News and Events - March, 2009

Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison Named as Interim Pastor at Church on the Green

The Interim Pastor Search Committee announced during worship on February 15 that the Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison has been named and approved as our Interim Pastor starting March 29, 2009. Rev. Foltz-Morrison comes to us with over 25 years experience both in the pulpit and in other positions within the denomination. Updates and additional information will be posted in the upcoming weeks.

Church on the Green Supports One Great Hour of Sharing

The Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green will once again participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Since 1949, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and eight other Christian denominations across the country have joined together in One Great Hour of Sharing to raise money for refugee assistance, disaster relief, and development aid. Envelopes will be mailed with the April Spire, and the offering will be collected during Sundays in April. Envelopes and “fish banks” will also be available at church.

Each denomination distributes its funds differently. In the PC(USA), the money goes toward the Presbyterian Hunger Program [http://www.pcusa.org/hunger], Presbyterian Disaster Assistance [http://www.pcusa.org/pda], and Self-Development of People [http://www.pcusa.org/sdop]. In 2008, giving by Presbyterian congregations totaled about $8,245,000 ? about $744,000 less than in 2007. This year, with need rising, congregations are being urged to give more. All COG members are asked to do the best they can

Palm Sunday: Come for Breakfast . . . Stay for Worship

Join us for the annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 from 8:30 AM to10:00 AM in the Parish House. Tickets will be sold at the door. Adult tickets are $5.00 and children’s tickets are $3.00. Proceeds will benefit Boy Scout Troop 2 and Heifer International. Won’t you come join us?

Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through livestock, training and "passing on the gift." By providing animals and training, Heifer enables families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life. Heifer's Program Information Services offers technical literature for field workers and planners that focuses on sustainable approaches to development; small-scale farming; animal husbandry; and planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques.

Our very own Boy Scout Troop 2 is the one of the oldest continually active scout troops in the state and country. Our history and lineage is long and storied. We continue to support an active and growing scout troop which offers many opportunities to build character and skills in the youth of today.

Organ Dedication and Recital on February 8

On Sunday, February 8, 2009, the new pipe organ was dedicated during Sunday morning worship. An organ recital followed at 4:00 PM. The recital showcased the new three-manual and pedal pipe organ, with 48 ranks and 2,881 pipes, recently completed by the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, NJ. Timothy R. Tarantino, director of music at the church, performed sacred and secular music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis Verne, César Franck, Paul Manz, Henry Smart, Roberta Bitgood, and others. Dr. Bitgood, who died in 2007 at the age of 99, was a teacher at Bloomfield College and organist and choirmaster of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield during the 1930s and 1940s. She later served as the first female president of the American Guild of Organists.

For photos of the Peragallo organ being constructed and installed during 2008, please visit our photo album page.