Programs and Ministries 2019-2020

2 | Christ Church in Short Hills

Dear friends, Welcome! Thank you for your interest, involvement, and leadership in the many programs and ministries offered by Christ Church in Short Hills. Whether you are visiting or a long-time member, this booklet will give you an overview of our ministry through worship, music, and study. You will see our engaging programs for young people, our outreach to the wider community, as well as the ways we serve Christ in the stranger, and live together as a church family. The Book of Common Prayer tells us that “the ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.” (BCP p855) If something stirs your spirit, please reach out to the ministry contacts, vestry members, or staff included toward the back of this booklet. There are so many opportunities to serve and to give of your invaluable time and talents. You are the church and each of these programs and ministries is by you and for you, through Christ and with Christ and in Christ. Together we are one in Christ and we invite you to join us. I welcome you to visit our Church website at christchurchshorthills.org or call our church office at 973-379-2898 for more information about our congregation or any of the programs and events in this booklet. Blessings,

The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass Priest-in-Charge

Bowie+

Programs and Ministries 2019-2020 | 3

Table of ContentsWorship 4

Music 5

Children and Family 6

Youth Ministry 7

Parish Life and Fellowship 8

Outreach 9

Adult Formation 10

Stewardship 11

Nursery School 11

Ministry Contacts 12

Vestry 14

Clergy and Staff 15

Visit our website: www.christchurchshorthills.orgSubscribe to our weekly E-Newsletter: “The Messenger” You can be added to the mailing list by calling the parish office or by emailing: [email protected] us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/christchurchshorthills

Stay connected with us

Christ Church in Short Hills is a Member of

The Diocese of Newark www.dioceseofnewark.org

The Episcopal Church www.episcopalchurch.org

The Anglican Communion www.anglicancommunion.org


WorshipAt Christ Church in Short Hills, we welcome all people in our house of worship. With us, you can expect to join a community of loving people unified by the words of The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. We say prayers together, sing hymns together with our choir and hear inspiring sermons by our clergy. Every Sunday, we kneel before the altar as “One in Christ” for the Eucharist.

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHEDULE8:00am Holy Eucharist 8:45am Coffee in the Kitchen 9:45am Sunday School 10:00am Holy Eucharist with Choir 11:00am Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour We gather every Sunday immediately after services to share, engage and join together over pastries, snacks and beverages. These weekly get-togethers are a special time for us to stay connected as a parish family.

Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals We recognize and affirm the importance of lifting up special times of joy or transition through worship, including services of baptism, marriage and funerals. If you or a loved one is interested in one of these special services, please contact the parish office.

Our worship requires many faithful volunteers. We invite you to get involved!

Altar Guild prepares the Holy Table and worship space for Sundays and other services.

Acolytes serve at the altar for worship services by carrying torches, crosses, and by assisting the priest with the vessels for the Eucharist.

Lay Readers & Intercessors read Bible lessons or prayers during Sunday worship.

Ushers are part of our welcoming ministry of parish greeting and hospitality.

Coffee Hour Hosts provide refreshments following the 10am Sunday service.

NEW: THIRD SUNDAY STUDIOStretch. Worship. Music. Eat.

Come as you are and when you can between 5-6:30 pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month to recharge, be with God, and in community. All ages are welcome to an interactive evening that will include stretching and breathing, a short worship service, a musical offering from the community, and a family-friendly simple supper.


MusicAt Christ Church in Short Hills, music is integral to our ministry. Music builds community and brings us all closer to the Divine. We welcome parishioners, local area residents, and youth of all ages to join us in singing God’s praise.

OUR CHOIRSThe Parish Choir of Christ Church is open to all, from middle school age to adult, sharing in worship with song. The choir is comprised of volunteer voices and professional section leaders who sing at the 10am Eucharist each Sunday. Parish Choir activities begin in September and continue through early June. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:15pm to 8:45pm and on Sundays at 9:00am

The Summer Choir is open to all members of the parish to sing at our informal, fun 10:00am weekly Sunday service in Parish Hall. The choir meets at 9:15am in the Choir Room to rehearse hymns and simple anthems on a “join us when you can” basis.

The Canterbury Choir is open to all elementary age children. Rehearsals are every Sunday at 11:15am from September through early June. Our energetic children’s choir sings on All Saints’ Day and Advent I, as well as at Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter and Youth Sunday. Members of the Canterbury Choir receive musical training in preparation to move up to the Parish Choir.

The Festival Choir is comprised of members of the parish and local residents who unite for special music events throughout the year.

UPCOMING MUSIC AT CCSHThis year, there are many exciting opportunities to enjoy wonderful music programs at Christ Church. We will be hosting concerts by the Summit Chorale, the Pingry School Choirs, the Montclair State Singers, and the Harmonium Chamber Singers, as well as chamber music sponsored by Music for Life International.

We will also feature Special Evensongs for All Saints, Lent, and Easter as the choir prepares for the residency at St. Alban’s Cathedral in England in the summer of 2020.


Children and Family MinistriesWe believe that children have a deep relationship with God from birth. Our programs for children and teens are designed to help young and growing Christians embrace the language of faith. Through friendship, prayer, Bible readings, and Christian service, our children of all ages can explore their identity in God’s image. Preschoolers through 5th graders attend Sunday School during the 10:00am Ministry of the Word and join worship for the Eucharist.

CHURCH ‘BUDDY BAGS’At Christ Church, ALL are welcome in worship. We are especially glad when our youngest members gather with us as the body of Christ and the church is filled with joyful noise. Inside our Church Buddy Bags, you will find books, crayons, activities and quiet toys that allow children to be present in worship even if they are not yet sure how to participate.

NURSERYChildren ages three and under are invited to play in the Nursery during the 10:00am service under the supervision of our wonderful teachers. Nursery care begins at 9:45am in the back of the Parish Hall.

PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN & FIRST-SECOND GRADES

Godly Play is a Montessori inspired approach to early Christian formation. Teachers use simple wooden and felt props to bring Bible stories to life and invite children to approach these stories with curiosity and wonder. Through storytelling and play, children begin to learn the liturgical language of the Episcopal faith and gain an understanding of God’s intimate presence in their lives.

3RD - 5TH GRADESLiving the Good News allows children to walk through the life of Christ using the scriptures in the lectionary. Weekly lessons correspond with texts used in worship so that children and parents are able to review together what they learned at church.


Youth MinistryYouth ministry at Christ Church is grounded in the conviction that faith happens in and through community. The purpose of our youth programs is to nurture a climate where young people are fully integrated into the life of the church. We carry on this mission by recognizing and amplifying the life-giving talents young people have to offer the church: gifts of urgent questioning, devotion to justice, energy, and service that knows no boundaries. This mission is embraced by recognizing and meeting our youth where they are on their spiritual journey.

YOUTH PILGRIMAGE & MISSIONS Our Youth Ministry experience is anchored in journeys away from home dedicated to volunteer work, prayer, relationship building and new cultural experiences.

CREATION CARE PILGRIMAGEIn recent years, CCSH youth have traveled to California and the Southern United States for spiritual pilgrimages grounded in our Christian faith. This year’s pilgrimage in the summer of 2020 will focus on the care of our common planet. Stay tuned for additional details, dates, and location.

APPALACHIAN SERVICE PROJECTThis summer, we will partner with St. John’s, Summit to offer a mission based service trip to Central Appalachia.

THE BREAKFAST CLUBThe Breakfast Club (grade 6-12) meets the first Sunday of every month at 9:00am in the CCSH Kitchen. Join us as we prepare our favorite breakfasts, discuss relevant topics, and grow together throughout the year.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH Each Sunday from September through May, the Middle School youth meet at 9:45am for Bible Study, fellowship, and activities in the Garden Chapel.

CONFIRMATIONConfirmation is a one-year program for youth in 8th grade (or above) that allows our young people to reflect deeply on faith, its relevance in their lives and to live out God’s love in friendship. At the end of our confirmation classes, youth may choose to make a public declaration of faith in the sacrament of Confirmation with youth from around the diocese. The goal is to teach our youth the way of Christ, not only in the church but also in the world; to help them make connections between these lessons and their own lives; and to prepare them for Christian adulthood.


Parish Life and FellowshipJesus calls us to love one another as one in Christ. We believe that an important aspect of loving each other is spending time together, sharing our lives and having fun. At Christ Church in Short Hills, we join in fellowship for special events, moments of caring and celebrating new interests and ideas.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Lunch Bunch 2nd Mondays of the month at noon. Bring your lunch and enjoy the company of other parishioners!

Mothers Mornings Last Wednesdays of the month, 9:00am Gather with the Rev. Bowie Snodgrass and other mothers of the parish for coffee and conversation in our homes.

Women’s AA Group Every Thursday, 7:00pm

Martha & Mary Various dates at 7:15pm in the kitchen. Join the women of the parish to prepare food for those in need and for select outreach and life events such as: the birth of a child, illness, surgery, death in the family, new neighbors, and the Rummage Sale Preview Party.

Christ Church Reads! Most Saturdays, 9:30am Join other parishioners for an engaging book discussion. You can find the assigned book and passages in the weekly Announcements and the Messenger. The group chooses these books together, and previous selections have ranged from novels to non-fiction.

Careers in Transition 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 8:30am Four leadership professionals offer insight, along with tools and techniques, for navigating new career strategies in the current workplace environment.

Flower Ministry Sundays, 11:15am in the Kitchen Altar flowers are rearranged each Sunday and given to someone marking a significant moment, such as a birthday, illness, or death.


Episcopal Relief and Development Each year, Christ Church works with ERD to support lasting change around the globe for women, children, and those devastated by natural disasters.

ThankServing / SpringServing Sundays Parishioners and families volunteer for a range of hands-on duties and site visits in our wider community on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and a Sunday each Spring.

Embrace-a-Family During Advent, parishioners select personal, meaningful Christmas gifts of clothing, linens, and toys for families at the Apostles’ House in Newark.

Bridges Runs Christ Church partners with Bridges, a non-profit in Summit, NJ, to provide food to the homeless population in our community throughout the year.

OutreachJesus taught that when we serve one another, we are serving Him. We express our faith at Christ Church in Short Hills through far-reaching ministries. Our Outreach Grants program funds various local, national and international not-for-profit organizations. Our hands-on Outreach Ministry allows us to roll up our sleeves to serve and to develop relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters in need.

Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges 2nd Wednesday of the month, 8:30am

The IFPO is a collaboration among Christ Church, Congregation Beth El, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel. The food pantry provides supplemental and emergency food to more than 300 families in Orange and East Orange. You can always donate food to the IFPO.

SCRIP Grocery Cards 1st Sunday of the month When you buy SCRIP cards for Kings or ShopRite, 5% of your purchase goes to provide food for the IFPO.

English as a Second Language Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:30am Christ Church offers small, friendly ESL classes to help adult students improve their English communication skills.

All the Way Up Adult Education Center Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am

All the Way Up is an Adult Education Center in downtown Newark offering small group classes and tutoring in GED, computer literacy, and job readiness.

OUTREACH GRANTSThe Outreach Grants Committee seeks grant applications from a broad spectrum of local, national and global organizations. The Committee meets four times a year to review grant applications, research funding needs, and determine how to allocate annual funding to worthy recipients. A full list of recipients can be found on the CCSH website.


Adult FormationStudy and education are part of the life-long spiritual journey of Christians. In addition to our weekly and monthly offerings described below, Christ Church offers forums throughout the year. This year, we will look at our individual spiritual gifts, the relationship between art and scripture, on being an Episcopalian, on Lent, Contemplative Prayer, and Christian Ethics as well as gather for Town Halls. Look in the bulletin and Messenger for upcoming dates.

ONGOING ADULT FORMATIONEducation for Ministry (EFM) Weekly meetings on Mondays, 7:30pm Expand your understanding of the fundamentals of our faith with a 4-year seminar style course.

Evening Book Group Monthly meetings on last Thursday, 7:30pm The group will be reading Nature’s God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic by Matthew Stewart.

Bakery Bible Hour with the Rev. Snodgrass, Cantor Fishbein, and Rev. Toland Monthly meetings on first Fridays, 9am Join Lucy Fishbein, Cantor at Temple B’nai Jeshurun; Paula Toland, Rector at St. Stephen’s; and Rev. Bowie for a new year of interfaith text study on the book of Genesis at Splurge Bakery.

INTERWEAVEInterweave is an interfaith and interspiritual learning center focused on integrated spirituality for daily living. Their mission is to deepen spirituality, strengthen wellness, and promote the common good. In a time of change, challenge, and potential for good, Interweave offers a sense of connection and community for those seeking wisdom, empowerment and support in their life journeys.

Interweave’s main office is at Christ Church and they offer various courses and workshops throughout the year (many free to CCSH members). You can find their upcoming events in our weekly Messenger or visit their website for info: www.interweave.org.

Wednesday Meditation Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 10am In the middle of our hectic lives, it is often difficult to stop and take a breath. In the silence there is a clearing. Gather with members of Interweave to practice centering prayer. Join us for this time of reflection, quiet meditation, and sharing.


StewardshipGod created the world and called it good. God calls each of us good and blesses us with spiritual gifts. Stewardship is our generous response to God’s love. Out of our material abundance, we are called to give back to God with gratitude and faith that God will provide. In addition to our individual stewardship, Christ Church strives to be a generous church, sharing our time, talents and treasure with the wider community, our diocese, and the world.

Stewardship and Ministry

Changing Lives is a campaign of the Christ Church Stewardship Committee to highlight the transformative ministries happening at Christ Church and

The Christ Church Nursery School

Christ Church in Short Hills is committed to guiding children through faith, academics, social and emotional health. At Christ Church Nursery School, children embrace a love of learning with curiosity, enthusiasm and confidence! Children at the Nursery School participate in monthly chapel and Bible storytelling with our priests. They also say simple prayers with their teachers daily. Christ Church Nursery School, while grounded in the foundation of the Episcopal Church, welcomes children of all faiths.

Christ Church Nursery School, established in 1962, is licensed by the state of New Jersey. The highly regarded preschool serves more than 200 children from ages 2 through 6 throughout the school year, as well as a six-week summer program. The school also offers a Drop In Center for infants and children from six months to age 5. Our School enjoys membership support from the National Association of Episcopal Schools, following the curriculum guidelines set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

throughout the community. Changing Lives bulletin inserts and newsletters highlight the stewardship of time and talent that make possible the many vibrant ministries taking place daily. We are “Changing Lives”… and changing our own lives in helping others.


Christ Church Nursery School Barbara Pepe [email protected]

Christ Church Reads! Peggy Baggaley [email protected]

Coffee Hour Patty McCarthy [email protected]

Communications Committee Gaye Torrance [email protected]

Education for Ministry Sandra Johnson [email protected]

Embrace-a-Family Adrianne Surgeon [email protected]

English as a Second Language Sallie Bunn [email protected]

Evening Book Group Sam Reckford [email protected]

AcolytesWalker [email protected]

Altar GuildRose [email protected]

Bridges OutreachSarah [email protected]

Buildings and GroundsJohn Fernandez [email protected]

Careers in TransitionJim Sammartino and Jason [email protected]

Children and Family Ministry Kevin [email protected]

Ministry Contacts


Episcopal Relief and Development Adrianne Harrison-Surgeon [email protected]

Flower Ministry Sandra Peinado [email protected]

Interfaith Food Pantry Peggy Baggaley [email protected]

Investment Committee Todd Corbin [email protected]

Layreaders / Intercessors Bill Houston [email protected]

Lunch Bunch Juli Towell and Peggy Baggaley [email protected]

Martha & Mary! Joanne Gordon and Lisa Gadsden [email protected]

Music Andrew Moore [email protected]

Newcomers Lise Davis [email protected]

All the Way Up Chris Whitaker [email protected]

Outreach Grant Committee Arnold Peinado [email protected]

Parish Life Larry Neugebauer [email protected]

Rummage Sale Julie Lam [email protected]

Scrip Sales Arlene Sommer [email protected]

Stewardship Committee Chuck Nwachuku [email protected]

Usher Guild Scott Chastain [email protected]

Youth Ministry Chris Whitaker [email protected]


Christ Church Vestry

Sandra JohnsonSr. Warden [email protected]

Sarah RosenJr. Warden [email protected]

Chris Bennett Finance & Real Estate [email protected]

Diane Cabush Education [email protected]

Alison Corbin Nursery School [email protected]

Lise Davis Newcomers [email protected]

Jonathon DeCiantisBuildings & Grounds [email protected]

John FernandezBuildings & [email protected]

Rob [email protected]

Larry NeugebauerParish Life [email protected]

Arnold [email protected]

Arlene Sommer Outreach [email protected]

Adrianne Harrison-SurgeonEpis. Relief & [email protected]

Tom [email protected]


Christ Church Clergy & Staff

Rev. Bowie SnodgrassPriest-in-Charge [email protected] ext. 102

Rev. Dr. Peter SavastanoAssisting Priest [email protected]

Dr. Andrew MooreOrganist & Choirmaster [email protected] ext. 103

Georgeann DuChossoisParish Administrator [email protected] ext. 101

James JohnsonPlant Supervisor [email protected] ext. 105

Lydia ZapicoFinance Manager [email protected] ext. 106

Barbara PepeDirector of CCNS [email protected] ext. 3

Janet MaulbeckDirector of Interweave [email protected]

Rev. Dr. R. Kevin JohnsonChildren & Family Minister [email protected] ext. 104

Chris WhitakerYouth Min. & Communications [email protected] ext. 111

Christ Church in Short Hills66 Highland Avenue – Short Hills, NJ 07078

973.379.2898www.christchurchshorthills.org

Sunday, September 810:00 am

Holy Eucharist with Choir, Blessing of the Backpacks,

and Sunday School Kick-Off

11:15 am Parish Picnic, Bounce House, Face Painting, Games, Music, and more

All are welcome!

annual parish picnicMemorial Garden

Walkway & Chapel Dedicationwith Choral Evensong

Sunday, November 104:00 pm

Join us for our R. John Cooper Memorial Evensong for All Saints

featuring the newly commissioned St. Alban’s canticles by Alfred Fedak.

Following the evensong, we will dedicate our new Memorial Hallway

and Garden Chapel.

A reception will follow.

Programs and Ministries 2019-2020

Documents

Transcript of Programs and Ministries 2019-2020