Pastor Sarah. And, if you have an answer, I would love to hear it! May you find blessings and gentleness in the warming spring days of May.

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1 For those of you who regularly submit newsletter articles, it comes as no surprise that the 15 th of each month rolls around without fail, and articles are due to be submitted so that the newsletter can be mailed in a timely fashion before the next month! So you may not be interested in my lament that writing this current newsletter article came in the midst of planning for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter. Surely the time constraint affected more people than just me members who also needed to write articles, Darlene, Michele, many others. I am not an exception! We all have our duties to do. But there are times when, because certain areas of our lives become more demanding, we might choose to be more gentle with ourselves in other areas. And so that is my excuse, and below is my substitution for a true, full-blown newsletter article. It is one of my favorite poems, and it is surely appropriate for spring, and appropriate for all of us as we wonder about creation, doubt our ability to pray, worry about dying, but in the meantime perhaps also ask ourselves, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? And, if you have an answer, I would love to hear it! May you find blessings and gentleness in the warming spring days of May. With love and joy, Pastor Sarah The Summer Day by Mary Oliver Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I meanthe one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and downwho is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? from New and Selected Poems, 1992 Beacon Press, Boston, MA

2 Thank you to everyone who gave extra time for all the rehearsals for the Lent, Holy Week, and Easter music. It certainly enhanced our worship and I hope it might have comforted, uplifted or touched someone whatever their need might be. I remember commenting after Christmas that the choirs could relax a little since Lent and Easter were late this year. Well it was nice while it lasted, but now because Easter was later we have back to back special music needed for our building dedication on May 1 st, Music Appreciation on May 15 th, and Pentecost/Confirmations in June. So if the Sanctuary choir looks kind of grouchy it s because I ll be throwing lots of music at them at a furious pace, but I m sure they will be much more appreciative when their summer hiatus arrives. Seriously, please plan to attend all these special services in the life of our church. Oh I can t forget May 8 th and May 15 th when I ll try to find my way on a new organ and engage your ears with the sounds of an Allen Digital Organ. By having this opportunity to actually place a digital organ in our space it will give everyone the chance to hear and compare the sound with our existing pipe organ. It will allow everyone to be informed, not just the committee. If we vote to go ahead, we will at least know what our organ fund will be working for. Please mark your calendar and plan to be part of this important decision that will take place on May 15 th. May Rehearsal Schedule Sunday, May 1 st, 8 th, 15 th 9:50 AM Joyful Singers Wednesday, May 4 th, 11 th, 18 th, 25 th 6:15 PM Praise Choir 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir & Men s Chorus Thursday, May 5 th, 12 th 6:30 PM Chime Choir Monday, May 16 th 6:15 PM Orchestra May Special Music May 1 st Sanctuary Choir May 8 th Praise Choir May 15 th All Choirs and Orchestra May 22 nd Men s Chorus May 29 th Great Choir (congregation) Darlene P.S. nature report I was working in the new music room one afternoon. I left my desk and headed to the piano and had to look out the window at the bluebird box that just happens to be on the pole right close to my window. A little head popped out. It reminded me of a cuckoo clock. And I just waited and watched and sure enough he flew out and it was a bluebird! It took like it might be meal worm time soon! Maybe we will all be able to watch this small gift of God as it unfolds. Did you know that the Easter Bunny can put what s inside an egg minus the shell in your Easter Basket? Yep, I got little chicks to be continued next month!

3 KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Our members: Mabel Baer, Karen Bathgate, Becky Black, Ken Brown, Clara Eisenhart, Dale Farence, Kathy Flickinger, Allen & Evelyn Hoke, Edna Kemper, Minerva Luckenbaugh, Delores Myers, Treva Myers, Dick Parks, Ken Ruby, Brenda Starner, Gerald Thomas, Friends of the congregation: Pat Bollinger, Janet Eichelberger, Eva Eisenhart, Gary & Vicki Friedman, Patrick Goldsmith, Tracy Goodyear, Henry Korinth, Gene Krout, Don Laurence, Barry Markey, Carissa McComas, Dave Merges, Michael Potts, Barb Sauter, Diana Whisler, and Kenneth Wright; all of our shut-ins who we want to know are missed, yet are always in our hearts; and the men and women who are proudly serving our country. Election Day Food Sale VOTING TUESDAY, MAY 17: We will again be serving food all day on election day. Food will be prepared on Monday, May 16 th beginning at 8:00 AM. Help is need that day and also on the 17 th. Please let Joan know if you can help to serve so a schedule can be set up. We also need donations of baked goods. Proceeds from this sale will go toward the organ fund. THE WIMPS are planning their Tea By The Sea. Imagine sitting on a comfortable chair in the sand and sipping tea while a warm breeze is blowing off the ocean. There are beautiful seashells close by and beach towels around and other surprises to feast your eyes and senses on. Tickets are $16 and seats are limited. May 21 st is after Mother s Day so a ticket to the tea would be an excellent treat for an important woman in your life. AN UPDATE ON OUR ORGAN FUND and Upcoming "Organ Sunday": On April 8, Matt Baldwin of Menchey Music met with Darlene, Nancy Cherry, Pastor Sarah, and Kim DeGroft to summarize his findings on the current state of our organ. At this point, the organ is in such disrepair that it cannot be tuned for fear of further deterioration of our pipes, which would lead to it being unplayable. We also have significant issues with the organ console (the keyboard and pedal portion that Darlene plays), such as sticking keys and sounds that do not work. We also learned that the organ is in such disrepair that cannot be used to create a hybrid with a digital, so the current proposal is to go with fully digital organ, which will give us far more features than we currently have and will save us significantly on maintenance and repair in future years. Please mark your calendars for May 8 yes it is Mother's Day, but it is the soonest date after Easter and our Dedication Sunday that we can use the organ from Menchey's. Please feel free to come as early as 9:30 that morning to see the organ and speak with Matt Baldwin of Menchey's. We will have an abbreviated morning service so that by 11:15, we will move into a time of question & answer regarding our existing organ and information about the new organ with Matt. A congregational vote on whether or not to endorse the purchase of a new, digital organ will take place on May 15 after everyone has had a chance to think about what they learned on May 8. ADDRESS CHANGE: Robert & Kelli Linker 2689 Stoverstown Road Spring Grove, PA THE WIMPS will meet on Monday, May 9 th at 7:00 PM to finalize the tea plans. There will not be a meeting on May 16 th.

4 WOODEN FOLDING CHAIRS are available to purchase for $5 each. Please see Kim or Bud if you are interested. MARK YOUR CALENDARS for VBS It will be held June This year s theme is Rev It Up: Full Throttle for God and will feature race cars. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK Pastor Sarah for her phone call and concerns and all the cards I received after my surgery. It was appreciated. Thank you again. Sincerely, Wendy Carl THANK YOU to the Ladies of Lischeys for the lovely Easter plant and the nice visit from Joan. Betty Hoke A DIABETES WALK is being held on Saturday, May 7 th, by the South Western Key Club. Come join us at the South Western High School track for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and finding the cure for Juvenile Diabetes! The Walk begins at 1:00 PM and will be a distance of 1 mile or 3 miles. After The Walk, there will be a block party! It is $5 for children and students and $10 for adults. All money raised benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For more information and to preregister, go to: ATTENTION GRADUATES: Please notify the church office of any graduation taking place this spring. This can be kindergarten, high school, technical school, college, etc. We would like to honor you in the June newsletter. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK everyone for their prayers, concerns, and cards, and a special thank you to Pastor Sarah for her phone calls and visits while I was recuperating from my recent illness. Gerald Thomas THANK YOU to everyone who donated items for the children s Easter egg hunt. We had 11 happy children who left with Easter eggs, goody bags, and teddy bears. A special thank you to Kaleb & Kari Hamme (& their cousin Caitlin) who helped to hide the eggs, to Colton Spangler for bringing his bunnies and sharing a story, and to Katie Bathgate for her special appearance as the Easter Bunny. THANK YOU to the Ladies of Lischeys for the pretty petunia and the time spent visiting. Betty Senft THANK YOU to Colton Spangler for sharing his artistic talents with us and donating an original painting. It can be seen hanging in the new gathering area by the elevator. I want to thank everyone for your generous support of Hoffman Homes during the month of March. Your donations totaled $97. I also thank those of you who have been saving your Campbell s labels proof of purchase and General Mills Box Tops of Education. I had several hundred Campbell s labels and 765 General Mills Box Tops which are worth 10 a piece, so they matched our monetary contribution. None of us would toss a dime into the garbage, but that s what happens when we toss those labels away. It takes very little time and effort to save them and every little bit helps. Proceeds from the labels are used to buy classroom supplies at Hoffman Home. Thanks for your help. Delphine

5 CHICKEN BAR-B-Q, BAKE SALE, & YARD SALE will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011, rain or shine. Tickets for chicken dinners, which includes half of a chicken, baked potato, and applesauce, are available for a donation of $7.00. Please see Elvin Myers to purchase. Breakfast, lunch, and baked goods will be sold by the Ladies of Lischey s, and chicken corn soup will be available by the quart. Donations of baked goods are greatly appreciated! Personal yard sale spaces are available for rent for a donation of $10 to sell your own items (you are responsible to bring your own tables and keep your profit), or you can donate your items to the church and we will take care of setting up and selling your items (the church gets the profit). If you would like to donate to the church's yard sale stand, please place your pre-priced items in the white garage between May 30 th & June 2 nd. Any items left over after the sale will be donated to charity. With the help and support of many, we can make this a very successful event. We need volunteers, sales persons, and customers. Thanks in advance for your support. MISSION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAY Homewood Homes Offering May 8 th Harvest of Hope - May 29 th

6 1 st Barbara Gardner 4 th Anna Mae Foreman 6 th Jennifer Lecrone 8 th Matthew Baile Kali Jerrard 9 th Ryder Linker 10 th Alex Brown Myles Brown Bradley Ruth 12 th Anna Mae Mummert 13 th Helen Klinedinst MAY BIRTHDAYS (* - designates 80 and over) 14 th Pam Noel Meggie Sanders 16 th Leah Myers Susan Sanders Kiersten Wetzel 17 th Alyssa Kramer 19 th Linda Pentz 20 th Diane Kimball Ryan McKowen 22 nd Janet Myers Colby Starner 24 th Maybelle Altland 25 th Edward Warner 26 th Dana Messinger 27 th Becky Black 28 th Ken Cherry 29 th Amanda Ballard Britani Moore 30 th Lester Luckenbaugh* Darlene Miner 31 st Todd Kramer Happy Anniversary May 1, 1965 Larry & Adrienne Messinger May 7, 1993 Kim & Christine DeGroft May 8, 2004 Mark & Lauren Kramer May 12, 2001 Tom & Sarah Pasmore May 18, 1996 Jeffrey & Kathy Flickinger May 18, 1991 Larry & Joy Spangler May 20, 1990 Joseph & Lisa Crisamore, Jr. May 24, 1997 Stephen & Kimberly Sherman May 25, 2002 Arthur & Jennifer Brown May 26, 1968 Tom & Pam Noel May 30, 2009 Mike & Crystal Freed

7 Basket ON FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011, the Fundraising Committee will be holding their seventh annual Basket Bingo at New Oxford Social Club Pavilion in New Oxford. The doors will open at 5:30 PM and the bingo will start at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. There is a lot of work that goes into organizing and planning this event and we need lots of help in order to make it successful. Here are some ways that you can help: The first thing, and the most important thing we need, is to get people to sponsor the baskets, make a contribution towards the purchase of the baskets or the filling of the baskets with goodies, or make donations towards door prizes. If you know of any individuals or businesses that might be interested in sponsoring or donating, please contact Chris DeGroft at (717) This is a tax write-off for any individual or business and also great advertising. The more donations we get, the less our expenses will be and the greater our profit will be. Another important thing we need is people to buy tickets. Please try to help in this area by selling tickets to coworkers, friends, and relatives. The night of the bingo, we will need help in the kitchen to prepare, serve, and sell food. We are planning on selling sandwiches, soup, snacks, soft drinks, and baked goods. Anyone who is interested in donating baked goods, please contact Chris. Also that night, we will need a bingo caller, people at the door to collect and sell tickets, runners to check the cards for bingo, someone to hand out the prizes, and someone to help with the raffles. With the help of many people, this has been a very successful event for us, and we raised quite a bit of money for the Building for Service fund. Let s see if this year we can do just as well, or even better than last year. Anyone who is interested in helping with the Basket Bingo, please contact Chris DeGroft at (717) Thanks in advance for your support. The Fundraising Committee Chris DeGroft, Chairperson Brian Altland, Russ Bolden, Don & Wendy Carl, Jenn Lecrone Dick Myers, Connie Neiderer

8 NEWSLETTER NEWS of the 29 Churches of the York Association May 2011 York Association website: Mission Statement We, the members of the York Association of the United Church of Christ, are called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to represent Christ by: supporting one another in our covenantal relationship; calling clergy and laity to mutual accountability to the faith and order of the church; witnessing together to God s redeeming love. (adopted April 28, 1991) Intentional Prayer List The mission statement of the York Association calls us to support one another in our covenantal relationship. Keep the following sister congregations in your prayers as they journey through their time of transition: Salem UCC Dover called Rev. Ruthann Siebert as their pastor, beginning June 1, Rev. Brad Rentzel is currently serving as interim pastor. St. Paul s UCC (Red Run) East Berlin Rev. Jim Crawford is currently serving as interim pastor as the church continues to receive profiles. Dover UCC Dover Rev. Aris Fokas currently serving as interim pastor. Heidelberg UCC York Rev. Henry Korinth currently serving as interim pastor. Trinity UCC Hallam GOOD LISTENERS WANTED! On behalf of the York Association, the Committee on Ministry offers Situational Support Consultations to congregations in our Association that are in situations of transition, or occasionally of conflict. The major work is done by listening teams made up of volunteer women and men, both lay and clergy. The purpose of this work is to help congregations share and clarify their strengths and weakness, their challenges and their hopes. Here s a testimonial about the value of this process from Mary Arnold of Salem UCC, Dover: The York Association Listening Team members held situational support meetings with members of Salem UCC in April 2009 after our pastor resigned. They were scheduled every hour of the day and evening and over a weekend to make it convenient for everyone to attend. A letter explaining the importance of this process was sent to all members, asking them to sign up for an appointment. 47 out of the who attend every Sunday participated. Following that weekend, Cathy Sherry, then chair of the Committee on Ministry, shared the findings with members of our Consistory. Salem found this information was valuable when writing our congregational profile. We found that the congregation works well together, has talented members, and has a sense of heritage in Salem s long history. We celebrated our 250 th anniversary a couple of years ago. It s a big job! So we need more trained listeners. Please consider becoming trained during one of these training sessions: Wednesday, May 25, 7:00 p.m. at New Hope (Fissel s) UCC, Glen Rock; or Thursday, June 16 at Hayshire UCC. To sign up, or for more information, contact Committee on Ministry chair Larry Smith at LBS004@hotmail.com, or call Thank you! Around the Association Locust Grove UCC York - chicken barbecue and bake sale on Saturday, May 7, 2011, beginning at 11:00 AM, rain or shine. The public is invited. Dinners will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, until sold out. The cost of the dinner is $7.50. The dinner will include one-half chicken, baked potato, applesauce, dinner roll and butter, cupcake, and beverage. Dinners can be eaten on site or carried out. Our contact number for the chicken barbecue is To reserve dinners, please leave your name, phone number, and number of dinners. In addition, there will be a yard sale beginning at 8:00am. Mt Zion UCC York - Why is mixing Mt. Zion with chicken like mixing yeast with warm water? Because they both raise dough! Mt. Zion UCC is preparing for our second annual Chicken BBQ as another fundraiser for the 4 Our Churches Capital Campaign! Save the date of Saturday, May 21, for this important event. Chicken BBQ is being held in the parking lot at T Mobile on Rt. 30 in North York. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the chicken is gone!). New Hope (Fissel s) UCC - 23rd annual FISSEL S FAIR Flea Market and Craft Show on Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM at 3426 Fissel s Church Rd., Glen Rock, PA The church is located below Susquehannock High School. Spaces are available for $ 5.00 in advance or $ day of fair (non-refundable). All spaces are outside and unlimited space is available. This event will be held rain or shine. Plenty of food will be provided sausage sandwiches, Fissel s fries, chicken corn soup, chicken pot pie, ham and bean soup, and beef vegetable soup. Call (717) for more details.

9 St. Paul UCC - Shrewsbury - annual spring GIGANTIC 2-DAY INDOOR YARD SALE on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. (RAIN or SHINE) Items for sale include: plants, glassware, jewelry, books, small appliances, household items, toys, clothing, seasonal decorations and much, much more! Saturday, May Chicken BBQ beginning at 10:30AM. Cost is $7.50 and includes 1/2 chicken, baked potato, roll w/butter, dessert and beverage (when eating in). Carry outs available. Dinners will be sold on a first come/first served basis until sold out. Order ahead by calling or st.paulucc@verizon.net. Proceeds to benefit church ministries and improvements. Trinity UCC - Hellam, Trinity Players will once again be presenting a mystery dinner theatre entitled "Murder at 29,029 Feet" on May 6, 7, 13 & 14. Curtain time will be 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall. Seating arrangements can be made beginning April 1st, by calling Melissa Falk at St. Peter s Lischey s UCC - Spring Grove - is hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 1 st from 2:00 5:00 PM. Come and see our remodeled church with its new office wing, additional classrooms, and new elevator access to all floors. Cookies and punch will be served in our recently renovated fellowship hall. You are also invited to join us as we dedicate our new addition at our 10:30 AM worship service that day. For more information, call the church office at th Annual Basket Bingo on Friday, May 6, 2011, at 7:00 PM, at the New Oxford Social Club Pavilion. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door for 20 games. All baskets are filled and include a liner and/or protector. Doors will open at 5:30. Special games, raffles, and food will be available. Proceeds will benefit the St. Peter's Lischey's Family Enrichment Center Building for Service Fund. For tickets, call the church office at The WIMPS (Women In Ministry Praise & Service) of St. Peter s Lischey s UCC, Spring Grove, will host a Tea by the Sea on Saturday, May 21 st with seating beginning at 11:30 AM. Tickets are $16 and may be obtained by calling the church office at Annual Chicken BBQ, Bake and Yard Sale on Saturday, June 4 th 2011, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM, rain or shine. Tickets are on sale now for BBQ chicken dinners. The price is $7.00 for ½ chicken, baked potato, and applesauce. Breakfast, lunch, and baked goods will be sold by the Ladies of Lischey s. Please call the church office at for more information Trinity Roth's UCC - Spring Grove - Proudly presents a... Country Gospel Concert by Recording Artist Dan Martin. The concert will take place on Sunday, May 1 beginning at 6:30 PM in the church sanctuary. The concert will feature old time country gospel music. Mr. Martin is a recording artist with Canadian American Records. Free Will offering will benefit Helping Hands, a church ministry organization. Refreshments will be served in the social hall, following the concert. The public is invited. Please call for additional details or Pastor Gene Senior Excursions on the Rail Trail The York County Department of Parks and Recreation is again sponsoring Senior Excursions in the parks. These rides are designed to transport senior citizens through the parks to see the natural beauty and hear about local history. The People Mover trailer is pulled by a pickup truck. Each ride is narrated by Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones. Dress for the weather. In the event of rain, the Parks will cancel the trip. The scheduled rides, times, cost and ride duration are as follows: May 24 Rail Trail County Park, Brillhart Station Parking Area Departures at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.. Cost is $8.00 per person. Ride duration 75 minutes. June 22 High Point Scenic Vista and Recreation Area Departures at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cost is $5.00 per person. Ride duration 45 minutes. July 26 Rail Trail County Park, Hanover Junction Train Station Departures at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 per person. Duration is 75 minutes. August 16 Rail Trail County Park, Seven Valleys Fire Department Departure at 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Cost is $10.00 per person. Duration is 100 minutes. September 20 Rail Trail County Park, New Freedom Train Station Departures at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 per person. Duration is 75 minutes. October 11 Spring Valley County Park, Animal Activity Area Departures at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 per person. Duration is 75 minutes. For more information or to register, call York County Parks at (717) Part Time Secretary Needed Starview United Church of Christ is seeking a part-time secretary. 12 hours a week, $9.00/hr. Computer skills essential. Forward resume to: starviewucc@verizon.net If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. To qualify, she must sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. You may not know someone going through chemo, but someone on your list might. Please forward!