News & Notes 4/23/09
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
I know there are often observances of “ice out” days in lakeside communities. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of that relative to St. John’s Church. I think we’re about to have “ice out.” The snow piles near the visitors parking signs are just about to disappear! Praise God. Do you suppose we should have had an “office pool” to see who could get the closest in guessing the “official” ice out? Oops! I think that’s a lottery, isn’t it? Maybe that’s not to way to close our budget shortfall, eh?
Our next Red Cross Blood Drive occurs tomorrow in Hartford Hall. I know the Red Cross is always looking for donors, so if you haven’t given in recent weeks, would you consider donating tomorrow? The hours are between 1 and 6 PM (note the different times than previously advertised).
Then after we empty you of your blood, we’d like to fill up your tummies with food: the Public Supper - Roast Pork - will take place on Saturday evening, from 4:30 pm TILL 6 pm. There are still a number of unclaimed spots for working on the supper - the last I knew, we didn’t have a host/hostess or cashier; some beverage servers; some folks to clean off the tables after someone finishes and reset with new/clean set-up; and then the ever famous clean-up crew!! Come on out and give a hand! Call Ann Kippley if you have a question.
This invitation comes from Diana Schuman: Well, I am officially a Site Leader (for a St. John’s Team) for Dover Pride Cleanup Day, this Saturday. My site is City Hall where we will do some pruning, raking, cleaning up, and mulching.
DOVER PRIDE CLEAN UP DAY
WHEN: April 25th, 2009
8am Pancake Breakfast
8:30am Site Assignments
9am Site Clean Up
Noon Pizza Lunch
WHERE: Cocheco Mills Courtyard, Central Ave., Dover
They like folks to “sign up” so they can have a list of who volunteered. But if folks cannot come that early and want to just come directly to City Hall after 9, that is OK. Come for as much of the morning as you can. Bring gloves, sunscreen, garden tools (labeled). I am told a cooler with water is being provided, but bringing along additional water probably wouldn’t hurt because it’s going to be a warm day. Thanks! Diana
I’ll be on an overnight with our Confirmation Class. We’re going to the Exeter UMC, to spend Friday night and Saturday morning. While we’re on these overnights, the kids experience three 11/2 hour classes. These are real working overnights! They do great, and we’ll be back in town early Saturday afternoon. Please pray for us while we’re “away.”
This Sunday is “Native American Awareness” Sunday in the United Methodist Church. Our observations will be quiet and simple - primarily sharing in the special offering to be received. The monies from this special offering help to training leaders in Native American ministries throughout our country. Special envelopes will be included in the bulletin.
Let me share some of the “business” that was reported at Monday evening’s Church Council meeting.
*A Cluster Choir Festival will take place on Sunday, March 17, at 4:30 PM, at First UMC in Rochester. Our own choir will participate, and Steve MacKenzie will direct the Massed Choir.
*At the end of the first quarter of the year, income from pledges is $12,140 behind what we would anticipate. If you’re behind in what you expected to give, is there a way to catch up? It will help the church to be faithful in paying our obligations on time. We were very faithful in our Easter offering - giving $2,009.09 for the Current Expenses of the church!!
*The church has received a gift of $10,000 to be used toward the purchase and installation of an elevator/lift - to make our lower level accessible. The Trustees will begin working soon on finding out what the total expenses for this venture would be. What a wonderful thing that would be for us to accomplish!!
*After our April 4th Goal Setting workshop, a small group from the twenty participants will be appointed to fine-tune the goals that were articulated, and present them to a future Church Council.
*The All-Church Clean-Up Day will take place from 8 AM till Noon, on Saturday, May 9th. There are lots of tasks to be done - something for everyone - watch the Bell-Wether and the bulletin for details. And check out the rolling bulletin board for the sign-up sheets.
*The Korn Family Scholarships will be announced on Children’s Sunday in June, but applications for the scholarship are due on May 5th. If you’re an active member of St. John’s Church, and enrolled in a degree granting program, you are eligible to receive a scholarship! Get your application in on time!!
*The Council approved using some of the cash that we’ve already received from the Russ Newell Estate to pay for expenses (like taxes) on the land that has been given to us - until another newly created Task Force reports back to the Council with suggestions of how to use or dispose of those properties.
*The audit of our 2008 financial records is complete, and we came through with flying colors! Many thanks to John Ewalt and Sandy Dearborn for that - and to Judy Strate and Bruce McAdam for the audit!!
Next week we have the first go-round of picture taking for our new Church Directory - on Monday and Tuesday, from 3 PM till 9:20 PM. I’ve noticed that there are two slots still open for those days - Monday at 9:20 PM; and Tuesday at 7:25 PM. Any takers? Call Karen Schutt or MaryAnne MacKenzie! There are still LOTS of openings for the May 26 & 27 sessions! Please! We want everyone included. Won’t you take part?
The Rummage Sale is coming right up - next week, in fact!! Please begin bringing in your donations anytime after the second service on Sunday. They can be left in Hartford Hall. Remember that we’re selling just clothing this time - clothes, shoes, belts, ties, handbags, etc. The Outreach Committee is organizing this, and they would love to have your help with set-up (between Wednesday noon and Friday late afternoon). The sale will be from 5-8 PM on Friday, and 8 M till Noon on Saturday.
I have permission from the folks to share with you that: Don Cheney had a slight heart attack last Sunday - is feeling much better - waiting for his blood-thinner level to be adjusted before he can go home. And Mary Sabine continues to decline - at home - quite weak - her family is all here to be with her. Please pray for both of these saints of God!
This from Tina Weinberger: “After much anticipation (on my part:), “Rock My Soul” has our Spring Concert dates set. The first 3 concerts are also in celebration of our new CD, to be released in May. Here are the dates. (As always, if you have any questions on how to get tickets, please let me know. Usually, they are available on our secure website before each show, [click on www.dfgp.org] or I can easily reserve you some in your name. All tickets are held for you at the door. Thanks in advance!) Hope to see you at a show. Love, Tina Weinberger
Saturday, May 16th, Arlington St. Methodist Church, Nashua, NH 7 pm show
Sunday, June 7, The Pearl, Portsmouth, NH 5 pm show
Sunday, June 14, One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME 4pm show”
Here are some more of those test questions and answers that I shared with you a couple weeks ago:
Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.
Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.
Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (Note: I hope not!)
Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death. (Note: truer than we would first think!)
That’s all the news for this week. There won’t be an issue of “News & Notes” from me next week, as I’ll be in Washington, DC, on vacation. Peace, Mark