News & Notes
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
Greetings Folks. This has been quite a week, hasn’t it? “The storm of the century” two years in a row! Where do we go from here? First of all, we need to make sure that we help those that we can - through the struggles they may be experiencing this week. I’ve called a few people that I could think of - who might need help. I would encourage you to think of folks - in our church family, your family-family, your friends and neighbors - to check up on them with a call or visit. Then let’s continue to seek experiences of the grace of God - to build us up in faith - for whatever comes in the future.
May God’s grace be showered on all those affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy. A colleague of mine has written this hymn as an expression of faith at times like this:
In Grief and Aching Sorrow
A Hymn in Response to the Virginia Tech University tragedy
by F. Richard Garland; Copyright 2007; to be sung to the tune “Passion Chorale” # 286 - The UM Hymnal
In grief and aching sorrow, with broken hearts and tears,
We lift to God our sorrow, but wonder if God hears.
In times of awful evil that words cannot embrace,
Speak now, O God, be not still, and comfort with your grace.
O bless your stricken children, and grant them lasting peace.
Surround all those who love them with Love that will not cease.
Receive, protect, and keep them in your eternal care;
O comfort us, your children, and rescue from despair.
O Lord of Life now hear us, and heal the aching pain.
O God of Hope be near us, and in your love sustain.
Unite us as one fam’ly, resolved to carry through,
A living, sacred mem’ry of those we trust to you.
There are a couple of items to share with you about our church family.
Bill McWilliams had a second surgery on his left eye. The first couple of days after the surgery were rough - extremely high pressure, and significant pain. The doctors have sense treated him, including medication, and he has improved significantly.
It was discovered that Madeliene Whitehouse’s back pain was caused by cyst. She had a procedure to take the pain away today. Our prayer is that the procedure will totally correct the problem.
The health of our 98 y.o. sister in Christ, Marion Bowen, has declined dramatically in the last couple of days. She has been moved from Wentworth Home to the new hospice facility, near the County complex. Her spirits are still quite high.
The Mullin’s have given us an update on Tim: “Just wanted to give you a follow up. We got call from doc today and Tim’s CT scan came back and the mass they found does not appear to be cancerous. We have to follow up with CT scan every 6 months, but it looks all is okay with his kidney!!! Woo Hoo! We can finally sleep again. Thank you all so much for the support you have given us. We so appreciate each and every one of you. We still have days of uncertainty ahead of us, but this huge load has been lifted and we feel so much better. I will keep you all posted! Love, Peg & Tim”
We have received news that New Hampshire District Superintendent John Blackadar’s mother died unexpectedly this morning. John is on a Volunteer In Mission team, working in Louisiana, and is making arrangements to return home as soon as possible. Please keep John and the whole Blackadar family in your prayers. John served St. John’s Church from 1984-1990. Condolences can be sent to John and his wife, Rita, at: 19 Norwich St., Concord, NH 03301
Now for some “program” business: Our parish retreat will happen this Saturday, as scheduled, but there have been some changes. The event will take place at St. John’s Church (not in Rochester, as originally planned). The time commitment is 9 AM till 2:30 PM (a shorter time than originally planned). We’ll need to bring our own bag-lunches; and we’re hoping to arrange childcare for families with small children. One last note: This event is for everyone in the church - members and friends. It is NOT just for the officers and committee members. We’re REALLY looking for broad input!! I know I’m asking for just short of the “ultimate sacrifice” - a long meeting held on what’s supposed to be a gorgeous spring day! This is an important meeting, though, and I hope many of you will be able to attend!
On Sunday, we’ll be observing “Native American Ministries” Day. I would encourage you to look at the April “Bell-Wether” for the details, but I wanted to remind you that there will be a special offering for a number of ministries our United Methodist Church has with Native Americans. There will be special offering envelopes in the bulletin.
On Sunday evening, we’ll hold a special Church Conference to act on our Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee’s recommendation that St. John’s Church recommend Bill Humphrey be accepted by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, as a Certified Candidate for Ministry. This is an important step for Bill - and for us, as we recognize “one of our own” has been called by God to this representative ministry. All members of the church are asked to be present. “Friends” of the church are very welcome to attend - and can take part in the conversation, but are not afforded the privilege of vote.
Let me mention two final things about next weekend (April 28 and 29). On Saturday, the Trustees are sponsoring a Spring Clean-Up Day at the Church. They are inviting all of us (once again, not just the officers and committee members of the church) to help out with this effort. I think they’ll have posted the list of jobs at church this Sunday. Then we have our next Public Supper that evening - still lots of opportunities to make contributions and/or offer your help. See the sign-up sheets on the rolling bulletin boards in Hartford Hall. Finally . . . okay, that’s three things, not “a couple” . . . the Mission Team will present their program on their February trip, on Sunday evening, at 4 PM, followed by a pot-luck supper. I hope lots will be able to attend!!
That’s it for this week. I’ll close with this notice from the United Methodist News Service:
“Cover the Uninsured Week” will be April 23-29. Advocates for the uninsured will demonstrate broad support for the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program and the need to cover uninsured children in the United States. Research indicates that fewer than 47% of parents in families earning less than $40,000 annually were offered employer-based health insurance, a drop of 9% during the past decade. The research found that nine million children are still uninsured, even though about two-thirds potentially qualify for government programs. A list of resources and local activities may be found at <http://covertheuninsured.org.> - United Methodist News Service
Have a great weekend! See you in church. Peace, Mark