The Week that Changed Everything! «AddressBlock» Where the joy of life in Christ overflows Main Street Manchester, CT 06040

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1 1226 Main Street Manchester, CT Main Street Manchester, CT Return Service Requested The CHALLENGE April South United Methodist Church April Sunday Worship Schedule 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship with Choir Children s Story in the Sanctuary Communion served monthly 10:45 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages 11:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship with Wildfire Worship Band in the Café Communion served monthly 10:00 a.m. One Service - Palm Sunday (April 13) 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday (April 17) 7:00 p.m. Good Friday (April 18) «AddressBlock» with Rev. John Marshall Where the joy of life in Christ overflows Contact Information: Church office: (860) Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00a-12:00p Tues, Thurs 6:00p-9:00p address: info@southumc.com Web address: southumc.com May Challenge Deadline: Sunday, April 20, 2014 SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:30a - Traditional Worship with Choir and Children s Story 9:45a - Sunday School for Nursery-Grade 2 10:45a - Sunday School for all Ages (Children, Youth and Adults) 11:45a - Contemporary Worship with Wildfire Worship Band Palm Sunday April 13, 2014 One service at 10a Maunday Thursday 7pm Good Friday 7pm I N S I D E T H E A P R I L I S S U E April Worship 2 SUMC News 3 April Calendar 6 Outreach News 9 Ad Board Minutes 10 T H E C H A L L E N G E A P R I L The Week that Changed Everything! Jesus said, See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised. (Matthew 20:18-19) Dear Friends, This is an amazing time of the year. There are signs that spring is finally here, including April showers! The March madness NCAA basketball tournaments are winding down. Tax day looms on April 15 th. We look forward to lawn and garden work just around the corner. As people who follow Jesus, we may be aware that the season of Lent is drawing to a close. The last seven days, Holy Week, is the grand finale of the season. These events that we remember Jesus life impact how we live for the rest of the year. This week holds great possibilities for helping us to develop a stronger faith in, and love, for Jesus. Palm or Passion Sunday: See, we are going up to Jerusalem On this day, April 13 th, we will gather for one worship service at 10am. On this day when we receive palms, wave them! We will also take time to begin to consider what this week is about, focusing on what the Passion (suffering and death of Jesus) means to us and to the world. Maundy Thursday (7pm Service): The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death At this service we reflect on the night Jesus was betrayed. The night when he gave us a way to understand all that he would do for us on the cross. On this night, we will receive the Lord s Supper, remembering that our Lord s body was broken and blood shed, for you, for me and for all people. Good Friday: (7pm Service) then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified We gather on Friday evening to remember the meaning of all that Jesus went through on that original Good Friday from morning until three in the afternoon. We will meditate on a few of the words spoken by Jesus as he hung dying on the cross. On Good Friday, God s love for all humanity was on display for the world to see. For on this day Jesus gave His life to pay for the sin of all people. Easter Sunday: and on the third day he will be raised. (9:30am Traditional Service, 11:45am Contemporary Service) What a morning this promises to be! Beautiful flowers! Outstanding music! Worshipping with family and friends. We gather to celebrate Christ s victory over death, trusting that, Because He lives, we also shall live. This is the hope Jesus Christ offers to all people. So the week that changes everything is coming! It begins on Sunday, April 13 th and culminates on April 20 th. I hope and pray that you will make plans now to be a part of this most sacred of weeks at South Church. Each of the four services of Holy Week promises to encourage our hearts and deepen our faith, feel free to invite your family and friends to join us. In Service to our crucified and raised Savior and Lord, Pastor John This week holds great possibilities for helping us to develop a stronger faith in Jesus.

2 April Worship Theme Suffering, Death and Resurrection! Description: For the first two Sunday s in April, we reflect on how and why Jesus suffered. We will consider how God connects with us through suffering. On the last two Sundays, beginning on the 20 th with Easter, we will celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead. It is a familiar story even to those who don t attend church regularly. The question in every generation is; Did it really happen and why does it matter? In a world filled with people in search of hope, this event provides the answer we are looking for. April 6, 2014: Healed through the Cross Scripture: 1 Peter 2: Focus Verse: Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (2 Peter 2:24) Theme: Through the cross, all people can find healing and wholeness. April 13, 2014: Palm/Passion Sunday Humbled by the Cross Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11. Focus Verse: Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) Theme: Through the cross, Jesus demonstrated the power of true humility. April 20, 2014: Easter Sunday Life without fear Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15. Focus Verse: Jesus said, Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me. (Matthew 28:10) Theme: Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we can live without fear. April 27, 2014: Our Witness: He is the one! Scripture: Acts 10: Focus Verse: God raised Jesus on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (Acts 10:40-41) Theme: Jesus commands His followers to bear witness to his presence in their lives. South United Methodist Church Contact Information Church office: (860) Office Hours: Mon Wed Fri 9:00a -12:00p Tues, Thurs 6:00p-9:00p address: office@southumc.com Web address: southumc.com Facebook: facebook.com/southumc Twitter: twitter.com/southumc Text (SMS): (860) 281-SUMC [7862] South Church Staff Pastor - Rev. John Marshall ext. 14 Director of Music - Earle Bidwell ext. 11 Organist - Christopher Walton Director of Ministries - Terry Marshall ext. 15 Director Next Gen Ministries - J.T. Himmelstein ext. 13 Sexton - Ken Schaller ext. 20 Sexton - Don Wilby ext. 20 Office Managers - Colleen Olbert/Patti LaForest ext. 10 Rev. Richard Thompson (retired) S U M C N E W S April Music By Earle Bidwell, Director of Music Join all and sing, His name declare, Let every voice resound with acclamation. Hosanna, Praise to the Lord. Blessed is He, who comes, bringing salvation. How poignant are the words from this familiar Palm Sunday anthem. As we celebrate Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we do so remembering that a week of trial and suffering await Him before the glory of the resurrection. During Holy Week, the Chancel Choir will offer choruses from two of the greatest works in music history. Agnus Dei, from Mozart s Requiem, will be offered on Holy Thursday. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace. The second anthem for Holy Thursday will be Tis Midnight by Timothy Mayfield, featuring Terry Marshall and the Chancel Choir. The other masterpiece, You are Sorrowful from Brahms German Requiem will be sung by Cathy Nystrom and the Chancel Choir on Good Friday preceded by Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, arranged by Bill Reid for male quartet. On Easter Sunday, the congregation will be treated to a stunning new arrangement of I Know That My Redeemer Lives by Dan Forest for four hands piano and choir. Our pianists will be Jill Smith and Tanya Lukyanova. The Wesley Ringers will contribute Alleluia, He Is Risen, arranged by Michael Keller, and well known violinist Carin Wiesner, Concertmaster of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra will be joining Chris Walton for the prelude and for the congregational hymns. The service will conclude with Handel s Halleluiah Chorus from Messiah with all assembled invited to participate. Here is a sampling of the musical lineup offered during the remaining Sundays of April. Rejoice in the Lord, Alway by Henry Purcell with soloist Brian Mohr Ride On In Majesty, Glen Darst This Joyful Eastertide arranged by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker Praise to the Lord by G.F. Handel, arranged by Hal Hopson The latter two pieces will be performed by newly formed small group ensembles on the first Sunday after Easter. Save the Date Music Ministries will be presenting the annual spring concert on May 18th at 4:00 p.m. Please join us for an afternoon of Psalms, Hymn and Spiritual Songs. P A G E 2 P A G E 3

3 Schedule of Events ~ April 13-20, 2014 A Big Thanks to All Who were a part of my 99th Surprise Birthday Party on Sunday March 9th at the Coffee Hour in the Reception room at South Church. You all made it a very special day I will not forget. Again Thanks to All! Most Sincerely, Mary Samuelson Upcoming Youth Events Youth Group is our two hour event on Sunday Evenings that takes place in the Café at South Church. Teens in grades 7-12 can come together and have a ton of fun playing games, worshipping God through song, hanging out, and hearing from God s Word, the Bible! As you can see from our schedule, we are staying very busy! Youth Group is meeting weekly, and we are studying the book of Joshua. In mid-march Pastor John began a Lenten study based off of the Son of God movie that was recently released. So far we have had some great conversations about the person and happenings of Jesus (His temptation and suffering) and our faith, so come and join us on Wednesday nights! 4/02 Lenten Study 7-8:30 South UMC 4/06 Youth Group 5-7 South UMC 4/09 Lenten Study 7-8:30 South UMC 4/13 Youth Group 5-7 South UMC 4/20 Youth Group 5-7 South UMC 4/27 Youth Group 5-7 South UMC Palm Sunday One Service at 10:00am Sunday School Children are invited to pass out palms and process with the choir. Interested children are asked to meet in Reception Hall at 9:45am Upper Room Meal - Monday at 6:00pm Begins in Café, meal in Cooper Hall Maundy Thursday - Service at 7:00pm - in Sanctuary Good Friday - Service at 7:00pm - in Sanctuary Easter Sunday - 2 services to choose from! 9:30am - in the Sanctuary 11:30am - in The Café Walking on Good Friday Again! Rev. Thompson reports that he is looking for sponsors once again for his Good Friday Walk. It begins in Rockville, wanders out through Ellington, over to Windsor Locks, and back. It is 20 miles altogether, but Dick has been aiming for fifteen the last few years. Money raised, with the exception of the little that goes to the Rockville shelter, is distributed by a group called Sharing, Inc. which funds self-help projects in rural, impoverished areas in Mississippi, Alabama, and West Georgia. If you d like to support him, mail your check (made out to Sharing, Inc.) to the church office or see Rev. Thompson after morning worship on Sunday. Thanks! Training Updates: Our Stephen Ministers are looking forward to being commissioned later this Spring. They have completed sixteen out of the required twenty sessions of training in order to be ready to bring Christ's love and care to hurting people as a ministry of our congregation. Below is a synopsis of the last few sessions. Session 13 - Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief Our Stephen Ministers are exploring one of the more common situations in which they may minister-caring for those experiencing grief. They learn about the shock, recoil, and rebuilding stages of grief and what forms of caregiving are right at each stage. They will also look at the many types of losses-in addition to the death of a loved one-that can cause grief and how they can provide care in those instances also. Session 14 - Dealing with Depression: The Stephen Minister's Role During this session our Stephen Ministers learned the characteristics and symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe depression. They also learned when a mental health professional needs to be involved and how to connect a depressed person with a mental health professional. They practiced skills appropriate to giving care to those who are mildly to moderately depressed. Session 15: Helping Suicidal Persons Get the Help They Need. Stephen Ministers are never knowingly assigned to someone who is or might be suicidal, but they may nonetheless find themselves in a caring relationship with someone who is suicidal. If so, they need to know what to do. In this session, our Stephen Ministers explored how to determine the level or risk and how to refer the care receiver to a qualified professional. Session 16: Bring the Caring Relationship to a Close Stephen Ministry relationships go on until the crisis is past, the need for care is diminished (not necessarily completely over), and the care receiver is able to cope on his or her own. In this session our Stephen Ministers explore how to know when its time to bring closure to a caring relationship-and how to do so in a healthy way. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our Stephen Ministry program here at SUMC. We will be looking for "Care Receivers" for our Fourteen newly trained Stephen Minister's to care for soon. If you are aware of someone who might benefit from this program, please let Terry Marshall know at ext. 15. P A G E 4 P A G E 5

4 April 2014 Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 30 5:00pm NO Youth Group Youth Winter Retreat :00pm Comm/Committee 2 1:30pm Lenten Study 7:00pm Lenten Study 3 6:30pm Stephen Ministers 4 5 7:30am Men s Fellowship 9:30am Knitting Group 6 9:30am Traditional Worship w/ 5:00pm Youth Group 5:00pm Jamaica Presentation 13 10:00am Palm Sunday Service 5:00pm Youth Group :00pm Meal in Upper Room 7:30pm Ad Board 15 7:00pm Lydia Circle 7:30pm NO Staff/Parish 9 1:30pm Lenten Study 7:00pm Lenten Study :30pm Stephen Ministers 17 6:30pm NO Stephen Ministers 7pm Maundy Thursday Service pm Good Friday Service :30am Knitting Group :30am Traditional Worship w/ 5:00pm Youth Group 27 9:30am Traditional Worship w/ 5:00pm NO Youth Group 7:30pm Finance :30pm Stephen Ministers 1 6:30pm Stephen Ministers 2 3 7:30am Men s Fellowship 9:30am Knitting Group P A G E 6 P A G E 7

5 T H E C H A L L E N G E More South News Help Us Prepare Over 10,000 Meals! Saturday, May 17, 10 am Cooper Hall Building upon last year s success, our church will again be sponsoring a Meal Packaging Event using the services of Stop Hunger Now. This is an approximately 2-hour immensely fun, hands-on and rewarding experience for anyone of any age. A group of us, using an organized assembly-line approach, will package thousands of meals in a short time. Stop Hunger Now meals pack a big punch. Every dehydrated rice/soy meal is fortified with 21 essential vitamins and nutrients. Research has shown that one in three people in developing countries are adversely affected by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Addressing the problem of hunger is the single point where we can leverage relief for all humanitarian issues. With your support, relief organizations such as Stop Hunger Now have the means to deliver to ongoing school feeding programs that sustain lifelong change. Providing a hot meal during school gives parents an incentive to send their children to school. Through receiving a primary school education, the cycle of poverty can begin to be broken by leveraging change in many other issues including education, maternal health, childhood mortality, gender equality and combating HIV/AIDS. For more information, please see Pastor Dick ( , spotanpuff@gmail.com) or Boris Gerber ( , borisgerber1@cox.net). Washington School Assistance The following supplies are needed: dice, dominoes, playing cards, markers, white boards and cleaner, stickers. We are hoping to collect enough dice, playing cards and dominoes, so all the families that come to the Math and Literacy Night can take some home. In that way, they can practice their math at home by playing the games that we help them learn during the event (see below). Volunteers Needed Throughout the Year: Help children learn math skills either one on one or in a small group for grades K-5. Orientation provided. Volunteers are needed for one or more hours per week. Also, a volunteer is needed to help prepare materials for learning tasks a few hours a week. Family Math and Literacy Night on Thursday, May 22 nd. Volunteers are needed from 5:15-6:30 to help children and their families in playing simple math games with dice, dominoes and cards in the classrooms. Everyone is invited to stay afterwards to have pizza with the families and children. Volunteer sign up is in the Reception Hall. Questions: please call Bill McGugan at Thank you. 50 Volunteers are Needed! See the Display & Sign-Up Poster in Reception Hall T H E C H A L L E N G E Outreach News South Church is Reaching out Through: Imagine No Malaria In a response to our Annual Conference s request that we make some commitment to join in their goal of working with the national church to end malaria, the Ad Board has agreed in your behalf to a pledge of $5000 over 3 years. We already raised some of this earlier this year, and your Outreach Committee has plans to raise the rest of it. What a wonderful thing if we could stop this terrible disease; it seems more and more like a possibility. One Great Hour of Sharing This is our next major undertaking - coming up soon. You will find information elsewhere in this Challenge, The money collected goes to underwrite the relief efforts of UMCOR. Stop Hunger Now In our attempt to raise money over the last few weeks, we collected almost $3200. That will now go to purchase the ingredients for almost 13,000 meals for kids who desperately need them. A group of some sixty people from our congregation is scheduled to gather in Cooper Hall on May 17 to package those meals under the direction of the Stop Hunger Now organization. Rebuilding Together On the last Saturday of April, it looks like thirty or so people from our church will gather at a house somewhere in Manchester and spend a few hours in painting, yard work, and planting, so that one family (or individual) who is unable to maintain their home may once again feel good about the place they live. Blankets for Mother s Day This is one of the most loved mission programs of our church. For $5.00 you get to send a blanket to someone who needs it during a time of crisis, and you get to honor someone who has been a mother (or like a mother) to you. Look for more news elsewhere in this Challenge. Washington School Math and Literacy Night For many years we have been trying to do things which support the efforts of Washington School to educate kids who don t get to play the game on a level playing field. Recently, they have asked us to provide volunteers, pizza, and prizes for a special celebration of math and reading for some of the kids and their parents. It will take place on May 22. Call the church office or see Bill McGugan if you can help. Our Choir Concert One never knows how many hearts may be touched as our choir presents its spring concert on Sunday May 18, and we thank them for bringing the Good News to the community through music. Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School planning is well underway, and we congratulate all those who put it together. Many of the children who come each year come from families outside our church. Again, a great way to spread the Gospel. MACC Board Dolores Larry (a member of our Outreach Committee) heard the concern of our church that we had no presence on the MACC Board and offered to have her name lifted up as a possible Board member. Anyway, she has now been elected by the Board, and while she doesn t represent us, it does provide us with a closer tie. Thanks, Delores. P A G E 8 P A G E 9

6 SUMC Administrative Board Meeting February 11, 2014 Meeting Minutes In Attendance: Deb Grehn, Pastor Dick Thompson, Bob Thulin, Jake Beverage, Carol Goodwin, Don Wilby, Bill Hyde, Kim Grehn, Patti LaForest, Pastor John Marshall, Terry Marshall, Margaret Callaway, Brian Mohr. Opening Prayer/Reading of Vision and Mission Statements: The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Chairperson Deb Grehn. Pastor John offered an opening prayer and Terry Marshall read a passage entitled, My Church. Acceptance of Outstanding Minutes: Draft minutes of the December 10, 2013 meeting were reviewed. One correction was raised by Pastor Dick. Pastor s Report at the bottom of page 1 should be changed to read Outreach Commission.. There was a motion (Kim Grehn, Bill Hyde) to approve the Ad Board s December 10, 2013 meeting minutes with the correction noted. All were in favor and the motion carried. Unfinished Business: Pastor Dick reiterated his desire to celebrate the tithing of 10% of the Oak Street parsonage proceeds toward mission and this will be addressed on his return from vacation. Patti LaForest advised the group that Alex LaForest will give a presentation on his mission trip on March 9 at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome. Committee Reports: Finance Bill Hyde reviewed the income and expense report for January. Income for January exceeded the budget by over $2,140, including a $500 donation designated for Mission Shares. Payment of utilities (both oil and natural gas) experienced some timing issues due to the conversion to natural gas. Mission Shares payments to Conference are on track, with 9% ($6,115) paid to date. We re off to a fine start for the year. Seasonal Ministries: Patti LaForest stated that tickets go on sale this Sunday for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake dinner to be held March 4. A beautiful new star has been purchased for the top of the sanctuary Christmas tree. All Christmas events were successful, including a particularly good crowd for caroling. Pastor John stated that the Hebrews 11 Grant Fund application was submitted to Conference by the deadline of February 1 and the request was for $100,000 toward the elevator project. Bob provided a progress update on the Susanna Wesley Hall apartment renovations which will total about $40,000, The natural gas conversion is completed at the parsonage. A new boiler for Susanna Wesley Hall will be addressed this summer, with possible state energy efficiency funds available for this use. Regarding the sale of 48 Hartford Road, we re awaiting a feasibility report for possible conversion to a school for one potential buyer. The Trustees are exploring options for 21 Hartford Road. Financial Secretary: Kim Grehn stated that financial reports have been mailed. Education: Terry Marshall reported that a retreat is planned for the youth and Kim Grehn and Marnie Meek will chaperone. Vacation Bible School will be held August and we generated a lot of interest at a recent Early Childhood Fair. Painting of flats will be held February 19, 5-7 p.m. Sunday School classes are going well. Stephen Ministers have completed 10 training classes and are making great progress. Staff Parish Relations Commission (SPRC): Deb Grehn reported for Linda Rood. JT Himmelstein has made a strong start as Director of Next Generation Ministries. JT and Catey will be moving into the Susanna Wesley Hall apartment. SPRC is considering replacing the annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon with a different expression of appreciation. Pastor s Report: Pastor John reported that David Calhoun will be our new District Superintendent, effective July 1. David is from Falmouth, MA. New Business: There was no new business discussed. Closing Prayer / Adjournment: Pastor John said a closing prayer and the meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. The next meeting of the Administrative Board will be held March 11. Respectfully submitted, Carol E. Goodwin, Recording Secretary At Large:: Jake Beverage lifted up a celebration. The Cup of Joe men s Sunday School class is growing well, with men in attendance in recent weeks. Outreach Commission: Pastor Dick reported that there are a number of items in the works for the Spring. These include One Great Hour of Sharing, Blankets for Mothers Day, the Stop Hunger Now event. Pastor Dick expressed his appreciation for people coming through with over $1,200 toward the Imagine No Malaria campaign and over $1,100 for Souper Bowl Sunday. In response to Conference s request for a commitment number for the Imagine No Malaria campaign, Pastor Dick suggested $5,000 over 3 years as a minimum goal. A motion was made (Outreach Commission, Margaret Callaway) that South Church set a $5,000 goal for Imagine No Malaria over 3 years. All were in favor and the motion carried. Pastor Dick also reported that the Outreach Commission has begun to use their allotted mission funds from the sale of Oak Street, with a portion of the funds used toward a $1,000 contribution to MACC in response to a recent appeal. They re very appreciative of the funds and will be looking for more opportunities to use them.. Property Manager Bob Thulin provided an update on the elevator project. The architect is 40% through the completion of detailed design drawings. The plan is to keep with existing external stone and other features so the elevator addition will blend well. Civil engineers will be hired to address needed handicap parking adjustments. P A G E 1 0 P A G E 1 1