CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS MAY 2014

Transcription

1 CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS MAY 2014 The Connecticut District Office of the United Methodist Church 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT Web: Resident Bishop: Martin D. McLee Editor: Dorothy Chamberlain Superintendent: Reverend Kenneth Kieffer Volume 30, Issue 9 SPIRIT OF THE ST. LOUIS In observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, I joined some other children of Abraham and boarded a bus headed for the Jewish Heritage Museum in lower Manhattan. I m embarrassed to admit that in all the years that I have lived in the metropolitan area, I not only had never visited that place, I never knew it even existed! Upon arrival, I passed through the museum s heavy doors (and even heavier security) and took the elevator to the floor dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Since I had already seen the sickening newsreels on the subject when I was in middle school, and had already been to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem back in the 90 s, I figured I knew what I was getting myself into. But then I sat down and watched an eye-opening and gut-wrenching 15- minute video on the S.S. St. Louis. As her name might indicate, the Saint Louis was a godsend to the 900 Jews who were fortunate to find themselves on the ship s manifest in May of The passengers were refugees, desperate to flee to Cuba and escape the tidal wave of terror that was about to hit Hitler s Nazi Germany. And for the first half-hour of their voyage, they believed they had succeeded. But then came a telling telegram that warned the ship s captain that he had better put the pedal to the metal because 2 other ships were headed to the same place for the same reason, and there were no guarantees that Cuba, still in the throes of the Great Depression, would put out the welcome mat for any or all of them. Unfortunately, the St. Louis North Atlantic crossing was delayed for several hours when the ship temporarily reversed its course to perform a search and rescue for a distraught crewmember who had jumped overboard in an apparent suicide attempt. His body, along with his ship s chance for sanctuary, was forever lost at sea. 1

2 SPIRIT OF THE ST. LOUIS continued - By the time the ship finally found haven in Havana s harbor, the immigration waters were so muddied by Goebbels propaganda machine that the refugees were prevented from disembarking until further notice. Further notice never came, of course. Hours turned into days, and days turned into an eternity. Like the chaise lounges on the sun deck, negotiations were opened and then closed, re-opened and then re-closed until ultimately, by order of the President of Cuba, the St. Louis had to get the heck out of Dodge. Inmediatamente! The tearful and fearful passengers found themselves waving goodbye to their waiting family and friends on shore and fretting about their future. Ever the optimist, the captain pointed his vessel towards, and pinned his hopes on, the United States. Surely the land of the free and the home of the brave would extend to these exiles an invitation. Surely the residents of E Pluribus Unumville would come to the rescue of these refugees. Surely the president would bring these innocent victims under the protection of his West Wing. But the world watched in disbelief as the S.S. St. Louis found no port in the storm of American anti-semitism. Eventually, dwindling provisions forced the captain to set sail for home - Nazi Germany. In a last ditch effort to avoid delivering 900 innocent Jewish men, women and children back into Lucifer s lair, intense negotiations continued with immigration officials in several European countries as the ship chugged across the Atlantic. Of the 4 Allied nations who finally agreed to receive these refugees, 3 of them would soon be occupied by the very forces of evil from which the Jews were trying to flee in the first place, and the fourth was nearly blitzkrieged to Kingdom come! When the video ended, and my 15 minutes of shame was over, I went outside for a breath of fresh NYC air. I found no comfort there, however, as I promptly found myself staring into the big green eyes of the world s most beautiful woman the Statue of Liberty. I tried to apologize to her, but before I could fully formulate an excuse commensurate with such egregious sinfulness, this mother-of-all-exiles recited a line from a Jewish-American poetess, saying for the 6 millionth time Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Ken May God have mercy on us all. 2

3 Place: New Life Community UMC New Fairfield 1 Beaver Bog Road, New Fairfield, CT Speaker: Bishop Martin D. McLee JOIN IN CORPORATE PRAYER AT 1:30 p.m. SEE NEXT PAGE FOR DETAILS 3

4 CALLING ALL CT DISTRICT LAITY AND CLERGY FOR A TIME OF CORPORATE PRAYER AT THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE SUNDAY, MAY 18, :30 P.M. There are times when we are called out of our personal prayer closets into the beautiful community of corporate prayer. God surely responds when our hearts are unified in prayer for the purpose of envisioning and carrying out God s will. You are heartily invited to join together at 1:30, a half-hour before our District Conference (Sunday, May 18, at New Life Community UMC in New Fairfield), for a time of corporate prayer, a time for us to join in unity, asking our Savior to breathe afresh the presence of the Holy Spirit of God upon the Church of Jesus Christ, our Conference, our District and our Churches. Prayer will begin promptly at 1:30; please arrive a bit beforehand. If weather permits we will meet outside for a prayerful stroll around the grounds; if not, I am told the sanctuary will be open. See you there! Lisa Bosworth, Certified Lay Minister Seymour United Methodist Church ******** HOMEFRONT DAY MAY 3, 2014 Homefront day scheduled for May 3 rd, 2014 is a massive one day repair effort that partners with community outreach groups from organizations such as churches, synagogues, civic groups and corporations in Connecticut. We are currently registering volunteer teams now to assist with an estimated 600 requests from neighbors in need, including some from your area. If you would like more information concerning Homefront or Homefront Day, please call or check out their website at 4

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7 UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION CONCERT CHOIR from Alliance, Ohio Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Road, Trumbull, CT Come and enjoy the sacred and secular music of this Methodistaffiliated university has been performed and acclaimed world-wide. The concert is free! Would you consider hosting two students overnight in your home after the concert. This means driving them home after the concert, providing a light breakfast for them in the morning and after breakfast. driving them back to Nichols for their departure. If you can host, please contact Jim and Marilyn Lang at or Jim@WizardJim.com. If you have additional questions contact Pastor Brian (brian.bodt@yahoo.com). ******** RETIREES BREAKFAST MAY 15, 2014 We meet at Denny's, 631 Queen St. (Route 10) in Southington, just off I-84, exit 32. We plan to meet on third Thursdays in The next breakfast will be June 19. It helps to know about how many to expect. Kindly contact Ralph Roy at Ralphlroy@aol.com or call Call too, if the weather is questionable in case it is cancelled. Please come prepared to share information on any illness, bereavement or other circumstances that should engage the group s attention. 7

8 UNITED METHODIST CITY SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING 2014 MAY 18, :30 p.m. at CHURCH OF ST. PAUL AND ST. ANDREW 263 West 86 th Street (86 th and West End Ave.) Manhattan, New York, NY SPEAKER: Ms. Jennifer Jones Austin Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Mayor deblasio s Transition Team Special music: See the renovated church facilities and tour the Largest Food Pantry Program in New York No tickets required - Free will offering - Light Refreshments Special Parking arrangements for those driving. Take the 86 th Street #1 Subway For more information contact: Leticia Johnson, Office Manager The United Methodist City Society 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1922, New York, NY Phone:

9 BOUNDARIES AND SEXUAL ETHICS TRAINING MAY 21, 2014 NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE CENTER 20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY TO REGISTER CONTACT: Barbara Atchinson at the Long Island East District Office IF YOU HAVEN T HAD THIS TRAINING, YOU NEED TO REGISTER NOW! 9

10 WORKSHOP ON THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR Loving and Serving Others Better by Knowing Yourself Better For Lay Servants and Others! Led by Rev. Dennis Winkleblack Saturday, June 21, 2014 Location: United Methodist Church of Waterbury 250 Country Club Road Waterbury, CT Sign in and Fellowship 9:30 am to 10:00 am Workshop 10 am to 3:00 pm with ½ hour lunch please bring a lunch. In saying Love your neighbor as yourself, Jesus expressed a truth too often overlooked: we re blessed or hindered in following Jesus by how we love ourselves. And the first step in loving ourselves suitably is understanding how God has uniquely gifted us. In a fun, non-threatening atmosphere, Dennis will lead participants to better understand themselves, appreciate differences in others, enjoy richer relationships, work smarter and fulfill their life s purpose more creatively. Utilizing the most widely employed personality assessment tool in America, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Dennis is experienced in helping Christians love and serve others better by knowing themselves better. Some good news in advance: There are no inferior types! Rev. Dr. Dennis Winkleblack is a retired United Methodist pastor living in Simsbury, Connecticut. In a 41 year ministry in the New York Conference, Dennis served 8 churches, was a district superintendent for seven years and served another seven years as Assistant to the Bishop. Certified by the Center for Application of Type in 1995, Dennis has led numerous Myers-Briggs workshops for laity, clergy and the Cabinet. Cost $30 (due to cost of testing materials) Registration: Please make a check payable to CT District and mail check and your name, address, home phone, cell phone, address, your district and church to: Dorothy Chamberlain CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Rev. Dennis Winkleblack dwinkleblack5@gmail.com 10

11 U.M. ARMY United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth LOOKING FOR A GREAT MISSION OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR YOUTH NEXT SUMMER?? Join us at Bakerstown UMC in Gibsonia, PA July 6-12! United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) has been in the Northeast for 11 years and we are growing into the Western PA area this summer! We offer a full week of mission work, spiritual growth and the opportunity to build community with other United Methodist Youth Groups. New groups save $50 per person!! Check us out at Lorraine Macpherson, Executive Director, U. ARMY Northeast, 43 Stone Ridge Rd, Westford, MA Phone:

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13 Kingswood Campsite Grown-Up Getaways Camp's not just for kids and families. Last season's adult sessions at Kingswood were such a hit we're back with four more opportunities for "big people" to connect with creation (while someone else does the cooking). Woodworking Learning Intensive Pastor's Camp Thu - Sun, July Doorways into Prayer Thu - Sun, July th Annual Welding Learning Intensive Build your own Adirondack chair! Sun - Wed, July Disconnecting to Reconnect Thu - Sun, Aug See more information here Also, check out our new RV sites in the woods If you have any questions, please me CATHUD@nyac-umc.com or give me a call at Thanks. Holly Moore Program Director, Kingswood Campsite How do you engage the Divine? How would you like to? Fine tune your skills with experts or learn a new skill from scratch HELP TORNADO VICTIMS IN VARIOUS STATES THROUGH UMCOR United Methodist Committee On Relief U.S. DISASTER RELIEF ADVANCE #

14 GHANA VIM TRIP IN OCTOBER A VIM trip to Ghana is planned for October 3rd through 14th, The group will be putting in the foundation for a school building and offering medical assistance for local villagers. Pastor Woody Eddins and Michelle Ebert of the Simsbury UMC are leading the trip. Persons interested in going on the trip are invited to contact SUMC for more information. Medical personnel are encouraged to apply. ( ). ******** APPPOINTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS Bishop Martin D. McLee intends to make the following appointment in our District at the 2014 session of the New York Annual Conference to be effective July 1, Esau Greene to Bloomfield UMC John Parille to Gaylordsville UMC ******** CONNECTICUT DISTRICT IS ON FACEBOOK! CHECK US OUT nyac connecticut district Have your local church events posted on our District Facebook page by contacting Ximena Varas at xvaras@gmail.com 14

15 PLEASE CONTINUE IN YOUR PRAYERS: Rachel Ye Kim (New Haven: St. Andrews), her husband Tom and children Elizabeth and Jonathan. Rachel is undergoing treatment for a malignant tumor on her brain. PRAYERS FOR: Robert Codd, husband of Trudy Codd (Naugatuck) who is recovering from a massive heart attack. OUR SYMPATHIES TO: Reverend Soon Ahn (Hamden Plains UMC) and his family on the death of his mother, Kye Sung Ahn who passed away at the age of 90, on April 5, Reverend Rhonda Taylor (West Haven: First and Wesley UMC) and her family on the death of her mother, Sarah Louise Beckwith who passed away on April 16, Reverend Robert Sorozan (Bristol: Prospect UMC) and his family on the death of his mother, Caroline Miller Sorozan who died on April 17, CONGRATULATIONS TO: Christine Kim-Stopka who will be graduating with a D.Min. in May from New York Theological Seminary. DISTRICT DIRECTORY CHANGES: Page 10: Monroe parsonage telephone number has been changed to: Page 22: Russell Goodwin (R) has a new address and phone: 563 Harvest Time Lane, Inman, SC Phone: ******** DEADLINE FOR MAY DISTRICT NEWS May 20 th 15