Presbytery of Northeastern New Jersey Updates
Updated: Oct 21
The Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey
This past weekend, I attended a luncheon and sat next to someone I had never met before. As we talked, I discovered he spent his spare time fundraising for a Presbyterian school in Cameroon. On my other side, I spoke with someone who brought me up to date on his congregation’s food pantry, which has tripled the number of people it serves in the past two years.
Two conversations. Two glimpses into the remarkable things God is doing through the Presbyterian Church. Two things I might never have learned about if I hadn’t taken the time to show up, sit down, and talk with people I either didn’t know or don't see very often.
One of the gifts of being part of a presbytery is that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves - even if we don't always know it. As a connectional church, we are not isolated congregations, each responsible for doing ministry on our own. We belong to one another. We share a faith, a tradition, a calling, and a mission. At our best, we learn from one another, support one another, and accomplish together what might be difficult or impossible to do alone.
But there’s a difference between being connectional and practicing connectionalism. We can have a presbytery structure, hold meetings, send emails, and publish newsletters without ever developing meaningful relationships with one another. We can know the names of neighboring congregations without knowing the people who worship there. We can talk about our shared mission without ever hearing the stories of how that mission is unfolding in someone else’s community.
Connections don’t grow simply because we belong to the same organization. They grow when we take the time to build them. And one of the best ways to do that is to simply sit down together and break bread.
There is something powerful about sharing a meal. We relax. We talk. We ask questions. We discover common ground and learn about differences. We hear stories of challenges, creativity, faithfulness, and hope. We find out what others are doing and begin to imagine what we might do together.
Sometimes a conversation over lunch can accomplish what a dozen emails cannot. A new relationship can lead to a shared ministry. A story about a successful program can inspire another congregation to try something new. A conversation about a difficult challenge can remind a pastor or church leader that they are not alone. And sometimes, nothing more dramatic happens than meeting someone new, laughing together, and leaving with a greater appreciation for the people who share the name Presbyterian.
Our 5th Anniversary Luncheon was conceived as an opportunity to strengthen the relationships that will shape our future. Pastors, elders, deacons, trustees, and members from across the presbytery are invited to come together, not simply to represent their congregations, but to get to know one another.
Imagine what might happen if more of us knew the people, gifts, ministries, and needs of the congregations around us. Imagine how much stronger our witness could be if we shared resources, encouraged one another, collaborated on ministry, and celebrated each other’s successes. Imagine what we might discover about God’s work when we look beyond our own church buildings.
That is what this luncheon is about. It’s not just a meal or an anniversary celebration. It’s an investment in the relationships that make our shared ministry possible.
Registration for the luncheon ends this week, and I hope you’ll consider joining us. I also hope you’ll help spread the word. I’m concerned that not everyone has seen the emails or newsletter announcements, so please share this invitation with your congregation.
The cost is $25 per person but we want everyone who would like to attend to be able to join us, regardless of their financial circumstances. If the cost of the ticket is a barrier, please contact me at shuston@pnenj.org. We don’t want finances to keep anyone away.
We call ourselves a connectional church. Let’s make sure we are living like one. I hope to see you on November 7!
Steve Huston
Organizing Co-Leader/ Resource Presbyter
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