We arranged for a 45-minute private tram tour of the New York Botanical Gardens. The tram tour offered a relaxing and informative way to see much of this National Historic Landmark’s beautiful natural terrain, including dramatic rock outcroppings, a river and waterfall, ponds, and rolling hills. 2016 marked the New York Botanical Garden’s 125th Anniversary. Special events included the reopening of the prized Lilac Collection and the timing of the tour aligned with the summer exhibition, Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas, which examined the art-historical and horticultural significance of the widely popular garden subjects that prevailed during several decades of flourishing impressionist practice in the United States from 1887 to 1917. For more information on the Gardens visit here.

We hosted a special one-night performance of The Box to raise awareness of the alarming rates of homelessness, PTSD and suicide among our nation’s veteran population.

The Box is a one-man tragicomic play about a homeless Vietnam Veteran who suffers from PTSD. “Jack” is a philosopher, a theologian, a humorist, a lover, a fighter and a survivor who lives and sleeps in a box in a secluded woods of St. Augustine, Florida. “The Box” was recently made into a movie and has been accepted to the Sundance Film Festival.

The play is written and performed by Lee Weaver of Lee Weaver Ministries. Weaver specializes in combining preaching with drama and humor to create compelling and memorable experiences. Additionally he presents Peter - The Big Fisherman; Judas - the Betrayer and Joseph - The Husband of Mary. To learn more about the performer visit here or on facebook.

Weaver’s theatrical production company is named Special OPS (One Person Shows). His other notable plays include “The Secret - The Spanish Inquisition in Old Florida,” (presented at the Fringe Drama Festival in NYC in 2014), a play about religious intolerance. “The Witness” - about the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960’s in which he portrays a former, self-confessed racist thug. This summer he will debut “The Shooter,” a drama about violence in America.

Proceeds from the performance benefited the Rutherford Food Pantry.

We held an evening of painting and fun in April. Participants created their very own sunflower work of art under the guidance and direction of local artist, Robert Goetzl. No previous art or painting was required and the group ranged from beginners to experienced painters. Everyone had a great time. We’re excited to offer a second event this fall. Watch the Upcoming Events section for the date and time.

We sponsored a sunset pontoon boat eco-cruise with the Hackensack Riverkeeper. The group discovered and explored the wetlands, estuaries and God’s creatures that have chosen to make the Meadows their home. The eco-cruise is Hackensack Riverkeeper's signature environmental education program and conducted aboard a brand-new, 30-foot pontoon cruiser.

The Bible Study group took a short break from their studies to construct an Origami Nativity scene. The work was displayed in the chapel in the Karen Kaiser Parish House during advent.

We organized a guided vertical tour of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. According to Visitor Center, the 60 minutes tour is an adventurous, “behind-the-scenes” one where participants will climb more than 124 feet through spiral staircases to the top of the world's largest cathedral.  Stories are told through stained glass windows and sculpture and the grand architecture of the Cathedral is studied while standing on a buttress. The tour culminated on the roof with a sweeping view of Manhattan.

For more information, visit St. John the Divine's site here. 

We organized a docent lead tour of the Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum art collection. The collection consists of 90 major pieces of art from churches in the Newark Archdiocese that have closed. 

Read about the exhibit here.