Plan for Union and Unity

The following announcement appeared in the bulletin on the Sundays of April 24th and May 1st:
“Pursuant to the call of the Session, there will be a Congregational Meeting following the 10:00AM worship service on May 8, 2016 for the purpose of acting on the proposed Plan of Union between Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church and The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell. An informational meeting about the proposed union will be held after the 10:00AM worship service on May 1st. At that time, the Plan of Union will be distributed, the factors that led to this prospective union will be discussed, and the benefits for both congregations will be shared. There will be ample time for questions.”

This development may come as a surprise to you, and, to be truthful, it has come about rather quickly. Unlike the Plan of Union with the former West Caldwell congregation, which unfolded over a period of years, this Union is happening within a matter of months, based on the unfortunate reality of the financial plight of the Pleasantdale congregation. At a congregational meeting on April 17th, the congregation voted to “be adopted” by FPC.

As the notice for the congregational meeting mentions, an informational meeting will be held this coming Sunday, May 1st, following the 10:00 service.  The Plan of Union will be distributed at that time.  If you would like to read it beforehand, you can do so by following this link.
Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Eagle Rock Avenue and Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, about 3½ miles from FPC. Please keep the Pleasantdale members and staff in your prayers as they go through this time of transition, and feel free to contact me if you have any question