News & Notes 8/12/2010
Hello Friends,
I want to begin this issue of “News & Notes” with a link to a brief inspirational presentation. While the setting for this story is a grocery store, I believe it has a powerful message for us in the church as well. Please listen and view this for the blessing, and then for the message that it has for us. Here’s the link: http://www.simpletruths.com/simpletruths/a.aspx?af=219&mo=stsr
Enjoy it!
I got a good summary from Claire of Keith Launchbury’s progress, and thought I’d share it with you. Many have been asking:
Keith is doing really well, and it looks very much like he is going to make a great recovery. My guess is that he will be walking alone, without a walker, albeit carefully, soon. I am guessing, however, that the numbness and lack of sensitivity that he has experienced since the beginning will continue. It is risky, since he won’t feel if he hurts himself, and it will make his sensation of where his lower limbs are at any time, difficult to know. He is so positive, and we are SO fortunate! We met a woman here who has the same disease, and has had it for a YEAR, but she wasn’t diagnosed for two months, so she didn’t get the same treatment he has gotten. After a year, she has the same capability that he does. He was diagnosed within 24 HOURS, and got the treatment right away!
He has had PT for 45 minutes every week day in the hospital, and is really going great guns! I emailed a photo of him walking to the family from my phone. It was cool! I tried to upload a video, but I don’t think it worked. I may try again! Whenever we get back to rehab (TOMORROW I HOPE) he will be back to PT and OT, each twice a day, and I know he will do great. Our next commitment is on September 15th, when we are scheduled to teach a three day class. There will be three classes back to back, the 15th to 17th, the 22nd to 24th, and the 27th to 29th. He is PLANNING on teaching all three, with me in the room. HIS greatest fear is that he will be doing so well that they will discharge him from rehab long before it is time to teach, and we will have to hang out together at some hotel here in California until class starts. We should BE SO LUCKY!
Mind over matter, he says! Well, here is hoping! In the meantime, we try to keep from going bonkers with boredom as we “WAIT” for it all to happen! Love to you all! Claire
The elevator project is moving along a little slower this week - different contractors’ schedules not meshing perfectly. But it’s moving along, nonetheless. The Trustees are already planning for the clean-up. The main contractor has been doing some cleaning as they go along, but there will still be allot of dust and “stuff” around after they leave. So in order to fine-tune the cleaning that the contractors do - and in preparation for the beginning of Sunday School — I was wondering if we might recruit a couple people to come clean to each classroom - those affected by the construction as well as those under the sanctuary? If two individuals took responsibility for each classroom, and did “spring cleaning” type work, no one would be over worked, and the whole place would look spiffy!! A map-type sheet has been posted on the rolling bulletin board. I invite you to grab a friend - or perhaps someone you’d like to get to know better - and sign your names up on the board. We have 8 classrooms, one nursery and the “open” space (where Sunday School has done their gatherings. That would take 20 people. What do you think? Can you help out with this project?
Dallas and Miranda Freeman did a terrific job at their concert/recital last Sunday afternoon! What gifted folks they are. And what a gift they are to our congregation!!
This coming Sunday is Food Pantry Sunday. Could you bring some non-perishable food items or personal care items for the Dover Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry?
Vacation Bible School takes off next Monday morning - for every child who is 4 years old through those who have completed the fifth grade!! Monday through Friday, from 9 AM till Noon - focusing on The Good Earth Garden, and God’s love to us through the gift of nature. Remember the list of things that the VBS folks are looking for? Can you bring one or more of them to church with you on Sunday? The list includes: 1 liter plastic soda bottles with caps; small eye hooks; wooden spoons; jute rope; 16 glass jars with lids; potting soil; fish tank gravel; 6″ clear plastic potting saucer; 10″ clear plastic potting saucers; red licorice strings/shoelaces; one pint black exterior paint; activated charcoal (fish tanks); chocolate instant pudding; oreo cookies; gummi worms; mini-marshmellows; and birdseed. Place your donations in the tub by the windows in Hartford Hall.
And remember that the kids and leaders of VBS would love to have you join them for the closing program on Friday, August 16th at 11:30 AM!! It’s a brief program - and we hope you can come!!
Remember last weeks special request for a specific item you have, to share with someone? If you haven’t done so already, please bring them to church this Sunday!! Thanks.
At the annual conference session this June, we passed an updated Safe Sanctuaries policy, stating that “Every New England Annual Conference ministry at the local church, District and Conference level that relates to children, youth, and vulnerable adults in programming or oversight, shall create procedures for implementing a Safe Sanctuaries policy.” To help support his endeavor, a Safe Sanctuaries Task Force is being put into place. The primary work of this group is to locate resources (print, video, internet, organizations, etc.) that can be shared with local churches to help them in implementing this policy. We are looking for folks who would be willing to assist with this effort. All work is expected to be completed via phone and e-mail, thus no face-to-face meetings should be necessary. The information the group compiles would be placed on the conference website so it could be easily accessed. If you are interested in participating in this work and/or have questions, contact Wanda Stahl at the conference office (stahl@neumc.org; 978-682-7676 x. 221).
Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica. Where do they go? Wonder no more!!! It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life. If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried. The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:
“Freeze a jolly good fellow”
“Freeze a jolly good fellow.”
I think I’m out of news! I know I’m out of time! So I’ll post this, and say “See you in church!! Peace, Mark