Fanwood Presbyterian Church
p.o. box 69
Fanwood, NJ 07023
908-889-8891
Senior Pastor
Rev. David Jahnke
who is also the contact for Children’s & Youth Ministries
Director of Music Ministries
Marcello Velame
Church Administrator
Kim Hosmer
Director of Westminster Preschool
Nancy E. Bantz
The Fanfare
Fanfare Editor
Chris Gray
Production/ Fulfillment
Coordinated by
Shirley Pillow
Next Fanfare deadline is
Feb. 10, 2018
For the Mar.-Apr. issue
FPC on the web
There are six issues of The Fanfare published yearly. The deadline is the 2nd Friday every other month.Please put submissions in the Fanfare mail box or contact Fanfare Editor Chris Gray at the e-mail address listed above.
Fanwood Presbyterian Church
"Growing in God's Love, Serving All God's People"
through "Rejoicing, Renewing and Reaching Out"
Christmas Light, Hope and Peace
As I visit shut-ins who have lost mobility, eyesight and strength; as I look at the threat of nuclear war on an Asian peninsula I call my second home; as I wrestle with broken-ness within me, my home, my church and community, I am saddened but do not lose hope. Instead of focusing on human sin, I give all thanks and praise to God for shining eternal light on the darkness of our perishability and restlessness.
St. Augustine prayed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” I lament all of the unrest in our world stemming from a lack of true faith and understanding and I boldly claim that we are only able to find our rest in God because God chose to dwell among us. There is no rest beyond the assurance that Jesus brings regarding a love, peace, justice and life that transcends and fills the heavens and the earth. Without this eternal light shining on our world, we are burdened by uncertainty, at best, regarding all meaningful things; an uncertainty at the heart of not loving our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. And without eternal light shining on our world, we are, at worst, possessed by nihilistic despair. The spraying of bullets in Las Vegas and a Texas church, point to where this despair can lead.
So I pray that the doubt-stricken will hear Christ’s words this Christmas, “Come to me all of you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” May the reader who has heard and taken these words into your heart be blessed by remembering them time and again in prayer, spiritual study and fellowship.
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Vol. 63, No. 1The Fanfare Page1
Session and Committee News
A certain but false (and therefore ultimately demonic) faith also leads to destruction. We see this in the ideological extremism that leads to terror driving down our streets, whether it be a purportedly Christian but actually anti-Christian social Darwinism which we saw in Charlottesville or a purportedly Muslim but actually anti-Muslim extremism in New York City.
Here are some related thoughts I shared with the inter-faith congregation which attended the Community Thanksgiving Service we hosted this year.
The Root of Our Many Divisions
There is a deep divide happening in American society. The divide is related to, 1. an ever-increasing gap between rich and poor, 2. to changing demographics in American society with minorities on the rise numerically, economically and socially and 3. to the blue and red state divide and ever increasing polarization in our politics.
The real divide, however, goes deeper than all of these serious issues. It is a divide rooted in faith, stemming from what gods/ values/ ideals we believe in and pursue. And whether you worship regularly in a religious center or you believe in God but not in organized religion or you understand yourself to be secular, you are a person of faith. The great 20th century theologian Paul Tillich defined faith as "the state of being ultimately concerned" and this means that whatever you primarily, mostly and finally care about is the object of your faith.
A couple of weeks ago, an anonymous flyer was distributed around Edison, New Jersey neighborhoods asking citizens to stop two Indian and Chinese candidates from "taking over the Edison school board," claiming that "The Chinese and Indians are taking over our town." Represented here is a faith in tribalism-- racial, nationalistic, and cultural. We have seen a resurgence in America of this ancient faith as industry and manufacturing have left blue-collar communities; as Latino immigrants have blessed our economy in agriculture, construction and service industries; as Asian immigrants have filled much needed STEM-related jobs; as African-Americans have stood up and demanded greater justice and protection in their neighborhoods; in other words, as whites have lost power and privilege.
Time and again, we also see this ancient faith rise up and turn violent in countries that are modernizing technologically and socially, creating change that benefits too few and does little to calm the shaking of traditional foundations. Seeing little hope and not being instructed in how their God or Gods are leading this change, they revert to violent thoughts, words and deeds toward the 'other' they scapegoat for the anxiety-producing change.
A better faith is one that recognizes the grandeur and depth of truth/ justice/ goodness/ God/ humanity; a grandeur that humbles us in our pursuits of mysterious and largely subjective matters, at least from our finite human perspective. This humility, in turn, leads us to want to learn from and
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teach others, rather than judge and condemn them.
So will the reader take responsibility for teaching the less mature members of your "tribe" who scapegoat those who are different from you? Liberals and conservatives, will you end the constant blame game and negative stereotyping of those on the other side of the political center? Religious folk, will you seek and be guided by the peaceful, merciful, just heart of your religion and acknowledge that the same center is present in other great faith traditions?
Only with this foundational understanding that the other who thinks, believes, looks and acts somewhat differently from me and mine has the same commitments to truth, peace and justice; that he or she also has the same need and the same desire for others to have enough food, access to medicines, and secure, prosperous communities; only with this mutual understanding and shared foundation will we gain the respect and trust to be able to work through the many differences that lead to unjust stasis and/or violence.
Youth and Children’s Ministries Update
Kingdom Kids and youth groups enjoyed caroling to our shut-ins on Dec. 6th along with a Christmas Party on Dec. 13th. Thanks to everyone who helped make these great events happen.
After Christmas break, Kingdom Kids, middle school and high school youth groups will all meet at their regularly scheduled times, beginning Jan. 3rd. Confirmation continues on the same dates but at a new time of 12:15 p.m. on Sundays. I am excited to teach and otherwise support and seek more leaders for our programs so that our youth and children continue to hear and live out the gospel and build friendships at church.
I am grateful for Linda Macari’s accepting the call to be C.E. director/ committee chair and for Christine Charnock, James McClure and Emily Sena for accepting the call to be on our search committee.
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We have begun looking at applications and setting up interviews. We are in no rush as it is very important that we find the right person who will commit to years of service according to the job posting below. Please contact anyone who may be right for this call.
“The ideal candidate will be a faithful Christian, gifted in teaching and with a passion for sharing his or her faith with and building friendships among youth and children. Two years’ experience teaching and/or leading youth and/or children is required. A candidate with a bachelor's degree and some theological education is preferred. Planning and leading Wednesday children's and youth groups, teaching Sunday school and otherwise connecting with youth and parents during the week is expected, along with four weekend retreats and two 3-5 day mission trips. Salary commensurate with experience.”
or check fanwoodpc.org.
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Session and Committee News
A Word From Westminster!
Happy New Year to all!! I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful, blessed Christmas. As I write, the children at Westminster are as excited as can be for Christmas to come!! If you ask them, they are waiting to celebrate Jesus' birthday, which is so heartwarming to hear! They know the true meaning of Christmas. We are about to present our 22nd performance of The Christmas Story, which is sure to touch the hearts of young and old alike.
Be sure to look at our Westminster Facebook page for a glimpse at all that we do! I am always so thankful for our amazingly talented and dedicated teachers, year after year. They are the very best.
We have already started the registration process for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors, that the time is now to call (908-889-4405) for more information and an individual tour of the preschool. Join us and be a part of the Westminster family!
Wishing everyone a year with joy, peace and dreams come true!
Blessings,
Nancy Bantz
Editor’s note – Be sure to check out Westminster
Preschool’s Facebook pages for a look at what we do!
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Presbyterian Women
“PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN STRETCHING HANDS, MINDS AND HEARTS FOR MISSION”. Presbyterian Women are all women in the Church: we encourage each woman to take part actively in what-ever is of interest to her AND SUPPORT OUR ON-GOING EFFORTS.
Small Groups or Circles of women meet for fellowship, service and Bible study.
On January 5ththe members of Needle Nite will meet in Westminster Hall at 7p.m. All are always welcome to join or to see what is made by these women. The ‘Strippy Quilt’ pattern will still be worked on by the quilters. Other sewing projects being planned will be discussed. Those who crochet and knit will continue with their projects . The December party brought out about 20 women who filled the previously made gift bags with goodies for the Food Bank clients, enjoyed light refreshments and viewed a few ‘Show and Tell’ items that were displayed.
The Reading Group
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee is the next book that the group will be discussing in January on the 12th at 2 p.m. The place to be announced later.
It was written in the 1950s but not published until 2015. To Kill A Mockingbird was Ms. Lee’s first novel. This book is set 25 years after when Jean Louise ‘Scout’ returns from New York and finds the place and the people changed. She riles against the changes and learns she will have to change. The civil rights movement cannot be stopped.
Both libraries have this book. All are welcome to join the discussion. Please call Cena Pollitt at 908-889-2029 with questions or interest.
Vol. 63, No. 1The Fanfare Page1
Presbyterian Women
Vol. 63, No. 1The Fanfare Page1
Church News
Help is needed for Regina Cardona’s cats, of
which she has FIVE. She is currently in the
hospital and they need new homes. If anyone
can care for 1 or more of them, please
contact Cena at 908-889-2029
Last issue, a longtime member of the church was accidentally left off our birthday list! Clifford Sjursen’s birthday was December 26th and we all want to wish him a belated happy one!
January Birthdays
Date / Date / Date / Date1 / John Cardona
John Stueck / 9 / Rhaena Linderman / 17 / 25 / Davis Stewart
2 / George Vasnelis, Jr. / 10 / Callum Wayman / 18 / 26
3 / Diane Knechtel
Alexander Poulios / 11 / Samantha Howell
Margaret Weber / 19 / 27 / Jeanmarie Stewart
4 / 12 / Joan Poe
Elizabeth Schwartz / 20 / Lizabeth Baliko
Kimberly Shoback
Katherine Dreyer / 28
5 / 13 / Matthew Dreyer
Lorene Knierim
Karen Thomson / 21 / 29 / Keith Oatis
Patricia Reyes
6 / 14 / Kimberly Rafferty / 22 / Jennifer Zakovic
Hannah Charnock / 30 / Karyn Alvarez
7 / Carolyn Keough / 15 / Braelyn Brandl / 23 / 31 / Braeden Rafferty
8 / James Slifer / 16 / Debra Glover / 24 / Carol McClure
Carly Whitmer
February Birthdays
Date / Date / Date / Date1 / Carter Slifer
Madilynne Slifer
Maryadele O’Neil / 9 / 17 / 25
2 / Michael Howell / 10 / 18 / Peter T Halas
Liz Henderson
Jillian Leahy
Jennifer Lorber / 26 / Brian Lorber
3 / 11 / 19 / Joan Caroselli / 27 / Gregory Baliko
4 / Theodore Bassman Jr.
JH Stephan Fallon / 12 / 20 / Brian L Bantz / 28
5 / 13 / 21
6 / 14 / 22 / Michael Donofrio
Norman Gustafson
7 / Stephanie Baliko / 15 / Susan Kelly / 23 / Olivia Francavilla
Kimberly Slifer
8 / 16 / 24 / Genine Schwartz
Fanwood Presbyterian Church
Box 69, Fanwood, N.J. 07023
Address Service Requested
January - February
Vol. 63, No. 1The Fanfare Page1
Church News
Vol. 63, No. 1The Fanfare Page1