august 2015 union county interfaith coordinating council · the union county interfaith...
TRANSCRIPT
Sponsored by Community Access Unlimited
Union County Interfaith
Coordinating Council
August 2015
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD Joshua 24:15
Union County Interfaith
Coordinating Council
Steering Committee Members
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.
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.
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
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 congrega-
tion 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.
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 inc-
onsideration, 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 908-354-3040 x 324 for more information on becoming a member
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.
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.
Member Spotlight
www.facebook.com/UnionCountyInterfaithCoordinatingCouncil
Roderick (Rod) Spearman
UCICC Interfaith Coordinator
UCICC Outreach Coordinating Team
Pastor Howard A. Bryant,
UCICC Interfaith Coordinator
Pastor Carmine Pernini
UCICC Interfaith Coordinator
Sidney Blanchard,
Executive Director
of Community Access Unlimited
Questions? Contact us at
(908) 354-3040 x324 or email us at
How Can This Grant Help Me?
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 ap-
proved record expungement counselor.
6. Your application will be reviewed by the
UCICC Steering Committee
Application Guidelines
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.
Record Expungement Grant Application
BUILDING SUPPORTS FOR OUR KIDS
T O G E T I N V O LV E D , C O N TA C T U S Tanya Johnson, Sr. Assistant Executive Director, Community Access Unlimited [email protected], 908-354-3040 x251 Nicholas R. Scalera, President- Scalera Consulting Services [email protected], 973-893-6563
3rd Annual
Union County Youth Services
Networking Conference
With guest speaker, Jim McGreevy
Wednesday, October 28th 2015
9a.m-4p.m
L’Affaire Fine Catering,
1099 US Route 22, Mountainside, NJ
Save the Date
L'Affaire Fine Catering- 1099 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.
The event cost is $5 per person Please RSVP in advance by contacting Stefanie Burgess-Betrand at (908) 354-3040 x242 All checks are payable to Community Access Unlimited 80 West Grand St. Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Don’t be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone.. -Unknown
Music Door Prizes
Festivities Guest Speakers
Food Workshops & More
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 [email protected]
by the 15th of every month to save a space!
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 pub-
lic 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, Chris-
tina 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 Pe-
ter 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 de-
partments; 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 Execu-
tives (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 [email protected].
80 West Grand Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202 Phone: 908-354-3040 TTY/TTD: 908-354-4629
Fax: 908-354-2665 www.caunj.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT 225 Elizabeth, NJ
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.
UCICC Steering Committee Meeting
August 6, 2015 at 10:00AM
Community Access Unlimited
80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ 07202
UCICC Steering Committee Meeting
September 3, 2015 at 10:00AM
Community Access Unlimited
80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ 07202
UCICC Day of Prayer Planning Meeting
September 23, 2015 at 6:30PM
Suburban Golf Club
1730 Morris Ave Union, NJ
UCICC Steering Committee Meeting
October 1, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Community Access Unlimited
80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ 07202
Union County Day of Prayer
October 7, 2015 at 6:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
117 Ferris Place, Westfield, NJ 07090
UCICC Steering Committee Meeting
November 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Community Access Unlimited
80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ 07202
Full UCICC Meeting
November 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Location TBD
UCICC & Steering Committee Upcoming Events
Rod Spearman
Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council
c/o Community Access Unlimited
80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Phone: (908) 354-3040-Fax:(908) 354-2665
SAVE THE DATE - UNION COUNTY DAY OF PRAYER—OCTOBER 7, 2015