the Messenger NOVEMBER 2012

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1 the Messenger NOVEMBER 2012 Richardson Park United Methodist Church Phone: North Maryland Avenue Fax: Wilmington, DE Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power for ever and ever. - 1 st Peter 4:8-11 (NRSV) As we look forward to talking about stewardship in November, I wanted to share something that I read from David S. Bell, formerly the director of Stewardship at the General Board of Discipleship. It s a piece that helped me think more holistically about what the word stewardship really means. I recently presented at a conference held annually at a Florida beach destination. Fortunately, my family accompanied me on this trip. I heard from another conference attendee that Tigertail Beach, located a few miles away from our conference hotel, was an excellent shelling area. We did not find time all week to drive to this beach. However, we had a few extra minutes on the morning of our departure. My daughter and I decided to visit this somewhat remote beach. We intended to go shelling for only a few minutes since rain clouds were looming. Plus, we needed to finish packing. Upon our arrival, more people were at the beach than we anticipated. We soon discovered this particular Saturday morning was a scheduled beach clean-up time. We passed by several locals, but were stopped at the registration area for the clean-up event. Three local women were seated behind the registration table. They represented the Friends of Tigertail Beach, Inc., the non-profit organization hosting the clean-up efforts. The women asked if we were there to help. I knew that we only had a few minutes, so I mentioned that we were just visiting and leaving soon. They encouraged all the more. I told them that we would be on the lookout for debris, but we came mainly as tourists. As we wandered the beach, our eyes gazed through the shallow waters, the squishy sand, and the mangrove edges searching primarily for shells and then for trash. We did find some shells, like the many we had seen on the beach near our hotel. Honestly, as we walked longer, it was the trash, for example, a fabulous pair of jeweled sandals (or were those barnacle-covered flip-flops?), that captured more and more of our attention and imagination. How were these sandals lost? Who was wearing them? Where were they lost? Oh, the imaginative stories that a dad and his daughter can create! Beside the stories, we talked about environmental stewardship caring for God s creation. It was a hands-on teaching moment that parents too often miss. I took full advantage. We placed the sandals along with other debris in someone else's garbage bag and headed back to the parking lot. It was time for us to depart. As we walked back, I thought about these women. I knew that we would see them again. I could now walk by them with my guilt relieved. Yes, I was feeling slightly guilty for telling them earlier that we were just there to take from the beach as tourists, instead of give back. After spotting those sandals, we became more than tourists. We helped clean up the beach. We were... well, stewards. I could tell the women that we had done our part. Let s remember the gifts that God gave us this month as we each consider our own stewardship. Becoming a steward of God s grace, Pastor Tom

2 In November, Ruth Circle will take care of the flowers in the church. NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS Sandy Burkholder 11/1 Joseph Gallagher 11/1 Paul Ayala 11/2 Tracy Gamble 11/2 Sath Amara 11/3 Mary Fader 11/3 Frank Lindell 11/5 Christopher Owen 11/5 Kimberly Dale 11/6 Brandon Gamble 11/8 Robbie Swain 11/8 Bob Burkholder 11/11 Erin Lindell 11/11 Emma Logullo 11/11 Barbara Sayles 11/13 Phyllis Bowman 11/14 Nickolas Gommer 11/14 John Ludlow 11/19 Clyde Nafzinger 11/20 Lisa Dukes 11/22 Hannah Phillipe 11/23 Deborah Pruitt 11/25 Phyllis Thomas 11/25 Mary James 11/26 Sammy Pasmore 11/26 Louise Beck 11/27 Mallori Cochran 11/29 Laura Doughty 11/29 Kylie Parker 11/29 Tracy Simpson 11/29 Marvin Swain 11/29 Sherlynn Aurelio 11/30 Mary Alice Bair 11/30 Circle Meetings Rebekah Circle Tue., November 6 7:00 p.m. Home of Pat Cummings Ruth Circle Wed., November 7 10:00 a.m. Lounge UMW Unit Meeting Sunday, November 18 11:30 AM BABY SHOWER FOR JESUS Sunday, December 2 11:30 AM Fellowship Hall During the United Methodist Women s Potluck Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 2, we will hold a Baby Shower for Jesus. We hope you will be able to attend the luncheon and, if possible, bring one or more of the following items: New baby clothing (sizes 0-12 months) Canned formula Disposable diapers Baby blankets Small items such as bottles, pins, etc. All of these items will be donated to CAP for their give-away program to new or expectant mothers. If you have any questions, please contact Lee Powell at Note: If your name is not listed on our birthday calendar, please call the church office at Thank you. Many thanks to Richard Beane for mowing and trimming the grounds here at RPUMC. Your contribution to the up-keep of our facility is greatly appreciated.

3 Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday, November 4 at 2 AM. Time to turn your clocks back one hour!!! WESLEY TOWER BANKS September and October 2012 $ Thanks to everyone for remembering to bring your filled banks to church the first Sunday of each month. Our total to date for 2012 is $ Remember to pick up an empty bank as you leave the altar area on Communion Sunday. AGAIN, THANKS FOR SAVING YOUR CHANGE. MISSION TREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE Sunday, November 18-7 PM Wilmington Church of the Brethren On Sundays in November, we will be hanging Turkeys on our Mission Tree. Hang a turkey on the tree in honor or memory of someone special to you. Minimum donation is $1.00. Our tree is located in the Extension. The offering during the service will benefit the Richardson Park Community Action Program. FOOD FOR CAP Don t forget to bring food for CAP the first Sunday of each month. We are in need of: Cereals, Tuna, Canned Meats, Pancake Mix and Syrup, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Crackers of all kinds and Mini Crackers Ketchup and Mustard Spaghetti Your donations are very much appreciated! A BRIGHTER DAY MINISTRY A Brighter Day Ministry is collecting gently used or new winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves and new socks for the homeless. Rebecca Shannon will pick up donations from the church the weeks of October 28 and November 4. A barrel is located inside the sanctuary where you can place your donations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rebecca at The Outreach will take place on November 10.

4 KIDS CAFÉ NEWS TENTH ANNUAL ALUMNI CHOIR CONCERT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 4 PM HYMN SINGING AT 3:45 PM RPUMC Sanctuary Under the direction of Ms. Bettie Smith, the Alumni Choir will hold their tenth annual concert. Come and join the Alumni Choir as we minister in song, singing praises unto the Lord. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Outreach Ministries at RPUMC. TOO MANY CALENDARS????? If you are receiving more 2013 calendars than you can possibly use, please leave your extra ones in the church office or give to Mary Alice Bair for the Prison Ministry. Spiral calendars are unacceptable for security reasons. Many thanks. KIDS KORNER Greetings from Room 3! The children found our Bible person to be quite interesting (especially for a lady). In October, our focus was on Queen Ester. This year we have journals. Each week after learning activities and our Bible story, the children draw or write what we have studied. Visit us in November. There will be another special person of the month! Blessings from Ms. Marlene Thursday, October 18 was the start of Kids Café. We are blessed with a wonderful group of children and tutors this year! The children brought homework and participated in making our group guidelines. It was a great start for this year. FREE LUNCH THURSDAYS Don t forget our Free Lunch Thursdays at RPUMC from 11 AM to 1 PM in Fellowship Hall. This ministry is geared to feed both body and soul by providing nourishing lunches and an opportunity to share the love of Jesus. Please join us as we come together for fellowship and to enjoy a delicious lunch. SEMI-ANNUAL PIE SALE Please place your orders by Monday, November 12 for pickup on Friday, November 16. An order form is included in this bulletin. YE OLDE SHOPPE Ye Olde Shoppe is open on Thursdays between 9 AM and 1 PM, and on the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM to 1 PM. If you can t stop in during the week, we hope to see you the first Saturday of each month. Come, browse and shop. There are special treasures for you, your family and your friends.

5 THE KOINONIA FELLOWSHIP We met on Friday, October 19 and enjoyed a delicious covered-dish dinner. It is always a surprise to see what culinary delights our members bring to share. After a short business meeting, we welcomed Richard and Cindi Beane, who joined us to show the movie, Dear God. Everyone enjoyed candy bars and popcorn while watching the movie. Our next meeting will be held on Friday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m. Members are asked to bring a dessert or snack to share. We will once again enjoy a rip roaring Game Night. One of our members, Carol Ewing, who resides at the beach sent us a new game, LCR, to be introduced this night. Thanks, Carol, for thinking of us! Thank you to all my dear friends at RPUMC for the honor bestowed on me on Sunday, October 21. To be awarded Special Mission Recognition by the United Methodist Women is extremely humbling. I love you and God loves you. ` Betty Swain Dear Church family, My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your prayers of concern and support during my back surgery in June. Also, I would like to express a very special thank you to Pat Cummings, Lee Powell and Shirl Snapp who were kind enough to straighten and clean my house. I appreciated all the phone calls and visitors. The altar flowers were absolutely beautiful and I was blessed with a prayer shawl. As I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders, I felt so much love. God is so wonderful! Love, Joan Stadelman OUR BEAUTIFUL STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS In 1926 when construction was planned for the church building, beautiful stained glass was chosen for the windows of the original structure. These windows let in light in addition to being works of art. Then again when the present sanctuary was added in 1950, even larger, beautiful windows were chosen. Look around the Sanctuary. The windows were all given by various family members of RPUMC in honor and memory of loved ones. The names are included on the windows. These wonderful, colorful windows are RPUMC. They are part of what makes our church building unique. Sadly, over many years of sustaining the extreme summer heat and the cold, frosty winters, these windows are showing desperate signs of distress. They are in need of major restoration, and this is a costly procedure. Unfortunately, a fund was not set up for perpetual care. If these windows are to stand the ravages of hot and cold for the next how many years, we need to have extensive work done as soon as possible. This work requires the expertise of artists who specialize in restoration. The cost will be approximately $30,000. This sounds like an astonishing expense; but, if we all chip in to the best of our ability, we can do this. A special account has been set up for the refurbishing of the stained-glass windows. If you wish to contribute to this endeavor, please mark your contribution Stained-Glass Windows. No amount is too small. It may take some time to achieve our goal, but we can and will do this! Won t you help keep the light shining through these beautiful windows? The good news is that we already have $2,000 in contributions!! We are off to a good start!! Thank you. Betty Swain

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8 PIE SALE Sponsored by the Mission Committee Richardson Park United Methodist Church Corner of Maryland and Matthes Avenues PICK-UP DATE!! Friday, November 16 2 PM - 5 PM PIES - 10 DEEP DISH - $10.00 Apple Qty. $ Pumpkin Qty. $ Total $ NAME ADDRESS PHONE NO. ALL ORDERS ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Please submit your order by Monday, November 12 by contacting: Sandy Swain at Marlene Johnson at Church Office at

9 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING RPUMC S MISSION

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11 CHRISTMAS ALTAR POINSETTIAS Seventy red poinsettias have been ordered to be placed on the Altar on Sunday, December 23. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in Memory or Honor of Loved Ones, please return this form to the church office by Monday, December 3. The cost of each poinsettia is $6.50. A check for the total amount should be included with this order form. Please make your check payable to Richardson Park United Methodist Church, marked poinsettias. If possible, please pick up your poinsettia after the candlelight service on Monday, December 24. Number of Plants Donor s Name In Memory of (for those not living) In Honor of (for those living) In Memory and And Honor of Check/Amount Enclosed: Shall we deliver your flower to a Church Shut-In? YES NO

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14 RICHARDSON PARK NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH U.S. POSTAGE PAID 11 NORTH MARYLAND AVENUE Wilmington, DE WILMINGTON, DE Permit No. 162 the Messenger NOVEMBER 2012 Address Service Requested Office Phone: (302) Office Hours: 9 AM- 1 PM T-F FAX #: Parsonage Phone: (302) rpumc@rpumchurch.org Tom Pasmore, Pastor LAY READERS ALTAR FLOWERS November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Pat Cummings Jim Chilcutt Linda Keffer Carol Cathell November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 At the Cross Kathy Rogers William Farra Charlene & Bruce Workman Kristi Doughty Bettie Smith FLOWERS For the month of November, Ruth Circle is responsible for the flowers. Please submit your articles for the December/January Messenger to the church office by Tuesday, November 6. Thank you. * * * * * * * * * * PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING FOOD FOR CAP THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. * * * * * * * * * * The purpose of Richardson Park United Methodist Church is to help people experience the amazing love of God and develop a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.