Herndon UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Pastor s Ponderings. March / April 2013

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Douglas Dickerson
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Herndon UNITED METHODIST CHURCH March / April 2013 Pastor s Ponderings As we come out of what I would call a weird winter weather-wise, and head into the fresh beauty of spring, I can t help but

1 Herndon UNITED METHODIST CHURCH March / April 2013 Pastor s Ponderings As we come out of what I would call a weird winter weather-wise, and head into the fresh beauty of spring, I can t help but think about change. I personally suspect the super-storms and weird weather has something to do with our changing climate. I know that spring brings the welcome change of green grass for brown, leaves for bare branches, and warmth for cold. In our church home, we too are heading into a season of change. Some of the change may seem to be as unwelcome as climate change, and as turbulent as a super-storm; but in reality, it is part of the natural process of being United Methodist Christians. As I announced late last year, I will be accepting a new appointment beginning on July 1, and you will be receiving a new senior pastor as of that date as well. Part of the Virginia Conference process is that the where for me, and the who for you, cannot be publically revealed until the 3rd weekend in May. There are many reasons for this. One is that, until the Bishop fixes or finalizes the appointments at Annual Conference on June 23rd, all new appointments are projections. My appointment, and your new pastor s appointment are part of a larger process involving churches and pastors all over the conference. We are a connectional denomination, with an itinerant clergy we are sent (not called not hired by the local church). The appointment projections, too, are connected. I am going to a church whose current pastor is going somewhere else; your new pastor is leaving a church which will receive a new pastor. If, along the process, a projected appointment doesn t stick or if something unforeseen happens, then it can impact multiple points (churches and pastors). Leaving communication until all the appointments have been projected minimizes the need to publically unwind what has been communicated which is better and easier on all concerned. I know you must be curious about who is coming, and maybe curious about where I am going. Your SPRC is representing you well, and your District and Conference leadership will appoint a great pastor to continue the awesome, fruitful ministry we have shared these last 4 years, and who go boldly with you where God is calling HUMC to go. I have been a Methodist my whole life (yes, I pre-date United Methodism); and am a United Methodist clergy by choice. The connectional nature of United Methodist Church mirrors the connectional nature of God s creation, and design and desire for it. I trust in the strength and wisdom of the connection, and our Virginia Conference leadership, and in the leadership of our church. I know that God always gives each church what it needs to do the ministry God is calling it to, and God s timing, planning and provision is always perfect. You and I, we are called into partnership to be stewards of all this. We are to faithfully trust God, use the gifts and graces and resources we have been given, both prayerfully and wisely. Even in the midst of this season of change I am certain that all will be well, and all manner of things will be well (Hildegard of Bingen)---perhaps even beyond our wildest expectations and most audacious imaginings! Like the British poster says: Stay Calm and Carry On. That is a great statement of faith don t you think? Ponder it, won t you? Blessings! Pastor Denise

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MARCH/APRIL 2013 Campbell Soup Labels Last year with help from many churches, the Henry Fork Service Center was able to purchase a van for transportation.

You can help by saving the 'labels for education' section from Campbell Soup products and placing them in the basket in the coat closet off the main narthex. Thanks for your help.

We are a small group who have been calling members of our congregation who are confined to home or recovering from surgery or illness to offer some help and/or a listening ear.

3 MARCH/APRIL 2013 Campbell Soup Labels Last year with help from many churches, the Henry Fork Service Center was able to purchase a van for transportation. They are now collecting for computers and other school supplies. You can help by saving the 'labels for education' section from Campbell Soup products and placing them in the basket in the coat closet off the main narthex. Thanks for your help. Phone Ministry The phone ministry is looking for a few new members. All you have to do is call some members of the congregation every 5 or 6 weeks. No meetings to attend. We are a small group who have been calling members of our congregation who are confined to home or recovering from surgery or illness to offer some help and/or a listening ear. If this ministry is of interest to you please call Joy Reed at for more information or jmreed8@juno.com. April is Scholarship Month at HUMC Annual Historical Evening Every May for years our History Ministry has invited someone from a nearby church to share their church s history with us. The presentations always lead to the sharing of interesting memories not only of their church, but also of our church, and of our town as well. This year Ms. Sherry Yates will present the history of Herndon s Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, in room These evenings are always enjoyable, and are open to all. Please join us! The Burns/Kidwell Scholarship fund is a combination of two scholarship funds: The Burns Scholarship fund which was established in 1956 in memory of former HUMC pastor Bill Burns and the Kidwell Scholarship fund which was established in 1991 by the Kidwell sisters in memory of their parents. Thus far these funds have awarded scholarships to 272 students over the past 26 years. This time of year, we are once again are asking you to consider contributing to our HUMC Scholarship fund during the month of April. We will place applications in the Northex and start interviewing in May. We have many students in our community who would benefit from a scholarship to a 2 year or a 4 year accredited college/university. Your support is greatly appreciated, Thank you, HUMC Scholarship Ministry HUMC Snow Policy Weekdays: we follow FCPS. If they are closed, the church building is closed. ALL activities cancelled If they closed early, the church building closes all evening activities cancelled If they open late the church building opens late, based on conditions. Weekend: please check WTOP radio, local TV, and website Determination will be based on weather conditions and/or conditions at the church building, including the parking lot and sidewalks Sunday mornings may bring cancellation of 9am service, but 11am may be possible. ALWAYS-- PLEASE EVALUATE YOUR OWN CONDITIONS AND COM- FORT WITH THE WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS. DO NOT RISK YOUR SAFETY

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MARCH/APRIL 2013 VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble Saturday, March 16 7:00 p.m. Reception to Follow Herndon UMC Sanctuary Donations will be collected following the concert to support future concert venues in the HUMC Concert Series.

They are led by Carol Feather Martin. For more information on the VA Bronze, please visit their website at www.vabronze.org.

7 MARCH/APRIL 2013 VA Bronze Handbell Ensemble Saturday, March 16 7:00 p.m. Reception to Follow Herndon UMC Sanctuary Donations will be collected following the concert to support future concert venues in the HUMC Concert Series. The VA Bronze handbell ensemble is a community-based auditioned handbell ensemble that performs a wide range of handbell music including secular, sacred, popular, original, and regional pieces. They are led by Carol Feather Martin. For more information on the VA Bronze, please visit their website at The HUMC Concert Series endeavors to provide high quality musical concerts to the greater Herndon community on a quarterly basis. The concerts are free of charge and represent a variety of musical styles. Preschool Registration for Registra on for School Has Begun! We would love to have you and your preschool child join our family! Op ons for 3, 4 & 5 year olds include: 3, 4 or 5 day classes available for 4 & 5 year olds 2, 3 or 4 day classes available for 3 year olds 2 day class available for 2 1/2 year olds Limited openings are available for 3 year olds for this school year ( ). For more informa on or to register, contact the preschool office at /herndonumcpreschool@gmail.com or visit our website at erfly.com.

9 Herndon United Methodist Church 701 Bennett Street Herndon, Virginia Address Service Requested Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Reston, VA Permit No. 7 May/June Newsletter Deadline April 15th You can your articles to: LisaLombo@signaturecos.com Worship Services Sundays 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service and Children s Church 11:00 a.m. Connection - Contemporary Worship Service (Nursery Care available for infants through age 3 from 8:30 am noon) Kids Own Worship (KOW) - Available at both 9:00 am & 11:00 am services Saturdays 5:30 p.m. Relax and Renew, Casual Worship at HUMC CHURCH STAFF Senior Pastor Rev. Denise Bates pastordenise@herndonumc.org Dir. Of Discipleship Kris Beckert kris@herndonumc.org Dir. Of Student Ministry Drew Robinson Drew@herndonumc.org Dir. Of Children s Ministry Melanie Ayers Melanie@herndonumc.org Dir. Of Liturgical Music Shannon Wise Shannon@herndonumc.org Preschool Director Debby Burt preschool@herndonumc.org Dir. Of Children s Music Margaret Frost Margaret@herndonumc.org Office Manager Jennifer Score office@herndonumc.org Business Administrator Ruth Lawley ruth.lawley@verizon.net Organist Sarah Hooke dshooke@msn.com Nursery Workers Robin Garcia, Kayla Miller, Dominique Hart Custodians Victoria & Audelio Ayala Prayer Chain prayerchain@herndonumc.org Church Website

Sharing. First United Methodist Church of Hohenwald. November - December 2015 Newsletter

Sharing. First United Methodist Church of Hohenwald. November - December 2015 Newsletter Sharing First United Methodist Church of Hohenwald November - December 2015 Newsletter 200 South Court Street * Hohenwald, TN 38462 * www.hohenwaldumc.org 931-796-2681 * firstunitedme680@bellsouth.net