The Messenger. Pastor s Letter

Transcription

1 The Messenger Volume 64 Issue 3 April, 2018 assd Pastor s Letter If you haven t figured it out by now, I struggle with the Pastoral Letter for the monthly newsletter. I want to say something that is inspiring, informative, a little entertaining, and forward focused. Some thing that will move all who read it to deepen their relationship with Christ, while serving one another for the purpose of transforming the world. However, it seems as if my communications are more of a seasonal report. Well, it is Spring. Perhaps part of the struggle comes from my family origins in an oral culture. Even though my family was inquisitive about the world and the people in it, we weren t well read, at least not beyond a copy of National Geographic. Even after years of seminary and the reading and paper writing that made up that time I still prefer the spoken word. I prefer to meet people face to face. I prefer to see their facial expressions and to hear the inflection in their voices. I love to learn about the world by experiencing the world. It is a privilege to take part in the rituals, expressions, and the lives of its people. Ask yourself this question, would you rather read about the laughter of a child or would you rather hear the tone of delight, smell the dandelion lifted to your nose, and giggle with delight as you both wriggle your toes in the cool green grass? I know my choice. In the last eight months I have had the honor of pastoring a congregation of people who have welcomed Richard and I into their midst. You have shared your lives with us and allowed us the privilege of sharing our lives with all of you. We have shared conversations over copper kettles full of apple butter, pots of steaming pasta, in Bible study, times of prayer, and even one on one in my office. These times have been very sacred to me for in them we have been building relationships. Relationships are the building blocks upon which we build God s Kin-dom. [Kin as in the family of God.] We are brothers and sisters working side by side in order to grow in our own faith and to help others do the same. As we grow in faith we are compelled to engage with and experience the world in Christ-like ways, to offer love, mercy, and grace. I am so excited to see what God s future holds for us as the faith community of Monaca United Methodist Church. I pray that you hold that same excitement as together we move toward the work of God s Kin-dom together. Grace and Peace, Pastor Nancy 1

2 ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP IN APRIL UPDATE April GREETERS LITURGIST ACOLYTE NURSERY 1 Sally & Nick Zupsic Adam Davidson Sally Zupsic Jane 8 TBA Mike Mary Beth Shannon Linda Hulme 15 Sara Hill Dennis Bloom Don Lynch Jane 22 Don & Denise Lynch Allen Johnson Joanne Zeigler Linda Hulme 29 Nancy Beringer Donna Hesser Allen Johnson Jane April Counters Bob & Mary Beth Shannon Mark & Jennifer Dierdorf BRAISED STEAK DINNER Featuring: mashed potatoes, cole slaw, vegetables, and assorted homemade pies Wednesday, April 18, 2017 First seating 4:00 pm. Second seating 6:00 pm Take-outs available from 5 6 pm only Tickets are $11 for Adults $5 for Kids 4-12 FREE for 3 and under For tickets contact: Betsy Ralston Linda Hulme Mary Corless Or Call the church office at Come enjoy a delicious meal and fellowship at Monaca United Methodist Church. 2

3 SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT FOR CLAYTON'S ARMY On Saturday May 19 the Pittsburgh Region Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold its annual Great Strides 5K Walk to raise money for research to fight cystic fibrosis. Not sure what cystic fibrosis is? Well, briefly it is a rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe. At present there is no cure for it. And most patients die before the age of 45. We'll be walking as part of Clayton's Army. Who is Clayton? Clayton Himmler is our nephew. He was born on October 24, He will be joining us -- in his stroller. So, for the weekend before his six month birthday, Clayton will be leading us to make Great Strides to help fund the cure for him -- and so many other kids and young adults. We're asking for your help. It's a 5K walk. Could you donate 20 cents a kilometer ($1.00)? Or 40 cents ($2.00)? Or $1.00 ($5.00)? Or some other amount? If you're willing to be one of our sponsors, you could give your donation to Nancy or Dave at church some Sunday. Or you could mail it to us: 201 Mowry Road, Monaca, PA Help us to help Clayton and the other kids have the chance to grow old. Thank you, Dave and Nancy Wilson Happy Birthday in April Robert Doughty 1 Ed Kane 4 Raine Petrella 3 Karli Dierdorf 8 Jonathan Beaver 8 Nancy Beringer 9 Shelby Easterday 10 Shirley Hood 11 Betsy Majzlik 11 Niko Bunney 12 Michael Miller 12 Danielle Suman 19 Jane 20 Brian Mihalic 22 Robert Haglan 25 Brett Esworthy 26 Happy Anniversary in April Anthony & Cheryl Lako 4 Bruce & Linda Hill 18 Alfred & Judy Fitzgerald 20 Holly & Brian Mihalic 28 ALTAR FLOWERS We received the following message from Lydia s Flower Shoppe, the provider of our weekly altar flowers. The price of your weekly Church Vases will be increasing to $ If you have any questions, please call Norma in the church office on Tuesday or Thursday. 3

4 PRAYER CONCERNS Pray for our shut-ins: Nicole Hesser, Pat Brandt, Virginia Basaylyga, Bonnie Sanders, Jack Ralston Please pray for the following family and friends of Monaca UMC: Jordon & Austin Miller Ruth Graham Bob Graham Penny Hart Gene Wolfe Caroline Wolfe Kay Carrier Terry Mann Brandon Bible Kate B. Janet Johnson Sue Heidel G. Heidel Mary Ellen Owens Rev. George Dran Doug Johnson the unsaved Tami Shugars Phillip Margie Newman Max Houser Alex Kevin Thelma Mamula Betsy Ralston Bobbie Dierdorf Cindy Nyoh Dylan Mattern Ed Rozic Ted Buch Gail Bielby Jackie Omogrosso Ed Best Diane Lisa Moore Betsy Ruckert Joyce Clemings Shirley Farrow MUMC PRAYER CHAIN If you are interested in joining our church Prayer Chain, please contact Nancy Beringer at or Bobbie Dierdorf at HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE HIPAA LAW HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) concerns the right to privacy for patients under medical care. If you or a family member are admitted to the hospital, please call Pastor Nancy at as soon as possible. The hospital will call with an admission but sometimes it is two days before the church hears from them. We extend our deepest sympathy to Ruth and the family of John (Jack) Shawger. TREE OF LIFE Two new leaves will be added to the Tree of Life. Thelma Sochor Betty A. Dierforf 4

5 THANK YOU NOTES Thank you for your gift received for $1, through the Advance giving channel of the United Methodist Church. We are pleased to share that 100% of your contribution will support UMCOR s disaster response. General Board of Global Ministries Eastbrook Mission Barn thanks the Monaca UMC and the Women s Ministries for the UMCOR kits and monetary donations sent in We are also grateful for all volunteers who come to assist at the barn. Katie Peterson A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS: The family of John (Jack) Shawger appreciated our kindness to them at the time of his passing. Thank you for the luncheon and the cards, calls and visits. Ruth and family THANKS TO OUR SPECIAL PEOPLE who helped with the Lenten Luncheon on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church and to all of those wonderful bakers who provided cookies. You all are so willing to help and our church is very fortunate to have all of you who help every time you are needed. You all work so well together and make every event so much easier. Thanks You all make it special to prepare the events!!!! Thanks again to all of you. I love you all, Kay Carrier Special thanks to: Eileen Tritt, Betsy Ralston, Mary Corless, Ed Kane, John Hesser, Mike and Mark, and Roberta and Dennis Houser for your help at Jack Shawger s bereavement luncheon on Saturday, March 17, I don t have any more special words of thanks to let you know how much I appreciate your help. You never say no and you all work so well together that everything just goes like clock-work. Thanks again to all of you. Love, Kay Carrier JANE S BOOK LIST 12. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison In this seminal 1952 novel, an unnamed narrator recounts his epic life-story, from his coming-of-age in a rural Southern town, to his migration to the violent streets of Harlem. 13. The Sellout, by Paul Beatty Beatty infuses comic humor and biting political commentary into this racial satire about a modern-day slave owner. 14. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot This is the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black woman whose cells from cervical cancer have been used by scientists for developing advances in everything from cloning, gene mapping, cancer treatment and polio vaccines. 15. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, by Beverly Daniel Tatum Through research and case studies psychologist Beverly Daniel Tatum confronts the subtle ways in which racism dictates the ways both white and non-white people navigate the world. 16. Slavery by Another Name, by Douglas A. Blackmon Writer Douglas A. Blackmon exposes the horrific aftermath of the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery, when thousands of black people were unfairly arrested and then illegally sold into forced labor as punishment. 5

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