Celebrate 300

Advent Parish Night, everyone present received a gold or silver star ornament. Written on the ornament was a year—one year for each of our 300. Instructions were to claim that year as your own and try to find a ‘fun fact’ that could be shared with others as we go through this anniversary year. It can be something from Oldwick, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, the USA or anywhere in the world! So, look at your star—or if you didn’t get one or it has long been packed away with the Christmas ornaments—pick a year and do a little digging to see what you can come up with. Send your Fun Facts to me at judyform@comcast.net and each month we will publish some in the newsletter.
My year was 1748. I found this interesting:
In 1732, Emanuel Coryell purchased land south of the survey line between Church Street and Swan Creek in Lambertville. He operated a ferry across the Delaware River slightly south of the present Lambertville-New Hope Bridge. Coryell also opened a tavern and inn to handle travelers. (Both settlements-Lambertville and New Hope-were called Coryell's Ferry). Lambertville was the mid-point on the two-day journey between New York and Philadelphia.
In 1748 with the death of Emanuel Coryell, his 1,016 acre estate was divided among his four sons. Then during the Revolutionary War, General Washington and his troops used Coryell's Ferry. George Coryell served in the New Jersey forces and reached the rank of Captain. During that time, General Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, stayed at the home of George Coryell while in our county.

Anniversary Dates to Remember
Be sure to put these dates on your 2014 calendar now so you won’t forget:
May 4—A celebration of Zion’s ministries and a visit from Bishop Tracie Bartholomew of the NJ Synod at our 8:30 and 11 am worship services, followed by a luncheon at the Christian Education Building.
August 3—Our Anniversary Sunday and Founders’ Day will be celebrated by members of the Aray and Pickel families at our 9:30 worship, followed by a picnic brunch at the CEB.
October 26—Come out for a visit from Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA at our 8:30 and 11:00 am services. That evening, plan to join us at The Grand Colonial for the Celebrate 300 banquet.

Celebrate 300’s Invitation, Participation, Celebration
In last month’s newsletter, I sent out a list of needs and issued an “invitation” for your “participation” which would help in our “celebration.” If there is anything you would be interested in doing, it is not too late! Please contact me, Bob Durham, or Pastor Summer and let us know that you would like to get involved. We can let you know the opportunities that still exist—or we can make up a new one to suit your talents. As Pastor said in a recent sermon, we are all ‘salt’ and all have value. Share some of your spice with us!