For more information contact Carol Caldwell at 603-343-1004 or visit our website at www.unh.edu/ara.

I’m running late today, so I’ll just jump right into the news:

Our United Methodist Men will gather for our monthly breakfast meeting this Sunday, at 7:30 AM.  Hope to see y’all there!!  Why not invite someone to join you?

There will be only one worship service this Sunday - at 9:30 AM.   Please make sure you set your alarms accordingly on Saturday night.  We don’t want to miss out on anyone’s participation in worship . . .

. . . or in the special Church Conference that follows at 11 AM - to act on a motion being brought by the Building Bridges Committee, to become a Reconciling Congregation, and to accept a Reconciling Statement.  The proposed Reconciling Statement is:
At St. John’s UMC in Dover, NH, we affirm God’s redeeming love for all, and believe each person possesses sacred worth and dignity.  We are one in Christ, celebrating our diversity, acknowledging our differing opinions, beliefs and Biblical interpretations.  St. John’s, a reconciling congregation, welcomes all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, age, ethnicity, physical or mental capacity, education, economic status, or marital status, to full participation in the life and ministries of this church.

Sunday School will be held on Sunday 2/5 and will take place during the 9:30am service. We have a special project the students will be working on. We are going to have an all age group class in the Children’s Chapel area. We will read our Bible Story, Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42, and we will talk about how Jesus teaches us that learning about God is one of the most important things we should do.  See you on Sunday!

Remember that our Youth Groups are inviting you to share in the “Souper Bowl of Caring” this Sunday - as you leave the worship service.  They’ll be standing (many of them wearing the team t-shirt of their favorite football team) in the narthex — holding soup pots - inviting your financial donations to support Dover Food Panty, End 68 Hours of Hunger and Dover Friendly Kitchen. 

Anyone want to go to the Bishop’s Day on Passionate Spirituality?  There’s a car going from St. John’s (leaving at 7:15 AM) - and they have a couple extra seats in the car.  Reminder: Nurturing Passionate Spirituality Event on February 8th
A Life Changing and Enriching Day for Clergy and Laity of the New England Annual Conference, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012,  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  If you’ve not registered by now, the registration fee will be $55.  Speak to me and I’ll get you in touch with those who are going.

Drew Williams has delivered the last “bunch” of can goods, for us to qualify for the $25 off each new window being installed at St. John’s!!  Thank you, folks, for your incredible generosity!!  Let the windows begin!!

This was shared with all the members of the Dover Area Religious Leaders Assocation:  I have recently begun attending the meetings of the Interfaith Sustainability team for the Piscataqua region, and the members of this group would like to invite . . . a rep from your congregation who might be interested.  Do you have a Green Team or other environmentally concerned committee?  One of their number might be a natural fit.  Here is a recent statement of their purpose:  Faith communities in the Piscataqua region, inspired by their teachings and moved by the growing evidence of human impacts on the planet, are asking: What could we do better together? Representatives of many faith communities are meeting monthly on third Tuesdays to share their experiences and questions and find ways to increase sustainable choices in their communities. If you are interested in joining them, email InterfaithSustainability@gmail.com
The next meeting is posted here: http://www.thepsi.net/ISTcalendar.htm
Noel Jost-Coq, Baha’is of Lee

A new person at St. John’s, Angie Reather, will be running the Boston Marathon in order to raise money for Wediko Children’s Services and she is looking for support. There will be a Fundraiser at Friendly’s in Dover, NH (871 Central Ave.) to help raise money for Wediko. Come eat at Friendly’s any time on the night of Monday 2/6/12 and Friendly’s will donate 20% of the proceeds to Wediko. You must bring a voucher to Friendly’s during the night of the fundraiser in order to participate. Vouchers are available at St. John’s or you can ask Angie for a voucher in person or by emailing her at angie_reather [at] mspp [dot] edu. Wediko is an amazing organization that provides therapeutic and school based services for children and their families and the community as a whole in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. “Through collaboration, compassion and caring, Wediko’s programs help children, families, and schools thrive.” Wediko has also expanded to NYC! Angie is hoping to raise $6000 for Wediko. If you are unable to attend the Friendly’s fundraiser and wish to make a pledge, visit Angie’s website at: http://www.razoo.com/story/Angie-Fundraising-For-2012-Wediko-Marathon-Team

In light of last Sunday’s reading from the book of Jonah, Diana S. sent me this story:  A class was taken on a fishing boat for a field trip, and the teacher, in an attempt to lessen fears of big fish, stated, “There are no fish big enough to swallow people.”  “But how about the fish that swallowed Jonah I learned about
in Sunday school?” asked one little boy.  “You can’t believe everything you’re told,” responded the teacher.  “I’ll ask Jonah when I get to heaven,” he replied.  “What if Jonah didn’t go to heaven?” prodded his teacher.  “Then you ask him,” was the reply.

I’ll be in Portland for the next day and a half - so won’t be available.  Please leave messages on the church telephone system if you need me.  See you in Church.  Peace, Mark

Chicken wing orders are needed by Wednesday, February 1st, but we can accommodate orders for other items as late as Friday. Please leave order with payment (check payable to St. John’s UMC) in the folder on the youth group bulletin board in Hartford Hall or email your order to Godcayers4uandme[at]yahoo[dot]com and pay on Sunday.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the youth group’s trip to Snow Camp in March. Snow Camp is a spiritually uplifting, fun-filled weekend away at Monadnock Bible Conference Center. It is also a great time for the youth and leaders to bond with one another. We head to Jaffrey on March 9th and are still hopeful we may actually get some snow before then!

Thank you for your support of our youth and this ministry.
Brenda Borchers
Youth Director

Thinking about summer and summer camp? Thinking about a cannonball into the lake, a game of four-square, fitting through lemon-squeeze, laughing with friends?

The 2012 brochure is now out and can be viewed on you computer by clicking here.

You notice some changes to the program–first we’ve gone to a smaller format and second we have changed the pricing structure to a three-tiered “pay as you can” plan.

Registration is open. You can register online, by phone (603) 279-0224, or print out and mail in your registration.

*early registration discount by March 15, 2012

Remember that St. John’s provides a 50% scholarship for the first camp that a child/person attends each summer. And remember, too, that there are sufficient funds to provide full scholarships if there is a clear need.

Speak to Pastor Mark or Donna McAdam, the Chair of the Scholarship Committee, if you have questions.

From
“The Message”
by Eugene H. Peterson
(Scripture taken from The Message.
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.)

]]> http://www.stjohnsdover.org/sjd/20120129/sermon-%e2%80%9ctime-to-change%e2%80%9d-by-mark-alley.html/feed/ http://www.stjohnsdover.org/sjd/20120128/news-notes-addendum-1282012.html http://www.stjohnsdover.org/sjd/20120128/news-notes-addendum-1282012.html#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:16:07 +0000 Pastor Mark All Posts foradults news 'n notes http://www.stjohnsdover.org/sjd/20120128/news-notes-addendum-1282012.html Hi folks,

It has been pointed out to me that there is some confusion about my announcement in Thursday’s “News & Notes” about the date of the special Church Conference - some thinking I made “my first mistake ever.”  Let me just clear things up.

I said in the original that the Church Conference was November 5th.  The numerical notation for November is “11″.  But 1 + 1 = 2, which is the numerical notation for the month of February, isn’t it?  So the correct date for the Church Conference is 2/5/2012.  I think it’s just how you read things!  . . . . . . . . . So you can see that I am still waiting for “the first mistake I’ve ever made!”

A new person to St. John’s, Angie Reather (who is a Fourth Year Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology) is running the Boston Marathon to raise money for Wediko Children’s Services
(http://www.razoo.com/story/Angie-Fundraising-For-2012-Wediko-Marathon-Team/share).  She’ll be talking about this tomorrow morning during announcements - and would love our support.

Bob J. has posted last Sunday’s audio files to St John’s website, including Ashlee W.’s sermon.  Here’s the link: http://www.stjohnsdover.org/sjd/20120122/sermon-%E2%80%9Cgrace-is-forgiveness%E2%80%9D-by-ashlee-whitehouse.html

Claire Bloom asked me to remind us all of this next item:  “End 68 Hours of Hunger” is having a fund raising event on January 31st from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at “The Farm” Bar and Grill in Dover.  Located at 25A Portland Avenue, the restaurant has offered to rebate a portion of the revenue from the evening to purchase food for our children.  While we would not encourage you to go there if it isn’t in your budget to do so, we would love to see you there if going out to dinner is already in your plans. 

Last evening the Mission Team met for our orientation meeting, in preparation for our April trip to Louisiana.  One of the details that is needed is the use of vehicles for the trip.  At the moment there are nineteen names on the team list, but we have just two vehicles offered.  Patrick has found some rental vehicles that are available, but this would add significantly to the cost of the mission trip.  I’m wondering if there are some folks in our church who might feel led to loan the mission team their mini-van or sedan for the trip.  If so, please speak to Patrick M. or Mike W. soon.  Thanks. 

While handing a 25 cents-off coupon to the supermarket clerk at the checkout counter, a woman inadvertently missed her hand, and the coupon slipped beneath the scale and was gone.  The checker looked distressed so the woman said, “That’s OK - it’s in coupon heaven now.”  “Coupon heaven?” the checker said.  “Yes,” the woman said. “That’s where coupons go when they die.”  “Only the redeemed ones!” said the checker.

See you at tonight’s Public Supper . . .  the kitchen is smelling wonderful already!!  And then, see you in church!  Peace, Mark

It means St. John’s Youth Groups will be offering delicious food and delivering to your door (greater Dover area) in time for kick-off!

This year we are offering subs, chili, chicken wings and veggie platters - click here for the order form. Download the form and give a printed copy to Brenda Borchers or one of the other Youth Group co-leaders.

Orders need to be placed by Wednesday, February 1st. Let us take the hassle out of your Super Bowl festivities!

All money raised will support Snow Camp scholarships. Thanks for your support!

This is one of those filled-with-extra-blessings-days, so I must get right to the news.

The youth did a great job last Sunday of leading our congregation in worship!  Thank you to each of them - and to their leaders, who helped them create the service.

Drew Wms told me that we have been doing wonderfully at bringing canned goods for the Food Bank - in order to save money on our new windows.  He told me that we need only about 100 more cans to have met our goal.  So if you haven’t brought any in yet, would you consider doing that this Sunday?  The cans for this special request can be placed on one of the tables against the right hand wall of Hartford Hall!  And thanks ahead of time!!

Remember that we have our first Public Supper of 2012 THIS SATURDAY, from 4:30 till 6 PM!!  There are still a number of jobs that haven’t been “signed up for.”  There are three turkeys that haven’t been adopted yet - to be cooked!!  Then there’s the Saturday morning turkey carvers, Saturday morning potato peelers, and kitchen crew from 4-6 PM.  Any takers?

Great news this Sunday!!  The Cherub Choir and Bell Choir will both be contributing to our worship experience!!  Praise God for willing souls who lead and sing/play in these choirs!! 

What could be better than a Patriots’ appearance in the Super Bowl?  Delicious food, prepared just for you and delivered in time for the game, that supports a great cause!  It’s a win-win for all (hopefully including the home team) when you support the youth group by purchasing food for game time.  We’re offering a variety of chicken wings, subs, veggie platters and chili.  You’ll find an order form in the bulletin this week or you can contact Brenda B. (534-7856 or Godcayers4uandme [at] yahoo [dot] com) to have an order form emailed to you.  The money earned will be used for Snow Camp scholarships.  Thank you!!!

Super Bowl Sunday will also double as “Souper Bowl Sunday” when the youth will dress in their favorite team gear and stand at the back of the church to collect money to stop hunger.  This year’s collection will benefit the Dover Food Pantry, Dover Friendly Kitchen and End 68 Hours of Hunger.  We thank you in advance for your generosity to the community.

Our brothers and sisters at the Exeter UMC are undertaking a study that we have done at St. John’s:  Treasures of the Transformed Life” by John Ed Mathison.  If you have a copy of that book on your shelves and would like to loan or donate it to the folks in Exeter, would you bring it to church with you this Sunday?  Thanks.

Next Monday we’ll have a single, ninety-minute “class” at church to talk about the welcome that we offer to visitors to our congregation.  This class is being offered particularly for the members of the Church Council, Witness Committee, Ushers and Greeters - but EVERYONE is welcome!!  We’re doing this to accomplish one of the goals that the Council set for our church back in 2010 - and will bring to completion that whole set of goals. 

Looking ahead, please remember that we’re having our special Church Conference on Sunday, November 5th at 11 AM - after our single 9:30 AM worship service for that day.  The Church Conference is being held to act on the motion that St. John’s becomes a Reconciling Congregation. 

Reminder: Nurturing Passionate Spirituality Event on February 8th
A Life Changing and Enriching Day for Clergy and Laity of the New England Annual Conference
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sponsored by the New England Conference Spiritual Formation Initiative and Rolling Ridge Retreat & Conference Center
Join Bishop Peter Weaver and folks from the New England Conference for a day focused on nurturing your spiritual journey and transforming the local congregation.
Bishop Weaver will deliver the keynote address, “No longer my own, but Thine”, during opening worship.
The day’s schedule includes morning worship, morning and afternoon workshops, and closing worship with Holy Communion. The registration fee includes a gourmet lunch.
Cost: $45 for early registration; $55 after February 1, 2012.
Click here for a flyer with details of the workshops and registration information.
http://www.neumc.org/console/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/BISHOPS_DAY_2012_RX2XXP7X.pdf

A Sunday school teacher asked, “Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?” “No,” replied Johnny. “How could he, with just two worms.”

Watch throughout this day for ways that God is speaking a word of hope or encouragement to you.  See you in church.  Peace, Mark