CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS

Transcription

1 CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS February 2017 The Connecticut District Office of the United MethodistChurch 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT Resident Bishop: Thomas J. Bickerton Editor: Dorothy Chamberlain Superintendent: Reverend Kenneth Kieffer Volume 34, Issue 2 ctdistrict@nyac-umc.com Web: Allow me to introduce to you, your new District Superintendent, effective July 1, 2017 Rev. Alpher Sylvester was born into a Christian home, the seventh of ten children on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, to Elon and Elsie Sylvester. His father is a retired Baptist Bishop. Alpher is the seventh of ten children. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age and has consistently pursued a course that celebrates his master and his Lord; he is an avid worshiper and brings passion and excellence to bear on all that he does. The love that he feels for his wife Carlene; two sons, Nicholas and Simon Sylvester and his daughter Vanessa, could only be approximated by his love for God s people. Rev. Sylvester celebrates the strictness of his upbringing. Sunday school and later mandatory preaching and teaching assignments, taught him to love God s word and to make GOD the center of his earthly experience. He has successfully utilized his gifts and testimony to reach and minister to others extensively on the continent of Africa, Europe and the Middle East. As part of his ministry commitment, yearly, he sponsors pilgrimages to Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Ghana and South Africa. Rev. Sylvester holds a Masters of Public Administration, Magna Cum Laude - CUNY and a Masters of Divinity, Cum Laude Drew University. He has successfully held several senior administrative positions while working in the public sector. Additionally, he has lectured at NYU and other institutions. He has been the recipient of several awards including African American Research Foundation Award, Academic Distinction Business and Economic Award, York College Honor Society Award, Deans List Scholar York College, Delta Mu Delta National Business Honorary Society Award, John Jay Graduate Scholar Award, Drew University Pulpit Oratory and Manner Award. Rev Sylvester is currently in the writing phase of his doctoral degree at Drew University, Madison New Jersey. In his own words: Visionary leadership, acute administrative insight, deep faith and strong moral principles have defined my ministry. All of this is the sum total of experiences gathered through my professional growth and a life dedicated to service. Two areas of strengths that I bring to ministry are my administrative skills and a disciplined effort to fervent spirituality. I endeavor to excel in these areas because it best represents God and support his kingdom. Effectiveness in ministry has been measured by my and my congregations ability to create an environment that stimulates deep spirituality, great scriptural exegesis, effective communication, leadership development with congregational growth and retention. Our youths and young adults The disciplined effort to fervent spirituality has been endearing to our youths and young adults who yearn for a more meaningful and deep spiritual relationship with God. Exercises such as fasting, intentional prayer sessions where people are encouraged to take responsibility for praying out loud has served well in building spiritual muscles. Our calendar year starts with a twenty one day fast; the rest of the year is punctuated by spiritual exercises that are exciting, technologically innovative and that caters across the age divide. The positive responses to these initiatives and the increased participation from our community are the desired indicators of our strengths and the success of ministry.

2 Rev. Alpher Sylvester s message continued. At Grace United Methodist Church where I currently pastor, we believe that if excellence is possible, then greatness is not enough. As the leader of Grace United Methodist Church, I have the distinct privilege to lead our congregation to seek justice, love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. On Social justice issues, we are endeavoring to merge the efforts of the activist, politicians and faith based leaders within our community to echo our sentiments of stop the violence. Attentiveness to the problem of gang violence and senseless black on black crime plaguing our community and the willingness to orchestrate an effective response to synthesize and articulate the pain and frustration of the masses is serving to heighten the youth s attraction and attentiveness to our ministry. We are endeavoring to take back our streets, our youths and our community. For the economically disadvantaged and hurting, we have partnered with our block association. We have organized the following ministries: a soup kitchen, health and wellness, prayer and healing ministries. We provide financial counseling, career advisement and Immigration services. We service our kids through sports and recreation while providing for our community bereavement counseling, marriage enrichment and domestic violence ministries. Additionally, we serve our community by baptizing, counseling and burying our neighbors as requested and needed. Our ultimate goal is to empower God s people and to enrich their lives. At Grace UMC, our four weeks Jazz on the lawn and our culminating street festival are two areas where our community socially connects with us as a church. Personally, as a pastor, I have committed to love people. To look beyond their frailties and to see the possibilities that God has endowed within them. I am intentional in ministering to those on the fringes, to those that are sitting under our steeples and yet to enter into our community. It is what Jesus will do and what we must do. If all these things are partially indicative of God s calling on people s life and evidence of a sense of God s call on my life then, indeed, I am called to ministry and blessed to be given the opportunity to serve God s people in the Connecticut District and God s church at large. In his service, Alpher Sylvester, MPA, M.Div.

3 Connecticut District Resource Day Saturday, February 4, :00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Golden Hill United Methodist Church 210 Elm Street, Bridgeport, CT Please join us for a time of information, inspiration, and opportunities to interact with United Methodists from around our District. Workshops Offered: SPR 101 Ct District Superintendent, Rev. Ken Kieffer About Our Father s Business: A Prayer Workshop Rev. Dr. Peola Hicks Conversations with Our Muslim Neighbors Ms. Aida Mansoor Church Finance Representatives of the New York Annual Conference Council on Finance and Administration Prison Ministry in the Community: Inner City and White Collar Perspectives Louis L. Reed, CADC, CAC and Jeff Grant, JD, M. Div. Imagine Abundant Health Pastor Dani Levine UMC Today and Forward Rev. George and Ms. Carolyn Hardin Engelhardt Stewardship: What It Is and What It Is Not Representatives of the Frontier Foundation Christian Small Group Leadership Ms. Melodye Merola Questions? Contact Maggie Carr, Chair, District Council on Ministries at jcarr01@snet.net; phone:

4 Free Leadership Development Webinars Register at Contact: Jacqui King Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality Tues., February 7:00 PM CST - Trustees What s My Role? The trustees committee is elected by the congregation to lead in the stewardship of property. Participating in this webinar will help provide trustees with key tools for managing current and future property. This administrative leadership role involves implementing new ideas for effective property utilization, and managing property and assets. Whether you are a new trustee or a continuing trustee, consider this time of the year a good time to look at the big picture of your responsibility. Archived Webinars: Maybe you missed the webinar for your leadership area or you want to share it with the team. Webinars are archived for future use. Identify the webinar, click the link, enter the requested information, and the webinar will be immediately available for you to view or to share during your meeting, program, or training event. Access the archived webinars at: ********

5 Enjoy four days and three night in the Pocono Mountains - FREE! Now that we have your attention the NYAC Disaster Response Ministry is looking to sponsor up to 2 persons from each District to attend the Northeast Jurisdictional Disaster Response Academy, sponsored by UMVIM/UMCOR, March 26 to 29. The venue is the Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center in Casco, Pennsylvania. Now, here comes the rub to be eligible for this offer persons should have a desire to know more about faith-based disaster response ministries, agree to meet ahead of time in preparation for the Academy, agree to serve on the Conference Disaster Administrative Committee (CDAC), and commit to working toward developing their District s response capacity and capability. For more information about the Academy please visit the NEJ VIM website (umvimnej.org) or contact Tom Vencuss (tvencuss@nyac.com). Participants will be accepted on a first-come basis. Early-bird deadline is February 26. Please contact Tom before registering.

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8 Connecticut District Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course 2017 Three Saturdays: February 11 & 25 9:30 to 3:30 and March 4 9:30 to Noon UNITED CHURCHES OF DURHAM 228 MAIN STREET DURHAM, CT Cost $15 Name: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Street Address: City / State / Zip: Church: District: I desire to make the commitment to serve, with required study, as a Local Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church. I have read Paragraphs in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2012 concerning the office of Lay Servant Ministries, and realize that there are a variety of ways in which I may serve. Under the guidance of my pastor, I desire to explore my faith journey in the United Methodist Church by attending the Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course. I realize that I must be present at all sessions in order to receive a certification of completion of this course. I have obtained the required recommendations as indicated below. Signature of Applicant Signature of Pastor Signature of Admin. Council Chairperson Date Date 1. Please print legibly. 2. Obtain the required signatures. 3. Make $15 check payable to CT District. 4. Mail check and registration form to Dorothy Chamberlain CT District Office: 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT IMPORTANT: 1. Bring your own lunch. Coffee/tea will be provided. 2. Purchase your book: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participants Book at Cokesbury # $7.48+tax+S&H, or Amazon.com. 3. Read Chapters 1 & 2 prior to the 1 st class. For questions, please contact Mary Brevigleiri CLM, CT Director Lay Servant Ministries at mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com Date

9 DAYS FOR GIRLS WORKSHOPS 9 a.m. 3 p.m. February 25 March 25 April 29 May 13 Simsbury United Methodist Church 799 Hopmeadow Street Simsbury, CT Time to mark your new calendars for the New Year! This month our DFG workshop is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 25, at Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. (The brownstone church in the center of town) - Go in the entrance by the playground. Bring your sewing machine and/or serger if you sew, sharp fabric only scissors, and either a dish to share or some money to chip in for pizza. Please let me know what you will bring. Snow? Use your discretion. We will understand. If it s due later in the day we will go ahead and at least work in the morning. If it s an all day, covers our cars in snow while we snow, we will cancel. Good News! Our New York/CT Conference Youth will be taking kits to a school in Tamale, Ghana in February with the Youth Ambassador in Mission TRIP. Thank you to all who contributed to the fundraising for Anna Baker, a Days for Girls Ambassador for Women s Health, for the travel expenses and for the preparations and supplies needed for the 17 young people to do construction work on the clinic there, as well as to all who helped make and fund the kits. NEXT WORKSHOPS: FEB 25, MARCH 25, APRIL 29, MAY 13 at All workshops are at Simsbury UMC from 9 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. Presentations for helping other churches begin DFG - scheduled for Saturday February 4 from 9:00 am at Golden Hill United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. For more information on the district workshop on Feb 4 th contact: Maggie Carr Chair, District Council on Ministries For information on Simsbury Team s workshops contact Jan Baker at baker1jan@aol.com - PLEASE INDICATE YOU ARE COMING AHEAD OF TIME

10 Lenten Bible Study from CBCS For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.that the world might be saved through Him. These familiar words from John are often contemplated during our holy season of Lent. We know this quote. But look again God is not giving his Son to save people or humanity, but the world.. This Lent, spend some time reflecting on what it means to us, as Christians, that God loves and wants to save the world. The Board of Church and Society recommends the bible study, To Serve and Guard the Earth by Beth Bojarski as a church Lenten scripture study that will help all of us come to a better understanding of the biblical underpinnings of concern for our environment and world and initiate practices that support creation s sacredness. This resource is divided into six sessions related to the 7 days of creation (session 2 combines Genesis days 2 and 4) and environmental concerns related to the days. Session 1: Day 1 Light / energy consumption, outdoor light pollution Session 2: Days 2/4 Sea & Sky / potable water, air pollution, climate change Session 3: Day 3 Land & Plants / deforestation, industrialization, waste management Session 4: Day 5 Birds & Fish/ habitat destruction, species extinction Session 5: Day 6 Land Creatures / consumption & greed, human disparity, overpopulation Session 6: Day 7 Rest & Reflection / being content with life, the importance of rest Although Genesis is the foundational organizing scripture of this Study, each session includes discussion and references to diverse scripture passages. For example, Session 1 builds on passages from John, Matthew, Ephesians, 1John and Psalms. To Serve and Guard the Earth is available as a downloadable pdf, for $9.95, but this one download will serve an entire group, assuming that the leader has access to a copy machine or each participant could download a copy. The study includes participant handouts and a leader s guide, along with all kinds of extras including prayers, activities etc. This is the link to order the study: When you click on the link to this resource you will have the opportunity to preview the study and read more about the many options it provides. Please consider widening your perspective about salvation and the environment this Lent! If you have any questions, please contact Sheila at churchandsociety@nyac-umc.com or visit our webpage at

11 Lenten School of Religion, Greenwich First UMC 1 Church St Greenwich, CT Sunday Evenings: March 5, 12, 19, 26, & April 2, Time: 5:00-7:00PM Your choice of 3 COURSES: These courses are advanced courses open to all. Transforming Evangelism "Evangelism is about relationship," the authors write. "How we are in relationship to God, who is able to transform us into new beings. How we are in relationship to our neighbor, whom we must love like ourselves." Led by Pastor Peggy Fabrizio Polity, Practice & Mission in the United Methodist Church Commissioned by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for use in United Methodist doctrine/polity/history courses." This in-depth analysis of the connection between United Methodist polity and theology addresses ways in which historical developments have shaped--and continue to shape--the organization of the church." Led by Pastor Heather Sinclair Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship. Led by Pastor Carol Bloom Book: Transforming Evangelism, Henry H Knight III & F. Douglas Powe Jr. Book may be purchased through Amazon for $14.00, and at Cokesbury or $9.80. Read Chapter 1 prior to the first class on March 5 th Book: CHANGE!!The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity& Organization Laceye C. Warner. Book may be purchased from Amazon. $22.72 (paperback), and at Cokesbury $23.44 Participants also need to have a copy of the 2016 Book of Discipline available from Cokesbury Read Chapter 1-4 prior to the first class on March 5th Book: Lay Servant Ministries, Jackson & Jackson Book may be purchased through Amazon for $11.00 and Cokesbury for $7.70 Read Chapter 1 prior to the first class on March 5 th Please note: Each participant must purchase their book; there will be no books available at the Lenten Schools for purchase. Registration form is on the next page ---

12 Registration Form Lenten School of Religion, Greenwich First UMC Mail Form and Application fee to: Warren Whitlock, PO Box 670, Glenham, NY wgw10092yahoo.com Questions?? - Sandy Gardinier: lilybel56@aol.com. Registration cost: $15.00 payable to Lay Servant Committee NY/CT District plus cost of the book. All books must be purchased ahead of time by registrant and the chapters read as indicated above before the first class. Please check the course you are attending. Transforming Evangelism Polity, Practice and mission of the United Methodist Church Lay Servant Ministries PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY Name Home Phone # Cell Phone Address: Street Address: City/Town: State Zip Church Membership District Signature of Applicant Date Deadline for Application is March 1st A light meal (soup, sandwiches and beverage) will be provided.

13 Connecticut District Mission Project Days for Girls International is a grassroots non-profit creating a more dignified, humane and sustainable world for girls through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education and sustainable feminine hygiene, because no girl should go without. The poverty cycle can be broken when girls stay in school, which is a huge challenge in some countries. Not having sanitary supplies means Days without school and isolation. Days for Girls gives Days back to girls, Days that can change their lives. The CT district is joining the New York Annual Conference this year to support the Days for Girls program. For $20, one Kit will provide sustainable feminine hygiene for one girl for 3 years! Please give as you are able! Please make checks payable to the CT District and mail to: CT District Office, Attention: Dorothy, 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT Please note on lower left corner of the check: Days for Girls These webinars are made possible by World Service Fund support!

14 RAISE THE ROOF A Connecticut District Mission Project In Partnership The South Congo Cnference Send donations to: The CT District Office Attention: Dorothy 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT Make checks payable to: CT District Please note on lower left corner of the check: Raise the Roof Project Goal: $20,000 The newly proposed and designed orphanage for 80 children will consist of 5 buildings: 4 dormitories (a dorm for young boys, a dorm for young girls, a dorm for older boys and one for older girls) and a large central building for babies, staff and administration. The roofing for these dorms will be tin. Each building will need 80 sheets of tin: cost to install each sheet of tin (including purchasing of the tin, nails and labor) will be approximately $50. Each contribution of $50 will entitle the giver to a CT District foam brick. Each contribution of $50 will move us closer to housing 80 orphans. Each contribution of $50 will help us build God s Kingdom. Orphanage Request 30 separate times the Bible tells us to care for orphans, including this well known passage: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. John Wesley, in a letter to George Whitefield, said that caring for orphans is the highest form of charity on earth (1770). Caring for orphans and vulnerable children is in our DNA as disciples of Jesus Christ and members of the Methodist Movement. Bishop Kainda Katembo has reached out to the Rev. Wayne Lavender, pastor of Faith UMC in North Haven and director of the Foundation 4 Orphans, requesting the construction of a new orphanage for 80 children in the city of Lubumbashi, DRC. The new orphanage will be constructed on a piece of land owned by the UMC and less than 200 yards from the UMC supported schools, local church and health care facilities. The South Congo Conference of the UMC will cover operational costs for the new orphanage. The project will be overseen by the Rev. Kanyimb Mbaz, an ordained member of the South Congo Conference appointed to this UMC compound as chaplain to the school and church. Total cost of the orphanage will be $200,000.

15 BOUNDARIES AND SEXUAL ETHICS TRAINING Thursday, March 9, a.m. 3 p.m. New York Conference Learning Center 20 Soundview Avenue White Plains, NY The first workshop for Boundaries and Sexual Ethics Training is set for Thursday, March 9th from 9 am - 3 pm in the Learning Center of the NY Conference, 20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY Participants are asked to bring their own bag lunch and coffee, tea and water will be provided. I am in the process of working with Barbara Eastman to have the registration for this course online. I will keep you informed when the registration is up and running. Peace and blessings, Gail Douglas-Boykin Coordinator of Ministerial Services NYAC Board of Ordained Ministry Phone: Fax:

16 Disaster Recovery Team Trip to West Virginia February 18-25, 2017 My Dear friends in the CT District, I have just recently become aware of an exciting new mission opportunity right here in West Virginia, USA! The torrential rains and flash flooding of June 23 left in its wake more than 4,000 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed and at least 1,800 West Virginians without a home. This was a disaster of historic proportion a 1,000-year flood, said Bishop Steiner Ball about the flooding that struck hardest in 14 counties in the southern and central sections of the state. Ball shared on October 25 that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has awarded a grant of $500,000 to the West Virginia Annual Conference for relief and recovery activity. According to Rev. Jack Lipphardt, director for the conference s disaster response, FEMA and UMCOR both acknowledge that recovery is more likely to take four to five years. FEMA has told us that this flood is harder and more severe than most disasters given the geographical breadth of the flooding and the poverty in the affected region, Lipphardt said. Some 13 churches and two parsonages have been identified as having sustained some level of damage. Damage to three of the churches and one parsonage is catastrophic. If you are interested or know of anyone interested in such a service opportunity Feb , see this link: Ross Porter, from the NY/CT district, is building a recovery team that will travel and work together. He is an experienced builder and has done this work previously. His contact information is: Phone: wrporter115@verizon.net Please spread the word so he can take a full team! In His service, Jill Wilson 16

17 Go Preach! Preaching in the United Methodist Church For Lay Servants and all Laity in the NYAC interested in the process of preparing and delivering a sermon. This course is always exciting and inspirational in content and delivery. You will not be disappointed and you may even be a little surprised! Leaders: Rev. Kenneth Kieffer, CT District Superintendent and CT District Lay Servant Committee Members Cheshire United Methodist Church 205 Academy Road Cheshire, CT Coffee/Fellowship 8:30-9 am~~ Please bring your own lunch Cost is $15 April 8, 2017 (for all lay servants) 9 am to noon Rev. Ken Kieffer 12:30 to 3:30 pm - LS Committee April 22, 2017 (for re-certification only - lay servants already preaching) 9 am to 3:30 pm ~ Delivery of one 12 minute sermon using scripture handed out in first session. You must attend April 8 and 22. Participants must submit a written or typed sermon on April 22 to receive credit for the course. April 29, 2017 (for lay servants new to preaching) 9 am to 3:30 pm ~ Delivery of one 12 minute sermon using scripture handed out in first session. You must attend April 8 and April 29. Participants must submit a written or typed sermon on April 29 to receive credit for the course. All class participants should purchase and read Go Preach! A Primer for Beginning Preachers by Jack Gilbert before the first class available through Cokesbury and Amazon.com. This is an Advanced Lay Servant Class and all Lay Servants will receive a three-year re-certification upon successful completion of whichever two day course applies for you. 17

18 REGISTRATION FORM FOR Preaching in the United Methodist Church April 8 for ALL participants April 22 for lay servants already preaching April 29 for lay servants new to preaching I will attend April 8 and 22 I will attend April 8 and 29 Please mail this registration form and your check for $15 payable to CT District Dorothy Chamberlain, CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT Your Name Address Phone Number Church District Pastor s Signature of Endorsement All class participants should purchase and read Go Preach! A Primer for Beginning Preachers by Jack Gilbert before the first class available through Cokesbury and Amazon.com For further details or questions about which sermon dates you should attend, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com or (860) IMPORTANT: Due to time constraints on sermon deliveries, registrations will be limited to 20 persons for April 22 and 20 persons for April 29. For further details or questions about which sermon dates you should attend, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com or (860) Sponsored by CT District Lay Servant Ministries 18

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20 ATTENTION ALL CLERGY: You are cordially invited to participate in a health clinic at New York Methodist Hospital. Each year United Methodist ministers and/or their spouses come from the New York Conference to enjoy this experience with us. In the four days you are here you will receive a thorough physical examination and any follow-up tests that may be indicated. There will also be time to tour the hospital and participate in seminars on recent developments in health care. You will get a penetrating view of your mission hospital at work. In addition, you will be performing a unique function for us, for your presence here will remind the entire hospital family of our ties to the People called Methodist, which go back over 130 years. Overnight accommodations and virtually all expenses beyond a $50 registration fee are covered by the hospital. Active pastors and/or their spouses from the New York Conference are eligible to participate, together or singly (once every five years). The dates for 2017 are: April October For more information and the registration form, please contact Rev. Elizabeth Braddon at , (cell) or elizabeth.braddon@gmail.com. 20

21 Please keep in your prayers: The family of Reverend Albert Scholten, 93, of Middletown, CT who died at home on January 22, Al served as pastor at First UMC in Middletown from 1964 until his retirement in His wife, Nila, predeceased him in Our sympathy to his two sons, James and John and their families and two daughters, Mary and Dara and their families. The family of Edith Hansen, who died at the age of 101 on January 10, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Edith was the widow of Rev. Wilfred Hansen. Rev. Hansen served as a minister at New Britain and Stratford churches and was District Superintendent of the New Haven District from (later the CT Central District and presently the CT District) Our sympathy to her three children and their families. ********* All retirees are invited to meet on February 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. for breakfast at Denny's, 631 Queen St. (Route 10) in Southington, just off I-84, exit 32. We meet on the third Thursday of each month. Plan to come to our next gathering on February 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. for LUNCH! Kindly contact Ralph Roy at Ralphlroy@aol.com or call Call too, if the weather is questionable in case it is cancelled. Please come prepared to share information on any illness, bereavement or other circumstances that should engage the group s attention. 21

22 DISTRICT RESOURCE DAY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017 Golden Hill UMC, Bridgeport CONNECTICUT DISTRICT IS ON FACEBOOK! CHECK US OUT AT: nyacconnecticut district DEADLINE FOR THE March 2017 DISTRICT NEWS IS February 20,