Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-September 30, 2009 Issue

Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 30, 2009 ALLENDALE Festival Day 2009 The parishioners of the Church of the Epiphany in Allendale and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Midland Park voted unanimously on Sunday, Sept. 20 to become (right page) uniﬁed into one Episcopal parish and be known as Trinity Episcopal Church. The ﬁnal joining together will be completed in January 2010. Since Sept. 13 both congregations have been worshiping together in the Allendale parish, which will be the future home of the new church. It is located at 55 George Street behind Borough Hall and the Lee Memorial Municipal Library. The uniﬁed Episcopal parish intends to have a broader outreach and mission impact and more robust offerings in youth ministry, Christian education, and spiritual growth (left page) programs, according to Rev. Michael Allen, who2col be 3/4” will x the pastor of the new parish. “There is an increased vitality and excitement. Everyone is very excited. There is a new synergy. As a theologian, I would say that this is a venue for the Holy Spirit to breathe a new breath of life in our lives,” commented Father Allen. He said talks between the two parishes originally centered around doing a mutual ministry and escalated from there. “We started doing fellowship and found we truly liked each other. We realized that together we could make a greater impact on Epiphany and Good Shepherd churches announce merger SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD �� the community,” Father Allen said. He said he expects average attendance to increase to 150, from about 40 each in recent months. “It’s a huge increase,” he noted. The combined congregations have a broad spectrum of offerings. Sunday School, which began on Sept. 20 with four classes, starts at 10 a.m. each Sunday with a meaningful Opening Gathering. After the classes, the children join the rest of the congregation for Holy Communion, with the younger children joining Fr. Michael at the altar so they can learn closeup more about the Eucharist. The next community celebration will be The Feast of St. Francis on Oct 4. Everyone is invited to bring their pets to church (yes, they sit with parishioners in the pews! for a blessing and asperges as part of the festive Eucharist. Coffee hour follows both the 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday Eucharists. The church also has a said Eucharist with contemporary music every Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. Other activities include a Senior Youth Group, Junior Bell Choir, Youth Instrumental Ensemble, Women’s Book Club, Stitch & Chatter group for knitters and crocheters, varied adult education programs and several Bible Study groups. Father Allen said the Midland Park building will be kept for at least two years to be used for outreach programs and special worship services. The newly constituted vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church will ultimately decide the long range fate of the Godwin Avenue building, constructed in 1963. The Once a year The Church of the Epiphany, located on 55 George Street, in Allendale, literally goes to the dogs (and other household pets) during the Annual Blessing of the Animals celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. This event will take place this year on Sunday, Oct. 4. Pets of all sorts are invited into the church with their owners to receive a personal blessing from Father Michael. This annual custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. The special service will begin at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited. (left page) modern structure replaced the original chapel which had served as the clubhouse of the Wortendyke Field & Stream Club and was donated to the church in 1908. Pets welcome ALLENDALE Festival Day 2009 9-30-09----AllendaleFestBanner---VillHouse Ads/Allendale Karen...from Rev: Janine Wishing everyone a happy Festival Day! �� Mention this ad and receive a free cup of coffee �� The Allendale Chamber of Commerce will present its Annual Festival Day on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Festival Chairman Dan Zettler of Barnstable Mortgage Group notes that this year’s festival will feature live music and performances all day at Center Stage. The festival will also feature vendors, crafts, food, giveaways, exhibits, and more. Activities Nancy an obstacle course, children’s enterY/Banners & Covers include tainment, games, presentations by community organizations, exhibits, face painting, a petting zoo, a Moonwalk, pumpkin painting, and entertainment by clowns. As always, the borough will be looking beautiful thanks to the decorations being provided by Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery. Be there at 10 a.m. when the Street Fair begins on West Allendale Avenue. Over 80 vendors and community organizations will be participating this year. The ﬁrst performance of the day will be provided by The Orpheus Men’s Singers, who will be on stage from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. The Pet Parade will follow at 11:15 p.m. Participants should register at 11 a.m. at Center Stage. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: most patriotic, best dressed, smallest, most vocal, largest, and best doggie trick performer. There will be Allendale Festival Day set a Blessing of the Pets by Father Michael Allen from Church of the Epiphany. Children’s entertainer Kurt Gallagher will perform from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Dancer’s Edge will perform from 12:45 to 1 p.m. The musical styling of Pete Vasilli will follow from 1 to 2 p.m. Events also include a karate demonstration from 2 to 2:15, Jam Straight will rock the stage from 2:15 to 3 p.m., the Saddle River Youth Theatre will perform selections from “Rent” from 3 to 3:15 p.m., and Jam Straight will present an encore at 3:15. A live Webcast of the festival will be provided by MediaMix. Just log on to www.allendalechamber.com. Participants are invited to participate in the Pie Contest, which will be judging at noon at Terrie O’Connor Realtors. At 2 p.m., the Scarecrow Contest entries will be judged at Bank of America. The list of 2009 Allendale Day sponsors includes Allendale Community for Mature Living, Platinum Sponsor; Ed Kalpagian of State Farm, Keith the Pool Tech, Dan Zettler of Barnstable Mortgage Group, Villadom TIMES, Allendale Dental, Terrie O’Connor Realtors, and Nanny’s Nest Nursery School, Gold Sponsors. See you on Allendale Day! Visit our table and help celebrate our nd 2 Anniversary in your beautiful community! Goodies for Kids and Pets. �� James McElroy, Broker/Owner