March 2017 Newsletter

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Leslie Paul
5 years ago
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1 North Main Street United Methodist Church 316 North Main Street Gloversville, NY Church Office: (518) March 2017 Newsletter Dear Friends, Many of us who live in the Northeast often meet the challenge of winter s darkness by following the sun. Some of us travel to Florida or Cancun or to the Bahamas. Me? I move my computer from the kitchen in the back of the house, to the living room with its light-filled windows in the front of the house. I follow the light of the sun. As you and I begin our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, March 1 st, we are reminded that the word Lent comes from an Old English word that means to lengthen. Each day s light lasts two minutes longer than the day before, reaching its longest duration on June 21 st, which, for most of us, can t come soon enough. It s not that we have anything against darkness (at the movies, say, or when we re asleep,) but too much of it intensifies our fears. Our dragons are our fears: our day stalkers, our night sweats. writes Sarah Ban Breathnach in Simple Abundance. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failing. Fear of starting something new and not finishing....we don t know where we re headed and it s very scary. Instead of clarity, we feel confused. But, she says, (we) have always known how to deal with dragons hiding under beds or lurking in closets. We turn on the lights and reassure worried souls with love. We need to slay the dragons in our minds the same way...today, if you feel frightened or unsure about the future, pick up the double-edged sword of Light and Love. We know one meaning of light when we say I have a bright idea, or What he said was quite illuminating, or That explanation sheds some light on the subject. Light in this sense is information, learning, knowledge. Often learning more about an issue does shed some light and take away the fear of the unknown. We know one meaning of love when we say I love my family. There is a sense of connection when we remember that we are a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, an aunt or uncle. Family love may not always be a warm, fuzzy feeling, but it is a commitment. Christians know, as well, the illumination of Christ s values and the Divine Love expressed in Christ s valuing of people. We have always known the importance of following the Light of the Son, the One Who is Love Personified. His light and love remain our best defense against the powers of darkness. When the dragons of darkness threaten us, let us follow the Light with deeds of love. Faithfully, Pastor Judi

2 Fund Raising Pancake Breakfast Once again the breakfast went very well. Thanks to everyone who donated food, cooked, cleaned, bought tickets and attended. We made $406 and also received donations for the roof and sold some nuts and candy. Annual Chili Cookoff Will be held March 19 th in Fellowship Hall right after church. If you are planning to participate in the contest just bring a crockpot of your favorite chili, and there will be room to plug in the pots before church. Please let Chair Joyce Royal know you are in the contest and what the name of your entry is. Tickets for tasting are $5.00 PP. They will be available the day of the contest. Lenten Fish Fry This event will be held on April 7 th and features Fried Fish, Cole Slaw, Baked Potato, Rolls and Dessert. It is take-out only and the cost is $ Tickets will be available from members, at the office, or at the door. Roof Replacement Fund Donations are starting to come in. Please feel free to send out the letter from the last newsletter to anyone you think might help. So far we have received donations as a direct result of the letter. Every donation helps, no matter how small, as we need to raise $80,000. We repaired the steeple and installed a new heating system and now we need to have the roof replaced. If you have any questions, please ask a Trustee. WICS Joyce Royal Women in Christian Service will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 13 th, at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. It will be a covered dish meal and everyone is invited to attend. At this meeting we will be planning our Spring rummage sale and other events. Free Lunch The following article was written for The Advocate, a monthly magazine published by the New York Upper New York Conference. Photos and info were gathered during our annual Christmas Party. Nancy Marsh

Lenten Services Lenten Services will be held in the chapel Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Services will start on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and will continue for the next six weeks.

Please try to attend at least one service and if possible all of them. Please Note the Following: * The Twin Cities Council of Church s is seeking someone to oversee the Summer Vacation Bible School.

* An Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held on April 15 th at St. John s Church in Johnstown. They are in need of a Bunny Suit.

6 Lenten Services Lenten Services will be held in the chapel Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Services will start on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and will continue for the next six weeks. In the Light of the Cross will be conducted by the Lay Ministry Team, Joyce Royal, Bill McDonald and Judy Davis. Music will be provided by Mavis Baldwin. Please try to attend at least one service and if possible all of them. Please Note the Following: * The Twin Cities Council of Church s is seeking someone to oversee the Summer Vacation Bible School. Please contact the church office for more information. * The Johnstown Reformed Church will be hosting this year s Crop Walk which will be held at 1 p.m. on a date to be announced. * An Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held on April 15 th at St. John s Church in Johnstown. They are in need of a Bunny Suit. If you have one or know where they can borrow one for the day, please let the office know. Birthdays and Anniversaries Janice O Regan March 10 Don and Beverly Williams Zachary Burns March 12 Married March 31, 1956 Kenneth VanAlstine March 15 Beverly Bartlett March 22 Church Signs Isabella Marshall March 24 Ryan Davis March 26 Samantha Bielli March 29 Teresia Davis March 31 * The newsletter can be accessed on-line at NMSUMC.org/newsletter

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS KNIGHTLINE

Events KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS KNIGHTLINE A Newsletter of Tara Council #6352, 481 Flint River Road, Jonesboro, GA 30238-3411 Council Officers Chaplain FR Paul Miskiewicz Grand Knight Bob Kula Deputy Grand