OK... I was right. CC has NEVER offered a program like this in its many years as a member of the Montclair community. Note the locations of where the people came from to see the free movie.
A woman is quoted as saying "They fear what they don't know," Brown said. "Our church welcomes everybody. This is a good way to get to know us and learn."
The fear if for what you are going to do to our community, the land, the water, the roads, our tax base.... Now where do you think she came up with the word "FEAR". This was a PR STUNT out and out! IF CC really wanted to provide such a service to those in need of a day of fun for children there are needy children far closer to Montclair that would have benefited by such an event. Here is the article...
Christ Church parishioners: Get to know us
Members hold movie screenings in effort to reach out to Morris
By Laura Bruno, Daily Record
MORRIS TWP. - Christ Church sought to reach beyond its walls on Saturday by introducing its members and its ministry to communities across the state, including Morris County.
Using the popular VeggieTales movies as common ground, the Montclair-based church partnered with the Morris Museum and Star 99.1 WAWZ radio station to offer two free screenings of the new VeggieTales movie, "An Easter Carol," to children and families.
Nearly 400 families from Morris, Warren, Sussex, Monmouth, Middlesex and Hudson counties had pre-registered for the viewings at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre, which can accommodate as many as 600 people, said Marco Hernandez, director of children's ministries for Christ Church.
"We saw this as an opportunity to open our doors to communities that we don't normally service," Hernandez said. "What we want to see happen is that we touch more levels of the community, not only as a church, but also through children's ministries."
The 5,000-member church is known in Morris County primarily for one thing - its desire to purchase the 107-acre former Agilent Technologies site on Green Pond Road in Rockaway Township. Christ Church's plan, which has faced stiff opposition from township residents, includes building a school and a 3,000-seat sanctuary, which would cover approximately 412,000 square feet. Plans also include a fitness center, a banquet hall, a gymnasium and recreation fields.
Yet there was little talk of the Rockaway Township plans on Saturday as children laughed at the latest VeggieTales movie, ate popcorn and had their faces painted. Parents and children were united in their enjoyment of the movie.
Beth Soleiman of Morristown, who attended the screening with her 7-year-old son, Timaetheus, said she heard about the program on the radio and thought it would be perfect because her son loves VeggieTales. Soleiman said she had not heard about the controversy regarding the church's move to Rockaway Township.
"I think they did a fantastic job," Soleiman said. "We've been to the museum before, but it was nice that it was free today because they gave us passes. The kids are having a blast."
Soleiman echoed the sentiments of many parents when she said she liked VeggieTales because the movies are fun and make the Bible come alive for children.
Grace Brown of Piscataway brought her 9-year-old son, Jason, and 14-year-old daughter, Christina, because she felt that it's the type of program that shows her children that they can enjoy themselves without getting involved in sex or drugs.
Brown said it also was a good opportunity for Morris County to get to know Christ Church parishioners.
"They fear what they don't know," Brown said. "Our church welcomes everybody. This is a good way to get to know us and learn."
Parishioner Kim Garcia of Bloomfield said she hopes people will come to learn that Christ Church can give much to a community. In her five years with the church, she has seen the church help its current hometown, Montclair, as well as her own family.
"We don't come to a place to take, but to give," Garcia said.
"We're an inclusive people. I think anything that is new to people can seem strange, but once people see that we're like everyone else, I hope it will take some of the fear away."
I do not fear the people at all. I am not afraid of peoples color or faith.
I am scared to death of the traffic nightmare.
I am scared to death of the currently proposed compounds size.
I am scared to death of the Mr Irelands dreams for the future (the one he is so vauge about) - how does 25,000 members grab you?
I am scared to death of the loss of property tax and very real devaluation of all our property values - not becouse of the churches color or faith, but becouse of the ireversible damage this compound would cause to our township and it's infrustructure.
I am not scared by BS lawyers trying to bully our town, and ask that our planning board not be afraid either.
This thing is SO over the top of what anyone could have envisioned for this piece of land - the planning board has but only one choice in my opinion - this plan will never see the light of day, and all the PR money that CC is spending cannot mask the truth.
As I have stated before, I am from Montclair, and very familiar with CC. They do offer good quality programs like the recent one in Morristown. There is no question that many people benefited from them. They are however, not bashful about asking for donations at the conclusion of every "free" event. People are usually so impressed, they are happy to donate.
However, that is not the issue. The issue is the magnitude of the application and the downright disrespect the leadership of CC has shown towards RT.
Let's not condemn CC on the good work they do, they just need to do it somewhere else. We do not need people from all over the tri-state area taxing our roads and services with a facility that will have negative impact on the environment and quality of life in the surrounding residential areas.
I hope they do not try to get $$ out of me. If they even try...G-d Help them if they step on foot on my property. They will be esorted out by the police for trespassing!
