Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors

Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-2026 - 631.499.7310 Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org Emails: mail@commack-umc.org pastor@commack-umc.org CELEBRATING 225 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN COMMACK 1783-2008 Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe, Pastor 631.499.4770 Carolyn Gehlbach, Editor JULY-AUGUST 2008 Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors welcome. Buddy the turtle is also enjoying his new room and Pebbles the cat has even come out from under the bed a few times to explore her new home! We are all thankful for what you have done. Word from the Pastor Christ is alive and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new. This is a Day of New Beginnings UM Hymnal #383 What a wonderful welcome and new beginning! It is Monday morning, June 7 th, and I m still feeling so excited and energized by our first worship service. It was a great time of praising God, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being strengthened and empowered through our sharing of the Lord s Supper. And it was all followed by a delightful coffee hour with the opportunity to get to know each other. Thank you to the SPR Committee that did so much to make our arrival special and to the Trustees who have worked hard to make the parsonage a warm and inviting home. I appreciate the effort that so many of you have gone to in order to make me, my husband, Atis, and my stepdaughter, Deanna, so God is good and it feels like a good gift from God to be settling in at Commack. We re still unpacking boxes and deciding where things go but for the most part we are home and loving it. I am pleased to be your pastor and looking forward to our journey of faith together. During the sermon yesterday I spoke about the word companion and its importance to us as Christians. The root of the word is twofold: com from the Latin meaning with and panis meaning bread. One definition of the current meaning of the word is one that accompanies another. (Merriam- Webster Dictionary) As Christian companions we accompany each other on the journey of faith and break bread together in the name of Jesus Christ. We sustain, encourage, challenge, and support each other as we serve God and share the blessing of God s peace and mercy with the world. We are companions for the journey of faith. As a pastor who is sharing the journey with you, the question often arises, how should we address you? In a very formal setting or in writing you would use the full title and name: The Rev. Lynda J. Bates- Stepe. Rev. Bates-Stepe would be a shorter and a slightly less formal version. But I tend to be informal and in conversation and our work together I 1

am very comfortable being addressed as Lynda. Some adults prefer to use a title so they and the young people and children call me Rev. Lynda or Pastor Lynda. And of course, you can always just use the title Pastor. That is particularly helpful if, as so often happens with me, you suddenly forget the name! (They call them senior moments but I ve been having them for years!) I will be working hard to learn all of your names but please help me out and remind me several times repetition does help! I will err on the side of trying to address you by name and possibility getting it wrong so do correct me when that happens. It is an honor to share this part of your journey in our time together at Commack UMC. I m looking forward to the journey and eager to seek the Spirit of God who works in our midst and through our ministry that we might share God s blessing with the world. Peace, Rev. Lynda HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES Special bouquets of all God's flowers Filled with prayers with all His powers, to keep you safe through out your days. July Harry Gahrman Gery Spory Jessica Malgraff Barbara Knippenberg Deb Hervey Erin Sullivan Susanne Litrel John Kessler, Sr. Andi Kessler Michael Kopping Ryan Kopping Dagmar Mackay August MaryLee Arfer Caroline Reddo Mark Prasad Nick Mondelli Dot Megna Eileen Waidelich Anne Tammaro Sue Medina Matilda Gollatz Lara Marjares Ciamician Cyndi Pinkham NOTE: if you don't see your birthday listed, please let me know. The church does not keep a record of your birth. Some time ago, I polled our congregation and requested their birth months for this greetings list. Thank you, Kathy Muller BACKYARD BREAKFAST July 27th A Breakfast will be held at the home of Deb and Mike Hervey following Worship Service. The Hervey s are at 3 Arbutus Court, Commack Reverend Lynda Bates-Stepe A MISSION MOMENT "True peace will only come when the adults of the world heed Jesus' call to become more like children~~to look at the other without suspicion or malice, but rather with truth and openness, with eagerness to share with the other, and with love. We have been called to do what is right by the one who was called the Prince of Peace. When we do, perhaps we can define peace in such a way that all God's children will find joy in it. Janet Lahr Lewis, Missionary, Palestine Mission Prayer Focus: Palestine/Israel: Grassroots International, (women's economic development.) Beirut, Lebanon: Middle East Council of Churches USA: Our flooded Midwestern states, the people and their homes 2

NEW MEMBERSHIP We rejoice with the Gona Family who transfer their membership to the Commack United Methodist Church from the Methodist Church in India. Gona Pranith Job was also baptised on Sunday June 29 th. Congratulations to his parents Giona Prashanth Kumar, and Kollukuduru Skikirthi Priya. August 23 rd Saturday, 10:00AM 3:00 PM 12 th Annual Craft & Gift Fair VENDORS Wanted $30.00 Please Call Nancy Gamby for information Held Inside in Case of Rain. FALL FAIR REMINDER October 11 is the date and I hope you will remember it with your donations of homecrafted goodies and presence. September19-21 UMW Retreat Quinipet October 11 th Annual Fair THRIFT SHOPPE News The Thrift Shoppe will be open the first and third Saturday in July and August. This is a good time for church members to stop in and see how the shop operates. We can always use new volunteers, even for an hour or two. Call Marge Wright to add your name to the fall schedule. Summer Schedule Open: JULY 5, 19, 26 August 2, 16, 23 July 26 th Saturday, 10:00AM 3:00 PM Community Yard Sale For information call 499.7310 Anne & Patti Blood Drive postponed til August Date to be announced. YOU ARE INVITED to Our ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 27 th and 28 th Homecoming Fair Outdoor Barbeque and 1789 Chapel Open House Our schedule is as follows: Saturday 27 th 10-4 Bluegrass Band 11:00 2:00 PM. Birthday Cake, Scouts Rope Bridge, Moonbounce, Cotton Candy, Mini Organ concerts on the hour. Tours of the 1789 Chapel and Sanctuary Saturday 7:00 PM Paulo Band Rock & Roll Country Folk- Long Island Known 5 Piece Christian Band. September 27 th, 10-4, our church s celebration week-end. will be a fun and joyous day. Everything will be free. Please put it on your MUST GO list. We re having a bar-be-que, cotton candy, ice cream cart, a band, a moon bounce, organ mini-concerts, tours of our chapel and sanctuary, a rope bridge and perhaps some demonstrations from the scouts. All this also will be an outreach to the surrounding community to Come and See who we are and what we are about. SUNDAY, September 28 Homecoming Joint Service Our brothers and sisters of the Korean Methodist Church will be joining us for these celebrations. Reception to follow immediately after Homecoming Service. Guest Speakers Sept. 28 at 3:00 PM We are pleased to announce that Bishop Park has accepted our invitation to preach at our special Anniversary Service. Marge Wright Medical Equipment available to lend. Crutches, Walkers etc. 3

Please call the office 631.499.310 4

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN In June, Matilda Gollatz led a fine program "God's Song in God's Mission" centered around the hymn, "O Zion, Haste." The members then assembled 72 hygiene kits for the homeless. These will be distributed with the PNB sandwiches. Our thanks to all who generously donated the necessary items. On Wednesday, July 9th, members will meet in the parking field at 6 PM to car pool to St Catherine of Siena for a visit and sing a long with the nursing home residents. Refreshments must be and are provided by the Nursing Home staff. Anyone interested in joining the group are more than welcome! Again we thank Cyndi Pinkham, her assistants Dolly & Mel Walker for producing a great Father's Day booklet. Thank you also to all donors and contributors to this mission fund-raiser. SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING: The program "Say Welcome: Offering Hospitality to the Sojourner" will be led by Anne Tammaro and Dot Megna. Joan Nehlsen will serve as hostess for the evening. All the ladies in the congregation are cordially invited to attend. UMW ANNUAL RETREAT The annual retreat is being planned for September 19-21 at Camp Quinipet, Shelter Island. Please contact President Nancy Gamby for reservations and further information. Members of the Lydia Circle will meet The first Wednesday monthly at 10:30 in the Parlor. All are invited. ********************************* TUESDAY FAIR WORKSHOP We meet from 10-1, every Tuesday, in room # 9 of the Education Building. Santa pillows, Christmas tree ornaments, embroideries, cloth dolls, gift tags and flowered pens are among the items currently in progress. Strawberry Festival The Festival was attended by about 100 Congregants from both churches. We had a great day, the weather cooperated and we enjoyed our lovely patio. A special Thank You to Betty Carson, Matilda Gollatz, Joan Nehlsen and Harriet Neuberth, who all pitched in for a smooth running affair. Many thanks for the help received from our Korean Friends and a special Thanks to Young Sook Kim, Seungeun Park, and Catrina Choi for making the delicious chocolate covered strawberries. Christopher Giovanni Titolo has arrived! born Friday evening of June 27, 2008 at Saint Catherine s 7 lbs 11oz 20" long Mother & babe are doing well. "He is adorable": Mary Kopf Congratulations to Paula and John and the entire Titolo Family LET THE GAMES BEGIN THE LONG ISLAND SCOTTISH GAMES that is!!! The games will be held at Old Westbury Gardens on Saturday, August 23 rd, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Come and enjoy the competitions...caber Toss, Putting the Stone, Children s Races and Caber Toss, and a Short Bread Competition. There will be entertainment... Celtic Bands, Scottish Country Dances, Nassau County Dancers, Celtic Musicians and Singers, Bagpipe Bands, New York Celtic Dancers, Arm-Wrestling Championships, and the Top Hat Magician. Pipe Bands will perform thoughout the day; there will be antique British autos, Falconry exhibitions. Vendors with Scottish and Celtic products, Fish and Chips, Scottish Pies and Sausage Rolls. There are plenty of shaded areas for a cool, pleasant picnic day out with family and friends. Admission is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for Seniors and $5.00 for children and Old Westbury Members. There will be free parking 5

at the high school with a shuttle bus available for transportation to the Gardens. For more information, go to www.lisots.org ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Hofstra University By Ginny Eichenauer Our first glimpse of the conference this year was an outstanding altar decoration. A cross stood to the left of the altar, draped with chartreuse and light yellow that flowed onto an array of metallic copper and red-violet over a white skirt. There were open metal containers that hid candles, large metal poles of different heights that held votive candles, bronze & copper containers. All this in preparation for the Passing The Mantle Service. One side of the stage were for the retirees, and the other the candidates for presentation for...ministry, licensing for local pastors, and for probationary members. Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Richard Rice gave the sermon. His topic was You Will Never Walk Alone. He paced back and forth between the new and the old admonishing both to ask for help on their journeys. He quickly got everyone s attention by retelling the story of the disciples who fished all night and caught nothing. He was quite animated. Then Jesus told them to cast their net on the other side and they caught plenty. He then invites them to a fish breakfast on the shore. Jesus breaks the harmony of the breakfast by asking Peter, Do you love me? He answers, Lord, you know I do! Then Jesus says, feed my lambs. Rev. Rice said that the youth that were coming on Saturday represent our lambs. Feed our lambs and follow me and you ll never walk alone. Just a personal note. That passage is Janice Wood s favorite verse of scripture. In the evening Bishop Middleton spoke about not losing our moral compass. Live in holy boldness. Witness with joy out in the community. She encouraged us to be advocates of God s better way! Use three simple rules: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. These 3 help us stay on course. The offering this evening was for Anchor House and the choir of Anchor House guests sang for us. In between songs one 43 yr. old gave a witness how Anchor House has helped her. She was a drug addict and was living on the street. When they sang I never would Have Made It...without You, Lord, now I see how you were there for me. You could see the emotion welling up in them. They sang with gusto, but one young woman was wiping away tears as she sang. Needless to say they got a standing ovation. On Thursday the altar was again transformed. Five large modern print panels were arranged behind and beside the altar which had dark purple, fuchsia red violet and gold cloth draped over it with stalks of wheat in bronze bowls and baskets of grapes and a grapevine cascading down the gathers. In front of the stage was the communion table set with blue goblets and grapevines with open work metal tiers holding votive candles with cascading grapes over a white cloth. They serve the elements to over one thousand people in about 15 minutes. On Friday we heard some reports from various committees and from our legislative sessions. Rev. Gunshik Shim gave the Cabinet report. Our Conference collected $415, 000. for global concerns. He spoke about the Brooklyn Chinese congregation in Sunset Park. They grew from a small emigrant church & an attendance of over 100. They sent a check for the China earthquake victims for $6,000. Then Bishop Park spoke about how do I thank God enough. He thanked all his cabinet & staff. He said the N.Y. Annual Conference represents the most diverse conference in the nation. When he met the Pope this spring, for a few minutes, he said, Your Holiness, on behalf of the Methodists of New York, we welcome you & when we do, the whole world welcomes 6

you. He wants America to be a beacon of peace and justice, He said, I want you to know that this Bishop is:...for immigration- Against the death penalty- Against torture of any kind Opposes war except when absolutely necessary. The Heifer Project will send the arks of animals to Methodist Mission areas (Collected money for 14 Arks $1,000 Ark). He said, If Methodism wants to grow we have to change. In our 40 year decline if we continue this downward spiral our last member will be in 2069. (Then they showed a video of his first four years. His wife Lisa spoke. She worked with the Clergy Spouses Association and looks for ways to help the new spouses. She always goes to the School of Missions. She learned that local people in small villages have what water they have bottled and sent to big towns, when people really need the water more. She came home from the school and announced no more bottled water! The Anchor House offering was $4,864.16, and the Ministerial Education Fund was $7,311.16. What s with the 16 cents? A new church formed 2 years ago was the New Millennium UMC in Bayside, Queens. They started with a dozen people & now it has 170 adults and 50 children. The chancellor made a statement that the local churches own their own church & land, not the conference. able to succede yourself for one more 3 year term. Also the Lay Leadership Committee is now called the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee. Our conference also shipped 2,005 health kits to our warehouse in Pennsylvania. Each year different churches bring hundreds of these kits and they are boxed and shipped while the conference is in session. Ordination was stirring as usual, but the highlight for me was the Fordham UMC Choir that sang. I m sure some professional singers were in that group. Their rendition of Inflamation et accensus (Inflamed and in flames, by Gioachino Rossini almost seared the roof of the arena. After the closing and the Bishop s blessing we all joined in singing the Halleluiah Chorus. A blessing indeed! Respectfully submitted, Virginia Eichenauer The Bishop issued a challenge to all the pastors and Lay leaders to ask all members who joined their church by transfer or profession of faith in the years 2008, 2009, and 2010, to come and join the festivities on Saturday in 2010. In the report from the Administrative Committee of the General conference in Fort Worth came the following changes: The members of the Staff-Parish Committee will be 7