News & Notes 2/4/10
Greetings to you My Friends,
A day or so ago, someone sent me an email with (tongue-in-cheek) words of wisdom. Here’s one of them: “Accept misfortune as a blessing. Do not wish for perfect health, or a life without problems. What would you talk about?” I was thinking of this “wisdom” as I was about to begin this issue of “News & Notes” talking about my back problems! What else do I have to talk about? Let me say ever-so-briefly that I’m getting better everyday - and am functioning at about 90%! Thanks very much for your prayers and your words of support and encouragement!! Now, let’s see. Do I have anything else to talk about?
“Try Something New” happens this Saturday at the church. There are four “subjects” to choose from:
Hike along part of the Bellamy Riverand then Snowshoe through Kingman Farm in Madbury - led by Brenda Borchers. Meet at the church at 9 AM to carpool.
Prayer Beads with Jana Marie Whitten - from 9 AM till Noon.
Sacred Dance (NOT to prepare for presentation in a church service) with Shawne Freeman - from 9 AM till 2 PM - bring your lunch.
Linus Quilts with Janet Warfield - from 9 AM till 2 PM - bring your lunch, crib size batting, your sewing machine, thread and sewing supplies.
The United Methodist Men’s breakfast meeting will take place this Sunday, beginning at 7:30 AM. The coffee will ready for your arrival, and breakfast won’t be far behind! Come one! Come all!
We’ll be celebrating the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during worship this Sunday. It is always a wonderful way to experience God’s grace in our lives - with our sisters and brothers in the faith. “Make us one with Christ; one with each other; and one in ministry to all the world.”
We’re also going to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the founding of Boy Scouts of America. Many of us have benefiting from scouting - both Boys and Girls. And while I find it sad that St. John’s Church does not sponsor Troop 180 anymore - for lack of adult leadership - I’m thankful for all the youngsters whose lives have been enriched by this ministry over the years - here and elsewhere.
This weekend is “Souper Bowl Sunday,” which means our Youth will be collecting money for the local food pantry and soup kitchen after both services and wearing their favorite football team gear. If this is new to you this year, Souper Bowl was started by a youth group in South Carolina with the idea that world hunger could be stopped if everyone watching the Super Bowl gave just $1 toward the cause. That was 17 years ago, and they average $10 million/year raised to feed the poor. Never underestimate your power! Won’t you remember to bring an extra dollar to church with you this Sunday - to support our kids, and the folks of our community?
No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In our Lenten study this year, Adam Hamilton, the author of the study, will guide us through the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life. Each session of this study is designed to help participants experience and understand the significance of Jesus’ suffering and death in a way they may never have done before, whether they are long-time Christians or simply curious about the story of Christ’s crucifixion. Join us as we walk through the events of this life-changing day. Each of these studies will begin on the dates below and run for six or seven weeks (depending on which group you join) through Lent.
Beginning February 10, 2010:
Wednesday afternoon 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Jr. High room taught by Diana Schuman.
*Wednesday evening 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the home of Judy Strate, 4 Morning St. Somersworth phone 692-2739
Beginning February 18, 2010:
Thursday evening 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Hartford Hall taught by Pastor Mark.
Beginning February 21, 2010:
Sunday evening 7:00 to 8:30 pm beginning in the Jr. High room taught by Wanda Winnicki.
*Please note the change of place for this study.
One of the official goals that the Church Council has set for our congregation over the next year or so, is to have all the members of the Church Council and Witness Committee; as well as all the ushers and greeters to take a “course” entitled “Welcoming 101″ - to help us learn what makes a church more or less welcoming to newcomers/visitors. This is a course presented by our denomination. While it can be taken individually online, Diana Schuman is facilitating a group class - on three Wednesday afternoons, beginning next Wednesday, February 10th, from 3:30 to 5 PM. Some have said they find it interesting that we need to take a course in order to be welcoming. I believe the truth is that times are changing, and what used to constitute an attractive “welcome” isn’t always true today. I remember the days when it was considered wonderful to introduce visitors during announcements. While there are exceptions, most folks today don’t want to be singled out for attention. It’s things like this that we’ll talk about. You don’t have to be a member of the Council, or Witness; or a greeter or usher in order to take this class. If you’re interested, please feel free to come.
I mentioned in the February “Bell-Wether” that I’m heading off to jail soon - on February 18th - for the MDA lock-up!! Help! I’m too claustrophobic to hang around a cell too long - even if it does come with all the fixin’s for lunch at Strafford Farms!. If you’d be willing to pledge - anytime between now and 2/18 - any amount toward my bail, I’d be eternally grateful!! Here’s what your money will help with:
* Clinics - expert specialized medical care
* Research - cutting-edge investigation into treatments and cures
* Support - help obtaining equipment and coping with challenges
* Camp - a barrier-free week of fun, friendship and laughter for kids
And here’s the link to my own website where you can make a pledge: https://www.joinmda.org/tricitylockup10/MarkMonsonAlley
The journey of Lent is about to begin. It will start on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, in worship at 7 PM. Ashes mark the beginning of a journey where our hands will “get dirty” and we’ll find that with Christ at our side, hope can be found even amidst struggles.
During the season of Lent I’ll be lead a series of three Inquirer’s/Membership Classes. These classes are great for folks who know already that they would like to join the church - or for folks who may have questions about United Methodist beliefs - or for folks who are considering membership but don’t yet know if it’s the thing for them to do - or even for folks who are already members, who would like to brush-up on United Methodism. The classes will be held from 7 till 9 PM on February 16th, March 2nd and March 16th. In the classes I’ll cover discussions about St. John’s Church - its history, groups, committees, budget, resources, etc.; the beliefs of United Methodism; and also the history of Methodism, and how that history shapes our life together today. If childcare is an issue in your ability to attend the classes, speak to me. There are some folks who have offered to help provide childcare - in your home, or at the church, whichever would work better for you and your child(ren).
My sister, Joanne, sent me this exercise suggestion for people over fifty years of age:
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you’ll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I’m at this level.) After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.
That’s it for today. I look forward to seeing you in church this Sunday!! Remember to bring your $1 for “Souper Bowl”. Peace, Mark