The Bell Ringer. of the United Methodist Church of Cooperstown 66 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown NY 13326

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1 The Bell Ringer of the United Methodist Church of Cooperstown 66 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown NY Telephone: (607) MARCH Editor: Brenda Alton DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Starts Sunday, March 13 th. Don t forget to set your clocks one hour ahead. WINTER WORSHIP Worship services from January through Sunday, March 13 th, are held in the Chapel at 10:30 AM. Join us for cozy worship and fellowship followed by Coffee Hour. We return to the Sanctuary for Palm Sunday, March 20 th. HOLY WEEK EVENTS March 20 - Palm Sunday with a Reading of the Passion Sunday School at 9:30 AM and Church at 10:30 AM March 24 Maundy Thursday - Contemplative Communion Service in the Chapel at 7 PM March 25 - Good Friday Ecumenical Service at 12 PM at Bassett Hospital Clark Auditorium March 27 Easter Sunday Ecumenical Sunrise Service at Lake Front Park Easter Worship at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary No Sunday School EASTER FLOWERS If you wish to have colorful flowers on the altar in memory or honor of loved ones, please make your own arrangements and deliver to the Sanctuary by 9 a.m. Saturday morning March 26 th. Please give Bulletin information to Brenda no later than Wednesday March 23 rd. Lilies are donated by the Clark Greenhouses. An Easter Special Giving Envelope is included with this newsletter. The money goes to the general operating budget of the church to help meet the needs of our mission and ministries.

2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY April Higgins Tim Feury Kaitlyn Breiten Georgette Halloran Barbara Monie John Collier Kari Mullin Linda Pickens Del Campbell Dan Evans Finn Morgan Gary Kuch Kelly Wedderspoon Erin Collier Simon Wyckoff Fred Wyckoff Jillian Green Richard Hanson HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Randy & Susan Gelatt Bob & Eulene Smith 04 th 04 th 07 th 08 th 09 th 11 th 11 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 17 th 19 th 24 th 28 th 29 th 30 th 09 th 29 th are lifted. I hope to be home by mid- April, and we have scheduled a Memorial Service for George on May 21 st. And, in the words of Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi, Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God... Philippians 1: 3 Much love, Lona EASTER EGG HUNT Easter candy is needed to fill eggs for Easter Sunday Egg Hunt. Please contact Lorie Hillhouse at (607) On Easter Sunday following the Time with Young Disciples, all children are invited to join in the fun of an Easter Egg Hunt in the Fellowship Room. THANK YOU 1. A thank you note was received from the Pastor and Regina for their Christmas gifts. 2. A thank you note was received from the Cooperstown Food Pantry, thanking the CUMC for all donations as these donations provide food assistance to people every month. 3. Dear Church Family, I miss you. Thank you all for the prayers, encouraging thoughts, and support during these last challenging months. Each time I receive an message, a card, note, or phone call, my heart is warmed and my spirits BLOOMING CROSS The cross is a symbol of deep significance for Christians everywhere, reminding us of death and life, of suffering and sacrifice, of hope and eternal life. Once again this year, we will witness to our community about the promise of the cross with a wooden cross on our front lawn. The cross will be placed as soon as the weather permits and will remain through Easter. On Easter morning, beginning after the sunrise service, we will decorate the cross with plastic flowers transforming a bare symbol of torture and pain into a living symbol of blooming life. When you come to Easter Services you will be invited to add flowers to our cross display. Come and celebrate life with us!

3 UMW NEWS UMW PROGRAM booklets are available. MONDAY, MARCH 14 th is the next Regular Meeting of the UMW. The meeting will be held at 10 AM in the Fellowship Room. Spring Project Planning. Program Book by Nancy Davis Reflect and Explore. UMW PRESENTED Linda Smirk with a Mission Pin after Worship at her residence on Sunday, February 21 st, describing her as a gift from God. Letting her know, no matter where in life she was, be it caring for Elizabeth as a small child, later wheeling her in to church and many times to the hospital, she was always there for her other child and everyone else too. As her dad aged she would bring him out to eat at his favorite restaurant, Jackie s in Milford where at time he could be quite ornery and difficult to get around. As Linda became involved with the UMW group (probably through her mom) she was and is so active in all activities with women and children always on the fast train to heal all in this country and other countries. Her energy and actions made some of us jealous, as well it should. Then her mom (another great UMW) started aging and Linda helped care for her. There is an old saying ask the busiest person to do something and they will get it done. We might add the illest too! We have to include Ingrid in this circle of caring as Linda took on some of her responsibilities. As UMW, we are truly fortunate to have you (Linda) in our corner and that being said, we honor you as on of our own. Accept this pin we give you as a symbol of our Love from the UMW in the church and around the world. from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. Traditional items on the menu include: roast pork, southern potato casserole, buttered carrots, applesauce, rolls, spinach salad, coleslaw, pumpkin upside down cake, or apple pie, and beverage. Co-chairs Gary and Ellen Tillapaupgh Kuch need your help with food monetary donations, food prep, set up, serving and clean up. Sign up sheet will be in the Fellowship Room by mid March or call Gary and Ellen at Everyone s support of the dinner will benefit this year s ministry shares apportionment. FLOWERS For February are in memory of Violet Dietz ( ), given by her daughter, Dawne Dietz. LITURGISTS Liturgists are needed. Please check your calendars and call Alice Stiles, , if you can serve. GREETERS AND USHERS Sign up sheets are in the Fellowship Room or cal Joan Ackerman, and pick a Sunday to volunteer. Thanks to Jan, Bill, Carol, Ann and Ushuaia for their help in the month of February. ROAST PORK DINNER Congregation and community will gather for our annual Roast Pork Dinner on Friday, April 8 th RELAY FOR LIFE 2016 Relay for Life will be a 12 hour event from 11 am to 11 pm on May 21, 2016 at Cooperstown Dreams Park. Luminary forms will be available in April in the church Fellowship Room or see Rena Lull for forms.

4 the labyrinth. At 5pm, Pastor Bill will offer a brief prayer service for those in attendance. DEVOTIONAL READING "Upper Room" (also large print copies), "Alive Now," "devozine" (for teens by teens) for March-April, and "Our Daily Bread" for March/April/May, are in the literature racks in the church entrance. Please help yourself to this devotional reading -- take a copy to a homebound church member. ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERIES March 2 Prayer Service and Walking the Labyrinth (see article) March 24 Maundy Thursday Communion Service in the Chapel 7:00pm March 25 - Ecumenical Good Friday Service at Bassett Healthcare Time to be announced - March 26 - Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service Lakefront Park Time to be announced Easter Worship 10:30am Walking the Labyrinth March 2 Walking the Labyrinth is an ancient form of prayer and meditation that consists of walking a somewhat circular proscribed pathway while in silent prayer or meditation. For many people it offers a useful and alternative form of spiritual experience. On Wednesday, March 2, a portable labyrinth will be set up in the chapel and will be available from 1pm 6pm for people to walk and pray. Pastor Bill will be present throughout that time to offer assistance. Cards with scripture and prayer will also be available for those walking Most people walking the labyrinth will linger minutes, but feel free to come and stay as long as you choose, remembering in to arrive and depart quietly so as not to disturb others who may be in prayer. Oneonta District Lenten Day Apart March 1 On Tuesday, March 1, Clergy from United Methodist Churches across the Oneonta District will gather here for a Lenten Day Apart. The day will be led by three clergy from the District, including Pastor Bill, and is intended to provide spiritual nourishment for the season of Lent. The Clergy will meet from 9am 2pm in the Sanctuary, the Chapel and the Fellowship Hall. Our congregation will provide hospitality and sanctuary for the day as a ministry to the women and men who lead our United Methodist Congregations in the surrounding area. Among the activities planned are preaching, prayer, song, and time to walk the labyrinth. (see related article) Oneonta District Day for Laity and Clergy March 5 The Oneonta District Day will be held at Elm Park UMC in Oneonta on Saturday, March 5. Session are planned for finance, trustees, SPPRC and more. All are invited to attend watch for more information. Bishop s Day Oneonta District April 14 Upper New York Annual Conference Bishop Mark Webb will meet with the churches of the Oneonta District on Thursday, April 14 at Broad Street UMC in Norwich. Meeting details are not yet available, but the gathering will be open to all. Please let Pastor Bill know if you are interested in attending.

5 2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SATURDAY S BREAD Volunteers are needed MARCH 19 th. Saturday s Bread is served at the First Methodist Church, corner of Chestnut and Church Streets. Parking is available in the First Baptist Church lot located on Academy Street (do not use General Dollar or Huntington Library lots). It is advised not to bring valuable into church. All volunteers should arrive at 9:30 AM. Jobs will be assigned at that time. Everyone should be prepared to stay until cleanup is completed (usually before 2 PM). Child care is not provided. Written checklists and core supervisors will be available to guide you in your work. Kitchen volunteers must be adults. Youth volunteers are welcome as follows: Age 16+ for kitchen help, 14+ for dining room help. 12 and 13 year olds may volunteer only with parents present. Volunteers should not wear sandals or open toe shoes. Volunteers should not text or use a cell phone while working. Volunteers should bring a hat (ex. Baseball cap) to wear if working in the kitchen or buffet table or papers hats will be provided. Our church is scheduled to work the following dates: JUNE 25, OCTOBER 29. Please, consider helping, and ask a friend to come along. Please see Rena or call her to offer your help. With much appreciation and a big thank you. Rena Lull Friday, April 8; Pork Dinner; Chairs, Ellen & Gary Kuch Saturday, May 28; HOF Classic Parade; church parking; Chair, Rena Lull June 3 & 4, UMW Rummage Sale; Chairs, Jan Kerr and Dawne Dietz July 23; HOF church BBQ; Chair, Winnie Smith July 24,; HOF Inductions; Chair, Rena Lull October 7 th, 9 AM-4 PM, October 8th, 9-11 AM; UMW Rummage Sale; Chairs Jan Kerr & Dawne Dietz November 12; Harvest Dinner; Chair, Linda Smirk December 3; UMW Christmas Tea MEN S BREAKFAST CLUB The fellowship of Coffee Hour after the worship service continues. Iced tea, coffee or juice and a light snack are enjoyed. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board downstairs.

6 Pastor s Page Rev. William Bill H. Delia Pastor, United Methodist Church of Cooperstown 66 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY Telephone (607) Cell Phone (607) pastorbilldelia@gmail.com Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34b-35 We began this holy season of the year, on Ash Wednesday, receiving the mark of the cross on our foreheads. Throughout Lent, we pray, we fast, and we seek to go deeper in our relationship with God. Soon, during Holy Week, we will journey from Palm Sunday to the cross as one people of faith. Yet none of these truly marks us as followers of Jesus. Jesus was very clear about that love and love alone would be the true sign of his disciples. Love for God, love for one another, love for the least of these among us, even love for those who would be our enemies. As the hymn says, they will know we are Christians by our love I ve been thinking a lot about this love we are called to live as I prepare for the Oneonta District Lenten Day Apart. Our theme this year is Wesley s Three Simple Rules. These three rules were part of the formation of the first Methodist societies, a way of proscribing behavior that was distinctly Methodist. The three rules are: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. (Actually stay in love with God is a 21 st Century translation of Wesley s words attend all the ordinances of God.) I was asked by our District Superintendent to lead the session at our Day Apart on Stay in Love with God. Jesus taught frequently about love loving one another, loving God and loving him. But the common thread that ran through all of his teachings on love was that love and love alone was the hallmark of a faithful life; a life lived following Jesus and faithful to God. Other things matter, too, but love is the core the one aspect that a faithful life cannot exist without. Love defines who we are as Christians and it defines our God, too. The currency of our relationship with God and with one another is love. In our Easter celebration of the promise of eternal life, we must always remember that eternal life is more than life that lasts forever; it is life lived in the very presence of God. Life that must be lived in love just as Jesus taught us to live. So, let us travel on together with confidence trusting in God and living always in love as God s people. Bill Pastor Bill Delia 6