April 2008
Newletter “From the Pastor”
Rev. Barrabee to Preach April 27!
The Rev. Bruce Barrabee, who served as pastor here from 1995 to 2002, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, April 27. Now retired and living in Tequesta, Florida with his wife Patty, he had originally hoped to be with us some time this summer. Their summer plans have changed, but he called to tell me they would be in this area at the end of April and he would be available to preach on the 27th. I am looking forward to this first visit back to us by our former pastor, and I hope you will be able to be in church on the 27th to greet him and Patty!
Bill Griffeths of CNBC's "Power Lunch" to Speak in Church April 13th.
Meanwhile, as we announced in the February edition of Grace Notes, Bill Griffeths will be our guest speaker on April 13th. Mr. Griffeths is the author of a new book entitled By Faith Alone. It is a story that focuses on the faith development of America from colonial days by following the stories of Mr. Griffeths' ancestors, which included people involved in the Salem witch hunts (his 8x great-grandmother was executed during the Salem Witch Trials) and an early Methodist Circuit rider. In addition to being the host of the mid-day program "Power Lunch" on CNBC, Mr. Griffeths also serves as Lay Member to the Annual Conference from the Hillsdale UMC. (He will not be selling copies of his book at church, but if anyone brings a copy he will sign it after worship.) Plan to be present on April 13th to hear his fascinating message of faith.
(And remember, our Bishop, Sudarshana Devadhar, will be with us in worship and preaching on May 18!)
John Bishop to attend General Conference in April as GNJAC Representative
At the last session of the meeting of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, Grace UMC member John Bishop, who serves as the Chair of the GNJAC Council on Finance and Administration, was one of five laity who were elected by the laity of the Annual Conference (out of approximately 500 who were present) to attend the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the United Methodist Church The General Conference will be held from April 23 through May 2, 2008 in Fort Worth Texas. The Jurisdictional Conference will be held in July.
Every four years United Methodism conducts these Conferences. The General Conference includes representatives from every Annual Conference of United Methodism, from all over the world. They discuss and vote upon issues that affect the whole church. Among other things, the General Conference votes upon what will appear in our Book of Discipline by which our church is governed, it debates issues of public and social policy and determines the Social Principles of the church, and it sets the budgets and agendas for the agencies that conduct the mission and ministry of the denomination. The primary role of the Jurisdictional Conference (we are a part of the Northeast Jurisdiction which covers states from West Virginia to Maine) is to elect bishops for the church.
John will be reporting back to our church in the months following the Conference sessions to inform us about what went on at the sessions and to give us some insight as to how the UMC is organized and functions. Keep John and all the delegates in your prayers as they are meeting.
Megan Craven and Nancy Rozell to Chair the 2008 Christmas Fair
Those of you who have attended the wrap-up meetings and preliminary planning meetings for our church Christmas Fair already know that Megan Craven and Nancy Rozell have agreed to be the co-chairs of the 2008 Christmas Fair. They have already begun making plans and lining up support for the Fair, and you will be hearing more about plans for the Fair in coming months. Please do all that you can to support Megan and Nancy in this important fellowship and fund-raising effort of the church!
Rev. Robb Shoaf to be Guest Preacher on Founder's Day
It seems that this column is mostly about all those who are coming to preach as guests here at Grace--but I just confirmed this news and wanted to share it with you! The Rev. Robb Shoaf, who served as Associate Pastor here at Grace from 1979 to 1981 (immediately following my service as Associate at Grace UMC, by the way) has agreed to be our guest preacher on Founder's Day, July 27, 2008. Upon leaving Grace UMC, Rev. Shoaf served pastorates at Grace UMC in North Plainfield, the Delaware Valley Church in Sandyston, NJ, the Dingman's Ferry UMC in Dingman's Ferry NY, and since 1992 has been the pastor of the Madison UMC in Madison, NJ.
Grace UMC traces its roots back to the founding of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Paterson, which was chartered on July 31, 1868. Each year on the last Sunday of July we celebrate the founding of the church by inviting someone who has either served on the pastoral staff of Grace UMC or entered ministry from Grace UMC. On that day we also recognize our "Silver and Gold" members (those who have been members of Grace UMC for 25 or more years). Since Grace UMC will be observing the 140th Anniversary of our founding this year, we are also planning to give a "140th Anniversary Commemorative Plate" to all who attend that day. (At least one other special event is being discussed as a way to celebrate our anniversary, as well. Look for more information about this in upcoming newsletters.)
I am pleased that Rev. Shoaf will be able to be with us, and I hope you will mark your calendar now to welcome him and to celebrate with us the Founding of Grace UMC!
Yours in Christ,
David E. Wiley III
