– Directory to Houses of Worship –
ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH 559 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains
(908) 3228047
Reverend Robert Griffiths
BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 539 Trinity Place, Westfield
(908) 2324250
Reverend Kevin Clark
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY SAINTS 1781 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains
(908) 8895556
Bishop Kirk Bristol
COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Deer Path & Meeting House Lane,
Mountainside (908) 2329490
Reverend Christopher R. Belden
CONGREGATION ARI YEHUDA 1251 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains
(732) 5414849
(Rear entrance of Assembly of God Church) (Rear entrance of Assembly of God Church) (Rear entrance of Assembly of God Church) (Rear entrance of Assembly of God Church) (Rear entrance of Assembly of God Church)
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL 1920 Cliffwood Street, Scotch Plains
(908) 8891830
Rabbi George Nudell
ECHO LAKE CHURCH OF CHRIST 419 Springfield Avenue, Westfield
(908) 2334946
Dr. Ellis Long
EVANGEL CHURCH 1251 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains
(908) 3229300
Reverend Kevin M. Brennan
FANWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Martine Avenue & La Grande Avenue,
Fanwood (908) 8898891
Reverend Stephanie MillerMcLane
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 170 Elm Street, Westfield
(908) 2332278
Dr. Robert L. Harvey
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 257 Midway Avenue, Fanwood
(908) 3228461 FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
422 East Broad Street, Westfield (908) 2335029
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church of Christ 125 Elmer Street, Westfield
(908) 2332494
Reverend Dr. John G. Wightman
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1171 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains
(908) 3229222
Reverend Sam Chong
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1 East Broad Street, Westfield
(908) 2334211
Reverend David F. Harwood
GRACE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1100 Boulevard, Westfield (908) 2333938 or (908) 2324403
Reverend Stanford M. Sutton, Jr.
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield
(908) 2338533
Reverend Dimitrios Antokas
HOLY TRINITY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Westfield Avenue & First Street, Westfield
(908) 2328137
Reverend Joseph Masielio
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY RC CHURCH 1571 South Martine Avenue, Westfield
(908) 8892100
Reverend John F. Kennedy
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 823 Jerusalem Road
(908) 2332855
Reverend Clement Griffin
MOUNTAINSIDE CHAPEL 1180 Spruce Drive, Mountainside
(908) 2323456
Reverend Dr. Gregory Hagg
OUR LADY OF LOURDES RC CHURCH 300 Central Avenue, Mountainside
(908) 2321162
Reverend Patrick J. Leonard
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN WESTFIELD 140 Mountain Avenue
(908) 2330301
Reverend Dr. William Ross Forbes
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 229 Cowperthwaite Place, Westfield
(908) 2321517
Reverend Paul E. Kritsch
ST. BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains
(908) 3225192
Reverend Michael A. Merlucci
ST. HELEN’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 1600 Rahway Avenue, Westfield
(908) 2321214
Reverend Monsignor James A. Burke
ST. JOHN’S BAPTIST CHURCH 2387 Morse Avenue, Scotch Plains
(908) 2326972
Reverend Kelmo C. Porter, Jr.
ST. LUKE’S AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH 500 Downer Street, Westfield
(908) 2332547
Reverend Leon E. Randall
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 414 East Broad Street, Westfield
(908) 2328506
Reverend Richard W. Reid
SCOTCH PLAINS BAPTIST CHURCH 333 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains
(908) 3225487
Reverend Gary Rothwell
TEMPLE BETH O’R/ BETH TORAH 111 Valley Road, Clark
(732) 3818403
Rabbi Shawn B. Zell
TEMPLE EMANUEL 756 East Broad Street, Westfield
(908) 2326770
Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff
TERRILL ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH 1340 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains
(908) 3227151
Michael C. Seaman
TERRILL ROAD BIBLE CHAPEL 535 Terrill Road, Fanwood
(908) 3224055 WILLOW GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1961 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains (908) 2325678
Reverend Kenneth G. Hetzel
WOODSIDE CHAPEL 5 Morse Avenue, Fanwood
(908) 8892375
Church Volunteers Experience Rewards in Building Homes HELPING HANDS… Members of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield are
pictured with other volunteers working on a Habitat for Humanity house in Plainfield. While some put on the roofing, others helped enclose the framing.
EVERYONE IS A HELPER… Gregg Amonette and his son, Jake, 10, pictured on the scaffolding, are among members of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield who recently joined other volunteers on construction of a Habitat for Humanity house in Plainfield. Working on the lower part, pictured left to right, are: site supervisor Marv Chosek and fellow church volunteers Ann Gordon and Alice Ousterman.
Compassion. Camaraderie. Educational. Fun. Words such as these are used by volunteers who help to build a house for someone in need of a home.
No matter what they do for a living the rest of the week, they spend a part of their weekends giving of themselves. And they say they get back much more than they give.
On a recent Saturday, more than two dozen workers lent their collective muscle, energy and expertise to a Habitat for Humanity project in Plainfield. Almost half of them were members of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
That day, they completed the roof and made progress enclosing the framing for the onestory, fourbedroom house. When finished, the structure will become home to a single mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 12 years old.
“It’s all about helping somebody else,” said Bill Cook, who, with Ethan Harris, coordinated the church workers. Mr. Cook is an attorney in the process of changing careers; Mr. Harris is an economist with a brokerage firm.
Both are members of a social group at the church who are using this project as one of its community service efforts.
“In addition to doing something for somebody else, it’s fun,” said Gregg Amonette, a member of the same church social group. He said his 10yearold son, Jake, who accompanied him, also learned a lot about what goes into building a house.
Jerry Robinson, another church volunteer, said that in addition to the camaraderie, he appreciates the contribution he feels he is making to a good cause. “I get more back than I put into it,” he noted.
“What this accomplishes a lot of times is Christian fellowship,” said Betty McDermiad, Associate for Mission as staff Liaison for the church’s Mission Commission. “People working together, handson, get to know each other,” she observed.
Other volunteers from the church included the husbandandwife team of Gus and Nancy Gordon, Dodie Jackson, Jim Marino, Alice Ousterman and Jeff Stirrat.
Joe Barrett, Chairman of construction organization on this Habitat for Humanity dwelling, praised volunteers such as these from The Presbyterian Church in Westfield and others for making these projects successful.
He said “regulars” — people who come weekend after weekend — also are vital. Mr. Barrett praised those working on the Plainfield house, including site supervisor Marv Chosek, Jack Daly, Barbara Durant, Tom Fogarty and Randy Miller.
On this Saturday, other volunteers included Westfield High School juniors Jen Woodbury and Robin Early, who were working on their requirements for the Girl Scout Gold Award;
former Westfield Mayor Bud C. Boothe, Denise Baskerville, and Felicia Jenkins.
This is the 14th house built by the Greater Plainfield chapter of Habitat for Humanity since 1989, Mr. Barrett said. All are threeand fourbedroom houses, either onestory or two depending on the size of the lots.
“The houses we build are of better quality than some commercially built ones,” he remarked.
This is because once architectural drawings are approved, city inspections are conducted throughout the construction to make sure the foundation, electrical and plumbing specifications are met, Mr. Barrett said. And a final city inspection is required before a certificate of occupancy is approved, he revealed.
“No shortcuts are taken on any of our houses,” stated Mr. Barrett, who retired in 1991 after 30 years as an electrical engineer. “We have supervisors who know what they’re doing,” he confirmed.
He said Habitat for Humanity, a private, nonprofit organization which gets no government money, is grateful for donations of time and money by businesses, organizations, foundations, churches and individuals.
Money also comes from mortgages granted to the homeowners, he added.
Habitat for Humanity buys the land and the construction materials. All labor is done by volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays.
Once a family is approved for one of the Habitat for Humanity homes, he said, it must pay an occupancy fee plus monthly mortgage payments for two years. Adult family members also are required to put in 250 to 500 “sweat hours” working either on their house or another under construction.
At the end of two years, if the family is deemed to have fulfilled proper maintenance of the house, it is given the opportunity to buy it with an interestfree, 18year mortgage, Mr. Barrett said.
Once the home is completed and the family is ready to move in, there is an Open House ceremony. Neighbors are invited and a minister is asked to bless the house.
New Group Is Planned For Single Parents
A new group is being formed for single parents in Essex and Union Counties, that is affiliated with the national Single Parents Association.
Single Parents of Essex and Union will give participants an opportunity to meet other single parents, develop coping skills, cultivate a network of support and friendship, acquire new skills or insights, and have fun together.
Planned activities include regular meetings featuring guest speakers, Parents Night Out, workshops and seminars, family activities and socials.
Anyone interested in information may call (973) 3130481.
St. Paul’s Church Donates Money to Community Center
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield recently donated $2,000 to the Westfield Community Center (WCC) to fund four field trips for summer camp participants.
“Typically, we take four or five daily excursions, to such places as Shea Stadium or the New York Aquarium, over the course of the 10week summer camp,” explained Zaid Mohammed, Program Director of the center’s summer camp for elementary school age Westfield children.
“But this year, with government budget cuts, we were able to plan for only one trip,” he revealed.
“Our camp has about 40 kids, so we usually need approximately $500 per trip to cover the transportation and additional staffing expenses,” Mr. Mohammed continued. “Saint Paul’s gift allowed us to take the additional trips.”
Vestry member Fred Anthony ex plained how Saint Paul’s came to be
involved. “A parishioner brought to our Vestry’s attention this particular community need,” he recalled. “We have been involved with the WCC for a number of years, sending our Confirmation candidates to volunteer as part of their service requirement, and assisting in their afterschool program, so it was a natural project for us to initiate,” Mr. Anthony stated.
Interim Rector Richard Reid said, “When I proposed this idea to our Vestry, they enthusiastically endorsed the project, and allocated the first $500. Our parishioners contributed the remaining $1500.”
So far, the WCC summer camp children have been to the Crayola Crayon Factory and the Turtle Back Zoo. Remaining trips will include Dorney Park and Sesame Place.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION… Interim Rector Richard Reid from Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield, left, and Vestry member Fred Anthony, center, present a $2,000 check to Zaid Mohammed, Program Director of the Westfield Community Center summer camp, to be used for field trips throughout the summer.
FUN IN THE SUN… Beth Brotherton, a prekindergarten teacher at Holy Trinity Interparochial School in Westfield, enjoys a picnic with her afternoon class. Pictured, left to right, are: top row, Mrs. Brotherton, Maggie Fitzpatrick, Megan Carven, Katie Waxtel, Mary Beth Fiedler, Matthew Schmicker and Mara Pantano, and, bottom row, Anthony Mastrocola, Mirjana Coccia, Kristy McMahon, Leslie Grignon, John Serzan, Peter Granstrand, and Bernadette Calderone. Torah Center to Begin
‘Torah Tots Playgroup’
The Union County Torah Center in Westfield has announced the opening of “Torah Tots Playgroup.” The program, for children ages 2½ through 4, will begin on Monday, September 14, and run Mondays through Thursdays from 9: 30 p. m. to noon.
The cost is $80 per month for the twoday program, and $150 per month for the fourday program.
The playgroup will feature a variety of fun and educational toys, group play activities, arts and crafts, activities related to Jewish holidays, story time and Jewish music and song.
For more information, please call the Union County Torah Center at (908) 7895252.
St. Bart’s School Tells Of Program Offering Low Cost Milk to Kids
St. Bartholomew the Apostle School, located on Westfield Avenue in Scotch Plains, has announced that low cost milk will be available to all children enrolled in the school.
“In the operation of child nutrition programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability in accordance with Federal regulations as set by the Department of Agriculture,” read a statement confirming St. Bartholomew’s participation in the program.
Anyone who believes their child may have been discriminated against may write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 20250.
Parents may call Sister Louise Lauretti at (908) 3224265 for further information on the St. Bartholomew School program.
Social Security Asks Workers To Update Earnings Estimates
If you’re one of the nearly one million people who work, collect Social Security benefits and earn over the annual exempt amount, you may soon get a notice from Social Security. You’ll be asked to update your earnings estimate for this year and estimate how much you expect to earn in 1999.
Sometimes work plans or other conditions affecting expected earnings change during the year. Because working beneficiaries under age 70 are subject to an annual earnings test, their benefit amounts may need adjusting if their earnings estimate has changed.
Beneficiaries who are age 65 or older, but not yet 70, can earn $14,500 in 1998 without a reduction in benefits. If, however, they earn more than that amount, $1 is withheld from their Social Security benefits for every $3 they earn. Beneficiaries under age 65 can earn $9,120
without a reduction of $1 for every $2 in benefits. There is no reduction in benefits for beneficiaries who are age 70 or older regardless of how much they earn.
Social Security uses estimated earnings during the year to withhold benefits as required by the earnings test so that it can avoid making incorrect payments. At the end of the year, when Social Security learns exactly how much you earned (based on the earnings amounts reported on your W2 or your selfemployment tax return), it can determine whether you were paid the correct benefit amount. If you were paid too little, you’ll receive an additional payment. If you were paid too much, you will be notified and asked to return the overpayment.
Social Security sends these midyear notices only to beneficiaries whose earnings are likely to change during the year. If you don’t get a notice from Social Security and you need to update your earnings estimate, you may call (800) 7721213 or contact your local Social Security office to provide the information.
Cadet Philip Marcketta Among the Graduates At Military Academy
Cadet Philip J. Marcketta, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Marcketta of Scotch Plains, is one of 152 cadets who recently graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy located in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Cadet Marcketta participated in formal graduation exercises May 31 and became an official member of the Valley Forge Military Academy Continental Line of Alumni.
The school enrolls young men from grade 7 through the second year of college from 36 states and territories and 42 foreign countries.
Union County College Lists Schedule of Fitness Classes
Union County College (UCC) has announced that individuals may enroll in a program tailored to their needs at the college’s Fitness Center, located in the Campus Center Pavilion of the Cranford campus.
Beginning on Monday, August 24, the Fitness Center will be open from 8: 30 a. m. to 8 p. m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8: 30 a. m. to 7 p. m. on Fridays, and 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. on Saturdays.
One-, three-, and sixmonth programs are available. Additionally, participants may choose from eight noncredit fitness courses which can be taken individually, or in combination with a personalized Fitness Center program.
“Body Tone,” beginner classes will be offered from 7 to 8 p. m. on Mondays, September 14 through October 26, and from November 2 through December 14.
“Weight Training” beginner classes will be offered from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from September 22 through October 8, and from October 13 through 29.
Additionally, senior citizens can take a beginner course, designed specially for them, from 3: 30 to 5 p. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The course will be offered from September 22 through October 8, and from October 13 through 29.
“Tae Kwon Do Karate” will be held from 8: 10 to 9: 40 p. m. on Wednesdays, September 30 through November 18.
Beginner level courses in “Tai Chi Ch’uan” will be offered from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. and from 7: 45 to 9: 15 p. m. on Tuesdays, October 6 through November 24.
“Yoga” beginner classes will be offered from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. and from 7: 45 to 9: 15 p. m. on Wednesdays, September 23 through October 28, and from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. on Wednesdays, November 4 through December 9.
The college will also conduct an intermediate “Yoga” class from 7: 45 to 9: 15 p. m. on Wednesdays, November 4 through December 9.
“Self Defense Class for Women” will be conducted from 8: 10 to 9: 40 p. m. on Thursdays, September 24 through November 12.
“Country Western Line Dancing” beginner classes will be held from 7 to 8 p. m. on Thursdays, September 24 through October 29, and from November 5 through December 17. No class will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Intermediate sessions will be held from 8: 05 to 9: 05 p. m. on the same Thursday evenings.
“Ballroom and Social Dancing” will be offered from 7 to 8 p. m. on Fridays, September 25 through November 13.
For further information, please call the college’s Division of Continuing Education and Community Services at (908) 7097600, or Anita Thomas, Fitness Center coordinator, at (908) 7097599.
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