Announcements
Sanctuary Taskforce Round Table Presentations
At the heart of our shared life together is worship. The Presbyterian Book of Order explains this saying, “Worship of the triune God is the center of our common life and our primary way of witness to the faith, hope, and love we have in Jesus Christ” (W-1.0107). As a congregation, we have the great privilege of thinking about how we will continue to steward a sanctuary where this happens on a weekly basis.
Scope and Background of Project
After a year of hard work, prayer, study, conversation, education (and a little more prayer), the Sanctuary Task Force (Michael Mills, Sandy Sherrard, Kathie Sutton, Ken Fredeen, Doug Peterson, and Pastor Melissa) and the folks from HMR Architects (Julie Kroon & Eric Holterman), presented a feasibility study and concept design to Session. Session voted to move forward to the next step and hire HMR Architects to conduct this project.
This plan is based on your feedback. Click here to see what we learned from you all in the survey conducted this fall. In sum, the areas we addressed based on your feedback are as follows: sanctuary layout and seating, overall lighting, A/V screen, sound upgrades, side windows, front window (e.g., the need for shading, etc.), finishes (including everything from cushions and carpeting to chancel furniture) and storage.
This plan does not have every last decision perfectly mapped out—in fact in multiple circumstances it contains “options” because the task force and the architects recognize both the importance of continuing to engage the congregation and community in conversation and the need to assess the changes as they are made. For example, updating the lighting or modifying the windows may impact the specifications for A/V and technology (and vice versa). Session's approval of this feasibility study is approval to continue forward in the direction described by the Task Force and our architects.
The direction of this design hinges around the mandate session gave the Task Force: to explore changes and updates to the HPC sanctuary that would not only serve the current congregation but that would provide for those who will worship here 30 years from now. To help understand what that might look like, the Task Force explored trends in the worship styles of youth and young adults, discovering that for 20-40 year olds…
Contemplation outranks performance.
Simplicity, accessibility, and sustainability are key values.
These values parallel some of the values that our congregation currently has when it comes to our worship space. At an adult education class in September, participants were asked to rank the following values when it came to the design and use of the sanctuary space.
Those values were: flexibility, tradition, sustainability, future financial implications, present financial implications, theological aesthetic, and accessibility and function. Together we learned that HPC’s top three values were:
Accessibility & Function: By this we mean the importance of providing for folks of different ages, abilities, and circumstances to see/hear/move/use the space.
Theological Aesthetic The PCUSA defines this as “a space that is set apart for worship should encourage community and open us to reverence for God. It is not to be an escape from the world but a place for encountering the God of all creation who gathers us in and sends us out.”
Flexibility By this we mean that this space will serve both the present congregation and the congregation of the future. As we can’t perfectly predict the needs of the future congregation, flexibility should be “built” into the design.
Sign Up to Learn More
We are so excited to show you how these things are taking form in the design process. These round table presentations will take place on March 6 & 8 with the following formats and times. This presentation is an overview of the work completed by the Sanctuary Taskforce and supported by Session. It will include time for questions and at the end there will be opportunity to submit written feedback. We are hoping for an equal distribution of people (approximately 25) at each of these events, so please use the button below to sign up.
Sunday, March 6 - 4:30-5:30 (In person) - This is scheduled so that those who go on the “Hike for Mike” can come to the church after if they would like.
Tuesday, March 8 -7-8pm (In person)
You will also have opportunity to sign up on Sunday after church.
Pastor Melissa
Michael Mills
Sandy Sherrard
Kathie Sutton
Ken Fredeen
Sanctuary Survey Results
The following is some of the information that helped inform the feasibility study and concept design conducted by the Sanctuary Task Force and HMR Architects. It is broken down by our original “areas of concern.”
Sound
Lighting
Seating
Chancel Configuration
Other Issues
What one or two changes to the sanctuary would have the most significant impact on improving your overall worship experience?
Improved sound system and comfortable seating.
Raise chancel area above level of pews and remove the two closets in front of the sanctuary.
I feel lighting could be improved and that the use of technology through improved audio visual tools would enhance the worship experience for me and everyone in the sanctuary. My desire is that for those who do find the sanctuary environment distracting or challenging in some attributes that those areas can be addressed for improvement. Lowering those distractions.
Screens in the front of the church for the scriptures and songs.
Cushions for all.
While the stained glass window is important to the chancel, the lighting contrast needs to be fixed.
Reduce the clutter upfront.
A redesign of the chancel area with other enhancements in lighting, sound, and AV would not just improve worship experience, it would be transformative.
It's good for me just the way it is.
I’m good as is. I worry that too much emphasis is being put on changes that might or might not bring new members. Our best outreach tool on Sunday morning comes from our pastor and our people.
Different types of seating throughout the sanctuary so that everyone’s needs can be met and it doesn’t limit them from sitting with others or wherever they would like (handicap seating in various locations, pews and padded chairs mixed, all cushioned pews, etc.)
The people and Pastor are the important and at this time I feel we have that.
HVAC that works well in winter and summer.
I would love if Charlie's piano was raised so we could see him play better. I would love a larger cross.
Making sanctuary brighter with more access to visuals (e.g., through projections) with enhanced sound system. Would also love a quiet chapel space for drop-in prayer time.
Adding permanent video and enhanced audio capabilities.
Reduce the ‘glare’ factor from the stained glass window. Address the differences in the ‘sound levels’ (from front to back of the sanctuary) regarding people speaking and music.
Rethinking the layout of the space and having chairs and/or movable pews.
More flexibility in adjusting the lighting
Fix the lighting from the windows in the front so I can see the pastor; worship leaders faces.
I’m a visual learner, so making our space match what we believe will help reinforce what we are doing in worship.
As much as I LOVE seeing the stained glass window at the front of the sanctuary (that was mainly out of view before the last major renovation in the sanctuary), its true that on bright sunny mornings it can provide a glare around the front of the church. I wonder if there is a way to preserve it in place but diminish early morning glare. I believe its only a problem on sunny days in the morning....
Audio for hearing impaired
Cushions on all pews, sound system.
Nothing
I love the pews.
More contemporary feel.
Reconfiguring the chancel area; raising it, removing closet and steps, making the praise band area less of an eyesore.
Being able to see the choir and the pulpit more easily.
Simplicity of design helps me better focus my attention on the movement of the Spirit.
Removing the pews and using chairs in different configurations to enhance/support connections during variety of worship services.
Improve the overall lighting in the sanctuary. There is a dark aspect to the sanctuary due to lack of lighting, dark pews, and inadequate natural lighting coming in through the stained glass windows.
Making it more flexible for a variety of uses and taking advantage of different forms of media.
Demographic Information
Youth Retreat at LBI
Calling all Hopewell Youth! We are so excited to finally get back out to LBI for our annual youth retreat on March 11-13! This retreat is an opportunity to connect with each other, connect with nature, and connect with God. If you are interested in joining for this retreat, please email Deborah Jodrey. Usually we have a pancake supper fundraiser, but due to safety concerns around eating and COVID, we will not hold that fundraiser. Thankfully we still have funds that we were not able to use last year to cover the trip for any youth who would like to join! We hope you can make it!
HPC “Hike for Mike”
St Michael's Preserve, Hopewell - Sunday March 6th from 2-4pm
Come hike with HPC and help raise awareness and funds to donate to the Center for Head Injuries at JFK Hackensack Meridian Hospital. Michele Immordino's father, Michael Falcone, suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a car in his neighborhood in September. He is recovering due to the great care he is receiving at the Center for Head Injuries. His family is so grateful and wants to raise awareness and funds for the Center for Head Injuries by encouraging groups to go on hikes (one of Mikes favorite activities).
Come enjoy the great outdoors and join the hike. Meet at 2pm at St Michael's main parking lot (surrounded by post and rail fence at edge of the open field) on Carter Rd. We will hike about 3 miles (shorter hike options available!) on likely some muddy trails. Bring water, a snack and boots or shoes that can handle the mud. Friendly dogs on leash are welcome.
More information about Mike and the overall fundraiser and/or to make a donation online use this link:
http://give.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/site/TR?team_id=3853&fr_id=1930&pg=team
Questions about the March 6th hike, contact Sue Armington or the church office.
Michele is planning to join us for the hike. She can accept any cash or check donations that day for the foundation.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is elected by the congregation, drawn from its membership, and charged with the nomination of ruling elders, deacons, the personnel committee, and future nominating committee members. As Presbyterians we elect our leaders. The Nominating Committee has a unique role in this process, as their work is about looking at the many gifts that members of the congregation bring to this church community, then engaging with individual members whose gifts match leadership needs and inviting them to discern ways they feel called to serve. In assessing where the church has been and discerning where we are headed, the Nominating Committee seeks to connect with people most suited to lead HPC into the future.
Currently sitting on HPC's Nominating Committee are; Carlana Seargent, Lois Greives, Jen Megaffin (members at large), Roxanne Jones Holgate (Deacon Representative), and Molly Peterson (Chair and Session Representative).
Community Lenten Services
The Hopewell Council of Churches will once again be hosting Community Lenten Services on Wednesday evenings at 7:30. The theme this year is: “Intentional Neighboring”. See below for the schedule.
March 2 (Ash Wednesday) * Hopewell United Methodist Church * Speaker - Rev. Gregory Smith
March 9 * Hopewell Presbyterian Church * Speaker - Dennis O’Neill
March 16 * St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church * Speaker - Rev. Melissa Martin
March 23 * Calvary Baptist Church * Speaker - Rev. Willy Mafuta
March 30 * Second Calvary Baptist Church * Speaker - Rev. Fr. Stephen Sansevere
April 6 * Calvary Baptist Church * Speaker – Student Pastor Tori Paquette
April 17 (Easter Sunrise Service) - 6:00 AM * Highland Cemetery * Speaker - Rev. Willy Mafuta
Continuing Education for Deacons
The Board of Deacons nurtures the needs of our church community. As in every profession or calling, education is paramount to improving how we approach our responsibilities. We Deacons have invested some of our monthly meeting time to learn from experts about how we may better approach certain aspects of our Deacon responsibilities. Specifically, we have received guidance in Trends in Aging and the Role of Community Resources, Elements of a Successful Home Visit and the Nature of Grief.
Guest speaker Drew Dyson of the Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC) presented a talk on the Trends of Aging and the Roles of Community Organizations. PSRC is open to all seniors, no matter where they live. They offer many classes (at this time virtual) to engage seniors in subjects such as art and exercise to history and politics. They also house a technology center where seniors may receive assistance with computers. Mr. Dyson discussed trends in aging and listed these goals that community centers have to provide relevant and meaningful services to seniors:
● Combat isolation and loneliness with engagement and relationship.
● Combat uncertainty and boredom with volunteering and purpose.
● Combat fatigue and chronic illness with movement.
● Combat Alzheimer’s and dementia with expanding horizons.
● Combat isolation and “Fear of the Other” with inclusion and acceptance.
● Combat ageism with intergenerational relationships.
Seniors are living longer and belonging to the workforce longer. This growing population will require more services in their senior years enabling them to maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. Community senior centers are important tools and resources to assist this demographic.
We also welcomed the Reverend Kelly Roman, chaplain of Chandler House, who shared with us advice about positive home visits. She acknowledged how difficult these visits can be, especially if the person is in declining health or in difficult circumstances. A key takeaway was that people like to share their stories and those stories can inspire us. We brainstormed about how to launch a conversation during a home visit. We don’t always have to ask questions, but may observe something in the room like a photo. Each visit is different and we need to adapt to the person and situation. Being present with the person is what is most important. Tips we learned:
● Bring news about the church. Share a story of what is going on.
● Share a favorite hymn or scripture.
● Pray. Make it a two way street. We all have challenges. We all need God.
● Deacons can use each other as resources when planning visits.
Reverend Roman’s suggestions impacted the way we will approach future home visits.
Lastly, we heard from Rev. Dr. Nancy Duff, recently retired from Princeton Theological Seminary about The Nature of Grief. Grief can be inconsolable and can last a lifetime. It becomes a part of us. We can’t fix someone’s grief. However, we can be a ‘suffering presence.’ Dr. Duff discussed how our society discourages lament. However, lament, the passionate expression of grief, involves a bold act of faith. She pointed to Psalm 6:6: I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears. All human experiences, including the gut-wrenching experience of grief, can be brought to God in prayer. The most important thing we can do to assist someone experiencing grief is to encourage them and provide them a safe space to share. Many people say things to comfort those who grieve but they don’t always lend comfort. Here are some ideas for saying the “right” things:
If you know it to be true: “I know your grief is inconsolable.”
I am holding (your name) before God in prayer. Name the person being mourned.
Remember what the person did well and reflect on the positives.
Email, send a card or call on phone weeks/months later and on birthdays and other special days.
Be specific with offers of help: May I walk your dog/take your children to the park…
Dr. Duff suggested we integrate lament into Sunday services to make it more acceptable to practice. Similar to our Assurance of Pardon, we could receive an
Assurance of God’s Presence.
All these speakers have enriched the Board of Deacons. We are grateful that they shared their wisdom with us. With God’s guidance, we will integrate these lessons into the care we provide the Congregation.
Stewardship Update
Hello HPC family. Your financial stewardship ministry wants to communicate with you on a regular basis in order to inspire your own stewardship ministry and to ensure that you understand how the church operates financially. We are stewards of God’s gifts individually and as a Body of Christ. We are told in 1Peter 4:10 that:
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
As we each determine what gifts God has blessed us with and how we might use them to serve others, the church as a whole also uses the gifts it receives to do the same. The Financial Stewardship Ministry is charged with overseeing the budget and investments, but it is the church session that ultimately decides how we use the tithes, offerings, and gifts the church receives. We thought you might like to know how the church’s budget is allocated; last year, the church spent its income (excluding those from bequests) in the following categories:
Personnel (Pastor, Office, Music Minister etc.) 64%
Nondiscretionary & Facilities (Utilities, Insurance, Repairs etc) 21%
Generosity (charitable giving) 11%
Miscellaneous 4%
Each year, the full budget is presented to the congregation in the printed annual report at the end of the fiscal year. Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions. God has blessed us mightily! Thanks be to God.
Barbara Pauley
On behalf of the Financial Investment Ministry
Session Update: November 2021 to January 2022
Here is a summary of Session Activity over the last three months. Please continue to hold this hardworking group of people in your prayers as they seek to make wise and faithful decisions for this church community. Session receives monthly reports and recommendations from our various ministries and taskforces to guide its deliberations. Meetings usually run for two-and-a-half to three hours and are typically held on the last Wednesday of every month.
Among many other things Session:
Elected Sandy Sherrard as President of the Corporation, replacing Stan Krystek who is no longer. Thanks to Stan for his service.
Addressed the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Settlement. HPC is a Participating Chartered Organization in the Bankruptcy Settlement, and in 2020 filed a “Proof of Claim” to enable HPC to make a claim for payment in this bankruptcy case if need arose. Session was presented with options including to vote for or reject the settlement. On the advice of our attorney and from the Presbytery Session determined that Hopewell Presbyterian Church need take no additional action in the matter of the vote on the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization.
Approved the use of the sanctuary for the Girl Scouts on January 9 at 3pm.
Approved the applications for membership of Seminarians Breeann Blumenthal and Ruth Amadio.
Approved the appointment of Deborah Jodrey as full time Minister of Youth Outreach and Director of the Hopewell Youth Collective.
Approved applications for time off by the Pastor.
Approved the next steps for the Sanctuary Taskforce Consultants’ Proposal for Upgrading the Sanctuary. Detailed discussion on this major project is ongoing.
Approved the Church’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Plan. Prepared by Deborah Jodrey, this comprehensive document aims to secure a safe church environment for all our children, youth and vulnerable adults.
Formally adopted the Mission Giving Policy prepared by the Generosity ministry.
Authorized Pastor Melissa Martin to select and hire three interns from Princeton Theological Seminary for the 2022-2023 Program Year. These positions include two pastoral interns and one youth intern to support HPC youth programming and the Hopewell Youth Collective. The PTS internship for the Hopewell Council of Churches will be supervised by one of the other Council pastors.
Approved the 2021-2022 Mission Giving budget presented by the Generosity ministry. About $26,000 will be disbursed under this heading. This forms only a part of our overall outreach effort.
Ian Burrow
Clerk of Session
Mental Healh Worship & Wonder
While it’s still cold and we are still masked up, we will be hosting Worship and Wonder after worship on Sundays (11:45-12:30). This is an opportunity for conversation, connection, and education. For the month of February, our learning will focus on Mental Health and Faith. Nurture and Growth has chosen this topic because it is one of the missional foci identified by the Justice & Service Ministry for the 2021-22 program year.
2/6 - Mental Health in the Bible - Michael Paul Cartledge II (Ph.D. Candidate at PTS)
2/13 - FAITHfully Caring for Mental Health - Rev. Miriam Diephouse-McMillan (Chaplain at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital)
2/20 - Reflections on Mental Health & Faith - Student Pastor Ryan
2/27 - Intergenerational Service Activity supporting Mental Health - Student Pastor Ryan & Katie Rosenson
Bible Book Study
Love the gospel of John? Curious about it? Over the course of this spring Pastor Melissa’s sermons will be focusing on this book of the Bible. For those who want to dig a little deeper, we are also starting a Bible book study using Reading John for Dear Life by Jamie Clarke-Soles. Clarke-Soles offers unique perspectives on this unique gospel. Each chapter of the book addresses major themes in the text and offers reflection questions which will help you connect the story of Scripture to the story of your own life. This book group will take place on Monday nights starting Feb. 28 from 5-6pm in person. If you are interested in that group, contact Laurie B. If you need help obtaining the book, contact Lucy.
Scam Alert
Occasionally churches are the target of some unscrupulous activity, with someone posing as the pastor and asking for "help" from unwitting congregation members. Every church with a website is a potential target. It works this way: the scammers go to the church website and comb through newsletters for names, emails and cell phone numbers of church members. They also learn the name of the pastor from the website. Then, they "phish" for additional contact with members by creating a false but believable email address (or a random phone number for texts). They send vague messages posing as the pastor, asking for help with an unspecified matter, and instruct victims about how to contact them, via email or text. Unfortunately, there's no good recourse for such scams, as they haven't hacked existing emails or phone numbers and there's no effective way to trace them. The best defense is to be aware of any suspicious communications and DO NOT RESPOND. Simply delete them, or if you're unsure, check by calling or writing the Office or Pastor at their official church numbers and emails.
Church Library
Winter is a fine time to enjoy a good book from our church library. Delve into a favorite section of the Bible with a Bible Reference, find comfort with a book from the Devotions and Prayer section, discover how other Christians navigate their lives with an Individual Christian Living book, or escape with a selection from Christian Fiction. All of these and more categories are available to you on Sundays or anytime the church buildings are open during the week. The main library is on the second floor of the Education Wing, but in the small lounge on the first floor you will also find shelves full of books which have been studied and loved by recent small groups. Books for older children and young adults are in the main library room. With your younger children, browse through the books on the special shelves on the landing outside the Godly Play room. Borrowing is self-service but if you have questions or would like a book delivered to you, contact Carlana Sargent.
The Role of HPC Deacons
The PCUSA Book of Order defines the role of a Deacon as one who shares, “in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.” The 11 members of the current Board of Deacons take this charge seriously, but what did this look like in Hopewell in 2021? How may you see the results of the Deacons in action?
One of the Deacons’ most critical callings is to establish relationships within our church family. Each church member and friend of the Congregation is assigned to a Member Care Team. This team consists of one Deacon and one Elder. Consider it your personal safety net and liaison to your church family. We regularly reach out to our in-care members and intentionally show our concern, love and support. The Deacons maintain the church’s prayer list and we welcome the opportunity to share your prayers of celebration or intercession. Please reach out to your Member Care Team if you have a prayer concern. If you don’t know who your assigned Deacon and Elder are, please call Lucy in the Church Office.
Not only do the Deacons nurture individual relationships, but we provide outreach to specific groups within the Congregation. We compile and ship care packages to our college students who are away from home. We maintain a SPLASH program where a monthly spiritual guide is sent to new parents. We provide meals to new parents, members with an illness, bereaved families and anyone experiencing an unexpected hardship. Our hospitality extends to providing comfort to the grieving by hosting receptions following funerals/memorial services. We also facilitate rides for people who can’t get to essential appointments.
Our care does not extend only to those who attend worship. As the pandemic has shown us, the church has no walls! We regularly call and visit members to strengthen those relationships established by our Member Care Teams. If someone is unable to come to church to receive Communion, the Deacons, accompanied by Pastor Melissa, may visit a member in their home or hospital and share Communion. If you would like a home visit or would like to receive Communion at home, please reach out to any Deacon, Pastor Melissa or Lucy in the Church Office.
We all experience unexpected obstacles. Whether they be medical, financial or spiritual, please reach out to the Deacons for support. Pastor Melissa recently used the term in her sermon “womb to tomb” and that is the totality of care provided by HPC and administered by the Deacons. There is no membership requirement to receive Deacon support. All support is offered to whomever needs it by the redeeming love of Jesus Christ! The Deacons in Hopewell are hard at work spreading that love.
2022 Per Capita
Officially “Per capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian church through the governing bodies to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordination and evaluation of mission; and of performing ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions that identify a Reformed Church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians” (GA Minutes, Part I, 1995).
In essence: “Per capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger Presbyterian Church (USA). Every Presbyterian shares in the benefit of the PC (USA)’s system of government, so every Presbyterian is asked to share the expenses associated with coordinating and performing the functions of that system.”
The annual per capita amount is a combined request from a congregation’s Presbytery, Synod, and the General Assembly. The 2021 General Assembly budget determines the individual capita rate that provides:
Expenses for bringing commissioners and advisory delegates to a General Assembly
The cost of bringing together Presbytery and Synod church leaders for training events, as well as those who serve on permanent GA committees
Tools to develop and administer ordination exams
Travel expenses of the Moderator and Vice Moderator of the GA
The call system and other work that helps all Presbyterians discern their vocation
Information, advice, and council to Presbyteries and pastors about immigration issues
The Presbyterian Historical Society
The production and distribution of the Book of Order, Book of Confessions, and other GA publications
A Presbyterian presence at ecumenical groups and gatherings in the United States and worldwide.
For 2022, Hopewell Presbyterian’s per capita is $40.00 per member.
MLK Day of Service - 1/17/22
Hopewell Gives Back will again be leading us in a MLK Day of Service. Up to 90 volunteers will be able to be present on the day of the event while anyone else wishing to participate can do so virtually. Projects can be picked up in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, 1/15, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and Monday, 1/17, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Sign up is required. Click here.
For more information see the Hopewell Gives Back Facebook page @HopewellGives Back or on their website hopewellgivesback.weebly.com.
Poinsettias are given to the glory of God . . .
Click here to see our complete list of poinsettias given to the glory of God in loving memory and in honor of loved ones.
Get to know our new members!
Ruth Amadio
Ruth grew up in Northeast Ohio and went to college at Kent State University. She is now a first year MDiv student at Princeton Seminary, and is loving getting to know this area of New Jersey!
Breeann Blumenthal
Breeann is originally from Tucson, Arizona. She has five sisters, including a twin! She enjoys crafts, going to coffee shops, traveling, and watching movies. She spent the last few years in Southern California at Azusa Pacific University and how she is currently in her second year of her Masters of Divinity program at Princeton Theological Seminary. While she is still discerning where God is leading her, she is passionate about empowering others and learning about the Bible.
Giving our Gifts: Generosity Ministry Update
In this season of gift giving, the Generosity Committee is delighted to share with you the way they are helping us as a congregation give the gifts we have been given to share. One of the great gifts we have been given to share, is a bequest from Alex & Eunice Sharipen. As we considered how to steward this gift, tithing was the first act of the Sharipen Bequest Taskforce. Through their prayerful work…
$300,000 was given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help with US based emergencies.
They then designated an additional $75,000 for the support the other regular mission partnerships of the church.
To help continue to steward a discernment process around that $75,000 and those regular mission partnerships, the Session formed the church’s Generosity Committee. This ministry strives to give to missions and organizations that help us affirmatively answer the following questions:
Does their mission help us love like Jesus, building up our relationship with God, one another, and the community?
Does this organization help us offer unconditional love to our neighbor?
Does their mission emphasize equity? (Who do they serve? Why?)
Do they have access to other resources? Do they need the money? (Know this through their 990s) If they do need money, is there a specific financial ask?
Do we have a real relationship with the organization? (Would cultivating that relationship be possible? To what degree?)
After developing a thoughtful and prayerful process, the following are the organizations and amounts the Session has approved the Generosity Committee to disburse.
Congregational Care
HPC Deacons Benevolence & Special Needs Fund- $5,000
In addition to the responsibilities of visitation and care, the Hopewell Presbyterian Church Deacons lead the congregation in serving our community by confidentially addressing requests from local individuals and families for financial support. These funds will help the Deacons meet emergency needs when out of funds.
HPC Missions
Creative Connections Playschool - $3,000
This amount was designated for the “Green Fund” the scholarship fund of CCPS, set up to help families in our community afford early childhood education. CCPS “…was founded with a passion to provide a creative, meaningful, hands-on learning environment for children 3-6 years of age. CCPS Director and head teacher, Liz Blankstein, maintains a program inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. This philosophy is increasingly being adopted by early childhood programs in the United States. At CCPS we understand that the classroom is the third teacher and is designed to inspire learning. Provocations are set up for children to make hypotheses, investigate and create …”
Local Partners
Camp Johnsonburg - $10,000
The Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, located in the northwest region in New Jersey’s highlands, was established in 1959 to provide Christian education experiences in support of the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. They provide summer camp, programmed retreats, spiritual sanctuary, conference retreat venues, special needs camps and four weeks of service to the homeless. Their mission is to provide a place where all are welcome and where all are invited to share, and where gracious hospitality is provided in a joyful Christian community surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.
Chubby’s Project - $5,000
Chubby’s project is motivated by the desire to “…nurture the mind, body and spirit of our community.” They describe themselves as a”… hyper local program dedicated to food justice and building connections within the Hopewell community. ”Through our lunch program and food pantry, The Project aims to nourish the community’s mind, body, and spirit by creating a full circle of connection between recipients, volunteers, donors and food service workers.” “The Chubby’s Project, a non –profit corporation, and Chubby’s of Hopewell, LLC (the restaurant ) are two different entities working together. The restaurant provides meals, buys food and packaging at cost, infrastructure and labor, and the Project pays for the restaurant contribution using funds from grants and private donations.”
Arm in Arm - $2,500
This charity has its headquarters in Trenton, NJ and helps people who need food, housing and job support to connect with people who want to help. “Arm and Arm is a place where community comes together to make sure we all have the most basic needs of food and shelter and, as possible, the livelihood to maintain them.” They believe that when the entire community is thriving everyone benefits. It was started in 1980 by members of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Trinity Church to help those needing financial assistance. It was originally known as The Crisis Ministry but the name was changed in 2016 to focus on the collaborative partnerships of linking those needing help with those offering help.
Rescue Mission - $2,500
The Trenton, N.J. Rescue Mission’s goal is “… to help put an end to homelessness – one person at a time.” Over the years people have been helped through the Mission’s Shelter, the Behavioral Health Center, Vocational Development Programs, Supportive Housing, the Thrift Store and the Food Pantry.
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) - $2,500
TASK’s mission is to “… feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and offer programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life.” The Deacons and other church members help on a regular basis to serve meals to those in need at the Soup Kitchen.
National & International
Friends for Health in Haiti - $20,000
This amount will help cover the rebuilding of latrines in Haiti. Click here to learn more. The mission of Friends for Health in Haiti is “… to improve the health of the people of Haiti in a caring, compassionate manner as a reflection of our Christian faith.” Over the years, HPC has supported Dr. Katie Wolf. She developed a primary care clinic and maternity center located on the northern coast of the southern peninsula. Friends for Health in Haiti was founded by Dr. Wolf in 2006 which was also the same year she moved to take up permanent residence there. Because of the funds raised by Friends for Health in Haiti, Dr. Wolf was able to purchase land for a primary care medical clinic. This new clinic opened in March, 2014. In 2017 the Mission Committee of the New Brunswick Presbytery sponsored a work camp for church members to travel to Haiti to help Dr. Wolf.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - $20,000
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. that helps congregations to witness to the healing love of Christ by caring for people who have experienced catastrophic events. It is involved in long term recovery assistance such as natural disasters, the covid-19 crisis and provides help for refugees. This $20,000 was specifically directed to support Afghan refugees.
As we approach the celebration of the Christ-Child we are filled with wonder and awe at God’s amazing gifts. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) We are able to show our Christian love by supporting those in need through the extraordinary Sharipen gift. The shepherds were frightened but the angel of the Lord appeared to them and said Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10) Let us be thankful for this good news of the birth of our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor Melissa & Ruth Mortensen
Generosity Ministry
Giving Tuesday
You might have noticed that your email inboxes, social media feeds, and maybe even your snail mailboxes are full of messages from your favorite non-profits and organizations encouraging you to consider them on this day that has become known as Giving Tuesday. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving became known as Giving Tuesday back in 2012 with the purpose of creating a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world."
This idea that generosity can transform our communities and world is not a new one to folks of faith. The prophet Malachi said this:
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. -Mal 3:10
Much like the invitation of Giving Tuesday, the Prophet Malachi helps us hear God's call--and how good is God that we are invited to participate in care for the world and the ministry of the church? This was a favorite verse of our dear friend Dick Scheetz. Dick was a believer in the principle that giving is a gift, one that overflows with blessing, and he was always inviting everyone he knew to give more--including the church! Dick knew that this was not just a call to individuals, but as a community as well.
HPC responded to this invitation by allocating 11% of the church’s tithes, offerings, and income to missions. For the 2021-2022 year, that is projected to be approximately $41,000. This money will be allocated by the Generosity Ministry and includes both giving to Mission partners, allocating funds for Benevolence and Special Needs, and for the Pastors Discretionary Fund. At the November Session meeting, the Session voted on a set of guidelines to direct the way we allocate funds. Click here to see how we are developing the website to offer clarity on these practices.
This $41,000 for mission giving is not the cap on the way we give. We give generously through the time of our staff and through the use of our building. Financially speaking, 63% of the budget goes to staff and 20% goes to building.
This past weekend we used our building to host approximately 30 people from the Chubby's Project and HPC community who were looking for a place to celebrate Thanksgiving. We then took the overflowing blessing of leftovers and made an additional 30 Thanksgiving meals for those who regularly receive deliveries from the Chubby's project.
When it comes to staff, this year we allocated our funds to build up our staff who are dedicated to caring for the children and youth in our community. Deborah Jodrey has not only worked to build up our weekly Youth Lunches for HPC youth but also to design and develop the Hopewell Youth Collective, with the goal of serving all the youth of Hopewell and all the churches of the Hopewell Council of Churches. Additionally, Katie Rosenson has helped us jump feet first into offering Godly Play during worship. The blessings of this of this work are on full display each Sunday as our youngest lead us in the Passing of the Peace--a few of whom are pictured below.
We are currently half way through our church's fiscal year and up until this point we have received $191,521 through tithes and offerings (not including designated gifts), and we have had $201,326 in expenses, creating a gap of $9,805. Consider what God could do through you if we not only fill the gap--but continue fill our storehouses to overflowing. We say "continue" because (as many of you know) we received a substantial bequest from Alex and Eunice Sharipen. At the recommendation of the Sharipen Bequest Taskforce, Session has tithed 12.5% of this fund, dispensed a portion on amazing projects like updating the Sanctuary and starting the Hopewell Youth Collective, and set up an endowment which will continue to fund big projects that promote new ministry through HPC. For more on this, click here. We hope that the recently started projects we have grown to love and our general operations can continue to be sustained through you.
So again we ask you to dream with us about what God could do through you if we not only fill the gap--but continue fill our storehouses to overflowing!
Barb Pauley, Chair of Financial Stewardship
Pastor Melissa