Community of St John Baptist
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Our next goal for the CSJB Capital Campaign is to raise enough money to replace the 112-year-old roof on St. Marguerite's Retreat House.

It's easy to help! Just donate by check or online to the St. John the Baptist Foundation and specify "St. Marguerite's Roof" on the ledger line of your check or in the "purpose" section of your online Paypal donation. We thank you for supporting our ministries of retreat and spiritual direction which are so necessary in today's world.

CLICK HERE to learn more about how to donate through the CSJB Capital Campaign.
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Praying for our Nation - A Faithful Mendham Event

Tuesday January 19
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Eastern time.


Join your Mendham Faith Leaders for a brief service of scripture and prayer on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration. This community prayeres time is open to all people, regardless of political or religious background.

Register in advance for this worship service by clicking here:

After registering, Zoom will send you a confirmation email containing information about joining the gathering.

Sponsored by Brookside Community Church, The Community of St. John the Baptist,
Grace Lutheran Church, Hilltop Presbyterian Church, Mendham United Methodist Church, & St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. 

CLICK HERE to see the Facebook event

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Can you give us a lift?
CLICK HERE to donate any amount through GoFundMe to help replace our Convent elevator

Our Convent elevator, which is a huge part of our ministry of hospitality and welcome, has finally breathed its last after serving us since 1960.  Since we don't have any miracles left to resurrect it, we're asking the public to help us purchase a new elevator to provide continuing ministry to the hundreds of guests who visit CSJB each year for prayer, rest and retreat. 

The elevator also provides our only access for handicapped visitors and overnight guests, since our restrooms are not on the first floor and our overnight guest rooms are all on the 3rd and 4th floor.


THANK YOU!
​
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Our annual epiphANY PARTY!
​ON ZOOM
​

JANUARY 3, 2021, Hymn Sing from 5:00 - 6:00 with socializing afterwards.

Our annual Epiphany Party is one of the times of year when we say "thanks" to all the CSJB Oblates, Associates and friends who support us with donations, volunteer time, and prayers. We can't do our usual dinner and hymn sing in person this year, but we're going to gather with you all on Zoom to ring in a new year of faith and hope.

Please email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org to register for the party, and please email her any hymn requests you have so we can all sing together!

Also, if you'd like to wear a Christmas sweater and show us your favorite holiday recipes, please do so! (Pet sweaters welcomed and encouraged as well.)

ZOOM LINK WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, BUT REGISTRATIONS AFTER THAT DATE ARE ALSO MOST WELCOME.
​

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AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING UPCOMING EVENTS

The scheduling of our regular fall events has been delayed as we await word from Governor Murphy and Bishop Carlye J. Hughes regarding in-person gatherings. Please check back here for updated information on these:

OBLATE AND ASSOCIATE MEETINGS
Oblates meetings are taking place via Zoom until further notice

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE

Waiting for scheduling after in-person gatherings are permitted.

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CONCERT AT THE CONVENT

​Sunday November 22
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern time.


CLICK HERE for more Information

This is a fundraiser for our Capital Campaign. Please email concerts@csjb.org for information on how to register and receive the link to this livestreamed concert.

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BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING: THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

November 15, and 22 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Hilltop House, 14 Hilltop Rd. in Mendham, NJ. 

This year, your local faith communities are joining together to make sure everyone has a bountiful Thanksgiving. In lieu of our usual individual collections, we have set one centralized, socially distant drop-off location to support the Interfaith Food Pantry. CSJB Sisters will be there helping out on Nov. 8 and 15, so please stop by and say hello. This event is open to all. 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. For a list of items needed, CLICK HERE. For more info., email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org.
CLICK HERE FOR A FLYER.
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Conversation with God:
Jewish and Christian perspectives on prayer

Sponsored by Interweave
Saturday, November 7 - 1:30 - 3pm 

Via Zoom


Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual life. How do we call on the sacred? How do we interact with our God? During this program we will examine prayer from both the Jewish and Christian perspective, reflecting on prayer's many facets from supplication, the giving of thanks to confession and praise. Led by Rabbi Debra Smith and Sr. Eleanor Francis, we will come to a better understanding our different traditions, while discovering how much we share in the practice of prayer. 

Rabbi Debra Smith (Reb Deb) is the leader of Congregation Or Ha Lev. Reb Deb is the Rabbi in Residence at the Drew University Theological School and co-chair of a Morris County NJ chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam-Shalom

Sr. Eleanor Francis is an Episcopal priest and a member (former superior) of the Community of St. John Baptist. She has strong roots and connections with both Vedanta and Judaism and has given many programs on interfaith topics.

$20/ 15 for Interweave Members - Limited Spaces

CLICK HERE ​to Sign up today!
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A SOCIALLY DISTANCED HALLOWEEN

​OCTOBER 31,  FROM 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Hilltop House, 14 Hilltop Rd. in Mendham, NJ. 

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.

​For more info. email Sister Monica Clare at 
srmc@csjb.org.
CLICK HERE FOR A FLYER.
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ASSOCIATES’ PROGRAM AND OPTIONAL MEETING (via Zoom)
​

Saturday, October 24, 1:30-3:30 pm.
  • Program Topic: St. Teresa of Avila
  • Leader: Sr. Eleanor Francis
  • Suggested donation: $25
​
Please email CSJB Oblate Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com to register. After registration, a zoom link will be emailed to you.

​Mail a check for your $25 donation, made out to the Community of St. John Baptist,  to PO Box 240 Mendham, NJ 07945 - or donate through Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap
​
If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, we’d love to hear from you! Just email Sister Eleanor Francis at  sref@csjb.org
​
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Community Movie discussion

Monday October 12
7:00 PM to 8:15 PM Eastern time.

Cohosted with the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams.

As the nation grieves the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, we invite you to join your neighbors in a conversation facilitated by local faith leaders  on the documentary RBG. 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdeyqqTorGdanachL_XTeaQCkPmM-L0wW
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

You can find information on where to find the movie here: 
https://www.rbgmovie.com/

Learn about what makes her such a notable justice and what it means to be a Supreme Court Justice in the United States. Our conversation will be about RBG, and about our current system of appointing justices (I've been reading a lot lately, and was struck by this opinion piece in the NY Times: 
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/opinion/ginsburg-supreme-court-confirmation.html ) 
 
And if you haven't yet done so, please consider attending this informational session by the League of Women Voters (a non-partisan voter education group) on October 7th - Register here: 
https://tinyurl.com/y5vvnph4
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Sister Victoria Michelle's 
Bead Workshop on ZOOM

Saturday October 3
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern time.


Sister Victoria Michelle has been leading bead workshops at parishes for many years. Now she is offering a workshop on Zoom as a fundraiser for the ministries of CSJB. Would you like to join her?

Cost: $25 donation to CSJB, which includes a
wooden Anglican Rosary bead kit.


Here's how it works:

1. Email srmc@csjb.org to reserve your spot

2. Mail a check for your $25 donation, made out to the Community of St. John Baptist,  to PO Box 240 Mendham, NJ 07945 - or donate through Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CommunityofStJohnBap

3. We'll mail a wooden Anglican Rosary bead kit to your home.
​

4. We'll email you the Zoom link for the workshop.
​
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Community Movie Discussion of the DOCUMENTARIES
"Suppressed" and "Rigged"

September 14, On Zoom from
​7:00 PM to 8:00 PM


CSJB is co-hosting a Zoom Community Movie Discussion of the documentaries "Suppressed" and "Rigged" with the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams. 
​
Join local faith leaders for our third community conversation on race and racism in America. Following our viewing of "Just Mercy" and "13th" in previous months we chose to watch these short documentaries which focus on voting rights and voter suppression.

Suppressed - https://www.bravenewfilms.org/suppressed
- In depth case study of the 2018 Governor's Race in Georgia. A second version recently came out to add information about the 2020 election. (40 minutes)

Rigged - https://www.riggedthefilm.com/
- Describes the steps since the presidential election in 2008 to suppress voting. 
- Recommended by the Maryland Moral Mondays/ Poor People's Campaign. (1 hr. 10 minutes)

As clergy serving in a politically diverse community, we want to emphasize that while we are deeply invested in discussing current issues of justice, we are intentionally non-partisan.

Our conversation will include discussion of NJ voting laws, to make sure that all attendees are informed about their right to vote and how to safely vote and make sure their vote is counted in this year's election (especially in light of the Governor's announcement that all people will be eligible to vote by mail/absentee). Look for additional voter education opportunities in September and October.

Register ahead of time, and a link will be sent to you:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvce6sqTMpH9RjzRSZam0ftzpBthULjtTa

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The Search Program
August 19-28, 2020

THIS YEAR'S SEARCH PROGRAM WILL TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM DUE TO RESTRICTIONS ON IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

​Our SEARCH program is not only for those feeling called to be Sisters, but for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be.

The Summer SEARCH program takes place in August every year. The dates for August 2020 are August 19 to 28, 2020. The program lasts for ten days, but you may come for a portion of it if your work schedule does not allow for a ten-day visit.

Our program includes classes in prayer, time for discussions with individual Sisters and participation our Divine Office and daily Eucharist among other activities.

Please call Sister Pamela at 973-543-4641 ext. 9 or  email 
​sr-pamela@csjb.org for more information.

​

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THE HARMONIUM OUTREACH CHORUS

Sunday September 13, 2020
4:00 PM

At the Convent - Main Chapel
SUBJECT TO CHANGE  ACCORDING TO RESTRICTIONS ON IN-PERSON GATHERINGS


Conductor: Dr. Anne Matlack
Discover new female composers, songs about peace, works of Marian devotion, some Christmas wassail carols, and spirituals in this delightful presentation.

Contact Sister Pamela at sr-pamela@csjb.org
Or call at 973-543-4641 x9


​
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CSJB ASSOCIATE PRAYERS
​ON ZOOM
August 7, 10:30 AM- 11:00 AM

If you’re a CSJB Associate and you’d like to join us for Zoom prayers on the first Friday of every month, email Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com

If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, we’d love to hear from you! Just email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org
​
Future dates for Associate Prayers on Zoom are Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4.
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Community Movie Discussion of the documentary "13th"

July 28,On Zoom from
​7:00 PM to 8:00 PM


CSJB is co-hosting a Zoom Community Movie Discussion of the documentary "13th" with the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams. We are grateful to all who participated in our community discussion of the film "Just Mercy" on June 23.
​

Join local faith leaders for our second community conversation on race, racism, and the criminal justice system. Following our viewing of "Just Mercy" which is based on the true stories of a few characters in a larger system, we chose to watch 13th which focuses on that larger system.

"In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom." (from the official site)

Netflix has made this documentary available for free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8
Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZMkcuypqDItGtSbYJQQINpn5Pl4fa4-T…
​

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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CSJB ASSOCIATE PRAYERS
​ON ZOOM
July 3, 10:30 AM- 11:00 AM


If you’re a CSJB Associate and you’d like to join us for the first Friday prayers, email Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com

If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, we’d love to hear from you! Just email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org
​

THIS PAGE IS FOR EVENTS TEMPLATES ONLY AND IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

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PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Commemoration Day
​June 20, 2020


Commemoration Day is one of the opportunities we take throughout the year to thank our friends, Associates and Oblates for all that they contribute to the ministries of CSJB.

We are very sad to have to cancel this year's event, but the health and safety of our friends is extremely important to us. 

RECEPTION OF NEW ASSOCIATES, which usually takes place at Commemoration Day, will be rescheduled according to the directives of our Bishop regarding in-person worship.

If you're interested in volunteering for this event next year June 19, please call Sister Monica Clare at 973-543-4641 ext. 2
or ​email srmc@csjb.org 
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Community Movie Discussion of the film "Just Mercy"

June 23,
On Zoom from
​7:00 PM to 8:00 PM


CSJB is co-hosting a Zoom Community Movie Discussion of the film “Just Mercy" with the Interchurch Committee of the Mendhams.
Please join your friends and neighbors for a conversation on this important film, moderated by local faith leaders. The entire movie is available to view for free on Amazon Prime in the month of June: CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FILM

From Amazon: 
"A powerful true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his battle for justice as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence."
CLICK HERE TO Register in advance, and then we will email Zoom details to participants.
This will be the first in a series of offerings on racial justice from your local faith leaders.
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COMPASSION: AN INTERFAITH PERSPECTIVE

June 20 from 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
on Zoom


Compassion is a core belief in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. How do our traditions define compassion? How are we told to behave in order to live a life of compassion for ourselves and others? We will explore texts, stories and historical examples from our faith traditions that teach compassion and discuss how contemporary society presents challenges to us as we try to live a life of compassion.

Join Sister Eleanor Francis, Rabbi Debra Smith and Dr. Shabiha Sheikh for an intriguing text study and discussion. 

For more information please email  Sister Eleanor Francis or Rabbi Debra Smith. or call Sister Eleanor Francis at 973-543-4641
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AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING OUR FALL EVENTS

The scheduling of our regular fall events has been delayed as we await word from Governor Murphy and Bishop Carlye J. Hughes regarding in-person gatherings. Please check back here for updated information on these:
​

FALL ASSOCIATES RETREAT
Waiting for scheduling after in-person gatherings are permitted.

OBLATES MEETINGS SEPT 12 and NOV. 14
These are taking place via Zoom until further notice

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE

Waiting for scheduling after in-person gatherings are permitted.

ADELPHI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT IN THE MAIN CHAPEL
originally scheduled for Nov. 22 - 4:00 PM

Subject to change pending new guidelines on in-person gatherings.


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THE HARMONIUM OUTREACH CHORUS

Sunday September 13, 2020
4:00 PM

At the Convent - Main Chapel
SUBJECT TO CHANGE  ACCORDING TO RESTRICTIONS ON IN-PERSON GATHERINGS


Conductor: Dr. Anne Matlack
Discover new female composers, songs about peace, works of Marian devotion, some Christmas wassail carols, and spirituals in this delightful presentation.

Contact Sister Pamela at sr-pamela@csjb.org
Or call at 973-543-4641 x9


​
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Celtic Journeys 2020: 

Due to the Corona Virus pandemic, our 2020 Celtic Journeys has to be cancelled.

Please see our trips for 2021!
https://www.celticjourneys.org/copy-of-ireland
https://www.celticjourneys.org/cornwall
For more information, contact Sister Margo Elizabeth:
Phone:973 543 4641 ext 4                      
Email: srmargo@gmail.com
​
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The Search Program
FRIDAY, FEB. 12 - MONDAY, FEB. 15
 

THIS YEAR'S SEARCH PROGRAM WILL BE ON ZOOM DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS.

​Our SEARCH program is not only for those feeling called to be Sisters, but for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be.

The Winter SEARCH program takes place over President's Day weekend every year. The dates for 2021 are Friday, Feb. 12-Monday, Feb. 15. 

Our program includes classes in prayer and discernment, time for discussions with individual Sisters, and opportunities for questions from our Searchers.

Please call Sister Pamela at 973-543-4641 ext. 9 or  email sr-pamela@csjb.org for more information.

​
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CSJB ASSOCIATE PRAYERS
​ON ZOOM
July 3, 10:30 AM- 11:00 AM


If you’re a CSJB Associate and you’d like to join us for the first Friday prayers, email Pat McKenzie at mckenziepat@gmail.com

If you would like to learn more about becoming an Associate, we’d love to hear from you! Just email Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org
​
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COMPASSION: AN INTERFAITH PERSPECTIVE

June 20 from 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
on Zoom


Compassion is a core belief in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. How do our traditions define compassion? How are we told to behave in order to live a life of compassion for ourselves and others? We will explore texts, stories and historical examples from our faith traditions that teach compassion and discuss how contemporary society presents challenges to us as we try to live a life of compassion.

Join Sister Eleanor Francis, Rabbi Debra Smith and Dr. Shabiha Sheikh for an intriguing text study and discussion.  To register, CLICK HERE.

For more information please email  Sister Eleanor Francis or Rabbi Debra Smith. or call Sister Eleanor Francis at 973-543-4641
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JOIN US FOR PRAYER ON ZOOM

Friday July 17 
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern time.


The community of St. John Baptist invites you via Zoom to meet for a half-hour prayer service for comfort and strength during these difficult times.

Please email Oblate Pat McKenzie for the Zoom info. at:
mckenziepat@gmail.com

Let’s join together to pray for ourselves, our neighbors, our church, and the world.​


Location

​82 West Main Street Mendham, NJ 07945

community of saint john baptist

By centering our lives in prayer and worship, we seek to:
  •  Build community among ourselves
  •  Live by the Vows of Poverty, Chastity and
     Obedience
  •  Prepare a place where hearts may be open  to receive God's love
  •  Use our gifts individually and corporately to  minister  to the needs of God's world.

"He must increase, I must decrease"
(John 3:30)

Contact Us

PO Box 240 
Mendham, New Jersey 07945
​
   • 973 543-4641

   • superior@csjb.org
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  • Home
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