CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS MARCH 2013 The Connecticut District Office of the United Methodist Church 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT 06517

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1 CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS MARCH 2013 The Connecticut District Office of the United Methodist Church 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT Web: Facebook: nyac connecticut district Resident Bishop: Martin D. McLee Editor: Dorothy Chamberlain Superintendent: Reverend Kenneth Kieffer Volume 29, Issue 7 DON T BLOW IT! Like most of you, I don t have a whole lot of leeway in the tightrope walk that is my morning routine. The slightest misstep can throw off the balance of not only MY morning but Olivea s morning as well, since I am responsible for getting her out the door and onto the 6:45 bus with a full tummy and even fuller backpack. So you can imagine my chagrin today when I went into the downstairs bathroom and nearly tripped over my daughter, who was lying flat on the floor with her eyes fixed on the ceiling. My first instinct was to remind her that neither of us had time for such shenanigans, but instead, I took a breath and asked her what was wrong. Without lifting her head off the cool ceramic tile, she replied that her nose all of a sudden starting bleeding. I m not sure if modern medical science would support me on this, but I was brought up believing the best remedy for a bloody nose is for the patient to lie down on a cold, hard floor for a few minutes, with an index finger pressed against the offending nostril. Since my little girl was already doing just that, I thought I d try to get back on schedule. But that s when I suddenly noticed that my little girl wasn t so little anymore. Looking at her sprawled out on the floor like that, I was struck by how tall she had gotten. It didn t seem that long ago that I could hold that whole kid in my right arm, like the Heisman statue carrying the prize-winning pigskin. Now her body stretched all the way from the wall to the sink. When the heck did she get so big? Remembering that a wise parent once counseled me, If you want to keep your kid from growing up, talk to her, I sat down on the cold, hard floor and started chewing the fat with my kid. Granted, neither of us could afford this luxury of lethargy, but like a couple of chocoholics walking through Willy Wonka s Factory, we indulged to our hearts content. The conversation started with some fatherly advice about how to properly handle a bloody nose Please don t blow it, I warned. After that, we shared with each other our least favorite activity in gym and our most favorite core class. One thing led to another and before I knew it, we had solved the crisis in the Middle East, the impending fiscal cliff (part deux), and the starting lineup for the Yankees and we were still in our pj s! 1

2 Don t Blow It continued - Eventually, Olivea took her hand away from her nose, sat up and breathed with her mouth closed. When nothing bad happened, she slowly got up off the floor to resume her day. But before heading out the door, she turned to me, hugged me, and said Daddy, that was the best bloody nose I ever had. As she left the bathroom, I glanced at my watch and then I looked in the mirror over the sink. It was then that God entered my heart and gave me the following Heavenly Fatherly advice: Son, whenever you re given the opportunity to either have a heart-toheart with your precious daughter or stay on your all-important schedule, well please don t blow it. ******** RETIREES BREAKFAST SCHEDULE from Ralph Roy Fellow Retirees: Just a reminder that Thursday, March 21 is the date for our Retiree breakfast at Denny s, 831 Queen St. (Route 10) in Southington, located just off 1-84, exit 32. Please come prepared to share news of any illness or other circumstances among fellow retirees that should be acknowledged by the group. It helps to know about how many to expect, so responses are welcome. This is not a commitment as we know how unexpected circumstances can change our plans. Our next date for your calendar is April 18 th. You can call or me anytime at or Ralphlroy@aol.com 2

3 IGNITE 2013 March Quinipet Retreat Center 99 Shore Road Shelter Island Heights, NY Games HYPE Praise Band Worship DJ Party Just Dance Youth Speakers Dance Raising the Karaoke Workshops Music Cost After February 22 nd : $179 Register at Meet Youth from all over the conference Optional bus Service is available for $50 round trip Make your weekend more relaxing. 3

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7 EVANGELISM Harry Denman Evangelism Award for 2013 For more than thirty years, The Foundation for Evangelism has been privileged to work with each Annual Conference in celebrating the outstanding personal evangelism and commitment to Offer Them Christ of United Methodist Clergy, Laity and Youth by sponsoring the prestigious Harry Denman Evangelism Award. In fact, 2,532 individuals have been honored since Think of the multiplying impact on the lives of others these folks have made through their outstanding efforts to help people experience God's transforming love through Jesus Christ! We are appreciative of your efforts as Annual Conference leaders to select exceptional people who possess a passion to help bring others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for helping us to enable The United Methodist Church to fulfill its mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world" by lifting up these successful ministries. The Foundation for Evangelism recognizes that the demands to prepare for Annual Conference grow each year and presentation time may be limited. We strive to make the Harry Denman Evangelism Award process streamlined for your use. All nomination materials for the The Harry Denman Evangelism Award nomination material may be downloaded from The Foundation for Evangelism Web site by clicking here>> or you may call (800) to receive information by mail. The nomination information must be sent to: Ann Pearson, Director of Connectional Ministries, New York Annual Conference, 20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY The due date for the nominations is April 15,

8 Adult Camp Events at Kingswood Campsite The costs to all events, include lodging at an equipped tent site (accommodates up to 5-6 adults), and all gourmet meals prepared in the campsite. Bring a sleeping bag (or sheets and a blankets), pillow, towels, clothing for warm and cool weather, a rain jacket, bathing suit, camera. If you prefer, lodging is available at the nearby Hancock Hotel (at additional cost). WELDING: The Basics and More Wednesday, June 26 Sunday, June 30, 2013 Visit kingswoodcampsite.org for updates. Registration for this event ($375 per person, all-inclusive) is limited call Holly Moore now at In addition to inclusive info below, welders need to bring long sleeve shirts, slacks, no cuffs, cotton socks and boots/high top shoes for welding. Goggles, face shield and gloves provided. ***** LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION CAMP Thursday, June 13 Sunday, June 16, 2013 Visit kingswoodcampsite.org for updates Registration is limited. Cost: $350 Materials Fee: $80 ($35 certification cost, $12 face mask, $33 books)..call Holly Moore now at In addition to inclusive info above, bring two bathing suits instead of one. ***** WOODWORKING CAMP Monday, June 24 Thursday, June 27, 2013 Visit kingswoodcampsite.org for updates. Registration is limited..cost: $350 Materials Fee: $20 call Holly Moore now at ***** SPIRITUALITY CAMP: SABBATH AT KINGSWOOD Thursday, June 27 Sunday, June 30, 2013 Visit kingswoodcampsite.org for updates Registration is limited.cost: $325.call Holly Moore now at

9 SAVE THESE DATES SUNDAY, APRIL 28, MIDDLETOWN UMC (Formerly called NYConference Cooperative School of Christian Mission) AUGUST 1-3, 2013 DEADLINE FOR APRIL DISTRICT NEWS MARCH 20 th 9