Dear Neighbor,

A warm and sincere hello to you!    Here is a brief pastoral perspective on FPC in the year 2011.

We are a warm-hearted, other-serving, modest sized congregation nestled on the edge of Hunterdon and Morris County in a truly serene and scenic part of New Jersey.  Our quaint church home is on Route 517 -- a fairly busy corridor beyond our doors given that we are equidistant from the heart of neighboring Chester, Long Valley, Califon and Oldwick.   Our church family consists of people from all over this span.

We are growing along with many regional and cultural shifts.  Change happens without fail, and we've been adapting to the times since our founding back in 1747!    All the while, however, holding fast to the tradition and theology of our Presbyterian heritage (click here for more on this).   Once upon a time our area was mostly farmland, and our congregation consisted mostly of local farm families.   While we still have a few of these wonderful families in our church family, we've become more diverse.   We especially recognize the "suburban sprawl" that is taking place and how this impacts the rhythm of life and church involvement.   We also recognize and are consistently trying to adapt to shifts in communication, which is why you are reading this on-line and not in a three-fold brochure or church newsletter.    Prior to my calling to serve FPC, I ministered in a large, suburban "program" church.    I consistently draw upon this experience of ministry and my perspectives as a member of "Generation X" in the context of many generations as we assess FPC today and its future.

I encourage you to look around this website.  It's always far from complete, but we try to keep up.   

We hope you'll especially see our hands-on committment to mission through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Appalachia Service Project, and other organizations. 

We hope you'll wonder how a moderate sized congregation can successfully host the Fairmount Country Festival and the Mistletoe Market (hint: we have a really big heart, a strong core of prayer, and many hands making lighter work!)

We hope you'll appreciate and feel pulled to experience first-hand the beauty of our sanctuary, its traditional yet currently relevant worship services, and the very genuine welcoming spirit of our church family.   

We hope you'll have questions, and that you won't hesistate to reach out to us with them as you explore your faith journey and prayerfully consider ways our Lord might be calling you to support and be part of our ministries.   

I can very often be found in local coffee shops, grocery stores, and on fields and atTewksbury school events supporting and cheering my daughters -- so if you see me, know that I welcome any and all hellos!   

Courage and Serenity in Christ,

Pastor Rich

908-914-2042

rkgelson@gmail.com