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#MissionMonday – Welcome Home Initiative

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The Mission & Outreach Committee thought it important to include the Welcome Home Initiative in the Alternative Gift options this year. We are grateful for the ongoing work of Nassau’s Mass Incarceration Task Force and their connections that help us support neighbors in need as they reenter society.

Donations can be made through Nassau’s Alternative Gifts program by selecting the “Welcome Home” fund here.

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Below is a letter introducing the Welcome Home Initiative from the New Jersey Prison Justice Watch.

Dear friends,

Those of us belonging to a faith community, regardless of our denomination, are often deeply involved in justice ministries.  And in this tradition of seeking justice in the world, we are hopeful that you can support this important Welcome Home Initiative.

This initiative is being organized by the Re-Entry committee of NJ Prison Justice Watch (formerly known as NJ-CAIC). NJ-PJW is a coalition of social justice organizations, faith groups, and importantly, people with lived experience within the criminal justice system, all working together to transform how we “do justice” in our state.

Right now, NJ-PJW is working to build a responsive Welcome Home Initiative. As a result of the Public Health Emergency Credit legislation, which provides credits against time remaining on certain sentences due to the risks of CoVid in our prisons, we are anticipating up to 2,000 men and women will be released in early November, with rolling releases so long as there is a public health emergency declaration in place.

All too often, people are released with little more than a bus ticket, but lacking basic access to food, clothes, phones, toiletries, and even shelter. Needs may vary and range from needing basic clothing, to store gift cards for purchasing toiletries and other essentials, to needing rides to medical and employment appointments.

Everyone can make a difference —  Can you help? 

If you would like to donate money, our partner, American Reentry Initiative (Tax-ID: 84-1792638), is accepting them through this secure PayPal Link. Alternatively, you can mail a check to the American Reentry Initiative at P.O. Box 248, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, attention: Briane Peters, include “Welcome Home” in the memo line.

We are also seeking “In-Kind” (toiletries, food, clothes/shoes, masks) and “Time” (phone banking, peer support, transportation) donations. Please fill out the Welcome Home Donation Google Form and we will be in touch.

THANK YOU! Your generosity is so appreciated!  Please feel free to contact Susan MacDonnell,  member of NJ-PJW’s Reentry Committee with any questions.

 

#MissionMonday – Churches for Middle East Peace

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Young Adult Summit: Intersections of Faith and Advocacy: A Focus on Peacebuilding in Israel-Palestine

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Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) educates, elevates, and advocates for peace in the Middle East. Their young adult summit for those 18 to 35 years old is soon, and CMEP invites interested members and friends of Nassau to join.

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Saturday, November 14

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

Speakers will include:
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Churches for Middle East Peace
Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Bethlehem Bible College
Carla Montilla Jaimes, Morghan Cyr, and Josh Curtis, J Street


Register Here (link)

CMEP1835 engages young adults and university students around the country through educational regional summits as well as advocacy summits in Washington D.C. These events focus on promoting holistic U.S. policies toward the Middle East, with a focus on advocacy around Israel/Palestine. At a CMEP1835 Summit you will learn from thought leaders advocating for the just resolution to conflicts in the Middle East, and gain tools to engage with your elected officials on these issues. The journey to justice and peace across the Middle East requires the effort and unity of voices from all kinds of advocates, especially those ages 18-35!

Follow #MissionMonday on our social media platforms to hear about how, with your help, Nassau Presbyterian Church is supporting others in our town, our state, and across the world.

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“Just Mercy” Discussion (Nov. 14)

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Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m.

Please join the Christian Education Committee of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church as we continue on our Matthew 25 Witness series. Shawn Maxam will lead a discussion about the movie, Just Mercy, which profiles the life of Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative.

Watching the movie beforehand is recommended but not necessary. You can find it on YouTube.

This discussion will take place on Zoom. Contact Phyllis Rich for login information.

Health for Haiti – Donations Wanted

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There is a shortage of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and masks for our friends at the Jérémie, Haiti, Gatineau Medical Clinic and Pharmacy. Please help by providing these items for drop-off at the Kingston Presbyterian Church red-lidded bins labeled “Haiti” or mailed directly to Ray Moon, 12004 W. Meadowlark Ct., Hales Corners, WI 53130.

#MissionMonday – Centurion

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How Did It All Begin?

[ezcol_1third][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Jim McCloskey, founder of Centurion, joins Pastor Dave Davis in a conversational interview about Jim’s new book When Truth Is All You Have: A Memoir of Faith, Justice, and Freedom for the Wrongly Convicted.

Listen (or tune in again) to this meaningful discussion about the theological foundation of Jim’s work. [/ezcol_2third_end]

For more information visit:

Centurion (link)

Follow #MissionMonday on our social media platforms to hear about how, with your help, Nassau Presbyterian Church is supporting others in our town, our state, and across the world.

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Bible Study at Witherspoon – Wed, Oct. 28

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Nassau is invited to join our siblings at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church (WSPC) for worship and study. Contact Phyllis Rich for zoom links.

Mid-Week Devotional Bible Study

Each Wednesday, WSPC will come together for Mid-Week Devotional Bible Study.  It can be viewed live:

They are recorded and available for later viewing on YouTube and Facebook.

Wednesday, October 28 – at 12:30 p.m.

What Does the Bible REALLY Say and What Do We REALLY Say about Same Gender Loving People and Relationships???

LGBT Scriptures List

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  • Matthew 19:12
  • Acts 8:26-40
  • John 1:10-14
  • John 3:16-17
  • Matthew 5:1-16
  • Romans 8:31-39
  • 1 Corinthians 12

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  • Joel 2:25-32
  • Acts 2:17-21
  • Genesis 9:20-27
  • Genesis 17,18,19
  • Judges 19
  • Matthew 10:5-15
  • Leviticus 18:22

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  • Leviticus 20:13
  • 1 Samuel 18
  • Ruth 1
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
  • 1 Timothy 1:10
  • Romans 1:26-27
  • Isaiah 56:1-8

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Eric A. Thomas is a PhD Candidate in New Testament and Early Christianity at Drew University.  His research focuses on Minoritized Biblical Criticism informed by Queer Theory.  Eric serves as the Interim Pastor of Siloam Presbyterian Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and is an adjunct professor of World Religions at Kean University (Union Township, NJ) and at The New School in New York City where he teaches a course called “Queering and Decolo­niz­ing Theology.”  His essays “Tales from the Crypt: A Same Gender Loving (SGL) Reading of Mark 5:1-20 – Backwards” and “The Futures Outside (Rev 22:8-21): Apocalyptic Epilogue Unveiled as Africana Queer Prologue” are published in the Journal of the ITC and in Sexual Disorientations: Queer Temporalities, Affects, Theologies (Ford­ham University Press) respectively.  He is the co-author of “A Theology of Representation” with the General Assembly Committee on Representation (PC U.S.A.) and is a Commissioner to the Synod of the Northeast, representing the Presbytery of New York City.  When not working on his dissertation, he enjoys spending time with his husband Carlos Barnett, watching way too much HGTV and Food Network programming, and being the proud uncle of Jayden, Nia and Devin.

 

 

#MissionMonday – Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center

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How Does Camp Pivot for the Pandemic?

[ezcol_1third][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center pivoted this summer to continue to provide an updated camp experience in the pandemic. Six young adults committed to pod together and help extend camp safely. Their time included mailing camp to those who were unable to join in person and leading small family camps outside. The 60th anniversary of Johnsonburg looked different than anticipated but maintained the traditions of leadership development, community building, worship of God, and environmental education. [/ezcol_2third_end]

For more information visit:

Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center (link)

Follow #MissionMonday on our social media platforms to hear about how, with your help, Nassau Presbyterian Church is supporting others in our town, our state, and across the world.

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#MissionMonday – Princeton Presbyterians

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Beyond Breaking Bread

[ezcol_1third][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Len and Andrew Scales, Presbyterian Chaplains at Princeton University and Executive Co-Directors of the Westminster Foundation will share ways they’ve seen God at work through the Princeton Presbyterians campus ministry. Learn about what theologically grounds the ministry, and hear from a few undergraduate leaders about why they love Princeton Presbyterians.[/ezcol_2third_end]

For more information visit:

Princeton Presbyterians (link)

Follow #MissionMonday on our social media platforms to hear about how, with your help, Nassau Presbyterian Church is supporting others in our town, our state, and across the world.

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Adult Education: Psalm Series (Oct 18-Nov 22)

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The Psalms and the Life of Faith in 2020: Praise, Sorrow, Curse

John Calvin called the Psalms an anatomy of all parts of the soul. Martin Luther called the Psalms the Little Bible. This six-week series will discuss the Psalms and their role in the life of faith—ancient Israel’s and our own. Hymns of praise, psalms of lament, thanksgiving songs, and cursing psalms will be treated as a detailed anatomy of the soul and as an entry point from the little Bible to the big one.

Videos will be available each Saturday on the Adult Education Videos page.

[ezcol_1third]October 17[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Introduction[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]October 24[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Psalms of Orientation (Hymns of Praise)[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]October 31[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Psalms of Disorientation (Psalms of Lament)[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]November 7[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Psalms of New Orientation (Thanksgiving Psalms)[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]November 14[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]A Notoriously Tricky Psalm Type (Imprecatory Psalms)[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]Sunday, November 22 – Live Zoom Event, 12:15 pm[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Conclusion and Q&A[/ezcol_2third_end]

[ezcol_1third]Brent Strawn, Divinity School Professor of Old Testament, at Duke Chapel. Strawn’s research focuses on ancient Near Eastern iconography, Israelite religion, biblical law, the Psalms, poetry, and Old Testament theology.[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Brent A. Strawn is Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law at Duke University. He has edited over twenty volumes to date, including The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testaments Teach Us about the Good Life (2012), The World around the Old Testament (2014), and the award-winning The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Law (2014). Strawn is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church and regularly speaks and preaches at churches across the country. He has appeared on CNN on matters ranging from Easter celebrations to Pope Francis to gun violence, and served as both translator and member of the editorial board for The Common English Bible.[/ezcol_2third_end]