Religion

Rabbi Eli Garfinkel said he knew from his first meeting with members of Temple Beth El that this was a special place. “I could tell from the very first meeting that these were very good people who were personally invested in the future of their synagogue,” he said. It’s been 10 years since Garfinkel came to the Hamilton Street synagogue, a milestone …

We dropped in on two township churches for their Easter Sunday celebrations: Middlebush Reformed Church at Middlebush and Amwell roads, and Point Christian Church, which meets at the Villagers Theatre in the municipal complex. Middlebush Reformed held a sunrise service at 7 a.m., while Point Christian held its annual Easter egg hunt, prior to its Easter service and brunch. Here …

More than a dozen volunteers from Middlebush Reformed Church pitched in March 19 to help Habitat for Humanity build two homes. Both homes are located on Churchill Avenue. The church volunteers joined other Habitat members, and the owners of the two homes, in the effort. The Rev. George Montanari, pastor of the church located on South Middlebush Road, said the …

Somerset Presbyterian Church will hold an Indoor Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 27 in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Available will be a variety of used and new items for sale, including kitchen and household items, jewelry, clothing, pictures, toys, and more. Refreshments will also be available for purchase such as soup, chili, hot dogs, clam …

Vendors and shoppers are wanted for Middlebush Reformed Church’s flea market in the park. The flea market is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 14. The buying and selling event will be held in Thomson Park, across from the church, at the corner of Amwell and South Middlebush Roads, Somerset. Vendor space is $15. Parking is easy, convenient, …

Muslims who truly follow the teachings of their Prophet Muhammad should unite and reject terrorist “thugs” such as ISIS. That was one of the messages Jan. 1 at the 2016 “Prophet Day” celebration of Muhammad’s birth, held at the Masjid-e-Ali Mosque on Cedar Grove Lane. With more than 200 members of the Islamic community in attendance, four scholars – two Sunni and …

Submitted by Judy Werensly, CFMC Board of Directors. On Dec. 12, the Community Fellowship Mass Choir, under the direction of Gabriel Codeiro, performed their Christmas Benefit Concert at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, joined by the 5 Loaves 2 Fish Orchestra, under the direction of Joseph Lee. The members of the choir, band and orchestra represent 22 Central New …

Hundreds of parishioners at St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church showed up Nov. 22 to congratulate their priest on his 25 years at their pulpit. The Rev. Douglas J. Haefner said he was “humbled” by the response to his anniversary. “I’m just humbled by the outpouring of the people,” Haefner said after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. “Today was a celebration of …

The 2015 Christmas season has begun, at least over in Zarephath. WAWZ STAR 99.1-Central Jersey recently flipped the Christmas music switch. The station will play all-Christmas music through Christmas Day, according to a press release from the station. STAR 99.1 is New Jersey and New York City’s only Christmas Music radio station that places an emphasis on songs that uplift …

With the atrocities of ISIS in Paris and elsewhere fresh in their memories, Muslims who gathered at a township mosque Nov. 14 were told that they must “build bridges” in their communities. The event was the annual interfaith program at Masjid-e-Ali Mosque to honor the life of Imam Husain Ibn Ali, a 7th Century figure who, with about 70 of his …