News & Notes 6/4/09
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
It has been a wonderfully busy week around the church, with the U.M. ARMY here - as well as all the “regular” activities that go on. The U.M. ARMY have been wonderful guests in many ways - engaging with us, caring for our facilities (they clean-up trash, floors and bathrooms every morning before they head off to their work), helping our “neighbors” with small repair projects around their homes.
When you come to the church again you’ll see a new sign welcoming you to the church. Our thanks go to the Trustees for coordinating this - with special thanks to George Lavoie, who had the lettering portion of the sign created, and Gorham Rowell who constructed the wooden framework!! Way to go, folks!!
Before I complete this issue of “News & Notes” and forget this next item AGAIN (i.e. I’ve been trying for two weeks to remember to ask this question), might I ask if anyone in the church has a photo printer that I might borrow. I’m needing it for the Rotary Golf Tournament on Monday, June 15th. We will replace the ink cartridges. If this is something you might help with, please speak to me SOON. Thanks.
And now that I’ve mentioned that golf tournament, can I make a shameless plug? Would you be interested in playing in this tournament: Monday, June 15th; Registration begins at 10:30 AM; shotgun start @ Noon; at The Links in So. Berwick; $125 (all inclusive) registration? The tournament supports the Dover Rotary Club charities. Speak to me if you’re interested.
The Trustees have asked me to share something with you. They have heard of interest in creating a “St. John’s Family Community Garden” at the church this summer. They recognize that this is a bit late to begin the planning, but think that it’s still doable this summer. If you would be interested in participating, please speak to Marsha Pelletier or Harold Carpenter. . . soon!
Gorham Rowell has offered, to anyone who would like it, a four-drawer, locking steel file cabinet - for free. He might even be able to deliver it. So if that would meet a need that you have, be in touch with Gorham.
This Saturday evening, the Rehab 3 Unit of Frisbee Hospital will present a Public Spaghetti Supper in Hartford Hall, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. I think they’re serving from 5 till 7 PM, and it costs only $5! Now there’s a cheap date - which helps to make a difference.
The men of the church are reminded of our final United Methodist Men’s Breakfast meeting - before the summer break. We’ll meet this Sunday morning at 7:30 AM, in Hartford Hall. Come for the food or the fellowship - but please come.
During our services this Sunday, four folks will be sharing part of their faith story - relating to different portions of the service. As part of our goal of “hearing one another’s stories,” the Church Health Team is coordinating this special aspect of our services - to hear how God has been acting in the lives our sisters and brothers. I hope you’ll make a point of being in church this week.
This is “Peace With Justice Sunday,” which is explained more fully in an article in “The Bell-Wether.” I mention it here to remind you that a special offering will be received to undergird justice ministries within our Conference and beyond. Special envelopes will be included in the bulletin.
Next Wednesday, June 10th, we will have the first meeting of our new small group for the “Unemployed and the Underemployed.” The group’s first meeting will be from 9:30 till 11 AM, at the church, and will be facilitated by Diana Schuman. Please share this with anyone you know who might be interested in this new group.
Last evening our Witness Committee, aided by a number of their friends, prepared a mailing of 628 letters and brochures to new residents of Dover, Rollinsford, Somersworth and Barrington - introducing them to St. John’s, and inviting them to visit us. We “purchased” the names and addresses from a company specializing in that sort of thing - filtering the lists to include folks who are truly new to the area. And the brochure is a new one - written by the Witness Committee, graphically designed by Andrea (Freeland/Turgeon) Doskocil (Donna Freeland’s daughter and Kim Willett’s sister), and printed by Tony Induisi! What a team. There will be monthly mailings in the future, but the lists will include only 25 to 35 names. Please pray for this ministry, that God might use our contacts to bless folks’ lives.
Next Sunday, June 14th, we will change to a single worship service each Sunday morning (for the summer) - at 9:30 AM. June 14th just happens to be Children’s Sunday as well! Don’t forget!
“A few people have asked me for Mom’s address. Do you think you could include it in your News & Notes? She is doing ok, and will have another cat scan in 2 weeks to determine the rate that the cancer is progressing. Think SLOW! She does love to get cards in the mail. Her address is: Paulette Hilchie - 131 Montague Mines Rd, Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia B2R 1V5 Canada. Thanks, Jane (Pomeroy)”
Prayer Concern for the St John’s: John Dobe passed away about 5:30 AM today, Monday, 6/1/09. I would personally like to thank you all for the prayers you have offered on John’s, and his family’s, behalf. I know they meant a lot to John and Dawna. John had his Prayer Shawl with him…. the one that we prayed over at St John’s recently. Praise God for John’s life! Thanks, Bob Johnson
A week or so ago the Scholarship Committee met. One of the decisions that they made was to increase the support that our church will give to campers at Wanakee (or other United Methodist camps in our Conference). By the generosity of folks in our congregation, beginning this year, St. John’s Church will be able to pay for 50% of camp tuition up to $150, for one week each summer. (Note: campers can go more than one week each summer, but our scholarship program is for the first week only.) Also, the Scholarship Committee would like parents to know that if there is a significant financial hardship which would prohibit their child/ren from going to camp at all, funds beyond the $150 are available to help. Speak to Judith Custer of to me.
I read in this morning’s issue of Foster’s about some good news for Steve McCusker. He is now the third in command at the Durham Fire Department - in charge of fire prevention programs. Congratulations Steve, and God bless.
In honor of Steve’s new job, let me share this final story: A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog’s duties. “They use him to keep crowds back,” said one child. “No,” said another. “He’s just for good luck.” A third child brought the argument to a close. “They use the dogs,” she said firmly, “to find the fire hydrants.”
That’s it for today. See you in church!! Peace, Mark
YOUNG CLERGY PRAY FOR CHURCH
The UM Young Clergy Network is leading a 40-day prayer campaign for renewal, hope, and clarity of call for the church. In the campaign, which began May 18 on the organization’s Web site <http://www.umcyoungclergy.com/>, young UM leaders from more than 20 annual conferences are asking God to guide them through the darkness of their times and to give them a vision for ministry and mission that brings honor to Jesus Christ. The network also is seeking closer union with God so that the witness of United Methodism will be strengthened. “Together, we will pray for the birth of new faith communities, the calling and development of new leaders within the denomination, the reduction of global disease and our ministry with the poor,” said Jennifer Smith, a certified candidate for
ministry in The UMC. Participants in the young clergy community are encouraging all people to join them in prayer by visiting www.umcyoungclergy.com, clicking “Prayer,” and subscribing to the RSS feed. The network’s purpose is to support young clergy and candidates through online and physical community. The Rev. Meg Lassiat, the board’s director of Student Ministries, Vocation, and
Enlistment, said the prayer campaign and Web site are “more than just a project. . . . Over the next 40 days, we invite anyone to join young adults in praying for the church, its renewal, and annual conferences happening around the connection. Through the connections made [online], we will build community in ways that weren’t previously possible. Young adults from around the country are building a community that will inspire and give hope for the church today and the exciting future that God calls us to.” The prayer guide, “40 Days of Prayer for the United Methodist Church,” is available in paperback and online http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/40-days-of-prayer-for-the-united-methodist-church/7158447. All profits will benefit NothingButNets, the UM-supported effort to end mosquito-borne
malaria in Africa with insecticide-treated nets. -UMNS