Scenes and Beans!

Scenes and Beans

And just like that, another Scenes & Beans has come and gone! 

A big THANK YOU to all of the Randolph Faith Center families who helped make this year’s coffee house a success! We had so many students and family members pitch in to help with set-up, sound, lights, desserts, and clean-up that it made the night a breeze. It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ working together to make something wonderful come to life!
 

Eighty-nine very talented students took to the stage to create some beautiful, funny, truthful and human moments. 

From Tom Sawyer to Saint Joan and everything in between, interesting characters and scenarios lit up the stage! The students spent four weeks of class time working together in preparation for this event and they did not disappoint. 

 

It’s exciting to note that eight of the scripts presented at our coffee house were penned by Faith Center student writers! 

All put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) to write eight of the scripts that were performed by our 12+ Drama Students. Coda Drama Students also helped direct some of them. What a blessing! 
 

Next up for Randolph Drama…

Coda Drama Performances on January 27 and & the Spring Musicals in March & April. Don’t miss out! 

30th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight: Jackie

Jackie Briggs

Alumni Spotlight

Giving Tuesday 2023

Giving Tuesday

Dear Faith Center Family,

 

As we approach the Thanksgiving Giving Season, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude. This year is particularly special for us as we celebrate our 30th anniversary—three decades of unwavering commitment to bringing the transformative power of the arts to families within a Christian framework.

 

In this momentous year, we reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared and the lives touched through the ministry of Faith Center for the Arts. From humble beginnings to the vibrant community we are today, your support has been the foundation upon which we’ve built a legacy of creativity, faith, and unity.

 

As we approach Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in commemorating this milestone by making a meaningful contribution to our mission, Developing the Heart of the Artist. Your generosity over the years has allowed us to provide high-quality arts programming, scholarships, and resources, impacting the lives of countless families.

 

How can you contribute to the legacy of Faith Center for the Arts this Giving Tuesday?

  1. Financial Support: Your continued financial contributions will help us build on the legacy of the last 30 years and ensure that future generations can experience the joy of the arts within a Christian community.
  2. Volunteerism: Consider giving the gift of your time and talents. Your involvement is not just a contribution to our present but an investment in our future.
  3. Spread the Word: Share the story of Faith Center for the Arts and our 30 years of impact. Your advocacy helps us reach new hearts and homes.
  4. Prayer: Lift up Faith Center for the Arts in your prayers. Pray for continued wisdom and divine guidance as we navigate the future with faith and purpose.
 

To make your Giving Tuesday contribution and celebrate our 30th anniversary together, click here or email us at Maestro@faithcenterarts.org. Every gift, no matter the size, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Faith Center for the Arts.

 

As we embark on this season of giving, let us not only celebrate the past but also look forward to the future with hope and anticipation. Together, let’s continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of the families we serve.

 

May God continue to bless you abundantly, and may our collective efforts on Giving Tuesday bring glory to His Name.

 

Bill



A Faith Center Thanksgiving

A Faith Center

Thanksgiving

I hope you’re all doing awesome and gearing up for a cozy Thanksgiving! 

As I sit here trying to jot down our Thanksgiving letter, I can’t help but feel like we’re all characters in this wild, unpredictable story called life. It’s a bit like a mom trying to navigate a grocery store with three kids in tow—unpredictable, sometimes chaotic, but always an adventure.

 
But here’s the cool thing—we’re not the first to navigate choppy waters. Consider the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt and the consequent wandering in the wilderness. The Babylonian Captivity and the subsequent return to Jerusalem. The Life of Jesus and the early Christians—all marked by uncertainty, testing, and change. Even in our contemporary period, we’ve weathered the storms of World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, And now, the ongoing challenges we are facing.
 
 
Yet fear not. As Christians, we find strength and security in the timeless words of scripture. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 urges us to present our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving. Proverbs 2:6 reminds us that the Lord gives wisdom, and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 emphasizes the value of companionship and support during difficult times. Having a community of believers can provide encouragement and assistance in times of uncertainty.
 

In this spirit of gratitude and reflection, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Faith Center community. 

Your unwavering support for each other, your prayers seeking God’s blessings for every member, and your encouragement for our teachers and staff do not go unnoticed. Your support brings true joy to each of us, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.

 
I am also profoundly thankful for your encouragement and support for Lori and me. Your kind words and gestures have strengthened us during challenging times, and we cannot thank you enough.
 
As we gather with our families and friends this season, let us make a conscious effort to express our gratitude for their presence in our lives. Our families and communities are precious gifts from God, and in times of uncertainty, the bonds we share bring comfort and joy.
 

Lori and I wish you each a Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and the warmth of cherished relationships.

With all our love and gratitude,

Bill and Lori

BIG FISH: School Edition – Tickets on Sale Now!

Big Fish: School Edition

Tickets on Sale Now!

Faith Center Presents…

Big Fish: School Edition

When: Performances will be on Friday March 3rd at 7PM and Saturday, March 4th at 2PM and 7PM.

Where: Shows will be presented at Sampson G Smith School – 1649 Amwell Road, Somerset NJ 08873

What: Edward Bloom is a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edwards’ incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him including his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. In the process, he reconciles with a man he thought he cared more about others than his own family.

BIG FISH is an extraordinary musical that reminds us the importance of love, family, and community.

 

9 Benefits of Introducing your Child to Theater

9 Benefits of

Introducing your Child to Theater

It's not just entertainment. Theater is key to more creative, more communicative, healthier kids.

“Growing up as a theater kid, I remember how imaginative, collaborative, and self-assured my theater peers were. They were the best listeners, fantastic teammates, smart problem-solvers, and so in tune with their emotions.

It turns out that it’s not a coincidence that my theater cohorts displayed these qualities. Kids who participate in theatre programs learn valuable skills that can be applied to any life situation or professional field, making theater a marvelous experience for kids of all ages to participate in.

Here are nine benefits of introducing your child to theater plus four theater activities you can try at home…” click here to continue reading.*

The above excerpt is taken from “9 Benefits of Introducing Your Child to Theater” by Ruthie Fierberg published in Parents.com on November 26, 2022. 

Coming this Spring…

Coming this Spring...

Don't miss these live performances and interactive events!

MARCH 3rd & 4th- BIG FISH School Edition*

Edward Bloom is a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edwards’ incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him including his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. In the process, he reconciles with a man he thought he cared more about others than his own family. BIG FISH is an extraordinary musical that reminds us the importance of love, family, and community.

Tickets go on sale in February!

*BIG FISH School Edition is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036.  

MARCH 11th- BALLET MAGNIFICAT presents: The Prodigal Son at Blairstown, NJ 3pm

 
The events company from Ballet Magnificat, a Christian dance company, from Jackson, MS will be performing at The Evangelical Free Church of Blairstown in NJ on March 11th, 2023 at 3pm.
 
Invite your family & friends! 
 

MARCH 11th- FINE ARTS NIGHT 

Location: Grace Church, Bethlehem Campus, 6pm

 

MARCH 18th- New Sussex Symphony Family Concert, 3pm

Location: Sparta High School
Violin students who can play Allegro are invited to participate in a family concert on March 18th.  All the music needs to be memorized, and Aimee Briant will be posting reference recordings as she makes them. If you’re interested, contact Mrs. Bryant at- abriant@faithcenterarts.org.
  
For more information, read this flyer: The New Sussex Symphony Family Concert

MARCH 24th- Band/Orchestra Festival 

 
Location: Resurgent Church
3545 US 206
Far Hills, NJ 07931

APRIL 14 & 15- BANDSTAND THE MUSICAL*

 
Location: Grace Church, Netcong
 

The boys are back, but their war isn’t over. Bandstand is an unflinching and honest new musical about confronting the cost of war and finding salvation in the notes of a song. 

Directors note: Bandstand is rated PG. The characters are realistic people, returning veterans struggling with the horrors they had just faced in World War 2. They are dealing with survivor’s guilt, traumatic brain injury, alcohol abuse, PTSD, broken marriage, OCD, and other serious issues while readjusting to civilian life. These veterans come together with a Gold Star Wife to form a band for a song contest to “honor the boys returning home,” and learn that living life together and making music together helps them all to heal.
 
Performances on April 14 at 7pm and April 15 at 2 pm and 7pm. Tickets will go on sale mid-March.
 
*BANDSTAND is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
 

SATURDAY MAY 13th- FAITH CENTER ANNUAL DANCE RECITAL


Location: Randolph High School
Dress rehearsal 9-4, Performance at 6pm. Save the date!

THURSDAY MAY 18th- COMBINED END-OF-THE-YEAR CONCERT

Location: Rutgers Community Christian Church
71 Cedar Grove Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873

Randolph Coda Drama Presents…

Randolph Coda Drama Presents

Sherlock

January 27 and 28

It’s no mystery…

…that the Grace Church Youth are on their way to Dublin, Ireland this summer for an unforgettable missions experience.

sherlock
pexels-jess-bailey-designs-853006 (1)

Drama and Desserts for Dublin

In support of their upcoming adventure, Grace Youth is partnering with Faith Center for the Arts to present a night of sweet mystery.

 

Don’t be left out in the cold without a clue! 

Save the date and plan to join us for a night of hilarious hijinks in Randolph Coda Dram’s theatre production of “Sherlock Holmes,” served up with delicious desserts on the side!

 

Performances at Grace Church on the Mount in Netcong, NJ:

    • Friday January 27, 7pm
    • Saturday January 28, 2pm and 7pm

 

Tickets are only $5!  On sale now at www.ticketpeak.co/fca

*Featured Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pencil-on-white-smartcase-near-eyeglasses-163185/

Dessert Photo by Jess Bailey Designs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-cupcake-with-pink-icing-macro-photographyu-853006/

Dublin Photo by Lukas Kloeppel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-walking-on-street-2416653/

Auditions for Bandstand on December 6th

Auditions for

Bandstand!

Presenting our Spring Musical at Randolph!

BANDSTAND

The boys are back, but their war isn’t over.
Bandstand is an unflinching and honest new musical about confronting the cost of war and finding salvation in the notes of a song.

Auditions will be Tuesday, December 6th from 3-6pm; Room 206 at Grace Church in Randolph.

 
Below is an audition note from Mrs. O’Leary:
 

Bandstand is rated PG. The characters are realistic people, returning veterans struggling with the horrors they had just faced in World War 2. They are dealing with survivor’s guilt, traumatic brain injury, alcohol abuse, PTSD, broken marriage, OCD, and other serious issues while readjusting to civilian life. These veterans come together with a Gold Star Wife to form a band for a song contest to “honor the boys returning home,” and learn that living life together and making music together helps them all to heal.

 
Auditions are open to students ages 12 and older, but we ask that parents please consider whether their student has the maturity to deal with the show’s content. And while we will remove bawdy humor and profanity, we cannot change the themes/character names/etc. A professional recording of the Broadway show is available for free on YouTube for parents to preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05ChPYx9d4

How to Make your Child More Resilient

How to Make Your Child

More Resilient

"If you want your child to be more resilient, get them to join a choir, orchestra or band"

“One of the most important qualities for a young person to develop is resilience. This involves their ability to overcome adversity.

Resilience is perhaps more important now than ever. Today’s young people have been facing adversity on a mass-scale, thanks to COVID and all the disruptions to their education and social, home and working lives.

The good news is, resilience is not just something you are born with. It can be learned from our experiences and interactions with others.

Parents may not be aware that one way to develop resilience is through group music making, such as in a school or community choir, orchestra or band…”

– Excerpt from this article in theconversation.com published 10/23