It’s hard for me to believe that I’m entering my 8th decade. I’m not saying that I’m 80 years old (not yet!), but, as of January 1, 2020, I will have lived in 8 decades. Since our congregation was founded in the same decade as my birth, it stands to reason that St. Timothy is likewise entering its 8th decade. I’m pleased to say that the church is aging rather well – maybe better than I am! We’ve welcomed new adult members to our congregation in the past year, and our run on baptisms continues into 2020. Our Sunday School is well-attended, and worship attendance has been good too (though there’s always room for improvement). Even though we’re a growing and active congregation, we need your support to continue to thrive. If you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, why not consider ways of supporting your church home?

Possible resolutions:

1. We need volunteers to count weekend offerings! The counting ranks are thinning, since some of our folks have been counting offerings for more than 50 years! Offerings are counted and deposited immediately after the 10:30 service (though holiday offerings are often counted on a weekday following the feast). Most counters volunteer on a once a month schedule, but other arrangements are possible. If you’re good with figures, please talk to Carl Johnson.
2. St. Timothy has a rich musical heritage, but the choir has shrunk over the years. Part of the problem is the increased popularity of the spoken services, but our 10:30 service is still well-attended. We hear many excellent singing voices coming from places other than the choir loft on Sunday mornings. Even if you’re not able to commit to singing in the choir each week, please speak to Caroline Parody if you’d like to lend your voice. And remember, you don’t read music to sing or play hand bells!
3. Altar guild is another ministry of St. Timothy that’s staffed with some long-time veteran. Now that we’re communing by intinction most weeks, setting up for communion is relatively easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Other altar guild jobs involve changing paraments (the colored altar hangings) when the seasons change, washing an pressing altar linens, laundering acolyte robes, and decorating for holidays. Although women have traditionally staffed the altar guild, there’s no reason why men can’t be part of it as well. Please talk to Valerie McGrath if you’d like to help.
4. Our facilities are in constant need of maintenance and upkeep, and our ranks of property volunteers have been thinning. While retirees have traditionally taken care of our property (Monday Morning Crew and the Gardening Group), there’s always something that could be done after work, evenings, or Saturdays. We’ve recently had several additions to the Monday Morning Crew, and more are always welcome. If you’re interested in gardening, please talk to Carol Cook. I you’d like to join the Monday Morning Crew, Bill Mains, Carl Johnson, or Robert Andersen would love to hear from you. If you’d like to volunteer for other property work, Tony DeStefano is your guy.
5. Heart n’ Hands Mission is a wonderful ministry of St. Timothy that provides clothing and other essentials for the urban poor and homeless of North Jersey. H&H sorts clothing most Monday mornings, as well as on the first Tuesday evening of each month. In addition, they hold days of service several times during the year, either on Saturdays of Monday holidays. If you have any questions about H&H or would like to help out, please talk to Barbara Kaplan or Bob or Cathe Davidson. Heart n’ Hands also welcomes donations of new or lightly worn clothing, travel size toiletries, and monetary gifts.
6. Our congregational committees — Christian Education; Worship; Stweardship; Finance; Mutual Ministry; Facilities / Property – are always looking for support. Would you like to serve on a committee? Talk to me, and I’ll connect you with the right person.

Obviously, there are many other areas of ministry at St. Timothy; these are just a few. Please prayerfully consider how best to serve God and his people. St. Paul says that the church is the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27) and we are individually members of it. Each member is given particular spiritual gifts – talents – and God invites us to use them in service to the Kingdom. Have a happy, blessed, and faithful New Year!

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay