On the Journey at St. John s

Transcription

1 On the Journey at St. John s January 2017 St. John s United Church of Christ 538 E. Thomas St. Coopersburg, PA Volume 18 Issue 1 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK: Happy New Year! I was doing some discernment about my personal goals for In essence, I need to re-establish some healthy living habits. I feel better when I am on a healthy eating regiment and exercise. I used the excuse of moving to let these habits go but it is time to make them a priority. That is part of the reason I am starting the Healthy Dimensions class. More information about the class is in this newsletter. Second item was my faith. Yes, my work is immersed in the work of faith, but there is a difference in between works of faith and being in the Spirit. Another thing I let slide with moving was daily devotion time. Devotions means a short reading and prayer. I found that I need to do mine with my first cup of coffee in the morning. Once my day starts I never find the time. Instead of reaching for a devotion book I have been reaching for my phone checking s, my schedule, Facebook etc. Time to establish new priorities. There are so many great devotionals out there. There are books, there are ones you get can sent to your computer, there are even apps for your phone. We are going to try having a magazine format available at the church too. So I challenge you, if this is not part of your daily routine, make it a New Year s resolution. You will find that is it a wonderful way to bring about those faith foundations we speak of at Advent, (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) If you are having trouble picking one out or need a recommendation please speak to me. So, those are personal goals for What about for our church? We are working hard to offer a lot of new programming at the church. We are also reaching out to the community to invite them in. Did you know over 80% of new people come to a church because someone extended a personal invitation? You can help this church by inviting people to our programs and bringing them to church. It is easier to gradually introduce people to church through our social activities. Make this the year that you see yourself as an Ambassador to this church and your job it to tell everyone what is going on at St. John s.

2 Second of all, our church treasurer announced in December that we are about $11,000 in the red for expenses. So here is my challenge to you - if fifty individuals gave $250 dollars above their normal tithing in 2017 we could raise over $11,000 dollars. I realize personal budgets are tight and that can be a struggle. But I challenge you to get creative! What if a group of members decide their tithe to the church this year is to resurrect the Flea Market in 2017? What if another group gets together and hosts a chicken or spaghetti dinner? Please pray about willing to be the leader and organizer of such projects. In late January, we will be announcing the date for a brainstorming session to keep expanding our visions for this church. I am putting this tithing challenge to you as not just as a money issue but also as a faith issue. New Year s Blessings! Pastor Teresa 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Page 2

3 NEW DIMENSIONS CLASS IF YOUR NEW YEAR S RESOLUTION IS FOR BETTER HEALTH/ LOSING WEIGHT AND FEELING BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF THIS IS THE CLASS TO HELP SUPPORT YOU WITH YOUR GOAL. We will not be weighing in and punishing ourselves over our weight. We will be looking for spiritual connections to help us be more healthy human beings spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We will be using the book by Marianne Williamson A course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering your Weight forever. We also will bring in other speakers, sharing healthy recipes, and when the weather turns nice try to get out for some activity together. Prayerfully consider joining us! Please sign up or call the office and let us know you are interested. We will be meeting either Monday of Thursday Evening depending on class preference. Meetings will be every three weeks. NEW YEAR/ NEW BIBLE STUDY/DISCUSSION GROUP We are going to tackle the biblical book of Revelation. This is a complicated book and we are going to take it slow and have a lot of fun with it! We will be using the book Breaking the Code. Cost of book is about $8.50 As always if cost is an issue please speak to the Pastor. I have a couple of used copies. (first come/first available) Class will be held Sundays at 9:15am and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. To begin this new series I would like to invite you to a movie event Sunday January 22 nd. After service, (11:30 am) we will have a pot luck luncheon and watch the movie Left Behind. This is a fictional account of what the Time of Judgment will look like! What you need to register: 1. Name 2. Best way to reach you if we need to cancel because of weather. , (Please give e address) Text,(leave cell phone number) or phone call (again leave number) 3. Class most likely attending 4. Will you be joining us for viewing of movie? You can register at the church on sign up sheet, call the office or pastor at RevTeresaMartin@outlook.com Page 3

4 Dear Friends, Thinking back over the past forty-one years in ministry, I cannot remember writing a letter that has been as personally difficult as this one to write. Having said that, I am writing the Board of Directors of the Penn Northeast Conference to formally announce my retirement as of August 31, When I was re-elected for a third term as your Conference Minister, I told the members of the Conference that I would serve somewhere between three and four years of the six year term. August 1, 2017 will be the beginning of the fourth year of this term. The unpredictability of my Thymic Carcinoma and some new health issues in Candy's life have led us to jointly make this decision as we look towards some hopes and dreams for retirement. I don't know what to say to all of you other than "Thank you!" I don't know why God has led me to and allowed me to participate in this ministry, but I do know that I am deeply grateful. I am grateful for the wonderful and lasting relationships we have enjoyed as together we have sought to be the United Church of Christ in this corner of God's creation. From the Staff, to the many members of the Boards and Committees and Teams over the years, to the pastors and members of our local congregations I have been privileged to be a part of friendships and experiences that I will cherish forever. At this point we are planning to retire in North Carolina, but regardless of where we retire, always know that if you happen to be passing through our neck of the woods, there will always be a place for you at our table. Thank you! Peace, Alan Alan C. Miller, Conference Minister Penn Northeast Conference, United Church of Chris (this was presented to the meeting of the Penn Northeast Conference Board of Directors on December 8.) Page 4

5 HAPPY BIRTHDAY January 3 Keith Martin 5 Marc Bamberger 26 Keith Hausman HAPPY ANNIVERSARY January 9 Richard & Beverly Bernd Please help keep this listing up-to-date by contacting the office with additions and/or corrections! Thank you! Page 5

6 Holiday Gifts for Betty Lou's Pantry Families Two large cartons of Christmas gifts and Gift Cards were delivered to St. James Church on Friday, December 16 for our "adopted" Betty Lou's Pantry family. Thank you all for your generous donations; the response was overwhelming! Since this year was so successful, we plan to add one or two more families next year. Thanks to Elaine, Peg and Donna for your wrapping help. Ten Thousand Villages Thank you to those who shopped at Ten Thousand Villages in November. St John's received over $ from the sales. The money will fund gifts for our home bound members, and the remainder will be donated to Bethany Children's Home, our December Mission. Thank you, Elaine, for contacting the store and making the arrangements. Respectfully submitted, Martha Helverson Christmas Concert I want to thank everyone who made the annual Christmas Concert such a success, especially John and Marlene Ruby. It was an amazing event! One person that I did not even know came up to me and said "Everyone here is so nice. It feels like a home instead of a church!" I think church should feel like a home instead of a place of business so I took it as a compliment. Again thank you! Pastor Teresa Page 6

7 DONATION NEEDED From time to time Betty Lou's Pantry needs to ask people to donate liquid laundry detergent. This is something we can't get through Second Harvest. Your response to this request was great in May - June. We appreciate your support. COB CORNER Happy New Year! Join us on Monday, Jan 23 at 7PM for the FIRST COB MEETING for COB 2017! We are always looking for new Team members to be a part of the awesome planning group that works to ensure the success of helping our neighbors in need! For info: Debbie or debilo0405@yahoo.com. Please remember January is one of the month's where we have our fifth Sunday collection. Please use one of the colored envelopes out on the table in the lobby. These monies will be used to for the Helping Hand fund. This is a fund for the Pastor and Council to use to help parishioners in emergency situations. This is a fund separate from COB and designated for helping our own. Please prayerfully consider donating. Our fifth Sunday is January 29th. Pastor Teresa Page 7

8 SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. SAD may be related to changes in the amount of daylight you get. Seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect 10 million Americans. Another 10 percent to 20 percent may have mild SAD. SAD is more common in women than in men. Illness typically begins around age 20. Some people experience symptoms severe enough to affect quality of life, and 6 percent require hospitalization. Many people with SAD report at least one close relative with a psychiatric disorder, most frequently a severe depressive disorder (55 percent) or alcohol abuse (34 percent). Although some children and teenagers get SAD, it usually doesn't start in people younger than age 20. Yet when it does the syndrome is first suspected by parents and teachers. Risk decreases with age. SAD is more common the farther north you live. Treatments Because winter depression is probably caused by a reaction to a lack of sunlight, broad-band light therapy is frequently used. When used properly, light therapy seems to have very few side effects. Side effects include eyestrain, headache, fatigue, irritability and inability to sleep (when light therapy is used too late in the day). When light therapy does not improve symptoms within a few days, then medication and, or, behavioral therapies should be introduced. In some cases, light therapy can be used in combination with anyone or all of these therapies. Self-Care Monitor your mood and energy level Take advantage of available sunlight Plan pleasurable activities for the winter season Plan physical activities Approach the winter season with a positive attitude When symptoms develop seek help sooner rather than later Page 8

9 MISSION OF MONTH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit organization that works to build simple, decent homes for hardworking, disadvantaged families in the Lehigh Valley. We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a global organization that has provided housing for more than 2 million people in communities in America and around the world. As one of 1,500 U.S. affiliates, Habitat Lehigh Valley embodies the mission and goals of HFHI at the local level. Founded in 1989, Habitat Lehigh Valley brings together people from all walks of life to help others. Habitat Lehigh Valley works by partnering with local businesses, individuals and faith-based groups to build and renovate housing for families in need in our community. Our objective is to provide our families with a decent home in a safe neighborhood. Additionally, our families help to revitalize neighborhoods and increase the local tax base. The Habitat mission is to offer families in need a hand up, not a hand out, and to walk alongside them as they realize the dream of home ownership. Each of our families contributes 250 hours of sweat equity to help build their home and the homes of their neighbors. Once in residence, they make monthly mortgage payments. Since most of our families are new to home ownership, HLV stays in contact with them, guiding them and providing support to ensure their successful transition to home ownership. The Habitat Home Ownership program provides deserving families and children with a stable home and a safe neighborhood in which to grow and thrive. Studies indicate that the children of homeowners are more likely to attain higher academic achievement. They have a 25% higher probability of finishing high school and a 116% better chance of graduating from college. Additionally, children of homeowners are 59% more likely to become homeowners themselves. Your donation will help families break the cycle of poverty and build long-term financial security. With an affordable, stable home, families have more to spend on food, medicine, child care, education and other essentials. Your support can help us do more in all the many ways that Habitat builds. Page 9

10 COUNCIL NEWS Welcome New Church Council Members for Jean Hanville, Bill Knittle, Neil O Brien, John Ruby and Jerry Trexler were elected during our December 4 Congregational Meeting. Serving as officers are: John, President; Bill, Vice- President; and Jean, Secretary. Doug Davis is Treasurer and non-member of Council. Great appreciation is extended to Council Members for their dedicated service in 2016; Doug Davis, Harry Hanville, Debbie Loew, Bill Knittle, Nancy Knotts, Neil O Brien, and Marlene Ruby. SAVE THE DATE Our next Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19. Annual Reports will be received. We will also be voting on a proposal for a constitutional amendment. The proposal is: Amend the Constitution ARTICLE VII, Sections 1 and 6 COUNCIL, with the following, for calendar years 2017 and 2018: Section 1 The Council shall be composed of the pastor (non-voting) and five (5) elected members. Section 6 Council members shall be elected for one (1) year. In order to provide continuity, not more than two (2) members shall leave office in any one year. We are proposing this measure, during our transition time, to update council membership requirements to be more relevant in meeting our current leadership needs and realities. Everyone s vote is important. Please plan to attend. EVENING VESPERS A NEW offering at St. John s on the 3rd Sunday of the month, from 5:00-6:00 PM. The first one will be on January 15. The theme is A New Dawn and will feature original music composed and performed by June Thomas. Evening Vespers are an alternate prayerful experience, grounded in music to nourish the soul. Each month will be centered around a different theme. Come and try out this new experience and let us know what you think. Page 10

11 CHRISTMAS CONCERT This year s Acoustic Christmas Concert on December 18, presented by Craig Thatcher and Nyke Van Wyck, was marvelous, magical and moving. Craig and Nyke s unique arrangements of beloved songs filled the Sanctuary, lifting the spirits of all. Special guests, Don Plowman and John Carelli added a special festive flare. New faces and loyal familiar faces joined in appreciation for this time of joy and celebration in the true spirit of Christmas as guided through music. Many, many attendees expressed their gratitude for this experience, which they now consider a treasured part of their Holiday traditions. Several shared heartfelt, personal stories of how much being here means to them. There were about 300 attendees, who donated $2,890. Many also purchased CD s. Pastor Teresa is pleased and encouraged to acknowledge that we received at least 20 hits on Facebook immediately following the concert. The Fellowship Committee did an outstanding job of creating a very warm and inviting time of fellowship and sharing a bounty of yummy treats. Thank you to all who helped with set up, parking, ushering, clean up and baking. An event such as this needs many willing hands. We are so blessed and deeply grateful to Craig and Nyke for generously sharing the precious gifts of their time and talent. Page 11

12 St. John s United Church of Christ 538 Thomas Street Coopersburg, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED OUR MISSION: To know and share the love of God through worship, fellowship and outreach to the community. Page 12