THE GOOD NEWS from the Stratford United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 THE GOOD NEWS from the Stratford United Methodist Church Good News MAIN STREET STRATFORD, CT SUMC phone: ~ and fax: SUMC secretary@sumcct.org SUMC website: Volume 57 No. 8 May 2016 The Rev. Simeon Law, Pastor The Rev. Dr. Donald Kirkham, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Paul Jacobson, Director of Music Lanette Kardos, Director of Christian Education Beth Buckmir, Preschool Director Mary Jane S. Fast, Church Secretary

2 INCIDENTS AND HAPPENINGS OUT OF OUR PAST Mother s Day: the Methodist Connection Mother s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Though celebrations of mothers have been held for centuries in many cultures, the modern Mother s Day was first celebrated here in the United States in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, at St. Andrew s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Though Anna did not actually attend the service she sent 500 white carnations for those who did. Anna had been trying since 1905, the year of her mother s death at the age of 72, to make the day a recognized national holiday. Anna was very proud of her mother and her accomplishments. Ann was the mother of at least 11 children, only 4 of whom survived to adulthood. She had organized Mother s Day Work Clubs as early as 1858 to address public health issues, rising funds and educating women on health and sanitary issues to combat diseases like typhoid fever. Ann was a peace activist caring for both Union and Confederate wounded soldiers during the Civil War. After the war she used her clubs to help returning soldiers and bring peace to the area. The daughter of a Methodist pastor, Ann encouraged her own daughter Anna to seek higher education and Anna attended what is now known as Mary Baldwin College. Ann taught Sunday School for 25 years in Grafton, and supported the construction of the St. Andrew s Church. She lectured at 1

3 local churches and organizations on subjects ranging from religion ( Great mothers of the Bible ), public health issues and the beneficial uses of literature. Finally, in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional resolution to hold a national Mother s Day on the second Sunday in May. The resolution called for Americans to express their love and reverence for the mothers of our country and to display the flag. Anna Jarvis was very particular about what she wanted Mother s Day to be. She trademarked the phrases Mother s Day and second Sunday in May and wanted Mother s Day to be in honor of one s mother, not for mothers in general. Anna became increasingly disturbed by the commercialism that grew up around the celebration of Mother s Day by the 1920s, wanting people to write their mother a letter with their own sentiments. She organized boycotts and threatened lawsuits against companies like Hallmark. Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia is now the International Mother's Day Shrine and was designated as a National Historic Landmark on October 5,

4 This Child Will Be reat, by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Africa s first democratically elected woman president. She is a well educated economist and politician. She attended the College of West Africa, Harvard, and the John F. Kennedy School of Governments, as well as several others. She is now in her second term as president. Her memoir, This Child Will Be Great, first published in 2009, is the story of her journey from childhood through abuse, imprisonment, exile, and her election as president. On the way, she became Liberia s first minister of finance. She was also vice president of Citibank s African regional office, and senior loan officer at the World Bank. There were other positions, but you ll need to read about them when you borrow the book. She was arrested twice, once by Liberian President Samuel Doe and later by President Charles Taylor. Prison conditions were brutal. President Sirleaf had run against Charles Taylor in 1997 and was defeated in an election that many felt was fraudulent. She was elected president in 2006 and is now in her second term. The strength of character and the intelligence of this woman confirm the statement of an old man who came to visit President Sirleaf s parents a few days after she was born that is the title of her book. This book can be found with the UMW books and can be borrowed by signing your name and the date on the card in the back of the book. Leave the card in the box next to the card catalogue and return the book by leaving it on the card catalogue. Please do not shelve the book. During April, the book will be on the table in the Narthex and the card can be placed in the envelope provided. 3

5 SUMC s BENEVOLENCE OFFERINGS IN ACTIONMINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND Thanks to all who make an offering weekly or monthly to the Stratford United Methodist benevolence fund. Our offerings help us to support a large number of missions locally, nationally, and globally. Contributions to the United Methodist Ministerial Education Fund are included in the apportionments we send on through the New York Annual Conference. Since 1968 the Ministerial Education Fund has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church. It is nurtured and funded by United Methodists to provide: Needed scholarships through annual conferences Funding for the support of our thirteen United Methodist seminaries in the United States Programs that encourage men and women to respond to the call to ordained ministry Continuing-education opportunities for pastors across the connection Course-of-study education for local pastors 4

6 Through the Ministerial Education Fund, leaders in The United Methodist Church are being sent into the world to serve Jesus Christ and his church. Your giving makes it possible for leaders who ve been called and gifted by God to faithfully serve The United Methodist Church. It supports our seminaries, it provides scholarships to students and it meets the needs of people in ministry today. Rev. DaeHwa Park, serving in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, insists, It was the grace of the Holy Spirit that drove me to the call to ministry. In fact Park was ten years-old when he heard a message on salvation during a revival service at Wonpo Methodist Church, South Korea. In cooperation with the Spirit, the Ministerial Education Fund has made Park s response to God s call possible. Together We re Blessing the Church God continues to call into service people like Reverend Park. And because of the Ministerial Education Fund, those who ve been gifted to lead the church are able to say yes to that call. RECENT UPDATES FROM UMCOR S NEWSLETTER ALLEVIATING HUNGER IN MALAWI The current El Niño weather pattern impacting countries in southern and eastern Africa has brought serious concern about widespread drought, which inevitably leads to critical food shortages. In Malawi, the drought has already affected crop 5

7 production, especially in the shortage of harvests of maize, a major food staple. It is the first maize deficit in a decade. UMCOR is working in partnership with the Malawi United Methodist Church to alleviate hunger. The partnership is ensuring delivery of dry rations like maize, beans, and salt to families in need. For families that include pregnant women, children, and people living with HIV/AIDS, a nutritious porridge will be provided to fortify their daily diet. UMCOR BOARD MEETING -- Over the past four years, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has tripled its response to disasters large and small around the world. We have attempted to vigorously respond to disasters, even under-reported disasters, wherever and whenever they occur. reported Deputy General Secretary, Denise Honeycutt. During the meeting, the directors approved a new grant for $1 million to rebuild homes and provide integrated development support water, livelihoods, and food security for 130 families in Haiti, as that country continues to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake, and a grant in the amount of $900,000, for the South Carolina Conference that will assist families and individuals impacted by record flooding, in that state last fall. The board already had approved a $100,000 bridge grant for the conference in the early days of the disaster. [As reported by Linda Unger] You can subscribe to the weekly UMCOR HOTLINE at umcor.org. 6

8 UMW NEWS Arts and Crafts will meet on Wednesday May 11 at 5:30 pm at the home of Phebe Kirkham for their annual Salad Supper and year end celebration. Please call Phebe if you have not already signed up for a salad. Susanna Wesley: will meet Wednesday, May 18th. Please bring a sandwich. Receiving Cards: If you know of someone who has had a loss, birth, surgery, is recovering from something, or just needs some cheer, please me or leave a message on my phone machine. Thanks, Ruth Bentley (gbentley@sbcglobal.net; ) Pancake Day is Sat., May 7 th 7:30 am to 12 noon. Mother's Day gift baskets & baked goods. 7

9 MAY 2016 BIRTHDAYS 1 Kim Pack 18 Phyllis Hopkins 2 Jessica Ramanauskas 18 Sophia Rodriquez 4 Teresa Kuhn 18 Chris Brown 5 Doris Becker 19 Gerald Millbauer 5 Jean Campbell 19 Haille DiStefano 6 Matthew Bickley 19 James DiStefano 6 Liliette Diavua 20 Matthew Damiano 6 Christopher Olah 20 Cheryl Ernst 6 Nyla Petrahai 20 Jessica Giammattei 6 Amy Russell 20 Dave Gulliksen 7 Barbara Blewett 20 Mila Berrien 7 Janice Randolph 20 Layla DeVonish 9 Kimberly Leko 21 Nicole Gerarden 9 Jeanette Winton 21 Burdette James 10 John Cottrell 22 Molly Bosma 10 Sierra Rose Troutman 24 Betty Foote 14 Steve Robertson 24 Kevin McCarthy 14 George Bentley 24 Susan Minkowski 15 Marianne Card 25 Wendy Buchanan 15 Robert Pierson 25 Alex Shadman 16 Lisa Feudo 25 Evan Tubiak 16 Brian Green 26 Erin Burns 16 Diane Wall 27 Herb Scripture 17 Stephen Petrahai 29 Susan Burns 30 Kelly Tubiak 31 Stefanie Knight If your May birthday isn t on this list, please call the church office at

10 May 2016 Wedding Anniversaries May 2 nd May 6 th May 16 th May 16 th May 20 th May 22 nd May 22 nd May 25 th Mr. & Mrs. Sprouse Mr. & Mrs. Towne Mr. & Mrs. Pike Mr. & Mrs. Tubiak Mr. & Mrs. Green Mr. & Mrs. Baird Mr. & Mrs. Erickson Mr. & Mrs. Bobko 9

11 Thank you to all those who donated Hygiene Kits! JoAnn Schif Thank You! to everyone who contributed to the success of our annual St. Patrick s Corned Beef and Cabage Dinner co-chaired by Jerry Dellert and Ray Huey. It took a village to provide the delicious mean and fellowship that was enjoyed by many. Thank You! On Sat., Mar. 26th, the Church Sanctuary, Chapel, and adjoining areas received a much needed Spring Cleaning to prepare for Easter Sunday. A BIG thank you to Joyce and Ken Lewis, Anne Pocevic, Alex Vanderclock and Gail Warmke for their help. A special thanks also to Nancy and Lanette Kardos for the beautiful floral display. Thank you so much for the beautiful Tulip and for thinking of me at Easter. It means so much. I especially enjoyed June s visit. Easter Blessings to all! Dolores Rebstock Thank you for the lovely plant that the church delivered via Virginia from the church. It was a lovely way to be remembered, and I hope that someday in the near future I can extend my thanks in person. Thank you again, Mary M. Kogut Condolences to SUMC Member Laura Towne and family on the passing of her mother, Mary Alice Niebanck, on April 1 st. Mary Alice leaves behind her beloved husband, three children, and four grandchildren.. 10

12 ALTAR FLOWERS are provided by church families each week to honor, or in memory of, loved ones. We have been blessed to have very faithful donors for very many years. At this time, we need some additional help. Circumstances have changed for many of our families. Please call Jo Ann Schif at if you wish to help in this important ministry. CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES are available on the Narthex Table. You are welcome to take a copy. FLOWER DELIVERY MINISTRY We are looking for a Chairperson for our Flower Delivery Ministry which delivers the altar flowers after the 10am service to our shut-ins. Duties include scheduling monthly Sunday delivery ministers. Please speak to Burdette James if you are interested. SUMC NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKFAST Third Saturday of each month: We are currently serving an average of thirty to forty meals at our neighborhood breakfast. We have a loyal staff preparing, serving, setting up and cleaning up each third Saturday. We welcome new volunteers, or just stop by and enjoy a meal with us. If you wish to volunteer, in any capacity, please contact Ray & Jo-Ann Burrows or raybur14@aol.com. PRAYER CHAIN Wanted: A Chairperson for the Prayer Chain. If interested, please speak to a member of the Lay Leadership Committee USHERS NEEDED! If you would like to become an usher, please see Michael Kranyak. 11

13 SUMC Church Addresses: Rev. Simeon Church Secretary Church School ALL ARTICLES FOR THE GOOD NEWS SHOULD BE ED TO OR LEFT IN THE GOOD NEWS BOX IN THE CHURCH OFFICE. THANK YOU! GOOD NEWS SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Good News Issue Articles Due no Good News Mailed later than... January/February December 6th December 16th March February 7th February 17th April March 6th March 16th May April 10th April 20th June May 8th May 18th July/August June 5th June 15th September August 7th August 17th October September 11th September 21st November October 9th October 19th December November 6th November 16th In addition to reading The Good News, bulletin supplements, viewing our website ( looking at our Facebook page, or checking out the local newspapers, there is another way to keep up-to-date on upcoming events at S.U.M.C. Call the Church Office ( ) when it isn't staffed (that would be after 2 p.m. weekdays and all weekends). Press 5 to hear a calendar of upcoming events. The recording is updated on a regular basis. 12