The Circuit Writer. Mark s Musings MARCH, Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. Inside this issue:

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Circuit Writer. Mark s Musings MARCH, Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. Inside this issue:"

Miranda Weaver
5 years ago
Views:

Arendt suggested that what you and I should fear the most is the banality of evil.

1 MARCH, 2018 The Circuit Writer Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church We are a faith community striving to be, to nurture, and to send forth disciples of Jesus Christ. Inside this issue: Marks Musings 1-2 Council Report 3 Ministry Opportunities 4-5 Missions 6-7 Community 8 Announcements 9 Dates to Remember 10 Calendars Mark s Musings Beyond Civility Hannah Arendt suggested that what you and I should fear the most is the banality of evil. She meant, I think, that we often become so inured, so practiced and accustomed to things horrible and heinous, that we simply don t notice them anymore. Oh, we read the words, we see the photographs of pain and suffering, of persons visiting meanness on other persons, and we have even learned to utter the polite, Oh, my. But somehow, meanness has come to bore us. Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Ave. Schenectady, NY (518) epumc943@gmail.com Perhaps this is merely a survival instinct. Is T. S. Eliot right? Are we really unable to take too much reality? And I really hate the words I m about to write, Perhaps Freud is right. You and I are so driven to self-pleasure that we create a veneer, a shield of insensitivity, to protect ourselves from anything that might impose itself on our right to happiness. I am not sure how else I can explain my ability to hear the day s news about another sexual assault, another hate crime, and another death by an assault rifle and not cry. I seem to save my tears for personal frustration. to page 2 As a Reconciling Congregation, EPUMC affirms the sacred worth of persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and welcomes them into full participation in the fellowship, membership, ministries, and leadership of the congregation.

2 Mark s Musings, cont. Perhaps I have become too civilized for my own good. I have confused a life of manners with acts of personal responsibility. With apologies to Paul Simon, there must be 50 ways to avoid my neighbor s needs, civilly. We have written on the bare slates of our souls an etiquette of ig-no-rance, that allows us politely and in good company to anesthetize ourselves to a world that needs us. Party lines, social circles, family and friends, clubs and organizations---all are civil, mannered, cultured, enlightened, safe places to practice social acceptability, places to maintain the sad and impenetrable wall between me and a world that needs me. And God help me, what I don t know can hurt me, and perhaps more important, is hurting others. Ignorance is blissfully irresponsible. And what price ignorance? Have we ransomed our souls for a civilized existence? I don t think that Jesus always knew what to do when he heard an appeal for help. He simply and immediately stepped into the space of the need and helped. Stylized social and religious etiquette were not merely ignored, they were verbally and bodily pushed aside to address the need at hand. There are no rules for unconditional love and justice, kindness and compassion. There is only unconditional love and justice, kindness and compassion. When our hands and hearts are living the Jesus story, that s the Jesus step beyond civility. See you soon! Much love, mark Laity Sundays We are looking for lay speakers to bring the message on the last Sunday of months with five Sundays. The available dates are July 29th, September 30th and December 30th. If you are interested, please fill in your name on the date you would like on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. Pg. 2

3 CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT The Church Council met on February 20, 2018, with seven member and two guests in attendance. Highlights of the meeting follow: Received from Rick Mausert the findings of his audit of the current expense budget for The audit was clean. Many thanks to Rick who has volunteered his expertise to do the audit for several years and to our Financial Secretary, Diana Carter, and Treasurer, Jan Kountz for their long hours and dedication to managing the church finances so well. Scheduled a church leadership retreat for August 26 to examine the current reality of the congregation and frame a strategy for living into our mission and vision. Endorsed an initiative from the Communication Team to establish an ad hoc working group to update the church directory. This will be an in-house project and include photos as well as contact information. Keep an eye out for details. Approved a change in the official church address to epumc943@gmail.com. Discussed ideas for nurturing our children and youth, both through the Sunday morning church school program and at other times. This important conversation will continue. If you have a special interest in supporting our young folks and would like to be part of that conversation, please let Pastor Mark know. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council will take place on March 20, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Council meetings are open to all. Randy Roeser Budget report Budget income from previous month (Feb.) : $15,581 Budget income year-to-date: $49, Budget income target year-to-date: $32, Amount over (under) target: $17, Pg. 3

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES! Would you like to be a part of a ministry that helps us welcome new people and also provides an opportunity to visit with each other following worship?

Ann and Robin will set up the coffee and juice. Thank you! As you might know, Circle B has been making prayer shawls and lap robes for people needing comfort for years.

We certainly don t want this ministry to end! You do not need to attend the meetings, and there is no quota, but we all know that many hands make light work!

4 MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES! Would you like to be a part of a ministry that helps us welcome new people and also provides an opportunity to visit with each other following worship? There is a new sign up sheet, please consider helping by providing some snacks following worship. You might consider inviting a newer person to join in this with you. Ann and Robin will set up the coffee and juice. Thank you! As you might know, Circle B has been making prayer shawls and lap robes for people needing comfort for years. This is a wonderful ministry that has brought joy to people when they need it the most. Well, Circle B needs your help! There are only three members at this point. We certainly don t want this ministry to end! You do not need to attend the meetings, and there is no quota, but we all know that many hands make light work! If you don t know how to knit or crochet, they will teach you. We hope you will feel led to help! If you would like to know more, contact Rebecca Behrendt at (518) Circle B has just given 30 lap robes to Sunnyview Rehabilitation. Thanks to all of the congregation, we could not do this without your help! - Rebecca Pg. 4

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!, cont. Volunteer Opportunity On Saturday, March 17th from

We invite you to join us and to invite your friends! This is a chance to help sort and/or repack donations to the Food Bank from individuals and businesses. You never know what you will be sorting!

5 MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!, cont. Volunteer Opportunity On Saturday, March 17th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., there will be a group of EPUMC friends working at the Northeastern Regional Food Bank near Albany Airport for our third and final time for this school year. We invite you to join us and to invite your friends! This is a chance to help sort and/or repack donations to the Food Bank from individuals and businesses. You never know what you will be sorting! Make sure to wear shoes that protect your feet ( no sandals). All school age children are invited with an adult. We hope you will consider offering a few hours of your time to help a very worthy organization! Contact Trish Roeser for more information ( or patriciaroeser2@gmail.com) or sign up at church. We are limited to about 20 volunteers per visit, so first come, first served! The Schenectady Community Hospice is looking for people who would like to volunteer to make friendly visits to provide companionship and support for Hospice patients and their families in their homes, at nursing homes, and hospitals. There is a training series being offered. For more information, see the flyer on the bulletin board, or contact Paula Symanski at (518) or PSymanski@communityhospice.org. The Little Free Library is looking for book donations. You can leave them in the box under the Mini Missions table. Thank you! Pg. 5

MISSIONS www.schenectadyhomefurnishings.

table sets, small desks Furnishings: saucepans, cutlery, bake ware,

twin & queen sheets and blankets, shower curtains & hooks small

irons To donate, call Jamie Doriguzzi, Program Director, at

com to arrange for pick-up or warehouse drop-off of immediately

6 MISSIONS Furniture: coffee/end tables, living room chairs, small kitchen table sets, small desks Furnishings: saucepans, cutlery, bake ware, spatulas, can openers, cereal & desert bowls bath & dish towels, twin & queen sheets and blankets, shower curtains & hooks small appliances: coffee makers, toasters/ovens, crock-pots, mixers, irons To donate, call Jamie Doriguzzi, Program Director, at Or us at to arrange for pick-up or warehouse drop-off of immediately useful items. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You help us help those in need. / Pg. 6

MISSIONS, cont. We offer heartfelt thanks to our church family for your support of the Trivia Night fundraiser to benefit The Home of Love and Hope in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

7 MISSIONS, cont. We offer heartfelt thanks to our church family for your support of the Trivia Night fundraiser to benefit The Home of Love and Hope in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. We hope all of those who attended had as much fun as we did for the sake of a ministry that has been giving abandoned children in one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere a loving home, a proper education, and a productive future for almost 40 years. Your financial generosity was overwhelming, with donations totaling $1,979, including several from relatives and people who were not able to be at the event. Every dollar raised will be added to our service team s gift to the home to fund its programs for the children. Our plans to go to Honduras in March as part of a service team organized by a church in Toronto have changed. Circumstances have led the Toronto contingent to push back their travel date. We will let you know when a new service team date is confirmed. - Randy and Trish In the meantime, thanks again for being a part of this ministry that means so much to us through your gifts of time, money, prayers, and well wishes. We are humbled and im- Pg. 7

COMMUNITY Fish Supper Friday, March 30, 2018 12 PM 7 PM Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY (Entrance is on the Eastern Parkway side parking

8 COMMUNITY Fish Supper Friday, March 30, PM 7 PM Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY (Entrance is on the Eastern Parkway side parking lot) To benefit Al Tabari Court in their efforts to raise money to travel to Drill Competition in New Orleans! Your $10 donation gets you a fried fish feast! All dinners include: Fried fish, Two Sides, Bread and Dessert Side Options: Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Green Beans For more information contact: Desiree Chaires (518) Sandra Mason (518) Al Tabari Court Theater/Shopping Fundraiser Trip: Lancaster, PA "Jesus" is the musical stage adventure about the most famous person to ever walk the earth and the everyday people whose lives He changed forever. Sight & Sound Theater brings the Bible to life on stage. There will be shopping at the Rockvale and Tanger Outlet Malls as well as an Amish tour! Cost: $240 per person, double occupancy, $260 per person, single occupancy, $100 children under 12 First payment: $50 deposit, due January 31, 2018 Second payment: $95 double, $105 single, due February 28, 2018 Final payment: $95 double, $105 single, due March 31, 2018 * Deposit non refundable after 3/31/2018* Leaving from and returning to: EPUMC or Latham Farms (Dick's Sporting Goods Yankee Trails bus sign area) Contact: Desire Mason-Chaires; (H) or (C); chairessr@aol.com Natasha Allen; ; allen.natasha32@yahoo.com Please make checks payable to Al Tabari Ct #28 Youth Group, memo: theater trip. Mail to: Desiree M. Chaires 1719 Avenue B Schenectady, NY Pg. 8

Did you know that you can get up to date information about happenings at Eastern Parkway by visiting our website: http:// easternparkwayumc.

9 Did you know that you can get up to date information about happenings at Eastern Parkway by visiting our website: easternparkwayumc.com/ The site has new information added on a regular basis and is the source of times and dates for important meetings and activities. Also, tune-in and like us on Facebook. Simply go to Facebook and search Eastern Parkway UMC. You ll recognize us! We continue our study of the Gospel Mark, 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Sundays of each month immediately following our refreshment time. The conversation is lively, engaging, and simply great fun. Join us! We gather in the Hearth Room. Our Midweek Renewal Service each Wednesday, 7:15-7:35 AM is well attended and a wonderful way to catch your breath in the middle of the workweek. The time is one of silence and prayer. Communion is served. The EPUMC Prayer Chain is active. If there are requests for the prayer list, please contact the church office with the name or event you wish to have on the list. If a person, please be certain that she/he does not mind being on the prayer list. If not urgent, the chain will go out on Wednesday morning. If urgent, the message will be sent immediately. When you contact the church office, by or telephone, please note if the request is urgent. Telephone, , epumc943@yahoo.com Laity Sundays!! Each 5 th Sunday, a member of our congregation will bring the morning message. Mark will serve as liturgist. The person(s) presenting will bring her, his, their message to our community in the manner they wish spoken word, performance, song it is at the discretion of that morning s leader. We celebrate at EPUMC that we are a priesthood of believers, each minister of and to the Jesus teachings. New and exciting possibilities for spiritual growth continue at EPUMC. If you wish to lead our service and bring the morning message, please contact Mark. Our next Vision Forum, held the 5 th Sunday of our church calendar, will address the issue of Stewardship. This is not a conversation about raising money, but will be a conversation of what we do with the money we receive. This is not a policy gathering. It is merely a time to talk about our responsibilities to and for the money we receive. We will gather in Hearth Room. Next 5 th Sunday is April 29. Connect to the Eastern Parkway Cloud: Anyone can access the Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Google doc. in the internet cloud. Go to this link There you will find the bulletin and announcements for the coming Sunday, as well as an archive of older bulletins. We have a new attendance registration procedure! You will see folders in the pews to pass during announcement time. Members can simply enter their names and present. This is primarily for visitors whom we will encourage to sign and let us know if they would like to be contacted by the pastor. CHURCH DIRECTORY: We are putting together a church directory for Eastern Parkway UMC. We will do this in house and not work with an outside photography group. We will post dates, several dates, for photos after church. For that reason, we are looking for people to do the photography. If we get several volunteers, this will not put the onus on one person. Also, you can do selfies of you and/or family and provide them to the church. Ann Jackson will lead the ad hoc committee for the creation of the church directory. More information soon about this exciting project! Pg. 9

UPCOMING WORSHIP TEAMS Liturgists: 3/18 Marilyn Esmann 3/25 David Orr 4/1 Bob Bour 4/8 Chuck Schmitt 4/15 Desiree Chaires 4/22 Madison Schmitt 4/29 Pastor Mark Usher Teams: March: John Chaires, Bob

Rehbein, Cathy Woodruff, and Judy Lott Sanctuary Care Team: March: Cathy Woodruff April: Cassandra Vidal, Laurie Hoyt LAITY SUNDAYS 4/29 Bob Bour 7/29 Need Lay Speaker 9/30 Need Lay Speaker 12/30

10 UPCOMING WORSHIP TEAMS Liturgists: 3/18 Marilyn Esmann 3/25 David Orr 4/1 Bob Bour 4/8 Chuck Schmitt 4/15 Desiree Chaires 4/22 Madison Schmitt 4/29 Pastor Mark Usher Teams: March: John Chaires, Bob Bour (3/18: Ann Jackson, Bob Bour) April: Carl Veglia, Rick Mausert Teller Teams: March: Randy Roeser, Judy Lott, Gary Hebert April: Brenda Morrow, Marilyn Esmann, Carol Haack Chancel Committee: Sue Rehbein, Cathy Woodruff, and Judy Lott Sanctuary Care Team: March: Cathy Woodruff April: Cassandra Vidal, Laurie Hoyt LAITY SUNDAYS 4/29 Bob Bour 7/29 Need Lay Speaker 9/30 Need Lay Speaker 12/30 Need Lay Speaker Adam Gardella 3/3 Rebecca Stacy 3/4 Jeffrey Roeser 3/5 Hannah Lott 3/8 Jill Smolinski 3/10 Kate Batzinger 3/11 Eric Harrell 3/12 Nancy Curran 3/15 Lois Wilson 3/15 Alice Menis 3/17 Xander Lott 3/19 James Anderson 3/21 Desiree Chaires 3/23 Tolulope Oshinowo 3/25 Gary Gridley 3/27 Jonathan Conrad 3/28 If we don t have your birthday or anniversary, OUR PRESENCE 2/ / /4 74 3/11 71 UPCOMING MEETINGS 3/13 SPPRC 7 pm 3/20 Council 7 pm 4/5 Finance 7 pm 4/10 SPPRC 7 pm 4/12 Trustees 7 pm please call the office or us! epumc943@gmail.com UPCOMING LECTIONARY 3/18: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12: /1 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 4/8 Acts 4:32-35 Psalm John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31 Pg. 10

2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 Finance 7PM ATC Fish Dinner 1-7 (FH) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Communion CB 9:30 (CB) FP 11:30-1 (CB) TOMVO MT 3:30 (N) TTA 11:40-6 (FH,CB) KS 6-8:30 (HR) SVG 12-1:30 (S)

11 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Finance 7PM ATC Fish Dinner 1-7 (FH) Communion CB 9:30 (CB) FP 11:30-1 (CB) TOMVO MT 3:30 (N) TTA 11:40-6 (FH,CB) KS 6-8:30 (HR) SVG 12-1:30 (S) KS 2-6:30 (HR) Trustees 7 PM ADAH 12-3 (FH) Sock Project TTA 11:40-6 (FH,CB) SPPRC 7PM (CR) KS 6-8:30 (HR) Rose Garden KS 2-4:00 (HR) MT 3:30 (N) Restoration 1-4 (FH) AA 8PM (HR) Food Bank SICM Collection TTA 2-6 FH,CB) MT 3:30 (N) Council 7 PM KS 4-6:30 (HR) (CB) TL 6-9 (FH) Palm Sunday Stone Soup MT 3:30 (N) TTA 2-6 FH,CB) Maundy Thurs. Good Friday TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) Service 7 PM ATC Fish Dinner KS 3:30-6:30 (HR) 12-7 (FH) AA: Alcoholics Anonymous BF: Berkshire Farm FP: Farm Produce (Pam Schreiber) N: Narthex TL: Tuscan Lodge AB: Aerobics CB: Circle B Room HR: Hearth Room OA: Overeaters Anonymous TTA: T-Time Adventures ADAH: Eastern Star CR: Conference Room KS: Kingfisher Sangha S: Sanctuary WND: Wednesday Night Dinner ATC: Al Tabari Court FH: Fellowship Hall MRS: Midweek Renewal Service SVG: Suzuki Violin Group MT: Music Together Pg. 11

2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Easter Sunday TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) Communion Finance 7PM TOMVO CB 9:30 (CB) KS 2-6:30 (HR) 8 9

12 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Easter Sunday TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) TTA 7-6 (FH,CB) Communion Finance 7PM TOMVO CB 9:30 (CB) KS 2-6:30 (HR) Sock Project TTA 2-6 FH,CB) FP 11:30-1 (CB) MT 9-12 (N) KS 2-6:30 (HR) SPPRC 7PM (CR) CB 9:30 (CB) KS 6-8:30 (HR) SVG 12-1:30 (S) Trustees 7 PM ADAH 12-3 (FH) SICM Collection MT 9:30 (N) TTA 2-6 FH,CB) Council 7 PM KS 6-8:30 (HR) KS 4-6:30 (HR) MT 3:30 (N) AA 8PM (HR) Stone Soup TTA 2-6 FH,CB) TL 6-9 (FH) KS 3:30-6:30 (HR) Circle B Collection KS 4-6:30 (HR) AA: Alcoholics Anonymous BF: Berkshire Farm FP: Farm Produce (Pam Schreiber) N: Narthex TL: Tuscan Lodge AB: Aerobics CB: Circle B Room HR: Hearth Room OA: Overeaters Anonymous TTA: T-Time Adventures ADAH: Eastern Star CR: Conference Room KS: Kingfisher Sangha S: Sanctuary WND: Wednesday Night Dinner ATC: Al Tabari Court FH: Fellowship Hall MRS: Midweek Renewal Service SVG: Suzuki Violin Group Pg. 12 MT: Music Together

the Circuit Writer published 11 months a year by Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Ave. Schenectady, NY 12309 On the corner of Eastern Parkway & Palmer Ave.

9:30 2:30 Wednesdays 11 4 Mark Ledbetter Pastor Jenny Chapman Editor Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) Bishop Mark J. Webb 1-855-424-7878 / 315-424-7878 www.unyumc.

13 the Circuit Writer published 11 months a year by Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Ave. Schenectady, NY On the corner of Eastern Parkway & Palmer Ave. 10:00 AM (518) epumc943@gmail.com LIKE US on Facebook: Eastern Parkway UMC Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 9:30 2:30 Wednesdays 11 4 Mark Ledbetter Pastor Jenny Chapman Editor Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) Bishop Mark J. Webb / Any changes to your contact info? Telephone number, address, ? If so, please contact Jenny Chapman: epumc943@gmail.com or Albany District UNYAC Rev. Rich Weihing, Deadline for Circuit Writer is the 3rd Monday of each month. Send your news items to: epumc943@gmail.com

The Circuit Writer. inney s. K orner. April Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. Inside this issue:

The Circuit Writer. inney s. K orner. April Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. Inside this issue: April 2017 The Circuit Writer Newsletter of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church We are a faith community striving to be, to nurture, and to send forth disciples of Jesus Christ. Inside this issue: