GET INVOLVED! Ministries at Central Presbyterian Church are where you can be involved in God’s work hroughout the Summit New Jersey and surrounding areas. Central Presbyterian Church has something for everyone from preschool to senior citizens. Our Ministries are involved in everything from food kitchens to prayer meetings. If you would like to be a part of one of our ministries, please contact infor@centralpres.org and we will be in touch. ADULT MINISTRIES PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The first gathering of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Central Presbyterian Church was in November 2012. Since that time, we have distributed shawls, lapagans, and quilts to those who need strength and comfort during an illness or other challenging times. These handmade items have also been given at times of great joy and blessings, such as the birth of a baby. A shawl is a tangible evidence of God’s love and allows the receiver to know they are in the thoughts and prayers of those making the shawls. For the person creating this item, it can be a quiet time of discernment as for who will receive this gift. The Prayer Shawl Ministry Team is delighted to announce that we have crocheted or knitted and packaged 30 prayer shawls for the kids to take on their Mission trip in June. We are thankful for help from the St. Theresa’s Prayer Shawl Ministry Team who gave us five shawls to include. It was lovely working together. It is amazing to us, but including these shawls, we have made and distributed over 80 shawls in the year and a half that we have been meeting. This is a truly win-win ministry as God’s love is felt both by those who receive and by those who give. In addition, it is lots of fun. The team meets September through May on second Wednesdays in the Boardroom, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Although we do not meet during the summer, we continue to work on projects independently. We welcome anyone who would like to participate or learn, regardless of skill level—there is always someone available to teach! STEPHEN MINISTRY Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one ministry to someone who is hurting. It’s quiet, confidential, compassionate and provides a listening witness to the caring presence of Christ and His community. If you would like to speak with a Stephen Minister or would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, please contact us. PRAYER NETWORK The Prayer Network is a group of members who pray for others. Prayer requests are received in confidence and shared only among the Network. Click here for a prayer request form. HOSPITAL VISITATION Every day of the year, a member of the Hospital Visitation Team checks the patient list at Overlook Hospital to visit members and friends of Central. YOUTH MINISTRIES Please click HERE to visit our Sign Up Genius for Youth Mission ELIZABETHPORT TUTORING Every Tuesday night (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.) October through April, Central’s high school students tutor about 60 elementary students from Elizabethport who are bussed in to receive help with their schoolwork. YOUTH MISSION TRIP 2019: JUNE 22-29 Discover a truly unique mission-trip experience where you will grow in your faith while helping repair homes for people in need…all while having the time of your life! Mission at the Eastward was created to help people in need stay in their home by doing needed repairs they could not otherwise afford to do. Located in Central Maine, MATE serves rural families and welcomes volunteers from across the Northeast and around the country. While in Maine, we can expect to work on ramps and decks, window installations, siding repair and simple roofing projects. FORMS: Application Waiver Covenant Brochure MIDNIGHT RUN Midnight Run is a volunteer organization dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and the homeless. In over 1,000 relief missions per year, Midnight Run volunteers from churches, synagogues, schools and other civic groups distribute food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless poor on the streets of New York City. The late-night relief efforts create a forum for trust, sharing, understanding and affection. That human exchange, rather than the exchange of goods, is the essence of the Midnight Run mission. Central participates each month with a Run. Food and clothing are collected during Stockpile Sundays, then distributed directly to those in need by our congregations high school youth. To participate, please click HERE SHARING TREE At Christmastime, our congregation hangs gift tags on our Christmas tree, with requests for specific gifts. The church youth take monetary donations and shop for gifts. As volunteers take and fulfill the requests, the gifts are wrapped and delivered to the following: La Mision Presbiteriana Nuevas Fronteras, one of our sister churches in Plainfield Sarah Burke House, transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence in South Bronx Deserving families in Summit SERVICE AT CENTRAL A service opportunity for middle schoolers every Friday evening at 5:30pm beginning Oct 4 DONUTS WITH DEBORAH Middle schoolers are invited to share a few minutes of conversation and donuts before school every Friday starting Oct 4 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS Central Presbyterian Church annually awards the following college scholarships, made possible through the generosity of numbers of interested members and families. The application is due on May 28, 2019. The following is a list of current available scholarships: Laura C. Binder Central Presbyterian Church Service Award The recipient must demonstrate an active interest in one or more of CPC’s ministries. Central Presbyterian Church Leadership Award Periodically awarded to a student planning for a career in the ministry, or related fields. Greer Scholar-Athlete Award Given annually to a student who excels in both athletics and academics. The scholarship honors Robert Bratton Greer II. Dorothy Tawney Christian Service Award The recipient must demonstrate a willingness to engage in the work of the Christian Church in Summit and beyond. Jeanette Thatcher Christian Service Award The recipient must demonstrate a willingness to engage in the work of the Christian Church in Summit and beyond. Francis Brown Beattie CPC Service Award The recipient must demonstrate an active interest in one or more of the ministries of Central Presbyterian Church. CONFIRMATION 2018-2019 Confirmation is for students in 9th grade and beyond. It is a ten-month process of exploration led by Rev. Deborah Huggins, Sally Snyder, David Fosgate, Sally Noa, and Jeff Huggins, with Steve Peterson coordinating the mentors. Each Confirmand is asked to select a mentor with whom they are comfortable partnering with for this process. Mentors are active church members – sometimes a former church schoolteacher, middle school advisor, or an adult in the church they know well. Together they explore the larger questions of faith, with the understanding that this is not the whole journey, but the beginning of a lifelong journey. The Confirmation class will meet ten times between September and May; meetings are held in the Central Youth Center on Sundays, 11:00am – 12:30pm. Also planned is a September weekend retreat at Raccoon Island, Lake Hopatcong, where confirmands and leaders will begin their journey of reflection and discussion. WAIVER FORM REGISTRATION FORM For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2: 7-10 Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. John 1: 15-17 CHILDREN MINISTRIES To teach or help in Sunday School, visit our Sign Up Genius. SUNDAY NURSERY During our Sunday services, professional nursery and childcare are provided. Feel free to drop by, say “hi”, or to check out our program. The nursery is open from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. every Sunday. Children ages birth to 3 are invited to stay. If you have any questions about our nursery and daycare, feel free to contact us. CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL To teach or help in Sunday School, visit our Sign Up Genius. Central offers Children’s Sunday School for ages 3 through Middle School. Classes are held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings, all year, excepting the Sunday after Christmas, Easter Sunday, and Labor Day weekend. THROUGH GRADE 5 – SUNDAY SCHOOL Central Church is committed to the spiritual nurture of all children. We demonstrate God’s love through study, service and through the relationships between caring adults and children. Classes meet in the Christian Education Wing. Children may register in class. We are teaching the curriculum “Growing in Grace and Gratitude.” MIDDLE SCHOOL – re:form Central’s program for middle schoolers uses the re:form curriculum, and meets in the Youth Center. Children may register in the classroom any week. MUSIC AND MISSION SUNDAY SCHOOL On second Sundays, Sunday School for children will involve special music and a service project, completed together in the Children’s Center. NURSERY SCHOOL Click here to see what our weekday Nursery School has to offer. VBS A summer week-long camp where children learn the love of Jesus through activities, music, and games. Central participates in commUNITY VBS, with 5 other Summit churches. MISSION WITH MOMMY Introducing preschoolers to service, together with a caregiver, through age-appropriate activities. Meets on 4th Tuesdays at noon, beginning in September. (photo attached – missionwithmommycrayons) MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE Annually on MLK Day, Central participates in Summit’s Day of Service, partnering with Bridges to perform service for the homeless in our area. All ages are welcome to participate. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS: Please click on the following links for videos from Growing in Grace and Gratitude, a PC USA Children’s Curriculum, featuring Central’s associate pastor, Rev. Deborah Huggins: Behavior Labeling Behavior Specific Praise TELEVISION MINISTRY Noelle Kirchner is Central’s Parish Associate. She is an ordained Presbyterian minister and mother of two boys. Her parenting TV series, Chaos to Calm, is about transforming the chaos of family life into calm, and it airs on HomeTowne TV (Channel 33/Verizon and 36/Comcast). Noelle’s written work has appeared on sites such as Huff Post Parents, the TODAY Show Parenting Team, Mamapedia, Crosswalk.com, and (in)courage. You can connect with Noelle on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her blog. Check back here regularly for new episodes! Click on the links below to watch Central’s parenting series on demand: Episode One – “The Chaos of Family Scheduling!” We don’t have to live with full schedules and thin souls. Reclaim your schedule and find family calm! Episode Two – “The Chaos of School Social Problems!” Hear an expert bring calm to the chaos of childhood bullying, anxiety, and grief. Plus, discover resources that can help your child. Episode Three – “The Chaos of Holiday Hecticness!” Reclaim holiday meaning and magic by discovering simple ways to enrich family celebrations. Central’s Head Pastor Don Steele and Associate Pastor Deborah Huggins are guests. Episode Four – “The Calm of Building Faith Foundations” Hear popular children’s book author and educator Laura Sassi share her inspiring personal story, the insights behind her books, and tested faith-starters for children. Plus, discover over ten featured faith-building resources for young children and teens courtesy of Zonderkidz! Episode Five – “The Chaos of Childhood Failure!” New York Times best-selling author Jessica Lahey explains why failure doesn’t have to be the chaos we expect. Find out what parents can do to set their children up for future success. Episode Six – “The Chaos of Unfulfillment!” If you’ve been feeling frustrated or unfulfilled, then this episode is for you! Learn how to set a new, focused course for your life as you juggle parenting’s demands with a hunger to live fully. Noelle interviews both a spiritual director and a time management coach and for practical insights. Episode Seven – “The Calm of Connection” Finding meaningful connection is essential to help parents move from chaos to calm! Discover the unique resources at the church’s disposal that could be just what you’re looking for. This episode’s special guests are staff members from Central! Episode Eight– “The Collapse of Parenting!” Hear New York Times bestselling parenting author Dr. Leonard Sax describe the real challenges of modern parenting today and what to do about them. Episode Nine (Extended Episode Special) – “Boys Adrift in School and with Video Games” Host Noelle Kirchner welcomes back New York Times bestselling author Dr. Leonard Sax and interviews him on his most popular book, Boys Adrift. They hone in on barriers to boys’ success in school and the effects of video games on boys’ development in this extended episode special.