News & Notes 3/26/09
To my wonderful Church Family,
Since I last wrote much has happened. I want to thank you all very much for your MANY expressions of love and support for me and my family, following my father’s death. As I have told many of you, while it’s a very sad thing to have happen, Dad chose to die, and had the privilege of making that decision for himself. He lived a long and happy life - sentiments he expressed often - and he was ready to die. Over the last several months he had various physical incidents (i.e. infections, pneumonia, etc.) from which he never fully rebounded, and the spiral pointed downward. He knew the goodness of God, and wanted to move into the fullness of God’s presence. The doctor withdrew medical care (other than comfort measures) the middle of Friday afternoon, and Dad died about 9:30 PM Saturday evening. I thank God for Dad’s life, and for the innumerable gifts I have received through his life!
It seemed odd to continue on with my participation on the Mission Trip, but both my sister and brother insisted that I do so - calling it “a very important thing to do.” And my wife, Wendy, asked that pointed question, “What would you do if you came home?” It didn’t seem right just to sit around and mope or grieve or whatever for a week (awaiting Sunday’s funeral). And Dad was very proud of my participation on previous Mission Trips, so I continued. The Team was wonderful to me in too many ways to recount here
I want to thank our Staff/Parish Relations Committee, and their chairperson, Diana Schuman, for making “space” for me right away. And huge thanks go to Todd Warfield, who agreed to lead worship at St. John’s Church this past Sunday. What a position to be thrust into!! I’ve listened to his sermon online, and very much appreciate his offering!! Thanks Todd! Now may God continually comfort all of us who mourn. (Matthew 5:4)
Speaking of Diana Schuman, she’ll be on national TV this Friday - on ABC’s Early Morning Show - as part of a series on folks seeking employment. Everyone presented through the week has their own webpage with their story, video diaries, links to experts etc. which can be found at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/18/earlyshow/series/jobsquad/main4874208.shtml
Blog: deeschuman.wordpress.com Be sure to tune in on Friday, to see Diana!!
There are a lot of things happening around St. John’s Church in the next two weeks. Let me simply list them here:
Public Supper, Saturday, March 28th; 4:30-6 PM - come for dinner, and come to help
Blessing of two Prayer Shawls during worship this Sunday morning’s services
Easter Party for our Sunday School children - this Sunday afternoon at 2 PM (Not many folks have signed up on the rolling bulletin board. Can you contact Brenda Borchers with your “reservation” today? See a more detailed note below.)
Cocheco Forum “Getting to Know our Indonesian Neighbors” at Dover Public Library - Monday, March 30th at 7 PM - presented by Dover Area Religious Leaders Assoc.
Pre-Passover Freedom & Justice “Dessert Seder” (eat supper ahead of time) at Temple Israel, on Thursday, April 2nd, at 7 PM - non-perishable food items and $3 donation requested - for a reservation (needed by Monday, March 30) call the Temple at 603-742-3976
Goal Setting time (everyone come, please) on Saturday, April 4th, from 8 AM till Noon - lead by our own Stewart Johnson
Bishop’s Day on the District - Saturday, April 4th, from 1 till 3 PM “A ‘Yes We Can’ Faith in a ‘No We Can’t’ Time” - at the York/Ogunquit UMC (Route 1, York)
Sunday, April 5th - United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 7:30 AM; New Members received, and Communion at the 9 & 10:30 AM services
Thursday, April 9th, Maundy Thursday Service of Foot Washing & Communion - in Hartford Hall, at 7 PM
Friday, April 10th, Ecumenical Good Friday Service at First Parish Church at Noon; a service of readings and prayers at St. John’s Church at 7 PM
Sunday, April 12th - Easter Sunday!! - 5:30 AM First Fire Service; 6 AM Sunrise Service lead by the youth in the sanctuary; Breakfast served by the UMM in Hartford Hall immediately following the 6 AM service; Easter Celebrations at 9 & 11 AM
“I have previously asked people to sign up for the Easter Party by Friday and I sent home invitations with the Sunday School children that specifically asked the parents to sign up in Hartford Hall or call or e-mail me. We’ve already stuffed the eggs and I need to pick up the craft supplies and bake on Saturday. I really need to know how many children to expect. Please call or email by tomorrow - early evening! Thanks, Brenda”
Signs are all over the place at church concerning our next Church Directory (one of those picture-books with everyone in the church - along with a roster of the church family). If you haven’t signed up for a time to come have your pictures taken, please do that soon. I know this is said every time a directory is created, but we REALLY want to have everyone’s pictures included, so I hope you’ll agree to take part! It doesn’t cost a thing, and Olan Mills is quite low-pressure in their sales tactics. You’ll get one 8″x10″ photo and a copy of the directory free!!
Gorham Rowell has been doing some small jobs around the church kitchen lately - changing faucet washers, painting the inside of broom closets, installing some shelves in the back of that closet, etc. Thanks Gorham!!
New United Methodist Hymnal On-line Discussion Group
You’re invited to join the lively and informative discussion group on Facebook. We discuss and debate issues related to the development of a new hymnal for The United Methodist Church in the USA, approved by General Conference in 2008. Go to www.facebook.com - no cost. (Dean McIntyre, Hymnal Revision Project Co-Editor and, Director of Music Resources, General Board of Discipleship)
UMs Join Rally Against Foreclosures
Clergy and foreclosure victims road the “Recovery Express” bus caravan, which made an eight-city cross-country tour March 6-10, before joining a rally and prayer service on Capitol Hill in Washington. In order for new foreclosure guidelines from the Obama administration to work, Congress must pass bankruptcy reform, according to PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations working to revitalize neighborhoods in 150 cities and 17 states. The organization wants Congress to change the bankruptcy code to allow homeowners-especially the victims of predatory lending-the right to ask a bankruptcy judge to modify their loans if their banks refuse to work with them. The Rev. Cory Sparks, pastor of Faith Community UMC in Youngsville, La., who came to Washington to participate in the March 10 rally, pointed out that the strength of the nation rests on the strength of its families. Passage of Senate bill 61 “could save 800,000 homes, according to a recent PICO study,” Sparks said. The PICO National Network is a coalition of 1,000 congregations. To learn more about its foreclosure campaign, visit http://www.piconetwork.org/keepfamiliesinhomes.
-Linda Bloom (UMNS)
This from the March 25, 2009 issue of “Newscope”:
United Methodists Can Apply Online for Scholarships, Loans
Students who need financial help for college costs can now apply online for UM scholarships or loans. “We believe this new system is much more convenient for applicants,” said Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). The online scholarship application went live on January 5. “We are encouraging applicants (especially renewal students) to apply and complete the application early this year to insure they are considered for funding,” Collinsworth said. Applicants must submit an official transcript, letters of reference and an essay to the office in one packet to complete the file after the online portion is submitted. The new system also allows the staff to communicate by e-mail about application requirements. Applicants have provided positive feedback about the online application versus the paper applications. The applications have church and school wizards that enable the applicant to choose their current school and church from a list. These databases contain all accredited institutions within the United States and all known UM churches. That helps Loans and Scholarships staff verify church membership, and will allow the office to communicate more effectively to UM churches and institutions regarding recipients from their local congregations or student body. To learn more, visit www.gbhem.org and click on the Loans and Scholarships button. -GBHEM
Lenny Colongione told me of the retired fellow whose wife said, “Whatcha doin’ today?” He replied “Nothing.” She said, “You did that yesterday.” And of course his response was “I wasn’t finished.”
That’s all the news for this week. Thanks again for all your continued prayers and support. I love you all . . . or since I just got back from Louisiana, I should say “I love y’all!” See you in church! Peace, Mark