THE GOOD NEWS from the Stratford United Methodist Church Good News email: sumcgoodnews@yahoo.com 2600 MAIN STREET STRATFORD, CT 06615-5893 SUMC phone: 203-375-5851 ~ and fax: 203-375-6890 SUMC email: stecretary@sumcct.org SUMC website: www.sumcct.org Volume 57 No. 4 December 2015 The Rev. Simeon Law, Pastor The Rev. Dr. Donald Kirkham, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Paul Jacobson, Director of Music Lanette Kardos, Director of Christian Education Beth Buckmir, Preschool Director Mary Jane S. Fast, Church Secretary
Dear Stratford United Methodist Church: May the grace and peace of Christ be upon you this Advent Season. The Season of Advent is upon us. If asked, many would say that Advent is the time of the year when we prepare ourselves for Christmas. After all, Advent starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving, coinciding with the deluge of Christmas oriented TV commercials and radio programming. However, the purpose of Advent is not to prepare us for Christmas, but to prepare us for the coming of Christ. Jesus reminds us to be alert and to keep awake because none of us will know when he will return (Mark 13:24-37). In preparation for Jesus return, we are called to prepare ourselves and our world for the coming of the LORD. We do this by seeking God s transformation in every aspect of our lives. During the Advent season, it is easy to become wholly focused on shopping for gifts or planning vacations or family gatherings. This year, I invite you to turn your heart and mind to the LORD. To seek first the transforming work of God in our lives and in our world. To remember that anticipating Christ's coming is the reason for the Advent season. The beauty and joy of Advent lies in its spirit of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. In the midst of the holiday craze, 1
the church is invited to focus upon Jesus the Christ. As the Church, we echo with Christians throughout the ages, Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again. During Advent, the Church rediscovers its hope in the latter part of this confession: that one day Christ will come in final victory. This is an especially important reminder living in a broken world. In the midst of life s sorrows and pains, we are reminded that Christ s redemptive love reigns. I would like to invite you and your family to enter fully into the season of Advent. Join us for Sunday Worship and Sunday School as we prepare for the coming of our Lord. Please keep in mind the following upcoming special services: Sunday, Nov. 29 th : Sunday, Dec. 20 th : First Sunday of Advent Joint worship with First Baptist Church, 10 AM sanctuary service, no 8:15 AM worship service. 10 AM Christmas Pageant Thursday Dec. 24 th : 3 PM Christmas Eve service 5:30 PM Christmas Eve service 11 PM Christmas Eve Service In Christ, Rev. Simeon Law 2
Two books on display in the Narthex may be helpful to you as you prepare for Advent and Christmas. The first is The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations, by Howard Thurman. This book is a collection of short meditations in both poetry and prose. None are longer than two pages, and most are only one page, with some as little as a half page. All would be helpful for private meditation or small group or family meditation. The second book, In Straw and Story by Joyce Miller, is very different from the first. This one is a collection of songs, family meditations, crafts, and many more for both Advent and Christmas. The craft section includes recipes from a variety of countries and cultures around the world. There are instructions for making Advent wreaths and creches. These books are from the Church Library and may be borrowed by signing the card in the back of the books and leaving it in the envelope provided. Enjoy the book you borrow and return it in three weeks. Other books may be displayed in the same area during the month of December. 3
The True joy of Christmas. Please join us for these unique and inspirational services: Sunday, December 20th Children s Christmas Pageant..10 a.m. Followed by a Christmas celebration in the Parish Hall. Christmas Eve, December 24th Chapel Communion Service..3:00 p.m. Family Service with Lessons & Carols.5:30 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service..11:00 p.m. Celebrating the birth of Christ with Carols and Light. 4
INCIDENTS AND HAPPENINGS OUT OF OUR PAST Letter from the Past On September 23, 1934, over 81 years ago, William S. Jackson, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Stratford, published the following letter to the congregation in the Reminder: (The Reminder was a weekly newsletter published by the Church, which was available to parishioners by subscription through the mail.) Dear Friends: As we face the disturbing economic and moral conditions in the nation and the world, with continued unemployment, strikes, national leaders bravely seeking to bring order out of chaos, accumulating public debt, crime highly organized, youth with scant opportunity for promising openings in business life, we ask ourselves why these things should be, and what is the remedy. Undoubtedly the chief cause is moral. Since the World War there has been a spiritual letdown that inevitably had to have its harvest. In government, business, and private life there is much paganism, under the veneer of civilization. Abuse of power, greed, and loose morals are so widespread that 5
the effects are also widespread. There can be but one remedy, and that is a spiritual revival. The nation must get back to God and God s ways. The first step to moral and spiritual recovery is a revival of Church attendance. That is not the only need nor the last step, but it is the first step without which the others will not be taken. The silly and shallow excuses that many of us have given for not worshipping regularly: company, busy, work to do, big dinner, tired, - you know them, and those silly excuses show how pagan we have become. So my first hope is that we will see the folly of neglecting the things worthwhile, and will remember that we have an appointment with Almighty God every Sunday morning. 6
UMC 2015 Activate Love Transform Lives Change the World UMC #GivingTuesday is part of an international movement to extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season. As a response to the hyper consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, people around the world celebrate UMC #GivingTuesday by supporting organizations that are transforming the world. It offers an opportunity to start off the holiday season by giving instead of getting. On December 1, United Methodists will once again come together to support the work of Advance projects and missionaries on UMC #GivingTuesday. Every gift made online 7
through The Advance at www.umcmission.org/give on December 1, 2015, will be matched up to $1 million. For those who want to make the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season as much about giving as about buying, www.umcmission.org/give gives the opportunity to provide support missionaries, churches, education, healthcare, disaster relief and more worldwide. Donors can donate to specific projects or missionaries or choose needs that are of particular meaning to them. REFUGEES IN GERMANY While on assignment for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the Rev. Paul Jeffrey, a missionary with Global Ministries, interviewed Rolf Held, a United Methodist pastor in Messstetten, southern Germany, about the impact of the recent refugee/migration situation in Europe. In the video, Rolf Held describes the impact that thousands of refugees have had on his community, and describes how people have responded calmly and compassionately to their new neighbors. To learn more about Pastor Messstetten s heartwarming story, you can watch Paul Jeffrey s video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvb0gbm7m2w&feature =youtu.be 8
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DECEMBER 2015 BIRTHDAYS 2 Joyce Pike 16 George Gerheart 3 Tricia Kingston 16 Barbara Waters 3 Dylan Kelly 18 Leo Budnick 3 Nancy Peruzzi 18 Dylan Kish 4 Alexandra Vanderclock 19 Carol Bickley 4 Henry Berrien 20 Jerry Dellert 5 Laura Towne 21 Jennifer Dina 5 Janice Wellington 21 Cora Barber 6 Jody Erickson 21 Michael Tubiak 7 Elias Wheatcraft 22 Anne Pocevic 8 Kenneth Sherbo 22 Nicholas Williams 9 Christine Wheatcraft 24 Ann Smith 11 Rudy Feudo 25 Irene Pierson 12 Meaghan Ford 25 Theodore Russell 12 Richard Pecoroni 26 Kerri Kelemen 13 Joshua James 28 Steven White 13 Judith McCarthy 28 Cheryl Worrell 13 Kerrigan Murphy 29 Robert Maseto 14 Clarice Diavua 30 Shawn Fuller 15 James Ernst, Jr. 31 Kevin Murphy 15 Rita Bobko 15 James Ernst III 10
December 2015 Wedding Anniversaries Dec. 6 th Dec. 9 th Dec. 19 th Dec. 20 th Dec. 28 th Mr. & Mrs. Feudo Mr. & Mrs. Robertson Mr. & Mrs. Cottrell Mr. & Mrs. Morris Mr. & Mrs. Narus If your December birthday or anniversary are not on this list please contact the church office. 11
UMW News Arts & Crafts : will meet on Wednesday, December 9th at 5:30 pm at home of Gail Warmke for our Annual Christmas Party and potluck dinner. Please bring a $5 grab bag. Sign up with Phebe for the potluck. As you Like it: will meet on Wednesday, December 30 th, 1:00 pm at the home of Anne Pocevic for their Christmas meeting. This will be the final meeting of the As You Like it group. Books & Things: December meeting date TBD. Please check Sunday bulletin for updated info. Susanna Wesley: will meet Wednesday, December 16th. Please bring a sandwich. 12
Holiday Boutique In the Friendship Room Fridays and Saturdays 9am 12pm Through December Ornaments, Decorated Trees Christmas Mugs and Dishes Holiday Linens and Candles Santas, Snowmen and Reindeer Centerpieces and Other decorative items Angels and Nativities 13
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CHRISTMAS POST OFFICE The Christmas Post Office will be available for use on Sunday, November 29th. If you wish you may use it to exchange cards with your friends of the church. Boxes are alphabetically labeled. As a help to the church it is suggested (if you are able) to donate.25 for each card. Envelopes are provided for your donations and may be placed in the offering plates. Please check boxes regularly as they sometimes overflow. If you find some for someone who is ill or shut in feel free to take and deliver them. Closing date has been set for Sunday, January 3, 2016. Questions or concerns call Lodemia Lopes 203-572-0618 or the church office at 203-375-5851. Annual Reports are due Sun., Dec. 13 th for our Jan. 3 rd Charge Conference at 11:30 AM. If you have not received your 2016 Pledge Card, please contact the Church Office or leave a message for Jerry Dellert at 203-878-8801. Christmas Gift Cards Needed: Christmas is fast approaching and we are beginning to think about gifts for our friends who attend the Neighborhood Breakfast. Last year's response was overwhelming, and we hope you can help in any way again this year. We are primarily asking for gift cards to Shop Rite and WalMart. These seem to provide the most value for food and clothing purchases. Please see either the Burrows or Littrells, or leave your gift marked Neighborhood Breakfast in the Church Office. Thanks, Ray & Jo-Ann 17
Thank You to those who collated the Good News mailed on Oct 21st: Diane Troutman, Cecelia & Howard Jack, June Evitts, Barbara Hagan, Marianne Card, Ruth Semancik, and Barbara Piper. Thank You to all those who made this year's Pumpkin Patch another success - you all know who you are! There's always so much to be done and there were so many wonderful volunteers who helped to unload, roll, move, sell, put up signs, advertise, put up and take down the tent, etc., etc., etc.! A special thank you goes out to Tom Kowalsky and Marianne Card for not only supplying the pallets and fencing but taking care of the money box every single day of the event. I can't thank you guys enough for your time! Sincerely, The Pumpkin Lady (a.k.a. Nyla Petrahai) Thank You! Many, Many thanks to Ruth Bentley, Ruth Semancik, Helene Dellert, Steve and Burdette James, Ray and Bonnie Huey, Beth Buckmir, Robyn Bicknell, Nancy Kardos, Mike Kranyak and all the bakers and "trunkers" for making "All things Pumpkin/Trunk or Treat 2015 a fun day for our kids and families. -Lanette Kardos Condolences to the family of SUMC Member Darlene Robertson who passed away on Oct. 25 th. Darlene s Funeral was held on Thurs., Oct. 29 th, at the Dennis & D Arcy Funeral Home. 18
ALTAR FLOWERS are provided by church families each week to honor, or in memory of, loved ones. We have been blessed to have very faithful donors for very many years. At this time, we need some additional help. Circumstances have changed for many of our families. Please call Jo Ann Schif at 203-378-1845 if you wish to help in this important ministry. CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES are available on the Narthex Table. You are welcome to take a copy. FLOWER DELIVERY MINISTRY We are looking for a Chairperson for our Flower Delivery Ministry which delivers the altar flowers after the 10am service to our shut-ins. Duties include scheduling monthly Sunday delivery ministers. Please speak to Burdette James if you are interested. SUMC NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKFAST Third Saturday of each month: We are currently serving an average of thirty to forty meals at our neighborhood breakfast. We have a loyal staff preparing, serving, setting up and cleaning up each third Saturday. We welcome new volunteers, or just stop by and enjoy a meal with us. If you wish to volunteer, in any capacity, please contact Ray & Jo-Ann Burrows 203-377-5034 or raybur14@aol.com. PRAYER CHAIN Wanted: A Chairperson for the Prayer Chain. If interested, please speak to a member of the Lay Leadership Committee USHERS NEEDED! If you would like to become an usher, please see Michael Kranyak. 19
SUMC Church Email Addresses: Rev. Simeon senior.pastor@sumcct.org Church Secretary secretary@sumcct.org Church School sunday.school@sumcct.org ALL ARTICLES FOR THE GOOD NEWS SHOULD BE E-MAILED TO SUMCGOODNEWS@YAHOO.COM OR LEFT IN THE GOOD NEWS BOX IN THE CHURCH OFFICE. THANK YOU! GOOD NEWS SCHEDULE FOR 2016 Good News Issue Articles Due no Good News Mailed later than... January/February December 6th December 16th March February 7th February 17th April March 6th March 16th May April 10th April 20th June May 8th May 18th July/August June 5th June 15th September August 7th August 17th October September 11th September 21st November October 9th October 19th December November 6th November 16th In addition to reading The Good News, bulletin supplements, viewing our website (www.sumcct.org), looking at our Facebook page, or checking out the local newspapers, there is another way to keep up-to-date on upcoming events at S.U.M.C. Call the Church Office (203-375-5851) when it isn't staffed (that would be after 2 p.m. weekdays and all weekends). Press 5 to hear a calendar of upcoming events. The recording is updated on a regular basis. 20