eChurchlight, May 2009
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Contents (click on a topic to select) |
Dates to Remember |
through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer
Wow, while I was waiting the season really changed. Right before our eyes the trees have new leaves, the air is warm, the sky is blue, colors springing from the ground that look very much like flowers. It is easy to get distracted from the work at hand but we still have some work to do before summer comes. We have leaders to elect and a budget to pass. We have evaluations and planning to do. We have decisions to make and so I call you to attention, people, because May promises to be seriously crazy. There is much going on. There is the May Fair, Mother's Day, the trip to New Orleans, Youth Humor Sunday, even a Magic Show and we plan to find time to worship even on Wednesday evenings and if that is not enough we have the Annual Conference meetings in June and our own annual meeting/church conference. So, this month I need you to be thinking about where you want to serve next year and those of you who are serving now to be preparing your reflections on what happened this year especially those of you who could very well write a report for our annual reports!
Two cows are standing in a field. One says to the other,
"What do you think of this mad cow disease?"
"What do I care?" says the other, "I'm a helicopter."
(from Plato and Platypus Walk Into a Bar . . .)
But I digress. Pay attention! May is crazy but not that crazy! Nonetheless and notwithstanding, the feast of Easter life is everywhere! Pay attention!
Norman began to hyperventilate when he saw the doctor. "I'm sure I've got liver disease.”
“That's ridiculous,” said the doctor. “You'd never know if you had liver disease. There's no discomfort of any kind.”
“Exactly!” said Norman. "Those are my precise symptoms."
(same source as above)
Yes, we are alive and well and even if some of us aren't as alive and well as we would like to be, there are many good reasons to go on living and loving and serving Christ through this congregation of Methodists in Belmont.
From Barbara…
What’s Happening?
There are a number of small group activities currently going on at the church:
Evening Vespers has returned! Come and join us every Wednesday evening for a service of prayer, music, and reflection in the Chapel. We start at 7:00 p.m. and end by 7:30.
The Women’s Book Group, meets on May 28 to discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp. We start at 7:30 p.m. and end by 9:00. We gather the last Thursday of every month in the Parlor, which is handicapped accessible. Questions? Need a ride? Call Louise Halstead at 617-489-1340.
The Coffee Circle is an informal group that gathers for conversation in the parlor on the second Thursday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to about noon (or whenever you have to leave!) Coffee and tea are provided. If you’re interested, just drop by on May 14! Questions? Call Linda Rodi at 617-489-1538.
If you have ideas for new groups or activities, feel free to talk to us any time at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org
Mark Your Calendars!
The Annual Mother’s Day Breakfast honoring the women of the church will be on Sunday morning May 10th before worship, and will feature great food and fellowship.”. Everyone is invited! Women eat for free, men are asked for a donation. The event is being coordinated by Joel Grimm. Because of this opportunity for fellowship, there will be no all-church lunch in May.
Did You Know?
The United Methodist Church offers several summer camp opportunities for all ages – the two closest camp locations are Rolling Ridge, in North Andover, MA, and Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate Rhode Island.
Rolling Ridge is offering 3 programs this summer: Elementary Weekend Retreat July 10-12, Middle School Camp July 12-16, and Senior High Camp July 26-30. Preliminary registration deadline is May 31st – check it out at www.rollingridge.org
Camp Aldersgate is offering many programs for children and youth from 1st through 12th grades, as well as sessions for families, and parent/child or grandparent/child. Slots fill up fast – check it out at www.campaldersgate.com
Missions of the Belmont United Methodist Church
submitted by Louise Halstead
Thanks to everyone who donated to Native American Ministries Sunday. The funds collected will allow The United Methodist Church to partner with existing native ministries and create programs on behalf of Native Americans. Money collected also supports seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans.
Baby Blankets - There is more yarn for knitting or crocheting blankets for newborns. The yarn is mostly yellow and white. Please take it from the office if you are interested in this work.
The Missions Committee designated a portion of its funds to support the mission trip to New Orleans.
Shopping at Amazon? Go to http://www.umcbelmont.org (our website) and link to Amazon from the Amazon icon. The church receives a percentage of sales when you link through our site.
May Fair
Louise Halstead
The May Fair is approaching quickly. The date is Saturday May 9th, 10a.m.--3p.m.
The day before Mothers Day! We have 27 tables rented and will also have our own tables (Bake Sale, Plant Sale, Craft Sale, Youth Craft Sale).
Barbara Ryther is organizing the people who will help set up and who will be helping the day of the sale. These people will need to be available on May 8th in the evening or on May 9th during the day. Louise Halstead is listing the people who will contribute to the Bake Sale, Plant Sale and Craft Sale. If you are contributing to any of these tables you may deliver your donation Friday evening (preferably between 6 and 8p.m.) or Saturday morning (preferably between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. so we have time to price them). If you are donating yard plants you may want to dig them up in the next week. You can put them in a container, place them in the shade and keep them watered. Then they will look established and healthy for the day of the sale.
The most important activity is advertising. Please tell all your friends about the fair and encourage them to come. There are fliers and small (quarter page) reminder fliers. Please post the larger fliers and take the small ones to hand to friends so they have reminders at home about the May Fair. The most asked question from the vendors (the people renting the tables) is “Is there much traffic?” They are most interested in how many people come through the fair. Even if you can't help with the fair Please come and bring your friends.
May Fair Tables
Handmade Jewelry, Crocheted Items, Hand Sewn Items, Hand Painted Silk Scarves, Teas, Knit Items, Sock Dolls, Custom Gift Baskets, Mosaic Arts, Water Colors and Other Art, Home Decorator Items Story Book Rag Dolls & Books, Soaps, Shampoos, Lotions, Women’s tops, Women’s accessories, Tastefully Simple, Discovery Toys, Tupperware, Silpada Designs Jewelry, Avon, Pampered Chef, And More …
Also: Bake Sale – Plant Sale - Craft Sale
Concerns
Our prayers are with Gwen and Carl Rexford and their family. Gwen’s mother Faye Knapp passed away on April 27th. Faye was 103, and had two daughters, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Gwen and Carl, long-time members of BUMC, now live in Pennsylvania. For their address, please contact the church office or Janet Coombs.
May 2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
May 3rd – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
May 10th – Mother’s Day Team
May 17th – VWXYZ
May 24th – ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
May 31st – DEFG, coordinated by Kevin & Diane Ghiozzi
May 2009 Worship Services
May 3rd : 10:00 a.m. 4th Sunday of Easter Color: White
Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23 (UMH 754 or 137); 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
May 10th : 10:00 a.m. 5th Sunday of Easter /Mother’s Day Color: White
Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31 (UMH 752); 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
May 17th : 10:00 a.m. 6th Sunday of Easter Color: White
Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98 (UMH 818); 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
May 24th : 10:00 a.m. 7th Sunday of Easter/Ascension Sunday Color: White
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1 (UMH 738); 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
May 31st : 10:00 a.m. Day of Pentecost Color: Red or White
Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (UMH 826); Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Holy Humor Sunday presented by the Youth Group)
May Sunshine Page
Birthdays:
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1: Casey Hannan |
16: Giancarla Perugini |
Anniversaries:
23: Mark & Jocelyn Milton
24: Bert & Louise Halstead
Transitions
Richard Halstead graduates from Carnegie Mellon University on May 17th.
Ross Matson graduates from Tufts University on May 17th.
If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to or removed from the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office. If you have transitions (graduations, moves, etc.) that you would like to share, please contact the office as well.
office@umcbelmont.org
