A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church & Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 A Joint Newsletter of St. John s Episcopal Church & Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ 2016

2 New Stain Glass Windows Open Houses Are you excited about the beauty of the new Stain Glass Windows in our church sanctuary? Do you wish everyone could see and enjoy them as much as you? Well, you and the public will get this opportunity during the Pumpkin Patch weeks. On October 14, 17 and 22 the sanctuary will be open for people to see the new windows. Someone will be available to share information and answer questions about the symbolism and history of the new additions. If you would like to help on these days please contact Judy Graham or the church office. Save the date and times: October 14 October 17 October 22 2:00 pm-5:00 pm 10:00 am-2:00 pm 10:00 am-4:00 pm

3 Pastoral Ponderings Fall is definitely in the air. Leaves and grasses are turning rich shades of gold and red, there s a nip in the air and folks are gearing up for the Pumpkin Patch. It s also time for one of my favorite Sunday s of the year. I have several, but this one is so unique. It s World Communion Sunday, which is always the first Sunday of October. World Communion Sunday began in 1936 in the Presbyterian Church and was adopted by the Federal Council of Churches (predecessor of the National Council of Churches) in Since then, the celebration has grown into an international ecumenical celebration of Christian unity. The key word for World Communion Sunday is communion, a form of unity for sure. Christians all over the world, of every language and nation share the practice of coming to the Lord s Table to remember both the night of Jesus betrayal and the night of his offering bread and cup. Even though the bread might be different depending on the area, and the wine and juice unique to its region, bread is broken and the cup is shared connecting Christians all over the world. There is one body and one Spirit one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-5) As a way to honor this day, I am most appreciative when we can sing songs of different lands and invite people to partake of different breads unique to a variety of nations. This year, as we gather on October 2 nd, there will be 4 stations to receive the gifts of bread and cup, representing the 4 corners of the earth. Each station will offer a variety of breads to remind us of our connection to Christians around the world. I also want to invite you to wear clothes that you might have from other countries. No, not something made in China (ha ha). But if you have Chinese Cheongsam, a Mexican bag dress or sarape, German lederhosen, a sari, an Afrikaan dashiki or even good old American blue jeans wear that! And as you get dressed, be mindful of the amazing variety that is our world. Namaste, Pastor Jenny

4 Sunday, October 2: World Communion Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship & Communion Neighbors In Need and Climbing Towards Tomorrow Offerings Wednesday, October 5: 4:00 p.m. Pumpkin Delivery (we hope) Thursday, October 6: 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. First day of Pumpkin Sales 10:30 a.m. Embracing Faith Sunday, October 9: 9:00 a.m. Worship, Faith Exploration & Fellowship 11:00 a.m. All-Church Bowling Event 1:00 6:00 p.m. Pumpkin Patch Monday, October 10: 6:00/7:00 p.m. Diaconate/Trustees Sunday, October 16: 9:00 a.m. Worship & Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Council 1:00 6:00 p.m. Pumpkin Patch Saturday, October 22: Pumpkin Patch & Bake Sale Sunday, October 23: 9:00 a.m. Worship, Faith Formation & Fellowship 1:00 6:00 p.m. Pumpkin Patch Sunday, October 30: 9:00 a.m. Worship & Fellowship 1:00 6:00 p.m. Pumpkin Patch WEEKLY CHURCH EVENTS: Jan Leonard 3 Mary Beery 7 Pam Nichelson 9 Duane Kerr 17 William Allen 23 Ray Richardson 27 Kurt Allen 28 Sundays 9:00 a.m. Worship Mondays 9:30 a.m. Coffee Group Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. Craft Group 6:30 p.m. Quilting Group Check office calendar for scouts and other regular groups. Narcotics Anonymous Mansface Church is home to the local NA chapter. Sunday night meetings are always an open meeting which means if you or a loved one is struggling with a drug addiction, you are welcomed to come. They meet at 8:00 p.m. in the Sunday School rooms.

5 Saturday, November 12, 2016: Stain Glass Window Dedication & Harvest Dinner Thursday, February 2 Saturday, February 4, 2017: Congregations Alive! 3 Pastor on vacation Pastor Jenny will be on vacation October Rev. Kay Grice will be our guest preacher on Sunday, October 23. If you have any pastoral needs during this time, you may call Pastor Kay directly at 307/ LADDER SUNDAY Our capital campaign continues to collect pledges for building improvements, bringing us to just over $52,000. Wow! We understand not everyone is able to pledge, so we have several opportunities scattered throughout the 3 years for one-time donations. You may have already notice the ladder in the hallway that is helping us Climb Toward Tomorrow. Sunday, October 2 nd is our next opportunity to add rungs to the ladder. There will be envelopes (and ladder rungs) available during fellowship time. Thank you for your generosity as we raise much needed funds to care for the Mansface Church building. Neighbors In Need Sunday, October 2, 2016 Even as we gather in worship, remembering our Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world, we take time to reflect on the needs closer to home. The Neighbors in Need offering is an all church offering of the United Church of Christ. Onethird of the offering supports the Council for American Indian Ministry. The other two-thirds is administered by the Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants to local churches and agencies around the country. Time for some Fun! How about some fun fellowship for kids, youth and adults alike? Sunday, October 9 th, let s go bowling! We ll head over to the Fishbowl/ Bowling Alley at 11:00 a.m. and bowl a couple of games. Cost is $5.00 per person, which includes shoes ($1) and 2 games. Card Ministry If you have unused cards and envelopes you d like to donate to our Card Ministry, you may leave them in the basket on top of the office mailboxes. Blank cards are especially nice. Thanks for your gifts that keep us connected.

6 Pumpkin Patch Volunteers Needed Keep your fingers crossed. October 5th at 4:00 is our scheduled date of delivery for 70% of a semi load of pumpkins. That s a lot of squash! We need many volunteers to help unload and arrange the pumpkins in an attractive display in front of the church. Please bring your wheelbarrows, rakes, and brooms and join us for a fun time. Hot dogs, chips, and soda will be provided for all volunteers. (Keep in mind this delivery date is dependent upon the weather in New Mexico. Wet pumpkins cannot be loaded on the truck.) We will be opening for sales the next day, October 6th at 10:00 A.M. We will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., and Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. through October 31st. Sign-up sheets are available on the bulletin board by the office. Please grab a friend and sign up for as many two hour shifts as you can. In addition, we cover the pumpkins each night to keep them from freezing and to discourage theft, so if you are available to help cover at 6:00 P.M. and uncover the next morning, please let us know. Our final day of sales will be Monday, October 31st. Cleanup will begin on Wednesday, November 1st at 8:30 A.M. Please bring your rakes, leaf bags, and brooms and help us clean up the front lawn. Last year was our most successful year since we started the Pumpkin Patch. Let s see if we can do even better this year! Thanks in advance for all your generosity. Jeanne Beery and Pam Kerr

7 Winning Opportunity This year we have something new and exciting to add to our Pumpkin Patch opportunities. In addition to the best pumpkin selection in the county, we are going to raffle off a beautiful handmade baby quilt and teddy bear donated by Jackie Rockhold. There will be other prizes available also. Tickets will be only $.50 each or 5 for $2.00. What a deal! GUARENTEED TO BE BOO-LICIOUS! UCC Bake Sale Dig out those cookbooks and favorite family recipes and bake up a storm for our annual fall bake sale. We will be selling our yummy baked goods in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in conjunction with the Pumpkin Patch. Please bring your baked goods to the church by 9:00 A.M. that morning so we will have time to price them. This is always a very successful event and great fundraiser, no doubt because we have some super cooks at UCC! If you d like to dedicate flowers on a specific Sunday in memory or honor of a special person or occasion, there are new forms in the Here I Am, Lord book. Sign your name on the Sunday you d like on the main pages, then fill out one of the forms and put back in the book pocket. This will help us get the dedication correct as well ensure the $15 donation goes where you would like. Does someone s drinking bother you? Al-Anon can help. Meetings are held in Green River at 96 N. 1st E St., Green River, Wyoming on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.

8 Moderator s Message October 2016 This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a conference of Women of Faith with the focus of Belong. It is rather impressive to be in an event center filled with women of all ages, backgrounds, faith, and journeys. The weekend was filled with songs, a band or two, inspiring speakers and stories of relating, connecting, surrounding one s self with supporters, believing in their own value and respecting the value of others and being open to God s Love and Grace. You may wonder how this weekend pertains to the topic I had wanted to share from the conversations at Church Council, (of course, you need to know that our conversation was how to connect and reconnect with all members of our church community). When Church Council has conversations of many issues, a vision often emerges which changes how we may connect and support each other in God s Love. We were discussing how often our life s journeys present different opportunities in how we may practice our faith. During my years of living, I have raised one to five children but seldom more than four at a time (that s a different story). These years were certainly not the Cleaver Family years for me. Instead it was fraught with too much to do and too little time. STRESSFUL was an understatement!!!! Today, retired and with more time available with somewhat less to do, it is much easier to share my time and faith with my grandson, Will. It s so much easier for me to practice my own faith journey with less stress and more time. Our Council conversation centered about these times of people s lives and the difficult decisions they make about how to use their time and often Sunday worship is not possible. Being older and finding that life s activities are limited or having a growing family with too much to do and not enough time to do it may be reasons that Sunday worship or other faith activities are put on the back burner. However, I know that when I had to make similar decisions when I had 3-4 teenagers and a toddler, I did not practice my faith on Sundays BUT I MISSED THAT CONNECTION, THAT SUPPORT, THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR AND FEEL GOD S LOVE! I think back today and wonder how much richer and easier my life might have been if I could have connected in someway with the other s in my church family to continue to feel that sense of Belonging, of being loved, of being respected for the difficult decisions I had to make. That love was there but I didn t know how to tap into it because I could not be in worship each Sunday. The conversations we are having do focus on belong, God s love for us, and the love we have for each other whether we can be in worship or not. Ideas are emerging but more ideas are needed. Please. If you have experienced what it is to be away from your church family and someone found a way to continue to connect with you would you share your experience? If you wish that you could connect and have an idea that would work for you, please, please share that hope with us. We are all so valuable and loved truly, wherever we are on Life s journey. Blessings, Judy Graham

9 St John s Episcopal Church 350 Mansface / P.O. Box 400 Green River, WY mansfacechurch@sweetwaterhsa.com St. John s October Worship Schedule October 2 Pentecost 16 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Terry Warren October 9 Pentecost 17 11:00 Morning Prayer Service Leader: Reader: Angie Bennett October 16 Pentecost 18 11:00 Morning Prayer Service Leader: Ruth Lauritzen Reader: Angie Bennett October 23 Pentecost 19 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: October 30 Pentecost 20 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Thursday Night Book Study The Thursday evening Bible class is studying the gospel of John. The class is led by Walt Seeley. We meet at 6:00 p.m. for a light supper and are usually home by 8:00 p.m. All are welcome.

10 Please remember these families in your prayers: Jose Alvarez, Margo, Jack, Dean Makie, Kyle, Tim, Evie Grace Huebner, Kasyn, the Porter family, Marion, Kenny, Nathan and Briana Wolfe, Debbie and Kendra who are in need of a new home and jobs, and friends and family who need God s strength and love. The next Vestry Meeting will be Monday, October 10, 2016 At 7:00 p.m. Convention The Diocesan Convention will take place in Sheridan October 7, 8, 9. Ruth Lauritzen and Don Ruess will be the delegates for St. John. Kylee Lewis 4 Ana Maria Ortega 4 Jack Bennett 16 Margaret Warby 18 Sarah Cummings Wilson 18 Theresa Warren 28 Susannah Cummings 28

11 Thrift Store The Thrift Shop board met Wednesday, September 21, It has been a rough summer due to the torn up street and lack of customers and volunteer workers. Hopefully things will pick up when the street is open. We do not know when that will happen but it is looking good. A pack of coupons for education was sent to Cathedral Home for Children this month. Harvest Dinner and Window Dedication A stained glass window dedication and harvest dinner is being planned for November 12. It will be a joint service. Walt Seeley will be here for St. John s. We hope that the people who made this project possible can be with us for this celebration.