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EXPECTATIONS

Emmanuel is a growing,

welcoming, caring

community, celebrating the

rich diversity of God’s

Creation, treasuring our

common humanity and

following the way of Christ’s

love, justice and mercy in

today’s world..

The Ministry at Emmanuel

Ministers

All Who Love & Serve God

Senior Minister

Pastor Kenneth Gill

IN THIS ISSUE

Table of Contents

Welcome……………………….1

Pastor’s Message………..…...2

Church Ministries…………..3-7

News/Celebration..………..8-14 Calendar………………………15 Sunday Worship 10:30 am All are Welcome!

www.emmanuelridgewood.org https://facebook.com/emmanuelridgewood Twitter.com/emmanuel07450

Monthly Newsletter September 2017

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The Blessing of Not Knowing I was at dinner a few weeks ago, when a question came up for which no one around the table had an answer. Immediately, several folks pulled out their smartphones to Google the answer. With instant access to any piece of desired information everyone quickly becomes an “authority” on every issue. We have access to the Library of Congress at our fingertips. Every-body knows everything all the time. A good discipline is to sideline your smartphone at regular intervals. The fact is, we don’t need to know everything all the time. We don’t need to know where are children are at every moment, we don’t need to know the current stock quotes and we don’t need to know who the Chinese emperor was in 1411 A.D., or other obscure pieces of trivia or random information. In fact, there are some things we cannot know even if we wanted to. There are some aspects of truth which are totally unknowable even with the latest technology. God and God’s ways are one of those things. In the Hebrew Bible God is quoted as saying, “My ways are not your ways,” (Is. 55). In one of his letters the apostle Paul said, “ As for now we see things only dimly as in a faded mirror, but in the end we will know fully, even as we are now fully known.” (I Cor. 13) The Christian faith, as Paul reminded us, is more about “being known by God” than knowing things about God. We can become familiar with the “attributes” and qualities of God through reflection on the Bible or we can devise theological and metaphysical systems of thoughts which might quantify and categorize information about God but, in the end, God remains a mystery who/which is ineffable and indescribable even to the wisest and most devoted of us. Our deepest understanding of the divine comes not from intellectual inquiry or doctrinal orthodoxy but from the experience of opening our hearts and minds to the spirit and living and walking through this life in “relationship” with God. As the apostle said, it is only “in the end” when we meet God face to face that our knowledge and under- standing become complete. In the meantime, we humbly confess our inadequacy and even ignorance of the things and ways of God which our puny minds can only catch glimpses of. Thankfully, even those glimpses can be glorious and life transforming and so we give thanks for the blessing of not knowing.

Thoughts from Pastor Gill

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From the Communications Director

August through September 2017

Please see several projects, events, publicity, and social media underway

at Emmanuel.

Advertisements: Emmanuel received complimentary copies of the Ridgewood

Football Schedule Posters. The Emmanuel advertisement will run from August 2017-

November 2017.

Business Cards: Please pick up a church business card and invite friends, acquaint-

ances, and anyone that you know to visit or attend events at the church.

Website: Website (www.emmanuelridgewood.org) has been updated as needed. Press

release page updated as needed.

New Pastoral Intern Position: Pastoral Internship advertised on Emmanuel website, Indeed.com, and with

several seminary schools.

Social Media: A new church Meetup.com account was created for the Uncoupling Support Group. As of

8/23/17, the Uncoupling Support Group Meetup has 157 members in it.

A new email address, socialmedia@emmanuelridgewood.org, was created to link all of the church's social media.

Social Media has been updated as needed.

As of this report, dated 8/23/17, here are the social media statistics:

Facebook: Emmanuel’s Facebook profile has 225 friends. Emmanuel’s Facebook Page has 142 likes.

Twitter: Emmanuel's Twitter page has 22 Followers. If you are on Twitter, please follow the church at https://

twitter.com/Emmanuel07450

YouTube: Emmanuel's YouTube page has 13 Subscribers. Follow the church's Live Stream at

www.TinyURL.com/EmmanuelStream

Publicized Events (July-September 2017):

** Please note that each event requires pre-event and post-event publicity depending on event needs. Publicity

Includes but is not limited to internal communication, press release, website slider and updates, Facebook event and

posts, social media updates, program, flyers, and media outreach.

Future of Faith Series at Emmanuel on Mondays (August)

School Supply Collection for Center for Food Action- (July-August)

Vacation Bible School Day- (August 3rd)

Uncoupling Support Group (July through August)

Candlelight Vigil (August)

Monthly Community Pasta Dinners (September 19th)

Monthly Peace and Justice Forums (Will resume in Fall)

Pet Blessing Event on September 17th

COMMUNICATIONS O

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Special Offering: Due to the recent tragedies in Houston, we will be

doing a special collection thru One Great Hour of Sharing.

ABCNJ Upcoming Event

The Annual Session for ABCNJ will be held on Sept. 22 and 23 at the Ocean Place Resort and

Spa at 1 Ocean Blvd, Long Branch, NJ. 07740. Saturday cost includes parking, pre-session,

breakfast and banquet luncheon. Special speakers include Sharon Koh, the Executive Director of

International Ministries of ABCUSA, David Fitch of Northern Seminary in Chicago, Victoria Goff of

the Home Mission Society and Jerson Narcisco who earned a PhD in Religious Cultural Studies in

Indonesia. Nancy and Dave Shaver will be going for the day on Saturday and would be glad to

provide transportation. To register go to the website ABCNJ.net.

SAVE THE DATE for the annual "CROP Walk" on Sunday October 15. Supplies can be picked up at

Emmanuel.

MISSIONS

- $386 has been collected for the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering.

-The Mission emphasis for September will be to encourage people to write letters or E-Mail their

representatives in Congress asking them to support legislation to help prevent hunger in this coun-

try and around the world.

Step 1- Go onto the Bread for the World website

Step 2- select " offering of letters"

Step 3- read about the 2017 offering of letters and why it is important.

Step 4- click on "write to congress"

Step 5 fill in your personal information, your zip code will be used to ensure this is sent on to your

elected officials.

Step 6 - click on " email congress".

https://secure.bread.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=331

-On Sept. 11th, The Center for Food Action is requesting volunteers to come to the Eng-

lewood Field Club or Lincoln Technical School in Mahwah to assemble Weekend Snack Packs for

local needy children. $45 per adult and children under 10 pack for free. (Mission Committee will

cover fees). See Nancy Shaver or Joan Massler if you can help).

The food collection for August will go to the Board of Social Services of Ridgewood and Vicinity.

Emmanuel's time to host the families is coming up on September 8 & 9. Currently there is one family in the program, with the possibility of a second family arriving before we

host. If you would like to help with food, social time or staying overnight, please contact Anita Powell-Byrd at 201-214-7161, or hokiebyrd@gmail.com. Donations of money to buy meals, or prepared foods for dinner are gladly accepted! Anita will not be in church before this event. If you want to donate monetarily, money can be left in the Mission Mailbox,

marked "Family Promise". As always, thank you for your support!

MISSIONS …………..at home and around the world

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PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES FOR EMMANUEL

Monday, September 18 @ 7:30 pm

All are invited

We will explore individual and shared devotional practices for spiritual strength, deepening and unity amidst our diversity at Emmanuel. On August 21

st, the Church

Council “affirmed” that the congregation “cultivate our personal devotional practice as an integral part of our lives and the life of Emmanuel.” Included in the devotional practices to be considered are:

daily prayer for one another, our church and our mission, other faith groups and the world.

using spiritual resources, books, videos, a possible prayer partner, and the like, on a regular basis to enrich our life of faith.

praying with others in the congregation wherever we may be located at a set time (to be determined) and participation in Sunday Worship.

fasting for one meal a week on a day of our choosing.

These and other devotional practices will be presented by Pastor Gill and others for discussion and follow-up.

All are invited to join in the 9:15 class each Sunday for Biblical reflection and discussion as we seek to live out our faith in these

challenging times.

-Sunday Morning at 9:15 in the Library-

Women of Emmanuel were pleased to present a check to both Tara Timpone and Katie Byrd in support of their education. Tara and Katie both applied for the WE Financial Support.

Welcome Back Brunch will be Sunday, September 10

th, immediately

following worship. Dave and Nancy Shaver will do a presentation on their mission trip to India.

WE Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, October 3 at 10 am

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CULTURES AND FRIENSHIP INTERNATIONAL

Celebrating 32 years of international friendships! Join this international friendship group for our September 20

th Welcome Back Potluck Luncheon

at 11 am in the Peace Lounge.

WOMEN’S REFLECTION GROUP Join us on September 17 at 7 in the Peace Lounge as we meet for Biblical reflection and mutual support, seeking to “find the quiet center in the busy lives we lead.”

COMMUNITY PASTA DINNER is scheduled for Sept. 19th at 6 p.m. Please come and bring friends. It is nice to know attendance ahead of time in order to plan accordingly, so please call either the church office, 201-444-7300, or Marilyn, 201-391-4720.

PEACE AND JUSTICE FORUM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017, 7:00 PM Does Exclusion Still Exist in Ridgewood and Vicinity? Addressing bias in our communities. Perspectives from excluded persons and their advocates and protectors. Role of faith communities, schools, community organizations and businesses.

READERS’CHOICE will meet Friday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Marilyn Clark to discuss A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Please call Marilyn tell her you are attending and what you will be bringing.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP September 16 Breakfast 9 AM Sept. 16-Oct. 14 Men's Clothing Drive Please place contributions of gently used men's clothing or new underwear and socks in the corridor leading to the Chapel. October 21 Oktoberfest 5:30 PM Enjoy a festive evening of great food, fellowship, and music. All funds raised will go to support our mission projects.

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Congregants’ Corner

Do you have an idea, thought or topic that you would like to share in our monthly newsletter? If so please send your submissions for Expectations to the church office at office@emmanuelridgewood.org

The Brown Bag Discussion Group Monday at 12:00 pm

Join us for a stimulating discussion on books ranging from

religion & culture, theology, politics and current affairs. Bring a lunch. All are welcome.

Currently discussing, Wages of Rebellion by Chris Hedges

Pledge Income 7/31/17 Current Year Last Year Anticipated, based on pledges: $ 48,400.92 Received: $ 50,105.59 Ahead/(Shortfall): $ 50,105.59 $ 4,575.87

If you have glasses that you have outgrown your prescription, please consider donating them.

Box is located in Library.

ESL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM English language learners are invited to join our multicultural circle of learning and practice speaking, reading, and writing skills in a small group setting. Thursday evenings at 7:30 –First class to start Sept. 14

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SUMMER BABIES!!

We rejoice in the birth of these babies this summer:

Xavier Poinsette on July 4th

The Foresmans’ 2nd

grandchild

Charlotte Lyn Degelman, on July 26th

Davina Vivian Pierre on July 31st

Victoria Wang on Aug. 13th

SUMMER CAMPERS

Our children and youth who enjoyed going to Camp Lebanon

this summer were Caroline Saffioti, Joseph Saffioti, Christopher Davila,

and Chelsea Cheman. Emma Byrd participated in a service project in

Costa Rica. Be sure to ask them about their experiences.

OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Katie Byrd will begin her college career this fall.

She writes, “I am so grateful for my Emmanuel family

and for your kindness and love throughout my life.

Can’t wait to see you all soon.”

Others in college this fall include: David Davila, Justin

Kuo, Tara Timpone, and Jack Foresman.

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017

On Aug. 3rd

children and adults participated in our VBS Program, led

by Pastor Ken and Connie, on the theme: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.”

We focused on The Lord’s Prayer, learned about praying in a variety

of ways, made prayer beads, sang, and enjoyed lunch together.

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INTERFAITH CANDLE-LIGHT PEACE VIGIL

On Aug.16th Emmanuel hosted the Interfaith Peace Vigil on our lawn.

Over 200 people came and we heard words of peace, encouragement,

and empowerment from representatives of several faith traditions.

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Our artist, Ruth Neu-stadter, then a high school teacher in Newark, shared a sto-ry that she was very upset when one of her students dropped garbage out of the window of her class-room during class. She had the whole class march down three flights of stairs into the schoolyard

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Council Highlights – August 21, 2017 Council Meeting

As always, full council minutes are on the bulletin board outside the Pastor’s Office.

Pastor Judy encourages us ALL to visit the sick and homebound

Trustees, Missions and Deacon Ministries gave updated reports

CROP Walk will be October 11

Family Promise September 8, 9

Pastoral Relations Committee reported to Council and a summary will be prepared for the congregation

Welcome Back Brunch sponsored by WE is September 10th, following worship. Dave and Nancy

Shaver will do a presentation on their India Mission Trip

Minutes distributed for November 4,5 week-end celebration

Stewardship 2018 mailing sent

Joan Massler shared information about the ICCC

Candle light vigil sponsored by the Inter Faith Ministries and held at Emmanuel received many positive comments

Don Wheeler presented a handout titled “A Path Ahead for Emmanuel Commitment to Action” which was discussed and affirmed by Council after some modifications

The next Council Meeting will be Monday, September 25, unless required sooner

Please note there will be a special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 17

during service, to name 2 additional delegates to the ABCNJ Annual Assembly.

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THE UNCOUPLING GROUP CONTINUES

The "Uncoupling" group will continue on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7:30- 9:00 pm. The purpose of the group is to create a supportive environment for anyone who is going through a relationship breakup, a separation or divorce, Persons can RSVP by calling the church office at 201 444-7300 or by registering on line through the “Meet Up” website. The next dates are Sept14th , 28th and Oct. 12th, 26th . Comments from group members… “Thanks again Pastor Ken & Tracy. I get a lot out of these Uncoupling Group but most of all I feel bonded, safe, secure, & calmer when I'm amongst such caring friends. The read-ings, tapes, music, & singing bowls helps me. I know now I may just come out on the other side one of these years. My hope is this Uncoupling Group will continue for the rest of the year & beyond.” “This was my first meeting and I can't say enough good things about how it went. I came into the meeting feeling confused and in limbo about the long time separation from my husband, but left being able to see clearly for the first time. I ordered the book and can't wait to start reading it. I give thanks to God for sending this group my way.”

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September Birthday

4-Marilyn Thomas 6-Napoleon Davila

13-Sharon Brockway 16-Marilyn Clark,

Connie Gill 18-Lauran Bethell

22-Marek Jura 25-Audrey Cocheo

9/29/90

Anita Powell Byrd & Rick Byrd

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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3 Special collec-tion for Houston Communion Monthly Food Collection 10:30 Worship 3:00 pm Wedding

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Office Closed Happy Labor Day

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9 am

Holmstead Mtg

8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm ESL

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Family Promise

6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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Family Promise

10 Sunday School resumes 10:30 Worship WE Welcome back luncheon

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12 Noon- Discussion Group

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8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm “Uncoupling” Group 7:30 pm ESL

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6:30 pm

Readers Choice

6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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9:00 am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Men’s Clothing Drive starts

17 Bread for the World Starts 9:15 Adult Sun-day School 10:30 Worship 4 pm Crop Mtg 7 pm Women’s Reflection Grp

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12 Noon- Discussion Group 7:30 pm Prayer Grp

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6 pm Pasta Dinner 7 pm Peace & Justice Forum

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11 am CFI Potluck Luncheon 8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm ESL

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ABCNJ Retreat

6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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ABCNJ Retreat

24 Bread for the

World

9:15 Adult Sun-day School 10:30 Worship Stewardship Sunday

25 12 Noon- Discussion Group 7:30 pm Council Mtg

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8:30 pm AA

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7:30 pm “Uncoupling” Group 7:30 pm ESL

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6:30 pm & 8 pm

AA

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SEPTEMBER 2017