eChurchlight, March 2008
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Contents (click on a topic to select) |
Dates to Remember |
Missing the Churchlight? We’ve been sending it but have you been receiving it? We’ve repaired our email list so you should receive the Churchlight regularly during the last week of each month. Back issues are posted on our website if you wish to retrieve them.
through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer
The month of March lies before us like a promise of good things to come. Already Easter breaks through in the very first days of spring like a wake up call saying get ready to live some more! Are we ready to live more? As a community of faith we are faced with some opportunities to live large, to make decisions that will raise us from the slumbers of the same old thing to embrace the new world that is coming, indeed is already here.
As we decide what to do about Imler House let us keep in mind that we are talking about more than the dispensation of property. We are talking about our future and how we see ourselves. Who are we and what is our mission going forward? How can we best do all the good we can? We have the opportunity to increase the ministry of Christ in the world in several ways but the key is to make the decision based on a passion to serve the mission of Christ and not to serve what seems to be in our own best interest first. It is important that we not try to do what we cannot do, but it is as important to not get caught thinking small. Hopefully with prayer and passion and understanding we will together come to a clear vision of what is best for the kingdom of God and for us as we go forward.
As we consider becoming a reconciling congregation we have yet another opportunity to test and examine our hearts. How open are we to living together in honest disagreement about particulars but in authentic unity about the whole? How can we love more? How can we be more real? Remembering that we will have different ways of evaluating can we be generous enough to value each other and all others as children of God? Perhaps if we practice grace we will experience grace and doing so, grow in love and understanding as we explore God’s will for us in the community of the beloved one.
With Holy Week soon upon us we are about to hear the story again of just how deep is the love of God for the human family. May the blessing of our life together in holy conversation and in shared community and in loving action draw us into the story and make it our own. May we not be afraid to give ourselves up for others, to let go of what needs to go, and by the grace of God, may we rise from death and live more. Larry
From Liz
Lenten Series—Going Deeper: Join us each Wednesday at 6:30 for a simple potluck meal of soup and bread, followed by a program led by members of our community. These evenings are meant for everyone—we will be done each week by 7:30! Share in fellowship with your community, and feed your soul in the process!
New Orleans Trip Update: Over Memorial Day weekend (May 22-26, 2008), twenty adults and youth will be traveling to New Orleans to work again with our sister churches. Please pray for us as we prepare for the trip! Trip participants are: Nora Bent, Calista Diehl, Geoffrey Diehl, Lindsay Duval, Allysa Gore, Catherine Grimm, Emily Kolenbrander, Chris LaRocque, Devin LaRocque, Ryan Miller, Joanna Milton, Carmen Rodi, Caitlin Sullivan, Linda Atkins, Mike Bent, Lisa Courtney, Casey Hannan, Linda Kincaid, Liz LaRocque and Larry Wimmer.
New Orleans Fundraisers: We currently have just under $1000 in raised funds; an additional $800 has come in through generous donations from family and friends. Each participant is paying for their own plane ticket; we are hoping to raise at least $3500 to cover the costs of meals, ground transportation, and construction supplies. There are several ways YOU can support our mission trip to New Orleans:
Mission Update
Save the Date: Save A Life Hoop Shoot-Out—Sunday, March 30!
The Missions Committee will be hosting a basketball shoot-out to benefit “Nothing But Nets”! Come see how many free throws you can make—or sign up to help run the event! More information will be included in our March worship bulletins—see EJ Johnson or Bill Wilson to volunteer!
Partakers Prison Ministry
We continue to support Yvette Gordon, an inmate at MCI Framingham, as she takes classes toward her undergraduate degree. She is a dedicated student who has done so well with this opportunity, and we are gladly able to offer her monthly financial and emotional assistance as she works toward a better life once she is released. Recently, we have been able to also fund a phone account that enables Yvette to be in contact with her children. After several years of estrangement, they are now able to talk regularly, and Yvette is building new relationships with them. This is quite a miracle of reconciliation for all of them. Several folks from the congregation have donated monies toward her academic support and towards the phone account; still more is needed. If you can help, please see Linda Kincaid or Laurel Wainwright—or simply note “Yvette” on your donation. Thanks for your support!
Baby Blankets for Children’s Hospital, Boston
To date, we have donated over 70 baby blankets! These blankets are given to the babies and parents served by Children’s Young Parents Program—an outpatient clinic offering health care, counseling, support and education to teens and young adults as they become parents. All baby blankets are welcome—hand-knit, crocheted, sewn, tied, purchased—simply place your donation in the Baby Blanket bin in the church office! Questions? See Cecilia Cranmer or Liz LaRocque. Thanks for supporting this ministry!
Announcements
Youth Group Schedule
Sunday, March 2: Regular Meetings for Jr. High and Sr. High; 6:30-8 at the church
Saturday, March 8: Benefit Concert for New Orleans; 6-10 in the Social Hall
Further plans will be determined at our meeting on March 2!
Save the date—Good Friday Sleepover and Bake-a-Thon on Friday, March 21!
One Great Hour of Sharing March 2:
Share the goodness of life with those who hurt. Giving to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief to keep our promise that 100 percent of your designated gift goes entirely to specific causes.
Save the Date! Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger May 4, 2008
VNA Hospice Care
VNA Hospice Care, Inc., formerly known as Hospice Care, Inc., is a nonprofit organization serving patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Hospice volunteers provide companionship to patients, respite time for family members, or help with errands. Our volunteers are men and women who come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from their 20’s to their 80’s. Their common bond is a desire to share their time and compassion with others. Volunteers visit patients on weekdays, or on weekends. As some patients speak another language, there is also a need for people who speak English and a second language. Join us in this special opportunity to contribute to others at this most meaningful time in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. VNA Hospice Care provides training and ongoing support. For more information, please call Lisa Palais at 781-569-2888.
Monthly Fellowship Meals
What a great time we have, sharing in a meal together after worship once a month! Our next monthly fellowship meal will be on Sunday, March 2, following worship. Come enjoy “Plenty More in the Kitchen,” our delicious Bristol Kitchen dinner—followed by an old-fashioned hymn sing! Our April meal together will NOT be held on April 6, but will be a special occasion later in the month—watch your bulletin for details!
The Women’s Book Group
Our next meeting is Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 in the Church Parlor – all are welcome! Watch your bulletins for our book selection!
MayFair!
Save the Date: Saturday, May 3 for a fundraiser with vendors selling crafts. Volunteers needed. Stay tuned – details to follow!
Committee Chairs
Please let the office know if you cancel/change a meeting so that the calendar can be updated and a space reserved for you.
Tutor Volunteers Needed
Project Literacy at the Watertown Public Library is seeking volunteers to help tutor adults in English for Speakers of Other Languages or Adult Basic Education. You do not need teaching experience, nor do you need to know another language. Training provided. For additional information, call Project Literacy at (617) 924-8797 or email kwarren@watertown-ma.gov. At Project Literacy we are creating a network of teachers, tutors, and adult students. Together we are building a strong community for the benefit of all. Skill needed: a desire to work with adults who are learning a language, and patience. To look at our Web page use the following URL http://www.watertownlib.org/projectliteracy.htm
Electronic Churchlight
The Churchlight is now only mailed out to a few who do not have email or access to the web. Please let the office know if you would like a paper copy mailed to you – or if you would like to pick it up at church. If you are not currently receiving the Churchlight by email please go to the Newsletter page on the church website at www.umcbelmont.org to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.
Coffee Hour
This schedule is a corrected one and differs from the printed version.
Sunshine Page
March Birthdays:
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3: David Coombs |
14: Susan Haller |
Anniversaries:
1: Love Joy and Elliot Melendez
4: Ron and Cindi Bourque
15: Bruce and Diane Pahlm
Letters from Members and Friends
Dear Friends,
I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who so generously contributed towards the project “Bringing Music to Brazil’s Street Children”. I spent a wonderful time with the children and we all learned a great deal.
However, when all is said and done, the greatest gift we offered these children was love. For this, I know, they are truly grateful! Love, Edna
March 2008 Worship Services
March 2:10:00 a.m. Communion One Great Hour of Sharing Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: I Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41
March 9: 10:00 a.m. 5th Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45
March 16: 10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Matthew 21:1-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mathew 26:14-27:66
March 20: 7:30 p.m. Holy Thursday Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10), 11-14, I Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
March 21: 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Color: None
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42
March 23: 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18
March 30: 10:00 a.m. Communion Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, I Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
Easter Lily Order Form
Once again we shall decorate our chancel with the traditional Easter Lilies, Tulips, etc. If you would like to give a plant in honor of or in memory of a loved one, please complete this form and return it to the church office with $7.50 for each plant ordered. We must have your order by Sunday, March 9, 2008. These plants will then be distributed to shut-ins after Easter Sunday.
(Please print clearly)
Your Name ___________________________________________________________
In Memory of _________________________________________________________
Or
In Honor of ______________________________________________________
I will take my Easter plant on Easter Sunday and deliver it to:
____________________________________________________________________
I will leave my Easter plant at the church to be delivered to shut-ins
# ________ plants ordered $ _________ amount paid Date: ____________
