PARSIPPANY — Mary Anne “Psomi” Psomas-Jackloski was installed as the new Pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. The Presiding Minister was The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew, Bishop of the Synod.

She was sponsored by The Rev. Wendy Abrahamson, Pastor, Our Saviour, Pompton Plains, and The Rev. Christa Compton, Pastor, Gloria Del, Chatham.

Mary Anne “Psomi” Psomas-Jackloski was born and raised in the Catholic tradition on Staten Island, NY.

She was very involved in the church, and by the time she was in college, she was convinced that God was calling her to be a priest. From this time on, Psomi “flirted” with the Lutheran church. She founded an ELCA congregation in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, in college and almost moved toward ordination.

In her 30s, she searched Staten Island for a good Lutheran Church. Her forties were filled with raising her daughter and doing youth minis­try. Once Maire Frances finished college, Psomi looked again.

Each time it became clearer to her that God was calling and patiently waiting.

Finally, in her late S0s, Psomi pursued spiritual direction with the purpose of figuring out how to make peace with this unrelenting God. Psomi began seminary at Drew Theological in Madison, then transferred to United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, where Psomi could fully immerse herself in being Lutheran.

COVID had other plans, and Psomi never got to ULS. Despite this, through online classes and a group of seminarians from New Jersey, Psomi got steeped in the ELCA.

The good people of St. John’s, Summit, and St. Andrew, along with Pastor Gladys Moore, have taught Psomi how best to be a pastor.

The dream of ordination is finally here, and Psomi thanks God and all God’s people for supporting her and affirming her in this call.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church is located at 335 Reynolds Avenue. Sunday Worship is held at 9:30 a.m. For more information, click here.

PARSIPPANY — It’s time to do away with all those old documents cluttering your home!

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is hosting a Shredding Day on  Saturday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. No weight limit! Rain or Shine!

Please call (973) 263-7273 for additional information. 

MORRIS COUNTY – YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the nearly 2,600 YMCAs across the country, was proud to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship, April 3-7 in Greensboro, NC. Over the past 100 years, this event has hosted thousands of spectacular swimmers – many who have gone on to compete at the collegiate, professional, and masters levels, as well as in the Olympic Games – many of whom brought home medals.

The first YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship occurred in Brooklyn, NY in 1923 with 80 athletes. That original meet included seven individual events and a relay, including a 150-yard backstroke and Fancy Diving event, two disciplines no longer offered at the championship. As the championship has evolved, the size has grown too.

Today, this event hosts over 1,200 athletes from across the country, ages 12-18, competing in over 48 separate events. While most clubs participating in this year’s YMCA National Championships are dual-sanctioned with USA Swimming, the growth of the meet shows the YMCA’s continued importance in the sport – not only in athlete development but as a provider of a massive global network of competitive swimming pools.

Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has a long and storied history of competitive aquatic excellence. Last week, this year’s competitive swim team sent 24 individuals to the Short-Course Championship. Here is the list of all participants: Kai Batchelor, Max Connelly, Finn Coogan Russell, Zoe Davies, Serena Dickey, Carly Frank, Ela Habjan, Gus Hann, Evangeline Iman, Olivia Jastrzab, Connor Johnson, Anna Kilponen, Will Kilponen, Mira Marino, Owen Markowitz, Zach McKatten, Lorelai Page, Ben Papendick, Tyler Roer, Bridget Rynkiewicz, Cooper Voss, Tara Wiarda, Sophia Yousuf, and Victoria Zjawin.

Additionally, the Y Long-Course Championships, as do tryouts for Lakeland Hills YMCA’s competitive swim team, take place later this summer.

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization aiming to build community, develop youth, and create a safe experience for all. The Y strives to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by promoting wellness, mental health, and enrichment through various programs and services. Lakeland Hills Family YMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. As a result of their dedication to these three areas, the Y impacts the community by providing quality services to everyone. The Y doesn’t just focus on physical fitness; it strives to improve mental and emotional health by offering programs and resources that promote overall well-being.

The Y builds relationships, celebrates achievements, and inspires a healthier community. For over 100 years, Lakeland Hills Family YMCA has been the leading community organization serving thousands of people.

For more information on Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, please visit their website by clicking here or email Rosemary Linder Day, Vice President of Marketing and Membership, at rosemaryl@lhymca.com.

No one serves the community as powerfully as the Y does every day.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioners Stephen Shaw and Tayfun Selen joined a press conference earlier today with U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on the banks of the Whippany River in Morristown, where she presented a $300,000 check – federal funds provided to the Army Corps of Engineers to initiate a “Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study.”

The Commissioners appreciated the opportunity to join the Congresswoman, local mayors, and community leaders to publicly address ongoing efforts to mitigate the flooding that has long impacted communities along the Whippany River.  

Commissioner Shaw spoke on his involvement starting roughly two years ago when Hanover Township Mayor Ace Gallagher invited him to participate in a task force to develop solutions to relieve chronic flooding in the Whippany and Passaic rivers basins. “Just yesterday, some task force members toured sites along the Whippany River to see firsthand the extent of the obstructions in the river that cause the river to back up during rain events … With these watershed study dollars, along with the Whippany River Regional Improvement Initiative funding and ongoing municipal cooperation, we can and will make a difference for those homes and businesses that are subject to chronic flooding,” stated Commissioner Shaw, who is also the liaison to the Morris County Flood Mitigation Program. The groundbreaking program celebrated its 11-year anniversary in March 2023, with 86 flood-threatened homes purchased and restored to Open Space.

PARSIPPANY — St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist Community Church, and St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Parsippany participated in an “Ecumenical Service and Walk with the Cross” on Good Friday, April 7.

The walk started at St. Gregory’s Church at 1:00 p.m., continued down South Beverwyck Road to Reynolds Avenue, and ended at St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Parsippany.

Participating was The Rev. Dr. Arron Oliver, Priest-in-Residence, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church with Michael Flynn, Music Minister; Rev. Dr. Stacie Turk, First Baptist Community Church; and Vicar M.A. “Psomi” Psomas-Jacklosk from St. Andrew Lutheran Church of Parsippany.