North Canton Community United Methodist Church

North Canton Community United Methodist Church See inside about these and other upcoming events in March EASTER FLOWER ORDER FORM See order form inside for Easter Flowers Order forms due by March 15 FRIDAY-NIGHT-OUT DINNER March 21 from 5:00-7:00 PM Featuring Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage, potatoes, vegetable, beverage and our Heavenly Desserts! Don t miss this dinner and be sure to tell your friends and neighbors! PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH March 29 After worship service

MARCH 2015 LENT FROM THE PASTOR I have come so you may have life; and have it abundantly. John 10:10 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, It is an odd juxtaposition; the dark and cold of winter and Lent, from the Latin for spring. As Christians, we know we dwell in a world full of dark notions and cold despair, yet the promise of spring is ever-present. The promise of new life in the midst of death is the promise in which we trust. This Lenten season, take time to nurture the warmth and promise of spring. You are encouraged to practice the Lenten disciplines of fasting (it s not only about food,) almsgiving (it s not only about charitable contributions,) and prayer (it s not only about talking to God.) May your Lenten observances be a blessing to you and those who surround you. In Christ s love, Sandra Wanamaker Sandra Wanamaker, Pastor

OUR CHURCH FAMILY Prayers are requested for: Dave Bullock, Ann Burk, Nate Clark, Douglas Clement, Karen Cooper (Marnie s sister), John Corrigan, Holly Crane, Betty Freytag, Emily Gray (Great-niece of Deb Woodhall), Walt Kelly, Bev Kibbe, John Mannino and family, Naomi Moulton, Karen North, Sophie Paulauskas (Mary Jones' mother), Lois Messenger Wright, (Lois is Naomi Moulton s sister), and Chase (Theresa Thomas s grandson). Please remember them all in your prayers. If you know of anyone who should be added to this list, please contact our office at (860) 693-4589, or at nccumc@att.net. BOOKSELLER(S) NEEDED We are looking for someone with a desire to use time and skills to sell old/specialty books on-line. These books were gleaned from our recent booksale. The sale of these books is for the financial benefit of the church. Job Description: Researching each book for current price points, listing books for sale on-line, receiving orders and payments, packing and mailing books to buyers in a timely fashion. It is helpful if you are familiar with on-line buying, are detailoriented, and have a curiosity about books. You must have use of a computer. We have an experienced on-line book-seller who has agreed to be our consultant. If you are interested in serving this way, please contact Pastor Wanamaker. 860-693-6623 or SandraML1@aol.com SECRETARY'S CORNER I would like to send out a special thank you to Pastor Wanamaker and Dru McNeil for helping me out with a ride to work. It was very much appreciated. Marlene S. MacBain "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" Sadie DeBellis and Eva Tsimboukis will be appearing on-stage and Diana Lawler will be music directing/playing for Canton High School Presents "Fiddler on the Roof", March 20 and 21 at 7:00 PM and March 22 at 2:00 PM. For tickets, see website, http://fiddler.cantonmusic.org or Sadie, Eva or Diana! MARCH STEEPLE SPONSER This month s Lighting of the Steeple is sponsored by Ray and Dru McNeil in memory of Stephen McNeil. THANK YOU Thank you to all who donate lovely flowers for the altar each week. There are several openings for March, April and May. It would be wonderful if you could sign up for one of those Sundays. Thank you. Dru McNeil EASTER FLOWERS Dru McNeil will be once again in charge of taking orders for the Easter flowers. Order forms are due by March 15 and may be dropped off in the office or given to Dru directly. Please see the order form in this newsletter. CANTON FOOD BANK Can you spare a few minutes on Sunday after services or during the week? We need someone to deliver our Food Bank donations of non-perishable items to Trinity Episcopal Church on Route 179 (River Road). We can set up a rotating schedule, if we get enough volunteers. Please call Mary Brevigleiri 860-307-4611. DROP-IN TIME WITH THE PASTOR Each Tuesday The pastor is available in the church office on Tuesdays from 8:15 am - 10:15 am for anyone who wishes to drop in. All other times, she is available with a simple phone call at (860) 693-6623.

2014 2015 CONFIRMATION CLASS Each Tuesday 6:30 pm ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Adult Sunday School Sundays 11:15 AM Lenten Bible Study Wednesdays 7:00 PM Disciple Bible Study: Invitation to the New Testament Participant books will be available from the pastor. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Our next meeting will meet on Thursday, March 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Dru McNeil s, 100 Case Street, Canton, CT. This ministry continues to grow and serves many people. Please see or call Carolyn Milke at (860) 693-2170 if you would like to join our group or for more details. All are welcome! Thank you. Carolyn Milke MARCH 17 LUNCH BUNCH Lunch Bunch will meet on Tuesday, March 17 at 12:30 PM location to be announced. We will meet at the church at noon if you would like to carpool, otherwise we will see you at 12:30. Please contact Pat McGarry at 693-0591 for more details. Hope you can join us! FRIDAY-NIGHT-OUT DINNER March 20 5:00 7:00 p.m. Traditional Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner and our Heavenly Desserts with Chef Ken Triou It wouldn t be March without our annual traditional St. Patrick s meal for the many patrons of our Friday- Night-Out Dinners! Chef Ken Triou will be looking for help provided by fellow chefs, dessert makers, servers, dishwashers, and the many others who provide hospitality to our guests. Please sign up in Case Hall to lend your personal touch! We did it! Four degree temperature, no church the Sunday before, email sign up, but we fed 115 people and sold out the extra squares of Lasagna. The desserts were plentiful and top quality. Good job by everyone and I thank you. Now let's get your green on and do it again March 20 with corned beef. Diane Yekel UNITED METHODIST MEN The next meeting of the United Methodist Men will take place on Saturday, April 11 at 8:30 am. The United Methodist Men will host a congregationwide breakfast. The Reverend Dr. Robert Knebel of the United Methodist Church of Waterbury has agreed to make a presentation on wills and legacy in the church at our congregational breakfast. He is currently pastor of the United Methodist Church of Waterbury where he has served since 2011. Prior to coming to Waterbury he served 26 years in UM churches in New York state and Connecticut and for 10 years as a nonprofit executive and fund raising consultant. He is currently the chair of the board of directors of the United Methodist Frontier Foundation and has presented many workshops on wills and legacies for churches. It is important to note, as well, that he will not be giving legal or financial advice at this program, but

simply sharing the many options available to individuals and churches in the area of planned giving. The board of trustees and individuals are encouraged to seek the advice of their attorney and/or financial advisor if they have interest in one or more of the planned giving tools. Please contact Fred Swan at (860) 693-8619 if you plan to attend. April Messenger Deadline All articles and notices for the April Messenger are due by Sunday, March 15. Please leave articles on the secretary s desk in the office or email articles directly to nccumc@att.net. Thank you. ARE YOU CELEBRATING IN MARCH? March Birthdays 4 Marge Wickersham, Janet Connolly 6 Jill Fowler 10 Kate Talbot 21 Carolyn Warne, Louise Hayes 23 Larry and Melinda Malentacchi 30 Christine Marshall March Anniversaries 1 Eleanor and Carl Graff 4 Mike and Noreen Reuber PLEASE NOTE: While we work hard to include everyone s special days, if your birthday or anniversary is missing from our monthly listing, please contact the church office at (860) 693-4589 or email me at nccumc@att.net and we will be happy to update our records. Thank you. Marlene S. MacBain ARE YOU SERVING IN MARCH? Acolytes No one has signed up in March. Coffee Hour Barbara Mason (658-9422) 1 Sue Levesque and Barbara Naugle 8 Noreen Rueber and Elaine West 15 22 Jill Fowler and Pam Brunell 29 Barbara Mason, Eileen Baedor and Marian Burr Flowers Dru McNeil (693-2557) 1 8 15 Dawn Harris 22 Ray and Dru McNeil 29 Palms Liturgists Nursery No one has signed up in March. No one has signed up in March. Ushers Nancy Slauenwhite (860) 658-6326 1 8 15 Dawn Harris and Elaine West 22 29 NEWS FROM THE NYAC OFFICE OF CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES Dear Beloved Sisters and Brothers, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! It was Good Friday 20 years ago. I had just finished preaching at the Interfaith Good Friday Service which was held that year at the Presbyterian Church. On my way back into my office to make preparations for the evening service and for the several services on Easter Sunday I met the music director coming out of the church. When he asked the usual How are you? I said, I think I have Holy-week-itis. He replied with words I ve never forgotten, Jesus must have felt that way, too! Suddenly my whining was put in perspective. I was stunned and ashamed. I thought I was being so faithful in all of my busyness but in reality I had forgotten who Jesus and was and is. The Lenten season offers us an opportunity to allow Jesus to walk with us in new ways, to keep Jesus at

the center of all that we do, to remember to focus on Jesus, and Jesus alone. We often think of Lent as a time to sacrificially give up that which is important to us as a means of understanding in a deeper way the ultimate sacrifice which Jesus made. Giving up in a prayerful way is indeed an important spiritual discipline which can make our faith more real. Whether fasting from food or from other practices, one s spirit is opened in new and powerful ways and a closer walk with God becomes possible. Another way to observe Lent is to take up a new spiritual or lifestyle practice. This year we are encouraging you to use Lent in order to take up a renewed emphasis on Imagine No Malaria. To be prayerfully active can change your life and the lives of others. On the NYAC website we have posted a calendar which makes daily suggestions for drawing closer to Jesus by participating in saving lives. WIDER COMMUNITY GIRL SCOUT WEEK Girl Scout Week is March 8-14. The week begins with Girl Scout Sunday on March 8, followed by our 103rd Anniversary on March 12, and ends on Girl Scout Sabbath on March 14. We hope you will take a moment to recognize the girls and women in your congregation who are or who have been Girl Scouts. For more than 103 years, thousands of dedicated volunteers and Girl Scouts throughout Connecticut make a difference every day in their communities. All girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to participate in Girl Scouts, explore their faith, and attend our summer camp programs. Please visit us online at gsofct.org for more information. I want to suggest a third practice which is, in a sense, included in the previous two: being open to receive from Jesus during Lent. I want to suggest that when you focus intentionally on the presence of Jesus in your life: what you receive in return is the fulfillment of the promise: you are never alone. what you receive is the possibility of living a grace-filled life in new ways. what you receive is that by drawing closer to the light of Christ; this light will then shine through you. what you receive is a deeper awareness of the call to serve the marginalized, the poor, and the broken-hearted as Jesus did. what you receive is blessing upon blessing. In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. May this season of Lent be a time in which Jesus lives in your life in new and wonderful ways. In Christ's love, Bishop Jane Allen Middleton

Easter Flower Order Form If you wish to provide a spring plant to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, please return this form, with your payment to the church office or to Dru McNeil by March 15. Make your selection, indicating the number of plants you wish to order. Any questions call Dru McNeil at (860) 693-2557 Lily 1 stem Tulips Assorted Hyacinth Pink Hyacinth Purple Hyacinth White Hydrangea 6 inch pot Plant total Money total Colors $9.75 $6.75 $6.75 $6.75 $6.75 $18.75 # # # # # # $ In Memory of: In Honor of: Please return this form with your payment in cash or check (NCCUMC) to the church office or Dru McNeil. Your Name:

OUR TRADITIONAL PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH SUNDAY, MARCH 29 following the church service Come and join dining with your church family at this special time. Bring a dish or dessert to share. ALL ARE WELCOMED!

The Christian Small-Group Leader For All Laity in the NYAC Grounded in Scripture and the Wesleyan tradition, The Christian Small- Group Leader blends knowledge about the dynamics of small groups with our call to form disciples. Leaders of all types of small groups will find both inspiration and practical help to carry out their ministries. Lay Servants will receive a three-year certification upon completion of this class. Sponsored by CT District Lay Servant Ministries March 7 and March 14, 2015 9:30 AM to 3 PM both Saturdays Fellowship and Sign-in begin at 9 AM Bethel United Methodist Church 141 Greenwood Avenue Bethel, CT 06801 (easy access from I-84) Leader: Fern Blair Hart, Certified Lay Minister All class participants should purchase and read Thomas R. Hawkins book, The Christian Small Group Leader before the first session - currently available at Amazon.com and Cokesbury. Cost for this course is $15 ~Please bring your own lunch~ Please mail your check payable to CT District to Dorothy Chamberlain, CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT 06517 Your Name Address Phone Number Email Church District For further details, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director at mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com or (860) 307-4611.

Just Because I am Old A Practical and Theological Guide to Caring By Rev. James Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life for United Methodist Homes The Connecticut District Lay Servant Ministries is offering a special workshop for laity and clergy in the New York Annual Conference Huntington United Methodist Church 338 Walnut Tree Hill Road Shelton CT 06484 Saturday, March 21 and Saturday, March 28, 2015 Fellowship and Sign-in begin at 9 AM. Classes 9:30 AM to 3 PM Attitude, Spirituality, Possibilities - Jim Stinson's best advice for those growing old and for those in ministry with older adults. This publication is written through his experience as chaplain, publisher of monthly articles about older adult ministry and living into his very active retirement years. Just Because I am Old is an outstanding guide for ministry with Older Adults - Rev. Ann Pearson Books will be available for purchase (and signing by the author) each class day at a reduced price of $14. Cost for this course is $10 ~Please bring your own lunch~ Lay Servants will receive a three-year certification upon completion of this class. Please mail your check payable to CT District to Dorothy Chamberlain, CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT 06517 Your Name Address Phone Number Email Church District For further details, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director at mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com or (860) 307-4611.

Let the Whole Church Say Amen! For All Laity in the NYAC who find themselves called on for the honor of voicing public prayer before a church dinner, at a meeting, as a special need arises, during worship, or in countless other ways there is a wonderful guideline available that is designed to put us at ease as we pray aloud, and to put the hearers into full agreement so all with whom we pray can offer a hearty AMEN! Seymour United Methodist Church 90 Pearl Street Seymour CT 06483 May 2, May 16 and May 30, 2015 Sign in and Fellowship begin at 9 am ~ Classes from 9:30 am to 1 PM Led by Lisa Bosworth, CLM. Our time together will open up a multitude of valuable themes related to praying in public, from an enduring basic format, to helping everyone feel included, to praying about controversy, and lots more. We ll have a substantial time of study and prayer together, as we learn and apply this most vital gift which God has entrusted to us. Participants should purchase Let the Whole Church Say AMEN! by Laurence Hull Stookey, available through Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com for approximately $15. Lay Servants will receive a three-year certification upon completion of this class. Cost for this course is $10 ~Please bring your own lunch~ Please mail your check payable to CT District to Dorothy Chamberlain, CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT 06517 Your Name Address Phone Number Email Church District For further details, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director 860-307-4611 mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com

Preaching in the United Methodist Church For Lay Servants and Laity in the NYAC interested in the process of preparing and delivering a sermon. This course is always exciting and inspirational in content and delivery. You will not be disappointed and you may even be a little surprised! Leaders: Rev. Kenneth Kieffer, CT District Superintendent and CT District Lay Servant Committee Members Cost is $15 This is an Advanced Lay Servant Class and all Lay Servants will receive a three-year re-certification upon completion of the two session course. Local Lay Servants may be certified to preach in their own churches. April 18, 2015 9 am to noon Rev. Ken Kieffer 12:30 to 3:30 pm - LS Committee April 25, 2015 9 am to 1:00 pm Delivery of one 10-12 minute sermon. If you do not feel called to preach, you may choose not to deliver a sermon, but you must attend both days and every participant must submit a written or typed sermon to receive credit for the course. Naugatuck United Methodist Church 208 Meadow St. Naugatuck, CT 06110 Coffee/Fellowship 8:30-9 am~~ Please bring your own lunch All class participants should purchase and read Go Preach! A Primer for Beginning Preachers by Jack Gilbert before the first class available through Cokesbury and Amazon.com Please mail your check payable to CT District to Dorothy Chamberlain, CT District Office 20 Broadfield Road Hamden, CT 06517 Your Name Address Phone Number Email Church District Pastor s Signature of Endorsement For further details, please contact Mary Brevigleiri, CT District Lay Servant Director at mbrevigleiri@perrytechnology.com or (860) 307-4611. Sponsored by CT District Lay Servant Ministries