Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council

Transcription

1 August 2015 Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Sponsored by Community Access Unlimited But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD Joshua 24:15

2 About the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Our Mission The Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council works to facilitate regular interfaith meetings in order to make way for the building of bonds within the interfaith community. Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Steering Committee Members Pastor E. Crawford Chair Ebenezer AME Rahway Sidney Blanchard Executive Director of CAU Pastor D. Brown First Baptist Church Elizabeth Pastor H. Bryant Townley Presbyterian Church Kevin E. Caldwell Community Church of GOD Plainfield Pastor Carmine Pernini Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Rahway Pastor D. Ford St. Matthew Baptist Church Roselle Pastor K. Joseph CEA Church of God Elizabeth Pastor Mertz First United Methodist Church Westfield Don Moore Islam Mosque Elizabeth Michelle Mobley Director of Youth Service Residential Sis. Evelyn Rolon Mount Teman AME Church Roderick Spearman CAU Consultant Pastor Arthur Skip Winters Cranford Presbyterian Church We respect the inclusion and welcoming of others regardless of faith, race or disability. We strive to be proactive on social issues. Our Goals To grow the network of faith-based organizations in Union County Encourage representatives from all faiths to join the Interfaith Coordinated Council including those of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, and other faiths To be engaged in: 1. Community Building within faith-based organizations and the general Union County population. 2. The advancement of Social Justice. 3. The intentional inclusion of others regardless of gender, faith, race. Be active in activities that are inclusive and community building Our Objectives Sponsor regular engagement opportunities that facilitate the building of bonds within the Union County interfaith community and their congregations Strengthen the Union County religious congregations through involvement, action and education in self-help. Build working relationships between Union County religious organizations and Community Access Unlimited that create opportunities for youth and people with disabilities and their support staff. Potential Advantages to Joining the Interfaith Community Develop interfaith solidarity Become active with increased publicity Build religious membership Build support to fundraising events with paid participants Create full and part time employment opportunities for congregation members Provide educational opportunities regarding entitlements, housing, and other services, to congregation members Assist individuals within the congregation to obtain services; for example, people with disabilities, youth, people with physical disabilities, or senior citizens. Advantages to the Interfaith Community: Develop interfaith solidarity Become active with increased publicity Build religious membership Build support to fundraising events with paid participants Create full and part time employment opportunities for congregation members Provide educational opportunities regarding entitlements, housing, and other services, to congregation members Assist individuals within the congregation to obtain services for example for people with disabilities; youth; people with physical disabilities; senior citizens.

3 Message from the Chair Person On April 15, 1965 a popular song written by Hal David and composed by Burt Bacharach was released. This song crossed color lines, community boundaries, social classes, political preferences and religious affiliations. This song was able to bring together people and communities who had nothing in common but the shared desire for their families, communities, nation and the world to be better. In a non-partisan and socially acceptable way, this song addressed the struggle of the Civil Rights movement, the assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK and the fear embedded in our hearts by the Zodiac and Manson murders, which defined the 1960's. This song, first recorded by Jackie DeShannon, was later recorded by more than 100 artist including Dionne Warwick, The Supremes, Cilla Black, Carla Thomas, Tom Clay, The Staple Singers, Judy Garland, The Chambers Brothers, McCoy Tyner, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Zwan, Steve Tyrell, Luther Vandross, Stacey Kent, Mr. Bungle, The Young Americans, Rick Astley and Coldplay. This song discusses the one thing that everybody and anybody could relate to, Love. The song is What the World Needs Now is Love. Love, is the greatest emotion of all because love calls us to action. Love, gives us the boldness to stand and say I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. 40 years later, we are still challenged by social injustice, racial intolerance, unconscionable acts of violence and class disparity. Love is the only thing that will comfort the families of Sandra Bland, Roosevelt Champion III, Officer Melvin Santiago, Natasha McKenna and countless others mourning families. Love is the only thing that will heal the communities of Charleston, SC, Chattanooga, TN and Lafayette, LA. Love is the only thing that can lift the hearts and heads of those affected by gun violence, church burnings, and bias attacks. Therefore, this month I challenge you, we challenge you, to explore new ways to express love, explore new things to love and explore new people to love. Ways that are simple yet complex, Things that are familiar yet foreign and People like you but different. This month amidst chaos and controversy; violence and vengeance; injustice and inconsideration, what the world NEEDS is love and our willingness as communities and leaders of faith, to teach them how to love. What the world needs now is both the love of God and the love of God s people, it s the only thing that there s just too little of. Rev. Dr. Erika D. Crawford Join & Be Active Today! How can I join this viable group of supporters? Attend quarterly meetings. Invite other community leaders to attend our quarterly meetings. Support or host fundraising programs to support the Record Expungement Grant Program. Add your contact information to our mailing list. Share useful information about your organization. Contact Rod Spearman at x 324 for more information on becoming a member

4 Hope On Your Doorstep A week after the racially charged murder in Charleston, South Carolina someone left a racist doll on the doorstep of First Presbyterian Church of Rahway. This doll was used in racist propaganda against African-Americans over 80 years ago. As you may know our church is placed in the heart of a racially diverse area of Rahway. Our church community is multicultural. I boast of both African-American and Hungarian heritage. We were left puzzled and stunned about why someone would intend to divide and hurt our community. I could have raised my fists in anger or pretend it didn t happen. Instead I decided to give the community a chance to respond. My hope sprang forth from the worship we shared on Sunday, June28. We asked God why, how could this happen, what is going on? Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos, from the synod of the Northeast led us in our questioning along with the Psalmist. We confessed about the evils of racism in our country and our world. We read an Affirmation of Faith that came from our brothers and sisters in South Africa who lived through apartheid. During the prayers of the people each person came forward and wrote a responsive prayer on a piece of colorful fabric. Folks of every age and race came forward to offer their hopes for our community. While the choir sang a beautiful song about the peace of God, a few people helped pin the fabric to a grey satin ribbon to make a prayer flag. We raised our prayer flags to show the congregation as we clapped and sang, I m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me. The prayer flag now hangs from the front of our building as a sign and symbol to our community that we hope and will live into a world free of hate. It has been three weeks since I tied the satin ribbon around the white railing leading into our sanctuary. The fabric has not worn and the ribbon has not frayed. Through wind, rain, and the hottest day of summer the prayers still flap in the wind. When I pass by I am reminded of an audacious hope that hate will not win in the end. I would be remiss if I said the work is done. But as we allowed our hurt and hope to be woven by the spirit of God so will our work for understanding and justice be woven into the fabric of our community.

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6 Member Spotlight The newest member of the Steering Committee of the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council is Elder Skip Winter, a 25 year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford and an active leader of the Presbytery of Elizabeth. A lifelong Presbyterian and 39 year Cranford resident, Winter has served in many capacities at First Presbyterian and within the Cranford community. During his membership at First Presbyterian of Cranford, along with serving as Clerk of Session for 8 years, and President and Vice-President of the Board of Deacons, he also taught Sunday School, assisted with the Senior High Youth Groups and worked on 2 mission studies. Winter also currently serves on the Service and Mission Team and assists with the FISH program, Operation Warm Heart and the Cranford-Elmora Soup Kitchen. As a Ruling Elder serving with the Presbytery of Elizabeth, Winter has served on numerous committees including serving as Mission Chair and on the Disaster Preparedness and Response Commission. He also serves as Board Secretary of PRISM, Presbyterians Renewing in Service and Mission, a cooperative effort between all of the Presbyterian churches in the City of Elizabeth, the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center and the Hillside Millennium Presbyterian Church. Skip was also a 2010 Elder Commissioner to the General Assembly and is currently serving as chair of the PCUSA's Self Development of People program. Also active with Hurricane Sandy relief, he worked at the New Jersey shore and Staten Island with rebuilding efforts and has assisted the Union County Long Term Recovery Group, helping those in need in Union County and is currently serving on the steering committee of the newly formed Union County VOAD. He has also traveled to Haiti to assist in earthquake relief and will be making his fourth trip to Nicaragua in January for mission work. A longtime community volunteer, Skip served for 20 years on the Board of Director's of the Cranford United Way, and as a coach in the Cranford Baseball, Soccer and Basketball Leagues and as a leader of the St. Michaels Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop.

7 UCICC Outreach Coordinating Team Sidney Blanchard, Executive Director of Community Access Unlimited Roderick (Rod) Spearman UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Pastor Howard A. Bryant, UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Pastor Carmine Pernini UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Record Expungement Grant Application How Can This Grant Help Me? Individuals in Union County are trying to change their lives and move on from the mistakes of their past, by becoming productive, employed, tax-paying citizens in the community. Many have run into barriers in gaining employment, job training, and continuing education because of their minor past criminal record. This grant will help offset the costs that are associated with their efforts to get their record expunged. Individuals in Union County are trying to change their lives and move on from the mistakes of their past, by becoming productive, employed, tax-paying citizens in the community. Many have run into barriers in gaining employment, job training, and continuing education because of their minor past criminal record. This grant will help offset the costs that are associated with their efforts to get their record expunged. Application Guidelines 1. Your congregation must be an active member of the Union County Interfaith Coordination Council. 2. You must be endorsed by a member of the interfaith council congregations to apply for the grant. 3. Your congregations must be active in providing additional funds to support the grant. 4. You can only apply one time. 5. You must be willing to work with an approved record expungement counselor. 6. Your application will be reviewed by the UCICC Steering Committee Questions? Contact us at (908) x324 or us at rspearman@caunj.org

8 BUILDING SUPPORTS FOR OUR KIDS Save the Date 3rd Annual Union County Youth Services Networking Conference With guest speaker, Jim McGreevy Wednesday, October 28th a.m-4p.m L Affaire Fine Catering, 1099 US Route 22, Mountainside, NJ T O G ET I N V O LV E D, C O N TA C T U S Tanya Johnson, Sr. Assistant Executive Director, Community Access Unlimited tjohnson@caunj.org, x251 Nicholas R. Scalera, President- Scalera Consulting Services nick@scalera.com,

9 L'Affaire Fine Catering US Route 22, Mountainside, NJ All youth from ages 13 & up are invited to help us celebrate a day where life and skills brought together can shape the youth of tomorrow. Music Door Prizes Festivities Guest Speakers Food Workshops & More The event cost is $5 per person Please RSVP in advance by contacting Stefanie Burgess- Betrand at (908) x242 All checks are payable to Community Access Unlimited 80 West Grand St. Elizabeth, NJ Don t be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone.. -Unknown

10 Advertise in the UCICC Newsletter! Got an exciting event or program happening? Reach out to members of the interfaith community in Union County by advertising in this newsletter! Please send all ready ads to Rod Spearman at by the 15th of every month to save a space!

11 The NJ Clergy Coalition for Justice's Rally for Justice The NJ Clergy Coalition for Justice held a Rally for Justice (NJCCJ) on Tuesday, July 28 at St. Matthew's Baptist Church at 159 E. 9th Ave in Roselle calling for a higher standard of accountability in the police force. The focus of the Rally for Justice was to raise public awareness and gain legislative support for the measures that the NJCCJ is focusing on concerning reform of police department practices and training. In the presence of Union County, Sheriff Joseph Cryan, the Mayor of Roselle, Christina Dansereau, Roselle's NAACP president, Myrtle Counts, one-hundred and fifty religious leaders, representatives of various law enforcement agencies, other elected officials and constituents, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Assemblyman Jamel Holley, and Senator Peter Barnes III went on record in support of the measures the NJ Clergy Coalition for Justice has advocated for: the use of body cameras; a Special Prosecutor in cases of police shootings and egregious misconduct; independent Internal Affairs in police departments; and diversity training for all law enforcement from the academy and field. National Board member and Former State President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Jiles Ship, also spoke at the rally. He lent his support to the issues as well as addressed the need for reform in the Police Department and in Police Department practices and training. The NJCCJ's Rally for Justice was an important and successful first step in mobilizing people in advocating for policy issues that bring social, economic, and political justice to oppressed and disenfranchised groups of people. The coalition is scheduling more meeting with both Democratic and Republican leadership with hopes of finding bi-partisan support towards solving these issues plaguing New Jerseyans. For information relating to the NJCCJ and future events, please contact Pastor David Ford at dfordsr56@gmail.com.

12 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 225 Elizabeth, NJ 80 West Grand Street Elizabeth, NJ Phone: TTY/TTD: Fax: Community Access Unlimited s Mission: To provide community access through effective and comprehensive support services for people with disabilities and at-risk youth, giving them the opportunity to live independently and to lead normal and productive lives in the community. SAVE THE DATE - UNION COUNTY DAY OF PRAYER OCTOBER 7, 2015 UCICC & Steering Committee Upcoming Events UCICC Steering Committee Meeting August 6, 2015 at 10:00AM Community Access Unlimited 80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ UCICC Day of Prayer Planning Meeting September 23, 2015 at 6:30PM Suburban Golf Club 1730 Morris Ave Union, NJ UCICC Steering Committee Meeting November 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM Community Access Unlimited 80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ Union County Day of Prayer October 7, 2015 at 6:30 PM First United Methodist Church 117 Ferris Place, Westfield, NJ UCICC Steering Committee Meeting September 3, 2015 at 10:00AM Community Access Unlimited 80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ UCICC Steering Committee Meeting October 1, 2015 at 10:00 AM Community Access Unlimited 80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ Full UCICC Meeting November 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM Location TBD Rod Spearman Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council c/o Community Access Unlimited 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ Phone: (908) Fax:(908)