Rev. Nicolette Siragusa
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
The Settled Search Committee is pleased to present the schedule for Candidate Weekend, Friday, September 13 through September 15. We have several events planned to allow various groups to spend time with Pastor Nicolette Siragusa over the weekend. We look forward to seeing you at one if not several of the planned events including Sunday, September 15 when Pastor Nicolette will lead worship, and the Brookside Community Church member vote will be taken.
I. Friday, 9.13.19
Potluck dinner for Council and Deacons
II. Saturday, 9.14.19
11:00 – 11:30: Staff introduction to Nicolette in Scialla Hall
11:30 – 1:00: Brunch for the staff and choir in Scialla Hall
1:30 – 3:30: Open House with light refreshments in Scialla Hall
4:00 – 5:00: Ice cream social for children, youth and their families
in Scialla Hall
5:30 – 8:00: Search Committee dinner
III. Sunday, 9.15.19
Worship service lead by Pastor Nicolette
Q & A with Pastor Nicolette
Member vote with children and youth having a pizza party with Pastor Nicolette
In the meantime, we encourage you to take advantage of the “Ask Nicolette” column (details below) to get to know Pastor Nicolette and come to see why the Search Committee is very excited to present her and her family to you. As always, should you have any questions, please reach out to any member of the Search Committee. Thank you!
Jack Miller
Gina Bruno
Edna Ierley-Byrne
Michele James
David Sampson
Susannah Truitt
Sue Vlcko
ASK NICOLETTE . . .
WEEK TWO:
GETTING TO KNOW ME
What is your favorite movie and why?
Amongst the items in my office, you’ll notice Darth Vader and Boba Fett mugs as well as a light saber. The Star Wars franchise has long been a favorite of mine. In particular, I love the reminder that redemption is always possible in Return of the Jedi. More recently, Rogue One has become a favorite with the idea that faithful resistance to oppressive empires (another biblical theme to be certain) takes many forms, but all involve the willingness to put oneself at risk for the sake of others and for a cause larger than oneself. The fact that Rogue One ends by leading into the opening of A New Hope - Episode 4, left me in awe at the genius of deftly tying together stories in films released nearly forty years apart. Each film is a mix of humor and depth, political commentary and action, in an imagined ancient past with amazing futuristic technology in a galaxy far away. I’m not a superfan by any means - I don’t read the comics or the books, and I can’t name every character and their home planet - but I do have strong opinions about the Disneyfication of the franchise and the moments of ‘ah, this scene is designed to sell toys.’
What is the type of music you like to listen to?
I’ve always been someone who listens to different music at different times, and often will let my car companion choose the music because I am so flexible. However, my personal CD collection (because I still have such a thing, though I have not added to it in 15 years) ranges from Mozart to Metallica. I find myself drawn to ‘Adult Alternative’ radio stations, and my Pandora stations include Seattle Grunge, Ok Go, Justin Timberlake, and Billie Holiday. I love dancing and prefer to do so to 80s and 90s songs.
What do you enjoy to do in your free time?
I enjoy games (board games, video games, card games) and solving puzzles and mysteries (my sister, Reg and I do a lot of Escape Rooms and murder mystery puzzles). I enjoy being in nature and hiking, and look forward to apple picking just about every autumn. Cooking and hosting friends and family; going out and eating good food with people I care about. I also like coloring, reading, and watching TV (a favorite genre is comedic buddy cop series like Bones, Psych, and most recently Father Brown and Lucifer, two shows that also tie into my love for shows that include theological explorations like The Good Place and Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
How do you like to “recharge”?
A wise friend once said that there are the things we do to recharge our batteries, and the things we do to mask the fact that they are drained. When I imagine feeling most rested and ready to take on the next challenge, it is after sitting outside on a warm day with a book in my lap. I start by reading the book, but then as my mind and imagination wander, I put the book down and simply listen to the spirit and rest, getting up refreshed and renewed. Additional activities include walking my dog, hiking in the woods, reading a book, having a cup of tea, building a fire - as an introvert, my recharging activities tend to be quiet and alone or with one other person.
QUESTIONS FOR PASTORAL CANDIDATE REV. NICOLETTE SIRAGUSA
We will welcome our pastoral candidate, The Rev. Nicolette Siragusa, to a time of fellowship and to lead worship on September 14-15. In preparation for that time together, she'd like to give you the opportunity to ask questions that will help you get to know her better. Questions can be about her, her ministry, her understanding of theology - you are welcome to ask whatever questions you have, though because of limited space she may not be able to answer them all through @Brookside. Please submit your questions to Nancy at office@brooksidechurch.org, and she will pass on the questions to Nicolette. Look for more questions and answers in “Ask Nicolette” next week.
A LOVEFEAST OF THANKSGIVING
THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
As the summertime reaches a wrap, let us come together for a Lovefeast of thanksgiving for a blessed summer. A simple meal will be shared as we sit down together and worship. If you would like to help and/or bring your favorite Labor Day weekend food to share, please let Nancy Vigilante know in the office. No RSVP is required but would be welcome so we can better plan.
WIND OF THE SPIRIT DINNER/DANCE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Paul Breda has four tickets for the 19th Annual “Wind of the Spirit Dinner/Dance” on September 7, 7:30 PM at St. Margaret's Church, 6 Sussex Avenue in Morristown. Wind of the Spirit is an organization that advocates for the rights of immigrants - attending the event is one way to show support. See Paul Breda for details.
KICK-OFF SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 8
Kick-Off Sunday will be a fun, welcoming event for all ages. Our worship service will begin at 9:30 am, along with our first Sunday School of the school year. All children are welcome to attend. During the worship service, we will together bless students, teachers, and staff of schools, colleges or universities among us as they begin a new year! All who wish to participate are welcome to bring their backpacks, books, tools of learning or teaching to worship for a time of prayers and blessings. After the service, the community will have a cook-out with plenty of food, fun, and of course, ice cream! If you don't stay for the food, please stay for the fun activities planned for both children and adults.
SENIOR LUNCH BUNCH
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Please mark your calendar for the Senior Luncheon on Friday, September 13 from 12:00 pm - 2:00pm in Scialla Hall. Please RSVP (by September 10) to Linda Fairchild at linchild7@gmail.com or Annemarie Voogt at voogt55@planet.nl Come for fellowship, fun, and a delicious lunch! Hope to see you there!
SOUP KITCHEN HELPERS NEEDED
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Our next soup kitchen visit will be held on Saturday, September 21, and we are in need of servers and black shirts (certified kitchen staff). If you can spare a few hours to help those in need, we'd appreciate your help. Sign up via Sign Up Genius (below) to volunteer as a server (11:15am-1:00pm) or Black Shirt (9:30am-1:00pm). You may also text Judy Schryver at 973-727-1480.
BCC MEMBERS & FRIENDS FACEBOOK GROUP
Are you on Facebook? If so, we invite you to join our new Facebook Group! Unlike the official page, the group will only be for members and friends, and allow us to post and communicate within our church community. You can find the group by searching for "BCC Members & Friends." Then, just request to join! Once you're in, you can invite others to join the group who you think should be a part of it. Or, you can find/contact Danielle Abushanab (danielle@abushanab.com) and ask her to help get you added to the group!
PRAYER JOYS AND CONCERNS
For Sam Fairchild.
For Debbie Replogle.
For restoration of the flooded Brookside Library.
For Pat & John Tillisch, Wen-Ling's parents-in-love.
For Nancy Wilson's friend, Jeff.
For Linda Howe’s brother, Douglas.
Prayer Joys and Concerns will be listed weekly. Requests received by Tuesday of each week will be included in the following Sunday’s bulletin and @ Brookside and will remain there for a month unless otherwise requested. Please forward your requests during the week to: office@brooksidechurch.org