     
   1. EMM needs volunteers with project management skills. They can work remotely. Please contact Allison Duvall at EMM or our Task Force EMM liaison, the Very Rev. Caroline Carson.
   2. Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia is requesting pro bono immigration attorney assistance in filling out forms to help those still in Afghanistan who have family in the U.S. Please contact Sister Eileen McNally with the agency or the Rev. Ellen Rutherford, who is the Task Force liaison.

Short-term: 

1. Items: The Task Force is inviting congregations in the diocese to consider a “For All the Saints” gift card collection in November. Gift cards will be collected for Interfaith RISE in Highland Park. We are awaiting details on whether they prefer specific gift cards, but we’re thinking household items and groceries. Details to come on delivery. The Rev. Marshall Shelly is the Task Force liaison for Interfaith RISE. 
2. Volunteers: We’re asking congregations to compile a list of potential volunteer resources. Do you have social workers, ESL teachers (even if not Pashto or Dari, ESL teachers might have skills to adapt materials, etc), project managers, etc, who might be potential resources for resettlement agencies?
3. Advocacy: More to come soon on how we might advocate for displaced persons.

Long-term:    

1. Housing (provided or supported, short-term or longer-term): Does your congregation have a vacant rectory? Do you know of one at another church in your community? Can you raise funds to help support rent?
2. Furniture and/or Storage: Resettlement agencies might need collections of furniture and household items, but storage space for collections is also at a premium. Do you have space to collect and store items for a short length of time before a family is moved into housing?
3. Transportation ministry: If you are in commutable distance from resettlement agencies  (Elizabeth, Highland Park/New Brunswick, Jersey City/Newark, Philadelphia) and/or families, can your congregation help with transportation needs for important appointments, etc?
4. Sponsorship/partnership: Agencies will be looking for organizations/congregations to walk alongside families as they are resettled. This could look like a lot of different things, but would involve a financial component. More details as we get them from agencies.

For all efforts, please record volunteer hours and number of items collected so we can show our diocesan impact.

​

​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.

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 entire May 28, 2021 update here >

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)

 Weekday Services

​Wednesday 
​
Noonday Prayer:  An Order of Service for Noonday - BCP page 103

8 pm Compline: An Order for Compline - BCP page 127

 Here are two links that you may be able to remember:
http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship
http://online.churchholyspirit.net
or
Click here: https://www.facebook.com/CHS-Worship-100801658222854
Hint: save the link!

If you are in need of a Book of Common Prayer, they are free. Each BCP is stored in a Ziplock bag in box under the front awning at CHS.Pick them up as needed.
 
You can also find it online here: https://www.churchpublishing.org/siteassets/pdf/book-of-common-prayer/book-of-common-prayer-2006.pdf
Click on The Daily Office
 

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.