March [ on-line edition] Shattered. Once Whole. Sharp. Shard. Danger. The Spirit moves in. The crack remains. Space between. Open.

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1 March 2012 [ on-line edition] photo by Denise Evans T here is a rhythm to the church year that feeds my soul and Lent is that ache in the belly of the church telling us we are hungry for more. We hunger for connection, for meaning, for a faith deep enough to hold our sufferings as well as our joy. We long to be a better version of ourselves (and not just the less-wrinkled, defined muscled, fewer pounds, smoother skin version of ourselves the infomercials promise). Lent is that 40-day season where we have the opportunity to acknowledge our failures and receive forgiveness. It s a time to work toward the change we desire. It offers us the opportunity to recognize the shattered nature of our lives and create a space for God s wholeness. Paul said I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate (Romans 7:5). I find so much truth in naming the gap between our longings and our doings. We begin with ashes on our foreheads to remember the true nature of our humanity and to curb any holier than thou tendencies. We journey with Jesus through the wilderness recognizing that we too are tempted by power and fame. We repent of the ways we have turned away from our discipleship and commit ourselves again to the way of Christ. Every year, Lent begins in the wilderness, with Shattered. Once Whole. Sharp. Shard. Danger. The Spirit moves in. The crack remains. Space between. Open. Jesus being driven there, tempted for 40 days, and ministered to by angels. And yet, this year is different. In our 24 Hours That Changed The World series we begin not in the desert but around the table at the Last Supper with the disciples. We hear their horror at the news that one of them will betray him. We would like to say, I wasn t there that evening. I wouldn t have denied him. Yet, Peter was also certain he would stick with Jesus, but the very next day, his resolve would leave him. This year, we won t have the familiar rhythms of the wilderness and the journey to Jerusalem. We start inside the city. We begin after the parade with the waving of the palms. We start after the hosannas have died down, eating with Jesus around a table with some difficult dinner conversation about the suffering that is to come. We spend all 40 days in the hard places of suffering and betrayal and torture and death. Thank heaven for the scriptural assurance that even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death God is with us. The Last Supper wasn t just any dinner; it was a Passover meal, which has it s own rhythms. It has suffering and joy, exile and freedom all in one evening. There is a rhythm to the fast some choose to take on during Lent. Abstaining from meat on Fridays, taking on a daily devotional reading, the discipline of a technology fast, these provide a shape for the spirit to move in. They can open us to the space between our longings and our doings, wide enough for change. continued on page 7

2 2 THE METHODIST MESSENGER Norman H., Virginia H., Ray K., at Wingate East Longmeadow. Gene H. at East Village. Helen W., Jewish Nursing Home. Bob W. at Holyoke Soldier s Home. Mickey O. in breast cancer treatments. Special health concerns: Arnold C. ; John W. D. ; Janet G., Tom M. s sister, Mary; Tom St. M. ; Florence P.. Charlton City UMC and their Natural Church Development process. Dear Friends, Please accept our thanks for your kind donation to the Preachers Aid Society of New England; we genuinely appreciate your gift. Gifts such as these greatly assist the Society as it cares for our retired clergy and surviving spouses facing the high cost of medial insurance, emergency needs, and family hardships. Thank you again and please remember to say a prayer for your Pastor! Sincerely, Thomas J. Gallen, Executive Director Dear Friends, On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and the people we serve, thank you for your generous donation of hats and gloves. This gift means so much to this poor neighborhood. When we experience generosity like this, we are thankful that we are not alone in our efforts to provide a place for people who struggle to meet their most basic needs. Thanks for caring and sharing. Your support is deeply appreciated. With gratitude and peaceful wishes, Dena A. Calvanese, Executive Director The Gray House, Inc. From the District... Early Response Training (the UMCOR Basic ERT course) is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. on March 10, 2012 at Trinity UMC, 361 Sumner Avenue, Springfield. There is a $25.00 registration fee to cover the cost of the Basic ERT manual and ERT T-shirt. The Rev. John Blackadar and David Stackpole, UMCOR certified trainers, will conduct this UMCOR training brought several disasters to New England, especially in the Springfield area. The New England Conference currently has 79 ERTs with UMCOR badges. We are in urgent need of several more ERTs to help survivors of future flood/winter storm damage in New England but hopefully no more tornados. Emphasis will be put on Mud-out and debris removal tasks during this training. To register, please contact Dave Stackpole at , cell , or vimnecumc@charter.net. Please provide your name, address, phone number, cell phone number, address, and church address to register. When you register, Dave will send you the information to initiate your background check. The New England Conference conducts and covers the cost of all ERT background checks for laity. Beginning the process in advance of the class will speed up the process of issuing badges hopefully within one week of the class. March 4 Connecticut/Western MA District Healing Services LENT 2012 Amazing Grace - Amazing Love March 18 Rev. Heidi Chamberland, Dist. Supt. and the District Healing Team leading worship around the district (Locally) 4:00 p.m. Sunday Wilbraham United Church 500 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA Hampden Federated Church 590 Main Street, Hampden, MA

3 THE METHODIST MESSENGER 3 I n 2012 you're invited to be in mission in the community in your community, wherever that is, with whomever you come in contact. We ask you to begin by building relationships with those you know or see or would like to get to know better, by engaging in conversations about community. The community survey form (on the back page) offers some questions and guidance for these conversations, but feel free to strike up a conversation with no other motive than to be curious about how someone feels about this town/school/group/area. We'd like for every single member to turn in the results of at least one interview before April. We're hoping everyone can find at least three people to talk with before the summer is out. Once you've had a conversation, please put a check by your name on the OUTreach board in the hallway so we can keep track about who we've reached, and where. We'd like to start building a base of what peoples' concerns and dreams are for our region. So let us know what you're finding out and be in prayer about ways we might help create community a better community moving forward. Tornado Recovery Efforts Continue To help in the ongoing efforts on week nights and weekends in Monson, contact Kelly Stenta. Mark your calendar for April 28 Rebuilding Together projects where all the faith communities and civic organizations come together to help Springfield Recover. Also, there are opportunities Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. Mission teams meet on Friday night for dinner at St. Mark's to plan/orientate/build community. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday teams meet each morning at 9:00 at St. Mark s on Porter Road to fan out over Springfield in whatever sites need help. Work ends before 5:00 p.m. each day. Monday's work ends at noon. Friday night dinner and lunches on site are included. Donations of $25 are requested to help subsidize the cost. Help is needed with construction, physical clean-up, and food prep. Registration forms found at stmarksma.org. If you can't work all three days, sign up for whatever day(s) you're available. They even allow youth 16 or over with a permission sheet (on their website). You need not be a member of a church to participate, so ask your co-workers, friends, neighbors, family to join you. What better way to spend a holiday weekend than working together to help others? This is a great local opportunity to help rebuild Springfield. ELUMC can cover the $25 cost if that's an issue. A ll are invited to Men's Fellowship to welcome our guest speaker, Monson Fire Chief George Robichaud, who will be showing a DVD about the June tornado, and the continuing recovery efforts. He describes his presentation as "Looking Through the Eyes of the Incident Commander First On Scene". I have been told that it is quite informative and very moving. Something not to be missed! Please join the men Saturday, March 10, at 8:30 for breakfast and a fascinating presentation. Please Scott srgelusa@verizon.net or call , if you'd like to attend. Are you a church member looking for extra money or an occasional job? Mother s helper needed for day care monthly field trips to hold hands with toddlers. Must be active enough for walking; no driving or running after toddlers involved. Also needed: someone to drive Davy M. to and from preschool next year on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Pick up in Longmeadow to be at Busy Bees preschool in East Longmeadow by 8:45, then pick up about 11:45 to return home. Pay is an hourly rate. If you are interested in either of the above positions, please contact Ashley Mundrick at or ashleyake@hotmail.com.

4 Christina taking pretzels out of the oven. 4 THE METHODIST MESSENGER Theda and Laverne Cornbower, along with their grandson, Ian, helped the youth bake pretzels for Communion. Theda explained to the youth that in some countries, pretzels are only allowed on a limited basis, and are not available to eat every day. Theda prepared and brought the dough along with the supplies to prepare the pretzels for baking. Theda and Emily punched and kneaded the dough. Annalyse and Ian painted the doughy KNOT A BAD WAY TO SPEND A DAY Theda demonstrating the ancient posture of prayer (which looks like a pretzel). pretzels with Theda's special water, and then salted them with some assistance from Emily. Rev. Kelly popped in to assist, and Dan was very helpful in showing her how to even out the parts of the pretzel to make them more symmetrical. Laverne helped with preparing the oven, and loading and timing the pretzels, while Christina pulled them out of the oven. Lauren was very consistent in shaping the perfect pretzel and added to the fun and conversation. Annalyse painting. Emily punching and kneading the dough. All participated in cutting off pieces of dough and rolling them to form a pretzel. Ian holding a good batch. Rev. Kelly pops in to help. It was a lot of fun, and the pretzels were delicious. We hope that everyone enjoyed them. Dan made a super pretzel which awed the crowd and was used for communion. For Theda s pretzel recipe, see the back side of the monthly calendar insert.

5 THE METHODIST MESSENGER 5 DIVE IN AND DISCOVER GOD S UNDERWATER UNIVERSE! HELP KIDS JOURNEY MILES BELOW THE WATER S SURFACE INTO GOD S WORD TO FIND WHAT TRUE FAITH IS ALL ABOUT! Contact Laura Kinney or Amanda Grimaldi if you would like to help out! Would you like to spend a week at OPERATION OVERBOARD teaching the ocean insights for being a follower of God? At OPERATION OVERBOARD we will help children dare to go deep with God in their faith through dramas, crafts, games, music, and hours of fun! Sign up for a VBS leadership role and join us in the excitement at OPERATION OVERBOARD: DARE TO GO DEEP WITH GOD. What do you get when you mix an organized group of Episcopals, 2 United Methodists, 1 youth group, and some free Presbyterian t-shirts? A great mission project helping out the folks who help out those hit hardest by the tornado. Tom and Kelly joined a group of 20 painting a community center in the South End and the new offices of Rebuilding Together in downtown Springfield. On behalf of Colleen Loveless, Ethel Griffin, Zelides Rodriguez and the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Together, but most importantly, the Old Neighborhood Council & the staff of Rebuilding Together, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone from St. Mark's Episcopal and ELUMC for helping with the painting of the above two locations this past Saturday & Sunday [February 18 & 19]. We are hopeful that these two days were as rewarding to all of you as it is to us each and every time we are fortunate to help someone in our community. Your generosity, compassion, & unselfishness is to be commended and for this we say thank you. The pictures are posted on our facebook. Best regards, Robert Bailey Project Manager

6 6 THE METHODIST MESSENGER WHY? Time to Review Worship is both a social and a personal experience for me. I love that we are all experiencing something together as a community, which is why I feel especially connected when people share their witness or something that is happening in their life, make an announcement, offer a prayer concern, or participate in any way. Frequently I take away something entirely new from the scripture lesson and Pastor Kelly's interpretation, even those very familiar readings I have heard many times throughout my life. Partly that's learning something I hadn't known or had forgotten, but mostly it's because I have changed and am hearing the message in a whole new context. Missing worship always makes me feel like I've missed reading a chapter in a book that I can't go back and read later. John M. Dunlop Why do I go to church? In one word, community. Church is one of those places in life where people care even though they don't have to care. It's where I can be fully me. It's where I found my cycling buddies. It's where I can watch my friends' kids grow up. It's where I can give of myself and make a difference. The ELUMC community fulfills the innate desire for human connection, which is an essential part of our lived experience. So when people ask me why I go to church, I tell them it's because I need a community. Church for me is more than just an hour on Sunday mornings; church makes me a better me. Tally Reeverts When Rev Kelly asked me to think about this, the REs came to mind immediately. I find that the worship experience really helps me to Renew, Refresh, Recharge, Replenish, Reclaim, Recoup, Recover, Revive, Regain, Review, Reflect, Relate... my attitude, my faith, my friendships, my energy, my strength, from my weaknesses, for the upcoming week, the past week, my relationship with God. Each week I discover something during worship that helps me to reflect on what if I. Scott We at the ELUMC are very much concerned about the safety of our children and youth. Even though their safety has always been a priority at our church, it was not until 1997 that the Church Council adopted a formal policy to protect everyone, especially our children and youth, from abuse, particularly sexual abuse and harassment. In 1998, our Safe Sanctuaries Program was created to carry out the newly adopted policy. Annual reviews help to keep the program fresh in the minds of all our employees and volunteers working with children and/or youth. The 2012 review, Safe Sanctuaries, will be held on Monday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m., in the St. Marie Parlor. Our Safe Sanctuaries Program Coordinator, Cindy Arnold, will lead the review, with help from others familiar with the program. All those newly enrolled or about to be enrolled in the program will be invited, along with those already enrolled who have not attended a review in six or more years. Attendance will fulfill one of the requirements of enrollment, which is to participate in training sessions about the Safe Sanctuaries Program here at the ELUMC. Refreshments will be served. Guidelines for reporting and responding to allegations of abuse will be discussed at this year s Safe Sanctuaries Program review, as well as new guidelines added in The three screening forms used for the enrollment into the Safe Sanctuaries Program will be reviewed and child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, will be defined. Anyone in the congregation who is interested in finding out more about the program is invited to join the group. For more information, contact Cindy Arnold at or at mrspikes@aol.com. Are you interested in studying the Bible (but not on Sunday mornings)? We think some of you are but the Education Team needs your help. Worship Feedback Overheard "The graphic version of Mark is just so interesting. I really like it." "How interesting to consider 'who are the lepers' in our own time." "It's so lovely seeing the way members engage and play with the kids during fellowship time." Some people say they wanted a short-term Disciple Bible Study class (so we picked an 8-week New Testament course). However we did not receive enough responses to start this during Lent. If you are interested in this study or an evening class please contact either the office or Liz Gelinas.

7 THE METHODIST MESSENGER 7 BOOK REVIEW reviewed by Edith Buckley Warrior Princess by Princess Kasune Zulu with Belinda Collins Princess was an ordinary girl in the village of Chililabombwe in central Zambia. HIV was a mystery disease in this area, which is taking peoples lives. It is taboo to mention if you have it because it is considered a sinful illness. Princess leads a campaign to hear and learn about this illness and eventually leads a movement on how to stop the spread of it. She contracts the disease herself by her husband and bravely tells everyone who will listen that she has it. She lectures to others about taking care of themselves and knowing more about the disease. Her campaign reaches throughout Africa and is finally getting international attention. This results in getting international aid. Drugs were sent to these people to prevent the spread, and to help cure them. She herself is treated and survived. She is now living in Chicago where she is carrying on her crusade. Hers in an example of how one person can change the world. Special Program Planned The East Longmeadow United Methodist Women will meet on Monday, March 19, in the Lucille St. Marie Parlor at 10:00 a.m. Lois Harris will present devotions and a Lenten program. Jean Merton and Louise will be hostesses. All women of the church are urged to join us for this special program. Sign up now to participate in the 2012 Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast by going on-line to the following link: llr=cv76p6iab&p=oi&m= This is a project of the New England Regional Environmental Ministries. Shalom, Pastor Kelly Calling all singles! We had our first Singles Ministry meeting on Tuesday, February 14, and agreed to meet the second Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. It will begin with meal preparation (tacos for this month), dinner at 6:15, and the meeting at 7:15. We will start in the kitchen and end in the social hall. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Kelly Stenta by March 5 so that we can plan on the quantity of ingredients to bring. We will be deciding on various activities that this group will enjoy, and look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, contact Kelly Stenta. continued from page 1 In my own Lenten discipline, a technology fast on Tuesdays during my Sabbath, I am using Rachel Hackenberg s writing to God: 40 days of praying with my pen. Sometimes it helps when praying, she says, to have a set format to guide our thoughts. For her this includes pen and paper. For others it s the pattern of a haiku or a prayer collect. The worship team has been playing with a form of poetry that begins with one word then adds one on each line until reaching four and then subtracts a word until again reaching one. It s had some interesting results. The form, the rhythm, the pattern, shapes our thinking and the things that bubble up to fill the spaces can speak to us of our un-named longings. I ve offered one example on the cover; try it yourself, see where it leads. May the rhythms of transformation take shape in your life this Lent.

8 East Longmeadow United Methodist Church 215 Somers Road, STE 2 East Longmeadow, MA a reconciling congregation Address Service Requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE Paid East Longmeadow, MA Permit No. 6 THIS CHURCH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN. THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE 8:30 a.m. Bible Study for Jr./Sr. High & Adults 10:00 a.m. Worship & Church School (pre-schoolers through Grade 5) Professional child care is provided for Cribs & Creepers / Toddlers & Twos. 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Time The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. COMMUNITY SURVEY Purpose: to build a relationship with the community. How can we make a difference within the community? Script: I have an assignment. My organization wants to get a feel for how people in this area view life here. I would like to ask you 3 questions. 1. What are the strong points of this area? 2. What are your concerns about this area? 3. What is your vision for the future of this area? Demographic identifier (no name) Interviewer name (optional) (turn in paper copy to the office or info to office@elumc.org)

9 Calendar 1 of 1 2/24/ :18 PM MARCH 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 26 8:35 AM Adult/Youth Study-24 Hours That changed the World - St. Marie Parlor 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM UMY Soup Social to Benefit Exuquiel & Nicaragua - Hall 4 8:35 AM Adult/Youth Study-24 Hours That changed the World - St. Marie Parlor 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Fellowship Time - Hall 4:00 PM District Healing Service - Wilbraham United Church :00 PM GAP - Youth Room 28 PASTOR'S SABBATH 9:30 AM Tellers Meeting - St. Marie Parlor 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Janet Stabile :00 PM Education Team - St. Marie PASTOR'S SABBATH Parlor 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Janet Stabile :00 PM GAP - Youth Room 7:00 PM Trustees Team - St. Marie Parlor 13 PASTOR'S SABBATH 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Janet Stabile :00 PM Taizé Prayer Service 6:30 PM Lay Leadership Team - St. Marie Parlor 7 12:00 PM Taizé Prayer Service 14 12:00 PM Taizé Prayer Service 1:00 PM East Longmeadow Ministerium 7:00 PM Lay Leadership - St. Marie Parlor 1 6:15 PM Bell Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM AlAnon - St. Marie Parlor 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Recovery - Youth Room 8 6:15 PM Bell Choir rehearsal 7:00 PM Stewardship Team 7:30 PM AlAnon - St. Marie Parlor 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Recovery - Youth Room 15 Pastor Kelly - Book Club in Andover 6:15 PM Bell Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM AlAnon - St. Marie Parlor 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Recovery - Youth Room 2 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 9 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 16 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 3 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Janet Stabile :30 AM - 11:30 AM Janet Stabile - 8:30 AM Men's Fellowship 17 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Janet Stabile - 8:35 AM Adult/Youth Study-24 Hours That changed the World - St. Marie Parlor 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Fellowship Time - Hall 18 8:35 AM Adult/Youth Study-24 Hours That changed the World - St. Marie Parlor 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Fellowship Time - Hall 4:00 PM District Healing Service - Hampden Federated Church 19 10:00 AM UMW Friendship Circle - St. Marie Parlor 7:00 PM Church Council :30 AM Our Place meal preparation 12:00 PM Taizé Prayer Service 7:00 PM Worship Team - Pastor's Office 22 6:15 PM Bell Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM AlAnon - St. Marie Parlor 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Recovery - Youth Room 23 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 24 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM CT/WMA Leadership Academy - Stafford Springs 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Janet Stabile - PASTOR'S SABBATH 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Janet Stabile :35 AM Adult/Youth Study-24 Hours That changed the World - St. Marie Parlor 10:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Fellowship Time - Hall :00 PM GAP - Youth Room PASTOR'S SABBATH 7:00 PM Safe Sanctuaries Review - 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Janet Stabile - St. Marie Parlor 7:00 PM Staff/Parish Relations Team 28 12:00 PM Taizé Prayer Service 6:45 PM Staff/Parish Relations Team - St. Marie Parlor 29 6:15 PM Bell Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM AlAnon - St. Marie Parlor 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Recovery - Youth Room 30 Choir Appreciation Dinner at the Conz's CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 31 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Janet Stabile - 6:00 PM Progressive Dinner - Hutchinson's Home

10 A pretzel to remind us of arms crossed in prayer. RECIPE FOR SOFT PRETZELS 1/4 cup cold Water 1/8 cup Baking Soda 2 packages Dry Yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons yeast) 1 1/2 cups warm Water (110 ) 1/2 teaspoon granulated Sugar 1/2 teaspoon Salt 4 1/2 cups Flour Coarse Salt Place cold water and baking soda in small bowl and stir together; set aside. Please yeast, warm water and sugar in another bowl and mix together; set aside. Measure flour and salt in another bowl and whisk together; add yeast mixture and mix to make a stiff dough; not all the flour will mix in. Turn dough and excess flour onto work surface and knead until all flour is mixed in and dough is soft and smooth approximately 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl, turn so all sides are greased, and let rise for 15 minutes in warm place. Punch dough down. Turn out onto work surface. Cut off a chunk of dough approximately the size of a large walnut. Roll chunk with hands into long roll approximately 12. Shape into pretzel shape. Place on greased cookie sheet (or cookie sheet covered with parchment paper). Brush soda water mixture over pretzels this helps them brown. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Let rest for minutes before putting in oven. Bake in preheated 450 oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Size of pretzel is determined by chunk of dough you work with.