New Jersey Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Homecoming Weekend (October 26-28) attracted people from Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to pastors Jim and Cathy Stanley-Erickson.

A total of 93 attended a banquet in Perth Amboy, which is near South Plainfield. Rev. Bruce Lake, a Covenant pastor who previously served at Pilgrim Covenant, was the guest speaker. The congregation also hosted a dessert gathering at a parishioner's home. Holda Luthman, one of those attending the weekend festivities, celebrated her 75th confirmation anniversary - she was confirmed in a Swedish service at the church.

The church's theme for the year was "Celebrating the Past . . . Anticipating the Future." Part of the future includes a building project that has already received more than $80,000. A three-year capital campaign is under way with $178,000 pledged. Pilgrim Covenant is adding a Christian education wing that will serve both the church and a learning center that serves the community.

Pilgrim Covenant Church is located about 20 miles from New York City in central New Jersey. Worship attendance at the church averages about 80. The Stanley-Ericksons have been co-pastors for nearly four years, during which time the church has upgraded youth ministry programs and has made inroads into the blue collar community of 20,000.

The church will host a Lucia pageant December 9 as its final special event of the year. For more information about the church, call 908-756-2474.

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