FPC History: Reverend Charles H Bruce (1912 - 1925)

Dr Charles H Bruce was called to FPC Matawan on 20 September 1912 to replace the Rev Edwin I Stearns, who had resigned that year to become superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of New Jersey in Newark. Dr Bruce was installed 1 November 1912 at age 49 and served until he retired at age 63 on 30 July 1925. He moved to Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he died at age 70 on 27 July 1933.

During Dr Bruce's tenure, the church received 189 new members and baptized 91, and the manse was "altered and redecorated," according to Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, p. 44. For some reason, his annual salary remained $1,500 throughout his years of service at FPC Matawan.

According to the 1850 Federal Census, Dr Bruce's father was a 45 year old farmer named Abraham Bruce living in Moon, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He had $3,500 worth of property. His wife was Christina (44) and their children were Emma (13), Hannah (11), Maria (9), William (6), George (4), and Abraham (2). 

According to the 1860 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was a 7 year old living on a farm in the village of New Sheffield in Moon, Beaver County, Pennsylvania in the household of the widowed 53 year old Christina Bruce. He was the youngest of six children, his elder siblings being Emma (23), Hannah (21), William (17), George (14), and Abram (11).

According to the 1870 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was an 18 year old living on a farm in Moon, Beaver County, Pennsylvania in the household of 64 year old Clara Bruce. His siblings in the household included Emma (33), William (25), George (23), and Amanda (10). The farm was worth $9,800 and their personal property $1,000.

According to the 1880 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was a 27 year old seminary student living in the Village of Sheffield in Hopewell, Beaver County, Pennsylvania with the 74 year old widow Christianna Bruce and a sibling Abraham, a 31 year old dentist.

Dr Bruce does not appear in what remains of the 1890 Federal Census, which was mostly destroyed by fire.

Presbyterian Issues: The General Assembly of 1892 shows that Dr Bruce served as a commissioner to that assembly, which was held in Portland, Oregon in May. He represented the Synod of Missouri from the Presbytery of Kansas City and reported an address of No 3, 208 East Twelfth Street in Kansas City. The case of Dr Briggs and Revisionism was a major issue at the time. Dr Bruce was on the Standing Committee for Publication and Sabbath School Work.

According to The Descendants of Francis Graves of Gloucester County and Essex County, Virginia, Dr Bruce married Elizabeth Smith Graves on 14 June 1893. She was born 7 July 1870 to David William Graves and his wife Julia Ann Crockett. Elizabeth's father, David Graves, was a Baptist minister, and her maternal grandfather was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister.

The Presbyterian Ministerial Directory, Vol I, 1898 ,  ed by Edgar Sutton Robinson, reports that Charles H Bruce was a minister of the Presbyterian Church USA (Northern). He was born in New Sheffield, Pennsylvania; earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1879 from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania; studied at Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania from 1879 - 1881; was licensed by the Presbytery of Erie in 1880; was ordained by the Presbytery of Council Bluffs on 18 October 1882; served as pastor in home ministry at Menlo, Iowa from 1881 - 1885, then as pastor at Union City, Pennsylvania from 1885 - 1887, Fifth Church in Kansas City, Missouri from 1887 - 1897, and currently was pastor elect of the Presbyterian church in Muncy, Pennsylvania since 9 July 1897. He received his doctorate of divinity in 1895. [BRUCE, Charles H, Muncy, Pa - Born New Sheffield, Pa.; Ag. C., Pa, BA, 1879, DD, '95; Stud. Wn. T. S., Pa., '79-81; Lic. Apr 14, '80, Pby of Erie; Ord. Oct. 18, '82, Pby. of Council Bluffs; P. Menlo, Ia., HM, '81-85; P. Union City, Pa., '85-87; P. Fifth Ch., Kansas City, Mo., '87-97; PE, Muncy, Pa., July 9, '87 - . ]

According to the 1900 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was a 46 year old preacher living on Washington Street in Muncy, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The census provides his birth as being in July 1853. His 29 year old wife Elizabeth was born in July 1870 in Missouri to a father from Virginia and a mother from Missouri. Dr Bruce and his wife had been married seven years. Three children were living in the household: Laura (May 1887), Mildred (Sep 1894), and Margaret (Aug 1896). The census suggests that Elizabeth had had three children and all were surviving, but the eldest child in the household was not hers. Laura's mother was born in Pennsylvania.

According to the 1910 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was a 57 year old  working for the Presbyterian church and living in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota. He and his wife Elizabeth (39) had been married 17 years, this being his second marriage and her first. Elizabeth was born in Missouri to a father born in Virginia and a mother from Kentucky. Four children were living with Dr Bruce and his wife in 1910: Laura (22), Mildred (15), Margaret (13), and Charles Jr (9). Given her age, Laura was a product of Dr Bruce's first marriage. This census suggests Laura's mother was a Missouri native, while the previous census said her mother was born in Pennsylvania. The census says Elizabeth had had five children, but only four had survived. Theoretically, this could mean that Elizabeth lost two children, as one of the four remaining children was not her natural child.

Dr Bruce of Aberdeen, SD, visited the Chicago office of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church in 1910 at Room 48, 328 Wabash Avenue, according to Woman's Work, Vol 25, p 238.

According to the 1920 Federal Census, Dr Bruce was a 62 year old Presbyterian clergyman living in Matawan, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He and his parents were all Pennsylvanians by birth. His wife was Elizabeth, age 49, born in Missouri to a father from Virginia and a mother from Missouri. The Bruces had three children living with them in 1920: Daughters Mildred, age 25, and Margaret, 23, were both born in Missouri and working as public school teachers.  Their son Charles H Bruce, Jr was age 19, born in Pennsylvania, and not employed. They resided at 230 Main Street in Matawan. Their neighbors at 234 Main Street were 55 year old Baptist clergyman William N Ludwig and his wife Sadie. The Ludwigs were both New York natives; his parents were both from Germany.

Dr Bruce represented the Presbytery of Monmouth to the 100th Annual Session of the Synod of New Jersey at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlantic City, New Jersey 16 - 18 October 1922, according to the minutes of that meeting.

According to the 1930 Federal Census for Pennsylvania, Dr Bruce was a 77 year old retiree living with his wife Elizabeth and son Charles Jr at 234 Daugherty Avenue in Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The son was a 28 year old dentist at the time. This census says that Dr Bruce was first married about 1883, while his marriage to Elizabeth occurred about 1894.

January/February 2010 Lantern

The January/February 2010 edition of The Lantern is now available. It contains a full calendar of events, a message from the pastor, plus a number of articles of interest. Below is a brief summary of what you'll find.

New Activities:

• Drama Choir seeking participants Grade 4 to adult for possible Lenten performances. Rehearsals to begin 2 February. RSVP by 21 January if interested.
• Valentines for Veterans will support the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, one of three such facilities in the state. Reportedly the most modern, state-of-the-art nursing home in the US, this 332-bed establishment was rebuilt in 1999 on 108 acres adjacent to Roosevelt Hospital in nearby Middlesex County.
• Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity is building a home on Broad Street in Matawan and is looking for volunteers to provide hot meals to professional volunteers doing work at the construction site in January.
• Adult Education begins a weekly video series on 3 January called The Prayers of Jesus.
  

Ongoing Activities:

• You can visit the chapel for meditation and prayers on Sunday mornings between Sunday School and Worship.
• Six and One Half Club Friendship Dinners continue on occasional Tuesday evenings.
• Wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes are requested for the infirm.
• Nonperishable foods and disposable diapers are sought for needy families.
  

Previous Events:

• Our congregation participated in a number of programs that directed Christmas gifts to the needy. Through the Christmas CONNECT program, sponsored by Long Branch-based Love INC, gifts were distributed to needy families in eastern Monmouth County. Our junior and senior high youths each donated a gift to a child they "adopted" from among a group selected by Red Bank Primary School counselors and social workers. And members contributed towards a gift for our refugee family.
  
• A portion of last fall's Pentecost Offering went to Manna House. Lunch Break and Mission Matawan were among the groups receiving budgeted local mission dollars this year.
  

Upcoming Events:

• 23 January: Soup and Hymn Sing
• 2 February: Presbyterian Nursery School Open House
• 27 March: Fish Fry
  

FPC History: Phillips Academy (1839 - 1842)

The second Mount Pleasant Church served our congregation from 1798 to late 1839 or early 1840. While technically a Matawan church, it was located outside of the city center on New Brunswick Avenue (Route 516) near its intersection with Main Street. Rumblings to erect a more centrally located edifice in downtown Matawan had by 1836 developed  into a petition for subscribers. But money was tight and the subscription plan went nowhere. A cash-strapped congregation couldn't even pay the salary of the Reverend Joseph L Shafer, who resigned in 1838 and sued for recompense.

Not long after the Reverend Charles Webster was installed on 6 November 1838, the church's chimney malfunctioned and the sanctuary filled with smoke one particular Sunday that winter. Tradition tells us that the situation was exacerbated by the green firewood that had been used to fuel the fire to heat the church for worship. Services were canceled that day.

By the next Sunday, worship had been relocated to the recently constructed Middletown Point Academy, operated by Philetus Phillips at the corner of Church and Jackson Streets. The congregation would meet at the "Phillips Academy's" more favorable location for nearly two more years. Soon a nationally-known private school, the Academy would have many names, including the Collegiate Institute of Middletown Point (1857), the Glenwood Institute (1874, pictured above), and the Matawan Military Academy (early 1900s). The growth of public schools forced the academy to close in 1915.

Webster's congregation continued to grow, exceeding the available space, so the Reverend encouraged a movement to build a new church along Main Street. A great effort would be required, so one Sunday his sermon topic was "For the people had a mind to work." This sparked the women to hold a fair and raise several hundred dollars. The men tried the then-current fad of sericulture, which involved growing mulberry trees and silkworms to produce silk, but the project failed. The rest of the necessary funds were raised the more traditional way through subscriptions and pledges.

The old church building was sold to meet part of the obligation to Rev. Shafer. Simon Arrowsmith bought the building at sheriff's sale and moved it to his farm, which was located where the Buttonwood Manor currently sits. It first served as a warehouse building associated with the farm's dock near the head of Matawan Creek. It later became a barn and was eventually razed. Robert Little paid the balance of the debt to Rev. Shafer -- $60.

In March 1841, a half-acre of property at 216 Main Street was acquired for the new church building from Elizabeth and Eleanor Covenhoven at a cost of $650. The deed (Monmouth Deeds, C-4, p. 86) described the property as having been designated Lot 14 on a map made by Leonard Walling. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on 17 July 1841, and the new building was dedicated on 6 January 1842. Rev. Webster would serve here for eleven years.

FPC History: Two Manses (1955-1959)

According to Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, the church's manse on Main Street gradually became the church's operational headquarters after the Christmas 1955 fire:

The guest room was stripped of its former fittings and set up as a temporary office. The pastor's secretary was established there amid piles of equipment. A telephone and buzzer system connected with the minister's first floor office and the kitchen of the Manse.


The dining room table was used by the financial secretary during the week and by the Church School officers on Sunday.


The flow of traffic through the Manse was so heavy that by common consent, the doorbell was never used. People simply came in and called out to announce their presence.


... On February 18th, 1959, the Rev Mr Galloway and his family moved into a new Manse, the beautiful Koopman homestead overlooking Lake Lefferts, the gift of two members of the church, Mrs Helen Terhune Schock and Miss J Mabel Brown. The house was built in 1950.

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FPC History: 1900 - 1903 Revisionism

At Perrineville on 25 September 1900, the Presbytery of Monmouth's Committee on Revision recommended in favor of revising the Westminster Catechism, according to The New York Times. But the membership voted down the motion, 16 to 38. Turning Points in American Presbyterian History says the General Assembly had received 34 overtures that summer from presbyteries seeking revision, so the GA had appointed a study group that included former US President Benjamin Harrison and sitting US Supreme Court Justice John Harlan to look into the matter. It would be three more years before this battle between Union and Princeton, launched in 1891 by Charles A Briggs (pictured left) of Union Theological Seminary, would result in a modification of Westminster that took the focus away from the tenet of predestination and added support for ecumenism. Presumably FPC Matawan and Monmouth Presbytery took these revisions in stride.

Mission-Mindedness Brings Old Congregation and Young Minister Together

Finding a fit: Older St. Joseph congregation welcomes young pastor
by Erin Wisdom
Saturday, December 12, 2009
St Joe News

The Rev. Heather Walchar didn’t grow up going to church all that regularly.

Born in Las Vegas, she didn’t grow up around here. And she certainly didn’t grow up picturing herself as a pastor in a relatively small Midwest city.

But she didn’t picture herself as an actuary or a math teacher, either — which ended up being a first step in this direction.

“I was a math major, but careers math majors end up in didn’t interest me,” says Rev. Walchar, who three months ago became the pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1108 S. 33rd St, St Joseph, Missouri.

A summer she happened to spend as a counselor at a church camp motivated her to change her major to religion, but even then, she wasn’t planning to become a pastor. And as surprised as she might have been then to know what she’s doing now, meeting a young woman serving as pastor of a largely older congregation is perhaps just as surprising to people.

“We have few female ministers in town and even less at her age, in the mid-20s,” says the Rev. Chase Peeples, pastor of First Christian Church in St. Joseph. “For that matter, nationally, ministers that come straight through college and into seminary are becoming more and more rare; most people entering the ministry today do so in middle-age or later, as a second or even third career.”

He adds that Rev. Walchar “is very sharp and could have chosen to go to many other places” — and until relatively recently, other places were the only ones on her radar.

After graduating with a degree in religion from a college in Chicago, Rev. Walchar went on to Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey with plans to someday be a youth minister. She eventually decided against this, however, and considered pursuing a Ph.D. in order to have a career in academics — but this began to change during a summer internship at a church in Texas.

“What I enjoyed most was visiting people, which really surprised me, because I’m an introvert,” she notes, adding that during an internship a few years later in Laurel, Md., she realized how much she liked the idea of combining this kind of pastoral work with preaching and teaching.

It was last January, while she was still at that internship, that Rev. Walchar had a phone interview with Trinity Presbyterian in St. Joseph that stuck with her, even as she interviewed with other churches. She says that she kept comparing those churches to what she’d learned about Trinity; especially, that although the congregation is older, it’s open to change and to the community.

The church — which formed in 2005 through the merging of Westminster Presbyterian and Second Presbyterian — has been very involved with The Haven and Judah House, she says, and has also expressed an interest in somehow reaching out to the Hispanic community.

“For me, the fact that they were even using this as an example of their interests showed me that they were not afraid of opening up the church to try programs that might be out of their comfort zone,” Rev. Walchar adds. “ ... A lot of churches can get a bunker mentality when the neighborhood around the church changes, but they’re open to anyone coming.”

Barb Ranner, chairperson of the committee that called Rev. Walchar, notes that being mission-minded is a quality that’s always been important to Trinity and that Rev. Walchar especially — out of more than 100 applicants — fits the church well in that it’s also important to her.

“We kept e-mailing her (during her internship and job search), saying, ‘Are you still available? We’re still interested,’” Ms. Ranner says, adding that when Rev. Walchar indicated she did want to move forward with the interview process, “the committee gave out a big war whoop.”

This likely doesn’t come as a surprise to Rev. Walchar, who notes that what her church lacks in size — with a membership of about 90 and a Sunday attendance usually between 35 and 55 — it makes up for in enthusiasm.

“I think they’re excited to have someone come in with new ideas,” she says, adding that while the tendency for some older congregations seems to be to snuff out ideas they feel have been tried and failed before, she doesn’t think her congregation will — even if one member did comment to her that she’s “all of 12 years old.”

“I’m new to this,” she notes, “so I haven’t tried anything before that hasn’t worked.”

11 Suburban Churches Step Up to Rescue Inner City Congregation

Suburban Presbyterian churches join effort to save Cleveland's North Presbyterian Church

By Michael O'Malley, The Plain Dealer
November 24, 2009, 2:36PM
Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Eleven suburban Presbyterian churches have come together to rescue a century-old inner-city church that was once a sanctuary for high society but now is too poor to keep its doors open.

North Presbyterian Church, a grimy, weather-beaten, brick-and-stone edifice built in 1887 at East 40th Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland, has only about 65 congregants, nearly half of whom are homeless.

"Our folks are dirt poor," said the Rev. Charlie Hurst, the church's part-time pastor. "And we don't have an endowment, so there's no money here."

But closing North's doors on the few remaining souls is not an option for the Presbyterian community.

The suburban churches have taken over the cost, cooking and serving of North's free hot-meals program and have begun exploring ways to raise money to keep the congregation going.

"Partnering suburban churches with urban churches is an alternative to closing churches down," said the Rev. Louise Westfall, senior pastor of the 1,200-member Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights.

"There is only one church, and we're all in it together."

One plan is to mothball the old North building, which is too expensive to operate, and build a new church in the neighborhood.

Hurst said he paid $15,000 in heating bills last year, digging into the church's savings and relying on handouts from other churches.

"These old buildings no longer work," said Hurst, who recently had the main sanctuary walled off and its boiler shut down to cut costs. Services are now held in the basement.

"I have no idea what the building could be used for," said the Rev. Martha Shiverick of Fairmount Presbyterian. "But I don't want to kill a congregation and the congregation is determined to stay in the neighborhood. I think that's where Jesus wants the church to be."

The old building is a Cleveland historic landmark, so it can't be torn down without going through layers of red tape in City Hall. And selling such a castlelike behemoth -- appraised last year at $160,000 -- is a difficult task.

Still, Shiverick has a vision of a new "green" energy-efficient building with easy access for the elderly and disabled. She already has architectural drawings and a proposed site nearby.

"The church has such a great ministry to underprivileged and homeless people that we want to keep it in the neighborhood," she said. "And we want it to grow."

North's roots go back to 1859 when the Old Stone Church on Public Square -- which has joined the suburban churches to rescue North -- established a Sunday school in the near East Side neighborhood.

From that school, the church was established in 1870, named after North Church in Boston, where militant colonists two centuries ago lighted signal lanterns in the bell tower on the night of Paul Revere's famous ride.

The church was first located on St. Clair Avenue, then on East 36th Street before the existing building -- which seats over 1,000 people -- was built.

Philanthropist Flora Stone Mather, wife of industrialist Samuel Mather and sister-in-law of statesman John Hay, was the largest contributor to the building fund.

The first service in the new building was held Oct. 23, 1887, with 800 people in attendance. A choir, accompanied by a cornet, two violins and an organ, sang "Christ is Our Corner Stone," according to a story in The Plain Dealer the next day.

The organ, donated by the Old Stone Church, is still there. So is the giant bell that still rings with the pulling of a rope in the bell tower. And despite what might happen to the old building, church leaders hope the old bell will be salvaged and continue to chime in the neighborhood for another 120 years.

"Urban churches have to be sustained," said Hurst. "And if suburban churches go into their cocoons, it's bad for both. If God is calling us to take care of each other, we need to know where each other is."

Church Sign Project Complete

Phase I of the church sign project is completed.

Without a lot of fanfare and minimal funding, the church has completed the replacement of the church "banner" portion of the signage by Highway 34.

Requested by the pastor over a year ago, funding was planned by Evangelism with the assistance of the Property Commission to replace the aging banner. The new banner base is coated or 'encapsulated' plywood, made to withstand the rigors of the weather better than regular painted wood.

The Property Commission installed letter tracks so that changeable messages can be placed on the sign as often as needed to advertise church events or sermon titles.

Why "Phase I"? With minimal funding, providing the changeable letters was an inexpensive way to replace hand-made or costly laser printed banners that had to be laminated, and took hours to plan, create, and install. The current solution is more of a proof of concept. Changing the letters still requires some manual work. If it (the idea) takes off, down the road the idea is to consider technical upgrades, such as signs that can be changed by computer.

So what do you think? Great teamwork everyone!

Blogs Slowly Growing in Popularity in Presbyterian Church

While the General Assembly has long had its PCUSA website as a signpost on the web and the Presbyterian News Service to publish national and international news of interest to congregations, Web 2.0 is slowly beginning to make inroads in the provision of breaking news, information, and commentary at the local and regional levels. Websites are more rigid by nature and so have difficulty providing a steady stream of media content. Websites will continue to serve their purpose, but blogs are likely to play more of a role in active churches and presbyteries.

At the presbytery level, it is difficult to keep a website current. Monmouth Presbytery has a relatively moribund website these days, probably because there is no funding to staff people to keep up with all of the announcements and calendar items for a large presbytery, much less 50+ churches. It's certainly not a webmaster's job to add content. You'll notice that the presbytery is experimenting with a new Mission Cafe blog, which delivers some content but also calls for local churches to contribute mission news and commentary. For example, they are looking for mission stories from local congregations. See what Forked River, Jacksonville,  Lakewood - Hope, and Point Pleasant have shared to get ideas of what Matawan might contribute in the future.

The NJ Hunger Action and Advocacy ministry, which is sponsored by Monmouth Presbytery and New Brunswick Presbytery, has launched a new blog. The Monmouth Presbytery Hunger and Environment blog was a beginning, but a more regional blog seems to serve them better. If you're interested, ask Loril or a member of the Mission Commission how you can participate in presbytery level mission work like our Hunger and Environment Program.

The local churches have been slow to adapt blogs. Many don't even have a website yet. Our church has a website and is experimenting with this blog. Check with Evangelism Commission if you're interested in contributing content, either one time or on a regular basis. Content can be stories, travel logs, digital photographs, or interviews. Some folks don't like to write but are willing to be interviewed for a story, so if you know the story or can get the story, you can help with blogging.

Here's a short video to explain blogging to those who are unfamiliar.

Just a Little Help From My Friends

Looking for the chance to help a church neighbor in need? Some folks might be able to use a hand bagging leaves, getting their yards and homes ready for the upcoming cold weather or holiday season. Perhaps sweeping a garage, cleaning a gutter, or putting away the garden hoses and bringing in plants.

If you would like to put in a little time with others, or know of someone who could use a hand, please let us know. Send an email to Diana Noble, or contact me through the church office.

Info Updates as of November 14, 2009

Christmas Wreaths: Treat yourself to a beautiful holiday wreath while supporting mission. All monies will be sent to support the Mission at the Eastward (M.A.T.E.). Order and purchase details will be found in the November 15 church bulletin insert. (Courtesy of the Presbyterian Women)

It's not too late to help the Community Food Pantry fight hunger. In addition to year round collections the pantry is preparing for the annual distribution of the Thanksgiving Food Baskets, on November 21. We need the usual items: turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, pie makings, etc. Items should be brought to church a few days ahead of time.

On a related note, next week, November 22, "Christ the King" Sunday, all members are invited to bring items of food up to the chancel during service to replenish the food stores in time for the Christmas Baskets distribution. Donations of the following items will be collected until December 18 (Friday): turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, vegetables, pancake mix and syrup, and cranberry sauce. Questions? Call Tammy at 732-290-7518.

The Monmouth County SPCA needs your help! The church office was contacted by them and informed that are more than 500 cats and kittens--including purebreds. Consider a thought to taking on a beautiful, loyal, loving companion for yourself or another pet that is alone all day. If you cannot adopt an animal, consider fostering or sponsoring one. For more information, visit the MCSPCA or call them at 732-542-0040 and speak with Ruth Schwarz.

Wheelers Proceed With Mission Despite Turmoil

In their 28 October letter, Presbyterian missionaries Tim and Gloria Wheeler explain the difficult political situation in which they find themselves in Honduras. But they quickly return to telling their story of Christian mission, in this case their effort to help teach villagers in Estanzuela to build stoves that use 70% less firewood. These eco-stoves not only save human labor and remove smoke from villagers' homes, they help reduce deforestation, a worldwide concern. The Wheelers also talk about the importance of soccer to national pride in Honduras. You'll want to read their letter and find out how well your mission dollars are being spent in a desperate place in a difficult time.

FPC History: Reverend John M Rogers (1850 - 1867)

John M Rogers was installed as pastor of FPC Matawan in February 1850. Reverend Rogers served our church for eighteen years, the longest pastorate at our church until Chester A Galloway, who served over twenty-three years (12 October 1949 to 31 August 1973). Besides FPC Matwan, he also served the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury in Woodbury, NJ, the Morrisville Presbyterian Church in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and was chaplain for what is now called the Office of Chaplaincy Services at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. A native of Westmoreland County, Virginia, he returned to his hometown after a full life in ministry and peacefully passed away.

The Presbyterian Ministerial Directory of 1898 showed John Murphy Rogers born 18 March 1818 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was ordained on 15 May 1844 in Machodoc, Virginia in Westmoreland County.

The General Catalogue of Princeton University (1746 - 1906) lists John Murphy Rogers as attending Princeton University from 1839 - 1942 and receiving his A.M. at Princeton in 1840. He served as Chaplain, New Jersey State Prison from 1878 - 1893. The Reverend died in 1899.

The necrology report in the Synod's 78th annual report published in 1900 contained this report on John Muphry Rogers:

JOHN MURPHY ROGERS was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, March 15th, 1818. His father, William L. Rogers, was an army officer in the war of 1812, and removed with his family to Princeton, N. J., some time prior to 1836. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1837. Afterwards he studied law, but finding himself called to the ministry, he abandoned his chosen profession, and entered the Princeton Seminary, and graduated in 1842. He was ordained by the Presbytery of West Jersey May 15th, 1844, and installed pastor at Woodbury, N. J., where he remained until 1847. In 1850 he became pastor at Middletown Point (now Matawan), which pastorate continued until 1867. He then removed to Princeton, where he remained for two years without a charge; but in 1873 he became pastor in Morrisville, Pa., which church he served until 1877, making his home meantime in Princeton. From 1878 to 1893 he served as Chaplain of the New Jersey State Prison, Trenton, N. J. fie then returned to his birthplace, Machodoc, Westmoreland County, Va., where he peacefully passed away November 19th, 1899, in the eighty-second year of his age.

John M Rogers was a 30 year old Virginia native, according to the 1850 Federal Census, which showed him as a Presbyterian clergyman living in Raritan Township, NJ with his wife Jane (24) and daughter Eliza (6). The wife was born in Virginia and daughter in New Jersey.

John M Rogers was a 42 year old Virginia native, according to the 1860 Federal Census, which showed him as an Old Side Presbyterian (OSP) clergyman living in Matawan with his wife Jane (36) and daughters Lizzie (15) and Anna (8). The wife was born in Virginia and the two children were born in New Jersey. He had $5,000 worth of property.

John M Rogers was a 52 year old Virginia native, according to the 1870 Federal Census, which showed him as a Minister living in Princeton, NJ with his wife Jane (45), daughter Anita (17) and son William (9), as well as his mother Jane (68). The wife and mother were born in Virginia and the two children in New Jersey. He had a total of $35,000 worth of property.

According to Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, pp. 35-36:

Soon after becoming its pastor, [Reverend Rogers] acquired a large dairy farm on New Brunswick Avenue, about one-thousand feet west of the old Mount Pleasant Church. The farm remained in his possession until three years after he left the Church. Today, Mr and Mrs Clarence G Linden, members of the congregation, live in a home converted from a former storage building on the farm. The original homestead burned.

Near the end of the Rev Mr Rogers' pastorate, in 1867, the Church was enlarged and improved at a cost of about four thousand dollars. During alterations services were held in the First Baptist Church until February 1868.

After leaving the Church, the Rev Mr Rogers became Protestant chaplain of the New Jersey State Prison at Trenton.

Presbyterians Pioneer adds that the manse at 230 Main Street was built in 1853, which would have been during Reverend Rogers' early tenure at Matawan.

FPC History: Reverend J Henry Kaufman (1871 - 1873)

The Reverend J Henry Kaufman was installed at FPC Matawan on 23 October 1871 and died two years later, nearly to the day, while serving this church.


On 7 April 1853, J Henry Kaufman was certified by the Presbytery of Philadelphia to preach the gospel, according to The Home and Foreign Record of the Presbyterian Church.

According to marriage records, J H Kaufman married Maria Louisa Vandeventer on 23 May 1855. Maria was the daughter of Princeton, NJ druggist James Vandeventer and his wife Sarah, per the 1850 census. (Perhaps Henry and Maria met while he was in seminary?)

Resolution No 177, approved by the Mayor Samuel Hinks and the City Council of Baltimore on 25 September 1855, authorized J Henry Kaufman,  pastor of the Presbyterian church at the corner of Church and Light streets, to erect an iron rail in front of the church. (This could have been the South Presbyterian Church, which was founded in April of that year and was renamed the Light Street Presbyterian Church in 1871. If so, Rev. Kaufman appears to have been their founding pastor.)

I have been unable to locate the family in the 1860 census. (The family could have been traveling in the South at the time as a daughter was born about 1861 in Georgia.)

As of the 1870 Federal Census, J Henry Kauffman was a 44 year old native of Pennsylvania in Presbyterian ministry living in Baltimore County, Maryland, with his New Jersey-born wife Maria (40), sons William (14) and Henry (12), and daughters Kittie (9) and Maria (5).  All of the children were born in Maryland, except for Kittie, who was born in Georgia. The family was rather well off, according to the 1870 census, having $6,000 in property and two black servants.

Rev J Henry Kaufman of Matawan is mentioned in the 1870-1871 Memorial Offering. Valuations recorded include $1,300 for home objects and $200 for general objects. (Someone may wish to read the full report to sort out what this memorial fund is all about.)

According to Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan (1959), pp 36, 38:

On Sunday morning, October 26, 1873, the Rev Mr Kaufman rose and repeated, somewhat feebly, the words of the hymn to be sung:


Soon the delightful day will come,
When my dear Lord will call me home,
And I shall see his face.


He sat down and the congregation sang the hymn. Then the Rev Mr Kaufman offered a prayer and fell against the pulpit. He had suffered a heart attack and the next day died at his home.

The Matawan Journal of 1 November 1873 confirms his death on 27 October without elaboration.

As of the 1880 census, the widow M L Kaufman was living in Plainfield, NJ with 3 of her children and a servant.

The widow Maria Louisa Kaufman died 17 November 1905. Her funeral service was held at FPC Matawan on 20 November, according to the NY Tribune of 20 Nov 1905.

The Lantern: November/December 2009

The November/December 2009 edition of The Lantern is now available. It contains a full calendar of events, a message from the pastor, plus a number of articles of interest. Here's a brief summary of some of what you'll find in The Lantern:

New Activities

• Chapel now open for meditation and prayers on Sunday mornings between Sunday School and Worship.
• Six and One Half Club Friendship Dinners will be resumed on Tuesdays in the Adult Lounge.
• Church will participate in Christmas CONNECT program
  
• Donations sought: wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes
  

Previous Events:

• September: Missionaries hosted
  
• 18 October: CROP Walk
  

Upcoming Events:

• 7 November: Property Work Day
• 8 November: Youth assist in worship
• 15 November: Consecration Sunday
  
• 20-22 November: Senior Highs trip to Johnsonburg
  
• 13 December: Advent Dinner
• 20 December:  Caroling and Tree Lighting
  
• 24 December: Christmas Eve services (note change in time of Candlelight Service to 10 pm preceded by a carol sing at 9:30 pm; Family service still at 5:30 pm.)
  

FPC History: Reverend Edwin I Stearns (1909-1912)

The Reverend Edwin Ira Stearns served as minister of FPC Matawan from late 1909 to early 1912.  A young family man when he began preaching at Matawan, the Reverend and his wife Mary, both Pennsylvania natives, had been married only a year and were expecting their son Edwin when they accepted the call to Matawan. The Reverend was received by the Presbytery of Monmouth on 22 November 1909 from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, North, according to Synod of New Jersey minutes. The 1910 Federal Census for New Jersey showed the 33 year old "clergyman", his 28 year old wife, and their 1 year old son living in Matawan.

Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, p. 44, said the Reverend brought 38 new members into the congregation. Minutes showed that he served on the Synod of New Jersey's temperance committee (1911).

Reverend Stearns resigned 15 Feb 1912 and was replaced at Matawan by Charles H Bruce. Stearns became superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of New Jersey, in which capacity he testified before the Judiciary Committee of Congress in 1912, per Congressional testimony found at Google Books. Note that the Anti-Saloon League, later named the Temperance League, was the leading voice for Prohibition in the US. The New Jersey office was located at 16 Clinton Street, Newark.

The 1920 Federal Census showed Edwin, his wife, and three children were back in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; Edwin was listed as a minister of the gospel. Reverend Stearns became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell, NJ in late 1920. The 23 Feb 1939 edition of The Matawan Journal said that Reverend Sterns was resigning effective 14 Apr 1939 after serving 19 years at FPC Caldwell. He brought over 1,450 new members and paid off the church mortgage during his tenure at Caldwell.

The Matawan Journal of 11 January 1935, p 4, showed Reverend Stearns living in Caldwell, NJ and still involved in temperance matters. Old Fulton NY Postcards has a document showing Reverend Stearns as a national field secretary.

Born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in September 1876, Edwin was the son of photographer Leland E and Ida E Stearns, who were living in Wilkes Barre as of the 1880 census. Edwin played football and participated in crew at University of Pennsylvania. He graduated U Penn Law School in 1899 and practiced law in Philadelphia until 1905. He was listed as an attorney at law in the 1900 census, when he was living in Philadelphia. He was a football coach at Lehigh University, Oberlin College, and Pennsylvania Military College during the same 1899-1905 period.

Edwin's interest in religion developed during his last year of college, during a lengthy illness. He graduated Princeton Theological Seminary in 1907 and was ordained at Ambler, Pennsylvania, where he held his first pastorate. He left Ambler in 1909 to become pastor at Matawan.

He married Mary Beatrice Jetter the year he was ordained. It looks like his son, Edwin I Stearns, Jr, of Caldwell, was Class of '32 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania as of 1929, according to the school's paper, The Lafayette.

Food Pantry Thanks Local Donors

According to the Independent, the Matawan Community Food Pantry is thanking local donors for their support.

FPC History: The Coming of the Second Mount Pleasant Church (1777 - 1820)

In 1777, Tories in Monmouth County burned down the first Mount Pleasant Church, an early iteration of FPC Matawan. Reverend Charles McKnight, the pastor at the time, was gathering crowds on the church's green to speak to them in support of the ongoing Revolution against the Crown. Some months earlier, Rev McKnight had suffered a saber wound to the head at the Battle of Princeton.

The congregation struggled over twenty years without a regular pastor or building, during the entire war and beyond. In 1793, the State of New Jersey authorized a $1,500 lottery to be conducted to raise monies for a new edifice. The lottery was a success. Tickets were sold, funds raised, prizes won, and a building erected by 1798. But sermons continued to be delivered by a steady stream of supplies. Even with a church building, the congregation lacked a permanent pastor for an additional twenty-two years.

It wasn't until August 1820 that Rev Eli Cooley accepted the call to preach at the second Mount Pleasant Church. And that took three letters of petition, including a letter to Rev Cooley's father-in-law asking him to intercede with his son. The letter also offered an increased salary package as an incentive. [NOTE: This could be the Reverend Eli Field Cooley (1781 - 1860), who graduated Princeton in 1806, served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cherry Valley, New York from 1810 - 1820 (source) and the Presbyterian Church in Ewing, NJ circa 1838. (source)]

A Sunday School book found in the church archives that was published in 1818 indicates that Sabbath School began at 9:30 am and involved the reading of catechism and New Testament verses. Notations for teachers said: Each student present at the calling of names to receive one blue Ticket for punctual attendance & one blue Ticket to be given for every 3 ans. in the catechism & every 4 verses in N.T. repeated by memory. A blue ticket to be given or, equal in value to one read ticket -- 20 read tickets to procure a copy of the N. Testament.

Source: Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan (1682-1959), pp. 19-20, 25-28.

28th Annual CROP Walk - Red Bank RHS, Sunday 18 October

Next Sunday will be the 28th Annual Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk. It is being held at the Red Bank Regional High School at 110 Ridge Road in Little Silver. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Registration is at 12:30 pm and the walk begins at 1:30 pm. FPC members should check with the church office or Mission Commission members if they have questions and/or want to coordinate with other church participants.

Church Coffee House Raises Hands in Praise and Funds for Outreach

The raised voices of praise and fellowship of about 100 people joined with the best area gospel and fellowship talents on Friday, October 9, 2009 in our Fellowship Hall. From 7:30 pm until close (sometime after 10 pm), the hall was awash in the sometimes classical, sometimes pop, rap, folk, but always beautiful songs and poetry from the greater Matawan and Bayshore area. The event raised $200.14 for Mission Matawan, a community outreach program to help the needy with home repair and maintenance.

Special guest visitor was Dave Sturt, recently moved to Austin, Texas. Other guest performers included the poetry of Cheryl Moore, the music of Common Thread, The Church Street Ramblers, headed by Ray Rettger, Barbara Spann playing and singing gospel with piano, the St. Joseph's Women's Gospel Chorus, and the rapping talent of Nico Araco, who performed "I Like Fishing" (Like link below):



Also performing were Peggy Knowles, Don Day, Sheila Dott, Bettie Karlovich, Hart and Liza Divinigracia, the Overtones.

Organized by Graham McKinley, food and fellowship was sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church Choir, while the beverage barista for the evening was Diana Noble (yours truly), who is the project manager for Mission Matawan. (revised 26 Oct 2009)

Peacemaking and Youth Ministry - September 2009

In their September 21, 2009 newsletter from Belfast, Doug and Elaine Baker introduced their newest Youth Adult Volunteers, who arrived on September 1. The students hailed from the states of Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennesse, Florida and Texas. Check out the Baker's site for information on their ministry.

Applications are currently being sought from those, aged 19 to 30, who wish to serve as YAVs in one of the national or international sites from September 2010 to July 2011. The program requires a commitment of one academic year. Young adults serve in communities of need.

The application deadline for international sites is January 20. Full information can be found at the PC(USA)'s YAV Web site.

To view a sample re-entry video on youtube by volunteers click here:

An Interfaith Journey to Turkey: A Journey of Hope

Joe and Sue Ritacco spent ten days in Turkey in June/July 2009, a trip organized by the Interfaith Dialog Center (www.idcnj.org). Joe recently delivered a presentation on their experience that they called An Interfaith Journey to Turkey: A Journey of Hope.

They spent most of their time in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city (about 15M population). They also visited Izmir (ancient Smyrna), Selyuk, and Ephesus; Antakya (ancient Antioch) on the Mediterranean Sea; Konya and Cappadocia in central Turkey, and a day trip by ferry across the Sea of Marmara, from Istanbul to Bursa.

The interfaith experience in Turkey is much different than in the US. The Turkish Republic controls religion in its officially secular country through a Ministry of Religion. Muslim religious leaders are hired, paid, and fired by the state. In the US, a division of church and state keeps the two aspects of society separate.

There have been long periods of peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Jews, and Christians throughout the Middle East and Asia, yet history tends to mark time by conflicts and media focuses on brewing tensions to sell its news. The pattern results in a broad feeling of hopelessness. Zachary Karabell’s book Peace Be Upon You suggests that motives related to the pursuit of power and wealth are more likely causes for conflict than religious diversity. We should celebrate diversity and not abandon hopes for peace.


Turkey’s geopolitical situation puts it in the perfect position to serve as a bridge to peace between the West and the Middle East. Turkey already plays a pivotal role in peacemaking with Israel, and its relations with Syria and Iran make it a natural arbiter between the US and20those countries.

Joe recommends a trip to Turkey as one of the more interesting, yet manageable and affordable places to visit. He hopes to deliver his Journey of Hope presentation to other audiences in coming months.

Photos of Interfaith Journey to Turkey: A Journey of Hope: Photos

Our groups of 10 guests (and one Turkish American host) in front of the magnificent Haya Sofia: 900 years a major church, 400 years a mosque, and now almost 100 years as museum.

Recently constructed by Turkish Government - Garden of Tolerance: complex with synagogue, church, and mosque (left to right).

FPC History: New Year's Eve, 1955

It was Sunday morning New Year's Eve 1955. The congregation of the Matawan Presbyterian Church gathered at the high school for worship that day, an arrangement made only the afternoon before. A rented organ played the introit. The choir wore borrowed robes. The women of the church had hung drapes and arranged desks on the school's stage. And in the center of that makeshift chancel was a table covered in maroon cloth, upon which stood an old brass cross recovered from the communion table during the awful fire that destroyed FPC Matawan's sanctuary on Main Street on Christmas Sunday the week before.

All signs of smoke and ash had been carefully removed from that cross, but the fire was on everyone's minds and in everyone's hearts. Memories of the blaze and the fight to save the edifice were of course fresh and raw. Their thoughts dwelt on an odd mixture of the heroic and the mundane, the corporate and the private, and the spiritual and the worldly. They had borne witness to the heroism and generosity of the firefighters, but also the drilling of holes in the sanctuary floor to drain inches of water from the building. Everyone was grateful that no lives were lost, but most didn't know that a widower had stood vigil the night of the fire over the body of his deceased wife, which had been in the burning building and safely evacuated.

Members had felt the hand of evil in the destruction of their historic church home, but also saw signs of hope in the preservation of the church's records, its pulpit Bible and brass cross, its communion set, and its baptismal font. Many had watched the last symbol of FPC's presence on Main Street -- the old Stanford White steeple -- as it was pulled down from its precarious vigil into the ashen debris below. They were wondering what would be next, so they gathered at the high school for words of encouragement and solace but also of hope in the future.

Most by now knew that the arson's torch had started in the choir's storage room early that Sunday evening, but it isn't clear that all were yet aware that the relatively small Church School fire on Christmas Eve had been his work as well. They didn't know what they as a church would do next, so they gathered to worship that New Year's Eve in odd surroundings but as a communion of faith with hundreds of years of corporate history that wasn't about to fade that winter.


Reverend Chester Galloway rose to deliver his sermon that morning. In his hand was the pulpit Bible he had used for the scripture lesson on Christmas Sunday. The Bible's cover had been charred and its pages soaked through when it was found, but it survived sheltered on the shelf within the pulpit where Reverend Galloway had left it.  The Reverend stood for a new beginning when he opened his sermon with a bit of tough love, saying, "We can sit down and cry or we can pick up the pieces and start all over again."

A separate article will cover the rebuilding of FPC Matawan on Route 34.

Reference: "Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan," pp. 55 - 60

FPC Matawan to Host COFFEE HOUSE October 9th!

The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan is holding its Fall Coffee House / Fundraiser. Please come to watch and support our missions and the performers. Due to the need to limit the show to a reasonable time, we are asking that entertainers please preregister by emailing Graham or phoning the church at 732-566-2663.

Are you looking for the right preschool for your child? - Fall 2009

Come Join Us!

Celebrating 40 years of success in educating young children, Presbyterian Nursery School in Matawan is a cooperative preschool offering families a strong educational foundation.  We offer a variety of outstanding programs for children ages 2 1/2 through 5, and a curriculum endosed by experts.  Please contact us to arrange for a personal tour! 


School starts September 9th.  Limited spaces are still available, so contact us soon!

Call 732-566-9246 or write presbyns@optonline.net for more information

FPC History: Women on the Boards

While the history of women in Christian service at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan doesn't begin with their being elected to church office, it is well worth noting the names of the following pioneers for their achievement in breaking down the gender barrier to board membership.

The Session was established in 1820. Two women were first named to the board in 1959.

• Mrs Arnold C Massie
• Mrs William H Groft

The Board of Trustees was established in 1816. Miss J Mabel Brown was named as the first woman to the board in 1956 and became its first female President sometime before 1960.

The Board of Deacons was established in 1943. Six women were first named to the board in 1952.

• Mrs Henry Luhrs
• Mrs J Fred Robinson
• Mrs E Story Hallock
• Mrs John C Hessey
• Mrs Vernon F Beyer
• Mrs Walter Stamm

Note that Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, written in 1959, quaintly associates each of the married women with their husbands, so I don't have their first names at my disposal. Maybe someone remembers their names or could look them up in church records? It could be a reply to this posting or written up more formally in an upcoming Lantern.

Info Updates as of September 6, 2009

Six and One-Half Club: Looking for dinner & conversation? No Cooking? Join Us! Tuesday, September 22nd. Serving dinner at 6:30 pm in the Adult Lounge. Salad, Three Entrees, Vegetable, Dessert & Coffee/Tea. Cost: $13 per person. Reservations required. Click here to reserve, or contact Joe Kacirek (732) 566-6549 or Marian Rusnak (732) 441-7305. Sponsored by the Board of Deacons

Make Up Sessions for the Church Pictorial Directory are this week! If you missed the previous photo sittings for the new directory, there are going to be two more opportunities for church members to "Smile" for the cameras. To make reservations, click here, or check the church web-site and click on "Photo Sign Ups". The session times are Friday, September 11 from 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm, and Saturday, September 12 from 10 am - 4 pm.

The Mission Lunch will be held on Sunday September 20, and your Mission Commission invites you to attend this yearly event. It will take place in Fellowship Hall after worship. You will be treated to photos and hear about Joe and Sue Ritacco's, "Journey of Hope" interfaith trip to Turkey. A meal with some Turkish treats will be provided. No sign-up is necessary.

Aberdeen Day will be on Saturday September 26 at the Matawan High School from Noon until 5 pm. We need lots of help! If you have any of the following or can assist with transportation let Peggy Knowles ASAP, or contact the church office.

• A tent canopy
• Transport a Table and Chairs
• Water Cooler, water cups, garbage bags
• Mission Materials: Mission Matawan, Church Coffeehouse Sign Ups, Church Brochures, PNS materials and handouts
• 8 volunteers to monitor the table for an hour or so at a time
• Volunteers to help set up and break down the exhibit

College Student (and military) addresses needed!!! The Board of Deacons would like to keep in touch with our college students by sending "College Care Packages," and also keep them up-to-date on church activities by sending them the Lantern, but in order to do so we need their current addresses. Please contact Allison Schoelkopf or Julie Holowatch or the church office (732) 566-2663 with this information.

The Mid-Year Giving Statements are now in the narthex. If you have any questions regarding your statement, contact Peter Sliwowski, or call the church office.

Meetings this week

Monday, September 7

• Church Office Closed for Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, September 8

• PNS Orientation: 7:30 pm - Fellowship Hall
• Nurture Commission: 7:30 pm - Room 209
• Worship & Music Commission: 7:30 pm - Adult Lounge

Wednesday, September 9

• Club 60: 10 am - Fellowship Hall
• Presbyterian Nursery School Begins

Thursday, September 10

• Chancel Choir: 8 pm - Choir Room

The Fall Worship Schedule resumes on September 13.

• Church School 9 am
• Chancel Choir 10 am
• Service of Worship 10:30 am
• Fellowship Hour 11:30 am

Coffee House - Friday, October 9 (Columbus Day Weekend) Contact Graham McKinley for details.

FPC History: Rev Robert B Berger (1936 - 1949)

In September 1936, when the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan was on Main Street and celebrating its 250th anniversary, the Reverend Robert B Berger was installed as pastor. Rev Berger came to Matawan from the First Presbyterian Church of Kingston in Kingston, New York.

During Rev Berger's tenure, which ran until 1949, there was such church growth that new hymnals had to be ordered. And the size of the Session had to be doubled, from 6 members to 12. The membership nearly doubled, growing from 271 to 490. The number of Sunday School teachers likewise nearly doubled, from 14 to 26 to teach 189 students, when only 110 students had been registered previously.

The church established its first Board of Deacons in 1943. According to Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, "These young men supervised ushering at services and, during World War II, prepared packages for men in service overseas."

The Presbyterian Church established the rotary system in 1949. According to the new rule, an Elder was allowed to serve a 3-year term with the option to extend one additional term. James S Brown, Jr, the editor of  Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, more than suggests that FPC Matawan had mixed emotions about the General Assembly's decision when he writes, "The wounds made by such a change were shared by the Matawan Church with all churches that were keeping pace with the times by making this adjustment."

The church began to enjoy their new status. A church secretary was hired in 1948. Every member was able to receive a personal copy of Presbyterian Life magazine. A silver communion service was given as a memorial gift. Chimes were donated. A brass altar cross donated in 1937 survived the 1955 fire to be used in the new sanctuary. And, by January 1949, the congregation formed a Building Committee to completely renovate the building and add a separate Sunday School building.

Rev Berger accepted a call to be pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Carthage in Carthage, Missouri. (The church's website is under construction but the church has a very active Facebook site, and the minister, Matthew Roberts, has his own blog.)

Upon his departure, FPC Matawan presented Rev Berger with a scroll, which read:

The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, New Jersey, has had a blessed era of spiritual and material prosperity under Rev Berger's tireless leadership, and the severance of his ministerial relations leaves us with a deep sense of loss.

Children's Vigil

Reported by Joe Ritacco:

On September 15th hundreds of people are expected to come out and express the belief that "We Are One Human Family.

Ten communities throughout the state are holding Children’s Vigils on September 15 for the rights of children who risk being taken from their families because of immigration detentions or deportations.

Please join us on Sept 15th as we call for humane immigration reform that protects children and families.


For more info or to RSVP go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106331042554

The nearest vigil location to Matawan will be in Keyport at:
Keyport -- St. Joseph’s Church,
376 Maple Pl;
7:30 PM
Fr. Ronald Cioffi, 732-264-0322.

Presbyterian Nursery School Set to Open

The Presbyterian Nursery is just about ready to open. Hard to believe this will be their 42nd year.

I spoke with Administrator and Teacher Melinda Cavagnaro today, who assures me they are ready to start on Wednesday, September 9th. The classes, for young learners ages 3 and 4, are carefully structured by age and readiness.

Director Corky Farry says, "We are pleased to be offering an expanded Transitional Threes program this year. For the 2 1/2 year old almost potty trained 'young three', the parent can stay in the classroom and help. This program offers a graduated curriculum of learning through nursery rhymes."

The program is almost full. I'm not sure if it is too late yet, but you may call the PNS office to make inquiries at 732-566-9246.

PW Fall Gathering; Tower Hill Concert; Taiwan Mission Speakers

Monmouth Presbytery is announcing the following Upcoming Events on its website. Check the individual notices at the website for additional details, including directions, registration forms, and contacts.

• Presbyterian Women of Monmouth Presbytery will meet at the First Presbyterian Church in Belmar on 17 October 2009 to conduct business and dedicate a special offering. The scheduled speaker is the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Edwards. The church is at 600 Ninth Avenue in Belmar. Registration must be completed by 13 October. 
• First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank launches its Tower Hill Concert Series on Sunday 13 September 2009 with Eduardo Villa, tenor, and Charles Harris, pianist for a mix of opera, Broadway, and popular music. The concert begins at 7 pm. A free will offering will be collected to defray costs.
• Church members within Monmouth Presbytery have the unique opportunity to hear a pair of mission speakers from Taiwan on Tuesday 29 September 2009 at 7:30 pm. Four congregations are hosting a coffee and dessert mission evening at Lincroft Presbyterian Church, where the Reverend Choon Shik and Yen Hee Lim, R.N. will speak of their nearly twenty years of college ministry in the Far East. According to Presbyterians at Work Around the World: Rev. Choon Shik and Yen Hee Lim, R.N., serve with the Aboriginal College Ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), a work Choon initiated for the PCT. Choon works in Hualien with the campus ministries that he founded at two universities and four colleges. Yen Hee, a registered nurse, works at Bethesda, a handicapped children’s center, and travels to remote mountain villages with a mobile clinic of the Mennonite Christian Hospital. See their home page at the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church USA.
  

September-October 2009 Lantern Available

The latest Lantern is available online. After you read through it, be sure to note a number of calendar items, including:

• church school and adult ed resume on 13 September,
• a mission lunch is scheduled for 20 September, and 
• a stewardship fair and the CROP walk are set for 18 October.

Tim and Gloria Wheeler Experience Turmoil in Honduras

First Presbyterian provides mission support to Tim and Gloria Wheeler in Honduras, where a Presidential coup has made things quite dangerous for this missionary couple and the people they serve. Their July 2009 newsletter reads, in part:

In this situation, the line between truth and falsehood is the width of a razor blade (and both sides have been on both sides of that razor blade). It’s impossible to know the whole truth behind reported facts, actions, and statements; the climate has been one of chaos and division. We know of families that are on different sides of the issue, making even peace at home difficult. We find ourselves challenged to relate in a neutral way to friends, co-workers, and villagers since, as missionaries, we do not take sides in the political struggle. We continue to look for ways to stand in solidarity with the people we serve—the displaced, the landless, the incredibly impoverished, all of whom are so rich in spirit.