UNITED METHODIST HOUSE NEWS Box 115 Chautauqua, New York 716 357-2055 December 2018 United Methodist House in Chautauqua is open year round for retreats, rest and renewal, and family gatherings. For information and reservations, Please call 716 357-4045 Greetings from our United Methodist House Host Couple Tis the season to rush and we are no exception as we prepare for the joy the season brings as our family gathers from near and far. We are blessed with little ones for whom the holiday is indeed magical and are so awestruck by the real reason we celebrate. While we anticipate the delights of the holiday season, we recognize we have cause to rejoice year round as we remember each of our guests and visitors at the United Methodist House. The glow of summer friendships and visitors carries us through the cold winter and we send our warmest greetings to each of you. May your holiday be merry and the New Year blessed with time on the porch! And...speaking of the porch...a new look awaits! Best of wishes Bob and Karen Message from our Board President In the mid 1990 s while we were living in the Clarence (NY) United Methodist Church parsonage, I won a small evergreen seedling at a school fund-raising event. We planted that very little tree (now pictured here) in the backyard of the parsonage and watched it slowly grow. Before we left that address it grew enough for me to run an extension cord out to it in December, so it could be a beacon of light on cold nights. When we moved on to the district parsonage in Jamestown, NY there was a tree at the corner of the house that we decided needed Christmas lights. I recall working with Larry to attach those lights various years some days warmer than others for such activity. The parsonage in Grand Island, NY was better suited for holiday lights to be draped along the railings of the back deck. That location afforded a view for anyone attending evening meetings at the church, and for us from our family room window. Some years the lights were white, some years they were multicolored -- but that is a whole other story! Candles in the window, lights outlining our homes, our trees, our roadways in the bleak midwinter we need the reminder of another season, another sign of Hope, a Light at the end of the winter tunnel, another sign of what is to come. As always, the candles are lit in the windows of the United Methodist House at Chautauqua this winter reminding us of the year-round warmth of Christian fellowship. Whether
your holiday lights are wildly colored and flashing, or a simple single flame, may the Light of Christ be a beacon for you that lights your new year. See you on the porch in 2019! - Brenda Baird, President Property Committee News It was another busy and successful season for the United Methodist House and Chautauqua. We appreciate all the things Bob and Karen Douds do every day they re in residence to keep the House running smoothly, from minor repairs and maintenance to their warm hospitality. Since the season drew to a close the end of August the House has continued to be rented much of the time for retreats, family gatherings, etc. A big thanks goes out to Roger and to Jim Metzger (new to the board) for cutting out the stump by the shed and also cutting down the small trees by the shed. Roger and Jim worked some long hours with their chainsaws to complete the job. They also worked on taking the old shed down and dragging it and the limbs to the street to be taken away. Jim and I tried to follow the instruction and put together the new shed. It seems to be working well to meet our needs. We had a great fall weekend and got the house ready for winter, which came soon after. The pictures are all from December 12, 2018 and it appears to show the house sleeping in the snow of Chautauqua. This summer we noticed a crack in the ceiling in the parlor area. By At the end of summer, the plaster had started to separate from the ceiling. The plasterer took down all the loose plaster, the resulting hole is shown in the picture. Please put on your calendar the spring weekends June 7th& 8thand 14th&15th when we ll do those things needed to get the House ready for the 2019
Chautauqua season. Thank you to the Property Committee, the Methodist House Board, and to all of you for your support and help in funding the improvements to the house. Also, a BIG thank you to Debbie Caruso and Cindy Peacock for all they do to keep UMH rented, running and clean, all year long and especially during the busy off-season. I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as Property Committee Chair and appreciate the opportunity to work with such a committed and caring group of Christians as we work on improving and maintaining the Methodist House. Pam and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year full of God s richest blessings. Conrad Howard - Property Chair Merry Christmas from the Finance Committee! I am often asked how The House is doing financially. My answer is usually something like, Quite well. It reflects the fact that we have a balanced budget and money in the bank for most unforeseen expenses. Beyond that, it means that we are able to pay our many bills: employees, supplies, repairs, utilities, Chautauqua fees and assessments, etc. Unspoken is our ability to get much work done in no small part because of our many volunteers, including board members and friends of The House. Room rentals remain our primary source of regular income; however, your contributions, gifts and bequests are critical in our continued ability to fulfill our mission at Chautauqua. On behalf of the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors, I would again encourage you to prayerfully consider a financial gift this year. They are much needed and will be gratefully received. Mike Corey, Treasurer & Finance Chair The Thoburn Cane Don and Shirley Struchen are longtime supporters and frequent guests of the House. Erie-Meadville District Superintendent and United Methodist House Trustee, Dennis Swineford sent the following letter to Rev. Struchen: Rev Struchen, I am honored to let you know that you are the recipient of the Thoburn Cane. The Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference has a long-standing tradition of awarding the cane to our Annual Conference member with the longest tenure. We are wondering about the possibility of awarding the cane in a special ceremony at our Annual Conference in June 2019, or if we could arrange another time and meeting place if this is not workable for you. Please let me know what might be possible for you.
The Thoburn Cane is named for the great missionary Bishop to India, James Mills Thoburn, a graduate of Allegheny College with ties to the historic Pittsburgh Conference. We thank God for your legacy as a United Methodist Minister and wish to honor you and your lifetime of faithful service Blessings Dennis Swineford Reservation Information for the Chautauqua Season Any United Methodist or Member of the United Methodist House may make reservations for the Chautauqua Season. Members are those who have financially contributed to the UM House in past years. Reservations may only be made by calling (716) 357-4045 after 9 am on the first Monday of October (United Methodists and Members) or after 9 am on the first Tuesday (everyone.) Reservations will be taken over the phone on a first come first served basis. Messages for reservations will not be accepted. Individuals may rent a room or the suite for only one week each season. A waiting list will be maintained in the event of cancellations. A week during the Season is from 3:00 pm, Saturday to 10:00 am the following Saturday. A reservation will be confirmed only if a $200 deposit is received within two weeks. The balance is due in full before April 1. In the event of a cancellation, any funds paid will be returned only if the room can be re-rented. Weekly Room Rental Rates Chautauqua Season Boehm Room $675 (This room is slightly smaller) - 2 people in twin beds All other rooms $775 (Four rooms) - 2 people in twin beds Wesley Suite chair/beds $1,350 (Two room suite) - 4 people in twin beds and 2 people in convertible Reservation Information for the Retreat Season (Off-Season) Reservations for the retreat season are invited at any time up to 3 years in advance by calling (716) 357-4045. The retreat season is from Labor Day through May. Retreat Season Rental Rates for the entire house (United Methodist groups) $100 per day (day use only) $425 per two-night stay Retreat Season Rental Rates for the entire house (Non-United Methodist groups) $600 per two-night stay
Available Dates in 2019 1/1-1/3, 1/8-1/10, 1/15-1/17, 1/22-1/24, 1/29-1/31, 3/5-3/7, 4/16-4/18, 5/7-5/9, 9/3-9/5, 9/10-9/12, 10/8-10/10, 10/29-10/31, 11/13-11/14, 12/6-12/8, 12/10-12/12, 12/13-12/15, 12/17-12-19 Available Dates in 2020 12/31-1/2, 1/7-1/9, 1/14-1/16, 1/21/1/23, 1/28/1/30, 2/4-2/6, 3/13-3/15, 3/27-3/29, 4/10-4/12, 4/17-4/19, 4/28-4/30, 5/1-5/3, 5/29-5/31, 9/1-9/3, 9/8-9/10, 9/15-9/17, 9/29-10/1, 10/6-10/8, 10/13-10/15, 11/19-11/21, 11/22-11/24 12/11-12/13, 12/18-12/20 House Rules Like all fine historic accommodations, the UM House is 100% non-smoking! Only seeing eye pets are allowed. As in all United Methodist facilities, alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The Athenaeum
Meeting Schedule Board Meeting Jun 15, 1 pm Spring Work Weekends Jun 7-8 & Jun 14-15 Board Meeting Jul 10, 3 pm Annual Meeting Jul 10, 4 pm Board Meeting Aug 26, 1 pm All Committees meet prior to Board Meetings at the call of the chair. Newsletter Article Deadlines Sept 1, Dec 1, May 1 United Methodist House Trustees Class of 2019 (Western PA) Roger Brumagin firstaid@velocity.net Barry Lewis bl643lewis@yahoo.com Beth Nelson BethLNelson1@gmail.com Class of 2020 (Upper NY) Brenda Baird bbaird52@aol.com Lee Mount leelaine@twcny.rr.com Carolyn Stow pastor.carolyn.stow@gmail.com Class of 2021 (Chautauqua Community) About the United Methodist House The United Methodist House is located at 14 Pratt Ave, directly behind the Chautauqua Amphitheater. It was built in 1888 as a Methodist Episcopal Headquarters for approximately $4,000 ($100,000 in today s dollars). The original trustees included Chautauqua founders John Vincent and Lewis Miller. Mike Corey Conrad Howard James Metzger Chuck Smith Stacy Taylor Ex-Officio Carmen Perry Sherri Rood Dennis Swineford Host Couple Karen and Bob Douds corey@mikecorey.com pamconradhow@yahoo.com bj12m@hotmail.com pastorchuck65@gmail.com stacytay71@gmail.com carmenperry10@yahoo.com sherrirood@unyumc.org servall57@gmail.com douds2@comcast.net Retreat Season Hostess and Financial Secretary Debbie Caruso debbiecaruso99@gmail.com
The Hall of Philosophy UM House Annual Meeting Dinner The Summer Strummers The Ampitheater
United Methodist House P.O. Box 115 14 Pratt Avenue Chautauqua, New York 14722 Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage P A I D Permit No. 52 Chautauqua, N. Y. 14722 Address Service Requested The United Methodist House at Chautauqua A year around center for retreats and renewal at Chautauqua offering a positive, radiant expression of United Methodist Christianity. Providing for spiritual refreshment, quiet renewal, friendship and fellowship! The United Methodist House is centrally located at the heart of the Chautauqua experience. The United Methodist House is available year-round for church and family groups. Reservations for the Retreat Season (September May) are taken at any time. Reservations for the Chautauqua Season are available starting on the first Monday of October of the previous year. For information and reservations call (716) 357-4045. UMHouse.com UMHouse.blogspot.com facebook.com/unitedmethodisthouse