UCICCC Newsletter – September 2015

September 2015
Union County Interfaith
Coordinating Council
Sponsored by Community Access Unlimited
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.
Union County Interfaith
Coordinating Council
Steering Committee Members
Our Goals
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Pastor E. Crawford—Chair
Ebenezer AME
Rahway
Sidney Blanchard
Executive Director of CAU
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Pastor D. Brown
First Baptist Church
Elizabeth
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Our Objectives
Pastor H. Bryant
Townley Presbyterian Church
Union
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Kevin E. Caldwell
Community Church of GOD
Plainfield
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Pastor Carmine Pernini
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rahway
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Pastor K. Joseph
CEA Church of God
Elizabeth
Don Moore
Islam Mosque
Elizabeth
Michelle Mobley
Director of Youth Service
Residential
Sis. Evelyn Rolon
Mount Teman AME Church
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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.
Advantages to the Interfaith Community:
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Roderick Spearman
CAU Consultant
Elder Arthur “Skip” Winters
Cranford Presbyterian Church
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
Pastor D. Ford
St. Matthew Baptist Church
Roselle
Pastor Mertz
First United Methodist Church
Westfield
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

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 for
people with disabilities; youth; people with physical disabilities;
senior citizens.
Message from the Chair Person
The month of September marks two major celebrations: Hispanic Heritage
Month and Back-2-School Month. Therefore, The Interfaith Council would like to take a
moment to lift up the Hispanic diaspora. This month, we celebrate the rich history, fascinating culture and plethora of contributions made to our communities of faith. One of the
many beautiful things about the Hispanic culture is its magnificent and marvelous ethnic
diversity and deep abiding faith. We salute all of our Latino/a brothers and sisters and
embrace the many celebrations that will take place between September 15 th and October
15th –the time officially set aside as “Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Additionally, the month of September marks a time when classrooms, hallways
and dormitories of academic institutions in every corner of our county and country will fill
with bright and brilliant minds ready to be shaped and molded. Whether it is the kindergartener just beginning their educational journey or the collegiate student preparing for a
bright future, the new academic year always proves to be an exciting time for our entire
community.
It’s not just exciting for students and parents, but also for teachers, administrators and support staff. Likewise, it is an
exciting time for houses of faith, as we watch the babies we blessed, dedicated and baptized grow into vibrant youth. It’s an
exciting time for religious leaders, as we watch the gifted, talented and anointed members of our congregations pour into the
lives of children, youth and young adults from diverse cultures, family backgrounds, socio-economic statuses and spiritual affiliations. Back-2-School time is an exciting time!
So, as our communities return to school, we pray for the success of every child at the bus stop, the safety of every
crossing guard standing between harm’s way and our prize possessions as they walk to school, the health of every custodian
who will cut grass and shovel snow so that our children can play, the heart of every nurse who will touch the life of a sick,
bruised or hurting child and the mind of every administrator as they cross over the threshold of a school or educational facility.
Specifically, we are praying that all of your days go smoothly — that your locker will open, that you’ll get to class on
time, that you won’t forget anything and that you will develop Godly relationships with classmates and roommates.
We are praying that your teachers, professors and instructors will know just how to teach you in a way that satisfies
your hunger for knowledge, but never quenches your thirst to know and learn more.
We are praying that you will find Godly friends who will have your back, make you laugh, wipe your tears and encourage you to be better.
We are praying that you’ll have an opportunity to live your faith and share your faith with someone this year without
fear, shame or intimidation.
We are praying that you will always be kind and respectful even in the face of conflict or disagreement; and that you
unapologetically listen to the voice of wisdom in you and around you.
We are praying that you will remember when you were bullied, when you were the outcast or when you were the new
person and use that hurt, disappoint or loneliness as a spring board to lend a helping hand and words of warmth to the person(s)
who have now taken your place in the position.
We are praying that you’ll learn to be a leader, the head and not the tail. That you will be comfortable being your best
and giving your best, so that you never have to live beneath your privilege our outside of God’s perfect promise for your life.
We are praying that you never forget that you are created in the perfect image of God and that God loves you and so
do we.
Have a GREAT year!
Rev. Dr. Erika D. Crawford
Join & Be Active Today!
How can I join this viable group of supporters?
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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
Day of Prayer Speakers
Ericka Crawford, Pastor
Ebenzer AME Church, Rahway NJ
“No matter how hard the rain falls or how long the storm last,
God keeps God’s promise and tis too shall pass.”
Imam Ali Jabber
Masjid Darul Islam Mosque in Elizabeth, NJ
"In all our holy books it emphasizes the care for humanity,
especially our neighbors," he said. "I'm hopeful we can come
together and solve our problems, getting back to borrowing a
cup of sugar. It's up to the religious community to step forth
to restore some solidarity in the community."
Buddhist-Ven. Duk-Song
Director of the Thousand Hands Outreach program at
Soshimsa Zen Center in Plainfield NJ
Generosity and compassion are the fundamental
Buddhist practices which enable us to open our
hearts to help those in need
Howard Bryant, Pastor
Townley Presbyterian Church, Union NJ
"God wants us to pray. Always and about everything." That is what the Day of Prayer is all about.
We are praying for peace in the midst of violence
which we are experiencing in our world today.
Carmine Pernini, Pastor
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rahway NJ
"It can be said that when we gather together
as strangers and pray for peace we have
worked for peace together."
Cantor Matt Axelrod
“Cantor Matt Axelrod has served Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains
for over 25 years.”
Rev. Dr. LL DuBreuil, Pastor
Faith United Church of Christ
"When we share worship among diverse
faith traditions, we build the beloved
community. It is a sacred privilege to
sing and pray and praise our creator."
Ron Thompson, Pastor
Imani Temple Baptist Church Union, NJ
As leaders in our communities, it is essential
for us to periodically come together for
prayer. Prayer unites us in concern and in
need. Let’s be seen as a common people petitioning an uncommon God. Our God continues
to supply the needs of those who diligently
seek Him.
Member Spotlight
In October of 1974, I was a young graduate student with a wife and family of
four children under the age of four – three of them were triplets. We had
emigrated to the United States just three years before from my native England in order that I could pursue graduate studies in music theory and composition. We had just bought a new home and we were in need of some additional income. I decided to look for a job as a music director of a church,
and fate led me to Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway. At the time I expected
that the job would assist us until I graduated and my kids were in school.
Almost forty-one years later I’m still there!
Why is this surprising? Well first off, I’m Jewish and an active member of my
congregation in Hillsborough, New Jersey. To date, I am working with the
sixth pastor at Zion since I began my tenure -- not something I expected to
be able to say forty-one years later. So why is this and what happened? After all, my children are long grown and we are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren, two of whom are already in college and a third to enter
next year.
Brian Dallow
Perhaps a little on my background. I grew up in an agnostic household where my father had no religious commitment and my mother knew she was Jewish but practiced nothing. We believed my great-grandparents were Jewish, had nine daughters and my great-grandfather became a successful inventor and engineer. He wanted his
daughters to be educated without the stigma of being Jewish in the somewhat anti-semitic environment of nineteenth-century England, so he changed his religion to Anglican. His daughters went on to be highly successful
women, especially for their period. My mother was the daughter of the youngest. My mother was a singer and as
an only child, I showed early talent as a musician. She determined that, in post-war England, an education in a
choir school would give me a sound musical education. I entered the choir school of Westminster Abbey and, as a
chorister, learned a great deal about the structure of the Anglican liturgy. I studied organ with Thurston Dart and
eventually began a career as a professional musician – pianist and composer.
My first foray into the United States was as a student at Brandeis University where I met my wife, Rena Fruchter,
already an accomplished pianist. She convinced me to change my major from political theory (yes, an interesting
choice!!) back to music and also, once we decided to marry and raise a family together, to practice my original family religion of Judaism.
And so to Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway where, over the past forty years I have had the honor of being part of
many significant life-cycle events in the lives of the congregation; baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals,
in addition to joining with them in the joys, challenges, and sometimes sorrows of our lives. My family and I have
been honored by their presence at many of our significant events; the B’nai Mizvah of my children and grandchildren, my children’s marriages, the celebrations of the naming of our grandchildren, and at funerals, especially that
of my mother.
“And the Lord said to Moses, say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, the stranger who sojourns with you
shall be as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself. I am the Lord your G-d.” Leviticus 19.34
The people of Zion have truly fulfilled this commandment and for that my family and I are most grateful. I thank
them for their love, their support and their friendship over the past two score years.
In my professional life I have continued using music to help change people’s lives, first by teaching theory and composition at Rutgers University and Temple University, and for the past twenty-five years through an organization
Music For All Seasons, that I founded together with my wife in 1991. A few years ago we began a life-changing
program, Voices of Valor, which uses therapeutic songwriting as a means of addressing issues of Post Traumatic
Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury in veterans. We invite anyone interested to investigate the program at
www.voicesofvalor.org.
www.facebook.com/UnionCountyInterfaithCoordinatingCouncil
UCICC Outreach Coordinating Team
Sidney Blanchard,
Roderick (Rod) Spearman
Pastor Howard A. Bryant,
Executive Director
UCICC Interfaith Coordinator UCICC Interfaith Coordinator
of Community Access Unlimited
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Pastor Carmine Pernini
UCICC Interfaith Coordinator
[email protected]
Record Expungement Grant Application
How Can This Grant Help Me?
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.
Application Guidelines
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 approved record expungement counselor.
6. Your application will be reviewed by the
UCICC Steering Committee
Questions? Contact us at
(908) 354-3040 x324 or email us at
[email protected]
The Coalition of Religious Leaders
Forum on Criminal Justice Reform
On Tuesday Night, August 11,a packed house of over 500 people attended a Forum on Criminal Justice Reform at Christ Church in East Orange. The panel included a host of prominent political, community and religious leaders; Senator
Cory Booker of New Jersey; Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for the District of New
Jersey; Jiles Ship of NOBLE; the Rev. Craig Hirshberg of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey; and the Rev. Charles Boyer of the Bethel
AME Church. Each panelist gave a brief opening statement which was followed
by a series of questions presented by the forum Moderator Michael Hill of NJTV
News.
It would be difficult to relate every statistic and position that each of the panelists took during the evening.
At the same time I would like to share some of the more significant statistics that were presented and conclude with some of the suggestions that we, as a community of faith, can do to begin to address in working to
reform the criminal justice system.
Most, if not all of the statistics that were presented during the evening are mind boggling. Over the past 35
years, the United States leads the world in mass incarcerations, with a 500% increase since1980. We are becoming an "Incarceration Nation." Most of these offenses are drug related. 60% of the people incarcerated in
the United States are people of color. 1out of 10 Afro-American males in their 30's are in prison. In the
United States between 75 and 100 individuals have arrest records, with person's coming out of prisons having
30% to 40% less earning power than those who have not been incarcerated. The average cost per person of
incarceration is $50,000 per year. 98% of convictions are due to plea bargaining; even if individuals are innocent, they plea bargain down for fear of obtaining a longer sentence. There are more Black people in prisons
today than were held in slavery in 1860. As a country and government, we need to focus more on reeducation
instead of punishment. The state of New Jersey is the 3rd worse in the nation for the disparities between
Afro-Americans and Whites. Drug offenses across nation have increased 800% sine1980. Afro-American men
receive longer sentences than their male counterparts for the same crimes, which lead to many domestic and
economic issues. As a nation, we can't arrest our way out of problems. The need to continue on improving
record expungement programs is essential.
What Can We Do as Churches and Concerned People of Faith do to Make a Difference
and What is Currently Being Done to Foster Change
The final portion of the forum was given over to the panelists to make final comments on what is being done
and what can be done to foster change. Unanimously, everyone voiced concern that both re-entry programs
have to be vastly expanded and improved and more funding is necessary to work with those incarcerated, not
only to improve their education, but to treat those suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. Monies
could come from the savings generated by having less people incarcerated. Paul Fishman noted that he has
established in New Jersey a Federal Prisoner Re-Entry Court. Again, all panelists unanimously agreed that police,
government employees and people of faith need to reach out into the community to improve communication in
urban areas. Churches must become a voice and get involved to redirect resources and assist with re-entry programs and job training. Faith communities need to lead the way. Some things are as simple as getting involved in
the community or providing kind words of consideration to those in need. People need to be made aware of racial
disparity in prisons; get organized and be vocal. In conclusion:
People Who Want Peace Must Work for Peace...
People Who Want Change Must Work for Change...
People Who Justice Must Work for Justice....
Skip Winter
Union County Interfaith Coordinating
BUILDING SUPPORTS FOR
OUR KIDS
Save the Date
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
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
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!
As a theological basis for action, a Christian's faith in God must challenge us and move
us from simply feeling, speaking and thinking to having a "living faith" with a life of
consistent action on behalf of God's innocent children. Genesis 1:26 shares with us how
God provided Adam and Eve with "complete authority" over the Earth which places the
yoke of responsibility for the care of God's children and God's creation on our shoulders.
Today we have that same authority and responsibility to unapologetically advocate for
changes in society that help God's children who face the burdens of injustice everyday of
their lives.
Prayer, often used as a panacea for inaction, is an essential tool in the life of a Christian,
which in the great tradition of prophet speech, gives voice to ours and society's brokenness and injustice. But, communal prayer, the "alpha" of society's mutual recognition of
its collectively endured woes, leads to action based on the laments or joys given voice in
the whispers of the heart and shouts from the lips in prayer. Prayer, as a call to action
then, is a way of communally expressing humanity's inner desires and fears. And as a
beginning, as prayers are recited and heard, communities of faith can unify under the
impulses conjured from a congregation's collective sighs and aspirations. Communal
prayer is a call to stand together and not sit and wait for someone else to do something.
As people of faith, what we cannot do is allow ourselves to use prayer clichés to justify
our inactivity on issues of injustice which happen right in our local communities.
Christians, like all sisters and brothers of any faith, must learn to strike a balance between respecting and questioning authority. According to Romans 13 Christians know
that authority was established by God as a way of providing fair and equal treatment for
all God’s children. When these authorities are unfair and unjust we have a moral obligation to not only question them but to also challenge injustice. Jesus Christ was consistent
with his challenge to authority throughout the gospels as he stood firm against the
"powers and principalities(i.e., religious authoritarians and the tyranny of empire)" who
epitomized authority. We must maintain that same spirit as we stand against those who
pervert justice.
The New Jersey Clergy Coalition for Justice continues to implore our brothers and sisters
to put their faith in action because it is the only way to create a society that is just for all
God's children. Christians, and people of all faiths for that matter, are required to publicly
engage civic life on behalf of the "least of these," the prisoners, naked, hungry, and
thirsty (Matthew 25). A living faith and an active civil life does not begin and end on
election day! Consider making a decision to attend a school board, township or freeholder board meetings. Learn to ask questions and inquire about long term and strategic
plans. Everyday there are local ordinances and resolutions being introduced that have a
direct impact on the lives of people across New Jersey. We have to ensure these laws are
just and do not hurt people. Spend a few minutes researching independent institutions that
provide solutions to key issues. Set up meetings with local elected officials and grasp
their views on issues of injustice and equality.
Archange Antoine, M.A.
Principal Strategist
Savviors & Associates
“Leadership is action, not position.” - Donald H. McGannon
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 225
Elizabeth, NJ
80 West Grand Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Phone: 908-354-3040 TTY/TTD: 908-354-4629
Fax: 908-354-2665 www.caunj.org
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.
SAVE THE DATE - UNION COUNTY DAY OF PRAYER—OCTOBER 7, 2015
UCICC & Steering Committee Upcoming Events
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
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
215 Elm Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065
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