News & Notes 3/4/2010
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
Much has happened since I wrote to you last Thursday!! Storms here and earthquakes “there!” Postponed Public Suppers and “presumed” worship cancellations (which really didn’t happen)! There have been falling trees and damaged homes! “Oh God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the story blast, and our eternal home!”
So let me remind you that the Public Supper that was supposed to have taken place last Saturday will actually take place THIS Saturday, March 6th, from 4:30 till 6 PM. Some of the folks who had volunteered to help will probably not be able to come this Saturday, so we REALLY need folks to step up to the plate - how ’bout you? And many of our regular “customers,” will probably go to their normal “first-Saturday-of-the-month-public-supper-location,” so it would be great if you reached out to people to invite them to this supper - so our numbers won’t be too dramatically affected! Regardless, I’m sure there’ll be “dinner to go” for sale during coffee fellowship on Sunday!!
I think Guy Eaton and Gorham Rowell are coming to the church on Saturday, to take what remains of the tree that was in our “traffic circle” to the recycle center. I’m sure they’d love to have a hand with the work. Gorham cut the tree up last week - the trunk was taken for firewood - and the “mess” remains.
Our United Methodist Men will gather for their monthly breakfast meeting this Sunday, at 7:30 AM. We’d love to have some new folks join us. We have great breakfast and devotions - as well as terrific fellowship. Won’t you join us?
I mis-spoke during announcements last Sunday morning. I mentioned that last Sunday was the last day to bring new children’s underwear and flip-flops for the medical mission that is going from Dover to Haiti. Actually we have one more Sunday to do that!! So if you forgot last Sunday - or didn’t have a chance to purchase any to donate - or missed worship because of the storm — you have a reprieve!! The collection box is in the entryway of Hartford Hall. Let’s fill it to overflowing! Let “Undy Sunday” rule!!
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the needs of people affected by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile early on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate at least 147 people have died, homes and hospitals have been destroyed, and the earthquake triggered a tsunami that is rolling across the Pacific. On Saturday - the day the earthquake hit - Bishop Joel N. Martinez, interim General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries said, “I have just received the terrible news about the major 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile. The early reports of great destruction and widespread injuries and the increasing death count point to a need for a full response by all humanitarian agencies and governments in the coming days and weeks.” UMCOR is working with partners in Chile: Iglesia Metodista de Chile (IMECH), Ministerio Social Methodista (MISOM) and Equipo Metodista de Accion Humanitaria (EMAH) to respond with resources and support. In an email, Juan Salazar, President of the Methodist Social Ministry in Chile, says of their initial evaluations of damage, “the information that arises each time indicates that the effects are greater than originally assessed.”
How to Help: Bishop Martinez says, “I call on our generous United Methodist constituents to join in the response to the Chile Emergency Advance to strengthen UMCOR’s ability to be fully present with resources.” At this point, it is not anticipated that relief supply kits will be needed. Financial support can be made to St. John’s UMC, and placed in the offering plate. Please indicate in the memo line of the check that it is for the Chile Emergency. Gifts can also be made by check to UMCOR and mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.
Our Church Health Team would remind the 30 folks that they recruited to take the “survey questionnaire” for the Natural Church Development process, that this Sunday is the day!! Please do your best to be here! Thanks.
Next Tuesday, our Youth Groups will be preparing, serving and cleaning-up after the Dover Friendly Kitchen!! They would love to have help from those who like to bake desserts. If you could provide one, please bring it to St. John’s by Tuesday at 3:30 PM. You can leave it in our kitchen. Thanks!! . . . And “thanks” to our kids who are living out their discipleship!!
Last month Sandy and I completed the “Statistical Forms” that our Conference requires of us each year. One part of the forms that I completed had to do with reporting how many groups use our church facilities - how much space (i.e square footage) they use - and how many hours they use them. I was amazed to discover that twenty-six (26) groups outside of our congregation used our facilities! This is a wonderful resource to minister to our community.
On Tuesday evening of this week, there were seven different meetings going on at once: Dover Cooperative Ministries Council; a Membership Class; Al-Anon; Girl Scout Leaders meeting; Trustees; our Wellness Small Group; and our Sisters Bible Study. What a busy place. And even more importantly, I’m confident that all of the meetings had to do with ministries that bring healing and transformation! Praise God.
Here’s some “food for thought”: One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near him. The driver got out and said, ‘I always park there! You took my place!’ The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, ‘That’s my seat! You took my place!’ The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to hi m and said, ‘That’s where I always sit! You took my place!’ The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, ‘What happened to you?’ The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, ‘I took your place.’ When you receive this, say a prayer. That’s all you have to do. Maybe, just maybe, we can get the world to start thinking of who took our place.
While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip. When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn’t miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.
All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn’t let up for a single minute. To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her, while you’re in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card.
Ouch! So much for we grouchy old men! See you in church. Peace, Mark