News & Notes 5/7/08
Greetings to you my Friends,
I’m writing to you a day early so that I could send a reminder about this evening’s Fund/Fun-raiser at Friendly’s Ice Cream on Central Avenue in Dover. Remember that St. John’s Church will receive a percentage of all their sales between 5 and 8 PM. See you there?
Last Friday our sister in Christ, Phyllis Starling, passed away - 18 days before she was to turn 90 years old. A celebration of her life will take place at St. John’s on Tuesday, May 13th, at 11 AM. Our Funeral Reception Team will be pulled together for the reception following the service, and I’m sure Claramae would love to have donations of desserts for the reception. Please give her a call.
I haven’t mentioned in quite awhile a reminder for registrations to be sent in for Summer Church Camp at Wanakee United Methodist Center, in Meredith, NH. Remember that every camper receives a $100 scholarship toward the expense of their first week of camp each summer. If you don’t have a camp brochure, they’re hanging on one of the bulletin boards in Hartford Hall.
About eighteen months ago we conducted a financial campaign to raise monies for our Conference’s capital campaign (for retired clergy health insurance, for repairs to our conference camps and retreat center, for new church development in our conference, and to support our covenant relationships with West Angola and Nicaragua) as well as capital projects around our own church building. This week we are scheduled to have the front doors replaced on our sanctuary building - to address several issues. This project is being paid for with monies received by your generous donations toward this campaign. Make sure you look for this “new look” when you come for church on Sunday!
Relative to the campaign, notices will be coming out very soon, as a reminder to us who pledged toward it. Please look for them in the mail, and do your best to fulfill your pledge! Thanks very much.
This Saturday will be a busy day. First let me remind you of an event in the community. This is the annual Letter Carrier’s food drive. You may want to participate - by placing non-perishable food items by your mailbox, for the carrier to pick up. The Dover Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry - one of our own ministries - is one of the recipients of the food generated by this drive. Please be generous.
Also on Saturday we have our Spring Clean-Up Day around the church. The coffee pot will be on early. Folks are invited to come anytime between 8 AM and Noon. There are a number of projects - maintenance projects, indoor tasks and outdoor tasks. It would certainly make us more productive if a large number of us turned out to help out!!
Last Mother’s Day I was on vacation (gone to New York for our daughter’s college graduation!), but I understand there was a bit of confusion about a road race that took place that morning - starting at Dover High School. The race is happening again this year, and we’ve been told that the organizers have tried to work around our 9 AM worship schedule, and the roads shouldn’t be tied up. BUT, one never knows, and it might be good anyway, to plan a little extra time to get to our 9 AM worship service this Sunday - just in case!!
And when you come to church this Sunday - for either service - I would encourage you to wear something red, as this is Pentecost, the birthday of the church - the day the Holy Spirit created the church and set the believers “on fire.”
This Sunday is also packed with significance. It’s Mother’s Day, and Pentecost. But it’s also Confirmation Sunday, when six youth will profess their faith in Christ and be received into the membership of St. John’s Church! Praise God! You won’t want to miss it!
Have you been cleaning out your closets, attic, etc. in preparation for our May 16 & 17 Rummage Sale? We’ll need “stuff” and many, many, many willing workers. Please check out the bulletin board in Hartford Hall to see how you can help! There are many tasks to make this a great event.
Let me just mention a couple things that are upcoming, as a reminder:
Tuesday, May 13th - Dover Friendly Kitchen (many thanks to those who contributed $348.12 last Sunday morning!)
Tuesday, May 13th - Care Team meets at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, May 13th, at 7 PM - Cocheco Forum at the Dover Library (please look in the May Bell-Wether for the article about this program)
Sunday, May 18th at noon - “20’s, 30’s & Thensome” Cook-Out and Wiffle-Ball match!!
Sunday, May 18th at 5 PM - Pot-Luck supper and program about our Healing Ministry at St. John’s, including the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Program.
Tuesday, May 20th - Bishop’s Day on the District, at St. John’s Church - Laity and Clergy will meet with the Bishop from 6:30 till 8 PM. The program is on Inspirational Worship in the church. Everyone is welcome at this event.
Some in our congregation know Rev. Dave Svenson, who is retiring at the end of June. We’ve received this invitation that I want to share with you.
COME CELEBRATE!!!
The Retirement of
The Rev. David Svenson
Mid-Maine District Superintendent
on
Sunday, June 1st
Worship begins at
3 PM
Green Street UMC
Augusta, Maine
Fellowship immediately following worship
A shower of cards is welcomed!
RSVP by Monday, May 26th to:
Rev. Sue Davenport
revsuedave [at] roadrunner [dot] com
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. When he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: “I have circled the block ten times. If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. ‘Forgive us our trespasses.’” When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note: “I’ve circled this block for ten years. If I don’t give you a ticket I’ll lose my job. ‘Lead us not into temptation.’”
That’s the news for today. Enjoy this wonderful weather! See you at Friendly’s . . . and in church!! Peace, Mark