S PA RTA. Inside This Issue: Members and Friends,

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1 S PA RTA U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U RC H NEWSLETTER May 2016 Members and Friends, Inside This Issue: Calendar 2 Children + Youth 3 Church + Society 7 Church Mouse News 7 Coffee Hour 5 Congregational Care 8 Grief Support 9 Labyrinth 6 Lunch Bunch MAD 3 Small Groups 9 Study 6 United Methodist World Mission Women 4 Gift Shop 7 Worship 5 Youth Group 3 I am still praying that we can put a team together to attend the Vital Congregations workshops through the Annual Conference. The commitment is to 2 Saturdays, a preliminary meeting, and some homework/prep-work at the church. This is an important next step for our church that will enable us to maximize our gifts and our ability to reach new disciples, to deepen our faith, and to hear God s call. Might you be able to commit to this time together? Here is a short summary of the findings for developing Vital Congregations. -Worship in vital congregations includes mixed media and a contemporary option, use topical sermon series, and provide worship that is inspiring and engaging. -More small groups are important for people to deepen their relationships in the local church. -Vital Congregations have more programs for Children and Youth. -Effective Leadership are leaders who are serving in the right places and are rotated regularly, those who demonstrate a vital personal faith, and enlist and empower new leaders to serve. -Pastors in vital congregations stay longer in churches. They inspire the congregation through preaching, they motivate people, and encourage change, They coach the lay leader team to be effective. HOW ARE WE DOING? Thanks for always praying about the work of the church!---janice

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3 children and youth VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July from 9-12:30 p.m. SIGN UP NOW TO HELP! Teachers, helpers, shepherd, snacks, games,. Please see Melissa Lambert if you have questions. YOUTH GROUP SPRING DATES 2016 Mark your calendars and don t miss out! May 27 FAMILY PROMISE dinner and visiting 7-9 p.m. June 18 Lakefront picnic and Watersports at Bud Larsen's June (tbd) Sussex County Miner's Baseball Game - Family Night First Sundays of the month. 5-6:30 p.m. May 1 and June 6 See Jeni Moriaty or Sarah DiGoia for details! 3

4 Children and Youth Reading Program Started by Sparta s United Methodist Women The Children and Youth Reading program has officially launched! It will use components of the National United Methodist Women s Reading Program Catalog along with some additions by the committee set up to oversee this program. In the Wesley Room, there is a special shelf just for children and youth, boys and girls. If you d like to suggest a book or donate a book, please see Ann Freeman Price or Pat Schutz. UMW will be in the Wesley Room after church on Sunday. Come see what we have and to hear more about the Reading Pro- May 9 at 9:30 Is the Meeting of Sparta UMW BookWorms The book group will be discussing The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd on May 9 at 9:30 at their monthly meeting. One copy of the book is in the UMW portion of the library. It is also available in public libraries. Sue Monk Kidd has written a novel about the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, a slave in early nineteenth century Charleston. The June book will be The Book of Forgiving by Demond Tutu and Mpho Tutu. Book Worms Books for 2016 Here s the list for the year of There is one copy of each book in the United Methodist Women s portion of the church library. Sign the book out so we know where it is and so more than one person can read it. Be sure to join us whether you ve read the book or not. May 9: June 13: July 11: August 8: September 12: October 10: November 14: December 12: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg On God s Side by Jim Wallis House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle Cured but Not Healed by Kymberley Clemons-Jones Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman 4

5 ATTENTION! Please be mindful of our Handicapped Parking spaces. The first 3 spaces (including the current pastor s space) will be for wheelchairs only. The rest will be handicapped parking. We want to reserve these spaces for those who need them. THANK YOU! Mark your calendar for Special Worship and Outdoor Coffee Hour LABYRINTH DEDICATION SERVICE May 1 at 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Pavilion Sunday Morning Opportunities to Serve PLEASE or write down your God Sighting and submit it to Pastor Janice. Summer worship will include opportunities to tell our stories. Pastor Janice would like to be able to assign you a date and coordinate our sharing with sermon topics. We know that the spontaneity of sharing was an important part of this process, but we also want to manage our time well. PLEASE help and share your story! WORSHIP LEADERS SCRIPTURE READERS May 1 Harry Tappen Kasia Juan May 8 Bunny June Meloni Pat Harvey May 15 Jean LaFrance Karen Sutphen May 22 Bud Larson Laura Kempson May 29 Debbie Gilone Jim Sodt CHILDREN S MESSAGE ROTATION May 1 Pastor Janice May 8 Pat Schutz May 15 Debbie Dickerson May 22 Sarah Kuhns May 29 Pastor Janice COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE FOR MAY 2016 Schutz Bob & Pat May 1 & 8 Doogan Brett & Sora Green James & Kim Jones Jean Rank Gudrun Schmidl Eric & Laura Sutphen Jeff & Karen Kempson Cullen & Laura May 15 & 22 Batche Michael & Kerri Begraft Cary & Lyn Howard Jason Moriarty Edna Riesenman Joseph & Noelle Tappen Harry & Linda Take Worship to Knoll Heights! Did you know that every month Sparta UMC has people to go and provide worship for the residents of Knoll Heights? Why not volunteer to lead? To join the team? 5

6 Sparta United Methodist Women Presents a Labyrinth Workshop Led by Rev. Kem Monk At Sparta United Methodist Church 71 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ Learn more about this spiritual tool that is now in our own backyard Saturday, May 7, am to 2 pm Lunch Provided Both women and men are welcome RSVP to pat.schutz@yahoo.com appreciated FOR STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP-SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES 9:15 a.m. Theology Video Series continues in Room 8 On Monday nights at 7 p.m. Karen Armstrong, The Bible On Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. Men s Study and Reflection at the Sparta Diner! On Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study Group Watch for details and texts in the weekly bulletin. MONTHLY UMW Book Worms 6

7 The Church and Society Committee of the Sparta United Methodist Church is connected to both the Conference and the General Boards of Church and Society. The job of the Church and Society Committee at all these levels in the United Methodist Church is to work on issues of social justice. A unique around-the-world shopping experience WORLD MISSION GIFT SHOP Downstairs at Sparta UMC Gifts for all occasions Scarves, handbags, baskets, jewelry, pottery, Coffee, tea, chocolate, puzzles, games Home décor- New spring items Hours -Wednesday & Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon/12:00 noon to 2:00 PM Thursday & Friday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Sunday 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Volunteer opportunities available. Please contact Pat Johnson, OUR MISSION To eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide; to support anti-trafficking efforts to end human trade. PEACE WITH JUSTICE As the United Methodist Church is committed to pursing reconciliation and peace around the globe, the Annual Conference has identified May 22nd as Peace With Justice Sunday. Our church will be marking this date with a special service In the spirit of working toward a society where peace with justice prevails, the Church and Society committee of SUMC has sent letters in recent months to President Obama and other elected officials in support of the closing of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Members of the committee have also signed letters to New Jersey senators urging the reform of the criminal justice system through the support of NJ bill S.51 that calls for the end of the use of solitary confinement in New Jersey prisons. The Thrift Shop will be hosting Coffee Hour on Sunday, May 29th. On that date, we will be having an Open House at the Mouse from 11:30-12:30! So after you get your coffee and snack, come on down to the Mouse and see what we have to offer! We will be open after church in June and July for your convenience. Come explore our departments and find some great bargains! Our next SALE will be June 1-4, with EVERYTHING in the shop at half price all week!!!! Our Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 30th. If you have volunteered at the Mouse or Mission Shops, please sign up on the poster in the Mouse. Wear something you have purchased at one of the shops, because there will be a red carpet fashion show of our bargains!! 7

8 congregational care - events and socials Have you been worshipping at Sparta UMC? Interested in becoming a members? Would you like to make your involvement official? NEW MEMBER DINNER Sunday May 1 at 5 p.m. RECEPTION May 15 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a dinner on May 1st for those interested in learning about membership in the Sparta United Methodist Church. Please contact Pat Schutz (pat.schutz@yahoo.com or ) or Muriel Godbersen (mamage @gmail.com or ) for paperwork for the class. UMW Holy Hookers (knitting and crocheting group for all!) Meets 1-3 pm Wednesdays in the Wesley Room. If you don t know how to do this, come and we will teach you. It s relaxing and fun! Crafters for the Family Fun Fest Fridays from 1-3pm in the downstairs craft room (end of hallway). We need skilled and non-skilled crafters and we always need more buttons. Please come and bring your old buttons with you! 8

9 The Sunday Lunch Bunch a group for further socialization Sunday after church. Watch the bulletin for the next date. If you are interested in a church family meal, please call Wilma Smith, or Ginger Stecklein, COMMUNITY HELP The Township of Sparta Police Department has a special program called "Good Morning." This service is for the protection of our residents who either live alone or have special needs. After setting up the program with the department (a simple procedure), you call the police department each morning to affirm you are all right. If that call is not received by 10 AM, the police department would attempt to make contact with you by phone. If there is no response after 2 attempts, the police would check for you at your residence. If you are interested in more information about this caring program, please check with Wilma Smith or with the police department at (x0). WIDOW S WELL For those who have lost husbands. April 22 at 11:30 a.m. Bring your lunch! FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS for parents who have lost children... Every Friday at 7p.m. 9

10 SPARTA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 71 Sparta Avenue Sparta, NJ spartaumc.org Worship Every Week. Communion Service at 8:30 a.m. Choir and children s message at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 a.m. Toddler Care open all morning! Contemplative/Meditation Service FIRST WEDNESDAY of Every Month at 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Come browse gifts from our Fair Trade Shop World Mission Gift Shop Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Thursday 1: Friday 1:00-4:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 CHURCH MOUSE THRIFT SHOP Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Thursday 1:00-4:00 Friday 1:00-4:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 (973) THE DEADLINE FOR THE JUNE NEWSETTER WILL BE May 15 PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT ANY ARTICLES BY DEADLINE 10