About Us:
Community Congregational Church was founded by eight friends in 1953 who felt the need for a simplified, non-liturgical form of worship. Their objectives were to bring people together in the name of Christ and to create a Christian fellowship with neither rigid dogmas nor creeds as a condition of membership. These objectives remain a foundation of the church.

The church is led by our Senior Minister, the Reverend Dr. Johann Bosman; our Minister of Music, Warren Brown; Jennifer Testa our Assistant Minister for Sunday School and Youth Fellowship Programs; Aiko Mauldin our Youth Choir Director; Susan Gieser our Business Manager; and our Sexton Rositsa Abrasheva. The church is self managed, and is a member of the United Church of Christ. The church lay organization is led by elected church officers, the church board, the board of trustees, and the board of deacons as well as a host of committees and the Women's Guild.

Our weekly services are held from 10 AM to 11 AM each Sunday morning in our sanctuary or chapel at 200 Hartshorn Drive, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. There is a hospitality "hour" after each service to meet newcomers and socialize. Nursery school is held in the Christian Education Building each Sunday from September through June just after the children's' sermon in the sanctuary. The Chancel choir of some twenty voices meets on Sundays at 8:30 AM from September through June and provides us with inspired music with a combination of professional singers and volunteers from the congregation.

Almost every week Bible classes, special programs and activities, committee meetings, adult education seminars, concerts and choir practice and youth fellowship are offered.

Our facilities include a sanctuary comfortably seating 500 with a full pipe organ; a chapel seating 100 with it's own organ; a memorial garden; a large fellowship hall with a stage, kitchen facilities, and a conference room; an administrative wing with offices and a conference room; a separate Christian Education Building with a playground and a 200 space parking lot; and an attached one bedroom apartment.

Our church is located about twenty miles west of New York City. Our Church is conveniently located at 200 Hartshorn Drive on a high bluff just off of Parsonage Hill Road and nearby JFK Parkway and the Short Hills Mall. Neighboring towns include Maplewood, Summit, Chatham, Livingston, and South Orange.

All are welcome. To contact us call 973-379-5600, or e-mail us at communitychurch@communitychurch.org .

Johann Bosman Background:
The Rev. Dr. Johann J. Bosman was installed as Community Congregational Church's 4th Senior Minister in the Fall of 2005. Previously Johann had served in the capacity as Associate and Assistant Minister.

The core of Johann's formal educational background includes two Masters degrees, one in Psychology (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa) and the other in Pastoral Theology (Princeton Theological Seminary), and a Doctorate in Ministry (Princeton Theological Seminary). In addition he had short courses of study at the Rijks University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Johann was born and raised in South Africa, and while in high school, he was involved at the national level in reconciliation efforts between different cultural communities during Apartheid. With his wife, Hannelie, they are raising two sons and a daughter.

Core aspects of Johann's ministry at Community Congregational Church are:
* Writing sermons that draw interpretation from (1) a working knowledge of the original texts and biblical manuscripts, and (2) the contemporary cultural and socio-political context;
* Preaching sermons that seek relevance and application of biblical truths and the rudiments of the Christian faith to daily living and the personal loves of all people;
* A pastoral consultation ministry that aims to bring hope and healing, resolution and resolve, support and self-improvement to all who want to overcome personal difficulty and/or grow to personal and spiritual maturity.
* Designing and presenting a Christian Education ministry that: (1) Strives to increase knowledge and appreciation of biblical and Christian doctrinal issues through class and forum discussions; (2) Relates contextual, socio-cultural, political and ethical/moral issues of the day to faith and spirituality; (3) Includes extended educational trips abroad with a specific focus or educational agenda (e.g. Peru, Italy, South Africa.)

As the architect of "InSPIRE", a current two-year strategy aimed at enhancing the health and growth of Community Congregational Church, Johann is working closely with lay leaders to offer programming that (1) facilitates growth in the spiritual lives of all people, and (2) possesses intrinsic relevance to daily living.

Johann is joined by members of the ministry team at Community Congregational Church in inviting you to participate in any of our programs, and they look forward to making your acquaintance if you are new to our family of faith.

Jennifer Testa Background:
I am a Jersey girl at heart! I grew up in Scotch Plains, attending the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. My high school years were spent at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, NJ. I attended The College of New Jersey for college, majoring in psychology, with a minor in religion. After spending a semester in Florence, Italy, I also decided to minor in Italian. After a year off after college, during which I worked in various churches in the area, I began at Princeton Theological Seminary. I graduated in May 2005 with a Masters of Divinity degree and am currently in the process of being ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament. I love the vibrancy and energy of children and teenagers and want them to feel that same excitement for their faith.

Contact Us:
Community Congregational Church
200 Hartshorn Drive
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078

Senior Minister
Reverend Dr. Johann Bosman
Phone: 973-379-5600x14
E-mail: johann@communitychurch.org

Minister of Music
Warren H. Brown
Phone: 973-379-5600x14
E-mail: warren@communitychurch.org

Assistant Minister
Jennifer N. Testa
Phone: 973-379-5600xTBA
E-mail: jennifer@communitychurch.org

Business Administrator
Susan Gieser, Esq.
Phone: 973-379-5600x10
E-mail: susan@communitychurch.org

Youth Choir Director
Aiko Mauldin
Phone: 973-379-5600xTBA
E-mail: aiko@communitychurch.org

Sexton
Rositsa Abrasheva
Phone: 973-379-5600xTBA
E-mail: rositsa@communitychurch.org

Directions:
From the North:
Take Garden State Parkway South to exit 142 (tr. 78 West)
Follow the directions for local lane Route 24 West (exit 42).
At the Short Hills Mall, on the right, take JFK Parkway towards Livingston.
Exit at Parsonage Hill Road, on your right.
At the end of the ramp take a right, go through the first stop light to the top of the hill to the second stop light.
Take a left on to Hartshorn Drive, the church is on your left and the parking lot and entrance is in the back of the church.

From Livingston:
Follow JFK Parkway towards the Mall.
Take the Parsonage Hill exit on the right.
At the end of the ramp take a left through the first stoplight to the top of the hill to the second light.
Take a left on the Hartshorn Drive.

From the South:
Take the Garden State Parkway north to Union Toll Plaza.
Take exit 142- follow sings to Route 78 East to first exit in Hillside and wrap around to Rout 78 West (stay on the right).
Take local lanes for Route 24 West to Short Hills Mall, take JFK Parkway towards Livingston.
Exit at Parsonage Hill Road on right.
At end of the ramp take a right- go through first stop light to the top of the hill to second stop light, take a left on to Hartshorn Drive.
Church is on the left- parking and entrance in the rear of the church.

From Route 24:
Take Route 24 East to JFK Parkway.
At the Shirt Hills Mall, on the right, take JFK Parkway towards Livingston.
Exit at Parsonage Hill Road, on your right.
At the end of the ramp take a right, go through the first stop light to the top of the hill to the second stop light.
Take a left on to Hartshorn Drive, the church is on your left and the parking lot and entrance is in the back of the church.
(Get a Map)

Webmaster
webmaster@communitychurch.org

Staff:
The church is led by our Senior Minister, Rev. Dr. Johann Bosman; our Minister of Music, Warren Brown; our Assistant Minister Jennifer Testa who oversees the Sunday School and Youth Fellowship programs; and our Business Manager, Susan Gieser.

Church Benevolence:
Benevolence is what most churches are about… a disposition to do good, an act of kindness, or a generous gift. The Community Congregational Church of Short Hills searches for meaningful and spiritually enriching projects and programs on the local, national and international level. The goal is to involve our congregation in projects that can influence or help the lives of others and make a positive difference in the world.
The types of projects change from year to year being influenced by current events and the economic environment. Our Benevolence projects are determined by members of the church. The church has established a Benevolence Committee that meets regularly to process, research and determine the best projects for the year. Any member of the church may be a part of the Benevolence Committee and church members are encouraged to participate in and make suggestions for Benevolences.
Members of our church participate in a wide variety of ‘hands on’ benevolence projects throughout the year which include knitting projects for needy families, sorting new and used toys to be distributed to local agencies, putting together meals for ‘The Bridges Project’ and other local agencies, participating in distributing meals to the needy, working with Habitat for Humanity, mentoring and tutoring students through SCEEP, sorting food at the Community Food Bank in Hillside or building homes, churches or schools through our Senior High School Fellowship Mission projects…these are just some examples.
The church also funds special projects and programs and provides scholarships and mentoring to needy students. Some organizations which have received funding for specific programs in the recent past include The Protestant Community Center in Newark, St Barnabus Hospital Healing Music Program, Habitat for Humanity, Family Connections- Youth Connections play Ground Project, Bridges, Tilmes House for girls, New Eyes for the Needy, The Valerie Fund, Market Street Mission, International Rescue Agency- Tsunami relief and boat kit program, Aid for International Medicine (Fistula Hospital), New Jersey Coalition for battered Women and The Robins Nest Orphanage in Jamaica.
This past year, the church provided financial assistance scholarships to five students at the Chad School of Science in Newark. This year the church will continue its scholarship program focusing on one student and his family. The student will be attending The Marist School in Bayonne.
Benevolences make a difference in the world around us. It is the responsibility of all of us to care for and tend to those of God’s children who are in need. It is an honor to do so and our church humbly listens for God’s guidance.

Calendar of Events:
By clicking on the "Calendar of Events" menu item, you should be viewing the Community Congregational Church's online Calendar (created by Calendarix). If you are using a "popup blocker" or similar program, the calendar may not show on your screen. If this is the case, and the Calendar has not shown, you may access the Calendar directly via this link.

Note that, as with any browser window, you may click on the "X"(or "Close" button) in the upper right hand corner of the Calendar window to close the Calendar. Clicking on the "X" will not close the Church's website window, only the Calendar will be closed. If you are using a PC running the Microsoft Windows Operating System, and you wish to have the Calendar remain open while viewing the Church's website, you may use the ALT-TAB key combination (on your keyboard) to switch between the two windows. Alternateively, to switch between windows, look at the "Task Bar" at the bottom of your screen and click on the window you want to view. If you still are having difficulty, please contact the Webmaster.

Adult Christian Education:
The Adult Christian Education Committee oversees a program with several facets, including both regular and special activities. Bible studies provide the core of the regular program. The Sunday Bible studies, held before the Church service, have generally focused on themes developed by our Senior Minister over a series of weeks. Bible 101 and Spirit 101 are recent examples. The former aimed to increase individual understanding of the Bible, its original setting, how it was compiled and how to read the different books. The latter focused on the nature of the Holy Spirit, the dynamics of human spirituality and the relevant Bible references. There is also a regular Wednesday morning Bible studies program, the theme of which was "Women of the Bible" this past year.
Special activities have included a variety of events and programs ranging over the last year from a trip to the newly reopened Museum of Modern Art in New York which drew on the expertise of our own Charles Jordan to a lecture on poet/philosopher Ogden Nash by biographer Douglas Parker and a topical forum on the papacy with a local priest as the featured speaker. Our Lenten speaker, Dr. George Rupp, the president of The International Rescue Committee and former president of Columbia University, addressed the current world refugee crisis.
Looking forward, the Adult Christian Education Committee plans to sponsor a variety of programs and activities aimed at deepening the religious knowledge of our congregation, addressing common concerns of our daily lives and dealing with broader public issues of interest to both our congregation and the community at large.

Youth Fellowship:
If you are a teenager in grades 6-12, WE WANT YOU! Our fellowship programs meet on Sunday nights and are full of exciting games, food and discussions. There are also many other events and trips besides regular fellowship, like service projects, fall retreats and even Halloween and Christmas parties! And that is all before December!
Middle School Fellowship meets on Sunday night from 6-7 and High School Fellowship meets on Sunday nights from 7-8:30. Come check us out! And be sure to watch the calendar for great special events, like the upcoming Fall Retreats…we want you to go!
Everything kicks off on Sunday September 11, 2005 from 6:00-7:30pm with a luau. Join us on the front lawn of the church for great games and food and to get to know our new youth minister, Jennifer Testa. We are excited to begin the year and can’t wait to spend time with YOU!!

Sunday School:
Our Sunday school program is dedicated to help your child learn about God in a practical and real way, with focused attention on the Bible and its story of the Christian heritage. Our curriculum centers around making the Bible accessible to children and helping them to apply the knowledge they learn in Sunday school to their everyday lives.
Our teachers are dedicated to making your child feel welcome and creating community in each classroom. Each class is assigned by age and/or grade, so your child is with his/her peers. Lessons are designed specifically for each age group, allowing a child of any age to gain the full benefit of the time spent in the class.
For more information or to fill out a Registration form for your child, please contact the church office. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.
How you can help: If you would like more information about teaching, please contact Jennifer Testa at 973-379-5600 x13.

Music:
Community Congregational Church has a very strong music program led by Warren Brown, Minister of Music. Warren has brought a wonderful background to our church including his education at Juilliard School of Music, choral director for Leonard Bernstein, Director of Columbia University Glee Club, Professor of music at Drew University, and guest conductor of the Orpheus Men’s Choir in Philadelphia. He is currently Director of Music at Kent Place School in Summit, and also directs the music program and choir at B’Nai Jeshurun Temple in Short Hills.
The Chancel Choir provides our Sunday services with rich and varied traditional and contemporary music. Our services are closely coordinated with both the spiritual and musical messages. Members of the church make up a majority of the some 20-25 who typically sing each Sunday. The Chancel Choir also has a talented foundation of seven professionals most of whom have a long standing relationship with Warren. The Chancel Choir also welcomes others who have an interest in singing with us. Rehearsals are at 8:30 AM on Sunday for our 10AM service.
In addition, the Chancel Choir provides the church and community with a number of other musical events. This year we plan to have a joint concert in December with singers from Kent Place. In addition the choir puts on a Cabaret, this year planned in the spring as a fund raiser for the music program. Look also at our calendar of events for some “brown bag concerts" in our Welch Chapel on Sundays after church with a light lunch included. These events are an opportunity to see and hear the members of the Chancel Choir and particularly our professionals singing significantly different types of music! Other concerts and musical events are being planned and will be announced in the Item and on our web site as they are finalized.
The Youth Choir meets once a week on Mondays from 3:45 to 4:45 in the Choir Room. The Youth Choir Director, Aiko Mauldin, has an extensive background in music and previously led youth choirs in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was awarded a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1995, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York in 1998. Aiko began giving private piano lessons in 1998 and was the Staff Accompanist at Loyola University of New Orleans where she accompanied vocal students for lessons, recitals and competitions. Beginning in 2000 she was the Music Director at the Ursuline Academy High School in New Orleans as well as a full time music teacher leading two choruses, teaching private piano lessons and music appreciation. In addition, she was the Music Director for liturgies. In 2001 she was named Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Ursuline Academy; a post she still holds.
Community Congregational Church has such a strong history of music that many refer to us as the Singing Congregation. Please come and join us to sing in our Chancel or Youth Choir, and to attend one of our Sunday services and musical events to experience the wonderful contribution our choirs make to our church and community.

Photo Albums:
By clicking on the "Photo Albums" menu item, you should be viewing the Community Congregational Online Photo Albums (created by the Coppermine Photo Gallery people). If you are using a "popup blocker" or similar program, the online photo albums may not show on your screen. If this is the case, and the online photo albums do not show, you may access them directly via this link.
Note that, as with any browser window, you may click on the "X"(or "Close" button) in the upper right hand corner of the photo album window to close the album. Clicking on the "X" will not close the Church's website window, only the photo album will be closed. If you are using a PC running the Microsoft Windows Operating System, and you wish to have the photo album remain open while viewing the Church's website, you may use the ALT-TAB key combination (on your keyboard) to switch between the two windows. Alternateively, to switch between windows, look at the "Task Bar" at the bottom of your screen and click on the window you want to view. If you still are having difficulty, please contact the Webmaster.