Jersey Jottings

April 24, 2024

O God, you give us your Son as the vine apart from whom we cannot live. Nourish our life in his resurrection, that we may bear the fruit of love and know the fullness of your joy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

We Pray For...

Pastor Bruce Ewen,

(retired), who has entered hospice care

Kaitlyn Kropa,

daughter of Pastor Ed Kropa (Hope, Freehold)

Nathan Resch,

son of Chris and Pastor Becky Resch (Candidacy/Leadership Manager, Reg 7&8), recovering from surgery

Linda Kisby,

spouse of Pastor Pam Werner (St James, Folsom)

We continue to pray for ...

The congregations of...

First, Clifton

Holy Trinity, Red Bank

St John, Williamstown

These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...

Arkansas/Oklahoma Synod, ELCA

Lutheran Church in Great Britain

Congratulations!

Pastor Scott Rush and Deacon Ned Perwo, who were ordained on Saturday.

We rejoice with them and the congregations of Emanuel, New Brunswick and Holy Trinity, Manasquan.

Synod Assembly

May 11, 2024

Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton

www.njsynod.org/assembly

Late registration closes this Thursday, April 25th.

No refunds or registrations will be available after this date!

The Bulletin of Reports has been posted. All voting members should read through this in preparation for the assembly.

Pre-Assembly Workshops will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, May 9

ELCA Youth Gathering In-Kind Offering

In the aftermath of a storm, hurricane, or tornado, New Orleans residents regularly find themselves without electricity. This quickly becomes a health crisis as people try to manage life in the hot, humid Gulf Coast summers.

Each Region has been asked to supply a specific part of a Disaster Relief Kit, so that together we can donate 3,000 of these kits to our neighbors in New Orleans. Region 7 is donating small First Aid kits.

All congregations are invited to donate one (or more) First Aid Kits at this year's Synod Assembly. You can purchase one directly at our Amazon or Target wishlists and items will be delivered directly to our partners in New Orleans. You can bring a cash donation to the Synod Assembly and we will order them. We will also have QR codes at our Synod Assembly table and you can order them directly there. We will have a display to show how many kits NJ donates, so please stop by the table to make the donation or let us know that you made one on your own.

Learn more: https://www.elca.church/gathering/about/offering

WELCA EVENTS

APRIL 27 - 10AM - 2PM

Thankoffering Service

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1500 Hooper Ave, Toms River. Chaplin – Reverend Susan S. Jones. 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., following the Worship Service and luncheon will be a workshop on “Spiritual Gifts”.

Save the Date - OCTOBER 12 - Annual Business and Convention 2024

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 112 Middletown Rd, Holmdel NJ

Questions or concerns please reach out to Amy Palazzolo (862) 284-4094 or email Palahem1@aol.com. Visit NJWELCA.NET for more information.

CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

OPENING DAY Saturday, May 18th, 2024

Join us for “Opening Day at Cross Roads,” a fun work-day event. Individuals, youth groups, families, and congregational groups are invited to come to camp to volunteer with a few projects as we get camp ready for the summer season.

It will be a day of fun, fellowship, and giving back to camp. There will be projects for all skill levels. If you have special skills or tools (chainsaws, leaf blowers, etc.) please bring them with you! Work begins at 9:00 am with a free lunch at noon. We expect to wrap up around 3:00 pm. We can’t wait to see you there!

OPEN HOUSES

May 4, 2024 and June 8, 2024

Come and visit Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center for one of our open houses this spring! Learn all about our summer and year-round opportunities. Take a tour of camp, hear stories about summer camp, ask questions of our staff, and finish with a delicious lunch in the dining hall.

These are especially great opportunities for families interested in sending their children to camp for the first time (or attending Family Camp together) or for retreat leaders interested in one of our many buildings that are open year-round. These tours start at 10:30 am from the Lodge and conclude after lunch at noon. Please register by the Monday before the date attending.

Learn more and register at: https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/open-houses/

April Keeping in Touch

from the Office of the Bishop

A closing liturgy for the congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church, after 119 years of ministry in Collingswood, will take place on Saturday, April 27th at 2:00 PM.

Congregation calls were extended to Ned Perwo to serve as Deacon at Holy Trinity, Manasquan, and Scott Rush to serve as pastor at Emanuel, New Brunswick. An ordination liturgy was held on April 20 at St. Paul, East Windsor.

Pastor Kristin Engstrom has been called to serve as Country Rep. and YAGM Country Coordinator for Madagascar.

Pastor Barry Scott (Northeastern Ohio Synod), has been appointed interim pastor at Lord of Life, Tabernacle. Pastor Kathleen Harris is serving as interim pastor at Abiding Presence, Ewing. Pastor Arnd Braun-Storck, chaplain at Seafarers and International House, has been appointed to serve as vice pastor at Zion, Carteret; Pastor Margaret Ouji, First, Montclair, has been appointed as vice pastor at Holy Trinity, East Orange.

Congratulations to the following pastors and congregations who recently celebrated and will celebrate installations: Pastor William Hodgetts, Zion, Egg Harbor City, (April 21); Pastor Scott Rush, Emanuel New Brunswick (May 19); Pastor Levi Powers, St. James, Phillipsburg, (June 16); Deacon Ned Perwo, Holy Trinity, Manasquan, (June 22).

Jason Reed is serving in a collaborative learning covenant at Temple, Pennsauken. Pastor Dámaris Porsch-Ortega (United Church of Christ) is serving as pastor at St. Paul, Jersey City. Pastor Kathryn Irwin has accepted a call from Calvary, Cranford, beginning May 1.

Pastor Althea Albright has resigned as pastor of Grace, Somers Point, and will transfer to the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Pastor Wendolyn Trozzo will serve as vice pastor beginning May 1.

Online Giving

Synod Calendar

Bulletin Board | Jobs | Congregation Events

Pray with us each day at noon!

On Facebook or the Synod App.