Latest News from our District Superintendent
Hello Gateway North Family,
Greetings in the name of Jesus.
Lay Speaker’s Graduation:
Sunday - June 8 at 4:00 PM at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 327 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 (856-429-4469). We have about 30 graduates from our district. Please travel to the service in order to congratulate and encourage these servants of God.
Annual Conference News:
Congratulations to Rev. Manuel Sardinas, who was ordained and Elder and who became a full clergy member of the Annual Conference!
Congratulations to Gary Frieze, Ralph Terrell, and David Yun, who all were commissioned as provisional members of the annual conference!
The conference raised over $100,000 for Nothing But Nets. Every $10 net saves a live from the dreaded disease of malaria. Thank you!!!
Over 300 persons attended the inspiring daily Bible studies at 7:00 AM each day, prior to the plenary sessions.
General Conference budget requests actually dropped.
Annual Conference budget apportionments are less than 3% increase for 2009.
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A Note From Rev. Varlyna Wright:
Sisters and Brothers,
Dr. Kwasi Kena will be with us on June 17 -18, 2008 to work with our mission church on Evangelism. I would like to extend an invitation to pastors and laity who you may feel will benefit from this training. There is limited space. The training will be held at the
Xavier Center in Madison NJ, beginning at 10:00 am on Tuesday the 17 and ending 3:00 pm on the Thursday the 18th.
There is no cost to this training. However, anyone who signs up and does not show up will be asked to pay $125.00. The deadline is June 12th for submitting names.
Any questions please call me.
Items to be covered in the training are below.
Reclaiming, Renewing or Discovering Vision for Ministry
You are a Christian—so what? You are called to ministry—and? Your church is located in a community—what difference does it make? Learn how to reclaim, renew or discover your personal and congregational vision for ministry.
Preparing Your Congregation for Renewal
Participants will discover key strategies and ministry processes needed to prepare your congregation for renewal and discipleship.
Faith Sharing, Your Story, God’s Story
We live in a society that values privacy, so how do you share your faith with someone else in this context? Learn how to share your faith story and God’s story with others in natural, unscripted ways.
Are Youth Really Welcome in Your Church?
Explore two basic approaches to help reach youth more effectively.
Be blessed.
Varlyna
Rev. Varlyna D. Wright
Leadership Development Coordinator
Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church
1001 Wickapecko Dr.
Ocean, New Jersey 07712
732.359.1041 (office)
732. 359. 1049 (fax)
1887.677.2594 (toll- free)
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GNJAC HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE:
I want to personally invite clergy and laity from the Gateway North District to join us on the January 2009 Holy Land Pilgrimage. For information you may contact the district office or call Marjie and she will help you with information and registration.
Bishop Devadhar will lead a GNJAC Holy Land Pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel from January 4 to 13, 2009. There will be an extension available to Egypt, returning on January 18, 2009. Pilgrims will surely gain inspiration, knowledge, new insights, fellowship and an expanded worldview from the experience. The worship, guided visits, lectures, and local contact will enhance your Christian experience, as the places that provided the roots of our Bible come alive, in their modern context.
The trip will be more than a historical and spiritual pilgrimage. GNJAC clergy and laity will learn about the current situation in Israel and the West Bank. It will be a link with the local people of the area. Bishop Devadhar, GNJAC leaders, clergy and laity will enjoy contact with both Israelis and Palestinians. We will visit the Hope School in Beit Jala (one of the UMCOR mission projects sponsored by many in our conference).
Imagine what is in store for you if you make this spiritual journey. In Jordan you’ll experience standing at Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Travel to Petra, the ancient “Rose City” of unique beauty. Walk the ancient city of Jerash. See a peaceful, modern country rising up from the desert land of the Old Testament.
You’ll cross the Jordan River into Israel and visit Jericho. You can experience the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. You will visit his boyhood town of Nazareth. You’ll enjoy the view of the Plains of Armageddon from Megiddo and Mount Carmel.
Ride the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims will experience places where Jesus taught and performed miracles. You’ll walk the pathway of Jesus on the streets of Jerusalem. Every heart will be stirred upon entering the empty tomb.
Before returning to Jordan you can spend time viewing the caves of Qumran, floating on the Dead Sea or riding the cable car to the top of Masada. Some will return home and others will go on to visit the pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Sakkara, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Luxor and Karnak Temples.
Contact your conference or district office for further details, or contact Marjorie Costello at ACTS - 3 Dogwood Drive, Somers Point, NJ 08244 (609-927-4600) AlphaACTS(at)aol.com.
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Thank you for making a difference through your ministry in Jesus' name,
Bob Costello
Rev. Dr. Robert E. Costello
Gateway North District Superintendent
26 Montrose Avenue
Verona, NJ 07044
937-571-0313
gatewaynorth(at)gnjumc.org
www.gatewaynorthdistrict.org