THE MESSENGER SEPTEMBER 2016 Prayer: Loving God, sometimes a new school year seems exciting or scary or both. Sometimes school is great, and sometimes it is hard. But we know that whether we are excited or scared, you are with us. We know that whether school is great or hard, you are with us. We thank you for always being with us. Help us to remember to show our thanks for your gift of learning by doing our best every day. Amen. A Message from our Pastor; I m am grateful for your prayers, cards, messages, love and support in the days following my brother s death. James was the youngest of the four siblings and the only boy. Because it was a fatal heart attack we had no warning or preparation for his death. Yet, in the midst of heartache and sorrow God provides and God has used you to help sustain and strengthen me in this time. You sent the most beautiful arrangement of flowers that graced the front of the room as we remembered, cried, laughed, celebrated, questioned and thanked God for Jim s life. His two young adult children handled their burden with dignity; he would have been very proud of them. A week has passed and I m back on the job but there is still as sense of confusion and, at the same time, a reaffirmation of life. I find myself wondering, did that really happen? and wishing it was all just a bad dream. But I am also reminded that life is a gift from God and we don t know how long we will have it. We only know that today is the day we ve been given to live fully and abundantly. (John 10:10) I have once again reaffirmed my commitment to live and appreciate each day. Mind you, it s not that I haven t had my own heated conversations with God over the past week. There is no purpose or greater good to Jim s death. I d like to know why but sometimes there is no reason why. It just is. And in the end I once again reaffirm my faith in a God who does not cause death but encourages us to help and support each other through the pain and grief. Thank you for the way you have done that for me. You are truly a blessing. Peace, 486 TOWNLINE ROAD, COMMACK, NEW YORK 11725 (631) 499-7310
Prayer: Loving God, today, we are being called to move out of our comfort zone and confront persecution wherever we find it in our families, communities and churches as well as the world. Give us the strength and courage to do what we can to work with others who are hurting, and encourage those who are persecuted so that they can sustain a good life. Let us be a blessing to them and show your love through our actions. Amen SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 7 Jim Medina 10 Jackie Mallgraf 16 Penny White 17 Vinoo Doss 17 Sarah Stellmann 18 Andy Lauri 18 Mary Lauri 21 Sarah Mackay 28 Atis Stepe Joan Kopping Pat Ross Steven Waidelich FAIR WORKSHOP: We continue to meet every Tuesday morning 10-1 in room 9 of the Education Bldg., creating for our annual Fall Fair. Please come and join us with your talents and creative ideas. Bring a bag lunch KNIT & CROCHET We resume meeting on Wednesday, September 17, at 1:00-3:00 in the parlor. Our crochet and knitting teacher is always available to help with projects or teach new stitches. No refreshments are served as we want nothing to spill on our needle work. If interested, please come with your needles and yarn projects! We will continue to meet every third Saturday. DONATIONS NEEDED We need Worsted Weight (#4) yarn donated for our Mitten Ministry.
Lydia Circle During the month of July we gathered to enjoy fellowship and snacks at Olsen s Rest Home. Others from our congregation gathered with us. The residents always enjoy our time with them, as we do with them. The program for our September 8 th meeting is titled Being a Blessing to the Persecuted. and will be presented by Matilda Gollatz and Tracey Kopping. As we meditate and read several instances of persecution, it is time for us to look within ourselves for some answers and to reflect on the situations of people both near and far who suffer persecution. Karen Mallgraf will be hostess for the evening. Joan Ford and Debbie Stellmann received their long awaited UMW Special Membership Pins, for their work with UMW mission projects, at home and abroad. The circle will meet on Wednesday, September 7 at 10:30 in the parlor. Kathy Doss will provide the refreshment. Kathy Muller will relate the story of Rebecca (Genesis 24) The retreat will be held September 23-25 at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island. Please see Ginny E. ASAP for details and reservations. All women are invited to join either or both UMW and Lydia Circle.
It s time for Confirmation!!! A new Confirmation class will be organizing beginning in September. Confirmation is for students 7th grade and older (12-15 yr old) who are interested in learning more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of a church family. If you would like to know more about it please contact Rev. Lynda (631)499-7310 or Mary (mail@commack-umc.org) in the church office. Thanks very much for all the nutrient-rich, food donations made at the UMW program "Joyful Hunger Pangs" on June 9, 2016. We collected approximately 45-50 pounds of healthy staples such as canned food (beans, chickpeas, corn, vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken breast); dried beans; rice; eggs; bread; pasta; matzo; oatmeal; noodles and soup. These nourishing foods will be distributed in our community. It s Back To School time again, and for many that means shopping. Commack United Methodist Church has been registered with igive for a while now and we have received some kick backs as donations. Every little bit counts!! So if you are shopping on line please consider using igive. For those who do internet shopping, there are many businesses listed and a small percentage is donated to our cause. It all adds up, but you have to go thru the I Give site http://www.igive.com/welcome/lp16/cr62a.cfm Thanks again, Sobana Prasad Women s Retreat Reminder: September 23-25 at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island. Please see Ginny for reservations.
HISTORIAN S CORNER Submitted by John Muller, Church Historian Part II On the 30th of June, 1776, a British fleet of 130 ships landed an army of 10,000 on Staten Island, commanding New York harbor. By August 1st, the army had grown to 31,000 seasoned troops. The American army of only 28,000, both poorly trained and inadequately equipped, had prepared defensive positions in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the nearby Jersey shore. In early August the Suffolk County Militia, let by Liertenant Colonel Potter and Major Brush and carrying the Huntington Liberty Flag, mustered on the Village Green, drew an issue of gunpowder from the Arsenal (Job Sammis House) at its southern end, and marched to Brooklyn to augment the Continental Army. Upon their arrival their ranks were divided. About 100 men, under Potter and Brush, were assigned to General Nathaniel Woodhull (of Mastic) and the remainder, under Colonel Josiah Smith of East Moriches were placed in the defensive lines. Woodhull, who had served as President of the Provincial Convention, was given the rather strange assignment of driving beef cattle eastward to prevent their falling in to the hands of the British if and when they attacked. Early on the morning of August 22nd, 15,000 British and Hessian soldiers and 40 pieces of artillery were landed on Long Island. The Battle of Long Island was fought from the 22nd to the 29th of August, 1776, resulting in a defeat for the Americans who effected a miraculous escape across the East River to Manhattan. On August 27th General Woodhull ordered Major Brush and the 100 militiamen to proceed eastward from Jamaica driving cattle before them. However, upon learning of the disastrous results of the battle, and after consultation with higher authorities, Brush dispersed the men under his command advising them to return home. Brush himself quickly left Long Island, presumably in a boat across the Sound to the Westchester shore, where he joined the 2nd Regiment of Westchester County Militia, commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas. Brush proceeded to make numerous excursions across to Long Island for the duration of the war. Correspondence and newspaper accounts testify to Major Brush s leadership of raiding parties in November 1778, March 1779, and June 1779, although he was undoubtedly active on other occasions. As a consequence of leaving Huntington and taking up arms with the Rebel Army, Major Brush s farm at West Neck was seized and assigned to a Loyalist (Tory) family. Brush wrote a note to the intruders as follows: August 25, 1780 I have repeatedly ordered you, especially April 15th, to leave my farm. This is my last invitation. If you do not, your next landfall will be in a warmer climate than any you have ever lived in yet. Twenty days you have to make your escape. Jesse Brush During the latter half of September, 1780, Major Brush was dispatched on a secret mission by Gov. George Clinton to raise loans of money form patriots living in Huntington and western Suffolk County. Commanding a group of seven other soldiers, Brush successfully crossed Long Island Sound and spent three weeks passing from town to town calling upon known patriots. Although active mostly at nighttime, they also ventured out in broad daylight, using assumed names, various disguises and pretended business transactions. Unfortunately, just at the conclusion of their mission as they sought to escape back across the Sound, their whaleboat was driven ashore by a violent storm. This landing having been observed, they were attacked by a group of armed loyalists who immediately killed Lieutenant Alexander Ketcham of Brush s command in a volley of musket-fire. Brush ordered two of his troop to take the funds raised and escape while the remainder held off the attack. Brush and his party were all captured, but were successful in covering the escape of Lieutenants Williams and Legget who returned to the American lines with the valuable currency. Brush and his companions were held in the Provost prison in New York City. Although no record has been found concerning the date and circumstances of his release, it is known that by June 1781 Brush had returned to his duties in the Westchester County Militia. Little is known of Major Brush from the close of the Revolutionary War until his death on July 12, 1800. He is buried in the Old Burying Ground in Huntington. Excerpted from an essay by Reginald Metcalf, Sr., genealogy.com, and longislandsurnames.com. More information can be found through the Huntington Historical Society.
COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HARVEST FAIR BIG NEWS! WE'RE HAVING A FOOD TRUCK (OR TWO) COME BE A PART OF OUR FAIR! SO TELL YOUR FAMILY TELL YOUR FRIENDS TELL YOUR CO-WORKERS COME TO THE FAIR FOR HANDMADE GIFTS! FRESH PRODUCE FROM LOCAL FARMS! AND OH YEAH, COME FOR SOME FANTASTIC FOOD (FROM A TRUCK!) Saturday, October 29th 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 486 TOWNLIINE RD, COMMACK
KIDS IN CHURCH One particular four-year-old prayed, And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets. A little boy was overheard praying: Lord, if you can t make me a better boy, don t worry about it. I m having a real good time like I am. 3-year-old Reese: Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen. After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys. Come meet Ellen Knudsen and Ed Ruppman representing The United Methodist Frontier Foundation A financial education and investment group of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church They are meeting with the members of the Bequest Task Force to discuss the options and possibilities of how to faithful manage the bequests we have received (and may receive in the future). This includes the Edna Beck s gift. You are invited to attend; if you have questions or topics you would like to have them address please speak to members of the Task Force or Rev. Lynda. The more we have ahead of time, the more detailed and specific their answers can be. You can also check out their website at umff.org. Members of the task for include: Matilda Gollatz Debbie Stellman Michael Mallgraf Barbara Mazzola Joan Ford Barbara Mondelli Anne Tammaro Adm Board Church School Lay Leader SPR Trustees Worship Missions Lynda Bates-Stepe Pastor, Convener Marge Wright At Large Ever consider being a reader or worship leader for one of our services? Is God (or the pastor) nudging you to be more involved in leading worship but it makes you nervous just thinking about it? Want to develop more skills in public presentations? Come and join us for one of the Worship Leaders workshops listed below. You ll learn more about what is expected and how to handle the responsibilities. You can even come and try it out only to decide it isn t for you. But you ll never know unless you try. Check one: Saturday, September 10 th at 10:00 11:00 am Sunday, September 11 th at 10:30 11:00 am Sunday, September 18 th at 10:30 11:00 am Name: email or phone:
It is an ongoing task to keep our member records up to date, and it is our wish to have anyone and everyone wanting to worship with us to get the information they need. As I go thru the membership book there are names I do not recognize and I am trying to reach out to them to see how we can aide them in their worship needs. There is a process that needs to be followed and listing these names s just one of them. You will be hearing from this office quite a bit in the next few months asking for information. If you have a current address or email for the following people, please let me know as soon as possible. If they have unfortunately passed away, I still need to find an obituary of some sort; thank you for your help in this matter. Best, Mary K Frey Mr. & Mrs. Karl Petterson Ms. Barbara Finn Mrs. Donna Boyd Casey Brandsema Mrs. Janet Dealif Ms. Karen Dennis Mr. & Mrs. William Dennis Mrs. Bertha Heberer Ms. Donna Mack Mr. John Mack Mrs. Cathy McAllister Mr. & Mrs. James D. Mckibben Mrs. Mae Mosase Mr. John Ott Mr. & Mrs. Philip Pacitti Mrs. Lillian Pappas Mrs. Judith Perlman Mr. John Popp Jr Mr. & Mrs. Henry Schwertner Mrs. Gertrude Seeberger Mrs. Cheryl Shelderfer Mrs. Elizabeth Szkotak Mr. Raymond Wagner Mrs. Linda Zaluska Mr. Michael Zorn Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Taylor Mrs. Anita Mack Mr. Thomas Boyd Mrs. Cindy Eichacher
stay up to date visit our calendar on line; http://www.commack-umc.org/calendar.shtml
Harvest Fair Boutique hand crafted items Fresh Produce grown right here on L.I. Parcel Post surprise items from around the world White Elephant Table Come see what our Thrift Shop has to sell Treat Table Overflowing with delicious home baked cakes, pies, breads, brownies, and cookies Save the date 10/29/16 10 am 3 pm Be apart of the first annual Trunk or Treat event October 22nd Google it! Pick a theme, and contact Alesia Simco or Ginny Eichenauer! You DO NOT want to miss this!! you can also email the office and Mary will send you some information. Please help the youth group collect for wash up kits, information is on back table COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725 Non Profit US Postage Paid Permit # 24 * If there is any change to this address please inform the church office ASAP