News & Notes 10/9/08
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
It is wonderful to be home from my venture last week to Kansas, but I have to tell you that this event was one of the most enjoyable, and beneficial events I have ever attended. There were many things that I would like to address with our church leaders about the way we may become even more effective in our ministries. You’ll hear more about them as time passes. Let me simply mention one thing that you’ve heard me harp on many times before. That one thing is to encourage one another to invite friends/family members/co-workers/neighbors who do not have a church home to come along with you to worship. Over and over again, I heard from the host church as well as other participants about the growth that they have experienced through intentional invitation. Our focus may turn from our success at extending the invitation, to the need of those people we have in mind to connect with our awesome God. Won’t you consider doing this . . . regularly?
There’ll be a special treat ’round these parts this weekend. Karen Schutt’s barbershop-style chorus, “The Sounds of the Seacoast,” is using Hartford Hall for a public lasagna supper, on Saturday, from 4 till 7 PM. Their menu is “Lasagna, Salad, Dessert and SONG.” It appears they plan to sing throughout the supper. It’s $8 for adults; $5 for children 5-12; and free for children under 5. If you don’t have any other plans, you might try it out!!
Have you turned in the Worship Committee survey - that was included in the October Bell-Wether? The Committee would love to receive your input. I think there are just 3 or 4 surveys in the box (on the 2-draw filing cabinet just inside Hartford Hall). Won’t you turn yours in soon?
There are a number of wonderful ministries of our church that are coming up soon. Let me mention a couple here. The first is the Red Cross Blood Drive that will be here next Friday, October 17th, from 2 till 7 PM. Workers, contributors of food and blood donors are all needed!
The United Methodist Men’s fall retreat - a different format this year - will happen on Saturday, October 18th, from 9:30 AM till 3 PM. They’re doing things quite differently this year (holding it “at home,” and on just one day) - in hopes of making it easier for more men to participate. The theme: “W.W.C.D. based on W.J.D.&S.” There’ll be video presentations, small group discussions and large group consensus. All this for only $10. ALL the men of the church are invited to this special event.
Our annual gathering for those who are seventy years of age and older (plus their spouses) is coming soon - on October 28th, from 11:30 till 2 PM, in Hartford Hall. There’ll be another great meal, plus entertainment offered by the “Good Time Gospel Quartet.” We need to know if you’re coming, though, so we can be prepared. Please give Sandy a call, in the church office, to reserve your space(s). 742-3046.
CONVERSATIONS ON RACE: “Racism is Alive and Well in NH” –Raising Awareness of Race in America, New England, and our Community”. There are two conversations, on Oct. 19 and on November 16, both Sundays, at 12:15 PM at the Friends Meeting House, 141 Central Ave., Dover. The Oct. 19 discussion is entitled “A More Perfect Union”, and will feature as a starting point the speech given by Barak Obama in Philadelphia in March of this year. The Nov. 16 program will include a film to be announced. (The Oct. 19 program is not to be taken as an endorsement by the Friends Meeting of a candidate. The use of the Obama speech should be as a lead-in to a non-political discussion of this important issue.) Peace, Kathy Mulhern
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church, staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, ‘Good morning Alex.’ ‘Good morning Pastor,’ he replied, still focused on the plaque. ‘Pastor, what is this?’ The pastor said, ‘Well son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.’ Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque. Finally, little Alex’s voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked, ‘Which service, the 9:00 or the 10:30?’
That’s it for this week. There are a couple things that came from our Conference offices, that I thought you might be interested in. Many thanks to Betty and Diana, who filled in for me in worship last Sunday!! And to Earle who helped us celebrate Communion!! And thanks to all of you who contributed $123 toward the World Communion Sunday offering!! I look forward to seeing all of you in worship again on Sunday. Peace, Mark
Invitation to Fall Meeting of the New England United Methodist Historical Society
Wednesday Nov 5th at 3 PM at the Boston University School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Ave - Room B23. All welcome! Related events:
11:30 am Lunch in Faculty Dining Room (call Kara Jackman at 617-353-1323) or kjackman@bu.edu
1 pm - Commission on Archives & History
If you’d like more information and an invitation to join, please contact Joe Beardsley at 207-832-5127 or jbear@midcoast.com.
The Pilgrimage for Peace 2008 is underway!
Throughout October and early November, two groups of Peace Pilgrims will be walking and visiting New England churches and communities, offering an opportunity for us to come together to explore and share our beliefs and feelings about creating peace, doing justice, caring for our Earth home. After an amazing, festive and Spirit-filled send off in New London, CT on Sunday, September 28th, the Pilgrims began their 43-day journey that will take them through Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and then back to Connecticut.
Following are just a few of the special events that will be part of the Pilgrimage event:
– Retired Bishop Dale White will be leading us in an Environmental study when the pilgrimage visits St. Paul’s UMC in Newport, RI on Friday, October 3rd;
– Dr. Benjamin Cortez, of the Martin Luther King Jr. University in Managua, Nicaragua will be walking with us from October 4th through 12th;
– We’ll have an opportunity to participate in a Justice Fair in Malden on the afternoon of October 12th after worshiping and sharing in a meal and conversation that morning at several churches including First United Parish of Everett;
– There will be a demonstration of Sufi Peace Dancing (with the opportunity to participate if you are so inclined) during our visit to the First United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, NH on October 24th.
If you would like additional information about the complete Pilgrimage, which is happening from September 28th through November 9th, please check our website at www.peacewalk-newengland.com, or click here to see the Itinerary.
All are invited to join up with the Pilgrimage somewhere along the journey at one of the stops for discussion about what makes for peace in this world. If you notice a time that is not booked as we pass through your area, and want us to stop by, please let us know. Also, all are invited to walk with us for a bit - an hour, a day, a week, or for the whole journey. Come help us pray with our feet and be a sign for peace in our world. For additional details, please contact Eric Swanfeldt at 860-861-5259 or Marion Grant at 617-840-7858.
Urgent Need for Hurricane Ike Relief Donations
Donations for hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast this year are falling far behind the level of need and the usual levels of giving. This is true for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) as well as for other well-known relief organizations, including the Red Cross. Lack of donations are especially short in response to Hurricane Ike, which struck east Texas, including the Houston and Galveston areas, on September 13, creating the worst disaster on record for the congregations and institutions of the Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.
How to Donate
Churches and individuals are urged to do what they can to boost donations. To aid in Hurricane Ike disaster relief in Texas and Louisiana, give online, drop checks in United Methodist church offering plates or send them to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087, with “Advance No. 3019695, Hurricanes 2008″ on the memo line.