Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Mary Lou Kampert Beacon Editor May 2014 Spiritual Sojourns Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church The Reverend Dr. Brian R. Bodt, Pastor The Reverend Harold V. W. Vink, Pastoral Assistant Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here! May Telephone Fax Website: Dear Members and Friends of Mary Taylor Memorial Church, Although we are an active church the year around, May is a time when things pop! Among the activities are the Mother-Daughter banquet (May 6), Mother s Day (May 11), the University of Mount Union choir (May 13), the congregational meeting on the Covenant of Conscience (May 15), the Tom Griggs-Barbara Ann Welker wedding (May 24) and Memorial Day Sunday (May 25). All of these are described in some detail in this issue of the Beacon. Working quietly in the background are also initiatives in Long Range Planning and a capital improvement project for the Wesley Center to make it handicapped accessible. I also hope, sometime in May, to be able to report on whether or not we will have a Yale Divinity School student next fall (we were given one candidate who is interviewing at three other possible sites) and other possible solutions to our staffing shortage. One of the pleasures I have found at Mary Taylor Memorial Church is the accessibility of our leaders. If you have questions or desire more information about any of these projects, you have only to ask. Contact information appears with many notices; the contacts for those that do not can easily be obtained from the church office. In all this, we grow in grace as well as in activity and numbers as we seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ and serve him all our days. Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt Pastor

2 2 The BEACON MAY 2014 May Worship Services Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, Milford, CT Sunday School at 9 a.m.; Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Healing and Wholeness meets each Monday, 7 p.m. in the Chapel 2nd Floor of the Wesley Center MAY 4 MAY 11 MAY 18 MAY 25 EASTER III - We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord s Supper using Setting A, our regular sung setting. The message Taste the Good Life is based on Psalm 116 and Luke 24: Our preacher will be the Rev. Dr. John Sandel, Executive Director of the Milford Pastoral Counseling Center. All Fair on the Green participants past, present and yet to come should wear their orange t-shirts (if you don t have one, a FOTG shirt of another color will do; or contact Eileen Doyle at to get one). After worship, the Fair on the Green committee will meet: all welcome! EASTER IV/MOTHER S DAY The sermon Church Growth will be based on Acts 2:42-47 and I Peter 2: The Praisemakers children s choir will sing and we will have a Mission Minute. Our Men s Club continues their tradition of flowers for the women present. EASTER V - Informal hymn singing precedes worship at 9:45 a.m. The message Halfway through the Fifty Days is based on I Peter 2:2-10 and John 14:1-14. After worship, blood pressure screenings will follow worship in the Sanctuary and the Visitation Team meets worship in Wesley Center. From 2-4 p.m. the Connecticut (UM) District Conference will be held in New Fairfield, Connecticut. EASTER VI/PEACE WITH JUSTICE and MEMORIAL SUNDAY John 14:15-21 will be the basis of the For the Love of God. We will receive a special offering for Peace with Justice Sunday, one of six United Methodist special offerings. Healing anointing will be offered during the closing hymns. Advance reading of the scriptures is an act of spiritual formation.

3 3 The BEACON MAY 2014 JUNE BEACON DEADLINE is Thursday, May 15. Please submit materials on or before this date to or hard copy to the church office. PASTORAL CARE: Please let us know when someone is hospitalized, placed in skilled nursing care, or otherwise needs pastoral care. Call the church office ( ), Pastor Brian ( ) or Pastor Hal ( ). COMMUNITY SUPPER AT MTMUMC We are recruiting help now for the next supper, Thursday, May 22, any portion of 2 6:30 p.m. If you can help, contact Deb Dubien at ( ). COMMUNITY SUPPER AT GOLDEN HILL CHURCH, BRIDGEPORT: For a number of years we have helped prepare to feed 100+ people each fourth Wednesday at our sister church in Bridgeport. Our next commitment is Wednesday, May 28th, 2:30 5 p.m. We prepare the meal, led by Maryanne Meehan Jordan and Bob Jordan. We need 6 8 people and anyone 13 or in the 7 th grade or older may serve. It helps if we have a few younger, stronger people to lift pots and pans, but all are welcomed and will be put to good service. Please let Maryanne know if you can help this month: mjbwmj@att.net, (cell) or (home). Golden Hill Church is about 20 minutes away: I-95 to Exit 27A to Exit 2 off the Route 8/25 connector. AMBASSADORS actively and intentionally seek and welcome new people on Sunday mornings; invite them to meet the pastors, lay leaders or other people as circumstances suggest; and encourage them to attend Fellowship Hour. If you have interest in joining this group by participating in a one-hour training event, please contact Pastor Brian (brian.bodt@yahoo.com; ) or Michelle Craig (michellemtmumc@gmail.com). NEW MEMBER CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED IN MAY: this series will be offered Wednesdays 7 8 p.m., May 7, 14 and 21, with reception of new members either May 25 or June 8. Gatherings are in the Pastor s study, 2 nd floor of the Wesley Center. We will get to know one another and the membership commitment (May 7), the history of Methodism (May 14) and the opportunities for mission and service at MTMUMC (May 21). You may attend these sessions to learn and inquire without making a commitment to join. If you are interested in knowing more, please speak with Pastor Brian.

4 4 The BEACON MAY 2014 AN OPEN MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 7 P.M. IN DODD HALL to receive the vote of all present professing ( full ) members of Mary Taylor Memorial Church as to whether we will become a congregational signer of the Covenant of Conscience. To become a Covenant Church means that all marriages, regardless of sexual orientation, may be performed in our sanctuary. A letter was sent to the congregation on April 8 detailing our process leading to this meeting. Copies of the letter are available from the church office on request (mtmumc@sbcglobal.net; ) Questions about this process and meeting may be directed to Marcia Winter (mcbwinter@att.net; ) or any member of the Gay-Straight Alliance: Maryann Petremont, Kaylyn Bettencourt, Kelly O Hara, Beth O Brien, Karen Keane, Leigh Bak, Olivia D Andrea, Callie Merva, Tom Griggs, Don Hastings, Jane Vink, Pastor Hal Vink, Dennis Darak, Judy Darak, and Eileen Doyle. MYF Progressive Dinner HOSTS needed, Sunday May 18th. Are you willing to host a group of the most fabulous youth for a course in our Progressive Dinner??? We need four (or 5) host homes: one for appetizers two (or 3) for the main course one for dessert Please see Leigh Bak (or contact at or davidbak@sbcglobal.net) if you are able to host one of the courses. ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP Parents are welcome to participate in our Adult Discussion Group which meets every week during Sunday School hours in Wesley Center, 2nd floor. The group uses a weekly study guide to direct their meeting. This is a great opportunity to share time and reflections with other parents while your children participate in Sunday School. UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION CONCERT TOUR Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Road, Trumbull Come hear sacred and secular music from this Methodist-affiliated university that has performed and been acclaimed world-wide. Free: a university good-will tour!

5 5 The BEACON MAY 2014 Invitation Barbara Ann Welker and Tom Griggs, Sr. invites all members and friends at MTMUMC to attend their wedding ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Instead of a gift, we would be honored if you would consider a donation to a charity that protects animals, helps people in need, or a church of your choice. Thanks Barbara Ann and Tom COMPLIMENTARY SEMINAR: 1:00 pm Saturday, May 10, 2014 Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home 135 Broad St., Milford, CT Will sponsor a complimentary seminar to help inform our community about Title IV, Wills, Probate, Living Wills and Power of Attorney. Along with our staff, Attorney Winthrop S. Smith Jr., of Dey, Smith & Steele Law Offices has volunteered to discuss these topics and answer your questions. Refreshments will be provided by the Funeral Home. We welcome everyone to attend at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 10th. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the funeral home at HELP US CELEBRATE OUR GRADUATES! If you have a graduate, please submit to the church office (mtmumc@sbcglobal.net; ) their name, school of graduation, degree (if any) and future plans no later than Sunday, June 1. We will recognize graduates on Sunday, June 8 at the 10:30 a.m. worship. The Trash and Treasure team is looking forward to another sensational year! It would be appreciated if you put your clean, useable donations in designated spots near the door that goes to the parking lot. Also, please limit the weight of each container you donate so we seniors can manage it. We do not accept TVs, computers, helmets of any kind or car seats for children.

6 6 The BEACON MAY 2014 MYF NEWS Sunday May 4, *3-8 pm Cinco de Mayo Dinner/Dessert Auction We will need help with cooking, set-up, serving, and cleanup for our dinner to raise funds for our Mission projects. *Everyone taking part in this event needs to contact Rachel Merva to sign up for a time slot at rmerva@optonline.net. Contact Leigh Bak (davidbak@sbcglobal.net) regarding your delicious contribution to the Dessert Auction Sunday May 18th, 5-8 pm Progressive Dinner You don t want to miss this perennial favorite MYF event! Meet at the church promptly at 5 pm and travel to three different homes for appetizers, main course and dessert. RSVPs (By May 11th) & permission forms will be required for this event; pick up will be at our dessert stop (location TBA). Leigh Bak ( ) is the lead adult on this event. HELP MYF CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO Join us for homemade Mexican Food and Crafts on Sunday, May 4, 2012 at 5:00 p.m., in Dodd Hall. Menu to include A variety of Mexican Fare hot to not there s something for everyone. Cost $10.00/Adults; $5.00/children not to exceed $30.00 per family. Contact Shelly Lapadula m.lapadula@rubens-lazinger.com or or Stacy Meszaros stacymez@gmail.com or

7 7 The BEACON MAY 2014 FAIR ON THE GREEN JUNE 6 & 7, 2014 SUNDAY, MAY 4TH - Fair on the Green SPIRIT DAY! Please wear an orange Fair on the Green STAFF T- shirt, (or any MTMUMC T-shirt), to Church. This might just inspire others to CATCH THE SPIRIT and volunteer. Then, after service, please plan to attend an IMPORTANT MEETING in Wesley Center. We have some decisions to make, and we need to finalize plans for our Fair. CATCH THE SPIRIT!!! The Fair on the Green is only a month away! Whether you are new to Mary Taylor Memorial UMC, new to our Fair, or a tried-and-true volunteer, you're sure to enjoy much fun and fellowship when you give your time to this important fund raiser for our General Fund. Please be on the lookout for volunteer sign-up sheets in Dodd Hall this month and sign up for the area where you would like to help out. Have you begun your Spring cleaning? Our Trash & Treasures crew is accepting donations that may be brought directly downstairs below Dodd Hall. It's amazing how these hard-working, dedicated folks are able to turn your "Trash" into valuable "Treasurers." (Gentle reminder: please do not bring computers or TVs.) If you have a (green thumb), PLANT donations are also appreciated. SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, June 5th Please mark your calendar with a big as a reminder to "come on down" to help with set-up for the Fair. We especially need folks with strong backs and people willing to clean the tables and coolers with Bleach - wear work clothes!

8 8 The BEACON MAY 2014 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UMW is an organization for all women in the Methodist Church. We enjoy a special feeling of fellowship, and practice the mission of providing help for women and children all over the world. For more information call Joan Zauner at or her at jzauner@yahoo.com. The next meeting is Tuesday, May 13 at noon, Wesley Center. MOTHER DAUGHTER BANQUET TUESDAY, MAY 6, :30 P.M. in DODD HALL All women are invited to this annual dinner celebrating the women of our church. Invited are traditional mothers and daughters, but women without daughters or moms may adopt another woman to be your mother-daughter combination. Please see updated information in the weekly bulletin or contact Joan Zauner, United Methodist Women president, at for more information. Where: Wesley Center 7:00 p.m. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY When: Every 2nd Thursday of the Month: May 8, June 12 No meetings over the summer. We at Mary Taylor are so fortunate to have a small but dedicated group of women creating Prayer Shawls for us. We always welcome new crafters. At any time we invite anyone to take one for someone they feel will be helped by a shawl. So often it is during a serious illness or loss of a loved one, but it could also be for starting a new job or family, or even for completing an education. Please feel free to ask for one from Faye Zeiner, Phoebe Repetsky, Fran Merva, Debbie Dubien or Joan Zauner....AND THE WINNER IS MAUREEN GROVES!! The winner of our NAME THE CAMPAIGN CONTEST Is Maureen Groves for her submission LIFT US UP. The building design committee made the selection from the many wonderful submissions. Maureen will receive a gift certificate and be present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Congratulations Maureen!

9 9 The BEACON MAY 2014 HEALTH KITS MISSIONS UPDATE Missions will again be collecting Health Kit items to be delivered during the Annual Conference. Please have items in Dodd Hall by May 18 th. UMCOR Health Kits may be assembled or items may be left in the collection bin in Dodd Hall and will be assembled by the Missions Committee. 1 - hand towel - 15 x 25 to 17 x 27 kitchen, cleaning and microfiber towels not acceptable 1 - washcloth 1 - comb - comb needs to be large and sturdy (8 long), no pocket combs or picks please. Rattail combs and combs without handles are acceptable. 1 - metal nail file or clipper - no emery boards or toenail clippers please 1 - bath size soap - 3 oz. and larger sizes only - do not remove from original packaging, NO IVORY SOAP due to moisture content. 1 - toothbrush - adult size only - do not remove from original packaging 6 - adhesive bandages - ¾ to 1 size common household band aids 1 - plastic bag - one gallon size, sealable bags only Assembly Directions Lay out the hand towel flat on a table. Lay the washcloth flat in the center of the hand towel. Place all remaining items on top of the wash cloth. Fold the washcloth over the items. Fold over the sides of the hand towel to cover all of the items. Fold over one end of the hand towel so that it covers all of the items. Grasp the bundle of items tightly and roll over the remainder of the hand towel tightly. Place the tightly rolled bundle in the plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal the bag. Important Notes All items must be new. Do not wash any of the items as they will be considered used. All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items nothing more. DO NOT include any personal notes, money or additional material in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.

10 10 The BEACON MAY 2014 MOTHER S DAY ALTERNATE GIFT OPPORTUNITY IMAGINE NO MALARIA. This is an extraordinary ministry of the UMC church, putting faith into action to end preventable deaths from malaria in Africa. UMCOR is offering a Mother s Day alternate gift opportunity to support this cause. Consider donating to Imagine No Malaria in honor of or in memory of your mother or another woman who has nurtured you. You will Share the Love. Save a Life. Your gift to Imagine No Malaria will help reduce the number of deaths from malaria on the African continent as well as assist the mothers in Africa who struggle each day to protect their children from malaria. You can give by making out your check to MTMUMC in any amount. Cards will be available on May 6, 2014, look for the table in Dodd Hall. Sunday, May 4 th at 3 p.m. Organizing Meeting 250 Bryant Ave., White Plains, NY Please RSVP to writetobenz@gmail.com Join us for as we gather in fellowship, plan our annual conference witness, talk about next steps in our path-breaking We do! and We Did marriage equality projects, talk about how we support Sara Thompson Tweedy as she faces an official complaint, and more. Methodists in New Directions (MIND) is a conference-wide organization of United Methodists working to end our denomination s doctrinal prejudice and institutional discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and committed to living more fully into God s radical Welcome right now and right here. 250 Bryant Ave. is home to Memorial UMC and Central Korean UMC as well as the LOFT; for directions, see Visit MIND on the web at LAURALTON HALL Connecticut s First Catholic College-Prep School for Girls Invites you to attend Take-a-Look Tuesday on May 6, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Join us for coffee and a tour of Lauralton Hall. RSVP to (203) , but if you don t know until the last minute just drop in. Lauralton Hall, 200 High Street, Milford.

11 11 The BEACON MAY 2014 INFORMATION FROM OUR PARISH NURSES You are invited to a Lunch and Learn discussion on Advance Care Planning Tuesday, May 6, :00am-12:30PM Come to a discussion led by Sheryl Hollyday, APRN on behalf of the Parish Nurse Group about making choices about your health and well-being. You are never too young to prepare for the inevitable. Advance directives can help alleviate stress for families during difficult situations. Who will make decisions about your health if you can t? Will they do what you want? Don t leave to it to chance, write it down! Bring your lunch with you; we will supply the beverages and dessert. The presentation will include video clips as well as in depth discussion about health issues and choices that you or your loved ones may face now or in the future. Please RSVP to Mary Lou in the church office. If you have any questions, please let me know. Doulee@aol.com THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP Submitted by Brenda Pineau R.N. Parish nurse committee We've long known about the importance of sleep. It is a requirement for living. Much like breathing, we must turn off if we are to go on. The impact of sleep is immediate. All of us have at some time slept well and feel rejuvenated and others of us, myself included, have slept poorly or too little and know the feelings fatigue provides. Research has shown that sleep deprivation is associated with obesity risk, lack of energy, and irritability. The stress of sleep deficiency results in increased appetite, an increased tendency to store calories as fat around our middles where it does the most harm, increased inflammation, and the initial steps toward insulin resistance. Sleep should be one of a persons top priorities. Any parent or grandparent who is concerned about weight gain or diabetes risk in a child they love has cause to make sleep a priority for that child also. Respecting sleep is much more than down time. Busy people may feel they don't have time for sleep. However, for sustained productivity, let alone health, the truth is none of us has time to not sleep. At times, sorting out sleep problems may require a sleep study, ordered by a physician, to identify or rule out sleep apnea, a condition that causes a person to stop breathing numerous times while asleep. Treatment is available for those with sleep apnea and can be discussed with one's physician. Perhaps you want to lose weight or avoid diabetes so you focus on diet and exercise. But if you ignore sleep, your daily activities may conspire against you. We can't be too busy to get the sleep we need, unless we are also too busy to get the health and weight control we want. Perhaps we all need is to ponder these thoughts and perhaps SLEEP on it.

12 12 The BEACON MAY 2014 WE D LIKE TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY..and a happy anniversary, too! We can t if we don t have it in our database. It is always possible these special dates were previously provided us. If so, you have our apology for any oversight and our request to please try again. And whenever your special day is, may God who has blessed you with this milestone smile on you and your celebration. Sincerely, Mary Lou Kampert (mtmumc@sbcglobal.net; , ext. 10) Pastor Brian (brian.bodt@yahoo.com; , ext. 11) MAY BIRTHDAYS MTM CLUB 80 MEMBERS are listed below in bold. If your birthday is not listed and should be, or if there are other birthdays needing changing, please call the Office at Thank you! 2nd Ryan Dennis Amanda Pitre Chris Steele 3rd Josephine Caruso 4th Rob Johnson Nicole Wallberg-Piercey 5th William Cermignani Jillian Rogers 6th Aaliyah Gonsalves 7th Allison Bennett Matteo Cono James McLean 9th Miriam D Andrea 10th John Katrick 12th Dolores Bonisch Neill White 13th Nick Brown 14th Natasha Long Kelly O Hara 15th Heather Harrison Eric Johnson 15th Kelly Patterson Mary Repetsky 16th Nancy Bennett Zahary Cavender Eric Fino Stacy Stuart 18th Chester McDonough Jason Williston 19th Arjun Diwan John Prokop 21st William Ives 22nd Joseph Hotaling 24th Richard Cable Lisa Darak-Druck Catherine Meszaros Jason Michaud 26th Amy Bennett Michael Dana 27th Emilie Gregory Madeline Ilioff 29th Patrick Darcy Robert Volgmuth 30th Rordan Bittner 31st Dolores Hotaling

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