UPDATES FROM THE SISTERS - february 2022

Click on the image above to view a video of the Feb. 23 Faith Vigil for Peace in Ukraine. The Sisters are praying for the people of Ukraine and Russia, and for an end to the violence.
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Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

-The Book of Common Prayer

THE WINTER SEARCH  PROGRAM

Every year in February and August we host the Search Program – a series of workshops in which women can learn about prayer, church ministry, and the religious life. Since August 2020 our Search Programs have been held on Zoom, and we have had the privilege of meeting many spiritual seekers who feel called to be Sisters, Associates, Oblates, or to other ways to serve God. This year we welcomed four Searchers to our Feb. 18-20 program. They zoomed in from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Florida. 

CSJB Sisters Zooming with Searchers in the parlor on Feb. 18 (CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

Our online Search Programs allow participants to be with us without the expense of traveling to Mendham, and since the platform works so well we plan to continue it on Zoom for the foreseeable future. Please join us in praying for our faithful Searchers who continue to discern God’s call in their lives.
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MENDHAM FAITH LEADERS - Walking Through Lent

Walkers on the CSJB labyrinth, which was built in 2000 by members of Interweave

This year the Mendham Faith Leaders are doing something a little different for Lent. In years past we have hosted an ecumenical weekly gathering at Grace Lutheran Church in Mendham that included worship, a Lenten sermon, and a simple meal of soup and bread. The pandemic has prevented us from meeting in person, so last year we presented the weekly worship and sermons online. This year we are going to co-host socially distanced Lenten events at participating churches. 

CSJB’s contribution to the program is a Lenten Labyrinth Walk on March 5 from 10:30 AM to noon. Sister Victoria Michelle will be guiding participants through this ancient practice with prayers and meditations. If you’d like to participate in the Walk, just email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]. There is no fee for this event, but we invite people to bring a canned food item for the Interfaith Food Pantry.

The Mendham Faith Leaders group includes the Community of St. John Baptist, Brookside Community Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and Mendham United Methodist Church, and St. Joseph Catholic Church
 

The CSJB Labyrinth in snow, photographed by the Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD. The labyrinth layout is the same as in Chartres Cathedral in France. 

CSJB will be posting other Mendham Faith Leaders Lenten programs on the EVENTS page of this website so keep checking back with us.

THE GARDEN OF HOPE AT CSJB

Sister Linda Clare (L) with Life Scout Bret Keifer (center) and his dad ,  Scoutmaster Jack Kiefer, in the Garden of Hope. Photo by Julie Crawford.

From CSJB Associate Julie Crawford
 
As the 2022 season approaches, planning activities and pre-season work efforts are underway.  We look forward to the upcoming work of Life Scout Bret Kiefer from Boy Scout Troop 1 who has raised $6000 in funding for our Garden of Hope restoration.  Bret and his three work crews will be building the foundation for a greenhouse, assembling the greenhouse, dismantling the old compost bin, constructing new compost units, and restoring three large plot beds using sustainable soils management practices. Upon completion of the construction activities, they will also mulch the pathways.

In addition, CSJB will continue to coordinate efforts with the numerous volunteers from last year: 
 
Brookside Community Church (Mendham),
The Sharing Project (Mendham/Chester)
Church of Messiah (Chester)
and St Marks (Mendham). 
 
So far this outreach ministry continues to grow and has frequently connected with Grow It Green in Morristown.  Farmer Shaun has contacted the Sisters to see if they can assist in the Grow It Green greenhouses which are maintained at the campuses of St Elizabeth College (Sisters of Charity property) and Fairleigh Dickinson in Madison.
 

Official logo of the Episcopal Church's Good News Gardens program. (CLICK IMAGE FOR INFO

Anyone interested in assisting with this ministry through volunteer service or donations can contact Sister Linda Claire at [email protected]  OR Associate Julie Crawford at [email protected]. The vegetables are donated to regional food pantries throughout the season.  Seedlings and plants are also shared with CrossRoads Camp and Retreat Center in Califon for their  Good News Garden. --Julie Crawford
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THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOME IN CAMEROON

Click on the image above to watch a video made by Ndomengo Dickson, who grew up at the Home and is now on staff. These are some of the 100+ precious children who currently live at the Home.

Our fundraising committee is working hard to find more monthly sponsors for the Good Shepherd Home in Cameroon, West Africa. We are extremely grateful to the committee members, and to all of you who have volunteered to help us reach our goal of 100 new sponsors to cover the monthly expenses of food, clothing, and education for the children. So far we have 10 new sponsors, so we’re looking for 90 more. The cost of sponsorship is $40.00 per month. If you’d like to find out more about GSH sponsorship, please email [email protected].

One of the pigs at the Good Shepherd Home pig farm, with her babies in the background.

 To learn more about the
​Good Shepherd Home,
go to www.goodshepherdhome.org

We’re also hoping to raise $36,000 to replace the water system at the Home, which is rusting and leaking. The replacement of the existing iron pipes would take about three months. The system would be replaced with durable PVC. If you are interested in helping with this clean water project, please email [email protected].
 
In the meantime, the pig farm and chicken farm at the Home are up and running and they are helping to provide food and income.

​All the Sisters, children, and staff send their thanks to all of you who support them.

SISTER BARBARA JEAN IS TURNING 80!

On March 18, 2022, Sister Barbara Jean will be turning 80 years young. In non-pandemic times we would normally host a birthday gathering of all her friends for such a momentous occasion but this year we will be having a small Sisters-only celebration at the Convent for her.

If you'd like to send Sister Barbara Jean a birthday card, gift, or flowers, you may send them to:

Barbara Jean Packer
Holly Manor Center
84 Cold Hill Rd,
​Room 41
Mendham, NJ 07945
www.genesishcc.com/hollymanor

​She would love to hear from you!

Sr. Barbara Jean working on a project at Holly Manor. She has an active ministry providing spiritual support and fellowship to the many residents there.

ST. MARGUERITE'S RETREAT HOUSE

Click on image above for a short clip of Ghoslight Chorus singing Thomas Tallis' "If Ye Love Me" on the cloister.

This month, we had a special treat at St. Marguerite’s. The Ghostlight Chorus held their weekend retreat there and rehearsed in the excellent acoustics of our Main Chapel. After their rehearsal, the singers performed two gorgeous anthems on our cloister for the Sisters. The sound of these talented, dedicated church musicians was truly transcendent. We hope to see them again soon. 

We also welcomed a large group from the New York University graduate film school who stayed with us for a few days while they worked on a student film. The Retreat House Banquet Chef, R.J. Lewis, was an extremely good sport when the group had to add some days to their original reservation to finish the film.  He expertly crafted an additional menu for the guests and they all gave his cooking rave reviews.
​Sister Monica Clare was especially glad to meet the students, as she is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Jennie hurrying from one new set of NYU Film friends to meet another one on her midday walk.

OUR KNITTING MINISTRY

Liz Adams' photo of her beginning to knit a sock for the Hope One van.

The Sisters have been hard at work knitting hats and scarves to donate to the Hope One van which provides clothing, food, medical care, and other services to people struggling with addiction and homelessness. 
 
Our friend Liz Adams offered to knit socks from the large amounts of sock yarn that were donated to us, so we shipped off a box of yarn to her and she provided a Work in Progress photo.

Liz says: "I'm so grateful to the convent at Mendham for providing me years ago with a wonderful goldwork workshop, ​

taught by Carol Homer and hosted by Sister Suzanne Elizabeth, who had earlier given us a tour of the textiles at the convent. 

​What I learned there has gone into collections and exhibits, and I've been so happy to have developed those skills, thanks to your venue and arrangements. Many happy hours of working and learning.”

Liz joins us frequently at our Thursday night Centering Prayer gathering on Zoom. Thank you, Liz!

Box of donated sock yarn that we shipped to our helper Liz.

YALE UNIVERSITY COURSE ON MONASTICISM

Daniel An and Hwansoo Kim (L, in left photo) and their Yale students listen to Sister Monica Clare's zoom  presentation for their undergraduate course on monasticism

On Feb. 16, Sister Monica Clare was a Zoom guest speaker for Ph.D. Student Daniel An’s class on monasticism at Yale University. Sister previously spoke at the same course in September 2020 and was very happy to participate again. The class is a seminar of 18 undergraduates, co-taught by Hwansoo Kim, and the Feb. 16 session included a presentation by Sister Monica followed by a question-and-answer session. We thank our friend Liza Anderson for making the introduction between Sister Monica, Daniel, and Hwansoo.  
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CSJB IN ENGLAND

In 2016, our Sisters in England teamed up with the Rt. Rev. Alastair Redfern to launch the Clewer Initiative, a program within the Church of England that is dedicated to fighting human trafficking. It was originally intended to be a 3-year project, but it has been so successful that the CSJB Sisters have provided funding for it to continue until 2030.  

This year’s Lenten Course, available for download on the website, is “Children in the Shadows.” Here is an excerpt from the description of the course from the Clewer Initiative website:
 
“Each session contains definitions, statistics, examples of current good practice, a bible reflection, and ways in which individuals and churches can make a significant contribution to extending care and strengthening resilience and resistance in their communities.”

Click on the image above to download the course materials.

For more info. on the Clewer Initiative, go to www.theclewerinitiative.org.

NOT JUST AN ORDINARY PONY

Sister Margo Elizabeth’s book Not Just an Ordinary Pony is now available from many booksellers online. The book tells the extraordinary story of Pony, who lived at the Convent for 27 years and gave spiritual comfort and strength to so many. If you have already purchased the book, we’d like to suggest it as a great gift item for your loved ones. All proceeds go directly to the many ministries of CSJB.

So many of you have told us you loved the book! Please get the word out.

You may purchase Not Just an Ordinary Pony at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and others.
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CSJB EMBROIDERY AT TRINITY WALL STREET

Steven Leavitt of Transfiguration Vestments sent us a photo of a gorgeous chasuble he made for Trinity Church Wall Street to match the Easter set that was embroidered by CSJB Sisters in the early 1900s. Steven has done extensive restoration work for Trinity Wall Street and has crafted many beautiful original pieces for them.
 
The Sisters of CSJB were well known throughout the church for their exquisite ecclesiastical embroidery both here and in England. The Church Workroom here at the Convent, which regularly turned out vestments and altar frontals for many decades, still contains many treasures made with love and prayers by Sisters and the girls from St. Anna’s Home.
 
Photos by Steven Leavitt: A chasuble from a set of vestments inspired by vintage embroidery by the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. The chalice veil with four angels is one of three pieces created for the Chapel of All Saints at Trinity Church Wall Street to commemorate Morgan Dix, 1827 - 1908, Rector from 1862 - 1908.

A St. Anna's girl learns embroidery in the CSJB Church Workroom in 1915. Girls were taught job skills and given a solid education to help them succeed as adults. A cloth-of-gold Easter cope hangs on the wall.
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SERMONS BY THE SISTERS

Sister Victoria Michelle preached at the Church of the Messiah in Chester on Feb. 6.

​Her sermon and the Messiah worship service can be viewed by CLICKING HERE or clicking on the photo of Sister Victoria Michelle.

​Sister Monica Clare preached at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin on February 20. You can read the sermon by CLICKING HERE, or click on the image of Sr. Monica Clare to view the entire Sunday service.
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Sister Deborah Francis’ sermon for the Feast of the Epiphany last month can be read by CLICKING HERE.
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Sister Deborah Francis' Feb. 13 sermon can be read by CLICKING HERE.

Click photo for video

Click photo for video

ASSOCIATES AND OBLATES

An ice-covered pine branch on our property after the Feb. 24 ice storm.

​The Oblates are looking forward to their Annual Retreat on March 11 and 12.  The leader will be The Rev. Jim Warnke.
 
Associates and Oblates are encouraged to attend the Lenten Retreat which will be co-led by  Sr. Eleanor Francis and Rabbi Deb Smith.  The retreat will be on Zoom on March 30 at 7:30 pm. The topic is “The Prodigal Son.”
​

We were all saddened this month to hear of the passing of our longtime Associate Gerrie Dressler (Feb 4, 1937-Jan 30, 2022). Gerrie was 85 years old and was very dear to the Sisters. She and her good friends, Associates Dorothy (Dottie) Gruber and Elaine Wilson, called themselves “The Three Musketeers.” They would come up from Haddonfield regularly, especially on Palm Sunday and Commemoration Day. 

Gerrie Dressler (R) with her friend Elaine Wilson

Gerrie Dressler (4th from left with rabbit ears!) at a Daughters of the King retreat in 1982. The Sister in the photo is Sr. Elizabeth Anne who was Superior at the time.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST SCHOOL ALUMNAE

​The St. John Baptist School alumnae will meet for their annual reunion on August 20, 2022, at St. Marguerite's Retreat House.  The gathering should start at about 11 am and run to 4:30/5pm. Please contact organizers Pamela Nelon and Monica Giordano through the St. John Baptist School Facebook page HERE for more information. Alums are encouraged to reserve hotel rooms for this event, as the Convent is still closed to overnight guests. 

Bud Boynton, husband of Lisa Kaltenbach (SJBS 70), died on Feb. 24 after a brief period in hospice care. We ask for your prayers for Lisa, her sister Celia (SJBS 72), and their family during this difficult time. His obituary can be read HERE. The funeral service will take place on March 4 at 2:00 PM at Appalachian Funeral Home.
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Lisa Kaltenbach Boynton  (SJBS 70) and Bud Boynton. Bud and Lisa were married for 45 years. 

​LOOKING AHEAD

​CENTERING PRAYER
​Every Thursday from 7:15 to 8:15
On Zoom
​
Our Centering Prayer group has been meeting for many years and it is one of our most popular ministries. 

Guests can gather on Zoom. Please email Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

CLASS: THE JEWISHNESS OF JESUS
​Every Friday morning
On Zoom
​
This class brings together participants from all faiths to discuss topics and materials related to Jesus' Jewish perspective. 

The current class reading is Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi
By: Amy-Jill Levine

If you'd like to participate, please email Sister Eleanor Francis at [email protected].

LENTEN LABYRINTH WALK
​Saturday March 5 from 10:30 to noon
​
Begin your journey through Lent with this ancient meditation practice. 

This is a free event in partnership with the Mendham Faith Leaders. Participants are encouraged to bring donations of canned food for the Interfaith Food Pantry. 

Supported by the Mendham Community Faith Leaders: Brookside Community Church, CSJB, Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and Mendham United Methodist Church. ​

Email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] for more information.

​JOIN US FOR PRAYER ON ZOOM
Friday March 11
​10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern time.
​ALL ARE WELCOME

Join us on the 2nd Friday of each month for informal intercessory prayers to give us strength and hope during these trying times.  We begin with a check-in time of 10:15am Eastern and praying starts at 10:30am. A special thanks to Interweave for the use of their online platform.

Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie for the Zoom info. at:
[email protected]

LENTEN RETREAT 
Saturday, March 12, 2022
10:00 AM t0 noon - on Zoom
​Names of God​

Join us as we explore some of the names of God. You will be amazed at how your faith will grow and how much closer to God you will feel.
 
The Retreat will be led by Sr. Victoria Michelle.  All participants are asked to bring a Bible, pen and paper to the retreat.
 
Retreat Fee:  $25.00
Please make checks out to Community of St. John Baptist with “Names of God” in the Notes.
 
Send to Community of St. John Baptist
                     P.O.Box 240
                   Mendham, NJ 07945
 
Payment may also be made by PayPal
 
To register contact Associate Philip Muniz at: [email protected]
Please place the words “Names of God” in the email subject line.

​SPRING INTERFAITH SERIES
March 30 at 7:30 PM on Zoom

Facilitated by Rabbi Deb Smith and Sr. Eleanor Francis

All programs run from 7:30- to 9:00 p.m.
Suggested minimum donation for each:  $18.

To register, please use this link: https://www.aleph.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=400
If you have difficulty registering, please contact Sr. Eleanor Francis at [email protected] or 973-543-4641 ex. 3. I will see that you get registered.

CELTIC JOURNEYS
Due to the Corona Virus pandemic, many of our 2021 Celtic Journeys were cancelled, but please see our trips for 2022!
​
https://www.celticjourneys.org/copy-of-ireland
https://www.celticjourneys.org/cornwall
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For more information, contact Sister Margo Elizabeth:
Phone: 973 543 4641 ext 4                      
Email: [email protected]

LABYRINTH WALKS 
Walk our labyrinth and learn about this ancient way of prayer.  

Our Labyrinth is still available for socially-distanced walks, with all participants wearing masks and keeping 6-foot distances between non-household/family members.

To schedule an individual or a group labyrinth walk, email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected]

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR

Sister Suzanne Elizabeth and Sister Linda Clare scanning the newspapers for current events to keep in our prayers. Photo by Sister Margo

The people of Ukraine and Russia, and all people affected by military conflict.

All who are suffering from COVID, for all who have died from COVID, and for all who have lost loved ones to COVID,

For all those affected by mass shootings,
For peace in the Middle East,

For all healthcare workers and other essential workers,
​
For our Searchers who are discerning a call to the Religious life,       

​Andy
Annette
Anthony
Aurora
Autumn
Barbara
Bill and Carol
Carolyn
Chase
Cheryl
Chris
The Clewer Initiative
Sam and her children
Claire
Dana
Daniel
Dean
Diane
​Donna
Doug
Ellen
Erin
The Flood family
Greg and Pat
Gretchen
Heather
Honor
Hugh
India
Ingrid
Jack Grier's family
James
Janet
J​arad and Monica  

Maria
Marne
Matthew
Maureen and DonaldJason
Jay
Jean
Jeanette
Jeff and his children
Jennifer
Jess
Jessica and Brendan
Jim
Joanna
Joseph
John
John and Family
Jon
Joyce
Judith
Juli and Gil
Julian
Kamala
Kathleen
Kia
Lana
Larry and his daughter
Lee
Linda and Paul
Linda Lee
Lisa
Margaret
Margaret and family
Maureen

McGrath family
Meg
Michael
Michelle
Myles
Myram
Nicole
Nikki
Norman
Pat and Ellie
Patrick
Patty
Phoebe
Rayvon and Beth
Rebecca and her family
River
Rob
Salma
Shane
Sheila
Sister Barbara Jean
Stephanie
Sully
Susan and family
Suzanne
Tiffany
Tommy
The Trout Family
The Van Dine Family
Virginia
Warren

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 We pray especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed.
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OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO

All who have given so generously to our Reaching Out appeal for 2021.

All who sent donations, gifts, and cards to CSJB for Christmas.
​
All who have contributed to the children of the Good Shepherd Home,

All who have contributed time, talent, and donations to help reopen our retreat house.
 
Our many helpers, volunteers, and those who encourage us

Sunset behind St. Marguerite's. Photo by Sister Margo

Magdalena Aders
Peter J. Arney and George W. Jordan III
Donna Aubel
Barbara Barbeau
MaryJane Boland
Joe Boney
Christine Brodeur
Chris Chrystal and Myram Borders
Julie Crawford
Rosemary DaCuna
Hans Dekker and the Hyde and Watson Foundation
Rosina B. Dixon
Margaret Dohnalek
Mary Donovan
Gerrie Dressler
Lorraine Emanuel
Kay & Frank Failla
Joanne Foster
Susan Fuller and family
Mayor Christine Glassner
Bill and Gay Grier
The Rev. Deacon Cathy Brunson
Elizabeth S. Halpin

​Jane Hayden
​Margaret Johnson
Bradley Kalos
Judi Kerr
The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby and family
Linda Lee Mundy
Janet Maulbeck and Interweave
Patrice and Doug McKenzie
Jane and Peter Mercer
Connie Moore
Mayor Sarah Neibart
Bart Oates
Jan Paxton
Judy Picciano
Susan and Joseph Pigott
J. Vincent Reppert
Jack and Penny Rohrbach
Michael Reiter
Ed Roworth
Anne Salvatore and family
Juli Towell
​Nick Vytell
Alix Weisz
Joannah Wilmerding

The DCLM Fund
The S.A.D. Foundation
The Community of the Transfiguration
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes
​The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin
The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool
The Rev. Kevin Coffey
The Rev. Cynthia L. Black, DD, and the people of the Church of the Redeemer
The Rev. John A. Rollins
The Rev. Lorna Erixson and the people of St. Mark's Mendham
The Rev. Margaret Otterburn and the people of the Church of the Messiah
The Rev. Victoria McGrath and the people of All Saints Millington
The Rev. Anne C. Thatcher and the people of St. Peters Morristown​
​​

TO SUPPORT OUR GENERAL FUND

Sister Pamela shoveling the Convent walk after a recent snow.

Because the pandemic suspended our ministry of hospitality for 19 months we, like many nonprofits, are having a very difficult time covering our monthly operating costs.
 
If you'd like to help us continue our ministries, please consider making a gift to our general fund through our online Paypal portal:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap

YOUR LEGACY FOR CSJB

WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCLUDE CSJB IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING?
If you’d like information on how to arrange a legacy gift, please email Sister Monica Clare at [email protected] or call 973-543-4641 ext. 2.
 
The majority of our buildings, chapel furnishings, Convent and Retreat House furnishings, and ongoing ministry funds were made possible through legacies. It is mainly through the kindness of legacy donors who believed in our mission that we have carried forward the plans of the Holy Spirit for our Community from 1852 to the present time.
 
The restoration of the Convent in 1960 was made possible by a legacy gift. Before that gift, the Sisters lived at St. Marguerite's for ten years because the Convent repairs were too expensive to undertake.
​

Sister Laura Katharine with Clara Elizabeth, one of our two Convent kitties, in the sitting room.