Between work, school, and other extra-curricular obligations, the holiday (late fall and early winter) season is often categorized by busy schedules, deadlines, wish-lists, and budgets. Sometimes it feels difficult to take time to be with loved ones, friends, and other community members. However, when the opportunity to relax, reflect, and enjoy other humans is taken—an overwhelming sense of joy and belongingness can follow. With that in mind, the following schedule of events was compiled to get the Metuchen community on the same page during the bustling holiday season.
What’s Going on in Metuchen This Holiday Season?
Metuchen has no shortage of events this holiday season especially among the houses of worship around town.
At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen there was a Christmas Fair with all sorts of vendors and sellers. Father Michael Way of St. Luke’s is new to the church, but emphasized that the event was something the church has been doing for years…
“Our auditorium (which is large) will be the setting for many sellers as well as a silent auction of trinkets, treasures, and Christmas presents, all to start season in cheerful way,” Way said ahead of the fair. “The Metropolitan Opera has donated two premium tickets for an opera show which will be mutually chosen between opera and the lucky winners. The tickets will include a backstage tour and opportunity to see a working rehearsal.”
Charity Events
Churches and other places of worship often use this time of year to ready their community for upcoming holidays—namely (you guessed it) Christmas!
Cutline: Metuchen has no shortage of events this holiday season especially among the houses of worship around town.
For the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, the “Holiday season brings about an opportunity to give back,” said Kara Kwiatkowski, the office manager for the parish.
“Thanksgiving weekend kicks off our Christmas Giving Tree, run by the Social Concerns Ministry. So, starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, we have donors pick the names of a boy or a girl throughout the month through Dec. 17.”
On Dec. 3, St. Francis Cathedral hosted a Winter Coat & Blanket Drive in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus council during the day.
On that evening, St. Francis also hosted their third annual Christmas Tree Lighting. With 175 Christmas trees, the church takes donations from community members, and places the trees around the church, school, and parish lit with white lights to honor a person, family, or group—for every donor there is one tree.
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, First Presbyterian Church is hosting a Christmas Basket Packing event from 7-8:30 p.m. with the goal to “help make the Christmas season brighter for folks in need.” The community is invited to come and help pack holiday meal bags for 100 families in Metuchen and Edison. Interested individuals can sign up via Facebook.
Photos with Santa Claus
On Saturday, Dec. 3, St. Francis held their Jingle Bell Craft Fair at the CYO building. Guests were able to donate a toy to receive a free photo with Santa.
The toy donation was for kids fighting cancer, which is in its ninth year in memory of one of St. Francis Cathedral School’s students.
“… Her classmates created toy drive as a legacy, Kwiatkowski explained. “So, instead of paying a fee for pictures with Santa, the donation goes toward kids fighting cancer in memory of a St. Francis student. That’s a biggie.”
On Dec. 17, St. Francis is partnering with the Knights of Columbus for a pancake breakfast alongside photos with Santa.
Musical Shows
On Sunday Dec. 10, the First Presbyterian Church Social Center of Metuchen will be the setting for Christmas Dinner and a Show. “Chef Dan Slobodien is a member of our church and we’ll be fundraising at the event,” explained Jordan Klotz who is the Minister of Music at the church.
Klotz highlighted some key points about the event that ranged from amazing food – a surf and turf or turkey dinner option – and a silent auction, to beautiful, festive music by acts like Sara Teti and Brenda Day.
Also on the 10th, the First Baptist Church will host a Christmas Carol Sing at 6 p.m. Christmas carols, readings, and sing-along featuring brass, woodwind, and string ensemble is to be expected.
On Dec. 16, there are two notable musical experiences on offer. For example, the MDA is working with Rise Up Chorus (a non-denominational community choral group) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual Downtown Caroling.
Later at 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Cathedral Concerts will present the Handel’s Messiah.
“It’s a spectacular musical event—not to be missed type of thing,” explained Kwiatkowski. “It’s a classic performance, and they’ll abridge the original two-and-a-half-hour show. It’s extremely festive and beautiful. Anything presented by the Cathedral Concert series is a free will offering and suggested donation of $20—intended for many to come and experience the arts.”
The next day, Sunday, Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. is First Presbyterian’s annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. This is a retelling of the Christmas story through music: Guests will hear the choir backed by harp, bells, and organ inside a decorated sanctuary.
Liturgical Events of Note
At St. Luke’s specifically on Dec. 7 and 14, leading up to Christmas on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in December “I’ll have a candle lit vesper service prayers for peace,” said Father Way. “It’s a contemplative service and will be brief. It’s the most peaceful half hour you’ll spend all week.”
Neve Shalom’s Tikkum Olam committee hosts a number of ongoing social action projects throughout the year, not just the holiday season.
These include Mitzvah Mission, which assists people in times of great change from the birth of a new child to a loss of a loved one; kosher food for the Jewish Family and Community Services Food pantry; Amandla Crossing Transitional Housing Mother’s Day Project; Blood Drive; Shiva Essentials Checklist, which assists people in an unfortunate time of need; and Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick) corp.
As Dec. 8 is a Holy Day, St. Francis will observe the immaculate conception of blessed virgin Mary, reminded Kwiatkowski. She said, “We have mass scheduled at 6 p.m. and praise and worship at 7 p.m. for eucharistic revival.
Two days later in the same space, on Dec. 10, St. Francis will hold 40 hours of eucharistic adoration until Tuesday the 12th. Kwiatkowski said that “During that time the church will be opened all day and all night… A time to pray and reflect, there will be speakers on those evenings, and this is an advent opportunity as we prepare for Christmas season—almost like Lent when we prepare for Easter.”
“And on the 18th, we have penance service where people come for confessions. We’ll have multiple priests, a service, and music.”
On Thursday, Dec. 21, St. Luke’s will recognize the Winter solstice. “It will be the longest night service for people grieving during the holiday season to gather and deliver peaceful message and a safe place to be sad during a joyful time of year,” shared Father Way.
Whether the reader is religious or not, anyone can connect with Father Way’s description of the current season…
“Everything we can to recognize the purpose of the season of Advent… It’s counter-cultural because it calls for us to slow down and be thoughtful and more reflective to prepare for the joy of Christmas,” he said. “The 12 days after Christmas are for celebration. However, our culture starts Christmas at Halloween [Father Way laughs]. So, find some quiet time to be with family or in prayer. With a lot going on in the world that we should be conscious of, we’re an open and inclusive church that is progressive. We emphasize love. So, relax a little and find those minutes to pray for the benefit of humanity.”
