News & Notes 6/25/09
Hello My (mildewed) Friends,
I hope your spirits are not dampened by the lengthy stretch of rain that we’ve had this month! While most of us have had enough rain, may none of us tire of the “reign” of God in our lives. And may our spirits be encouraged and lifted by that affirmation!!
I discovered this news in Tuesday’s edition of “Fosters”:
Julia Sylvester, 91, born November 20, 1917 in Burlington, ME passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 19, 2009. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. Julia was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in 2000. She was a member of St. Johns Church. Among other people, she is survived by her grandson Joseph and his wife, Kirstin “Kiki” Sylvester — members of St. John’s, too — and their two children, Myles and Adelaide of Rochester.
May God comfort all those who grieve Julia’s death, and may we celebrate her resurrection hope!
Our next Public Supper happens this Saturday - from 4:30 till 6 PM. It’s Pot Roast with all the fixin’s!! There’s still room for helpers. Especially if you’ve never worked on the supper before, would you consider trying it out this month? I think you’ll find it fun to work on, and you’ll enjoy the connections with other folks from the church. Call Ann Kippley if you have any questions.
Sorry ’bout the long worship service last Sunday!! Some have suggested that I was trying to fit two services worth of “stuff” into one service. I can assure you that wasn’t may plan. I’ll strive (but not promise) to come closer to an hour for the rest of the summer.
This week we’re offering prayers for a Prayer Shawl (actually a Prayer Blanket) for Bob Marshall. I often hear from someone right after a service like this that they wish that they had known because they would have asked for a Prayer Shawl for someone else that they knew. So let me ask here: Do you have someone for whom you would like us to bless a prayer shawl? Please let me know soon, and we’ll include it this Sunday.
You know that we have been making gifts for the Church World Service “Tools of Hope” program. I thought you’d like to know that to date, we have received $417 that will be forwarded to CWS. Thanks very much for your faithful/generous giving . . . again!
Claramae Hebert told us today the date for the Senior’s trip in August has changed because the Log Cabin overbooked for our original date. So the new date for the Senior’s Trip (that was mentioned in “The Bell-Wether,” is August 20th. All the other details that were mentioned in “The Bell-Wether” are correct. Get your reservation in early.
Ed Scully and I have arranged to teach the “Disciple - Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study” class beginning early in September. This is a 34 week course with reading for each day and a 21/2 hour class once a week. We’ll read through 70% of the scriptures in the year. While the participants will learn allot of facts, the focus of the Disciple classes is “transformation rather than information.” One of the resources says “Disciple offers the congregation a challenge and a promise. The challenge is to see the regular, in-depth study of Scripture, designed to develop biblically nourished persons committed to discipleship, as the foundation for all congregational ministry. The promise is that all who come to the Scripture allowing it to have its say will, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, experience a power that changes priorities and redirects lives.” We’re looking for up to eleven people who would be willing to join us on this journey. Please speak to one of us soon if you have interest.
Morgen Ames and our own Susan Williams would like to invite you to:
An Afternoon of Chamber Music
Saturday, July 18, 2009; 2:30 PM
St. John’s United Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Avenue, Dover, NH
We have prepared a beautiful collection of works for several different chamber group combinations. The performance will include Saint Saens’ Morceau de Concert for horn and piano, the Ballade movement of an Ewazen piece for flute, horn and piano as well as vocal and instrumental music by Mozart, Beethoven, Purcell, Rossini and others. This is a collaborative effort by Morgen Ames (piano, soprano), Susan Williams (horn, mezzo-soprano), Linda Wrightsman, (flute, violin), Seth Hurd (piano), Rebecca Whitmeyer (piano) and John Wallace (cello). We are excited to share these wonderful pieces with our friends and families and hope that you will be able to join us.
Here’s an interesting thought about how to use our money: “Giving is more than a responsibility-it is a privilege; more than an act of obedience-it is evidence of our faith.” - William Arthur Ward (1921-94), American educator
Someone wrote: “When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, ‘It’s no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.’”
That’s all the news I have for today. I’ve put a couple announcements from the Conference at the end of this “epistle.” I hope they interest someone at St. John’s. I look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday. Peace, Mark
Basic Lay Speaking Class for Youth Announced
NEUMC’s Lay Speaking Ministries has announced that a Basic Lay Speaking Class for Youth will be held August 12-14 at Rolling Ridge in North Andover. All confirmed youth, grades 9 - 12, in all Districts are invited to attend. The purpose of this course is to encourage and provide training for young people to claim the ministries to which they are called. This Lay Speaking course will help them understand their call to ministry as laity or ordained clergy. For an information package, please email laityrus@yahoo.com . The cost of this course is $150. Local churches are encouraged to help support an interested youth. Registration forms require the signature of a parent, the Senior Pastor and the Chairperson of the Administrative Council/Board and the submission deadline for fee, registration & code of conduct forms is July 10, 2009. For more information, contact Debi Henry, NEUMC Lay Speaking Ministries Youth Coordinator at (508) 651-0256 or email debihenry@hotmail.com.Upcoming New England Conference
Schools of Christian Mission
Register for one of them:
U Maine, Farmington, ME
July 17-19
Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH
July 24 - 26
Studies and leaders for Maine School
Food and Faith - Linda Borio and Spring Hanna
Native American Survival - Rev. Margaret Bickford
Sudan - Arlene Mackie and TBD
Youth (13-18) Food, Faith, and Me - Catherine Janson and Becky Michaud
Children (5-12) Piecing Together Peace for Sudan - Liz Janson and Jennifer Jacques
Studies and leaders for New Hampshire School
Food and Faith - Linda Borio, Spring Hanna, & Pastor Han Sung Kim (Korean Study)
Native American Survival - Rev. Margaret Bickford
Sudan - Arlene Mackie and Rev. Garvin Warden
Youth (13-18) Food, Faith, and Me - Catherine Janson & Becky Michaud
Children (5-12) Piecing Together Peace for Sudan - Liz Janson and Jennifer Jacques
Child care available.
See the Brochure and Children/Youth Flyer for more information and registration materials.
Questions and further information? Please contact:
Registrar for Maine School: Peg Swett, (207) 825-3898, peggyliz@roadrunner.com
Registrar for New Hampshire School: Kim Gontarz, (603) 424-9534, kgontarz@juno.com
Dean, Rev. Barbara Schreier, (860) 928-0308 , bstks@sbcglobal.net