CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
Church Receives Wall Hanging Honoring Project in Kenya
WESTFIELD — As a special gift, Christian women in Kenya created a wall hanging completely by hand and sent it to The Presbyterian Church in Westfield to express appreciation for the church’s help in building a staff house in a missionary hospital compound.
The Nanuki Spinners and Weavers bought the wool from sheep herders, combined herbs and leaves to make dyes, and then used manuallyoperated equipment to weave the finished product.
The all-woman group is part of a program sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa aimed at helping people in need of work to run their own businesses.
The wall hanging, woven in tones of brown and orange, measures 3½ feet by 5 feet. A giraffe, an impala and an elephant graze in a desert setting with mountains in the background.
The gift, now located on a wall in the Parish House, contains the message: “Kikuyu Rehab Center and Medical Benevolence Foundation Thank You to The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.”
The staff building in the village of Kikuyu, completed late last year, was named Westfield House in recognition of the area from where the support came.
Money for the house resulted from a fund-raising effort at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, after Kurt Steckley, a member of its Mission Commission, made a trip to Kenya in 1997. He was the church’s representative on a work study group organized by the Medical Benevolence Foundation.
A recently retired engineer, Mr. Steckley joined 28 others from various churches for the foundation-sponsored trip to Kenya. The study group visited Kikuyu and worked at a mission hospital founded in the early 1900s by the Presbyterian Church of
Scotland. In the compound is an orthopedic rehabilitation center, along with four houses for staff members. However, the study group found a great need for additional housing facilities.
Mr. Steckley returned to Westfield with the plea that his church help meet that need. The goal was to build a duplex house that would contain a living-dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bath on either side of a middle partition.
Fellow church member Nancy Testa coordinated a fund-raising campaign, highlighted by a Time, Talent and Treasure Auction. She and a group of about 70 others approached the congregation and local businesses, asking them to donate services or products.
The auction, held on January 23, 1998, raised $22,500. Other donations boosted the total for the project to $40,000. The money was sent to the Medical Benevolence Foundation, which oversaw how it was used on the construction site in Kikuyu. Foundation-sponsored volunteers worked as project managers, directing local contractors.
Work began on Westfield House in March of 1998. All the work was done by hand. After about seven months, the building was ready for hospital staff members. It was then that the Foundation commissioned the Nanuki Spinners and Weavers to create the wall hanging for The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
Immaculate Heart of Mary To Hold Sessions on RCIA
SCOTCH PLAINS – The Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains has invited adults interested in joining the Catholic faith to an inquiry session to learn about its religious instruction program.
Inquiry sessions will be offered on Thursday, May 13, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 16, from 3 to 4 p.m.; Thursday, June 3, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. All will be held at the Nazareth Center behind the church, located at 1571 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.
The inquiry sessions will provide an overview of the church’s religious instruction program, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), with a question-and-answer period following.
RCIA is designed for adults age 18 and over, and is open to both nonChristians and members of other Christian faiths. It is also open to baptized Catholics who received no other sacraments or religious instruction. There is no obligation to continue.
Individuals who choose to pursue RCIA will take part in weekly religious instruction and Bible study beginning in September. Upon completion, they receive public recognition of the rites of the Catholic Church, and become members of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary congregation. For more information on RICA, please call the Reverend Ken Evans at (908) 889-2100.
Senior Social Club Releases Calendar Of Upcoming Events
WESTFIELD — The Senior Social Club of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Westfield will hold its regular meeting on Monday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the elementary school.
On Monday, May 17, there will be a bus trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. This trip will include a luncheon and a trip to Sandy Hook.
On Monday, June 14, the annual “end-of-season” catered luncheon will take place in the gymnasium of the elementary school. Entertainment will be included. Interested individuals may sign up for the luncheon and other upcoming events at the May meeting.
On Wednesday, June 2, there will be a luncheon cruise aboard the Spirit of New Jersey. After the boat trip, there will be an excursion to the Environmental Center in the Meadowlands.
HONORED SCOUTS…The First United Methodist Church of Westfield recently presented God and Country Awards to scouts in the church. Scout Leaders Dave Keeton and Jim Thomas, along with the Reverend Herb Brynildsen, led the group towards achieving this goal. Pictured, left to right, are: front row, Douglas Townsend, Matthew Leonard, Kimberly Townsend and the Reverend Dan Bottorff; second row, Grace Thomas, Kim Adams, Katherine Kielar, Justin Adams and Ben Thomas, and third row, Mr. Keeton, Max Thomas, Ryan Leonard and Mr. Thomas. Participants not pictured included Neil Pratt, Morgan Jakubowski and the Reverend Brynildsen.
Memorial Trees Add Beauty To Presbyterian Church
WESTFIELD — The greening of trees on the property of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield means more than the arrival of Spring. It is a lasting reminder of family members and friends in whose memory they were planted.
Over the years, more than four dozen beech, birch, cherry, crabapple, dogwood, holly and pear “memorial trees” have been placed around buildings on the campus, in the adjacent parking area and across Mountain Avenue in the church-owned Revolutionary Cemetery.
The more recently planted trees are still small. Although not all have survived, most have grown into tall, stately trees that help beautify the area each year.
The idea for setting aside areas for memorial trees came about in the late 1960s during the tenure of Dr. Frederick Christian, long-time senior pastor of the church now retired.
A service was held April 27, 1969, on the front lawn to dedicate the trees already planted and ones to be placed in the future. The hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth,” was sung.
The late Tina Coffey, a church member who had a love of gardening, was one of the early supporters of the program. She and her husband planted one tree in memory of a friend and Mrs. Coffey dedicated another after her husband died.
Several families set out more than one tree. Most were to honor spouses, parents, friends or loved ones. One tree was in memory of a child planted by his grandparents.
The International Christian Church of Japan planted two trees in appreciation of friends at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield.
Although records are incomplete, a partial list of trees with the names of those honored and the donors is on display in a hallway of the Parish House.
The tree-planting is an on-going project. Five trees recently were planted in the cemetery near the burial site of Jennifer Ryan, a church youth adviser who died suddenly at age 28 earlier this year.
Choral Art Society to Present Music From Romantic Period WESTFIELD — The Choral Art Society of New Jersey, Inc. will present “Recalling the Romantics,” a program of English and German 19th century choral music, on Saturday, May 15, at 8 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield on Mountain Avenue at Broad Street.
James S. Little, Interim Musical Director of the Society, will conduct the chorus, bass soloist Mark Watson and Mary Beth McFall at the piano. Linda Erickson will join Ms. McFall for the piano, four-hand accompaniment of the Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Opus 52.
The Choral Art Society will perform two works by Ralph Vaughn Williams to the poetry of George Herbert and Walt Whitman and four songs by Edward Elgar. A Chamber
Choir from the group will sing five Victorian art songs.
Admission to the concert is $15 and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the door. For further information, please call (908) 232-1120.
Mr. Little is the organist and choirmaster at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit, where he directs three choirs and the Calvary Concert Series. He is a graduate of Trenton State College and Westminster Choir College. He is also director of MadJazz, a Union County a Capella group and the Prep Choir of the Somerset Hills Children’s Chorus.
The Choral Art Society of New Jersey, Inc. is a non-profit, community chorus of about 60 singers dedicated to the study and performance of great choral works.
Michael Card Evangel Church To Present Concert
SCOTCH PLAINS — The Evangel Church, located at 1251 Terrill Road in Scotch Plains, will present Michael Card in concert on Saturday, May 22, at 7 p.m.
Mr. Card’s appearance is part of the tour for his latest record release, “Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time,” which draws on traditional Irish and American folk music.
Tickets are $13 per person in advance, $15 at the door and $11 for groups of 10 or more.
RUMMAGE SALE…St. Paul’s will hold its 20th Annual Spring Rummage Sale in the Parish Hall on Friday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, May 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Clothing, shoes, linens, accessories, jewelry, antiques, lamps, china, glass, kitchenware and boutique items will be offered for sale. The entrance to the sale is on St. Paul Street, Westfield. Pictured, left to right, are: Cass Kinney and Rosemary Bauer, both of Westfield. A HAND-CREATED GIFT...The Presbyterian Church in Westfield received
this wall hanging as an expression of appreciation for funds raised by the church to build a staff house for a hospital in Kikuyu, Kenya. A women’s group in that African country designed and wove the gift. Admiring the piece, pictured left to right, are: Kurt Steckley and Nancy Testa, who spearheaded the fund-raising drive at the church, and the Reverend Dr. William Ross Forbes, Senior Pastor.
– 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
Jeff Harris
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 Robert T. Snell
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 Harry Taylor Reverend Pamela Gilchrist
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, Scotch Plains
(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
Local Baptist Church To Sponsor Flea Market
SCOTCH PLAINS — The Pastor’s Aide of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Scotch Plains will sponsor a Flea Market at the Fanwood Train Station, Martine and North Avenues, on Saturday, May 8, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date will be Saturday, May 15.
Vendors will sell an assortment of merchandise. Refreshments will be on sale by the host organization.
For vendor information, please call Pat at (908) 301-1556 or Jasim at (908) 654-9190.
Welcome Wagon Club To Hold Coffee Event
WESTFIELD – A new member coffee will be hosted by The Welcome Wagon Club of Westfield on Monday, May 24, at 8 p.m. in a Westfield home.
The Westfield Welcome Wagon Club is a non-profit, social organization for women that provides opportunities for women in the Westfield area to become acquainted.
Club activities include weekly play groups, monthly dinner meetings at area restaurants, a book discussion group, and many other special events for individuals, children, couples and families.
Anyone interested in attending the coffee may call Lori Ridings at (908) 301-1494 or Rachel Binkowitz at (908) 789-7373 for the street address and directions to the host house.
For general club information, please see www.westfieldnj.com/welcome www.goleader.com
THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE – Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. (Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hall Mary's, 3 Glory Be's). St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke your aid. AMEN. (Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. This prayer is to be said for 9 consecutive days). My prayers have been answered: J.M.
Tickets $5 • Seniors $3 • at the door or the Westfield Y Refreshments Served For More Information Contact Dave Mueller (908) 233-2700, Ext 233 The Westfield Lecture Series Sponsored by the Westfield Foundation & The Westfield Y
An Artist’s View of the Universe
Thursday May 13 • 7:30pm Parish House at the Westfield Presbyterian Church
140 Mountain Avenue Westfield STORY MUSGRAVE
NASA Shuttle Astronaut
Gives
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