Parish Life

Parish Life is the ministry that provides and supports events of fun, food and fellowship. Parish Life draws in folks who enjoy working together to plan, organize and implement gatherings like dinners, parties, fundraisers, galas and bazaars. Under the direction of the Vestry, the Parish Life Committee seeks to create a community in which parishioners of all ages share their lives.

Recent events we have hosted include Celebrating Saint Bernard’s – Parish Party (November 2006), a reception and dinner for Bishop Councell on his visit to the parish for Evensong (October 2006), and Spring Fest 2006 (May).

SPRING FEST

Each spring Saint Bernard’s Church offers a major family celebration that is both fun and community building. Held in the Great Hall of the Parish House, it typically includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction and other attractive fund-raising activities. Children are invited and a DJ provides music. The Spring Fest is a highlight of our annual activities calendar.

FALL FEST

Each autumn Saint Bernard’s offers a major fund-raising event for the parish that draws members of the community and friends of the parish. It is usually a more formal affair for adults. It often includes a catered candle-light dinner, wine-tasting and dancing, as well as a silent auction and other fund-raising opportunities. It is a much anticipated event in the life of the parish.

PARISH DINNERS

Throughout the year Parish Life cooperates to support and facilitate pot luck suppers for different events. On the evening of Maundy Thursday in Holy Week, parishioners are especially invited to gather in the Great Hall of the Parish House for a common meal (6:30 p.m.) before the celebration of Holy Eucharist (7:30 p.m.) in commemoration of the institution of the sacrament. This pot luck dinner and worship service are part of our Holy Week activities.

Another dinner of the church year includes our participation with the Church of Saint John on the Mountain, Bernardsville, in the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the Parish Hall of Saint John’s (the Tuesday night before Ash Wednesday). Our young people join with theirs to prepare and serve this dinner as a community service project. Members of both churches enjoy this opportunity to fellowship and share a common meal on the eve of the season of Lent.

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

Each Sunday after the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist, families and individuals volunteer to host a Coffee Hour in the Great Hall of the Parish House. For more information on how to help, please see Worship/Lay Leadership in Worship/Coffee Hour.

Saint Bernard’s is a parish that enjoys gathering for food and fellowship. It is a treasured feature of our life together.

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For more details on getting involved in Parish Life, please speak with Pat Bickford, whose contact information is available through the Parish Office (Telephone: 908-766-0602, extension 5 or E-mail: saintbernards@verizon.net).