Belfry Echoes June 2017 Newsletter Hummelstown United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 Belfry Echoes June 2017 Newsletter Hummelstown United Church of Christ Dear Ones, Seasons change. (Although this season seems to jump back and forth between late winter and Fourth of July heat). All the weather shifts got me to thinking about other changes we have created and celebrated over the last 3 ½ years. In absolutely no particular order: new sound system with improved service recording, SPARKS curriculum for the kids, regularly doing 3 kinds of communion (now with wine as well as juice and gluten free bread), Communion breakfasts and Blessing of the Animals services, newsletter resurrected, 2 healthy Bible studies, small groups (like Breakfast at Bill s and Office Hours at the Wick), learning how to discern decisions instead of voting, creating a meaningful Vision Statement, new computer for back office, new vibrant website, weekly Happy Hour ( since a bar isn t the only place you should be happy ), our working through the Open and Affirming process, developing and maintaining a functioning Pastor-Parish Relations Group, experimenting with job share pastoral model, and our Book Exchange Bookcase (for missions). All these in addition to maintaining the missions and programs that were in place already. We tried other things that didn t catch fire, but I hope what we have learned together over these 3 years together is change is a part of a healthy (and joyful) congregational life. A continuing discernment of God s activity in our time and place is necessary to find fresh ways of sharing the good news. I hope we are all curious and considering how we might find new ways to walk in love in God s world in the days to come. As summer begins (despite the weather) a few seasonal changes in schedule commence: The monthly Bible Study group decided to meet TWICE monthly for June, July, and August so June 14 and 28, July12 and 26, August 9 and 23. 7p.m. in Heritage Room. Anyone curious about how we are having so much fun that we want to do more in the summer, is welcome to join us. Office Hours at the Wick is shifting to Thursdays at 1p.m. so we can maintain weekly Bible Study at 2 p.m. In April, the Vision Team wrapped up the discerning process and we began posting our Vision Statement in the bulletin and on the website this month. It is an evangelical statement (in the best sense of the term) truly committing us to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all. The Board is continuing to work on the Open and Affirming Covenant and process. Blessings Always,

2 Congratulations to HUCC s 2017 Graduates! Halley Cole Halley Cole graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University on May 12. She received her Bachelors of Science in music therapy with a minor in psychology and was a member of the honors college. During her time at Duquesne Halley was actively involved in the Music Therapy Student Association, most recently serving as its Secretary, as well as Toms Club, in which she served as President during her senior year. She also served as the Parliamentarian of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association for Students. To finish her degree Halley will complete a six month music therapy internship at the Hershey Medical Center working on the pediatric hematology oncology unit for three months, followed by the general hospital floors for the final three months. Until her internship begins in December she will work as a Direct Support Professional with Keystone Human Services. After her internship, Halley will look for music therapy jobs around the country. Hannah Landvater Hannah Landvater, daughter of James and Kristina Landvater, graduated Cum Laude from Widener University with a degree in civil engineering and a minor in business management. She also graduates with a certificate of honors from the Honors Program in General Education. While at Widener, Hannah was involved in the Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, the Chamber Music Program, and engine, a club she helped start that gave her the opportunity to travel to Haiti. She also took part in the Pride Service Site Leaders Program which required her to serve 160 hours a year in the community of Chester. Hannah will be working for RK&K in their Harrisburg office as an engineer in their traffic group HUCC scholarship applications are available in the back of the sanctuary or by contacting the church office. All applications are due by June 18.

3 Bible Study Happenings Outings with Pastor Denham Join your HUCC friends for Bible Study. Weekly Bible Study group meets Thursdays at 2pm. Monthly Bible Study has decided to meet x2 a month at 7pm: June 14 th & 28 th July 12 th & 26 th August 9 th & 23 rd Join Pastor Denham for good conversation and plenty of laughs! Breakfast at Bill s at 9:30 a.m. June 14 th July 12 th Office Hours at The Wick at 1p.m. Office Hours have shifted to Thursdays at 1pm. (Bible Study to follow at 2pm) June 22 nd July 27 th Vacation Bible School HUCC Pool Parties Save the dates for 2017 VBS! July 30 th - August 3 rd There will be worship service participation on August 6th. More information to follow. All parties are scheduled 1:00 pm to close. Pool members and non-pool members welcome! Burgers, hotdogs and drinks will be provided. Covered-dish/ items will be appreciated. June 18 * July 16 * August 20 Helpers needed in 2018 For many years, the Hummelstown UCC has been filling the packets of information distributed to Penn Central Conference delegates attending the Annual Meeting. This year Dottie and Bob Harpel, Betty Radel, Linda Sellers, Rachel Schmoyer, June Trocik, Nelda Kinley, Mary Hummel and Mary Horst are doing it. However, some of us are in advancing years and need to relinquish this duty to others. It would be advantageous to be pro-active and enlist volunteers for next year (2018). Below is listed what is required: 1. Between 2 and 3 hours of your time to meet at the Conference Ctr. In Hbg. to collate the material and put it into manila envelopes. It requires standing most of the time. If there are at least 8 volunteers, it should take about 2 hrs, 2. More detailed information as to what may be included in the packets, etc. would be best given by contacting Mary Horst at or seeing her after church. Remember this is for 2018 but it would be best to have this information now to give a contact person to the Conference office.

4 Relay for Life Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay is staffed and coordinated by volunteers in more than 5,200 communities and 27 countries. Volunteers give of their time and effort because they believe it's time to take action against cancer. Relay is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. Each event is 6-24 hours in length and each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients don't stop because they're tired, and for one night, neither do we. Each team sets up a themed campsite at the event and continues their fundraising efforts by collecting donations for food, goods, games, and activities. This money will count towards their overall team fundraising goal. Join the HUCC Relay Team this year June 9-10 at the Lower Dauphin High School. There are many ways to get involved with Relay for Life. You can walk with the team (for a few laps or a few hours), donate a basket for the raffle, purchase a luminaria in remembrance or honor of a loved one, provide moral support through a visit to your site or a prayer. Contact team captains Kris Landvater or Wendy Cole for more details.

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6 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Potluck 11: Annual Conference Relay for Life Breakfast at Bill s 9:30 Monthly Bible Study Central PA Blood 7 Bank Pool Party Office Hours at The Wick 1 Gift Team Board Monthly Bible Study 7 Bible Study National Synod through July 4 June 4 June 11 June 18 June 25 Greeter June Trocik Thelma Shumway Jamie Hansell Thelma Shumway Ushers Rich Hebel Mary Horst Jamie Hansell Wendy Cole Mark Fisher Thelma Shumway Nancy Robinson John Horn Jim Landvater Ken Robinson Linda Sellers Charles Rhoads Tom Whitehaus Liturgist Keith Schrum Wendy Cole Lori Jo Whitehaus Thelma Shumway

7 July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat National Synod 1 2 Potluck 11: National Synod Breakfast at Bill s 9:30 Monthly Bible Study 7 16 Pool Party Monthly Bible Study 7 Office Hours at The Wick 1 Gift Team Board VBS July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 Greeter Rich Hebel June Trocik Thelma Shumway Jamie Hansell July 30 Thelma Shumway Ushers Rich Hebel Mary Horst Jamie Hansell Wendy Cole Jim Landvater Mark Fisher Thelma Shumway Nancy Robinson John Horn Thelma Shumway Jim Landvater Ken Robinson Linda Sellers Tom Whitehaus Charles Rhoads Tom Whitehaus Keith Schrum Liturgist Mary Horst Carole Hoover John Horn Keith Schrum Wendy Cole

8 CARING FRIENDS ON-CALL SCHEDULE June 4- June 10 Carol Hebel June 11- June 17 Carole Hoover June 18- June 24 Joyce Wolf June 25- July 1 June Trocik July 2- July 8 Ruth Bernitsky July 9- July 15 Carol Hebel July 16- July 22 Carole Hoover July 23- July 29 Joyce Wolf July 30- Aug. 5 June Trocik Aug. 6- Aug. 12 Ruth Bernitsky The Gift Team Board wishes to acknowledge the hard work of two disciples this past month. Rich Hebel weeded and planted a variety of vegetables in the patch by the church shed. The produce is given to the Hummelstown Food Bank and is a project of the Outreach Gift Team. This comes after Rich led the Rebuilding Together project on April 29. Stu Lutz put in many hours visibly beautifying and cleaning up the auxiliary parking lot, just down the alley. Our sincere appreciation to both men. The Easter envelope offering came to $227. The Board voted to give the money to Colonial Park UCC toward a car for their sponsored refugee family. It is our understanding that the gentleman has gotten his driving license and a car has been now obtained. Thanks for your generosity. June 1 Dottie Harpel 1 June Trocik 5 Priscilla Denham 5 Lauren Horn 7 Darina Lynch 11 Alex Moore 14 Becca Landvater 19 Fay Rhoads 20 Bryan Florence 20 Rebecca Quail 26 Jim Landvater 27 Adam Horn 29 Briana Matthews 29 Olivia Owens BIRTHDAYS July HUCC will gift $25 to Women for Women International. These funds were raised by HUCC s book exchange. Please contact the office with any suggestions on where the next gift should go. Reminder: 6 Carol Hebel 7 Nyesha Matlack 8 Kayce Deibler 8 DJ Heckman 10 Esther Moore 12 Carol Lyter 14 Mark Fisher 16 Morgan Moore 17 Rachel Schmoyer 18 Caylee Heckman 19 Rhonda Matlack 20 Linda Sellers 22 Kehley Jo Cimino 23 Kjell Bjorge 23 Rachel Book 25 Madeline King 25 Natalie Willard 25 Caroline Williard 26 Carl Seibert 27 Chad Koaric 28 Janice Anderson 31 Robyn Rhoads HUCC will be running on summer hours June, July and August. Wednesday 8-4:30 & Thursday 8-2:30 We are a vibrant and progressive Christian community embracing inclusivity and diversity with all who seek to enrich their spiritual journey. Using the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Still Speaking God, we seek to engage the world through worship, education, ministry, mission and love.