Around the Synod & Community
Ways to Get Involved: Blood Drive, Fun Walk & More
Walk, give and gather with our neighbors this fall.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church Library · Friday, October 2, 2026 · 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more info, contact Pam Bowen.
Feet in the Street Fun Walk/Run
Sat · Oct 3 · 9:30 a.m.
Clipper Pavilion, South Mountain Reservoir, West Orange, NJ
Registration at 9:30 a.m. · $45 (includes cap & lunch; kids under 5 free). Walk with Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ to fight food insecurity across NJ.
Info: Jennifer Van Es, 609-667-3463 or jvanes@lsmnj.org · lsmnj.org/fits
Hops Against Homelessness
Family Promise of Burlington County · September 12, 2026.
12th Annual Rally for Cross Roads
Sat · Oct 3 · 2K / 5K · On-site or virtual · Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
Lace up your walking or running shoes and join the 12th Annual Rally for Cross Roads, a 2K/5K walk/run supporting scholarships and programs at Cross Roads. Whether you take part on-site or virtually, every step helps create more opportunities for youth and families to experience camp — building confidence, faith, leadership, and friendship.
For more info: officemanager@crossroadsretreat.com
ELCA News
Remembering September 11
25 years on — remembrance and peace
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, ELCA teaching invites us to remember the dead, honor those who served, and entrust our grief to the God from whom nothing can separate us. We are called toward Christ-shaped responses of peace, neighbor-love, and service for the healing of the world.
Join us in prayer for those who mourn, for first responders and service members, and for a world in need of peace.