By Ms. Bebe Sellers and Rev. Linda Gaden

Upon hearing the news of war in Ukraine, members of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church approached their pastor with the question, “what can we do?” followed by, “we have to do something to help”. The immediate inclination was to begin gathering “supplies” and send them to where they were best needed. Rev. Gaden agreed something should be done but, at the time,  simply asked the congregation to take time each day to uplift Ukraine in prayer and include a plea for peace. She then began to look for the best way to offer immediate help to those whose lives had been turned upside down overnight.

The Mission, Outreach, and Education Commission along with the Session unanimously agreed the best help, at the time, was through Presbyterian Disaster Relief. A task force was created, including the pastor, and conversation for discerning how to include the community in a relief effort took place. After prayerful deliberation it was decided that a Benefit Concert for Ukraine would be a wonderful way to include both the church and community in an effort to provide financial aid, through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, for Ukraine.  A small team worked tirelessly for the better part of 2 weeks to organize the concert and on April 7^th, a frightfully rainy night – the sounds of music, punctuated by the sounds of thunder, could be heard coming from the sanctuary of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Pittstown, New Jersey.  The congregation, and their friends from across Hunterdon County and the State, came together to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Performers gathered for a concert of music and song that warmed the hearts of the capacity crowd that were in attendance.

Significant to the performances was Thomas Johnston, who debuted an original song, “For the People,” written specifically for the occasion.  Also among the performers were Bethlehem Presbyterian Church’s own Michael Young, who sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” and Evan Acocella who played with the Central Jersey Saxophone quartet.

Other performers included, Frank Dreher, Jacqueline Stevenson, Jeff Denque, and Bill Ihling. The Singing Pastors – the Reverends Rich Gelson and Mary Beth Mardis Lacroy; Beyond These Walls, a contemporary Christian band; and Red Oak Country Boys and Gal, rounded out the second half of the wonderful program.  The audience joined the Red Oak Country Boys and Gal in singing Woody Guthrie’s  “My Peace” as the final song.

At the onset of the concert, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church’s pastor, Reverend Linda Gaden, introduced Dr. Svetlana Smirnova, a local dentist originally from Ukraine, as the guest speaker for the evening.

Despite the heavy rains, there was an overwhelming response for the humanitarian cause by those who attended the concert. All the proceeds from the concert ($5600.00), along with additional follow-up donations, were sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. It was truly a night to remember!