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Christ Church plans confab in Parsippany

Women's event foreshadows what may be in store for Rockaway Twp.

By Rob Jennings, Daily Record

PARSIPPANY - Christ Church of Montclair, whose controversial mega-church building proposal remains stalled in Rockaway Township, will convene its second annual women's conference next month at a Parsippany hotel.

The conference, dubbed "It's Time To Soar" and overseen by the wife of church pastor David Ireland, appears to exemplify the type of forum that the 5,000-member, evangelical Christian church might hold at its proposed 107-acre campus in Rockaway Township.

Seminars will focus on "soul care," marriage, parenting, mentoring and other issues. Speakers will include Ty Adams, author of "Single, Saved and Having Sex," described as a cautionary tale against casual sex and promiscuity.

The conference will take place from Aug. 4 to 6 at the Parsippany Hilton. The cost to attend ranges from $59 to $315, depending on whether attendees stay at the hotel.

Last year's conference, also in Parsippany, drew approximately 300 women, said Debbie DiPasquale, assistant to the Rev. Marlinda Ireland.

DiPasquale said holding an annual conference for women was Marlinda Ireland's idea.

"She just had a heart for women to go outside and have a nice getaway," DiPasquale said.

DiPasquale said Marlinda Ireland, who did not return phone calls, was traveling.

Marlinda Ireland wrote a brief overview of the conference on Christ Church's Web site.

"Like an airplane pilot who is skillfully trained to take flight and cruise among the clouds, God's word will train you to successfully navigate the challenges of life and reach your desired destination," Ireland wrote.

Marlinda Ireland, who serves as Christ Church's music pastor, has had a much lower profile than her husband during the long-running battle over the church's Rockaway Township proposal.

Christ Church's building plan includes a 2,512-seat sanctuary and private K-5 school. The planning board will hold an 18th public hearing on July 25.

Hearings are proceeding despite a federal lawsuit filed by Christ Church in April against Mayor Louis Sceusi, the township council, the planning board and the environmental commission, alleging a targeted effort to undermine the building plan.

Sceusi and other township officials have maintained that they are treating the church fairly.

Agilent Technologies, owner of the proposed church site on Green Pond Road, recently put it back on the market but said Christ Church remains the contract purchaser.

Christ Church has a $14 million purchase agreement for the site.