February 2018 Circuit Writer Jesse Lee United Methodist Church 25 Flat Rock Rd. Easton, Ct 06612 203 372-8250 www.jesselee.org Jesselee.umc@gmail.com A Message from Reverend Jim Stinson I am always surprised how thoughts pop into my head that have nothing to do with what I am currently doing or thinking. Often they are in the form of a memory of something someone said to me years ago. What prompts them is often a mystery to me. But sometimes I know exactly what brings them to mind. One such time was when, busy at my desk, hoping to get a project done before a self-imposed deadline, the cell phone rang. I considered letting the call go to voice mail and returning the call when the project was finished. In a matter of seconds, a voice in my head said the interruptions are my work, which by the way, is something I often think. As it turned out, the caller had a far greater need to talk to a pastor than I did to finish the task at hand. I was glad I did not let the voice mail click in. Over fifty years ago, as a young pastor, I heard a sermon titled (you guessed it) The Interruptions Are My Work. Clearly this sermon and its message struck a chord within me, which is why I mention it in many a sermon and conversation. The sermon was preached to preachers, but its point is relevant to anyone who ever has felt as if they were being pulled in too many directions at once. Every harried parent knows the feeling. Every nurse, every aide, every teacher, every caregiver, everyone has at times had the feeling. The message I got that day that has lingered is this. I have to pay attention to the distractions. They just might be the most important work of the day. The unanswered question is how do to decide which task is most important? Which is the distraction and which can wait? Jesus points us in the direction of loving God and loving Church Calendar Souper Bowl Sunday and Scout Sunday-Feb. 4 Ash Wednesday-Feb. 14, 7:00 Church Council- Feb. 18, 11:30 Choir Rehearsal-Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 7:00 District Resourcing Days Feb. 3 9-12:00 Feb.11 2-5:00 Jesse Lee Birthdays Jeffrey Berg-Feb. 6 Juliet Lin-Feb. 8 Bruce Jaffe-Feb.8 Steve Tramposch-Feb. 9 Emily McKeon-Feb. 15 Donna Smith-Feb. 22 George Lindeberg-Feb. 26 Jim Stinson-Feb. 28 Page 1 of 6
neighbor. He says if we do so we have done what God expects. Which practically speaking is easier said than done. The choice often is deciding which is the most loving thing to do at particular moment. At many moments of our lives we are interrupted. We are left wondering how to respond. What do I do now? That is a question every pastor has been asked (and has asked). This is not easy to answer. But I do know allowing the question of love to guide has proven the better path. The interruptions are my work. By the way, they are your work as well. District Resourcing Days Feb 3, 9:00-12:00 Simsbury United Methodist Church Feb.11, 2-5:00 Stratford United Methodist Church WORKSHOPS SPR 101 Parish Development Sanctuary Church The Changing Face of Youth and Student Ministries Re-Purposing Church Property Church Finances Life Changing Mission Trips Six Thinking Hats What s New and What s Next at the Intersection of faith and Culture Stewardship-What it is and What it is Not Does Anyone Really Want to Buy a Church Join us on Feb. 4 for soup, sandwiches and desert-it s a wonderful luncheon and great fellowship. Vote for your favorite team with proceeds going to a local charity. If you can help provide the food contact Lorraine at : lorrainerswindon@gmail.com Ash Wednesday Service Feb. 14 7:00 Rev. Douglas Osgood Page 2 of 6
God and Me," is the first program in the God and Country Series for Boy Scouts. Its objectives are to help young people grow in their understanding of the Christian faith, to help young people see how other people have translated belief into action and to provide young people with the opportunity for Christian service to others. Quentin Haines, Brian Sideleau, Jeffrey Berg and Jonathon Berg will be meeting with Reverend Stinson in preparation for this award. Subject: Christmas baskets at Golden Hill Our Generosity Is Much Appreciated! Dear Amy, Thank you so much for all of your work for the Christmas basket project at Golden Hill. The donations you gathered from Jesse Lee UMC and delivered to Golden Hill were so critical in the success of the project this year. There were baskets delivered to 119 families, comprised of 584 people. There were many stories on delivery day about the importance of these baskets in the lives of these families. Thank you again for all that you did and we hope to work with you again next year. Blessings, Becki Prayer Requests raised at January worship services Bruce, Carla and Romy Dan Rawson Al Fusco Claire Veins Pat Summer Dan, co-worker of John Herlihy Lois Halzack, celebrating birth of great-son Ed and his son, colleague of Nancy Rawson Audrey, friend of Kay Delaney Mary, friend of Berg family Bratz family Brady family, cousin Andy, Jason, friend Bill, friends of Kay Delaney Joe Swindon Rev. Burt, friend off Andree Halcott Heather, friend of Andree Halcott Michael, friend and colleague of Steve Wendt Bill and family, friend of the Wendt's Page 3 of 6
Darryl and Ernest, brothers-in-law of Joan Hoag CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY Jan. 14, 2017 Celebrations-Jim will be working with 3 Cub Scouts on the God and Me Badge, Pastor Stinson has given his decision to remain with Jesse Lee for another year if he is appointed by the District Superintendent, congregation was resilient in adjusting to having the service in Bennett Hall Pastor s Report-Average attendance for 2017 was 44.5, an increase from 2016. District Resourcing Days are Feb. 3 in Simsbury and Feb. 11 in Stratford. Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14 and Pastor will be away that day Finance Committee-We have a preliminary budget for 2018 and a healthy balance in the checking account to begin the year. Overall for 2017 church accounts were at a break even point with the rental of the parsonage.there was a discussion on the uses of Quick Books and Shepard s Staff. There was also discussion on expenses paid by the church versus the Trustees. There is an open position for treasurer on the Finance Committee. Immediate/Priority Needs-A priority is to fully understand the financial position of the church so we know what funds are available to sustain the church and to invest in programs to support the growth of the church. Pastor Jim indicated that we are the most invisible church in town. A discussion followed of various ways of promoting the church. We need to focus on a pledge drive and Estate Planning. Events-Amazing Grace at Shubert Theater, Scout Sunday-Feb. 4, District Resourcing Days-Feb. 3 and 11, will be using Jesse Lee Kitchen to prepare meals for 50 people at Operation Hope SAVE THE DATE! PLEASE PLAN ON JOINING US! The Council of Churches Annual Spring Fling THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 Featuring the Show "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Page 4 of 6
Page 5 of 6
If anyone knows the address for anyone on this list, please let the office know. Anton, Judith Banthin, Lynda Banthin, Christopher Bast, Kyle & Britt Baum, Marianne Belleveau Family Berk, Andrew Blomberg, Gary & Ginger Blomberg, Katrina Calvert, Lisa Chandler, Bradford Currier, Christopher Currier, Patrick Dammerman, Patricia Dammerman, D. David Dammerman, Heath Dearborn, George Derourian, Ara Dickinson, Freda DiSalvo, Carla Dobkkowski-Joy, Aleksandra Eastwood, John Englund, Carl Fensky, Kenneth Fensky, James Fernandes, Robyn Fletcher - Family Garcia - Family Geane, Arline Gibson, Nancy Haghpanna - Family Harrel, Julie Hereford, John & Jay Wayne Hirsch, Erika Honeycomb, Carmeleta Huguet - Family Hummerstone, Norma IPPOLITO, Patricia Johnson - Family Kost, David & Kevin Lane, James & Patricia Leonard, Mary Lewis - Family Lovett - Family Haraske Marazita, Shea & Dan, Jr. Melton, Pamela Mercede, John & Lorraine Monteleone, Lisa Mortimer, Glenn & Elizabeth Nelson, Kim Obando Family Phoenix, Donna Petrello, Albert & Brian Plain, Robert & Jeffrey Planas, John Reath - Family Reed - Family Roffman, Wendy Ross, William Schettino - Family Sealer - Family Sedlacek - Family Shylo - Family Chicago Smith, William Stanat, Emily Stevens - Family Swanson, Karew Thomas, William & Grace Thomas, Andrew & Deborah Thornton, Deborah Travis - Family Turchuk, Pamela Tyler, Carol - Family Unger, MartAnn Candee Wade - Family Watters, Mary Wehrli, Stephanie Page 6 of 6