CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS DECEMBER 2015 The Connecticut District Office of the United Methodist Church 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT06517 Resident Bishop: Jane Allen Middleton Editor: Dorothy Chamberlain Superintendent: Reverend Kenneth Kieffer Volume 31, Issue 11 E-mail: ctdistrict@nyac-umc.com Web: www.ctdistrictumc.org POSTCARD FROM THE EDGE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA sent by Ken Kieffer It was a grand day perhaps the grandest of the Cabinet s entire 12-day journey to Southeast Asia and back. I was privileged to be part of a group that joined our Bishop in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a brand new sanctuary. Ironically, it was hotter than Hades on this particular Lord s Day in the middle of November in the middle of Cambodia. But I was thrilled to be invited, nonetheless. The church building itself had begun years earlier, thanks to the bold vision of NYAC s own Randy Nugent (then director of GBGM), the hard work of teams of imported Youth Ambassadors, and the blood, sweat and tears of countless domestic laborers from the village of Okroch (pronounce Oh croak). I lifted not a finger during this decade-long endeavor, and yet there I was, rising from my 2nd row seat in the VIP section with a pair of scissors in my uncalloused hands. Everyone on the extended cabinet cut just a snippet of the ribbon, leaving the lion s share of the scissor-work to Bishop Middleton. Following the ceremony, those present (just about everyone in the entire village) removed their dust-covered footwear and filed in for the 2-hour service. Once seated, we were treated to an inspiring time of small children singing, the pastor praying, and our Bishop preaching (thanks to a translator translating). But the most striking part of the service for me was a troupe of teenage girls dancing. Now, I ve seen liturgical dancers perform ever since my wife was in a high school quintet at the church in which we both grew up on Long Island, but the dancers at this special service did something I had never witnessed before. The something they did, though, was nearly nothing. By that I mean that all of the girls gestures were as small as mustard seeds - the tilting of a wrist, the extending of a finger, the angling of an ankle. No grand sweeping anythings in this routine. Rather, it was tiny girls making tinier gestures that made the biggest impression on me. Sometimes, it's the little things 1
Postcard from the edge.of Southeast Asia continued Next on our itinerary was a bit of a bus trip to the Samreth Methodist Church s Susanna Wesley school for middle and high school aged students (69 girls, 9 boys). No sooner had we weary Westerners stepped onto the premises than our hosts formed 2 columns of kids, one on our left and one on our right, and started cheering wildly for us as we passed between them. Following this grand entrance, we met these young, aspiring scholars, toured their dormitories (they go home on weekends), and then got down to the business of a Bible study. Now, if you have never led a late-afternoon Bible study in a sweltering room full of 78 teenagers who don t speak English, all under the watchful eye of your Bishop, you ll have to trust me when I say that it ain t easy. To make matters worse, the chosen topic for our time together was the question, Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? (see Khmer Rouge, circa 1975). But thanks to the students patience, the presenters perseverance, and the Holy Spirit s presence, grace abounded and meaningful connections were made. Officially, our program ended with the obligatory group picture in front of the school. Since we all wanted this special shot of the students, the staff, and our fellow sojourners on our OWN cameras, this took considerable time, effort and smiling (say kim cheese! ). But this grand photo was small in comparison to the selfie I saw one of the female students insist on taking with her new BFF, Betsy Ott, my co-teacher in the Bible study. Sometimes, it s the little things According to our itinerary, the school was supposed to be the last stop of the day, and I for one was looking forward to taking a well-deserved nap on our long air-conditioned bus ride back to our rooms. I could only imagine how tired the Bishop must have been, especially after having preached and speeched earlier. Why, then, did I see her bypass the bus and head across the dirt road? Was there another village VIP to meet & greet, another GBGM staffer who wanted a personal episcopal intro, or another grand opening of another grand building? What could be so important? The answer soon became clear. After exchanging traditional Cambodian greetings with the young family of Christian converts (Cambodia is 90% Buddhist), we were told that the husband was active in the Samreth Methodist Church and the wife was active in the Woman s Program sponsored by the GBGM and their 3 small children were, well, just active! We were about to bid adieu when we overheard that the woman, Chhok, had a pressing health issue - something involving her heart. The Bishop was so moved by the woman s plight that she gently placed her hands on Chhok s head and offered a prayer for healing in a language that the woman did not speak. But by the time the Bishop said Amen, Chhok was in tears (not the only one). Sometimes it s the little things the tilt of a dancer s wrist, the selfie with a newfound friend, the prayer for a person in need, and a baby born in a manger. 2
CT DISTRICT MISSION PROJECT CLEAN WATER FOR NICARAGUANS ACCION MEDICA CRISTIANA (AMC) is a Nicaraguan faith-based, nongovernmental organization and one of the country s leading health and development agencies.amc, as a partner of the United Methodist Church, is an approved Advance Project #14846A and a Volunteer Host Partner. Since the development of Filtron ceramic filters in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch (1998), AMC has had ample experience in distributing the appropriate technology to communities in the Caribbean Regions. AMC proposes to purchase 200 filters and distribute them to 200 families. The costs for these filters includes: purchase of the filters, transportation to AMC Field Office in Sahsa, local distribution to communities, health education talks, support for an AMC Promoter and follow up visits (2 to each community). It is anticipated that the ceramic filters will not only improve the quality of drinking water for these households but will have a direct impact on the prevention of water and food-borne diseases, improved nutrition and better health for these families. The Cost: $50 per filter Each church in the Connecticut District is asked to support this project by purchasing at least one filter that is $50 per church. Please make checks payable to the CT District and mail to:ct District Office, Attention: Dorothy, 20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT 06517 ARE YE ABLE? 3
RECAPTURE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS THE CHESHIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Presents a free holiday production of ROAD TO BETHLEHEM Saturday, December 12, 2015 5:00-8:00 p.m. (In the event of inclement weather please call 203-272-4626 for cancellation notice) Parking lot of Cheshire United Methodist Church, 205 Academy Road (Rt. 68), Cheshire Call 203/272-4626 for more details or directions Cash donations or non-perishable food items will be accepted to benefit local food & fuel banks. 4
Save These Dates! Sunday, January 31 Westport UMC 49 Weston Road, Westport, CT 06880 2:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Saturday, February 6 Woodbury UMC 4 Church Street, Woodbury, CT 06798 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. All United Methodists in the Connecticut District are invited to our 2016 District Resource Days. Come and learn at workshops focusing on Worship Design, Technology in Worship, Godly Play, Older Adult Ministries, Disaster Preparation and HUB Churches, Staff Parish Relations, Trustees, Church Finance, Facebook, Immigration and Incarceration, Prayer, and Telling Our Story: Celebrating 250 Years of Methodism. Among our leaders are Carol Downs, Jorge Varas, Linda Clapp, Jim Stinson, Joseph Ewoodzie, John Parille, Steven Lee, T.J. Mills, Jerry Eyster, Geoff Fowler, and our District Superintendent Ken Keiffer. Mark these dates on your calendar now, and watch for more details in the January newsletter. 5
2016 U.M. ARMY MISSION WEEKS ANNOUNCED United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) is pleased to announce the 2016 line up: May 29th Young Adult Amityville, NY July 10th Mixed Age Scranton, PA July 10th Mixed Age Wethersfield, CT July 10th High School Torrington, CT July 17th Mixed Age Claremont, NH July 17th Mixed Age Eliot, ME July 24th Mixed Age Washington, PA U.M. ARMY has been in existence for nearly 40 years and provides an opportunity for youth (7 th grade and beyond) and young adults to experience Christian growth through service to others. Participants combine their strengths and resources to meet home repair and maintenance needs for low income, elderly and disabled homeowners. U.M. ARMY youth and adults work together on small construction projects such as porches, stairs and handicap access ramps. Teams also perform a variety of home maintenance tasks such as handrails, yard work, and painting; they repair leaky roofs, windows and doors etc. Clients are referred through local social service agencies and church organizations. Jobs are selected and completed based on greatest need. Our mission has three key areas of focus: (1) serve people in need; (2) promote spiritual growth and (3) promote leadership development in youth. We develop a meaningful curriculum each season that includes morning worship, lunch devotionals, evening worship, and a prayer journey. Youth are expected to take a leadership role during worship and during the working day; thus providing an opportunity for them to strengthen their leadership skills in a supportive environment. Local churches host our mission teams as participants eat, sleep, enjoy fellowship and worship in the church. They are divided into work teams of four to six youth with adult support for the week's work. U.M. ARMY requires that church groups bring 2 adults for every 5 youth. Preparation, safety and teamwork are priorities for all mission participants. Per person cost is $300. For more information, check our website: umarmy.org or contact Jennifer Vastardis. Contact: Jennifer Vastardis Executive Director U.M. ARMY - Northeast 484.329.7635 jennifervastardis@umarmy.org 6
2016 DIGITAL ADVERTISING GRANTS FOR EASTER FOR EASTER & OTHER RESOURCES We are now accepting applications for our 2016 Easter Digital Advertising Grants. This grant is for local churches who want to raise awareness of their church in the community by means of online digital advertising during the Easter season. These ads will link directly to the church website and will be geo-targeted to each church s community. The grant provides pre-designed static banners that display a seasonal Rethink Church message, the Rethink Church logo, the UMC brand promise and the local church logo. If a church does not have a logo, we can create a brand standard logo for them. The ads will run for two months (February March 2016). A church may see their ads on websites as large as CNN and The Weather Channel as well as on local news websites. We also provide a follow-up report on click through rates and site visits to each church from the advertising period. Attached is our FAQ that should help answer questions about the digital grant process. Please pass this information along to churches in your area and ask them to visit our website HERE to learn more about our selection criteria and to apply. Deadline to apply is January 7, 2016! Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Churches can only be awarded one grant type of any kind once per year. Just a reminder that Rethink Church has many resources available for Advent: We are running National Advertising and can customize the Advent TV spots for your church at no cost for a digital file (only available in English). Rethink Church has outreach resources to invite your community during the Advent season for English and Spanish speaking congregations that include low-cost direct mail postcards and 100 free customized door hangers and invitation cards (order deadline is December 1). We have free downloadable worship resources that include bulletin covers, worship graphics, and much more! Thank you for helping us spread the word about this great opportuni The Rethink Church Grants Team United Methodist Communications, Rev. Ashleigh Joyner, Director of Rethink Church Resources & Events Pam Buck, Project Coordinator Wanda Jackson, Project Coordinator P: 877-281-6535 toll free E: rethinkchurchgrants@umcom.org W: www.umcom.org/rethinkchurchevents 7
Are You Called to Mission Service? Global Ministries seeks missionaries to serve within the global Methodist connection in a variety of roles and ministries around the world. Global Ministries sends missionaries from everywhere to everywhere. Missionaries vary in age, trade-skills and occupations, and they serve in ministry with others as teachers, pilots, lawyers, agriculturalists, dieticians, physicians, nurses, administrators, accountants, pastors, photographers, journalists, community organizers, and Christian educators just to name a few. They desire to learn about and to share God s love in Jesus Christ in tangible, everyday ways. Mission Personnel of Global Ministries are: 1) Professing Christians who are familiar with and committed to The United Methodist Church and its doctrine, history and polity 2) Able to articulate their call to missionary service 3) Able to demonstrate experience and/or passion in mission and active involvement in the life and ministry of a faith community 4) Willing to engage in ministry with people of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds 5) Willing to serve in a context that best matches their gifts and experiences as discerned and affirmed by Global Ministries 6) Willing to connect the church in mission by itinerating and cultivating financial and spiritual support Current Areas of Need Currently, we are seeking qualified candidates who wish to explore a call to mission service with the following gifts and experiences in various regions around the world: Experienced agriculturalist Health and medical professionals Hospital administrators Vehicle maintenance specialist Boy scout project leader Congregational development specialist For more information about missionary service or to apply online, visit Global Ministries website: www.umcmission.org/calledtoserve If you know someone with these gifts and graces who may have a call to mission service, then please have them contact Global Ministries at missionaryinfo@umcmission.org for details. 8
Safe Sanctuaries Workshop (Torrington: First) When Where Saturday, January 9, 2016 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. First UMC 21 Fern Dr Torrington, CT 06790 View map Email Contact childrensministry@nyac-umc.com Cassandra Negri View Registration Forms Safe Sanctuaries Training- Cassandra Negri, Workshop Leader The Safe Sanctuaries Workshop is designed for congregations who don t have a written Safe Sanctuaries Policy. The workshop prepares a core team of 4 5 to work with the congregation to write a policy, as well as providing information on how to train trustees, teachers, parents and pastors on the implementation of that policy. Snow date: January 23, 2016 Taught by Cassandra Negri. Here are a few details about this workshop: First, registration generally runs for a half hour prior to training and the training runs for a full three hours. Second, each church should purchase one copy of: The book Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church by Joy Thornburg Melton. It can be purchased from Discipleship Resources or from Cokesbury as well as other bookstores. Click here>> The book Safe Sanctuaries - Older Adults: The Church Reponds to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Older Adults. Click here for the Cokesbury site>> Abuse Statistics Handout>> Definitions of Abuse>> Italian Powered by Translate 9
Prayers for: The Reverend Eric Henderson (Meriden: First) and family. Eric is recovering from surgery he had in November. ******** RETIREES BREAKFAST December 17, 2015 All retirees are invited to meet on December 17 th for breakfast at Denny's, 631 Queen St. (Route 10) in Southington, just off I-84, exit 32. We meet on the third Thursday of each month. Next breakfast is scheduled forjanuary 21. It helps to know about how many to expect. Kindly contact Ralph Roy at Ralphlroy@aol.com or call 860-620-1711. Call too, if the weather is questionable in case it is cancelled. Please come prepared to share information on any illness, bereavement or other circumstances that should engage the group s attention. ******** ATTENTION ALL WHO E-MAIL THE DISTRICT OFFICE INCLUDING SENDING NEWSLETTERS: THE ONLY E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR THE CT DISTRICT OFFICE IS: ctdistrict@nyac-umc.com The AOL address has been CLOSED! 10
DISTRICT RESOURCING DAYS Sunday, January 31, 2016 2 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Place: Westport UMC 49 Weston Road, Westport, CT 06880 Saturday, February 6, 2016 9 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Place: Woodbury UMC 4 Church Street, Woodbury, CT 06798 CONNECTICUT DISTRICT IS ON FACEBOOK! CHECK US OUT AT: nyacconnecticut district Have your local church events posted on our District Facebook page by contacting Ximena Varas at: ximena.varas@nyac-umc.com DEADLINE FOR JANUARY DISTRICT NEWS IS DECEMBER 20 th 11