News & Notes 10/22/09
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
As this portion of God’s good creation is in the process of “going to sleep,” to be renewed and refreshed next spring, I’m mindful of the cycle that humans have - of needing to honor the Sabbath, to keep it holy. It is both God’s gift to us, and our way of honoring God. And an important element of Sabbath-keeping is corporate worship. Some of you have heard me speak of the practice of Rev. Adam Hamilton, at the UM Church of the Resurrection, who expects his members to be in worship each weekend - unless they’re ill or out of town. Many of us hear this expectation of his church members as legalistic and narrow. But what if we began to look at it as a blessing and an opportunity? What if I asked you to consider that commitment because I cared enough about you to challenge you to reach for it? I truly believe there’s something to that “cycle” that God has created for us - and all of God’s creation.
While this was written before Ruth McCarty’s death, I’m sure her daughter, Kerry’s sentiment would still be the same today: “Could you also pass along that I have been very grateful for the prayers for me and my mom at this difficult time? Thank you, Kerry”
I don’t know exactly how many folks came to the “Older Adult Luncheon” (we’ve just GOT to come up with a better name for this annual gathering!!), but we had a great time. Roberta Deane and the Witness Committee created the event, and she opened the time together with some statistics - one of which was that Dot Corchesne was the longest standing member present, at 78 years!! Wow. Tina Weinberger came with two friends - all a part of the “Rock My Soul” gospel group — and presented a wonderful concert that seemed to please everyone there!
Last evening our Outreach Committee met. One of the items of business that they did was to approve giving $180 to NUHOPE Food for Orphans - a program supported by our Annual Conference. This is a part of an emphasis by the Annual Conference to minister to orphans around the world. I may not remember the figures exactly, but our gift will feed fifteen children in a developing country for a year. In order to verify that the money actually gets to its intended “audience,” the folks who run the program actually carry the check to the agency that will be feeding the kids, and hand delivers it. The agencies themselves are monitored for faithful management of contributions.
I mention this article because the Outreach Committee is making this donation from monies that you and/or other people in our congregation have been giving to the church for many years - specifically targeted for Mission work!! Another fund that people have been donating to for “local” Mission work is the “Cents Makes Sense” fund - which is when, on the fourth Sunday of the month, folks put loose change in a tin collection can that is placed on the “skinny” table in the entryway of the sanctuary. That fund was used earlier this year to help the “Counseling Center of the Dover/Rochester Area” - an agency that provides counseling services for folks who can least afford them. This coming Sunday is the fourth Sunday of the month - got any loose change?
The November “Bell-Wether” will hit the mail tomorrow! It’s packed with great information! I just said to Sandy that I was proud of our congregation’s newsletter - the way it’s created and prepared for mailing, the quality of the articles it contains, and the ministries that are spoken about within its pages. Be sure to read it cover-to-cover when it arrives in your home. You don’t want to miss any of the news it contains.
Our friends at the Wentworth Home will be holding their “Harvest Fair and Bake Sale” from 10 AM to 1 PM this Saturday. We have a number of parishioners who live there - and a few more who serve on the Board for the Home. The Wentworth Home is on Central Avenue - right next to Wentworth Douglas Hospital.
Public Supper happens this Saturday night. As our sign out front says, “Yum!” It’s turkey and all the fixin’s once again, so it’s sure to draw a crowd. There’s always room for more help - starting about 9 AM, and going right through the clean-up! And there’s always ( . . . . well, almost always) room for more at the table! Y’all come, now. Ya heyah?
Sunday morning we’ll be praying over a prayer shawl for . . . I’m forgetting if it’s a friend or relative of Anna Chick. If you have others who would benefit by this ministry this Sunday, please let me know right away, so we can have a shawl there for them, too.
Sunday afternoon we’ll be hosting a concert by Lee Domann, a Christian singer and songwriter, who has been to St. John’s before. Those who have heard him are looking forward to his return. The concert begins at 7 PM. There’s no admission fee, but a freewill offering will be taken. Why not invite some friends to join you?
Our “Holly & Harvest Fair/Silent Auction” is only 16 days away!! I hope you’re thinking of ways you might help out - by providing donations to sell and/or by working in some capacity on the fair!! Guy Eaton is also asking folks to contact businesses that they frequent, and asking if they might make a contribution to our Silent Auction. Where did you buy your last vehicle? Maybe you could contact that dealer and ask if they’d donate a car for our auction . . . . . . . or not!!! But you get the idea, don’t you?
National Advance Hunger-Relief Ministry Unveils Its 2009 Alternative Christmas Gift Card:
So much is uncertain these days: Domestic and world economy, peace among nations, home ownership, jobs, health care … and for nearly 40 million Americans, their next meal. Alternative Christmas gifts are a sure way to share the true message and meaning of Christmas with those being honored and those who are in need. People looking for alternative Christmas gifts that do good for others will feed the hungry when they make honor donations to the Society of St. Andrew (Advance #801600), a national, grassroots hunger-relief ministry. This year’s card is the fifteenth in a series designed exclusively for SoSA by Virginia liturgical artist Annis McCabe. This unique card announces your generous gift to feed the hungry in the name of your honorees. For More Information, http://www.endhunger.org/card/
Urgent Need for Work-Team Delegation to Nicaragua:
We need a Work-Team Delegation to travel to Nicaragua in November, 2009 to repair the AICN material aid storage facility to accommodate a large shipment of nutritionally balanced food packs used in the Children’s Feeding Programs. You will be helping to feed hundreds of children, many of whom eat only one meal a day through the feeding program. Your spirit will be fed as well and you will never forget the experience. Please consider joining out team as we complete the work necessary to feed the children. TRIP COSTS: $1200 [approx.]. Contact Sandy Melius at 781-891-1199 or sandsmelius [at] verizon [dot] net if you are interested.
I’m ending this issue of “News & Notes” with a story, rather than a joke:
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said: “My son, the battle is between ‘two wolves’ inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee replied: “The one you feed.”
I look forward to seeing you in church!! Peace, Mark