News & Notes 5/22/08
Hello St. John’s Church Family,
It has been a busy week “at the ranch” this week, and I’m a little behind, so I’ll be brief with this week’s issue of “News & Notes.”
The first thing to raise is a word of thanks to all those who helped to make the “Bishop’s Day on the District” such a great event. St. John’s Church received lots of positive comments about our hospitality and welcome - and about our facilities. So thanks to all of you who helped out in any way!!
Jinny Scott sent out this report on the Rummage Sale results from last weekend: “LATEST $$$ COUNT FROM THE RUMMAGE SALE (UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS) —– $887.60 There might be a little more trickling in. FANTASTIC JOB !!!!….PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK………WE “DOOD” IT.” And our thanks to Jinny for herding all the troops to get this done!!
At my request, Wendy Cloutier sent us the following piece: “On August 15th-17th, I will once again walk 60 miles in the Boston Breast Cancer 3-day walk to raise money to end Breast Cancer. This will be my second year walking. I walk because EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME, but in order to participate, I must commit to raising at least $2200. I currently am 1/2 way to this goal. If you can help me in any way, I would greatly appreciate it. You can donate online at http://www [dot] the3day [dot] org/ by clicking on Donate Now and searching for my name. At my personal fundraising page, scroll down and click on the button to donate to me. If it is more convenient, you can send a check to me payable to “Breast Cancer 3-Day”. Thank you for your support. Together we can help end Breast Cancer. ~Wendy L. Cloutier”
Last weekend I introduced the Conference Council on Youth Ministry’s (C.C.Y.M.) “Penny Challenge” competition at the Annual Conference session - and invited you to donate pennies to build up our District’s count - and silver coins or bills to enable points to be subtracted for other Districts’ count. One of the “other Districts” would be John Blackadar (for those who have come to St. John’s in the last eighteen years, John is one of my predecessors). Well, let me tell you - you responded immediately! There was all kinds of silver and paper money in the collection bucket - all testament to your love for John and your recognition of his competitiveness! Let the “games” continue. Our collection bucket will be out till June 8th, so bring your pennies for our District, and your silver and bills for the New Hampshire District! We’ll show John!! And the Youth of the Conference will be the beneficiaries!!
Tomorrow morning the “Holy Folders” will gather to assemble the June “Bell-Wether.” Thanks again to this faithful group!!
We’ll celebrate the sacrament of baptism this Sunday, at the first service - for Greg Caron (20 mo. old son of Jon and Carrie). What a special time this will be!
Remember that the office will be closed on Monday, Memorial Day. Sandy and I will be back in the office on Tuesday - bright and early . . . okay, just early . . . okay, we’ll get here sometime!
Our next Public Supper will be Saturday, May 31st - with Meatloaf and all the fixin’s. The sign-up sheets are on the rolling bulletin board in Hartford Hall. Are you one who has never helped out on the suppers? We’d love to have your help. Please consider helping out and/or donating some of the materials. Check out the sign-up sheets this Sunday.
Let me lift up a reminder to all those college students and their parents that the deadline for the Korn Family Scholarship application is this Sunday! We have a few applications in the office already, but we hope everyone who qualifies will get theirs in soon!!
Speaking of scholarships, don’t forget that St. John’s offers scholarships for Wanakee United Methodist Center, our church camp in Meredith, NH. We give 50% scholarships, up to $100 for the first week that a child goes each summer. If your child/ren is/are going to camp this year, make sure you let Sandy know in our office.
Let me just mention a couple of things coming up in the weeks ahead:
Blood Pressure Clinic between services on June 1st
District United Methodist Women’s meeting on Wednesday, June 4th, at 6:30 PM, at the York/Ogunquit UMC
Conference United Methodist Men, on Saturday, June 7th, at 3 PM, at the Berwick UMC
Our next “Second Sunday” Concert on Sunday, June 8th, at 3:30 PM, with Billy and Jess Humphrey (”MiXed Company”) performing
Tuesday, June 10th, our Seniors Bus trip to the Log Cabin in Holyoke, MA ($10 for seniors of St. Johns who are members; $79 for all others)
Summer worship schedule (one service each Sunday, at 9:30 AM) begins June 22 - which just happens to be Children’s Sunday
In light of the ever-rising gas prices, let me tell you about a family that was driving in Pennsylvania. They caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign…. ‘Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.'’
That’s it for this week! Have a great holiday weekend! If you’re in town, I hope you’ll make worship a part of your weekend! Have friends or family visiting? Bring them with you! Peace, Mark