From Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, in the biblical witness, a change of name is often a sign that a spiritual transformation has taken place. Atlantic Highlands Navesink UMC’s transformation to Beacon UMC is no exception to that rule.
On Sunday, October 6, the congregation’s new name was officially unfurled, and the community was invited to come and celebrate this new beginning.
The congregation decided to change its name, in part because Atlantic Highlands Navesink is a mouthful, but also to signify that they were intentionally looking ahead to a new season of ministry.
Atlantic Highlands Navesink, like so many churches, has been moving through a liminal time. Once a two-point charge, Atlantic Highlands UMC and Navesink UMC merged in 2018, moving from sharing a pastor to sharing one church building.
The members were gentle with one another during the transition; Navesink was added to the name, and the trustees moved stained glass that stood in the altar in Navesink into the altar space of Atlantic Highlands, a visual reminder that the love of Christ that shone in bright colors in Navesink UMC continues to shine on them today.
The church commissioned Ministry Architects to guide them through a season of visioning about who God might be inviting them to be in this season. The name change was part of that process.
Beacon UMC was a natural fit for a congregation located near the harbor of Sandy Hook Bay, not far from the Conover beacon.
“A beacon is something that shines,” says Rev. Nicole Maggs. “Our mission statement is to love God, love people, and welcome all.
Be a beacon of love in the world. Be a beacon of hope for the world. Shining out all these different components of our faith for others to see.”
The congregation has made a commitment to be a beacon of hope and belonging for the community it serves. It houses an ecumenical food pantry where friends of all faith traditions work together to address food insecurity in their community.
Beacon UMC has also opened its doors to community groups that meet in the building. One of their community partners is Friends Grow Friends, a group that helps young people build their social skills. Beacon UMC has partnered with Neighbors for Equity and Justice, hosting a community conversation with them for Black History Month.
Beacon UMC is doing the work, but the most interesting source of new life and joy has emerged from an unexpected corner: a crafting supply thrift shop. In 2018, a group of women began a craft group in the church. As they gathered to craft, they realized that all of them had an abundance of unused craft supplies at home. One member, who loves to thrift, was struck with a sudden burst of inspiration: “There are regular thrift stores and sports supply thrift stores; why are there no thrift stores for crafting supplies?” That moment turned the basement of the church into a miniature Michaels.
They have everything: googly eyes, dried flowers, bridal tulle, pompoms. You name it, they have it, and it is all neatly sorted and labeled. It is easier to find what you need there than in a regular store.
The Open Door thrift shop has become both a source of community ministry and fundraising. Teachers, Boy Scout leaders, and members of other churches’ craft groups are all welcome to come and shop for free. Most everything else sells for less than $1. It opens every Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on the first Friday of the month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A group gathers to craft together and also to run the store for anyone who might stop in to shop. To date this year, they have raised more than $5,000 for the church.
The money the Open Door craft thrift shop makes helps Beacon UMC shine God’s love more brightly in the community. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit works. A group of women combined two things they loved—crafting and thrifting—and God made something beautiful out of it. May each of us choose, every day, to entrust the things we love to our creative and recreating God so that we might radiate love and hope to all the places that need it.