St. John’s News & Notes
11/24/06 St. John’s News & Notes
Greetings to you, my friends,
Let me begin this issue of “News & Notes,” for the day after Thanksgiving, with a note from our Bishop, Pete Weaver:
I HAVE RETURNED FROM MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA, FULL OF THANKSGIVING for all God has done and is doing through our United Methodist movement around the world. A small delegation of us went to visit President Guebuza who expressed his profound thanksgiving for the impact the United Methodist Church has made through churches, schools, hospitals and leadership in Mozambique. He spoke with moving conviction about the “values” of human rights, justice, peace, and hope that flow from the Christian Gospel. And I was thankful to be a small part of this United Methodist movement, representing those of you who faithfully lift up your prayers and offerings every Sunday to support our missions in thousands of places around the world.
As many of you have already heard or read, on the last night of the Council of Bishops’ meeting we were unexpectedly blessed to have Nelson Mandela and his spouse, Gracia Machel join us for dinner and share very powerful witnesses to their faith and thanksgiving for their Methodist upbringings. Both of them were born into extreme rural poverty. Both had courageous mothers of faith who, at great personal sacrifice, made sure their young children knew that God created them as worthy as any child in the world, and sought for them the opportunity for education which came through Methodist mission schools. And I thought of all the Methodists in Britain (Mandela was educated in British Methodist schools in South Africa) and America (Machel in United Methodist mission schools) who “cast the bread” of their prayers and contributions “upon the waters” decades and decades ago, never imagining that they were investing in the tran sformation of the world through these two great leaders.
Mandela is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the father of freedom in South Africa. Machel, the widow of Mozambique President Machel, became the first woman Minister of Education for Mozambique in 1975. At independence, 93% of the country was illiterate, with mission schools providing most of the limited education that there was. Today, illiteracy has dropped to 23% due in large measure to the work of Gracia Machel. She said, “I am standing here mainly as a Methodist child….From the Methodist Church I had an obligation to give back to those who had supported me. I had to give back to the community.” One of the three persons who most profoundly influenced her life was Mabel, an United Methodist missionary, “who gave me my reference, principles, and values.”
In the two weeks we were in Africa, we met dozens of people who are making an extraordinary difference in this world…many you will never hear of….but who are alive today, and educated today, and committed to following Christ for the transformation of the world today….because of the commitment of people in our churches over the years to share the life changing, world changing Good News of Jesus Christ in this world. And I was thankful to be in the company of these saints, and to be a partner in ministry with you in our “mission shares”, which are touching young lives today who will be tomorrow’s world leaders.
Aren’t you glad….thankful….to be a part of this United Methodist movement also?
Grace and peace, Pete
That’s a nice way to start “News & Notes,” don’t you think? Well there’s more to share with you.
The first thing is to mention that Phyllis C’s brother, Lawrence, died last Monday. His funeral was this afternoon. While his health hadn’t been good for quite some time, and while “no one would wish him back,” it’s still a loss. Please keep Phyllis and all her extended family in your prayers.
Our fellow church member, Sheryl W is in the hospital, with blood clots in her leg. This comes on top of broken vertebrae in her back!! God have mercy!! Please keep Sheryl in your prayers.
This Sunday morning, our worship services will be quite different. It is “Christ the King” Sunday in the church – the last Sunday of the Christian Year. Our services themselves will be the message. We’ll be tracing the entire Christian year, from Advent through Christ the King Sunday, in scripture and liturgy and song. I hope the service will be a blessing for you – as well as a learning experience – as well as a unique opportunity for you to experience Christ. A couple of the highlights of the services will be the baptism of two babies (at the first service) and the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” from Handel’s “Messiah”! I truly hope you’ll do your best to attend worship on Sunday!!
On Sunday evening we’ll begin our Advent Study, at 7 PM. Our Student Intern, Karen W, and I will be co-leading the study, entitled “The Miracle of Christmas,” by James W. Moore. Only two people are signed up so far (well at least the leadership won’t outnumber the participants!!), and there’s still time to join the class. The same study will also be offered at Langdon Place (lead by Jinny S, I think) and Wentworth Home (lead by Judith C). And there’s interest in having another class – on another evening besides Sunday. Check all of this out on the rolling bulletin board in Hartford Hall!!
The “Holy Folders” arrived this morning to collate, fold, seal, address and mail the December issue of “The Bell-Wether.” What a great crew we have!! So you can look for all the wonderful things coming up, when your copy arrives in the mail. But let me just give you a heads-up, and extra reminder on a couple things.
The Wreath Making workshop is back by popular demand. It’ll be on Saturday, December 2nd, from 2 till 5 PM!! Yeah!!
“Hanging of the Greens” will take place on Sunday, December 3rd, at both services! It’ll be modified a bit, as we’ll be celebrating communion at those services, too. Most of the church will be decorated as you arrive – with just finishing touches occurring during the service. But explanations will be given for the meaning of all the symbols. I’ve never done a “Hanging of the Greens” service this way, and am looking forward to it!! I hope you will too.
Later in the afternoon (on Dec. 3rd), our Adult Music ministries will present “Together for Christmas” – this year’s cantata. It all begins at 3:30 PM.
On Friday, Dec. 8th, there will be a Public Supper – a New England Boiled Dinner – to raise money for scholarship assistance for our Mission Trip to Louisiana. I hope you’ll support this event. There are sign-up sheets in Hartford Hall.
Let me just list the next items to highlight:
Dec. 15th, 7:30 PM, Peter Mayer Concert at Dover High School
Dec., 24th, only one worship service in the morning – at 9:30 AM, to complete our Advent worship
Dec. 24th, at 6:30, 9 & 11 PM Christmas Eve Services
Did you see the large “lift” in the parking lot last weekend? The Trustees had rented it so Andy G and Tim M could reach the bells in our tower – to make some needed repairs (have you noticed they haven’t been rung recently?). Well the lift was so heavy that it sank right into the lawn, and couldn’t be driven down to the tower. Rats!! We’ve got to wait until the ground freezes or dries out next spring, before we can try it again. Thanks for trying, Tim and Andy!!
Kudo’s to some of the youth that Bill S works with. I think the program is called Alternatives for Youth (though that might not even be close!). Bill brought the kids here on Tuesday to clean up the remnants of the “Pumpkin Patch.” A farmer had taken a good deal of what was there, but the kids cleaned up . . . shall we call it the “messier” . . . portion of the Patch. That was great, Bill. Please send our thanks to all the kids you work with.
You may recall that during Advent we light a candle on the Advent wreath each week, to help focus us on our journey toward Christmas. Many times we’ve had individuals or families light the candles. This year, there will be “characters” from first century Bethlehem, who will come to share their personal experiences of the child-king, who will light the candles.
Last Saturday’s Church Conference went well . . . I think. I want to extend my thanks for the affirmation that was made for me and the ministry that we conduct together at St. John’s Church. Those who attended the meeting were MOST kind, and I appreciate your expressions.
That’s it for today. I’m outta news and outta time! Continue to be thankful for all that God has given you!! See you in worship!! Grace & peace, Mark