THE GOOD NEWS from the Stratford United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 THE GOOD NEWS from the Stratford United Methodist Church Good News MAIN STREET STRATFORD, CT SUMC phone: ~ and fax: SUMC secretary@sumcct.org SUMC website: Volume 57 No. 5 January/February 2016 The Rev. Simeon Law, Pastor The Rev. Dr. Donald Kirkham, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Paul Jacobson, Director of Music Lanette Kardos, Director of Christian Education Beth Buckmir, Preschool Director Mary Jane S. Fast, Church Secretary

2 Dear Stratford United Methodist Church, My prayer is that you have had a blessed Advent and Christmas season. During Advent we set our hearts and minds on Christ and experience the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that comes from God. Advent is a sacred season in which we are reminded of the deep need for Christ's redemptive work in every moment of our lives. Over Christmas, many of us had minds on presents. What would we buy for whom? How much would we budget for gifts this year? Where would we buy that hard to find item? The giving of gifts is one way for us to demonstrate our love for the people in our lives. The process of finding and giving gifts forces us to look beyond ourselves, to consider another person's needs and wants. In this way, gift-giving can be a beneficial and spiritual practice. 1

3 A problem arises when our focus shifts from the act of giving to a selfish focus on what we will receive. Instead of learning to look beyond ourselves, we turn gifting into an exercise of self-indulgence. Another problem that we face is when we falsely believe that the exchange of material goods is the only and best way to demonstrate our love. The Gospel reminds us of another way of being. In Matthew, we learn that one of Jesus' names will be Emmanuel, meaning God is with us (Matthew 1:23). In Christ, God came into the world to offer forgiveness for sins and to bring redemption and healing to the brokenness in our lives and in our world. I pray that you have been reminded that the gift God gives us on Christmas is the gift of presence. God's gift is the gift of Godself. In Christ, God holds nothing back but offers us the fullness of God's embodied love. Enjoy the remainder of Christmastide, the twelve days of Christmas. In time we will prepare our hearts for the upcoming Lenten season. Mark your calendars for Ash Wednesday which comes this year on February 10 th. In Christ, Rev. Simeon Law 2

4 Winter is here, and it is cold. However, garden catalogues started arriving in December, and there seem to be stacks of them piled on the table. As you start to think about looking through them and trying to decide what you want to plant this year, you might want to check the garden books available from the Church Library. There are several books with garden planning ideas, caring for plants, and answering questions about gardening. Just looking at the pictures in the books might make you feel warmer. The Better Homes and Gardens New Garden Book,(635 B) is one of those books. Another one is 10,000 Garden Questions (635 R). There are many more, and they all might you feel warmer. The books can be borrowed by signing and dating the card in the back of the book and leaving the card in the wooden box next to the card catalogue. Signing the card is very important. This is the way in which we keep track of the books and make it possible to remind you to return the book if you forget to return the book in three weeks. Please leave the returned book on the card catalogue. 3

5 INCIDENTS AND HAPPENINGS OUT OF OUR PAST John Wesley by the numbers Edward T. Oakes in his 2004 biography, John Wesley: a life, quotes some interesting facts about Wesley given by Stephen Tomkins. During his ministry Wesley rode about 250,000 miles, preached 40,000 sermons and gave away 30,000. One of the hallmarks of Wesley was to bring the gospel to the people where they were, in the fields, in their places of work, in their small villages. To do this Wesley had to ride on horseback. He traveled those 250,000 miles throughout England, venturing into Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. How many horses would he have known and ridden in all those years and miles? 151 sermons by Wesley have been collected and published in various volumes over the years. Using the information in his journals as to where Wesley preached, he may have actually preached as many as 40,000 times, versions of the sermons both long and short, and most never recorded verbatim. That works out to roughly 700 sermons a year, 2-3 a day. Wesley recorded his peaching and travels in his journals. He started his journal in 1735 and kept it up for 55 years, until his death in All these journals and his correspondence, which was prolific, have been reprinted many times over the years. As an itinerant preacher Wesley would never have earned much in the way of salary. He would have often relied on the hospitality of friends and supporters. But whatever he had he shared. It was the sale of Wesley s books, sermons, notes, tracts and his book of medicine, Primitive Physic, which went through many printings, which provided most of the 30,000 that he gave away. 4

6 SUMC s BENEVOLENCE OFFERINGS IN ACTION THE UMC WORLD SERVICE FUND Thanks to all who make an offering weekly or monthly to Stratford United Methodist benevolence fund. Our offerings help us to support a large number of missions locally, nationally, and globally. The World Service Fund is one way we reach out. The people of The United Methodist Church are engaging the world by imitating the ministry of Jesus and the World Service Fund makes our Christian outreach possible. The UMC is building leaders, like Jesus did. We re sharing his love with those who hunger for it and shepherding those who ve already tasted it. Like Jesus, we re ministering among the poor. And we reflect his healing touch as we battle disease and fight to improve global health, all through the World Service Fund. Across the country and around the world, the World Service Fund empowers The United Methodist Church to be Christ s body in the world. RECENT UPDATES FROM UMCOR S NEWSLETTER According to the UN Refugee Agency, the number of people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014 had risen to a staggering 59.5 million compared to 51.2 million a year earlier, and 37.5 million a decade ago. Globally, one in every 122 humans on earth is a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. To view a video about the plight of some of the refugees and listen to their cry as they continue to seek refuge, hope, and peace go to Reflect on how you can welcome 5

7 the stranger in your community. This video was conflict jointly produced by UMCOR, Global Ministries, Ginghamsburg UMC, The United Methodist Publishing House, and United Methodist Communications. GREECE: Photojournalist Paul Jeffrey spent nearly a week in October on the Greek island of Lesbos. On some days, more than 3,000 people arrive by sea at this small Greek island, Jeffrey said, while additional boats head to other Greek islands. During one week this October, a record 56,000-plus migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean from Turkey to Greece, despite worsening weather. Greece is incredibly overwhelmed, that s the bad news, Jeffrey told United Methodist News Service. But the good news is this flowering of solidarity from the grass roots. The solidarity flows from volunteers, from Greece and elsewhere, who, in some cases, literally rescue the refugees as they wash ashore. The sea journey begins in Turkey, but the passengers come from places like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. Those volunteers local fishermen and farmers, Spanish lifeguards are the real heroes, Jeffrey reported. Volunteers wade into water to bring those in the boats to safety, offer dry clothes, space blankets, food and water and then help get the refugees to a registration center. Without the volunteers, this would be an incredible disaster, he declared. JORDAN: The war in Syria has caused an unprecedented outflow of refugees since it began in The immediately adjoining country of Jordan has taken in well over half a million refugees, equivalent to a tenth of Jordan s own pre-existing population. As winter approaches, threatening night-time temperatures that can plummet to well below freezing, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is providing winterization kits food parcels, blankets, and rugs to refugees in Jordan. The kits are being distributed through UMCOR s partnership with International Orthodox Christian Charities, which has long and deep humanitarian experience in the region. You can subscribe to the weekly UMCOR HOTLINE at umcor.org. 6

8 UMW NEWS Arts & Crafts : will meet on Wednesday, January 13th, at the home of Virginia Ware at 2:30 pm. We will be making Valentine Cards for shut-ins. Look for an announcement about our February meeting as our meeting day, February 10, is Ash Wednesday. Books & Things: Will not meet in January or February. Susanna Wesley: will meet Wednesday, January 20 th and Wednesday, February 17 th. Please bring a sandwich. 7

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11 January Wedding Anniversaries Jan. 1 st Jan. 10 th Mr. & Mrs. Daly Mr. & Mrs. Crowther February Wedding Anniversaries Feb. 13 th Feb. 15 th Feb. 17 th Mr. & Mrs. Kranyak Mr. & Mrs. Lamoureux Mr. & Mrs. A. James 10

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13 A Thanksgiving Prayer for a winter s Day On this winter s day We are thankful for the small things that lift our spirits- The warmth of another s smile or embrace, The glimpse of the sun through the clouds, Freshly brewed coffee, Newly baked bread, Hot soup. On this winter s day We are thankful for glimmers of hope; For acts of kindness that tell us We are not alone in our sorrow, In our suffering, in our uncertainty. On this winter s day We are thankful for all that stirs us into life; For funny stories and laughter, For music that sets us dancing, For words and wisdom that inspire us. On this winter s day We are warmed by the beauty of this place in which we live, By the company of family and friends, By our passion for justice and peace. May the thoughts of our hearts, the words of our mouth, the work of our hands, and all that we do with our lives speak of grace and truth as we seek to live in the way of Christ. Amen. Lynne Frith 12

14 Storage space in the church building has become a real problem. The Trustees are asking EVERYONE who has anything stored in a closet or cabinet to please get rid of things that have outlived their usefulness. Any items remaining in a storage space must be labeled as to who, or what group, it belongs to or it will be discarded at the end of January. Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact Tom Kowalsky or any member of the Trustees with any questions or concerns. The Heaven Sent Thrift Shop will be having a ½ price sale on all merchandise beginning Thursday, January 7 th and continuing on Friday and Saturday, the 8 th and 9 th, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Januaary 14 th, 15 th and 16 th. Please remember SUMC member Jean Campbell by sending cards and letters to her at: 8015 NW 28th Place - B406, Gainesville, FL

15 THANK YOU to all those who made this year's Pumpkin Patch another success - you all know who you are! There's always so much to be done and there were so many wonderful volunteers who helped to unload, roll, move, sell, put up signs, advertise, put up and take down the tent, etc., etc., etc.! A special thank you goes out to Tom Kowalsky and Marianne Card for not only supplying the pallets and fencing but taking care of the money box every single day of the event. I can't thank you guys enough for your time! The Pumpkin Lady (a.k.a. Nyla Petrahai) THANK YOU to the Fuller, Scofield and Ford families for preparing and overseeing the decorating of the ever popular gingerbread men at the church school Advent celebration. Welcome to our new members: Donna Belinke, Daphne and Jerry Blackwell. Condolences to SUMC Members Bud and Paula Russell on the passing of their Aunt Catherine Hylen Tallon on Oct. 22 nd at the age of 96 at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Catherine is survived by two children and three grandsons. The funeral was officiated by Rev. Law at the McDonald Funeral Home, and the burial followed in Union Cemetery. 14

16 ALTAR FLOWERS are provided by church families each week to honor, or in memory of, loved ones. We have been blessed to have very faithful donors for very many years. At this time, we need some additional help. Circumstances have changed for many of our families. Please call Jo Ann Schif at if you wish to help in this important ministry. CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES are available on the Narthex Table. You are welcome to take a copy. FLOWER DELIVERY MINISTRY We are looking for a Chairperson for our Flower Delivery Ministry which delivers the altar flowers after the 10am service to our shut-ins. Duties include scheduling monthly Sunday delivery ministers. Please speak to Burdette James if you are interested. SUMC NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKFAST Third Saturday of each month: We are currently serving an average of thirty to forty meals at our neighborhood breakfast. We have a loyal staff preparing, serving, setting up and cleaning up each third Saturday. We welcome new volunteers, or just stop by and enjoy a meal with us. If you wish to volunteer, in any capacity, please contact Ray & Jo-Ann Burrows or raybur14@aol.com. PRAYER CHAIN Wanted: A Chairperson for the Prayer Chain. If interested, please speak to a member of the Lay Leadership Committee USHERS NEEDED! If you would like to become an usher, please see Michael Kranyak. 15

17 SUMC Church Addresses: Rev. Simeon Church Secretary Church School ALL ARTICLES FOR THE GOOD NEWS SHOULD BE ED TO OR LEFT IN THE GOOD NEWS BOX IN THE CHURCH OFFICE. THANK YOU! GOOD NEWS SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Good News Issue Articles Due no Good News Mailed later than... January/February December 6th December 16th March February 7th February 17th April March 6th March 16th May April 10th April 20th June May 8th May 18th July/August June 5th June 15th September August 7th August 17th October September 11th September 21st November October 9th October 19th December November 6th November 16th In addition to reading The Good News, bulletin supplements, viewing our website ( looking at our Facebook page, or checking out the local newspapers, there is another way to keep up-to-date on upcoming events at S.U.M.C. Call the Church Office ( ) when it isn't staffed (that would be after 2 p.m. weekdays and all weekends). Press 5 to hear a calendar of upcoming events. The recording is updated on a regular basis. 16