International Dinner at Willow Grove Presbyterian Church

Help provide assistance for victims of disasters, and food for neighbors in need, while enjoying international cuisine and listening to vocal and instrumental music from China.  Attend the International Dinner at Willow Grove Presbyterian Church in Scotch Plains on Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm.  We will donate the money we raise, half to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and half to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which helps those suffering after disasters around the world, including victims of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Our International Dinner will feature an array of ethnic specialties, including Italian, Danish, German, Irish, Greek, Korean, Scottish, English, West Indian and Polish. Complementing the cuisine will be performances by the Chinese American Music Ensemble (CAME) Adult Chorus and Children’s Chorus, by the Music From China Youth Orchestra, and by Paul DiDario, Director of Music at Willow Grove.  Both groups hold their weekly rehearsals at Willow Grove Church.  The Chinese American Music Ensemble (CAME) is the only choral program in New Jersey that offers choral music training for children and adults at the same time and place.  CAME seeks to enrich and broaden cultural horizons through music training, and to provide a community service through concert performances.  The Music From China Youth Orchestra performs on Chinese instruments and receives year-round training with annual concerts at major cultural and educational institutions.  It sponsors a summer music program in these instruments for children and young people held during August at the church.  Mr. DiDario, who received a B.A. and M.A. from Juilliard School, will perform the Waltz from the Opera, "Faust" by Charles Gounod, transcribed for piano by Franz Liszt.

According to Willow Grove’s Pastor, Reverend Cynthia Cochran-Carney, the International Dinner is an annual event at Willow Grove Church that reflects some of our most important values and commitments as a congregation.  She states, "Helping neighbors near and far who are in need is central to our faith, so each year we raise money for organizations that provide basic needs of food, shelter and disaster relief.  Willow Grove Church has a growing Ministry of Music and the Arts from a variety of traditions and cultures.  God has shown us ways we can build bridges of hope and understanding that involve people of all ages making music together.  This is the reason we are home to many musical groups and events, including CAME and Music From China.  You will not want to miss these inspiring and exciting musicians and singers!   You can enjoy all of this and then sample food entrees and desserts from around world."

Tickets are $12 for adults and teens, $6 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under, with a family maximum of $35. To guarantee a seat for the dinner, buy a ticket in advance because last year seats for the dinner sold out.  Tickets will only be available at the door if not already sold out.  Purchase tickets by calling the church office at (908) 232-5678, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm. For more information about Willow Grove Church, e-mail info@willowgrovechurch.org or check the website  www.willowgrovechurch.org.  If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, call August Ruggiero at (908) 889-5948.   The Willow Grove Presbyterian Church is located at 1961 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, opposite the Scotch Plains Southside Firehouse and near the corner of South Martine Avenue.  All church facilities are handicap-accessible.