photo by Fred Gagnon The new Cross & Flame emblem has arrived. The first wooden cross & flame on the front of ELUMC was given by the members of the church in memory of Colby Owen (Outreach Chair Ruth's husband) who died in March 1970. The old cross had deteriorated and a new cross & flame logo made of powder coated aluminum was donated by David Owen (Colby s son) in memory and in honor of Colby and Ruth s faithful service to Bill Johnston & Scott Grabowski uncrate the new cross & flame logo. C r o s s & F l a m e E m b l e m the church for more than 50 years. Raising the UM logo in front of a reconciling congrega on with a rainbow on its sign is an act of defiance and hope... for the church to have open minds, open hearts, and open doors. We thank Patrick Kubala and crew for hanging the new Cross and Flame and making the outside of the building so beau ful. August 2016 [on-line edition] Ruth Owen (seated) watches the new cross & flame emblem being installed along with friends (from le to right) Carol Johnston, Kelly Turney, Gayle Lesure & Julie Dunlop. HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS & FLAME The history and significance of the Cross and Flame emblem are as rich and diverse as The United Methodist Church. The insignia's birth quickly followed the union of two denomina ons in 1968: The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Following more than two dozen conceptualiza ons, a tradi onal symbol the cross was linked with a single flame with dual tongues of fire. The resul ng insignia is rich in meaning. It relates The United Methodist church to God through Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3). The elements of the emblem also remind us of a transforming moment in the life of Methodism's founder, John Wesley, when he sensed God's presence and felt his heart "strangely warmed." The two tongues of a single flame may also be understood to represent the union of two denomina ons. (excerpt from an ar cle found on UMC.org)
2 T M M Edie B at East Village, Marilyn B at LifeCare, Wilbraham, Dottie B (Joan M s mom) at Birch Manor in Chicopee, Arnold C & Mary H at Brookdale in E.L., and Paul W at Reeds Landing. Special health concerns: Mike D, (skin cancer removal), Be y E & Barbara N, Bev P s sister (undergoing cancer treatments) Ken E (Denise s dad), Bev K s son (recovering from motorcycle accident), Helen L, Ruth O, Phyllis R, Pa y R (had knee replacement in July), Jeff J and Diane C, recovering from surgery. A Communica on Reminder Please be aware that Hospitals and Rehab facili es DO NOT CALL the church to let us know when someone is admi ed. They have not done that for years, between HIPAA laws for privacy and cut backs in volunteers. So it's up to YOU or your family to let us know. Tell your friends/family to contact the church whenever you're in the hospital overnight so we can visit and pray with you. And our prayer list takes prayer requests for surgeries, tests, any special circumstance that you might want to be joined in prayer for. The Finance Team reminds you that you can help us to pay our church bills and mission shares this summer by keeping your pledges up to date. Thank you! BABY NEWS! Proud grandparents, Steve and Diane Chandler, announce the birth of their newest grandson, Benjamin Alan Chandler, 3rd son of Steven and Emily Chandler born May 18th, 9lbs 5 oz, 21 1/2 inches. On behalf of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, I would like to thank you for your recent contribu on of $1,406.25, which will be credited to the Allen Street Circle of Faith. It is only with your con nued support that we are able to build simple, decent, affordable homes for local families in need. It is because of your con nued support, that we are able to strengthen our community by providing families with stability and self-reliance through shelter. Thank you again for joining us this powerful journey - building homes and building hope. In Partnership, Jennifer E. Schimmel Execu ve Director OPEN PANTRY COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. Dear Friends, Thank you for your generous contribu on of $100 to Open Pantry Community Services. In our con nuing struggle to maintain our services, hour concern and support for those who are less fortunate is most welcome and much appreciated. Your generous dona on will help ease the burden of some of community s less fortunate, bringing a ray of hope where it is most needed. On behalf of the people we serve thank you for your kindness. Sincerely, Ma hew CastleMan Execu ve Director Thank you so much for awarding me the Carrington Scholarship for my Senior year of college. It's so helpful to have support and aid in regards to the cost of college and I'm so thankful! Sincerely, Lauren Dunlop
T M M 3 Na onal Night Out August 2, 5:30 pm East Longmeadow High School. Home-made cookies needed (no nuts or peanut bu er). Na onal Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, be er place to live. H P W August 7, 13, 27 Register with the office. Unfilled slots are returned to the larger faith community to be filled by other congrega ons. Community Tag Sale at ELUMC Saturday, Sept 10 8:00 am -1:00 pm Like last year, there will be a community tag sale on the lawn of ELUMC. Members of the community will be able to purchase space and sell their tag sale items. Anyone in the congrega on is also welcome to purchase a space and sell their tag sale items, as there will not be a separate church tag sale this year. Each 10 x 10 space is $10. Applica ons are available on our church website. Ques ons-see Liz Gelinas, Laurel Manley, Laura Kinney or Julie Dunlop. ELUMC Fundraiser September 16 to October 2 Vermont Building at the Big E Please consider blocking off some me during the weeks of the Big E More information this summer W R September 23-25 Spirit Fire Retreat Center This is a weekend to brainstorm and plan the upcoming year in worship. Help our worship together be par cipatory and meaningful by joining us at this planning retreat. Register now with Lay Leaders, Rick & Chris Hutchinson or call the office at 525-7416 The mandala, which means circle, is an ancient symbol represen ng the universe. Sand mandalas, which are part of the Tibetan culture, are not only lovely and colorful pieces of art; they are also meaningful offerings that ponder and celebrate the beauty of existence. They remind us that the winds of change are always present, that nothing is set in stone. Once finished, we ll swirl it away and capture the grains in prayer jars as a prayer for the new year. A full seven months a er we began the Wisdom from the Desert advent sand mandala crea on in our chapel, on the summer sols ce, it is complete! Much wisdom to be learned from this spiritual prac ce requiring pa ence. Thanks Marian Tombri The chancel choir will start up again on Thursday, September 10. The Bell Choir will start up the following week, September 17. There is always room for more in both groups. If you like making music in celebra on of God s great goodness, come join the choir.
East Longmeadow United Methodist Church 215 Somers Road, STE 2 East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998 413-525-7416 a reconciling congrega on www.elumc.org Address Service Requested T SAFE SANCTUARIES. THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE in August 6:30 p.m. Worship on the lawn with ice cream fellowship to follow Nursery is open but unstaffed. THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE in September 10:00 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary Church School (starting Sept 18th) (pre-schoolers through Grade 5) Professional child care is provided for Cribs & Creepers / Toddlers & Twos. For the on-line church calendar follow this link: http://57650311.view-events.com/ The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. September 11 Join us for a delicious French Toast Breakfast and register your children for Sunday School Sunday Sc ho ol start s S S T N F We are planning 3 classes; Pre-school K - grade 2 Grades 3-5. Teacher & assistant needed for the K- 2 class. Assistant needed for grade 3. We are prepared to have a middle school, high school class if needed. Substitute teachers & assistants are needed for all grades. Can you help make a difference in our children s lives? Serve the Lord and support our growing education program! Talk with Laurie Conz about how you can help. B a c k t o S c h o o l Backpack & School Supply donation Once again ELUMC is collecting backpacks & school supplies to be distributed before school starts in September to elementary, middleschool & high school students. Drop your donated backpacks and school supplies off at the church Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The backpacks will be blessed at a special Sunday service (date to be announced) and sent to the superintendent of East Longmeadow schools for distribution.
ELUMC Y H O H F!! ELUMC Youth wash the new windows of the Educa on wing. Thanks! On July 18-22 ELUMC youth and visitors Caught the Wave of God s Amazing Love at Surf Shack, this year s theme for the Vaca on Bible Camp. Thanks to Laura Kinney and all who volunteered to help the kids have an exci ng and funfilled week. For more photos & video summary check the ELUMC Facebook page.