The Churchlight

New Beginnings Sunday September 12

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:56:20 +0100

Our journey is about being in relationship! Come and joyfully worship with us, and discover how we can connect -- or reconnect -- with each other and with God. Following our worship at 10:00, there will be time to meet our Christian Education teachers, register for one of our five age-level classes, and participate in a hands-on celebration of how we also connect through our music program (have you always wanted to know what ringing a handbell is like?), through our mission and outreach (see how you can make a baby blanket for the Young Parents' Clinic at Children's Hospital), and in so many other ways. A simple lunch will be provided, and we're planning on ending by 12:30.

Christian Education for All Ages at BUMC

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:39:16 +0100

Starting Sunday, September 19, our Christian Education Program for all ages begins a new year! We are offering five classes: Younger Elementary (kindergarten through grade 2), Older Elementary (grades 3 through 5), Younger Youth (grades 6 through 8), Older Youth (grades 9 through 12) and Adult. All classes meet from 11:25 to 12:10, following worship at 10 and coffee and fellowship at 11. Our Elementary and Youth classes are each led by a teaching team, and our Adult class is led by Pastor We.

Childcare for infants and toddlers is available in the Nursery during worship. For children age 5 through grade 5, there is a Time for Children partway through the service, after which they are invited downstairs to the Gym for Children's Fellowship. (Children are always welcome to remain in the Sanctuary instead, and parents are always welcome to go with their children to the Nursery or to Children's Fellowship.)

Are you interested in music?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:47:42 +0100

Have you ever sung in our choir? Have you never sung in our choir but wondered what it would be like? Join us for our first annual choir retreat on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10:00-3:00 at First Church of Somerville. If you're a longtime member, or a long-ago member,or have ever felt like joining choir, or are interested in learning more about the music program at Belmont, now's your chance! It will be a fun environment as we sing, eat, and listen to music together. It's not only fun, it's free!

First Church is located near Davis Square on 89 College Ave. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail or call Joe Turbessi at music@umcbelmont.org or (231) 343-5943.

eChurchlight August 2010

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:09:48 +0100

***

eChurchlight, August 2010

Upcoming Events
Aug 9: Magic and Song on the Lawn, 7:00pm
Aug 26: Meet Belmont, Chenery Middle School, 6:00pm-8:30pm

The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is Monday, August 23

“Are you settled in now?”

Many asked this question with sense of care and support after my family’s move to Belmont last month. For a United Methodist pastor who just moved some of the still unpacked boxes from his previous move five years ago, the question about “settling in” was very unsettling! But it also gave me a moment to ponder about our life as the followers of Christ.

The scripture teaches us that we are on a journey while we are in this life on earth. No matter how hard we try to secure our life on earth, none of us can settle in this place forever. We are the people who are on a journey to follow the steps of Jesus and move with the wind of the Spirit. For a people on a journey, the question of life should not be about whether we are settled but about whether we are moving in a right direction. When we lose the direction on a journey, we become wanderers going nowhere and wasting our time on earth. This is why we need to have a clear sense of direction and purpose on our journey. To make our journey of faith, we need to be “grounded” in the way of Christ. We are called to be followers, not wanderers.

Jesus himself did not have his home during his public life. He and his friends traveled many places throughout and beyond Israel. But they were no wanderers because their journey was grounded in the love of God. They traveled and moved constantly to share God’s love in a new and real way. It was Jesus’ faith in the love of God that moved him and his friends on this journey.

Whether you made a move like me recently or not, all of us are on the move. It is my deep prayer that our life together here at BUMC may lead us to be true followers of Christ, not wanderers.
Are you grounded?

   We, your sojourner

From Barbara.
What's Happening?

Magic and Song on the Lawn - Monday August 9: Haven't been to it before? It's exactly what it sounds like - there's magic from our very own Mike Bent and his Abrakidabra show, there's songs from singer/songwriter/banjo player Wayne Potash, and it's on the lawn! Unless of course if it rains, then it magically turns into Magic and Song in the Social Hall. Either way it's a great show for kids of all ages. The show is open to the entire town, free of charge -- bring a blanket or a lawn chair and plan to have a fun time! Snacks and beverages will be available, donations are welcome. From 7:00 to8:15 pm. [To help with set-up, see E.J., Louise, or Barbara]

Meet Belmont - Thursday August 26: The annual town-wide gathering of agencies, service organizations, and houses of worship will be held on Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Chenery Middle School. It's a great place to find out what's going on in our community and how to plug into it, and even register to vote, so spread the word!

Summer Worship Schedule: Our joint services with our extended family at St.John's United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown (just east of Watertown Square) continue through August. We alternate each week between the two churches:

August 1: at BUMC (with communion)
August 8: at St. John's
August 15: at BUMC
August 22: at St. John's (Ice Cream Social after the service)
August 29: at BUMC

Vespers every Wednesday - Every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to about 7:30 we gather in the chapel for an informal service. If you're seeking a quiet moment in the midst of your busy week, this is the place!

Looking ahead to September:

New Beginnings Sunday is September 12!

The Women's Book Group will resume their monthly meetings on September 30th, when they'll be discussing That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo.

Most other committees also resume their regular schedules in September. Stay tuned for the 2010-2011 meeting schedule, which is currently being developed.

Volunteers Needed!

Calling all volunteers! Saturday August 7th from 8:00 to noon we'll be gathering in front of the church to plant flowers, weed, and generally make the lawn look beautiful and welcoming for the upcoming Magic and Song on the Lawn event the next Monday.  Pizza and salad provided for all volunteers afterwards!

Missions

Pumpkin Fair – Saturday October 16, 2010

Our annual Pumpkin Fair will be on Saturday October 16th from 10-3. Please mark the date on your calendar and plan to come.

This is the church’s largest fundraiser. Help of all kinds will be needed so please think about ways you can help. As usual we will have games and activities for the children as well a bake sale and tables to be rented for the Mega Yard Sale.

We are looking for people to help – an organizer/s for the games and an organizer/s for the Mega Yard Sale are two positions that are available. Also, many helping hands for the actual event are welcome

Contact Louise Halstead (617-489-1340) with any questions.

Continuing Missions
Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30 to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham, MA. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30. We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are Aug. 7th, Sept. 4th, and Oct. 2nd. If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily schedulable.
Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.

Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com

– There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography…. And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Make a baby blanket while you watch TV (by crocheting, knitting, or sewing) and leave it in the office to be taken to Children’s Hospital for newborns. The blanket can be any size but 30 to 36 inches square are good sizes. It takes about 2 skeins to knit one blanket. There is yarn in the church office or you can use your own left over yarn – the blankets may have as many colors as you like. Yes, any kind of baby blanket works so you are welcome to make them from fleece or to make small quilts.

While grocery shopping, pick up one or two items to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry.
Drop the cans and boxes in the cart in the Narthex.

August Sunshine Page

Birthdays
3:    Michael Johnson
8:    Ann Koumjian
11:    Bill Wilson
12:    Amy Iadarola
13:    Sandra Pohlman
          Leigh Ann Canepa
15:    Priscilla Grindell
16:    Paul Winters
17:    Meredith Grimm
19:    Edna Van Saun
20:    Calista Diehl
21:    Andrew Teeter
24:    Priscilla Winters
27:    Jean Mulroy
31:    Arthur Marchetta, Jr.
         David Sullivan

Anniversaries
7:    Ian & Ann Ashford
8:    Larry & Liz Wimmer
      Jeff Rosenstein &Donna Esposito
9:    Dave & Ava Walsh
10: Steve & Debi Rosales
17: James & Pamela Vershbow
19: Bill & Linda Rodi

Transitions
Anita, Morrie and KellyJo announce the arrival of Gia Marie Miller!

She was born at 3:15pm (PDT) on July 30th to Ryan and Jordan Miller, weighing 5lbs 14oz.
Wife and daughter are both healthy and fine...
Ryan is overjoyed!

They live at 11270 Fritz Lane in Aumsville, Oregon 97325.
(I'm sure we will have pix to share...!)

eChurchlight July 2010

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:42:39 +0100

eChurchlight, July 2010

Upcoming Events
The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is Monday, July 25th

A Word From We

It was exactly 17 Julys ago when a young Korean student came to worship at Belmont UMC on a hot summer Sunday. It was the first American congregation he ever visited since he arrived from Korea two weeks ago. He couldn’t understand most of what was said or unsaid during that worship. What he could understand, now he cannot remember! What he remembers now about Belmont UMC is that it was big! The building was big. But also he learned that day that worshipping in English was a big challenge. It created a doubt in his mind saying, “Will I ever be able to lead worship and minister a congregation in English?”

Now 17 years later that once doubting young man is your new pastor here at Belmont UMC! It is one of those grace things that God often does surprisingly well. When my appointment was announced, many people congratulated me on this appointment. Many of them implicitly or explicitly congratulated me on going to a Big church! Whether you like it or not and whether it is true or not, your church is known as one of those big churches in the conference. There is no doubt that it is one of the privileged appointments in our conference. However, these congratulations made me ponder about what it means to be a `big’ church during this hectic transitioning time.

What makes a church big? Is it a good thing to be a big church? Would the number of membership and attendance be the measure? Would bigger budget, more staff, better programs, and/or good building make the church big? In this day of lamenting the declining church membership and facing financial struggle, these measures might seem to be what the church needs. When most people think about a big church, these are things that they would want to see in a big church. As a pastor I also find myself often daydreaming about this kind of big church! However, as a follower of Jesus, I also find myself often asking, “Would Jesus think these are the signs of a big church?” “What kind of church would be big in God’s eyes?”

It is not so difficult to imagine what kind of church Jesus would think of as big! It would have nothing to do with numbers or sizes. It would have everything to do with a heart! For Jesus was big -- really big --not because of his stature, miraculous power, or following, but because of his heart for God and for people. Jesus had the biggest heart for the love of God and of all people. He had the deepest heart to follow God’s will at all cost. He had the widest heart to forgive seven seventy times, touch the untouchable, and love the unlovable. It was such a heart of his that the really big religion (Temple Judaism) and the strongest empire (Rome) were so afraid as to kill him.

The church is only as big as the depth and width of the heart of her people. What makes a church really big is your heart for love of God and of all people. As I begin this new journey with you, I really want to be a pastor of the biggest church in Belmont, Boston, and the whole world! I have no doubt that God has already blessed each of you with such a heart of Christ. And with you and with God’s still surprising and amazing grace, we can show the world what a really big church is and does. That is indeed a big, yet blessed, challenge, nothing like worshipping and ministering a church in English!

Looking forward to meeting your heart!

   We, your new brother in Christ

Thank You!
The Cho-Chang family would like to express their deep gratitude for the wonderful welcome that they have received from many before and after their move on the hottest and muggiest day of the year so far! It made our spirits cool and fresh! Thank you for your caring hearts!

   Yoo-Yun, We, Hope, and Pooch!

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Vespers every Wednesday – Every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to about 7:30 we gather in the chapel for an informal service using the Upper Room Worshipbook. If you’re seeking a quiet moment in the midst of your busy week, this is the place!

Summer Worship Schedule – July and August: Summer is here, and that means we are once again joining with our extended family at St. John’s United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown (just east of Watertown Square). We alternate each week between the two churches – please note our schedule is a little different this year, as we are starting at BUMC.

July 4:    at BUMC (with communion)
July 11: at St. John’s
July 18: at BUMC
July 25: at St. John’s

August 1:   at BUMC (with communion)
August 8:   at St. John’s
August 15: at BUMC
August 22: at St. John’s (Ice Cream Social!)
August 29: at BUMC

Looking ahead to August:
Magic and Song on the Lawn, our annual fun evening open to the entire Belmont Community, will be happening in early August. Haven’t been to it before? It’s exactly what it sounds like – there’s magic from our very own Mike Bent and his Abrakidabra show, music from a guest musician, and it’s on the lawn! Unless of course it rains, then it magically turns into Magic and Song in the Social Hall. Either way it’s a great show for kids of all ages. Stay tuned for a confirmation of the date.

Meet Belmont, the town-wide gathering of agencies, houses of worship, and service organizations will be held on August 26 in the Chenery Middle School Cafeteria. Check the calendar for details – it’s a great place to find out what’s going on in our community and how to plug into it!

The Women’s Book Group will not meet during the summer – stay tuned for information on what book they will be discussing at their September meeting.

Many other regular activities will not take place in July or August – be sure to check out the calendar section periodically to see what’s coming up... A link to the calendar is in the header at the top of this page.

Consecration Sunday Report
The following is an update of the statistics reported on Consecration Sunday.

- A total of 51 giving units (families or single persons) completed Estimate of Giving Cards this year.

- The 51 giving units committed a total of $178,152.

Approximately one third of our pledge units increased their financial commitment.
Thank you all for your continued dedication!
If you have any questions about this report, please see Terri Stull.

Coffee Hour Schedule for Summer 2010
Throughout the summer, please feel free to bring along any snacks or beverages to help out with coffee hour, even if you are not the official host!

July 4          Coordinated by Laurel Wainwright
July 18        Coordinated by Louise Halstead
August 1     Coordinated by Linda Rodi
August 15   Coordinated by Carolyn Backus
August 29    Volunteers still needed! Contact Terry Grimm

July Sunshine Page
Please contact the office with any additions or corrections
Birthdays
2:    Geoffrey Diehl
       Dory LeCount
       Edward Phillips
4:    Cameron Fetter
6:    Florencia Rodi
7:    Kate Hamilton
8:    Robert Bridges
9:    Diane Pahlm
11:    Bob Pohlman
12:    Iris Canning
         Aaron Kneiss
13:    Caitlin Matson
15:    Laurel Wainwright
         Ellen Sullivan
16:    Abigail Vershbow
         Sidney Gerrold
17:    Lisa Tardiff
22:    Cindi Bourque
23:    Larry Wimmer
24:    Mark Tardiff
25:    Mark LaRocque
27:    Linda Kincaid

Anniversaries
1:    Brian & Stephanie Schaffhausen
2:    Deborah & David Blaisdell
11:    Kirk & Terri Kolenbrander
         Laurel Wainwright & Greg Diehl
12:    Jerome & Emily Farnsworth
14:    John & Ellen Canepa
15:    David & Ellen Sullivan

Summer Worship Schedule

Tell Me the Old Story “Anew”: The Story of Noah
Summer Sermon Series
During four Sundays in July and August, we will have an opportunity to listen to one of the favorite stories in the bible, the story of Noah, again and anew. Noah’s story is not really a story about Noah, the flood, or the ark. It is a story about God, the heart of God, and the promise. This sermon series will focus on what God is still speaking today through this old yet often simplified favorite story.    Please read Genesis 6-8 alone and/or together with your family during this summer and come to worship to discern together the good news that God is bringing to us through the story of Noah.

Sunday, July 11     “What about the Flood”   at St. John’s
Sunday, July 18     “What about Noah?”        at Belmont
Sunday, July 25     “What about the Ark?”     at St. John’s
Sunday, August 1   “What about the Rainbow?”    at Belmont

eChurchlight June 2010

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:08:10 +0100

eChurchlight, June 2010

Upcoming Events
June 10: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
June 13: Graduation Sunday, Annual Meeting
June 20: All church potluck lunch to celebrate Larry and Bob

The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is Monday, June 28th

through the looking glass

Well, I guess this is it. I chose “through the looking glass” as the title for my column for a couple of reasons. One is the Alice in Wonderland connection which also is a reference to the treasures I have found in the best children’s literature but also because of Alice’s upside/down experience of “reality” which relates well to my own experience of the life of faith, more specifically, faith in Christ. It is not easy for us to see beyond our own expectations and assumptions and so it is essential in my mind that the Christian story turn upside down all our assumptions about what is real and what is possible. If we succumb to the common wisdom that measures only what we can see with our eyes and experience with what we already know or think we know then we are truly lost. And so the connection between Alice and the Church, perhaps nowhere more present than in the instance where Alice tells the Queen that she cannot believe impossible things and the Queen replying by saying something like, “Nonsense. You just need to practice. Why sometimes I have believed as many as five impossible things before breakfast!”

The second reason I chose “through the looking glass” is the connection this word has with the one in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, where he says “for now we see through a glass darkly” and this word after having seen pretty clearly what love is just a few words before: “ Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful ; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never ends . . .” Paul knows what love is but he admits that is much we do not know yet. We see only in part and yet what we cannot see is at least as real as what we can see. When it comes to believing impossible things, Paul is well advanced in the practice and the thing about it when it comes to what does this have to do with us is that when we practice love things happen that we may have thought were impossible before. It is all about the love; the love of God lived out in the life of Jesus for the world and for us certainly turns all our ideas about success and achievement upside down. For if we gain the whole world and have not love we have nothing. It is not easy to live for love in the world and we will fail often enough to go where love would take us but we will also go there because love is still possible and will, in fact, (or so I believe) save us all.

“For a long time they looked at the river beneath them, saying nothing, and the river said nothing too, for it felt very quiet and peaceful on this summer afternoon.
“Tigger is all right really,” said Piglet lazily.
“Of course he is,” said Christopher robin.
“Everybody is really,” said Pooh. “That’s what I think,” said Pooh. “But I don’t suppose I am right,” he said.
“Of course you are,” said Christopher Robin.

Everything is all right. Love will see us through. God is good. Bless your hearts.
Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Coffee Circle – June 10th: We meet in the Parlor on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 in the morning for an informal get together. It usually lasts about an hour, but everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.

Graduation Sunday – June 13: We’ll celebrate our high school graduates, and our confirmands, and see some of our little ones get their first Bibles. We’ll also be recognizing the wonderful volunteers who make our Sunday School and Youth Group programs possible. The last day of classes will be Sunday, June 6.

Annual Meeting – June 13: Our annual meeting (also known as a Charge Conference) will be held after worship on Sunday. Be there to vote on our 2010-2011 budget, and approve the list of committee members and chairs for the coming program year.

Celebrate Larry and Bob – June 20: Potluck luncheon (vegetarian, of course!) immediately after worship on Sunday. Bring a dish to share, and help us celebrate our time with both our pastors before they move on to new appointments.

Hurry Less, Worry Less! Summer is a perfect time to contemplate making changes to our hectic lives. We are putting together some small groups to read the book “Hurry Less, Worry Less” by Judy Pace Christie, which provides some spiritual background, as well as practical suggestions, about how slow down. Our small groups are intended to provide support and encouragement, or whatever you need as we progress on this journey together. So far it looks as if we have interest in a weekday evening group and a daytime group -- see Barbara to sign up or to get more information, or call the church and leave a message for her (extension 103).

Vespers every Wednesday – Every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to about 7:30 we gather in the chapel for an informal service using the Upper Room Worshipbook. If you’re seeking a quiet moment in the midst of your busy week, this is the place!

Summer Worship Schedule – July and August: Summer is here, and that means we are once again joining with our extended family at St. John’s United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown (just east of Watertown Square). We alternate each week between the two churches – please note our schedule is a little different this year, as we are starting at BUMC.

July 4: at BUMC (with communion)        August 1:   at BUMC (with communion)
July 11: at St. John’s                         August 8:   at St. John’s
July 18: at BUMC                                   August 15: at BUMC
July 25: at St. John’s                             August 22: at St. John’s (Ice Cream Social!)
                                                              August 29: at BUMC

The Women’s Book Group will not meet during the summer – stay tuned for information on what book they will be discussing at their September meeting.

*Check out the calendar section for other meetings of committees and groups.

Coffee Hour Schedule for June 2010
June 6       Group VWXYZ, coordinated by Terry Grimm
June 13   Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
June 20     Groups DEFG & HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
June 27     Group MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi

Missions News

Fourth annual May Fair - Thank You!!!
Thank you to everyone who helped with the May Fair. Despite the rain we had an enjoyable time that day. Many of the vendors want to return next year so please plan on joining us next year.
        Louise

Continuing Missions
Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30 to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham, MA. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30.   We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are June 5th and July 3rd and August 7th.   If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

BUMC encourages our members to participate in mission. Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily schedulable.

Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.

Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography…. And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Make a baby blanket while you watch TV (by crocheting, knitting, or sewing) and leave it in the office to be taken to Children’s Hospital for newborns. The blanket can be any size but 30 to 36 inches square are good sizes. It takes about 2 skeins to knit one blanket. There is yarn in the church office or you can use your own left over yarn – the blankets may have as many colors as you like. Yes, any kind of baby blanket works so you are welcome to make them from fleece or to make small quilts.

While grocery shopping, pick up one or two items to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry. Drop the cans and boxes in the cart in the Narthex.

June Sunshine Page

Please contact the church office with any additions, corrections, and items for Transitions section. Thank you!

Birthdays
1:    Ross Matson
       Nancy Kneiss
2:    Eunice Yost
3:    Liz Wimmer
4:    Joanne LeCount
6:    Sharon Hamilton
       Abigail Touzjian
8:    Stephanie White
9:    Calista Reagan
12:    Emily Hamilton
13:    Carmen Rodi
         David Sullivan
14:    Lynda Schuler
15:    Rachel Wimmer
18:    Steve Savarese
20:    Linda French
21:    Everett Wicks
22:    Jane Marchetta
23:    Greg Diehl
24:    Caroline Albert
         Richard Halstead

Anniversaries
5:    Ann & Aram Koumjian
6:    Ros & Paula Paine
14:   Judy & Kerry Wilson
20:   Francis & Linda French
21:   Bob & Sandra Pohlman
      Iris & Brenton Canning
22:    Alan & Stephanie White
24:    Dick & Janet Coombs
30:    Jim & Janet Muirhead

Lectionary for June 2010

June 6
Second Sunday After Pentecost
1 Kings 17:8-24
Psalm 146 (UMH 858)
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 7:11-17

June 13
Third Sunday After Pentecost
1 Kings 21:1-21a
Psalm 5:1-8 (UMH 742)
Galatians 2:15-21
Luke 7:36–8:3

June 20
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
1 Kings 19:1-15a
Psalm 42 (UMH 777)
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39

June 27
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 (UMH 798)
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

eChurchlight May 2010

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:37:49 +0100

eChurchlight, May 2010

Upcoming Events
May 2: Consecration Sunday, catered lunch following the service
May 8: May Fair, 10:00-3:00
May 9: Mother's Day Breakfast, 8:00am
May 13: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
May 27: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The submission deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday May 23

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Your new pastor and his family came by this week. They are delightful and lovely people and you are going to be blessed by their presence with you. We toured the parsonage and the church and I was reminded how much you all mean to me and how much I will miss the places that have become my place in the world. I am also reminded that God is a place and so wherever I go that is where I reside and I found some comfort in the idea that no matter where we are God is with us and if we can just remember that we will always be at home. There is peace in that just as there is peace in knowing that amidst all the changes that life must always be there is just the one God who set it all in motion and who still to this day holds us all steadfast and true now and forever. May the next few weeks be a time of celebration as we invite God to be with us and see us through all the comings and goings of this great adventure on which we all find ourselves.

May is a beautiful and busy time for us. We begin the month with Consecration Sunday when we will offer our promises to God for another year of ministry here at Belmont UMC. As we each decide the measure of our prayers and presence, gifts and service that we can bring we will be offered the opportunity to open our hearts to God and the abundance of life that is God’s promise to us. Also this month we are preparing a nominations report to secure our leaders for the new program year. I am so grateful for those of you who will step up and take leadership as we move on to something new and all the challenges and promise of what lies ahead. On the 23rd of May this year’s class will be confirmed. What joy to see our children taking their place in the congregation.

There is also the May Fair on the 8th and Mother’s Day and Holy Communion on the 9th, the Youth’s Holy Humor Sunday on the 30th. The Bishop’s Day on the district is the 15th, a great opportunity to connect with other Methodists to be all we can be. I hope some of you will be able to attend at Greenwood Memorial in Dorchester for the afternoon session.

As I said, this is a busy time and is also beautiful. May we be always mindful that we are walking on holy ground and that the time we are given is gift beyond measure.

With a grateful heart,
Larry

Fourth Annual May Fair
Sunday May 8, 2010 10am – 3pm

For those of you who have not yet experienced our May Fair, it is a crafts and vendor fair, where we rent tables to crafters and vendors who then sell their products. We also have tables for the church, and will be collecting nonperishable items for the Belmont Food Pantry to help them through the summer.

We are looking for products to put on the tables sponsored by the church. We have a crafts table, a bake sale table, and a plant sale table. The Youth Group will also have a table where the proceeds go to their own mission projects. We welcome any donations you would like to make!

Crafts can be anything – cards, pictures, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, candles, soaps…whatever you make that other people will enjoy.

Baked goods are also needed but because of Health Department rules please do not make custard type items. Small baked goods sell better than the larger items and we may turn cakes and pies into individual servings. Popular items are small breads, brownies, and cookies. If you like decorative baking people enjoy fancy baked goods.

The plant table will sell any plants. We are looking for transplants from your gardens. Day Lilies, Pachysandra, Hosta, Ferns, Lilies of the Valley, and any other spreading plants you may want to remove are welcome. This is an ideal way to share the plants you love but which are taking over your garden. These yard plants should be placed in containers at the end of April to give them time to adapt to the container and the shock of transplanting. That way they will look healthy and be more inviting to purchase. If you have a house plant you want to donate that is also welcome.

This year’s vendor products include several kinds of Hand Crafted Jewelry, Knit Items, Crocheted Items, Teas, Candy Bouquets, Ukrainian Eggs, Hand Made Books, Soaps and Lotions, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple …and more. We will have an author signing his children’s book titled "I SAW WILD PARROTS IN NEW YORK CITY!"

All the proceeds will be used for mission. All our tables have been rented. We have created a waiting list. Anyone interested in being on the waiting list is welcome to contact Louise Halstead.

Please plan to participate in the Fair by helping out and/or shopping. Invite your friends to come look around -- the more the merrier as the vendors like to have lots of traffic through the building. This is a fun fund raiser and social event. Entree is free. We will collect cash donations and nonperishable items for the Belmont Food Pantry to help them through the summer.

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Coming soon…Hurry Less, Worry Less! Are you tired of the frantic pace that gets you nowhere? Do you wonder if perhaps this is not what God had in mind for you? Would you like to make some changes to your life? We are putting together some small groups to work on these questions, using the book “Hurry Less, Worry Less” by Judy Pace Christie. Each group will set up its own schedule (or perhaps nonschedule?) to meet, starting in June and going through the summer. There are no rules – if your group wants to get together over Saturday morning coffee one week, have a picnic lunch the next, and skip the week after that, it’s fine! The book will provide some guidance and spiritual background for specific things you can do to look at your life and start making some changes, step by step – and the small group format will allow for you to get support, sympathy, encouragement, or whatever you need as you progress on this journey together. We’ll put groups together based on when people can meet – see Barbara during coffee hours in May to sign up or to get more information!

May Fair – May 8th – Volunteer to help out, or just come and bring your friends! There will be a variety of craftspeople present, selling everything from jewelry to children’s clothing, along with our famous bake sale. Also present will be author George Sommers with his new children’s book “I Saw Wild Parrots in New York City!” Admission is free, but we will be accepting donations of nonperishable food or cash for the Belmont Food Pantry. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Gym and Social Hall.

Mother’s Day Breakfast – May 9th – Our annual breakfast, honoring all the women of the church, will be Sunday morning May 9th starting at 8:00 and running until 9:30. There is no charge for women – men are invited to make a donation. Many thanks to Joel Grimm and crew for preparing and serving!

Coffee Circle – May 13th – We meet in the Parlor on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 in the morning for an informal get together. It usually lasts about an hour, but everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.

Women’s Book Group Thursday May 27th – This month the group is reading The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. Join us in the parlor at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.

Adult Sunday School – Every Sunday from 11:30-12:15 the adult class meets in the parlor. After Easter we will be reading and discussing the Bible readings that will be used in the next week’s worship service. Everyone is welcome – no advance reading required!

Vespers every Wednesday – What are vespers? They’re evening prayers. Every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to about 7:30 we gather in the chapel for vespers using the Upper Room Worshipbook. It’s an informal, contemplative service that includes prayer, song, and readings. If you’re seeking a quiet moment in the midst of your busy week, this is the place!

Check out the calendar section for other meetings of committees and groups.

Missions News

Continuing Missions

Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30 to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham, MA. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30. We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are May 1st, June 5th and July 3rd. If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

BUMC encourages our members to participate in mission. Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily schedule.

Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.

OR, go to www.freerice.com, where you can practice vocabulary, math, geography, and more! At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Make a baby blanket while you watch TV (by crocheting, knitting, or sewing) and leave it in the office to be taken to Children’s Hospital for newborns. The blanket can be any size but 30 to 36 inches square are good sizes. It takes about 2 skeins to knit one blanket. There is yarn in the church office or you can use your own left over yarn – the blankets may have as many colors as you like. Yes, any kind of baby blanket works so you are welcome to make them from fleece or to make small quilts.

While grocery shopping, pick up one or two items to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry. Drop the cans and boxes in the cart in the Narthex.

Submitted by Louise Halstead, Mission’s Chair

May Sunshine Page

Please contact the church office with any additions or corrections. Thank you!

Birthdays

1:    Erica Albert
       Casey Hannan
4:    Abigail Hamilton
5:    Jessica Rosenstein
7:    Malia Matson
8:    Caitlyn Chisholm
10:    Charlie Gore
12:    Alan Walsh
          Lisa Rosales Moura
13:    Owen Grimm
   Aram Koumjian
14:    Emil Wieher
15:    Marguerite Muirhead
         Caroline Marchetta
16:    Giancarla Perugini
   Virginia Stockwood
17:    Elinor Rumery
         Linda Atkins
18:    Sandy Thompson
   Ryan Ashford
         Ethan Ashford
         Lia Rosenstein
22:   Jordan Pohlman
24:   Robert Wainwright
26:   Dorothy Backman
      Barbara Ryther
27: Deirdre Savarese
29: Neal Touzjian
30: Amanda Sullivan

Anniversaries
23:    Mark & Jocelyn Milton
24:    Bert & Louise Halstead

Thank Yous

Words cannot adequately express how much the many cards, calls, visits, and cooked food from my church family has mean to be during my illness. Especially appreciated was Larry’s visits. My heartfelt thanks, and I look forward to returning to church soon.
     Priscilla Grindell

On behalf of the Cushing Square Neighborhood Association, I want to thank you and your staff, particularly Kevin, your custodian, and members of the Belmont United Methodist Church for your generosity in allowing us to use your function hall for our meeting on March 31, 2010. The event was a success because of your courtesy and assistance.
     Best wishes,
     Donald L. Becker

Coffee Hour Schedule for May 2010
May 2       no coffee hour
May 9:      Mother's Day team
May 16    Group HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
May 23    Group MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
May 30    Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito

Lectionary for May 2010
May 2
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148 (UMH 861)
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

May 9
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67 (UMH 791)
Revelation 21:10, 22–22:5
John 14:23-29

May 16
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97 (UMH 816)
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
John 17:20-26

May 23
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (UMH 826)
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17 (25-27)

May 30
Trinity Sunday (First Sunday after Pentecost)
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8 (UMH 743)
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

New Senior Pastor Appointed

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:49:50 +0100

New Senior Pastor Appointed to BUMC, April 18,2010

    Most of you know that both Larry and Bob will be moving on to new
appointments at the end of June. We have been waiting to hear from the
conference about who will be appointed to replace Larry as senior pastor.
I'm happy to tell you that the conference has now made that appointment, and
they are sending us a real star -- the Rev. We Hyun Chang, of First United
Methodist Church in Manchester, N.H. The SPRC is very excited about him, and
once you hear more, I think you will be, too!

    Rev. Chang was born in Seoul, Korea in 1966. He came to Boston
University's School of Theology in the summer of 1993 after graduating from
the Korean Methodist Seminary and serving in the Korean Army for 27 months.
He earned his M.Div. from BU and was ordained in the New England Conference
in 1996. Since then, he has served churches in Chicopee, Mass. and Concord,
N.H., before his current appointment in Manchester. He is currently the chair of the
conference's Church and Society Committee, and the conference Immigration Task
Force. He also has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry with Larry.

    We is married to the Rev. Yoo-Yun Cho-Chang, whom he met while they were
both at BU. Yoo-Yun is a Methodist elder, and has served churches in North
Adams, Mass. and various communities in N.H. both as an interim pastor and
as part of a team ministry. She is serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry
with Larry this year. Yoo-Yun is also currently a candidate for a Ph.D. in
religion and counseling psychology at Boston University.

    They have one daughter -- Hope Hee Chang who just turned 12, and is
currently in 6th grade. Her dad tells us she loves to read, text, ride
horses, play piano, but she loves to play with her friends most and best!
The Chang family also has a dog a Lhasa Apso named Pooch, who We says
"loves to do nothing and to sit under our dinner table waiting for the
crumbs!"

    The SPRC met with We on Wednesday, and I think it's fair to say we were
all grinning from ear to ear after speaking with him. He is smart,
passionate about Christian ministry, and deeply committed to social justice.
He has a lot of energy, and struck me as a deeply thoughtful and searching
man, who is eager to help us "dig deeper," as he put it, on our spiritual
journey, while we find new ways to serve the world.

    Many of you know that every year, SPRC prepares a profile of the
church's mission and ministry for the conference to use if it decides to
change our pastoral appointment. Rev. Chang had, of course, read this before
our meeting, and singled out three things we had said about ourselves that
were attractive to him. The first was that we described ourselves as "a
thoughtful people who want to know more"; the second was that we are a
church that "seeks others to join us in doing justice, loving kindness and
walking humbly with God." The third statement he mentioned is that we are "a
people who take life seriously but try not to take ourselves too seriously."
It meant a lot, to me at least, that he found those statements meaningful,
because those words are Larry's. It gave me confidence that the Rev. Chang
will be able to build on who we have become in these wonderful years we have
had with Larry. Joel Grimm mentioned in that meeting that Larry had helped
us "find our center," and I think We will help us hold that center while
reaching outward in new directions.

    So, in this season of great change, the pieces are beginning to fall
into place. As I mentioned last week, we have hired a new organist, who
starts June 27, and will be visiting us before then. Bob's position will be
filled later this year, after the Rev. Chang comes on board. And I want to
promise you that Barbara isn't going anywhere she'll be continuing her
wonderful work doing group development, member support and the thousand
other things that we never see but keep our community connected and
spiritually fed.

    If you want to know more about Rev. Chang's ministry, check out his
current church's website at <http://www.fumcmanchester.org> . And, as always,
all the members of SPRC are happy to talk with you about this new development.

Please hold the Chang family in your prayers as they prepare to make
this move. I know we will welcome them to our community with open hearts and
minds. I hope we also can keep his current congregation in our prayers
they are hearing this news this morning and it is likely to be as big a
shock as we felt when Larry announced his new appointment a few weeks ago.

In the short-term, our job remains the same to enjoy these last few
months with Larry and Bob and find ways to celebrate their ministry with us.
Let us also keep them in our prayers as they prepare for the next stage of
their ministry. The next time I walk up to the pulpit, it will be with
details of an official send-off for Larry and Bob. The SPRC promised you the
"Mother-of-All Going-Away Celebrations," and we mean it! If you have any
ideas for that, please feel free to share them.

Peace,

Linda Kincaid
for the Staff-Parish Relations Committee

eChurchlight April 2010

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:57:50 +0100

eChurchlight, March 2010

Upcoming Events
April 8: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
April 29: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The submission deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday April 25

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

“Life only demands from you the strength you possess.
Only one feat is possible?not to have run away.”
-Dag Hammarskjold

The events of Holy Week surely reveal our weaknesses. Judas was impatient and disappointed and decided to force Jesus to be what he, Judas, thought he should be. Why didn’t Jesus do something?! Peter was afraid, unable to stay, unable not to run away. Others could not even stay awake. Many joined the mobs that do what mobs always do, what they are told, joining ignorance to ignorance until the innocent are unfailingly brutalized. Pilate was cynical and too clever, corrupted by power and indifference. The soldiers just obeyed orders and drove in the nails as if this was just doing their job.

If we ever wonder why horrible things happen in the history of humankind we need only look to the stories of Jesus’ last week on earth. What is significant in the story is what is different. What is different is the ending which is not an ending at all but rather a beginning (the possibility of a beginning) as we find from this story itself is often the case with endings. The ending of this story of brutal oppression and injustice, violence and mass stupidity is not the usual despair and endless grief and pain, human misery writ large over the centuries, but that there is hope for our hopelessness and there is strength for our weakness and what God can do can and does overcome what we do.

And that hope and that strength can be summarized in this way: Love is real and more powerful than our fear and sin, our violence against the gift of life itself. Love is of God and is forever and can save us from our weaknesses. Death is over come by life. Hatred is overwhelmed by love. Despair and fear are cast out by love. While it is evident that all the weaknesses of humankind revealed during Holy Week are still very present in our world today, there is always, always, the possibility of a new beginning if don’t run away and hide. It is Easter that gives us the strength to not run away, to keep beginning, to keep acting in love, to keep doing what is right when everything seems so wrong. As such the resurrection continues and the world, though battered and torn, is not lost. Thanks be to God.
   Larry

Fourth Annual May Fair
Sunday May 8, 2010 10am – 3pm

For those of you who have not yet experienced our May Fair, it is a crafts and vendor fair, where we rent tables to crafters and vendors who then sell their products. We also have tables for the church, and will be collecting nonperishable items for the Belmont Food Pantry to help them through the summer.

We are looking for products to put on the tables sponsored by the church. We have a crafts table, a bake sale table, and a plant sale table. The Youth Group will also have a table where the proceeds go to their own mission projects. We welcome any donations you would like to make!

Crafts can be anything – cards, pictures, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, candles, soaps…whatever you make that other people will enjoy.

Baked goods are also needed but because of Health Department rules please do not make custard type items. Small baked goods sell better than the larger items and we may turn cakes and pies into individual servings. Popular items are small breads, brownies, and cookies. If you like decorative baking, people enjoy fancy baked goods.

The plant table will sell any plants. We are looking for transplants from your gardens. Day Lilies, Pachysandra, Hosta, Ferns, Lilies of the Valley, and any other spreading plants you may want to remove are welcome.

This is an ideal way to share the plants you love but which are taking over your garden. These yard plants should be placed in containers at the end of April to give them time to adapt to the container and the shock of transplanting. That way they will look healthy and be more inviting to purchase. If you have a house plant you want to donate that is also welcome.

Please plan to participate in the Fair by helping out and/or shopping! This is a fun fundraiser and social event and entrance is free. Invite your friends to come look around – the more the merrier as the vendors like to have lots of traffic through the building.

This year’s vendor products include several kinds of Hand Crafted Jewelry, Knit Items, Crocheted Items, Teas, Candy Bouquets, Pearl Oysters to open, Ukrainian Eggs, Hand Made Books, Soaps and Lotions, Tupperware, Tastefully Simple …and more. All the proceeds will be used for mission. If you know anyone interested in renting a table they can contact Louise Halstead or leave their name and phone number with the office and she will call them back. There is a waiting list for jewelry vendors.

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Holy Week Schedule:
April 1 7:30 pm     Maundy Thursday Service with Communion
April 2 7:00 pm     Good Friday Service at St. John’s United Methodist Church 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown
April 4 10:00 am    Easter Sunday Worship (childcare is available, there are no Sunday School classes or Youth Group)

Adult Sunday School – Every Sunday from 11:30-12:15 the adult class meets in the parlor. After Easter we will be reading and discussing the Bible readings that will be used in the next week’s worship service. Everyone is welcome – no advance reading required!

Coffee Circle – April 8th – We meet in the Parlor on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 in the morning for an informal get together. It usually lasts about an hour, but everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.

Women’s Book Group Thursday April 29th – This month the group is reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Join us in the parlor at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.

Vespers every Wednesday – What are vespers? They’re evening prayers. Every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to about 7:30 we gather in the chapel for vespers using the Upper Room Worshipbook. It’s an informal, contemplative service that includes prayer, song, and readings. If you’re seeking a quiet moment in the midst of your busy week, this is the place!

Check out the calendar section for other meetings of committees and groups.

Missions News
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Thanks for the Help:
We had a Nothing but Nets Shoot Out at the church on March 8th . Our staff - Larry, Bob, Barbara, and Kevin - all shot baskets. Three of the younger generation, Caleb Teeter, Andrew Teeter, and John Busteed participated by finding people to pledge for them and by shooting baskets. We also had participants from outside the church: Sophia Eshenbach-Smith, our all time leading pledge collector, and the Croce family, who along with Sophie have participated every year we have held the Hoop Shoot Out. We received pledges of more than $2000, which will send over 200 nets to Africa. Anyone is welcome to make a donation to the Nothing But Nets Program.

Thanks to everyone who donated to One Great Hour of Sharing.
These donations help UMCOR to be ready for emergencies and to keep vital programs running.

Continuing Missions
BUMC encourages our members to participate in mission. Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily schedule.

Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.

OR, go to www.freerice.com, where you can practice vocabulary, math, geography, and more! At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Make a baby blanket while you watch TV (by crocheting, knitting, or sewing) and leave it in the office to be taken to Children’s Hospital for newborns. The blanket can be any size but 30 to 36 inches square are good sizes. It takes about 2 skeins to knit one blanket. There is yarn in the church office or you can use your own left over yarn – the blankets may have as many colors as you like. Yes, any kind of baby blanket works so you are welcome to make them from fleece or to make small quilts.

While grocery shopping, pick up one or two items to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry. Drop the cans and boxes in the cart in the Narthex.
   Submitted by Louise Halstead, Mission’s Chair

Coffee Hour Schedule for April 2010

April 4 Groups HIJKL & MNOPQ, coordinated by Terry Grimm and Linda Rodi
April 11 Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito
April 18 Group VWXYZ, coordinated by Terry Grimm
April 25 Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus

Lectionary for April 2010

April 1
Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (UMH 837)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35

April 2
Good Friday
(worship at St. John's UMC, Watertown)
Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Psalm 22 (UMH 752)
Hebrews 10:16-25
John 18:1–19:42

April 4
Easter Sunday
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (UMH 839)
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 20:1-18 (or Luke 24:1-12)

April 11
Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 150 (UMH 862)
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

April 18
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:1-6, 7-20
Psalm 30 (UMH 762)
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

April 25
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23 (UMH 754 or 137)
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30

April Sunshine Page
Please contact the church office with any additions or corrections. Also remember to send in any items for the Transitions section. Thank you!

Birthdays
2:      Jennifer Coombs
         Jeffrey Coombs
         Noah Wimmer
6:      Jennifer Bourque
12:    Joanna Milton
14:    Bruce Pahlm
17:    Ava Walsh
     Caren Rosales
         Arthur Marchetta, Sr.
20:    Danielle Rosales
         Elizabeth Rosales
     Leah Wimmer
21:    Selima Chandler
23:    Peter Savarese
24:    Paula Paine
25:    Ryan Touzjian
26:    Mark Milton
27:    Christina Matson
         Jack Canepa
30:    Emily Savarese

Anniversaries
7:      Arty and Carol Marchetta
15:    John and Nancy Montanaro
30:    Richard & Sidney Gerrold

eChurchlight March 2010

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:47:28 +0100

eChurchlight, March 2010

Upcoming Events
March 7: All church lunch following the service, Social Hall
March 7: Hoop Shoot-Out for “Nothing but Nets”
March 11: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
March 25: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

Check the worship schedule for Holy Week later in this newsletter.

The submission deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday March 21

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Writing in the Lenten booklet for Saturday last Henri Nouwen says that life is small, small and vulnerable. He writes, “Because life is very small, you can never see it happening. Life is basically hidden.” It made me think of the church. I honestly think that we have difficulty seeing our life as a community of faith growing and becoming, happening. If there is a problem we usually see that pretty well but we miss too often the steady, deepening life that abounds quietly and unnoticed in our presence; the growth of our relationships with each other and with the world and with God as we go from one day to the next and do what we do. There is a rich and beautiful life that is deep and still and hidden within us. Part of the call of Lent is to pay attention and to awaken to the grace that abides with us always, the blessed mercy of God in the gentle light of the sun on a winter afternoon, a kind word of a friend, the comfort of gathering to worship and pray in a place where we have become familiar, that feels like home. As we grapple with all that is before us let us not overlook all the life that is hidden in this community of the beloved. Let us open our hearts to the invisible grace manifested in the visible rituals and actions of our life together. Let us be glad for what we have, and pray without ceasing for the abundance of God’s blessing, for joy, for life that is hidden deep within each of us and all of us together this day and every day.

Peace, Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Lenten Devotional Books – Christ Our Hope, a booklet of short daily readings by Henri J.M. Nouwen, is available in the Narthex. We have ordered enough books for every family to have a copy, so please help yourselves! Also available are some copies of “Holy Habits” by Rich Bimler, a more light-hearted approach perfect for families with younger children.

Adult Sunday School – Every Sunday from 11:30-12:15 the adult class meets in the parlor. During Lent we will be discussing the past week’s readings from the Lenten daily devotional book Christ Our Hope. Everyone is welcome!

All-church lunch Sunday March 7th – Everyone is welcome to come and share a simple meal and fellowship together, after worship. The food is prepared by our volunteers who cook and serve a monthly meal for Bristol Kitchen in Waltham the first Saturday of every month. Donations toward the cost of the Bristol Kitchen ministry are always gratefully accepted. Reminder: on Sundays when we have an all-church lunch, the elementary Sunday School class meets at its regular time (during the second part of the worship service) but the youth and adult classes do not meet. Note: there will be no all-church lunch in April.

Hoop Shoot-Out for “Nothing but Nets” March 7th – from 12:00-3:00 on Sunday March 7, we’ll be holding our third annual event to raise funds to send anti-malaria nets to Africa. Pick up a pledge sheet in the Narthex, sign up donors, and come and see how many baskets you can make from the free throw line in 2 minutes! Several of our staff members will be returning as shooters, along with our friend (and past high scorer!) Sophia from Belmont High School – our pledge sheets will be available during coffee hour and the all-church lunch.

Coffee Circle – March 11th – We meet in the Parlor on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m, for an informal get together. It usually lasts about an hour, but everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.

Women’s Book Group Thursday March 25th – This month the group is reading Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder. Join us in the parlor at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.

Holy Week Schedule – we are once again sharing Holy Week services with our brothers and sisters at St. Johns United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown:

Thursday April 1st, 7:30 pm Maundy Thursday service at Belmont
Thursday 9 pm to Friday, noon Prayer vigil at Belmont
Friday April 2nd, 7:00 pm Good Friday service at Watertown

Check out the calendar section for other meetings of committees and groups.

Missions News
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Thanks for the Help:
Baby Blankets - We donated 17 baby blankets to the Young Parents Program at Children’s Hospital. Thank you to everyone who made blankets. We continue to collect baby blankets of all kinds – knit, crocheted, sewn… yarn, fleece, and cloth. There is a container in the office for the collection.

Special Missions this Month:
Save A Life - Hoop Shoot-out – Sunday, March 7th
In Africa a child dies every 30 seconds from malaria- one million each year. You can help!
Our third annual Save A Life Shoot-out event will be held in the gym on Sunday, March 7. This fun even raises money for mosquito nets to be purchased and sent to Africa through the “Nothing But Nets” program of the United Nations Foundation. Consider being a “shooter” and find sponsors or be a sponsor! The event begins immediately after our monthly lunch and continues until 3p.m. Every one is welcome to come and you can stay as short or as long a time as you like.

One Great Hour of Sharing – Sunday, March 14th
In 1949, church leaders from several denominations formed an ad hock committee to organize an appeal to support the separate campaigns of American churches. In 1950 the title “One Great Hour of sharing was used for the first time.
The purpose of One Great Hour of Sharing has always been to collect special gifts to assist those in need. Each denomination allocates its’ One Great Hour of Sharing differently but all use it to make disaster relief, refugee assistance and development aid possible.

The United Methodist Church gives these funds to the United Methodist Committee on Relief also known as UMCOR. This is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. They use these funds to support the organization so when there is a disaster an organization will be immediately available to help the victims. Then all the monies given to the disaster can go directly to the victims. Any funds beyond UMCOR’s general expenses go to programs which have not been fully funded through designated gifts.

Programs run by UMCOR! Emergency Response, World Wide Health, Refugees and Immigration, World Hunger and Poverty, and Relief Supplies. These programs are National and International. UMCOR is established in Haiti.

Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation of all of UMCOR’s work by covering the costs of doing business. This means all gifts designated to specific programs can go 100% to those programs because UMCOR’s basic expenses are covered. Please give generously.

Continuing Missions
Partakers’ “College Beyond Bars” – Our Mission at MCI Framingham continues. We are supporting Yvette’s studies at BU emotionally and monetarily. She has been studying in the Culinary Arts Program and has earned her Food Service License. Yvette has been asked to mentor other students in the program also.
She continues to keep in contact with her children by phone. We want to support her in this vital link to the outside would. Any donations to help Yvette pay the phone expenses will be greatly appreciated. Please indicate Yvette on the memo line of the check or on the pew envelope used to make the donation.

Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30PM to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30.   We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, and for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are, March 6th and April 3rd.  If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

Belmont Food Pantry – We continue to collect boxed and canned foods for the Belmont food Pantry. Please place donations in the cart in the Narthex. (Please check the dates to be sure the food has not expired. The food pantry can not distribute expired items.)

Here some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine.
Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, art identification, geography… And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Do you shop at Amazon?   Go to 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.

Submitted by Louise Halstead, Mission’s Chair

Coffee Hour Schedule for March 2010
March 7      Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito
March 14    Group VWXYZ, coordinated by Terry Grimm
March 21    Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
March 28    Group DEFG, coordinated by Terry Grimm

Lectionary for March 2010
March 7
Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8 (UMH 788)
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

March 14
Second Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:16-21

March 21
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126 (UMH 847)
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

March 28
Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (UMH 839)
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 19:28-40

March Sunshine Page
Please contact the church office with any additions or corrections.

Also, send any notices for the "Transitions" section (moves, graduations, etc) to the church office
office@umcbelmont.org

Thank you!

Birthdays
3:     David Coombs
       Faye Reagan
6:     Dorothy Rosales
         Jen Bourque
9:    Terri Kolenbrander
         Michael Montanaro
11:    Ron Bourque
12:    Ramona Cass
14:    Susan Haller
18:    Scott Pluskey
20:    Richard McGowan
21:    Kathie Stayton
24:    Michael Duval
25:    Connor LaRocque
30:    Brian Schaffhausen

Anniversaries
4:    Ron and Cindi Bourque
15:    Bruce and Diane Pahlm

eChurchlight February 2010

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:21:24 +0100

eChurchlight, February 2010

Upcoming Events
Feb 7: All church lunch following the service, Social Hall
Feb 11: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
Feb 17: Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00pm
Feb 25: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The submission deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday February 21

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

In The Soul of Christianity, the author, Huston Smith splices together a number of Christian teachings and comes up with the following statement:

We become ourselves by dying to ourselves. We gain only what we give up, and if we give up everything we gain everything. We cannot find ourselves within ourselves, but only in others; yet at the same time, before we can go out to others we must first find ourselves. We must forget ourselves in order to become truly conscious of who we are. The best way to love ourselves is to love others; yet we cannot love others unless we love ourselves, since it is written: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” But if we love ourselves in the wrong way, we become incapable of loving anybody else. And indeed when we love ourselves wrongly we hate ourselves, and if we hate ourselves we cannot help hating others. Yet there is a sense in which we must hate others and leave them in order to find God: Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother . . . yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” As for this “finding” of God, we cannot even look for him unless we have already found him, and we cannot find him unless he has first found us. We cannot begin to seek him without a special gift of his grace, yet if we wait for grace to move us before beginning to seek him, we will probably never begin.

And you thought it would be easy? How do we deal with the paradoxes that surround the heart of the truth we need to know? It has been written that laughter is where the opposites of life come together. Perhaps we could also add tears as a place they meet. Buechner once said that laughter and tears come from the same place anyway. It may not surprise you to know that this all makes sense to me because my experience and I suspect any experience of love itself is fraught with paradox and contradiction and complexity while at the same time being as simple as saying yes. Sometimes in this real life we really don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. My goals for this year are to be happy and to practice holiness. In Lent this year I hope to give up sadness for gladness not because I have any particular evidence that I can measure that gladness is merited but because in my longing for God I have this feeling that that is where God is to be found even if, and especially because, it also includes a broken heart, broken by love and humility, setting us free from hardness of heart and holding us captive in the everlasting arms of God.

Bless your hearts,
Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

All-church lunch Sunday February 7th – Everyone is welcome to come and share a simple meal and fellowship together, after worship. The food is prepared by our volunteers who cook and serve a monthly meal for Bristol Kitchen in Waltham the first Saturday of every month. Donations toward the cost of the Bristol Kitchen ministry are always gratefully accepted. Reminder: on Sundays when we have an all-church lunch, the elementary Sunday School class meets at its regular time (during the second part of the worship service) but the youth and adult classes do not meet. Our next lunch, March 7th will feature our annual Hoop Shoot-Out fundraiser for Nothing But Nets. Stay tuned for details!

Coffee Circle – February 11th – We meet in the Parlor on the second Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m, for an informal get together. It usually lasts about an hour, but everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.

Ash Wednesday Service – 7:00 p.m. on February 17th in the Sanctuary. Our traditional service, with ashes, will take the place of that week’s Vespers service.

Lenten Devotional Books – will be available in the Narthex and at Coffee Hour. We have ordered enough books for every family to have a copy, so please help yourselves!

Women’s Book Group Thursday February 25th – This month the group is reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Join us in the parlor at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.

Reminder about snow cancellations – If we have to cancel church activities due to weather, the announcement will appear in the following places:

WCVB TV -- Channel 5, the Boston ABC station (as “United Methodist – Belmont”)
www.thebostonchannel.com -- WCVB’s website (also under the U’s)
www.umcbelmont.org

Please keep in mind that if the Town of Belmont declares a parking ban, there is limited parking only in the lot.

Check out the calendar section for regular meetings of committees and groups this month.

Missions News
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Thanks for the Help
Thank you to everyone who has donated to Haiti Relief fund. We collected over $2000 to send UMCOR specifically to help with Haiti Relief. The Youth Group is also assembling relief packages which will be sent to Haiti soon. Please keep Haiti in your prayers.

A Future Mission
Save A Life - Hoop Shoot-out
In Africa a child dies every 30 seconds from malaria- one million each year. You can help!
The Save A Life Shoot-out event will be held in the gym on Sunday, March 7. Our third annual Hoop Shoot-out raises money for mosquito nets to be purchased and sent to Africa through the “Nothing But Nets” program of the United Nations Foundation. Consider being a “shooter” and find sponsors or be a sponsor to support this fine cause.

Continuing Missions
Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30PM to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30.   We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, and for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are, February 6th, March 6th and April 3rd.  If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

Belmont Food Pantry – We continue to collect boxed and canned foods for the Belmont food Pantry. Please place donations in the cart in the Narthex. (Please check the dates to be sure the food has not expired. The food pantry can not distribute expired items.)

Here some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine.
Do you use a computer? Go to http://www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, art identification, geography… And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Do you shop 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.

Submitted by Louise Halstead, Mission’s Chair

Coffee Hour Schedule for February 2010
February 7    Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
February 14    Group DEFG, coordinated by Terry Grimm
February 21    Group HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
February 28    Group MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi

Lectionary for February 2010

February 7 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)
Psalm 138 (UMH 853)
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

February 14 Transfiguration Sunday
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99 (UMH 819)
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)

February 17 Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17 (UMH 785)
2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February 21 First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (UMH 810)
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

February 28 Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27 (UMH 758)
Philippians 3:17–4:1
Luke 13:31-35

February Sunshine Page
Please contact the church office with any additions or corrections. Thank you!

Birthdays
2:    Caitlin Marchetta
4:    Carolyn Backus
   Alicia Tardiff
       David Bourque
5:    Ellen Canepa
6:    Morrie Bailey
7:    Louise Halstead
       Ted Barton
8:    Dorthea Hansen
9:    Joanna Schaffhausen
11:    Evelyn Murray
12:    Ruth Wells
   Linda Keltner
   Jessica Pohlman
13:    Carole Brown
15:    Ed Sanford
         Judy Wilson
        Terry Skelton
16:    Henry Hansen
18:    Julie Carey
      Patrick Vershbow
19:    Christine Marchetta
   Judi LeCount
24:    Amanda Gore
        Jonathan Bailey
        Beverley Phillips
25:   Mike Bent
        Sarah Wilson
28:   Olive Woodland

eChurchlight - January 2010

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:12:58 +0100

eChurchlight, January 2010

Upcoming Events
Jan 3 : All church lunch following the service, Social Hall
Jan 14: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
Jan 18: MLK community breakfast
Jan 28: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The submission deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday, January 24th

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Some weeks ago I announced that Bob and I were taking your questions for a sermon series. We have not heard much. Only a couple of people have responded but we want to give you one more chance to ask the question that you would like to hear a sermon address so that in Lent we can preach a series of sermons that speak to the questions that are on the hearts of the congregation. Think about it and if you want to add your question to the series, place it in the offering or in my mailbox. You do not have to identify yourself if that is an issue. We may not use every question we receive but we will do our best to discern what needs to be heard.

Hard to believe that we are already a decade into this new millennia yet here we are in a year strangely called 2010. The task of the Church as stated in a recent sermon and in the writings of Catholic theologian Herb McCabe is to remember the future. As the people of the resurrection faith, we have already been given the future in the past event of the resurrection of Jesus from death. It is our job to live out the risen life in the present, transforming the world from death to life, and creating the future that has been already established in the past, in our past. In our tradition, our communal memory keeps alive this great hope for all. How important is it to remember? It is who we are and what we may be. It is what we bring to this time to make a future. We are remembering the future.

This is not just a mental exercise, it is a course of action that remakes the world as Jesus revealed it could be: the hungry are fed, the oppressed are set free, war is over, and there is justice and peace on earth. This may seem an impossible task for anybody, but it is our task, the task of the church as we go forward. There will be many obstacles—none more difficult than ourselves—but even when we fail it is significant to know who we are and why we are here.

I can’t help but think of those words the little girl Kathleen Norris, who never spoke and who was marginalized by her classmates, wrote:
   These are secret words,
   Say them after me.
   May all the plants and flowers rise
   And all people rise from death.
Such is our hope and our work and our life as we remember the future in this New Year.

Blessings, Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

All-church lunch Sunday January 3rd – This will also be the presentation of the Sunday School’s Christmas Program, postponed from December 20th. It’s been put together by our creative and talented youth, and will involve all the Sunday School children who wish to participate – you won’t want to miss it! Upcoming lunches: February 7th and March 7th
Everyone is welcome to come and share a simple meal and fellowship together, after worship. The food is prepared by our volunteers who cook and serve a monthly meal for Bristol Kitchen in Waltham the first Saturday of every month. Donations toward the cost of the Bristol Kitchen ministry are always gratefully accepted.

Our regular Sunday School schedule resumes January 10th -- For children age 4 to grade 4, there is a Time for the Children early in the service, after which they are invited upstairs for Sunday School until the end of the service. On the first Sunday of every month, the schedule is reversed and children start in Sunday School and come down toward the end of the service to be with their families when communion is served. Classes for grade 5 through 12 and for adults meet after coffee hour, from 11:30 to 12:15, while activities are offered for the younger children.

MLK Community Breakfast: Monday January 18th 8:30AM at Chenery Middle School – This year the guest speaker is PENIEL JOSEPH, Professor of History at Tufts University, award winning author, and frequent national commentator on race, democracy, and civil rights. There will be music by Darlene Wynn, and supervised activities for children under 11. Registration is open at www.BelmontAgainstRacism.org $5/person; $10/family
Proceeds go to the METCO After School Transportation Fund

Women’s Book Group Thursday January 28th – This month the group is reading My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. Join us in the parlor at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.

Reminder about snow cancellations – If we have to cancel church activities due to weather, the announcement will appear in the following places:

WCVB TV -- Channel 5, the Boston ABC station (as “United Methodist – Belmont”)
www.thebostonchannel.com -- WCVB’s website (also under the U’s)
www.umcbelmont.org

** Please keep in mind that if the Town of Belmont declares a parking ban, there is limited parking only in the lot.

Check out the calendar section for regular meetings of committees and groups this month.

Missions News
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Thanks for the Help
Hattie B. Cooper Community Center – The generosity of the congregation helped the Cooper Community Center in Roxbury give their children a joyous Christmas. The gifts also offered us an opportunity for fellowship. Thanks to everyone who donated gifts, money and time. Special thanks to Ann Ashford for her shopping—she purchased more than 50 of the gifts for us! Thanks also to the Youth Group and adults who wrapped all the gifts.

Heifer Project – Thank you to everyone who purchased a Heifer Project animal. Our Heifer animals will go throughout the world, helping people become self sufficient. If you wanted to make a donation but could not because of snow cancellations, please put your donation in the plate, marking it for the Heifer Project. If you want to support a specific gift please let Louise Halstead know, otherwise it will go “where most needed.”

United Methodist Student Day Awards Scholarships And Loans – Thanks to those who donated for United Methodist Student Day! These donations help students throughout the New England Conference and the United States continue their education and to strengthen their lives.

A Special January Mission
UMC Human Relations Day Sunday - January 17, 2010
Human Relations Sunday occurs during Epiphany. It calls the Church to recognize the right of all God’s children to realize their potential as human beings in relationship to each other. Your contributions strengthen United Methodist outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth. Some of the programs to benefit from your donations are:

Community Developers Program, run by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM);
United Methodist Voluntary Services Program, run by GBGM; and
Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program, run by the General Board of Church and Society

Continuing Missions
Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30PM to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30.   We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, and for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are January 2nd, February 6th and March 6th.   If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

Belmont Food Pantry – We continue to collect boxed and canned foods for the Belmont food Pantry. Please place donations in the cart in the Narthex. (Please check the dates to be sure the food has not expired. The food pantry can not distribute expired items.)

Here some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine.
Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, art identification, geography… And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Do you shop at Amazon?   Go to 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.

    Submitted by Louise Halstead, Mission’s Chair

Coffee Hour Schedule for January 2010
January 3      Group DEFG, coordinated by Terry Grimm
January 10    Group HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
January 17    Group MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
January 24    Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
January 31    Group VWXYZ, coordinated by Terry Grimm

Are you around during the day? looking for a little fellowship or a short coffee break?
Please join us for the Coffee Circle, 10:30am, Jan 14. We start in the parlor but sometimes end up at Starbucks. Everyone is welcome.

Lectionary for January 2010
January 3 - Epiphany Sunday
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (UMH 795)
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

January 10 - Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29 (UMH 761)
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 17 - Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10 (UMH 771)
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

January 24 - Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19 (UMH 750)
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

January 31 - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6 (UMH 794)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

January Sunshine Page
Please contact the church office with any additions or corrections. Thank you!

Birthdays
2:    Devin LaRocque
3:    Marion Cushing
4:    Jim Muirhead
6:    E. J. Johnson
10:    Kirk Kolenbrander
11:    Lisa Kelly
   Ann Ashford
12:    Dave Walsh
         Christopher LaRocque
         Andy Walsh
13:    Emily Kolenbrander
         Gwen Hynes
14:    Sarah Kolenbrander
15:    Martha Wainwright
18:    Debbie Blaisdell
22:    Douglas Matson
23:    Richard Gerrold
         Lisa Courtney
24:    Stephanie Schaffhausen
26:    Jill Quickel
28:    Ros Paine
   Alan White

eChurchlight November 2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:51:20 +0100

eChurchlight, November 2009

Coming up this month
Nov 8: All Church Lunch, 11:15am, social hall
Nov 12: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
Nov 19: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday, November 22nd.

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Well, I have to tell you that October got away from me. I cannot believe it is time for another newsletter. And November. Suddenly, as always, the seasons change and it is as if it were the first time. Yet we in the church experience the seasons each year by revisiting familiar traditions and known rituals as we have done for many seasons. there is something comforting in this, as if there were a connection between the movement of the earth and the human story. All around us we experience the signs of change but at the same time we know that the changes are themselves unchanging.

Life is hard sometimes. There is plenty of bad news and much to fear. But life is also beautiful and good and there is much to celebrate and much to do to restore the broken world to wholeness and to hope. Our business is do just that. As the seasons come and go, as life brings what it will for good and ill, we gather in faithfulness to bind up the broken-hearted and to unbind those in bondage to whatever it is that keeps them from experiencing God's love and grace.

It is a tall order but it is worth doing; for in every season we open our lives to God and seek God's presence drawing ever closer to the light that never goes out, finding in the living of this life every day our life in God and giving thanks with a generous spirit for all that is before us.

Thanks be to God.
Bless your hearts,
Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

All-church lunch Sunday November 8th – Come and share a simple meal and fellowship together, after worship. The food is prepared by our volunteers who cook and serve a monthly meal for Bristol Kitchen in Waltham the first Saturday of every month – they make a couple of extra casseroles which we then heat and serve right after coffee hour on the next day. Donations toward the cost of the Bristol Kitchen meals are gratefully accepted, just look for the big plastic jars on the table. Our thanks to Terri Kolenbrander and all the volunteers who give their time and effort to making this meal, so that all the rest of us have to do is show up and eat! Everyone, including visitors, is welcome at our table. NOTE: There will be no all-church lunch in Dec.

Education meeting Tuesday November 17th -- At this quarterly meeting, anyone who is involved (or interested in being involved) in our child, youth, and adult education program is welcome to come and be part of a discussion about where we are and where we’re going. One of the topics will be the annual Christmas program prepared by our children and youth.

Church Council Meeting Wednesday November 18th -- Our monthly meeting will be on the third Wednesday, instead of the fourth, to allow people to attend the Belmont Ecumenical Service on Thanksgiving Eve.

Women’s Book Group Thursday November 19th – This month the group is reading Olive Kitterage, by Elizabeth Strout. NOTE: The meeting is a week earlier than usual because of Thanksgiving.

Ingathering Sunday November 22nd – We’ll be collecting donations of non-perishable foods to be distributed to needy families. We’re also collecting monetary donations all month for the Belmont Food Pantry so that they can provide families with extra help this holiday season.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service Wednesday November 25th – This year the service is at First Congregational Church of Waverly, 471 Trapelo Rd. in Waverly Square, 7:30 p.m.

Check out the calendar section for other meetings of committees and groups.

Looking Ahead to Advent

I know, it seems much too early to even think about it! But Advent begins on November 29th this year, the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, and it’s never too soon to start planning. There will be a lot happening, and more information will be available as we get closer, but for now:

Cooper Community Center gifts: We will again be collecting gifts for children from the Cooper Community Center in Boston, so look for the gift tags to appear in the Narthex.

Heifer International and other opportunities for alternative giving: What better way to celebrate the gift of Christ than to give sustaining gifts to those in real need? We’ll have order forms available for the purchase of farm animals and other donations to communities in the U.S. and abroad. Look for this and other ways to have a truly meaningful gift-giving Christmas this year, at coffee hours in Advent.

Wreath decorating: Come and join us as we decorate wreaths for the sanctuary and the outside doors of the church. The wreaths are donated by Boy Scout Troop #304, the joy of decorating and hanging them is ours! A weeknight in early December, exact date to be determined.

Turn on the Town: This town-wide holiday celebration is usually held the first Thursday after Thanksgiving – watch for date and details, and be prepared to come and join in the singing.

Adult Fellowship Christmas Party: Potluck party on Saturday, December 5th. Details to follow.

Christmas Card Connection (OK, we may come up with a better name than that!): Are you already wondering which people in the church you’ll be sending cards to, and what their addresses are? Save some stamps, save your valuable time, and save a tree – we’re going to be setting up a display that will allow anyone who wishes to bring in one card for the entire church family. We’re also hoping to collect cards and pictures from our church family members who no longer live in the area. Merry Christmas, BUMC family!

Other events are also on the way – stay tuned for details!

Please Help With Missions
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Bristol Kitchen - BUMC continues to provide a nutritious, evening meal to the men and women at Bristol Kitchen on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers gather in the church kitchen at 1:30 to prepare casserole, salad, bread, and dessert for the soup kitchen located in Waltham, MA. Those transporting and serving the meal meet at 4:30.   We provide a meal for approximately 50 men and women, for some it is their only meal of the day. Upcoming meal dates are November 7, December 5, and January 2.   If you would like to volunteer, please talk to Terri Kolenbrander.

Belmont Food Pantry – The Belmont Food Pantry continues to distribute donated goods from their new location on Concord Ave. They are in the old Light Department building across Concord Ave. from Town Hall. The Pantry is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. They welcome help and would like to have people who can come once or twice a month.

During the Holiday seasons of Nov. and Dec. the Food Pantry gives their clients gift certificates for food and gifts so they can get extra food and gifts at these times. To do this they need extra cash donations. Please consider making a donation for these gift certificates. Make a cash donation in one of the pew envelopes and indicate it is for the Food Pantry or make a check out to BUMC and indicate the memo the check is for the Belmont Food Pantry. The church will send a check to the food pantry for the amount collected.
Please remember to drop donations in the Narthex cart.

Hattie B. Cooper Community Center – Christmas Gifts for the center’s day care children and siblings. Each year we purchase and wrap gifts for the Cooper Community Center’s children. The center is in Roxbury and services the neighborhood. There are about 125 children we purchase gifts for and deliver to the center for their Christmas Party. Please watch for the name tags which will be in the Narthex shortly before Thanksgiving. Logistics of delivering the gifts usually require we collect them the first week of Dec.

Baby Blankets for the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Boston.
We deliver knitted, crocheted, tied fleece, and sewn baby blankets to the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital. Any blanket donations may be left in the office for delivery to Boston. We have newly donated yarn in the office to create baby blankets.

Make a blanket about 25 x 25 inches or 30 x 30 inches. You can make the blanket by casting on 30 inches of one side and knit until you have a 30 inch square. Also, you can knit from a corner, starting by casting on 2 stitches and increasing rows you knit until the sides are 30 inches long. Then you decrease the rows until you are down to 2 stitches. Other people have made squares or rectangles of different colors which they then sew together.

This project is small enough you can carry it with you. Knit or crochet while you watch TV, sit in a meeting, or wait for a child after school. Take your knitting anywhere you wait for someone or something.

If you want to sew a quilt or make a fleece blanket they are also acceptable. We plan to take blanket into Young Parent’s Clinic in the next month.

Missions through the New England Conference
United Methodist Student Day – November 29, 2009
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES Like many things, college costs continue to rise. Thanks to United Methodist Student Day, students attending United Methodist and other accredited colleges and universities receive scholarships and loans. Participating annual conferences receive 10 percent of the offering for merit-scholarship awards to students of their choosing.

A RICH HISTORY OF EDUCATING UNITED METHODISTS.
This Special Sunday had its beginnings in 1866, when a special fund provided for advanced education of Sunday-school children and of candidates for the ministry and missionary service. Here some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine.
Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, art identification, geography… And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Christmas Shopping! - at Amazon? Go to 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.

    Louise Halstead
    Mission’s Chair

November 2009 Coffee Schedule
Nov 1   – Group MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
Nov 8 – Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
Nov 15   – Group VWXYZ coordinated by Terry Grimm
Nov 22 – Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
Nov 29 – Group DEFG, coordinated by Terry Grimm

November 2009 Worship Schedule
November 1 [White or Red]
All Saints Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24 (UMH 755); Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44

November 8 [Green]
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127 or Psalm 42 (UMH 777); Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

November 15 [Green]
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 113 (UMH 834); Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25; Mark 13:1-8

November 22 [White or Gold] Ingathering
Christ the King
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12 (UMH 849); Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37

November 29 [Purple or Blue]
First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10 (UMH 756); 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

November Sunshine Page
Birthdays
1:    John Canepa
2:    Terri Stull
6:    Diane Gore
         Elizabeth Baker
10:   Jean Husson
15:   Jerome Farnsworth
         Ryan Miller
16:   Nora Bent
19:   Jocelyn Milton
20:   Emily Farnsworth
       Stephen Rosales
       Florence Brackett
21:   Brad Stayton
22:   Janice Knight
         Andrew Duval
24:   John Montanaro
25:   Robert Nordlund
28: Alyssa Gore
        Caitlin Sullivan
30: Debi Rosales
31: John Busteed

Anniversaries:
9:    Terry & Joel Grimm
10:    Mark & Liz LaRocque
19:    Charles & Diane Gore

eChurchlight October 2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:22:29 +0100

eChurchlight, October 2009

Coming up this month
Oct 4:    All Church Lunch, 11:15am, social hall
Oct 8:    Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
Oct 12: Belmont Service Day
Oct 17: Pumpkin Fair, 10:00-3:00
Oct 29: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is
Sunday, October 25th

through the looking glass
As we form community around the three simple rules, do no harm, do good, and stay in love with
God we hope to somehow breakthrough business as usual and take steps that draw us all closer
to God. As we go down that path, questions may arise in our hearts, things that we hadn't thought
of in a long time, things buried deep within us beneath past disappointments and
discouragements, things that we have given up wondering about because we just never seem to
go there. As we join in community at a deeper level we also hope to be able to share the deepest
questions of our heart about life and God and the Church: Who are we? Why are we doing this?
What does God want? What is the nature of our hope in this sad and broken world? These are
some questions, there are many others. They are the questions of our hearts and souls. As we
venture forward in our journey this year we invite you to ask the questions of your souls that we
might address them from the pulpit in Lent. That seems a long way off but it gives you and us
time to ponder these things and to seek understanding not only of what the questions ask but of
the questions themselves. We do not promise easy answers or any answers at all but we do
promise an in-depth exploration of the human journey with God in these days. Your questions do
not have to have your name on them if that helps you to ask what you really want to ask. We will
not use all the questions that come but we will do our best to wrestle with them and find a way to
voice not only the questions of the community but also our response as a community to the cries
of our hearts as human beings in the world in these days.

Also, please make note that on Sunday morning November 1 we will light candles for our loved
ones who have died. All are welcome to come forward light a candle and call out the name of the
one we want to remember, the bell will be rung in honor of each name and prayers said as we
celebrate the unbroken circle of the faithful.
     Bless your hearts, Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?
All-church lunches begin Sunday, October 4! Six times a year, we gather as a community and
share a simple meal and a time for fellowship together. The food is prepared by our volunteers
who cook and serve a monthly meal for Bristol Kitchen in Waltham the first Saturday of every
month – they make a couple of extra casseroles which we then heat and serve right after coffee
hour on the next day. Donations toward the cost of the Bristol Kitchen meals are gratefully
accepted, just look for the big plastic jars on the table. Our thanks to Terri Kolenbrander and all
the volunteers who give their time and effort to making this meal, so that all the rest of us have to
do is show up and eat! Everyone, including visitors, is welcome at our table.

Check out the calendar section for meetings of committees and other groups.

Did You Know?
Have you ever wondered what the Board of Trustees does? According to guidelines established by
the United Methodist Church:

The board of trustees supervises and maintains all local church property so that the ministries of
the congregation can be effective. The committee is entrusted to see to the proper keeping of
God's house as a way to honor God and to facilitate the ministry of the local church. Good
stewardship, common sense, and prudence dictate that the church, parsonage, facilities,
property, equipment, furnishings, and other physical property be well maintained. A physical plant
that is "well groomed" and attractive is much more welcoming, safe, and hospitable than one that
shows signs of benign neglect. We honor God when we care for what has been entrusted to us...

Specific tasks include:

Overseeing and maintaining all local church property, including conducting an annual inspection and inventory.
Reporting annually to the charge conference on the state of the church's property, equipment, investments, and resources.
Receiving and administering all gifts made to the congregation; making certain that all trust funds of the congregation are invested properly. Developing guidelines for receiving and managing wills, trusts, bequests, and other investments given to the church.
Submitting to the committee on finance the annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance and improvement, and new property purchases.
Being accountable to charge conference and to the church council.

Trustees are nominated by the Committee on Lay Leadership, voted in at a charge conference,
and generally serve for 3year terms. They meet quarterly, or more often if necessary.   For 2009-
2010, our trustees are:
     Joel Grimm, Chair
     Class of 2010: Dick Coombs, Emily Farnsworth, Terry Skelton
     Class of 2111: Joel Grimm, Sharon Hamilton, Neal Touzjian
     Class of 2012: Stephanie Schaffhausen (Trustee Treasurer), Harry Busteed (property care)

Missions News

Please Help With Missions
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

The Belmont Religious Council is sponsoring a service day on Monday October, 12th. Participants
from religious organizations in town will work in groups to serve around Belmont. Please consider
joining the service day. Contact Barbara Ryther if you want to help.

Pumpkin Fair
One of the ways we raise funds for missions is through our annual Pumpkin Fair. This year the Fair
is Saturday, October 17th from 10 – 3. We will have bounces, pumpkin decorating, and games for
children. There will be a bake sale and Bar-B-Q Express will come again for lunch. Also, there are
yard sale tables for rent ($25 per table).

We will be setting up the tent on the lawn and tables inside on Friday the 16th in the evening
(around 6:00p.m.) and on Saturday morning at 8:00a.m. The people renting the tables start
setting up at 9:00a.m.

Please consider baking something to donate to the bake sale. Cookies, cupcakes and brownies
are all good items to make. Because of Health Department concerns we cannot have pies or
custard types of baked goods.   Peet’s in Lexington has agreed to donate coffee.

Baby Blankets for the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Boston
We deliver knitted, crocheted, tied fleece, and sewn baby blankets to the Young Parents Clinic at
Children’s Hospital. Any blanket donations may be left in the office for delivery to Boston. We
have newly donated yarn in the office to create baby blankets
     Make a blanket about 25 x 25 inches or 30 x 30 inches. You can make the blanket by casting
on 30 inches of one side and knit until you have a 30 inch square. Also, you can knit from a corner,
starting by casting on 2 stitches and increasing rows you knit until the sides are 30 inches long.
Then you decrease the rows until you are down to 2 stitches. Other people have made squares or
rectangles of different colors which they then sew together.
     This project is small enough you can carry it with you. Knit or crochet while you watch TV, sit in
a meeting, or wait for a child after school. Take your knitting anywhere you wait for someone or
something.
     If you want to sew a quilt or make a fleece blanket they are also acceptable.

Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine:
Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.
Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, math,
geography… And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations
World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

October 2009 Coffee Hour Schedule

Date      Food Providers     Coordinator
Oct 4     VWXYZ                 Terry Grimm
Oct 11   ABC                        Carolyn Backus
Oct 18   DEFG                     Terry Grimm
Oct 25   HIJKL                     Terry Grimm
Nov 1    MNOPQ                  Linda Rodi

Hey everyone, did you notice that Terry Grimm's name appears three times on the above table!
We need a couple more coffee hour coordinators. It's an easy way to contribute to the church.
Your turn is only every six weeks. Let Terry know if you'd like to take a shot at coordinating one of
the groups or even just doing the occasional coffee hour. You can do any group, your name
doesn't have to match the group lettering.

October 2009 Worship Services

October 4, 2009 [Green]
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, World Communion Sunday
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Psalm 26 or Psalm 25 (UMH 756)
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16

October 11, 2009 [Green]
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, (Children's Sabbath)
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22:1-15 (UMH 752)
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31

October 18, 2009 [Green]
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, (Laity Sunday)
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c (UMH 826)
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45

October 25, 2009 [Green]
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) (UMH 769)
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52

October Sunshine Page

Birthdays
3:      Stephanie Muirhead
8:      Margaret Wicks
         Roy Greenland
         Fiona Milton
10:    Brian Pahlm
         McKenna Ashford
12:    Scott Koumjian
14:    Kerry Wilson
17:    Robert Montanaro
21:    Virginia Jay
24:    Pamela Vershbow
          Lynn Monahan
25:    David Blaisdell
          Virginia Hayward
26:    Joel Grimm
29:    Sally Schear
30:    Jane Albert
31:     Ronia Peterson

Anniversaries:
6:    Morrie Bailey and Anita Miller
26: Brad and Kathie Stayton
27: Mike Bent and Linda Kincaid

Recent Transitions
Aaron, Nancy and Isaac Kneiss recently moved from Belmont to Winchester, where they
purchased their first home. Nancy and Aaron also celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary on
September 11th.

eChurchlight Sept 2009

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:10:47 +0100

eChurchlight September 2009

Upcoming events

Sept 10: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
Sept 20: New Beginnings Sunday
Sept 24: Women's Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The deadline for the next edition of the Churchlight is be
Sunday, September 27th

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Are you ready? Here we go! Another September has arrived. I always think September will never come and next thing I know it is already here. In golf they say if you can envision your shot before you hit it you will have a better chance of hitting where you envision it. I think this is true though I know for a fact that when I am playing golf sometimes something happens between the envisioning and the shot that causes the ball to go astray. And of course there are some shots that I don't bother to envision. These are the ones where the only vision left is 'ah, just hit it' but you know what I mean. Actually this is not about golf. You are probably thinking I play golf all the time. In fact I played exactly twice this year which was probably enough for all involved.

This is about envisioning. Prepare thyself! I have a vision. It is a vision of the congregation taking shape and forming itself around the Three Simple Rules for the Wesleyan life. Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. You have heard me speak of these rules while preaching this summer both directly and indirectly. This is only the beginning. My vision is that the three simple rules will become so familiar that we will be able to use them to guide our life together, the work we do, the decisions we make, not legalistically, but as an attitude of love and thanksgiving for all we have been given and for all that is expected of us. There are after all layers of meaning in each the discovery of which will take us deeper into the heart of God. We have already ordered studies for all ages to go deeper into the three simple rules. You will continue to hear about them in the sermons. They will be present at meetings and gatherings. It is as if we are to surrounded by the light of these sweet words until they become part of who we are until who we are is a light of peace shining in the world where we are.

I really believe that the focus of our life together in community as a congregation of the United Methodist Church in this time and place might be focused on the quality of life not only for ourselves as a congregation but for all those in need who we can help. Let us be a place of peace in restless times by practicing peace and what is peace but the presence of love and what is love but the self-giving servant love of Jesus who not only shows us the way but is the way not only as a direction to follow but as the power to take us there. May God bless our hearts with a vision of peace. Come and be the church with me.

Blessings, Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Sunday September 13 – Registration for Sunday School begins

Sunday September 20 – New Beginnings Sunday, our regular Sunday schedule begins:

10:00-11:00: Worship in the Sanctuary. After the Time for the Children, all children age 4 through grade 4 are invited go upstairs to the Yellow Room for class until the end of worship. On the first Sunday of every month, when we have communion, the children start in the classroom at 10:00 and come down to join their parents toward the end of the service, before communion is served. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers.
11:00-11:30: Coffee and fellowship in the Social Hall (see later in this newsletter for information on how you can help)
11:30-12:15: Classes for grade 5 through adult, with activities for children age 4 through grade 4.
6:30-8:00: Youth Fellowship

Tuesday September 22 – Charge Conference: this is our annual visit from our District Superintendent, Rev. Martin McLee, to discuss our church’s ministries. All are welcome!

Don’t forget! Wednesday Vespers continue every week at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Join us for this restful interlude during the week.

Did You Know?
Have you ever wondered what the Church Council does?
Tasks listed in the United Methodist Book of Discipline for the Council include:
1. Serve as the primary administrative body, and oversee the management and programming of the local church.
2. Plan and carry out programs that fulfill the congregation’s ministries.
3. Lead the visioning and strategic planning process within the church.
4. Approve the church budget and ensure that the financial needs of the church are met.

Major agenda items for the coming year for our Council include:
1. Discussions of ongoing uses of Imler House beyond this year.
2. Discussions of how we might use the Newton Bequest.
3. Setting the budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
4. Other church business as it arises.

The Council works cooperatively with the other committees of the church, particularly with the Staff/Parish Relations, Trustees, Finance, and Lay Leadership committees.

The church council model reflects and continues a historic tradition within the Church. Jesus called twelve disciples to be together in the leadership of the early Christian movement. Following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, leaders of "the Way" often convened in groups to make decisions and to support each other in the work of mission and disciple- making. Throughout the letters of Paul, leadership in the congregation is described as the shared work of spiritually graced men and women-the body of Christ. A church council is greater than the sum of its parts. Gifted individuals-knit together in faith, love, and commitment and empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit-can accomplish much more than any individual. We honor and glorify God best when we become the body of Christ together.
[Adapted from the Book of Discipline.]

Everyone is welcome to come to Church Council meetings, although if there is a vote required, elected members of the Council are the ones who will vote. For 2009-2010, our Church Council members are:

Laurel Wainwright, Chairperson (3rd year )

2010 - Janet Coombs, Ken Scott/Laurel Scott, Laurel Wainwright
2011 - Cecelia Cranmer, Lynn Monahan, Kevin Ghiozzi
2012 - Marilyn Matis, Diana Kelley, Calista Diehl/Nora Bent (youth)

Also:
reps from program ministries (Missions, Evangelism, Worship, and Education); Chair and/or rep of SPRC; Chair and/or rep of Finance; Chair and/or rep of Trustees; Church Treasurer; Lay Member of Annual Conference; Lay Leader; and Pastors

Meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7:30 in the church parlor, with the exception of November and December, when meetings will be the 3rd Wednesday to avoid conflicting with Thanksgiving and Christmas. The next few meetings are:

September 23
October 28
November 18
December 16

Missions News
Thank you for Your Support
Thank you to everyone who has made donations for the Belmont Food Pantry. They welcomed all donations throughout the summer.

Thank you to everyone who helped with Bristol Kitchen cooking during the summer. The problems of the people who use Bristol Kitchen continue year round and they are thankful we are there for them.

Please Help With Missions
BUMC encourages our members and friends to participate in mission.

Baby Blankets for the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Boston.
We deliver knitted, crocheted, tied fleece, and sewn baby blankets to the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital. Any blanket donations may be left in the office for delivery to Boston. We have newly donated yarn in the office to create baby blankets
Make a blanket about 25 x 25 inches or 30 x 30 inches. You can make the blanket by casting on 30 inches of one side and knit until you have a 30 inch square. Also, you can knit from a corner, starting by casting on 2 stitches and increasing rows you knit until the sides are 30 inches long. Then you decrease the rows until you are down to 2 stitches. Other people have made squares or rectangles of different colors which they then sew together.

This project is small enough you can carry it with you. Knit or crochet while you watch TV, sit in a meeting, or wait for a child after school. Take your knitting anywhere you wait for someone or something.

Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine.
Shopping at Amazon? Go to www.belmontumc.org – (our website) and link to Amazon from the Amazon icon. The church receives a percentage of sales when you link through our site.

Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography…. And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Women’s Book Group
The Women’s Book Group is reading Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas in preparation for their next meeting on September 24th at 7:30p.m. Everyone is invited.

Coffee Circle
Need a coffee break during the day? The Coffee Circle will start up again on September 10th at 10:30a.m. in the parlor. Everyone is welcome.

Finance Comm. Fund Raising
Our annual Pumpkin Fair is occurring again this year. Please keep October 17th available. Come enjoy the Bake Sale, Games, Bounces, Mega Yard Sale…. Participate by helping with the fair and by enjoying all our available activities. Bring your family and friends. Watch for more information around the church and on the web site.

September Coffee Hour Schedule
Coffee Hour refreshments are provided by people whose last initial falls in the indicated category. Coordinators provide coffee creamer and cold drink plus set & tend the tables. Group members handle the clean up. If you'd like to help with Coffee Hour, please contact Terry Grimm.

September 6: Group ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
September 13: Group DEFG, coordinated by Diane & Kevin Ghiozzi
September 20: Groups HIJKL and MNOPQ, coordinated by Terry Grimm and Linda Rodi
September 27: Group RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
October 4: Group VWXYZ, coordinated by Terry Grimm

September Worship Services

September 6, 2009 [Green]
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm 125 or Psalm 124 (UMH 846)
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17; Mark 7:24-37

September 13, 2009 [Green]
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 1:20-33
Psalm 19 (UMH 750)
James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

September 20, 2009 [Green]
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1 (UMH 738)
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37

September 27, 2009 [Green]
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Psalm 124 (UMH 846)
James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

September Sunshine Page

Birthdays
1:    Catherine Grimm
2:    Siraan Touzjian
3:    Natasha Wimmer
       Ronald Fetter
5:    Malcolm Ellison
       Jennifer Kelliher
7:    Carolyn Eurdolian
9:    Jessica Mosher
10:    Ian Ashford
23:    James Buck
29:    Carol Marchetta
30:    Anita Miller

Anniversaries:
6:    Mark & Lisa Tardiff
8:    Ron & Jane Albert
11:    Aaron & Nancy Kneiss
15:    Beverley & Ed Phillips
16:    Neal & Kathy Touzjian
17:    Ronald & Sybil Fetter
21:    Everett & Margaret Wicks
26:    Doug Teeter & Terri Stull

eChurchlight July/Aug 2009

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:08:14 +0100

eChurchlight, July/August 2009

Contents
through the looking glass
From Barbara
Coffee Hour Schedule
Worship Schedule
Sunshine Page

Dates to Remember
July 12: Social Justice Movie Night/Pizza Party, Lost In Woonsocket, St John's UMC church, 6:00pm

(The Churchlight looks different this time due computer difficulties which we hope will be cleared up by Sept)

through the looking glass

L.L.Wimmer

Ah, summer. Despite the weather, summer is here and it is time for healing rest. We have had a busy and lively year together in ministry and the summer is a welcome time to draw back from constant activity to think about where we have come and where we might go from here. We are so richly blessed. May we practice gratitude and generosity as we prepare our hearts for the new thing that we are to become in Christ. One thing we know if we are paying attention is that nothing stays the same with one exception—the love of God in Christ for us. As Christians we celebrate the great tradition from which we have come and we participate in the new creation that is promised in Christ. It is a challenge to honor the past even as we create the future. What do we keep? What do we leave behind? What is God calling his people to do and to be in this new day. Make no mistake, the Church is in transition. Always we are going on to perfection. We are not yet finished. We are changing to become more and more the people God is calling us to be. We here in Belmont have an exciting opportunity to remake ourselves, to discern together just what is our mission in this place and time. I invite you in the midst of your summer meditations to remember your Church, to pray for us, to dream dreams, to help us envision our life together in all the days before us so that when we gather again in the fall to do the work of the Church we will come with excitement and anticipation for all the good we might do in Christ's name. Come and join us for worship if you are around and be glad for the joy and peace that is summer, a holy time of blessing and recreation and rest.

Blessings,
Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?
One of the wonderful things about summer is the opportunity to worship every week with our friends at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Watertown. Just in case you’ve forgotten the schedule, here it is again:

July 5th at St. Johns
July 12th here
July 19th at St. Johns
July 26th here
August 2nd at St. Johns
August 9th here
August 16th at St. Johns
August 23rd here
August 30th at St. Johns

All services, whether they’re at BUMC or St. John’s, are at 10:00 a.m., with the opportunity for fellowship and refreshments afterward. St. John’s is at 80 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown, just east of Watertown Square. In past years, St. John’s has graciously hosted a lunch the last Sunday of the summer, complete with salad bar. Rumor has it that this year the salad bar will be replaced with an ice cream bar…another wonderful thing about summer!

Wednesday Vespers will continue throughout July and August, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome to be a part of this restful interlude during the week.

The Missions Committee at St. John’s is launching its first-ever Social Justice Movie Night/Pizza Party. They will be showing Lost In Woonsocket, a documentary focused on two men and their struggle for sobriety and redemption. Pizza, salad, and refreshments will be served. The event and dinner are free. Everyone in our extended summer family (St. John’s UMC and Belmont UMC) is encouraged to attend. Invite a friend or family member too!
Sunday, July 12th 2009 at 6:00PM

Neither the Coffee Circle nor the Women’s Book Group will meet this summer, but the Book Group will be reading Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas in preparation for their next meeting on September 24th.

As for committee meetings, so far the following committees are NOT planning on having meetings in July or August: Church Council, Finance, Missions, E-Team, and Education. That’s not to say that work won’t be happening! And if any committees do meet during the summer months, rest assured we will notify the appropriate committee members. Of course you can always check the online calendar, which is updated frequently – go to our website at www.umcbelmont.org and click on the calendar button at the top.

At the June Annual Meeting, new committee members were elected to serve in a variety of areas. You’ll hear more about that as we get closer to the fall, but in the meantime, we’d like to recognize and thank those people whose terms of service ended June 30th:

Diane Gore: 6 years as Chair of the Trustees
Morrie Bailey: 3 years as Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee
From the Church Council: Catherine Grimm, EJ Johnson, and Lisa Courtney
From the Trustees: Linda Keltner
From SPRC: Jocelyn Milton, Phillip Imboywa, and Steve Courtney
From Nominations: E.J. Johnson

Several of us will be focusing over the summer on the creation of new fellowship groups. If you have any ideas or suggestions about new groups, or about any of the church programs, please feel free to email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org.

Missions News
Thank you for Your Support
RIM - Ida Jiolo, client of the Belmont/Arlington Cluster, The RIM cluster is supporting Ida’s use of Imler House for a year while the children go to school and adjust to life here. The children have visited Wellington Elementary School, Chenery Middle School, and Belmont High School. Thanks to people who have donated various items to furnishing Imler House for the family.

PARTAKERS PRISON MINISTRY - Laurel Wainwright and Linda Kincaid are in touch with Yavette, who is continuing BU classes. She has been accepted into the BU culinary arts program. Face-to-face contact is a good source of support for Yavette. Please consider being one of our contacts with Yavette. She needs our emotional support as much as she needs our financial support. Talk to Laurel or Linda about how to help.

Scholarship for Ashley – Andrea Griffin’s daughter Ashley is a high school senior at a private Catholic school. We have been helping her with a scholarship so she can continue her studies. Andrea was our nursery school care giver during services for several years until she became too sick to continue. Please contribute to Ashley’s continued education by writing a check or making a cash donation to BUMC and designating it to Ashley’s Scholarship. Thank you for considering this mission.

Food Pantry - The food pantry continues to distribute food during the summer.
Please remember to drop donations in the Narthex cart.

Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily routine:
Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com – There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography…. And more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the web site.

Shopping at Amazon? Go to www.belmontumc.org – (our website) and link to Amazon from the Amazon icon. The church receives a percentage of sales when you link through our site.

Missions through the New England Conference – June 2009
Peace With Justice Sunday – June 7, 2009 – (first Sunday after Pentecost) Thank you to all the people who donated the Peace With Justice cause.

AIDS Collection – June 14, 2009 – (A Special campaign by New England Conference) Thank you to everyone who supported the AIDS drive by the Annual Conference.

Please Help With Missions
BUMC encourages our members to participate in mission.

Summer 2009 Coffee Schedule
Please sign up to host coffee hour during the summer when we host St. John’s here! It is usually a smaller gathering. There is a sign-up sheet at church, or you can contact Terry Grimm with questions.

July 12th – *VOLUNTEER NEEDED*
July 26th – Linda Rodi
August 9th – Wainwright/Diehl
August 23rd – Louise Halstead

Summer 2009 Worship Services
July 5th : 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s    Color: Green
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48 (UMH 782); 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

July 12th : 10:00 a.m. at Belmont    Color: Green
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24 (UMH 755); Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

July 19th: 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s    Color: Green
2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37 (UMH 807); Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 26th: 10:00 a.m. at Belmont    Color: Green
2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14 (UMH 746); Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

August 2nd: 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s     Color: Green
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12 (UMH 785); Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35

August 9th: 10:00 a.m. at Belmont     Color: Green
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130 (UMH 848); Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51

August 16th: 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s     Color: Green
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111 (UMH 832); Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

August 23rd : 10:00 a.m. at Belmont     Color: Green
1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11; 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84 (UMH 804); Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

August 30th : 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s    Color: Green
Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 or Psalm 72 (UMH 795); James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Summer Sunshine Page
July
Birthdays:
2:     Geoffrey Diehl
           Dory LeCount
           Edward Phillips
4:     Cameron Fetter
6:     Florencia Rodi
7:     Kate Hamilton
8:     Robert Bridges
9:     Diane Pahlm
11:     Bob Pohlman
12:     Iris Canning
          Aaron Kneiss
13:     Caitlin Matson
15:     Laurel Wainwright
          Ellen Sullivan
16:     Abigail Vershbow
          Sidney Gerrold
17:     Lisa Tardiff
22:     Cindi Bourque
23:     Madeline Brown
          Larry Wimmer
24:    Mark Tardiff
25:    Mark LaRocque
27:    Linda Kincaid

Anniversaries:
1:     Brian & Stephanie Schaffhausen
2:     Deborah and David Blaisdell
11:     Kirk & Terri Kolenbrander
          Laurel Wainwright & Greg Diehl
12:     Jerome & Emily Farnsworth
14:     John & Ellen Canepa
15:     David & Ellen Sullivan

August
Birthdays:
3 :    Michael Johnson
8:     Ann Koumjian
11:     Bill Wilson
12:     Amy Iadarola
13:     Sandra Pohlman
          Leigh Ann Canepa
15:     Priscilla Grindell
16:     Paul Winters
17:     Meredith Grimm
19:     Edna Van Saun
20:     Calista Diehl
21:     Andrew Teeter
24:     Priscilla Winters
27:     Jean Mulroy
31:     Arthur Marchetta, Jr.
          David Sullivan

Anniversaries:
7:     Ian & Ann Ashford
8:     Larry & Liz Wimmer
          Jeff Rosenstein &Donna Esposito
9:     Dave & Ava Walsh
10:     Steve & Debi Rosales
17:     James & Pamela Vershbow
19:     Bill & Linda Rodi

The Churchlight - June 2009

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:08:09 +0100

eChurchlight, June 2009

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Barbara
Summer Sundays
Consecration Sunday Report
Mission News
New England Conference Missions
Finance May Fair Thanks
Coffee Hour Schedule
Worship Schedule
Sunshine Page

Dates to Remember

June 7: All Church Lunch, following the service
June 11: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
June 17: Annual Meeting

The deadline for the June issue of the Churchlight is Sunday, June 21

through the looking glass

L.L.Wimmer

As I prepare for the journey to New Orleans I am moved once again to be grateful for all with which I have been blessed in my 10 years here with you. I have been reluctant to tell them for fear that it would go to their heads but our Youth really are awesome! What a delight to work with young people who teach me a few things about hope and service and faithfulness and who challenge me to keep smiling as we go. Thank you Youth!

I sat with our Youth on Sunday as they prepared to lead worship on Holy Humor Sunday, May 31 and was reassured that they get it. Humor can go either way. It can and often is in these days, mean, but true humor is, in fact, grace, for it softens our rough edges and keeps us humble, and fills us, if we are lucky, with laughter and joy. Laughter truly is a release of the tension of living faithfully every day in a world that is certainly challenges our faith at every turn.

Buechner wrote once that the place to start was with a woman laughing. He was referring to Sarah's laughter when God finally gave her what she had always wanted in life long after she had given up hope that it could still be possible. This is a clear word to us all who are tempted to give up on a world at peace where poverty is ended and all are free to live life fully, where love is the common bond between us. Never give up on God or what is possible for us.

Our story as Christians in the world is a comedy because it has a happy ending, against all odds, a happy ending. This story of ours does not seek to by-pass or avoid the tragedy of human life as it is lived out here on earth. It faces it full on and continues on with good humor unto the end. Jesus got the joke of it himself. Remember what he said when they took him away to be killed? He said "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Now suffering is no joke. Don't misunderstand me. The joke is that the suffering thinks it has the final word with us. The joke is that we have overcome every suffering even while we endure with compassion every suffering that comes our way.

Remember when you laughed so hard that tears came to your eyes? Whether we laugh or whether we cry we are opening our hearts to the world around us and God blesses us in that openness, in that compassion, with the abiding presence of eternal love that knows no end. It is then that we know we abide in God and God in us. Pastor Bob was 'right on' last Sunday when he reminded us as we go out into the world to serve others that first we are to love one another where we are. I am grateful today because I am a part of a community, the Belmont United Methodist Church by name, where we are given the opportunity every day to practice love for one another even as we reach out into the world to serve.
Bless your hearts,
Larry

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?
Sundays are busy in June –
All Church Lunch , Sunday, June 7 Join us for a time of fellowship and fun as we gather for lunch in the Social Hall, right after coffee hour. No need to bring anything – our meal will be prepared by the volunteers who will be preparing, delivering, and serving a meal to Bristol Kitchen on the 6^th. Donations at our lunch will help support this important ministry. This will be the last All Church Lunch until next fall, so come and celebrate the beginning of summer!

Graduation Sunday, June 14 Our Christian Education program will celebrate the graduation of our high school seniors as well as the accomplishments of all our Sunday School children. We’ll also honor all those who help make our education program run so smoothly week after week.

Father’s Day, Sunday June 21 There will be a special coffee hour honoring the fathers in our midst – feel free to invite all the fathers you know to church that day!

Also, put Wednesday, June 17^th on your calendars – that’s the date of our Annual Meeting, to be held at the usual meeting time of the Church Council. This is the time of year when we elect officers and approve a new budget, so plan to be a part of it.

As always, if you have ideas, suggestions or questions about our programs, feel free to talk to me anytime at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org

Looking Ahead – Summer Sundays
Many of you have asked…and the answer is yes! We are once again joining with our brothers and sisters at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Watertown for Sunday morning services this summer. This has become a wonderful way of building connections and supporting each other as we worship God together as one family in Christ. As in past years, our combined schedule starts the weekend of Independence Day, and continues until the end of August, with each congregation resuming its regular schedule the weekend of Labor Day. The schedule is:

July 5^th at St. Johns
July 12^th here
July 19^th at St. Johns
July 26^th here
August 2^nd at St. Johns
August 9^th here
August 16^th at St. Johns
August 23^rd here
August 30^th at St. Johns

See you there! (Or here…)

Consecration Sunday Report
The following is an update of the statistics reported on Consecration Sunday.

A total of 62 giving units (families or single persons) completed Estimate of Giving Cards this year.
A total of 32 of these giving units increased their financial commitment above their last year’s amount.
A total of 62 giving units committed a total of $195,733.
Over half of our pledge units increased their financial commitment. Thank you all for your dedication.

If you have any questions about this report, please see Terri Stull.

Missions News
Baby Blankets – In May we delivered 23 baby blankets to Children’s Hospital. Please keep working on baby blankets over the summer, as another delivery will be made in the fall. Yarn and cloth are the office if you’d like some supplies.

Food Pantry - The food pantry is becoming busier every week, with 40-60 clients regularly being served and new families signing up every time it is open. Donations tend to dwindle this time of year, so please continue to bring canned and boxed food items and drop them in the shopping cart in the Narthex.

Partakers Prison Ministry - Laurel Wainwright and Linda Kincaid are in touch with Yavette, who is continuing BU classes and has been accepted into the BU culinary arts program. The church continues to give her a monthly stipend so that she can spend more time on her studies and less on her prison job, but face-to-face contact is as important as financial support, so please consider being one of her regular visitors.

Bristol Kitchen - We served nine meals from September through May, with anywhere from 50-80 people being served each time. Two of the meals were prepared and served by the Girl Scouts, and seven by various groups of volunteers. So far the 28 kids, youth, and adults have volunteered for shopping, cooking, baking, and/or serving – several were faithful volunteers who regularly participate during the year, but......drum roll please.....seven of participated for the first time this year, and two more are planning on volunteering in June.! As we near summer, Terri Kolenbrander will be looking for folks to willing to cover July and August.

RIM - Ida, a former client of the Belmont/Arlington Refugee and Immigration Ministry Cluster, learned that three of her four children are finally going to be able to join her here in the U.S. Although Ida has become self-sufficient in the years she has been here, RIM has reopened her case in recognition of the adjustments she will have to make in her work schedule, and has arranged to support Ida’s use of Imler House for a year while the children go to school and adjust to life here. Stay tuned for a list of items needed to get them settled.

New Orleans Ministry – Over the Memorial Day weekend 18 people went to New Orleans to continue our ministry with three sister churches recovering from the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This trip they were helping finish preparations on a new house for one of the families to move into, as the FEMA trailer the family has been living in is about to be removed.

Missions through the New England Annual Conference
Peace With Justice Sunday – June 7, 2009 (first Sunday after Pentecost)
Established by the 1988 General Conference, Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. Since half of the offerings collected by our annual conference are retained to fund local peace with justice programs, you can see a difference made locally. In addition, half of the offering is remitted to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy.

AIDS Collection – June 14, 2009 (Special campaign of the New England Conference)
We will be writing a check to the Annual Conference to help in the fight against AIDS world wide. If you would like to be a part of this church wide event please designate a donation to AIDS and put it in the collection plate or send it to the church office. Larry will present our donation at the Annual Conference the following week.

Also, here are some missions you can participate in at home during your daily schedule:
Shopping at Amazon? Go to 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.

Do you use a computer? Go to www.freerice.com. There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography, and more, while at the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the website.

Finance Committee – Fund Raising
Third annual May Fair, Sunday May 9, 2009. Thanks to all of you who helped make this year’s May Fair a success by baking, making crafts, donating items, and volunteering your time. We earned over $2000 and had a wonderful time doing it!

June 2009 Coffee Schedule

June 7^th – HIJKL
June 14^th – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
June 21^st – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
June 28^th – VWXYZ

June 2009 Worship Services
June 7 : 10:00 a.m. Peace with Justice Sunday         Color: White
Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29 (UMH 761); Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

June 14 : 10:00 a.m. Second Sunday after Pentecost         Color: Green
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20 or Psalm 72 (UMH 795); 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
   (11-13), 14-17; Mark 4:26-34

June 21 : 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday after Pentecost         Color: Green
Acts 1 Samuel 17:(1a , 4-11, 19-23), 32-49; Psalm 9:9-20 (UMH 744);
2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41

June 28 : 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost         Color: Green
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130 (UMH 848); 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

June Sunshine Page
Birthdays:

1:   Ross Matson
       Nancy Kneiss
2:   Eunice Yost
3:   Liz Wimmer
4:   Joanne LeCount
6:   Sharon Hamilton
       Abigail Touzjian
8:   Stephanie White
9:   Calista Reagan
12: Emily Hamilton

   13:   Carmen Rodi
        David Sullivan
14:   Lynda Schuler
15:   Rachel Wimmer
18:   Steve Savarese
20:   Linda French
21:   Everett Wicks
22:   Jane Marchetta
23:   Greg Diehl
24:   Caroline Albert
        Richard Halstead

Anniversaries:
5:   Ann & Aram Koumjian
6:   Ros & Paula Paine
14:   Judy & Kerry Wilson
20:   Francis & Linda French
21:   Bob & Sandra Pohlman
        Iris & Brenton Canning
22:   Alan & Stephanie White
24:   Dick & Janet Coombs
30:   Jim & Janet Muirhead

Transitions
Carmen Rodi will graduate from Belmont High on June 7 and will attend Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO in the Fall.

Florencia Rodi will graduate from Chenery Middle School on June 23 and will attend Belmont High in the Fall.

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.

The Churchlight - May 2009

Mon, 04 May 2009 10:50:59 +0100

eChurchlight, May 2009

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Barbara
Evening Vespers
Women’s Book Group
Coffee Circle
Mothers Day Breakfast
Summer Camp Info
Missions Update
May Fair
Coffee Hour schedule
Worship Services
Sunshine Page

Dates to Remember

May 9: May Fair, 10:00-3:00
May 10: Mother’s Day Breakfast, 8:30am, social hall
May 14: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
May 28: Women’s Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

The deadline for the June issue of the Churchlight is Sunday, May 24

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 10^th 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 31^st – check it out at www.rollingridge.org

Camp Aldersgate is offering many programs for children and youth from 1^st through 12^th 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 9^th, 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 9^th 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 3^rd – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
May 10^th – Mother’s Day Team
May 17^th – VWXYZ
May 24^th – ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
May 31^st – DEFG, coordinated by Kevin & Diane Ghiozzi

May 2009 Worship Services
May 3^rd : 10:00 a.m. 4^th 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 10^th : 10:00 a.m. 5^th 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 17^th : 10:00 a.m. 6^th Sunday of Easter      Color: White
Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98 (UMH 818); 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17

May 24^th : 10:00 a.m. 7^th 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 31^st : 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:

1:         Casey Hannan
4:         Abigail Hamilton
5:         Jessica Rosenstein
7:         Malia Matson
8:         Caitlyn Chisholm
10:       Charlie Gore
12:       Alan Walsh
            Lisa Rosales Moura
13:       Owen Grimm
            Aram Koumjian
14:       Emil Wieher
15:       Caroline Marchetta

16:       Giancarla Perugini
            Virginia Stockwood
17:       Elinor Rumery
            Linda Atkins
18:       Sandy Thompson
            Ryan Ashford
            Ethan Ashford
            Lia Rosenstein
24:       Robert Wainwright
26:       Barbara Ryther
27:       Deirdre Savarese
29:       Neal Touzjian
30:       Amanda Sullivan

Anniversaries:
23: Mark & Jocelyn Milton
24: Bert & Louise Halstead

Transitions
Richard Halstead graduates from Carnegie Mellon University on May 17^th.
Ross Matson graduates from Tufts University on May 17^th.

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

Evening Prayer Service Every Wednesday Evening

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:35:21 +0100

Join us in the Chapel every Wednesday from 7:00-7:30 p.m. for a brief vespers service. These services will continue throughout the summer.

The service is based on the Upper Room Worship Book, and offers an opportunity for the community to gather in prayer, reflection, and song.

Churchlight April 2009

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:01:06 +0100

eChurchlight, April 2009

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Barbara
Holy Week Services
Women’s Book Group
Directory Updating
Narthex Repainted
Missions Update
Shootout Thanks
Coffee Hour schedule
Worship Services
Sunshine Page

Dates to Remember

April 9: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor
April 30: Women’s Book Group, 7:30pm, parlor

See the Worship schedule for Holy Week services
Maundy Thursday in Watertown
Good Friday & Prayer Vigil in Belmont

The deadline for the May issue of the Churchlight is Sunday, April 26

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Watching the news of the world it sometimes seem that there is not much hope for us but, thanks be to God, nature and our faith conspire at this time of year to tell a different story, to offer an alternative to what seems, at least, to be business as usual if not even worse. In my 58th spring upon the earth it still comes as a delightful surprise that winter does end, that light returns and flowers and green things and warmth. How appropriate for us who live where we do that Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from death comes at the same time that the earth and all its growing things are also rising from death. I mean we can feel the life returning to a sad and frozen world. This is no abstraction. On some days when we are lucky and when we are paying attention we might even feel ourselves rising from death, opening to the sun and to the possibilities of another spring, opening to, dare we think, a new life as we become even more in love with God and with the world than when we began. We are weak (at least I am) and we need help to rise from death. It is easier to remain closed to the changes of the new creation. We need some help and so we turn to whatever it is that gets us out of ourselves and into re-thinking the reality we have settled for. For me whatever is often a word that sets me free. In our contemplation group that meets during Sunday School hour there have been two such words that have moved from my slumber and stayed with me too, to cheer me on as I wait for the promised spring and they even seem to be connected, in my mind at least, an affirmation of the same truth. The first is this written by Heather King in an essay entitled, "The Closest to Love as We Ever Get": . . . it's not that there's not enough beauty, it's that there's so much it can hardly be borne. And the other word is one stanza from a poem by Wendell Berry:
Eternity is not infinity.
It is not a long time.
It does not begin at the end of time.
It does not run parallel to time.
In its entirety it always was.
In its entirety it will always be.
It is entirely present always.

I love the word entirety. I believe that we are surrounded by the beauty of God and we don't even know it until we know it again for the first time. God's beauty and love is entirely present always and it is even more than we dare to believe. I can rise up and live with that. As the little angel disguised as a little girl no one would play with said that time:
May all the plants and flowers rise
And all people rise from death.
(from Dakota by Kathleen Norris)
Alleluia!

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Holy Week starts on April 5th with our Palm Sunday service. This year we are again having joint Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services with our friends at St. John’s United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown (a few blocks from Watertown Square, going toward Cambridge), but there is a slight change in the schedule from past years:

· Maundy Thursday service will be at St. John’s at 7:00 p.m.

· Good Friday service will be here at 7:30 p.m.

· Prayer Vigil will be here from Friday at 8:30 p.m. until noon on Saturday

Our Easter morning service will be here at our usual time of 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School classes that day.

The Women’s Book Group, which meets the last Thursday of every month, has selected books for the next few months:

· April 30: Sarah’s Daughter by Ruth Bass

· May 28: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, & Steven L. Hopp

Special guest speaker! Ruth Bass, the author of our April selection, Sara’s Daughter, will join us on April 30 to speak about her book. A graduate of Bates College (and a classmate of Janet Coombs), she earned a Master of Science degree in journalism from Columbia University. She has been an editor for the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and is a member of the Authors Guild. Sarah’s Daughter is her first novel, and features 19th century teen dealing with family sorrow, joy, friendship, and bereavement. Visit Ruth’s website at http://www.ruthbass.com/ to read more about her and her book and to find a link to Ruth's interview by Hannah Storm on The Early Show, CBS, May 2007. Join us on April 30 or May 28! If you have any questions, contact Louise Halstead.

Our All Church Lunches will not be held in April or May, because of other opportunities for us to gather for meals and fellowship --- see you in June

Directory update -- if you see me walking around coffee hour with a clipboard, it’s because we’re in the process of updating the address, phone, and email information we have for everyone. Thanks for helping!

As always, if you have ideas, suggestions or questions about our events or programs, feel free to talk to me any time at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org

Have You Noticed?
It’s not just the spring weather that’s making things seem brighter around here – our thanks to Harry Busteed and his crew who painted the walls of the Narthex. Be sure to thank him in person when you see him!

Missions of the Belmont United Methodist Church
submitted by Louise Halstead, acting chair

On February 28^th we held a Nothing But Nets Shoot Out with the Belmont Youth Basketball Association and the Belmont Recreation Department. We had another Shoot Out at the church on March 8^th. Larry, Casey, Bob and Barbara started the Shoot Out and together shot a total of 55 baskets. We have received more than $2665 which sends over 266 nets to Africa. There are some outstanding pledges – if you would like to know how much you pledged please talk to Louise Halstead. Anyone is welcome to make a donation to the Nothing But Nets Program.

Thanks to everyone who donated to One Great Hour of Sharing. These donations help UMCOR keep vital programs running.

BUMC encourages our members to participate in mission. Here are some missions you can perform at home during your daily schedulable.

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.

Do you use a computer? Go to http://www.freerice.com/– There you can practice vocabulary, math, geography…. and more. At the same time you are feeding the poor through the United Nations World Food Program. Take a look and explore the website.

Make a baby blanket while you watch TV (by crocheting, knitting, or sewing) and leave it in the office to be taken to Children’s Hospital for newborns. The blanket can be any size – 20 to 30 inches square is a good size, but it may also be bigger. It takes about two skeins to knit one blanket. There is yarn in the church office or you can use your own leftover yarn – the blankets may have as many colors as you like. Yes, any kind of baby blanket works so you are welcome to make them from fleece or to make small quilts.

While grocery shopping, pick up one or two items to donate to the Belmont Food Pantry. Drop the cans and boxes in the cart in the Narthex.

Save stamps for the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History at Regis College. There is a collection box on the counter in the office – just drop them off when you come to church.

Way to Go!
Thanks to all who helped out at the Save A Life Hoop Shootout at Belmont High School and at the church gym. Our wonderful staff provided some real excitement at the March 8 luncheon with the “Staff Shootout Challenge” and BUMC members were extremely generous with their pledges. As you may have heard we’ve raised over $2600 so far, with a few outstanding pledges which could add to that total. Special thanks to Louise Halstead for her help organizing and promoting the event and for spending four weekend afternoons at the basketball court.

The two events included some periods of “thumb-twiddling” and some periods of great energy and fun. But in the end the good news is that we’ll be sending over 260 life-saving bed nets to Africa to protect hundreds of parents and children from malaria.

Thanks to all,
E. J. Johnson

April 2009 Coffee Schedule
April 5^th – VWXYZ
April 12^th – ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus, and DEFG, coordinated by Diane & Kevin Ghiozzi
April 19^th – HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
April 26^th – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi

April 2009 Worship Services
April 5^th : 10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Color: Red or Purple
Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (UMH 839)

April 9^th : 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday (@St. John’s) Color: Red or Purple
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10), 11-14; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 (UMH 837); 1 Corinthians
11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

April 10^th: 7:30 p.m. Good Friday Color: (no color)
Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22 (UMH 752); Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:42

April 12^th: 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Color: White
Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (UMH 839); 1 Corinthians 15:1-11;
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

April 19^th: 10:00 a.m. Second Sunday of Easter Color: White
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133 (UMH 850); 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31

April 26^th: 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday of Easter Color: White
Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4 (UMH 741); 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48

April Sunshine Page
Birthdays

2: Jennifer Coombs
Jeffrey Coombs
Noah Wimmer
6: Jennifer Bourque
12: Joanna Milton
14: Bruce Pahlm
17: Ava Walsh
Caren Rosales
Arthur Marchetta, Sr.

20: Danielle Rosales
Elizabeth Rosales
Leah Wimmer
21: Selima Chandler
23: Peter Savarese
24: Paula Paine
25: Ryan Touzjian
26: Mark Milton
27: Christina Matson
Jack Canepa
30: Emily Savarese

Anniversaries
7: Arty and Carol Marchetta
15: John and Nancy Montanaro
30: Richard & Sidney Gerrold

If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office.

The Churchlight - March 2009

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:40:16 +0100

eChurchlight March 2009

Contents

Through the looking glass
Letter from the district superintendent
From Barbara
All church lunch
Lenten devotions
Women’s book group
Social hall facelift
Coffee Hour schedule
Worship schedule

Dates to remember

Mar 8: All church lunch following the service
Nothing but Nets basketball shootout
Mar 12: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, Parlor
Mar 26: Book Group, 7:30pm, Parlor

Mar 22: Deadline for the March issue of the Churchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

According to Lazarus
(a poem by William Coleman)

The light said stand, the cave said sleep.

The cave said look, here are the eyes
that mocked you, the hands that cast you out,
said sleep, your sisters need their grief.

The light said rise, step out of your sorrows,
let them follow only if you choose.
the light said choose.

Because the light outside was simple,
because its urgency was born inside,
and because the cave could replace me,

I chose and rose into morning.

We have entered the season of Lent, the time for choosing. It is a serious time of self-examination but it is only firstly about what we need to know about our need to turn to God and is ultimately about how God has already turned to us and offered to us, through the fog of our misunderstanding, the light of the reality that is more real than anything else we have ever known and will know. We are not unlike Lazarus who has died but has a choice to live again. In our caves we consider the comfort of our own deaths, the care free quiet of disengagement with the world and the life of others with all of their troubles and ours against the light that calls us to stand and live and care and engage the living, suffering, crazy world of trouble and love again and again. Lent is the time for consideration. Will we live as those who are dead or alive? Will we seek and follow the light? Will we go where loves calls us? Or will we sleep undisturbed and free of the burden of living? Lent comes to us with the coming of spring. New life is offered but we can choose.
These are secrets words,
Say them after me.
May all the plants and flowers rise
And all people rise from death.
(The little girl in South Dakota who never said a word out loud in Kathleen Norris' writing class.)

For you consideration:   Please look over this website concerning five year old Jasmina, a little girl with a big disease, leukemia. Jasmina, and others like her, needs a bone marrow transplant. It’s easy and the website explains how you can help.
http://www.oneforjasmina.com/

A Letter from the District Superintendent
Dear Rev. Wimmer & Belmont UMC Church Family:

I am writing to express my appreciation for your recent decision to provide support to a sister church in the MBH. Because of your support this congregation has survived a crisis situation and they are moving forward with hope. Your willingness to share so generously demonstrates the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for being Christ-like in a time of great need.

I pray that God will continue to grant favor on your ministry as you seek new and exciting ways to make disciples for Jesus Christ in a challenging world. Because of your generosity, one church feels less alone and more connected to the larger church family. Alleluia and Amen!

All My Prayers,
Reverend Martin McLee

Announcements
From Barbara…

What’s Happening?

Our next All Church Lunch will be Sunday, March 8. Join us after coffee hour for a time of fellowship and fun as we gather for lunch in the Social Hall, followed by our Hoop Shootout in the Gym. We’re raising money for Nothing But Nets, a combined effort by several organizations, including the United Methodist Church, the National Basketball Association, and Sports Illustrated, to eradicate malaria. Every $10 we raise sends a specially treated mosquito net to Africa and protects a family for about 4 years. Volunteers at the shootout will have 2 minutes to see how many baskets they can make from the free throw line – come prepared to pledge any amount of money per basket for your favorite shooter(s), to shoot some hoops yourself, to help out with timing, scoring, or rebounding, or just to show your support for staff members Larry, Casey, Bob, and Barbara, who have all volunteered to try their luck and/or skill. A good time is guaranteed for all! As always, our thanks to the volunteers who will be preparing the meal for Bristol Kitchen the night before, and who will make extra for all of us.

Our regular monthly lunches won’t be held in April or May, to make room for other special events – stay tuned!

Holy Habits for the Holy Season of Lent, devotional booklets for the whole family, are available at the church. The author, Rich Bimler, has included a brief reading, scripture selection, and prayer for each day from Ash Wednesday (February 25) through Easter (April 12). The readings are an uplifting and thought-provoking look not at what we should give up, but what we can pick up – habits such as amazement, rest, hope, and laughter! Get your copy at church, or email or call the office to have a copy sent to you.

The Women’s Book Group, which meets the last Thursday of every month, has selected books for the next few months:
March 26: The Shack, by William P. Young
April 30: Sarah’s Daughter, by Ruth Bass (Ruth, a classmate and friend of Janet      Coombs at Bates College, has accepted Janet's invitation to be with us on that night!)
May 28: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp.

As always, if you have ideas, suggestions or questions about our programs, feel free to talk to me any time at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org

Have You Noticed?
Our Social Hall is looking pretty spiffy these days…our thanks to the Grimm family who volunteered their time to add some paint detail to the back wall, wax the floor, and generally give it a face lift, and to Bruce Pahlm, who donated his talents to solve the problem of those buzzing fluorescent lights! Be sure to thank them the next time you see them!

March 2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
March 1^st –             ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
March 8^th –             DEFG, coordinated by the Ghiozzi family
March 15^th –            HIJKL, coordinated by Terry Grimm
March 22^nd –             MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
March 29^th –             RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito

March 2009 Worship Services
March 1^st: 10:00 a.m. First Sunday in Lent             Color: Purple
            Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10 (UMH 756); 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

March 8^th: 10:00 a.m. Second Sunday in Lent     Color: Purple
            Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31 (UMH 752); Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

March 15^th: 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday in Lent         Color: Purple
            Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19 (UMH 750); 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

March 22^nd: 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Lent     Color: Purple
            Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 (UMH 830); Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

March 29^th: 10:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday in Lent         Color: Purple
            Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12 (UMH 785); Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

Sunshine Page

March Birthdays

3:         David Coombs
            Faye Reagan
6:         Dorothy Rosales
            Jen Bourque
9:         Terri Kolenbrander
            Michael Montanaro
11:       Ron Bourque
12:       Ramona Cass

14:       Susan Haller
18:       Scott Pluskey
20:       Richard McGowan
21:       Kathie Stayton
24:       Michael Duval
25:       Connor LaRocque
30:       Brian Schaffhausen

March Anniversaries
4: Ron and Cindi Bourque
15: Bruce and Diane Pahlm

If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office.

The Churchlight - February 2009

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:38:13 +0100

eChurchlight February 2009

Contents

Through the looking glass
From Barbara
All church lunch
Lenten events
Missions of the church
New Orleans update
Womens book group
Coffee Hour schedule
Worship schedule

Dates to remember

Feb 8: All church lunch following the service
Feb 12: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, Parlor
Feb 25: Ash Wednesday Service, 7:30pm
Feb 26: Book Group, 7:30pm, Parlor
Feb 28: Nothing But Nets, basketball shoot out, BHS gym

Feb 22: Deadline for the March issue of the Churchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Pardon me if I don't speak of business today. A good friend recently placed on my desk a photocopy of some writings by Max Lucado of all people.

Christ repeatedly escaped the noise of the crowd in order to hear the voice of God. After his forty day pause in the wilderness, the people of Capernaum "tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. (Luke 4.42-43).

He resisted the undertow of the people by anchoring to the rock of his purpose: employing his uniqueness (to "preach . . to the other cities also") to make a big deal out of God ("the kingdom of God") everywhere he could.

And aren't you glad he did? Suppose he had heeded the crowd and set up camp in Capernaum, reasoning, "I thought the whole world was my target and the cross of my destiny. But the entire town tells me to stay in Capernaum. Could all these people be wrong?"

Yes, they could! In defiance of the crowd, Jesus turned his back on the Capernaum pastorate and followed the will of God. Doing so meant leaving some sick people unhealed and some confused people untaught. He said no to good things so he could say yes to the right thing.

Even Jesus couldn't do everything but more to point, even Jesus shouldn't do everything.
Each of us have similar struggles to find our best self, most true self, to discern our gifts and our joy and to see more clearly what are the obstacles that defeat us on the journey to God. As we enter the season of contemplation I confess that I find my joy exploring the mysteries of the inner life, of the spirit, the soul. The business of the world, even the politics bore me profoundly. I am still afraid to admit these things even to myself because they are important things, good things, things that need to be addressed and with which we need to wrestle. I suspect that I am not the only one who feels obligated to be concerned about everything, to do it all, but as I get older I do know more about myself and I know what gives me joy. Perhaps we do not value joy enough. I am not talking about just getting what we want or doing what we want. Joy is not self-centered. It is God-centered. That is where joy is found and we find it there when we find ourselves because when we find ourselves we find also the God who made us to be who we are. Finding ourselves is not just finding what we want or what we like but finding what God made us to be and whatever it is I believe God created us to give that best self to others, to the world. It is the vision of every living thing sharing the gift of itself with every other for the sake of all. The hard lesson is that that bigger picture does not happen because I or anyone else makes it happen by doing every thing necessary to make it happen. We each have different gifts that together make us whole. With this in mind we who live in community as a congregation of the United Methodist Church in Belmont need each other. We need to find and share our joy with the community so that we can live. I look forward to the ways we discover to do just that. For one thing I invite you to join me for contemplation in the chapel after coffee on Sunday. I will read to you the things that touch my heart and soul and we will explore the mysteries of the inner life. Richard Foster once wrote that we as a people have probably explored outer space more than we have explored inner space. I offer you my joy. Here is an example: The poet is Scott Cairns.

Speculation: Along the Way

The roaring alongside he takes for granted.
-“Sandpiper” by Elizabeth Bishop

And when, of a given evening, say, an evening laced
with storm clouds skirting distance parsed by slanting light,

or when the thick air of an August afternoon by the late approach
of just such a storm turns suddenly thin and cool, and the familiar

roaring, for the moment made especially unmistakable
by distant thunder, may seem oddly to be answered from within

—that's how it feels, anyway—and when, of a moment, such roaring
couples as well with sudden calm—interior, it hardly matters—

in that fortunate incursion whereby the roar itself is suddenly interred,
you might startle to having had a taste of what will pass as prayer,

or a taste, at the very least, of how fraught, how laden the visible is,
even as you find a likely figure for its uncanny agency. Sure,

I'm making this up as I go, hoping—even as I go—to be finally
getting somewhere. And maybe I am. Maybe I'm taking you along.

Let's say it's so, and say we now commence.

(as published in Image, a Journal of Art, Faith and Mystery)

From Barbara…
What’s Happening?

Our next All Church Lunch will be Sunday, February 8. Join us after coffee hour in the Social Hall for a time of fellowship and celebration. Our thanks to the volunteers who will be preparing the meal for Bristol Kitchen the night before, and will make extra for all of us. Donations well go toward the cost our Bristol Kitchen mission.

Lent arrives this month, and there are some special activities in the works, including:

Ash Wednesday service on the 25^th at 7:30 in the chapel
Evening services each Wednesday throughout Lent
Daily devotions booklet on “Holy Habits” (everything from ‘perseverance’ to ‘laughter’) that will be available to everyone in the congregation for use at home with your families as well as in various group activities and an online blog so we can share our thoughts and experiences.
Special opportunities to participate in the wide range of mission activities currently underway at BUMC

Details will be available soon, so watch this space, keep an eye on the Narthex bulletin board, listen to announcements, and read the Sunday bulletins! As always, if you have ideas, suggestions or questions about our programs, feel free to talk to me anytime at church, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org

New Orleans Update
The Youth Group has been busy planning the next mission trip to aid our sister churches in New Orleans. The trip is scheduled for the Memorial Day weekend (exact dates to be determined later). Anyone, youth or adult, who wishes to take part in the trip should let a youth group member, Bob, or Liz know by this Sunday, Feb 8. A deposit of $50 will be required by Feb 13

The youth group has several fundraising projects planned and underway. A very successful Parents Night Out, babysitting evening, was held this past Friday, Jan 30. Look for more events coming soon and watch the fund grow on the thermometer posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Missions of the Belmont United Methodist Church
submitted by Louise Halstead, acting chair

Thanks to all the people who helped with our seasonal Thanksgiving/Christmas missions. We supplied Thanksgiving Ingathering of food for the needy in Arlington, which was greatly appreciated. Monies were given for the Belmont Food Pantry so their clients could have gift cards to Shaw’s and Target for their holiday celebrations. We purchased, wrapped and gave Christmas gifts for 124 children at the Cooper Community Center Preschool and After School Program in Roxbury so they could have a joyous Christmas. Heifer International Ark received donations so they can supply animals for farms in Third World Countries.

We at BUMC believe it is important to be personally involved in
mission as active participants as well as supportive observers.
There is always room for more people to participate in mission. Here is a
description of our current activities -- where do you see yourself?

Ongoing Missions:

1. Our work at Bristol Kitchen continues. This soup kitchen in Waltham provides an evening meal to homeless and low-income people living in this area. For several years we have provided a meal to about 45 men and women with each visit to Bristol Kitchen.   The past few months have seen the number grow to over 60, and in December it was close to 80.   We prepare and serve the meal on the first Saturday of each month. The cooking is done in the kitchen at BUMC from 1:30 until 3:00.   At 4:30 the cars are loaded and the food is transported to Bristol Kitchen, where it is served.   If you know your way around the kitchen (or even if you don't), please join us. If you would like to take a trip to the Kitchen to help serve a meal, please join us. Each month's meal at Bristol Kitchen costs about $100, if you would like to help support this mission financially, just look for the Bristol Kitchen donation jar that is out whenever BUMC eats together.   You can contact Terri Kolenbrander at 617-489-2659 to be added to the volunteer list. Thank you for your generous support and your willing hands.

2. We are part of the Belmont/Arlington RIM (Refugee Immigration Ministry) Cluster – a group of 5 churches who support a political refugee immigrant while their papers are being processed. We help them find jobs and become independent. Our support helps the immigrant financially and emotionally during this trying period. The cluster is considering which of the immigrants looking for support will be our responsibility. When a client is chosen there will be many opportunities to help. Contact Louise Halstead at 617-489-1340 if you would like to help.

3. As a part of the Cooperative Parish Ministry we are in partnership with three churches in New Orleans. They were devastated by Hurricane Katrina and are working hard to recover. Some of our youth and adults have been to New Orleans to work with them in the past. As I write this in January, Geoffrey Diehl is in New Orleans helping with various projects including rebuilding a playground that was so damaged that the youth tore it down when they were there. The youth group will be earning money to help defray the cost of their next trip. Please stay connected for updates on their activities.

4. We continue to participate in Partakers’ “College Beyond Bars”. This program helps an inmate at MCI Framingham take college classes and prepare to live in the world at large after being released. We supply funds for books, give emotional support and help her keep in contact with her family so she and her children will each other when she returns to their lives. Talk to Linda Kincaid or Laurel Wainwright to find out more and to participate in this mission.

5. Belmont Food Pantry is our most local mission. Your donations of food and household supplies help low income persons in Belmont. There is a drop off basket in the Narthex for donations (please donate foods within the sell by date. The food pantry cannot distribute outdated foods). We deliver these donations to the Food Pantry on a regular basis. Help with deliveries and participation at the food pantry are always welcome. See Louise Halstead for more information.

6. Anyone who knits, crochets, ties fleece or sews is welcome to help make Baby Blankets for the Young Parents Clinic at Children’s Hospital. There is a bin in the office where you can put your completed baby blanket. These are delivered to the YPC for distribution to the babies.
An Annual International Mission:

Once again we are campaigning to raise money for Nothing But Nets. This program purchases and distributes mosquito netting to protect families in Africa against Malaria – a disease which kills nearly one million children each year. We are planning “Shoot Outs” on February 28 (at Belmont High School gym) and March 8 (at the church) to raise money for this purpose. We need people willing to help run the Shoot Outs as well as participants who raise pledges and shoot for nets. Ten dollars ($10) supplies a net which protects a family of four! Stay connected for more information.

Women’s Book Group
The Women’s Book Group will meet on February 26^th at 7:30 PM in the Parlor.
We are reading The Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie.
Everyone is welcome! Please ask Louise Halstead if you have any questions.

February 2009 Coffee Schedule
February 1^st – HIJKL
February 8^th – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
February 15^th – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito
February 22^nd – VWXYZ

February 2009 Worship Services
February 1^st: 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany            Color: Green
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111 (UMH 832); 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

February 8^th: 10:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany            Color: Green
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (UMH 859); 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

February 15^th: 10:00 a.m. Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany            Color: Green
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (UMH 854); 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

February 22^nd: 10:00 a.m. Transfiguration Sunday            Color: White
2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6 (UMH 783); 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

February 25^th: 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday            Color: Purple
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17 (UMH 785); 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February Birthdays

2:         Caitlin Marchetta
4:         Carolyn Backus
            Alicia Tardiff
            David Bourque
5:         Ellen Canepa
6:         Morrie Bailey
7:         Louise Halstead
            Ted Barton
8:         Dorthea Hansen
9:         Joanna Schaffhausen
11:       Evelyn Murray
12:       Ruth Wells
            Linda Keltner
            Jessica Pohlman
13:       Carole Brown

15:       Ed Sanford
            Judy Wilson
            Terry Skelton
16:       Henry Hansen
18:       Julie Carey
            Patrick Vershbow
19:       Christine Marchetta
            Judi LeCount
24:       Amanda Gore
            Jonathan Bailey
            Beverley Phillips
25:       Mike Bent
            Sarah Wilson
28:       Olive Woodland

If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office.

The Churchlight - January 2009

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:35:37 +0100

eChurchlight, January 2009

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Barbara
Announcements
Church lunch
Council meeting
Book Group
Coffee Circle
Coffee Hour schedule
Worship Services
Sunshine Page

Dates to Remember

Jan 4: all church lunch following worship service
Jan 8: Coffee Circle, 10:30am, parlor

Jan 21: Church Council meeting
Jan 29: Book Group

The deadline for the February issue of the Churchlight is Sunday, Jan 25

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

A New Year always calls for some new direction. Ginny Jay passed these words on to me and I think they serve very well to give us a direction for the new year. They are the words that were found on the wall of Mother Teresa’s room. If you have seen them before, look again. They are called “Words to Live By” and so they are:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
be successful anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous;
be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow;
do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
give your best anyway.
For you see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

It sounds like she might know something worth knowing. May we discover such wisdom as we practice the three simple rules from our Wesleyan tradition: Do No Harm. Do Good. Stay in Love with God.

Happy New Year. Oh, and bless your hearts! Larry

In Worship, Fellowship, And Service…

Did you know these words are in our mission statement? Even if you didn’t, I’ll bet you all have seen them come to life as we travel on our journey together as a church family. This has been especially true for me during the Christmas season. I have been cheered, encouraged, and sometimes downright amazed by the number of people who have willingly contributed their time and talents, volunteered when a job needed doing, and opened their hearts to each other and to a world in need. Thanks to:

the readers and musicians who participated in Sunday worship and the service of lessons and carols on Christmas Eve;
the youth who put together a truly unique pageant video;
the adults who helped make all the youth and children’s activities run so smoothly;
the people who baked, painted Nativity Scene characters, hung wreaths, and opened their homes for festivities;
the youth and adults who shopped for, wrapped, and delivered 124 gifts to the children at Cooper Community Center;
the families who donated food and money to Belmont Food Pantry;
the givers who replenished the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund for emergency assistance;
the people who reached out to communities far and wide by donating to Heifer International; and
all who have welcomed visitors into our midst…

We have been not just a busy church, but a caring and Spirit-filled church!   God be with you all.
Barbara

Announcements

Sunday, January 4, 2009 is the first All Church Lunch of the new year! Join us after coffee hour in the Social Hall for a time of fellowship and celebration. Our thanks to Brian and Heather Sullivan and family, who will be preparing the meal for Bristol Kitchen the night before, and will make extra for all of us.

Agenda for the Church Council Meeting on Wednesday, January 21^st will include a review and discussion of research done so far on potential uses of Imler House. Everyone is welcome to come and participate in this ongoing process.

Women’s Book Group
Schedule and Books for 2009 for the BUMC Woman’s Book Group:
January 29^thThe Seed of Sarah by Judith Magyar Isaacson
February 26^th             The Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
March 26^th                  The Shack by William P. Young
April 30^th                    Sarah’s Daughter by Ruth Bass
May 28^thAnimal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, & Steven L. Hopp
Everyone is welcome! Please ask Louise Halstead if you have any questions.

Coffee Circle
Our newest fellowship group meets on the second Thursday of the month for coffee and conversation at 10:30 am in the parlor. The next meeting is January 8.
All are welcome! For more information see Linda Rodi.

January 2009 Coffee Hour Schedule
January 4^th – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Toujian & Donna Esposito
January 11^th –VWXYZ
January 18^th – ABC, coordinated by Lisa Courtney
January 25^th – DEFG, coordinated by Diane & Kevin Ghiozzi

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.

January 2009 Worship Services
January 4^th: 10:00 a.m. Epiphany Sunday            Color: White
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (UMH 795); Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

January 11^th: 10:00 a.m. Baptism of the Lord     Color: White
Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29 (UMH 761);Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

January 18^th: 10:00 a.m. Second Sunday After the Epiphany            Color: Green
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (UMH 854); 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

January 25^th: 10:00 a.m. Third Sunday After the Epiphany            Color: Green
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12 (UMH 787); 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

Sunshine Page

January Birthdays

2:         Devin LaRocque
3:         Marion Cushing
4:         Jim Muirhead
6:         E. J. Johnson
10:       Kirk Kolenbrander
11:       Lisa Kelly
            Ann Ashford
12:       Dave Walsh
            Christopher LaRocque
            Andy Walsh
13:       Emily Kolenbrander
            Gwen Hynes

14:       Sarah Kolenbrander
15:       Martha Wainwright
18:       Debbie Blaisdell
22:       Douglas Matson
23:       Richard Gerrold
            Lisa Courtney
24:       Stephanie Schaffhausen
26:       Jill Quickel
28:       Ros Paine
            Alan White

If you would like your birthday or anniversary date to be added to the monthly Churchlight page, please contact the office.

The Churchlight - December 2008

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:32:27 +0100

The Churchlight - November 2008

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:34:39 +0100

eChurchlight, November 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
Thanksgiving events
You are wanted, audio help needed
Rolling Ridge
Looking ahead to December
Book group
Coffee hour schedule
Gratitudes
Worship schedule
Joys and concerns

Dates to Remember

Nov 20: Book group
Nov 23: Thanksgiving Ingathering

The deadline for the December issue of the Churchlight is Sunday, November 23

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Kathleen Norris tells of a moment in time when she glimpsed something of the light. This is what she wrote: One morning this past spring I noticed a young couple with an infant at an airport departure gate. The baby was staring intently at other people, and as soon as he recognized a human face, no matter whose it was, no matter if it was young or old, pretty or ugly, bored or happy or worried-looking, he would respond with absolute delight. It was beautiful to see. Our drab departure gate had become the gate of heaven. And as I watched that baby play with any adult who would allow it, I realized that this is how God looks at us, staring into our faces in order to be delighted, to see the creature he made and called good, along with the rest of the creation. As Psalm 139 puts it, darkness is as nothing to God who can look right through whatever evil we've done in our lives to the creature made in the divine image.

Grace is the precious gift that encourages us to not give up hope for a world where evil deeds seem only to increase because grace overcomes deeds and can even change what we do by helping us to see who we really are, a child of God. Grace is more than just something that can fix something that is broken, it is the revelation that the broken thing is valuable itself as something that was made and can be broken but not lost. It is a reminder of our true self, our created self, the self made by God for love. Grace is not just an afterthought to heal the wounds of the moment; it is the place where we are from and the place where we are going. It is the place where we were whole and beautiful, where we find ourselves broken yet still beautiful in the eyes of God, and where we are healed, restored, recreated, made whole again, made new. In other words, grace is not just one category of experience; it is the context of all experience, of all creation, of life itself. Grace is the reason I can say to you and you can sat to me if you were so inclined, "Namastay,( I see the divine in you.)"

And when we see God in each other it changes how we treat each other. It is easy to hurt an enemy who hates us but it is not so easy to hurt the beautiful child that God has made. When we experience grace, it is very personal. It can be described in a general way as a sense of well-being, of being loved without conditions, to intrinsically lovable by definition, though the details of how we experience these things may differ. One thing every experience of grace has in common however is the overwhelming desire to be gracious. It is as if one could no more stop the movement of grace than the movement of time itself. Once touched by God's grace we are compelled to touch others with God's grace. To hold back would be life trying to hold our breath.

If there is anything we aspire to be in this place it is a place where grace happens, where grace is present, where we see ourselves and each other as blessed by the grace of God in a world where there is hope because there is grace. It has been written that where sin abounds grace abounds even more. We need not be afraid but boldly and gently share the grace of God with the world as we meet it and so by the grace of God shall the world be transformed. Thanks be to God who delights in us. May we delight in God. Larry

Announcements

What’s Happening for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming, and with it the opportunity for us to give thanks for the gifts we have from God and to share these gifts with each other. Two special opportunities:

The Belmont Food Pantry will be giving grocery gift cards to families who need extra help this holiday season. Cards will be distributed on November 15 and December 20. If you’d like to help, please make your check payable to BUMC and note “Food Pantry” on it, and mail it to the church or put it in the offering any Sunday. The church will write out one large check to the Food Pantry.

The Ingathering on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 23 will collect nonperishable food items for distribution to those in need this holiday season. If you’d like to help, bring canned or boxed food to be collected during worship.

You-Are-Wanted Ad
Position: Audio Tech

Description: Enhance our outreach to and visibility within the community by helping tape our Sunday morning worship services. Under the supervision of the video coordinator, operate the audio system, making adjustments as needed for different activities during the service.
Bonus: you get your own reserved space in the very back pew!

Hours: Sundays from 10-11 a.m., once a month or less.

Qualifications: The ability to move some dials. Training available.

Contact: See EJ Johnson on Sunday mornings, or contact barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org

Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile…
Did you know that the United Methodist Church has a retreat center in North Andover? Rolling Ridge is a beautiful lakeside property, only 45 minutes from Belmont. During the year there are a number of meetings and conferences there, but it’s also a place where individuals, families, or groups can go to participate in organized activities or simply spend quiet time. A couple of the upcoming events:

Call To Simplicity with Rev. Dr. Jean Wright on Thursday, November 13 from 9:30 am-3:00 pm. This day apart will include readings, time for silence and reflection, and group sharing. The focus will be simplicity in daily life. Registration: $45.

Join Us For A Fall Renewal Day! Enjoy the beauty of autumn at Rolling Ridge with a personal renewal day retreat. Walk the labyrinths surrounded by nature’s serenity, walk the trails amidst the silence, enjoy a gourmet lunch, and return to the world refreshed and anew all for only $40 per person. Add on a therapeutic massage, reiki, or cranio-sacral therapy for an additional $60 fee. Call our office for availability; 978-682-8815, Mondays through Fridays.

For more information, check the narthex bulletin board, call the above phone number, or go to their website at http://www.rollingridge.org/ .

Looking Ahead
November 30th is the First Sunday in Advent! Details will follow, but for now put these dates on your calendars:

December 4^th: Turn on the Town
December 6^th: Christmas Fellowship party
December 21^st: the Sunday School presents its Christmas program
December 25^th: Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

Women’s Book Group
Schedule and Books for 2008–2009 BUMC Woman’s Book Group:
November 20   Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
December        no meeting
January 29The Seed of Sarah by Judith Magyar Isaacson
February 26     The Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
March 26         The Shack by William P. Young
April 30           Sarah’s Daughter by Ruth Bass
May 28Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbary Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, & Steven L. Hopp
Everyone is welcome! Please ask Louise Halstead if you have any questions.

November Coffee Schedule
Nov. 2^nd – ABC, coordinated by Carolyn Backus
Nov. 9^th –   DEFG, coordinated by Diane & Kevin Ghiozzi
Nov. 16^th – HIJKL
Nov. 23^rd – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
Nov. 30^th – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian & Donna Esposito

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Gratitudes
From Barbara
Thank you to all of you who helped with the October and November All Church Lunches, and to everyone who joined us in the meals! There will be no lunch in December, because of the number of other opportunities for us to gather as a community that month. Stay tuned for details about our January lunch.

From Missions
Thank you to all the people who walked for the First R.I.M. Walk and also the the people who supported them with pledges. These funds will help the Arlington-Belmont Cluster support a new client.

Thank you to the people who contributed for World Communion Sunday (October 5^th) - a time to share in the sacrament and then to serve God through scholarships for U.S. (racial- and ethnic-minority) and international students.

Pumpkin Fair A Success!
Thanks to everyone who made the Pumpkin Fair a success.

November 2008 Worship Services
November 2^nd: 10:00 a.m.      Color: Green
Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 (UMH 830), 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12

November 9^th: 10:00 a.m.      Color: Green
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7 (UMH 799), 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13

November 16^th: 10:00 a.m.     Color: Green
Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123 or Psalm 76 (UMH 797), 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

November 23^rd: 10:00 a.m.     Color: White
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100 (UMH 821), Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

November 30^th: 10:00 a.m. First Sunday in Advent Color: Purple or Blue
Isaiah 64:1–9, Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 (UMH 801), 1 Corinthians 1:3–9, Mark 13:24–37

Joys and Concerns

Baptisms
Isabella Christine Picariello, born 8/7/07, daughter of Jaime and Philip Picariello was baptized on October 12, 2008.

Isaac Sascha Kneiss, born 12/13/07, son of Nancy Jacquith Kneiss & Aaron Davis Kneiss, was baptized on October 19, 2008.

In Our Thoughts
Our thoughts and sympathy are with families of Robert Westcott and Barbara Newton, for whom funeral services were provided by Rev. Wimmer in October.

November Birthdays

1:   John Canepa
2:   Terri Stull
6:   Diane Gore
      Elizabeth Baker
10: Jean Husson
15: Jerome Farnsworth
      Ryan Miller
16: Nora Bent
19: Jocelyn Milton
20: Emily Farnsworth
      Stephen Rosales
      Florence Brackett

21: Brad Stayton
22: Janice Knight
Andrew Duval
24: John Montanaro
25: Robert Nordlund
28: Allysa Gore
Caitlin Sullivan
30: Debi Rosales
31: John Busteed

November Anniversaries
9:      Terri & Joel Grimm
10:    Mark & Liz LaRocque
19:    Charles & Diane Gore

The Churchlight - October 2008

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:29:48 +0100

eChurchlight, October 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
A note from Pastor Bob
Adult education
Walk for RIM
All church lunch
Coffee hour schedule
Pumpkin Fair
You are wanted ad
Womens book group
Nursery school openings
Joys and Concerns
Worship schedule

Dates to Remember

Oct 4: RIM Walk
Oct 5: All church lunch, 11:30
Oct 18: Pumpkin Fair, 10:00-3:00
Oct 30: Women’s Book Group, 7:30

Oct 19: Deadline for the November Churchlight

*Information about church activities, including classes, meetings, and special events, can be found on the website at http://www.umcbelmont.org/(be sure and check out the calendar section), on the bulletin board in the Narthex, and in the Sunday bulletins. If you know of a schedule change, be sure to let the office know (617-489-0730 or office@umcbelmont.org).

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

My little granddaughter from Kazakhstan, Yaroslava, came to visit this summer with her mommy. For weeks Rachel was preparing her for the trip by telling her that they were going to America. She is two years old and just starting to put words together in sentences. After she had been here for a week or so she suddenly blurted out: Toys, cars, ice cream, America!

After four children and 3 grandchildren, our house does have a room full of toys which she does not have back in Kazakhstan. Apparently the ice cream there is not very good either and her mommy doesn't drive so they walk a lot in Kazakhstan. She definitely noticed these three things in particular. For whatever reason, what she experienced of America was toys, cars and ice cream. It made me think.

If some one who had never been here (here being the Belmont United Methodist Church) before were to come and be among us for a while. How would they describe us? What would they see? What would their experience of us be?

Hopefully, after being here a while they would say: Love, peace, hope, BUMC! Of course, one of the reasons Yaroslava noticed the things she noticed was that she experienced these things in abundance. The best way to experience love, peace and hope in our congregation is to practice love, peace, and hope abundantly. What was it St. Francis famously said: Seek not so much to be loved, but to love.

Don't wait for others to love first, practice love now. Give yourself away. Pray for one another. Serve the Church. Be glad to be here together. The only love we get to keep is the love we give away. How do we love each other as Jesus commands? What he said: Love is when you lay your life down for each other. And what does that mean? It means that we care enough about who this congregation is and what it does that we will support it wholeheartedly with our prayers and our gifts, our service and our presence. It means that we value the church, that we understand in our mind and heart and soul the sacred mission of being Christ in the world. For God so loved the world . . .

Remembering who we are, we remember whose we are, we remember our mission, we have life when we recommit our lives to Christ and his Church. We remember that the Church is not just a building with bills and to pay and schedules to keep, but a faithful people who live for God in the world so that the world will know that indeed, God is love and when someone comes to visit and gets to know us they will say: Love, peace, hope, BUMC!

A Note From Pastor Bob
In February of 1999, I joined the Korean military as it is mandatory for every man in Korea. In April of 2001, I was discharged and found out that something became so popular in society that I had never seen before; Internet. I was surprised how much internet had become such a essential part of people’s life. Could you imagine not having internet access tomorrow? What about your email? What about your blog? Bank account? Could you imagine the mess that the lack of internet would create?

On the first day of September, I moved into a new apartment in Brighton. I called a cable company to come and set up TV cable and internet. However, I found out that there was problem with the modem system. I was told that I had to wait for another two or three days for get it fixed. I had to go to the school or coffee shop every time I needed to check my email. I became anxious wondering when the internet cable would finally work. Then, I asked myself, “If I do not talk with God everyday, would I feel nervous or inconvenient like this?” It would be disastrous if we do not have internet access tomorrow. But not many people would think that it would be horrible if we do not have any means of communicating with God. “How is your soul doing? How is your relationship with God?” John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, organized holy club when he went to Oxford University and asked each member these questions.

My brothers and sisters, is your connection with God working right? Do you experience the presence of God every day? Do you pray to God in seeking God’s guidance? God surrounds us in God’s spirit and is always ready to listen to our prayers. And I am grateful that prayer never loses its power.
Pastor Bob

Announcements

Adult Education at BUMC
Our Adult Education classes have started up again – come join John Whitley in a discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, Sundays at 11:30 in the parlor. This is an ongoing series, but you’re welcome to drop in on any session. Later in the fall Rev. Wimmer will be leading a class on Methodism. We welcome ideas and suggestions for future classes – just see me on Sundays or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org .

Walk for RIM
October 4^th is the RIM Walk. This is a fund raiser and a social event. We will be meeting participants from the other churches in our Cluster. The walk is 5.8 miles from St. John’s Episcopal Church, past the other Cluster members to BUMC and back to St. John’s. You can help by walking (part or all of the way), by welcoming people as they arrive at BUMC (half way) and/or pledging to support the BUMC walkers. Ask Louise Halstead if you have any questions.

World Communion Sunday & All Church Lunch
October 5^th is World Communion Sunday and the All Church Lunch. We will take a special offering on Sunday, October 5^th, for World Communion Sunday. In 1940, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America established World-wide Communion Sunday as a global, interdenominational event. Your offering provides scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority and international students. Stay after coffee hour to share a simple meal in fellowship together and hear about how BUMC is active in our community, our region, and our world. The food will be the same meal that our church volunteers serve at Bristol Kitchen that weekend and the brief program will be provided by the Missions Team. This is NOT a potluck – just bring yourselves and enjoy! Donations will be accepted to help cover the cost. Please note that there are no classes for Grade 5 – adult on the Sundays we have the lunches.

October Coffee Schedule

Oct. 5^th – HIJKL
Oct. 12^th – MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi
Oct. 19^th – RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito
Oct. 26^th – VWXYZ

Contact Terry Grimm with questions or to volunteer – coordinators are still needed. 781-648-6927

Pumpkin Fair Fundraiser
We are having the “Pumpkin Fair on Saturday, October 18^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a fundraiser dedicated to our missions.
Tables will be rented for the Mega Yard Sale at $25 each. If you or someone you know is interested in renting a table please talk to Louise Halstead. Each person brings their yard sale item on Saturday morning and removes anything they have that is left at the end of the day. We are looking for someone to run a Yard Sale table for the church as we have a few items to put on our own table. Anyone who donates to this table is asked to help by pricing their items and spending some time helping with the table.
     We have a “Bake Sale Table” which everyone is welcome to contribute to. There should be NO custard products in the bake sale – this is a Town of Belmont Health Department rule. The bake sale table is always popular as we have some very talented bakers.
     There will be games, bounces, pumpkin decorating and more, as well as the Mega Yard Sale. Please come help at the Pumpkin Fair and bring your friends and neighbors. There are activities for all ages.
     We will be setting up the tent on Friday, October 17^tthand setting up the tables beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18^th. We will be taking everything down on October 18^th. If you can help any time on Friday or Saturday please talk to Louise.
     Fliers are available!!! Please post them in any locations you think interested people may go. Posting in Belmont, Watertown, and Arlington is important Invite your friends to come enjoy the day!!! If you have any questions please talk to Louise Halstead at church or call her at 617-489-1340.

You-Are-Wanted Ad
Would you like to be a part of a small group fellowship here at church? Do you have an idea for a one-time or ongoing group activity? Are you good at organizing people? If you answered “Yes” to any of the above, we’re looking for you! There are many ways that we can journey together, and grow in fellowship with each other, and we’d like to try some new ways of doing just that. A small group fellowship could be people at the same stage of life, facing similar events, who would like to spend time together sharing their stories and learning together. It could be a way for people from different backgrounds to get to know each other better than they could just chatting at coffee hour. It could be a way for people to explore new things in a group that they might not try on their own. It could be a way for individual actions to have an even greater impact on the world as part of a group. The possibilities are limitless… If you have an idea, we’ll help you organize it and get people, if you have a group of people, we’ll help you develop a focus, if you’re born to motivate and inspire people, we’ll put you together with a group and a focus. Interested? See me on Sundays, leave a message in the office, or email me at barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org .

Women’s Book Group
The next meeting is October 30^th at 7:30. Watch the bulletin for the name of the book to be read. Everyone is welcome. Ask Louise Halstead if you have any questions.

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School Openings
We currently have openings for children who were 2.9 years of age by September 1, 2008 in our 2 day class which meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11:30. We also have openings in our four afternoon class which meets Monday through Thursday from 12:15 to 3:00. We would be happy to give any church member a tour of our facility and explain our program and tuition rates. If anyone is interested, they should contact Holly Johnson at 617-484-3611 or holly@cheekymonkeymurals.com . Thank you.

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.

Joys and Concerns

New Members
Welcome to Kevin and Diane Ghiozzi, who joined the church on June 29, 2008.

Baptisms
Erica Rayna Fridmann, born 12/27/07, daughter of Diane Hutchins Fridmann and Michael Fridmann and sister of Lindsey was baptized on June 29, 2008.

In Our Thoughts
Our thoughts and sympathy to Barbara Ryther, on the passing of her father on August 18. He would have been 88 years old this fall.

October Birthdays

3:         Stephanie Muirhead
8:         Margaret Wicks
            Roy Greenland
            Fiona Milton
10:       Brian Pahlm
            McKenna Ashford
12:       Scott Koumjian
14:       Kerry Wilson
17:       Robert Montanaro

21:       Virginia Jay
24:       Pamela Vershbow
            Lynn Monahan
25:       David Blaisdell
            Virginia Hayward
26:       Joel Grimm
29:       Sally Schear
30:       Jane Albert
31:       Ronia Peterson

October Anniversaries
6:         Morrie Bailey and Anita Miller
26:       Brad and Kathie Stayton
27:       Mike Bent and Linda Kincaid

October 2008 Worship Services

October 5^th:10:00 a.m.            Color:Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

October 12^th: 10:00 a.m. Homecoming Sunday            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 14:19-31, Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21,Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35

October 19^th: 10:00 a.m.            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16

October 26^th: 10:00 a.m.            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32

Worship Change
For a few months we are going back to Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month only. On the last Sunday of the month we will experiment with different forms of worship. In addition, on the last Wednesday of each month we will celebrate Holy Communion in a service of evening prayers in the chapel at 7:30 beginning on October 29th.

The Churchlight - September 2008

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:29:10 +0100

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Bob
Staff changes
New program year
September 14
Upcoming special events
New district superintendent
Rolling Ridge celebration
Magic show thanks
eChurchlight signup
Women’s book group
Nursery school openings
Joys and concerns
Worship schedule

Dates to Remember

Sept 14: Homecoming Sunday
Sept 20: Rolling Ridge celebration
Sept 23: Women’s Book Group, 7:30
Sept 28: Chamber Music at St John’s

Sept 21: Deadline for the October Churchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

God of all, source and goal of community,
whose will is that all your people enjoy
fullness of life, may we be builders
of community, caring for your good earth
here and worldwide, that we may delight
in diversity and choose solidarity, for you are
in community with us, our God, for ever. Amen.
-Anonymous

Let us begin our new season with a prayer. It is a prayer that is both anonymous and universal. It is a prayer for full and abundant life in community. My prayer for us is that we will be a healthy and faithful community following the way of Christ, serving the world where we are. We will learn and practice the three simple rules, do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Do no harm simply means that we will disagree but we will not hurt those with whom we disagree. Do good means we will do all the good we can. And we will stay in love with God through the disciplines of worship, prayer, and holy conversation.

This is a new day for us, another new beginning. We begin a new season of ministry together with new faces, new hopes, new challenges and new opportunities. We do not know what will happen next but we do know that if we seek God we will surely find God and when we do we will find ourselves as well. God does have something in mind for us and we will discover what it is by discovering what it is together, by being present, by serving, by offering ourselves to the work at hand. I am optimistic about what will happen here in the days and weeks ahead. God is calling us in Christ to community, the community of the beloved, where life is celebrated and where grace abounds.   Larry

From Bob
For the last three weeks I was in Korea visiting my family and friends. “Time flies.” Yes. I did many things during my visit; such as preaching as guest preacher, celebrating the birthday of my uncle, watching movies, eating ice creams, chatting in coffee shop, playing basketball…etc. While enjoying my time in Korea, I realized that there was something missing in my heart; all those whom I love and care about in Boston.
   I am sure that you also have some people whom you love; your family, friends, relatives…etc. What do you do when you are separated from them? You miss, expect, and hope to meet them soon. In Out of Solitude, Henry Nowen says, “A student from California, who had to leave all her friends behind in order to come to school in East coast, told me ‘It was hard to depart; but if the good-bye is not painful, the hello cannot be joyful either.’” Do you have some people you deeply love and care about to the extent it is painful living in distance from them.
   How about Jesus? Do we expect to meet Jesus in our daily lives? Or we don’t need Jesus because we are busy with our work, study, or social life? Jesus came to this world for us, lived with us, died because of us, and was raised for us. But we often forget his presence among us because we are too busy with going to work, studying at school, shopping at mall, or meeting our friends. Do you feel something missing in your life? Why don’t we set aside a special time today to talk with Jesus?   Bob

Staff Changes Announced
We are sad to announce that Hilary Baldwin is leaving her position as our Office Manager this month. She has served not only these many years but has served well with excellence and grace. She will be missed not only for her efficiency and competency but for her calm and gentle presence. We are happy, however, to announce that Amanda D'amato will step in as our new Office Manager and continue Hilary's good work. Amanda grew up in Connecticut and attended Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. Following college she took a job at the BU Law Library in the evenings. In 2005 she was looking to fill her morning hours and was hired as the Administrative Assistant at St. John's and found that she enjoyed the work and the environment and started attending services there. Amanda lives in Belmont and has enjoyed getting to know our congregation through the joint services and she is looking forward to her new work with us. Amanda begins on September 1. With the change, the hours that the office will be open are also changing. Amanda will be serving both our congregation and St. John's. She will be present in our office from 1-5 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9-1 on Tuesday and Thursday.
     Also new this year on staff is long-time member Barbara Ryther who it was announced at the annual church conference in June has joined the staff as our program coordinator to help us with organization and communication. She will bring her creative gifts as well as she helps us keep track of each other and what we are doing in this new year of ministry together.
     With Pastor Bob Jon who was appointed to be our associate pastor by Bishop Peter Weaver, Casey Hannan continues to direct the Choir and play the organ and piano and Kevin Cassidy continues as our custodian. Rev. Wimmer, of course, was also re-appointed by the Bishop to Belmont and begins his tenth year with us. This is our staff and they are prepared to serve. Together we go forward in faith to discover where God will lead us in this new day.

Our new program year has arrived…
…and our committees and work areas are gathering renewed steam! Committee members were voted in at the Annual Church Conference in June, (pick up a copy of the Annual Report in the church office for the complete list) and have already been contacted by the committee leaders, who are:

Church Council: Laurel Wainwright
Trustees: Diane Gore
Finance: Terri Stull
Staff Parish Relations (SPRC): Morrie Bailey

In addition, we have four active work areas, which are headed up by:

Education: Heather Sullivan
Mission: Brad Stayton
Evangelism (E-Team): Steve Courtney
Worship: Rev. Wimmer

Interested in a work area? Meetings are open to all, and times and dates are posted on the calendar portion of our website (www.umcbelmont.org) and on the Narthex bulletin board, and are printed in the weekly bulletins and included in announcements. Your participation and ideas are most welcome!

Questions? Contact the committee or work area leader, or email barbara.ryther@umcbelmont.org.

Not sure what area you’re interested in? Come to Church Council, you’ll get a great overview!

September 14^th!
Welcoming? Homecoming? New Beginnings? No matter what you call it, it’s September 14th. Come one, come all, and invite a friend! It’s our official start to the program year, and many special things will be happening, including Sunday School Registration for the coming year, and The Return of the Choir. Our Christian Education program will then start the following week.

Starting September 21, the Sunday morning schedule will be:
10:00 –11:00   Worship, with nursery care available and classes for age 4 through grade 4
11:00 - 11:30   Coffee, Tea and Fellowship
11:30 - 12:15   Classes for grade 5 through adult, and supervised activities for age 4 through grade 4

Upcoming Special Events
Chamber Music Concert September 28 at St. John’s UMC in Watertown -- for info call 617-926-2931.

RIM walk October 4 to raise money for the Arlington/Belmont cluster of the Refugee and Immigration Ministry. Leaves St. John’s Episcopal Church in Arlington at 9:30, and travels 5.8 miles round trip to Belmont UMC and back, stopping at other cluster churches along the way. Volunteer to walk all or part of the way, to help with a refreshment stop at BUMC, or to raise money! See Louise Halstead for details.

All Church Lunch October 5: Come join us after church on Sunday the 5^th to share a meal, fellowship, and program. No need to bring anything, the wonderful volunteers who will be preparing the meal for Bristol Kitchen that weekend will make enough for us as well.

Pumpkin Fair October 18: Put it on your calendar now --food, crafts, games, yard sale, and of course pumpkins! Details to come…

Announcements

Welcome For New District Superintendent
Please join us as we gather at Parkway UMC on Sunday September 7th at 3:00 pm for the Welcoming service for our New District Superintendent Rev. Martin McLee.
All are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you all there. Please help by bringing your favorite dish for our time together in fellowship after the service.
Please contact Josephine Sierra at the district office to confirm your attendance.

Rolling Ridge To Celebrate 60 Years
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover is celebrating 60 years with a grand Festival and Celebration Lunch on September 20, 2008 from 10 am to 3 pm. Over a half million youth and adults have drawn closer to God through programs and camps at Rolling Ridge and the new Master Plan calls for renovation and expansion of the facilities and grounds for a new generation of seekers. Come see what is planned and tour the grounds and refurbished manor house. Come meet friends from years past. Come to our first Wellness Expo and try yoga or drumming, receive a massage or walk the labyrinth, color a mandala, enjoy a time of meditation and worship at Point of Pines. The Festival and activities are free. A gourmet lunch under the tent costs $15 and former director, Rev. Jim Todd and current director, Rev. Larry Peacock and board chair, Rev. Cynthia Good will reflect on the glorious tradition and the bright future of rolling Ridge. Call or email for lunch reservations - 978-682-8815, thestaff@rollingridge.org.

Thanks Cast and Crew
Thanks to everyone who helped with stage set up and refreshments for Magic and Song on the Lawn. And a special thanks to magician Mike Bent who donated his performance for the 7^th consecutive year and to Louise Halstead who coordinated refreshments.
     Rain forced the show into the Social Hall but we still had 160 parents and children who turned out. Recording artist Wayne Potash had the kids singing and dancing for the first 45 minutes and Mike Bent followed with a terrific magic-comedy set that had everyone laughing and cheering. Both performers are top notch children’s entertainers and put on a really first rate show. Thanks again!
E. J. Johnson, show coordinator

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.

Women’s Book Group
The next meeting is September 25^th at 7:30 in Imler House. We will be discussing “Barefoot” by Elin Hilderbrand.

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School Openings
We currently have openings for children who will be 2.9 years of age by September 1, 2008 in our 2 day class which meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11:30. We also have openings in our four afternoon class which meets Monday through Thursday from 12:15 to 3:00. We would be happy to give any church member a tour of our facility and explain our program and tuition rates. If anyone is interested, they should contact Holly Johnson at 617-484-3611 or holly@cheekymonkeymurals.com. Thank you.

Joys and Concerns
New Members
Welcome to Kevin and Diane Ghiozzi, who joined the church on June 29, 2008.

Baptisms
Erica Rayna Fridmann, born 12/27/07, daughter of Diane Hutchins Fridmann and Michael Fridmann and sister of Lindsey was baptized on June 29, 2008.

In Our Thoughts
Our thoughts and sympathy to Barbara Ryther, on the passing of her father on August 18. He would have been 88 years old this fall.

September Birthdays:

1:      Catherine Grimm
2:      Sirann Touzjian
3:      Natasha Wimmer
         Ronald Fetter
5:      Malcolm Ellison
         Jennifer Kelliher
7:      Carolyn Eurdolian
9:      Jessica Mosher
10:     Ian Ashford
23:     James Buck
29:     Carol Marchetta
30:     Anita Miller

September Anniversaries

6:      Mark and Lisa Tardiff
8:      Ron and Jane Albert
11:     Aaron and Nancy Kneiss
15:     Beverley and Ed Phillips
16:     Neal and Kathy Touzjian
17:     Ronald and Sybil Fetter
21:     Everett and Margaret Wicks
26:     Doug Teeter and Terri Stull

September 2008 Worship Services
September 7:10:00 a.m.    Color:Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

September 14: 10:00 a.m. Homecoming Sunday    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 14:19-31, Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21,Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35

September 21: 10:00 a.m.    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16

September 28: 10:00 a.m.    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32

The Churchlight - July/August 2008

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:07:06 +0100

eChurchlight, July/August 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass

Announcements
eChurchlight nstructions
Hospice volunteers needed
Summer office hours
Summer coffee hour
Sunshine Page
July worship schedule
August worship schedule

Dates to Remember

July 6, July 20, Aug 3, Aug 17, Aug 31
Worship will be held at
St John’s United Methodist Church
80 Mt Auburn St, Watertown
http://www.gbgm-umc.org/watertown/directions.htm

Map to St John's church

Aug 17: Deadline for the September Churchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

(Printed in this space is the Pastor's Report to the Charge Conference) We are experiencing a time of change. It is a time for saying goodbye and hello. It is a time of celebrating what has been and the opportunities that are before us. More than ever we face the reality that nothing in this world ever really stays the same. It is not easy being a church in the world today. When I think about the number of us who are keeping this grand ship afloat I am moved by another reality, the one where God is still present in the world in part because God's Holy Spirit is still present in those of you who have committed yourselves to doing God's work in the community of Christ, in the United Methodist Church here in Belmont. I continue to marvel at your faithfulness as you unflinchingly invest in staff and program to do this work, to be all we can be even when all the numbers do not add up.

I am embarking on my tenth year as your senior pastor and I feel very blessed. We have come a long way together. We face complex and difficult challenges with a calm and confident resolve to do the right thing. We are blessed with leaders who not only are willing to step up and be present but who are competent and creative and faithful. It is an awesome thing to see the congregation working, doing all the good we can, making it happen. We have grown as a congregation. We are gaining emotional maturity with the ability to take on controversial and difficult matters in a spirit of peace and mutual concern and respect. This allows us to see reality better and to deal with it, to make the decisions that have to be made, to move on to perfection, to do God's will. As we grapple with the New Hampshire land deal and the Imler House property and the Nursery School contract, the Reconciling movement, the changes in staff and the budget deficit let us not lose sight of who we are and why we are here at all.

Bishop Reuben Job has written a little book to remind us and to guide us as we go forward. It is about the three simple rules of the Christian life from a Wesleyan perspective: Do no harm. Do all the good you can. Remain in love with God. We have unofficially adopted the do all the good you can goal as a motivation for mission. It will serve us well to incorporate the other two rules as well. It is a good reminder that doing good does no harm even to those who may oppose what we think is good. We exist because of God's mercy and when we practice mercy we draw near to the heart of God. And if we remain in love with God we keep our perspective in the right place. We remember what matters. We see the glory of God all around us. We see the light. We have hope. We are standing on holy ground.

We continue to work on process and communication, always a work in progress. We are seeking better ways to do our work together. We have new energy in this new season. I am expecting great things to happen. Thanks be to God. Larry

Announcements

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.

Volunteers Need for VNA Hospice Care
For more information in learning about becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact Lisa Palais, Volunteer Coordinator at 1-866-279-7103 or at 781-569-2888.

Summer Office Hours
The office is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-3 for July and August.

Summer Coffee Hour
Please sign up to host coffee hour during the summer. The weeks are divided by alphabet grouping for food donations but anyone can sign up to coordinate any week. We will use the Parlor for the months of July and August, and a smaller amount of items is generally needed. Ask Terry Grimm if you have questions.

July 6: Watertown
July 13: DEFG
July 20: Watertown
July 27: MNOQ

August 3: Watertown
August 10: VWXYZ
August 17: Watertown
August 24: DEFG
August 31: Watertown

Sunshine Page
New Members
Welcome to Kimberly Small, who joined BUMC on June 1, 2008.

New Address
Virginia Stockwood has a new address:
The Gables, Apt. 355
299 Cambridge Street
Winchester, MA 01890-2391

July Birthdays:

2:         Geoffrey Diehl
            Dory LeCount
            Edward Phillips
4:         Cameron Fetter
6:         Florencia Rodi
7:         Kate Hamilton
8:         Robert Bridges
9:         Diane Pahlm
11:       Bob Pohlman
12:       Iris Canning
            Aaron Kneiss
13:       Caitlin Matson

15:       Laurel Wainwright
            Ellen Sullivan
16:       Abigail Vershbow
            Sidney Gerrold
17:       Lisa Tardiff
22:       Cindi Bourque
23:       Madeline Brown
            Larry Wimmer
24:       Mark Tardiff
25:       Mark LaRocque
27:       Linda Kincaid

August Birthdays

3:         Michael Johnson
8:         Ann Koumjian
11:       Bill Wilson
12:       Amy Iadarola
13:       Sandra Pohlman
            Leigh Ann Canepa
15:       Priscilla Grindell
16:       Paul Winters

17:       Meredith Grimm
19:       Edna Van Saun
20:       Calista Diehl
21:       Andrew Teeter
24:       Priscilla Winters
27:       Jean Mulroy
31:       Arthur Marchetta, Jr.
            David Sullivan

July Anniversaries
1:         Brian and Stephanie Schaffhausen
2:            Deborah and David Blaisdell
11:       Kirk and Terri Kolenbrander
            Laurel Wainwright and Greg Diehl
12:       Jerome and Emily Farnsworth
14:       John and Ellen Canepa
15:       David and Ellen Sullivan

August Anniversaries
7:         Ian and Ann Ashford
8:         Larry and Liz Wimmer
            Jeff Rosenstein and Donna Esposito
9:         Dave and Ava Walsh
10:       Steve and Debi Rosales
17:       James and Pamela Vershbow
19:       Bill and Linda Rodi

July 2008 Worship Services
Please note: directions to St. John’s UMC are available in the Narthex.

July 6:10:00 a.m.   Worship in Watertown               Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

July 13: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Belmont            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 20: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Watertown            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 27: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Belmont           Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

August 2008 Worship Services
August 3: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Watertown            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21

August 10: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Belmont            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33

August 17: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Watertown            Color:Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

August 24: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Belmont            Color:Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

August 31: 10:00 a.m. Worship in Watertown            Color:Green
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28

Office Hours

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:56:20 +0100

The office will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-5, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-1.

The Churchlight - June 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:33:06 +0100

eChurchlight, June 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
Charge Conference

From Liz
It Takes a Congregation
Confirmation Class
It Doesn't Feel Like Goodbye

Announcements
Consecration Sunday Report
Associate Pastor to Begin July 1
Fiesta de Aida
May Fair Report
Host Family Needed
Kitchen Wish List
Coffee Hour Schedule

Sunshine Page
Letters From Family and Friends
Worship Service schedule

Dates to Remember

June 7: Fiesta de Aida
June 15: Deadline for the July/August
Churchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

Sometimes I wish I had a life without challenges, a time when I had finally overcome and could lie back and reap the harvest but that time has not yet come. We are facing many challenges. We have the usual challenge of a balanced budget where income matches expenses. We met the challenge of consecration Sunday with a healthy increase in giving commitments but still it is not quite enough to cover our costs. Our costs are not just numbers but that which enables us to do our work, to be in ministry in Jesus' name, to do all the good we can in a world that so desperately needs more good done. We know that God will provide and we are grateful but we also know that once again we are called to use God's good gifts responsibly, to struggle with what it means to be faithful stewards and a people in ministry. We need resources to do our work. We need money certainly but even more we need people who will give themselves to the work, who will do God's work in the congregation and with the congregation in the world. Now is that time of year when we seek those who will take leadership in the community and guide and carry the church through another year. I won't kid you. It is a burden to carry but it is also a blessing because when we lift up the burden of being responsible for the work of Christ thorough the Church, Christ himself joins us in the lifting and those beautiful words of his become our experience: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mt. 11.29-30)

I don't know about you but these words are like a balm for my heart. Though we, as always, face many challenges, we will not only overcome them but we will be blessed by them and in doing the work of Christ we will find rest for our souls. It has been my experience and I expect yours too, that there is no greater treasure than this great gift of the peace that only God can give. It will see us through every challenge and it may even give us wings to fly.

When you are asked to serve your Church and take on the burden of Christ's ministry in the world, do so with gladness, for it is the gentle Christ himself who is walking beside you in all that you do for him and for the world that his compassion and love has come to save. Bless your hearts, Larry

Charge Conference
The Annual Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, June 22 at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Reports from committee leaders/chairs are due to the office on June 1.

From Liz

It Takes a Congregation to Make a Work Trip Happen
By the time you read this, twenty of us will be heading to New Orleans—and every one of us is so aware that we would not be on this trip without the steadfast support of this congregation. We raised over $5,000—most of which came from you. We have prepared and planned and prayed—knowing all the while that every one of us has been held up by at least 10 of you. We will carry your good wishes and blessings with us to the people of our sister churches, and promise that we will represent you as well as we can. Thanks so much for all you have done!

Another Wonderful Confirmation Class
What a beautiful service on Sunday, May 18 as five young women we know so well were welcomed into full participation in the life of this church. Congratulations to this year’s Confirmands and their mentors! Here is some information about each of them:

Calista Diehl                                      Mentors: Linda Kincaid and Nora Bent
Calista Diehl is an intelligent, focused, compassionate and faithful young woman. If you’ve been around BUMC for any length of time, you probably already know that—chances are you’ve had a conversation with her, worked with her on a mission project, or met her when she’s ushering. What you may not know about Calista is what a deep thinker she is. She takes her faith seriously, and her curious, searching nature led us to new insights during our confirmation journey together. We feel honored to be Calista’s confirmation mentors. She brought energy and commitment to our activities, whether it was talking about the Bible or organizing mission trip fundraisers. Her commitment to ministry and social justice, especially the New Orleans recovery mission, astounded us both. We know she will be an amazing member of Christ’s church in the world.
P.S. Calista has a wicked sense of humor . . . Just ask all the other youth group members we baked Easter bread with at 2 a.m.!

Lindsay Duval                                           Mentors: Anita and Kelly Jo Miller
It has been delightful getting to know and talk with Lindsay Duval this year. While adults who see her in church might think she’s quiet and maybe even a bit shy, closer observation would confirm that Lindsay likes to have fun with her friends and that she can be quite funny and entertaining. She is talented, creative, smart, conscientious and a good student. Lindsay is still exploring what the church means to her but she especially likes helping with the younger kids and she seems to enjoy giving her time and talents to help others. She’s also kind to animals and our dog (Willy) loved to have Lindsay come over to visit, as he could tell right away that she loved her dog (Buster) a lot and he knew that she would be glad to see him too (she was!). Lindsay is becoming a lovely young woman and we are confident that she will continue to share her gifts with the church, her family, and her friends.

Joanna Milton                                                              Mentor: Barbara Ryther
Joanna Milton is a creative, energetic, young woman with a generous spirit, who is always ready with a smile, an artistic idea, an ingenious solution, and a helping hand. Joanna is also very organized, and her infectious sense of humor brings a whole new level of entertainment to any organizing task she takes on. She is enthusiastic and inquisitive, and embraces new adventures willingly, while asking lots of great questions! This past year she has participated in many new opportunities to serve in the church, and has brought her wonderful gifts to each and every one, while brightening the world for those whose lives she touches.

Emily Savarese                                                              Mentor: Liz LaRocque
Emily Savarese is a wonderful young woman. Our youngest Confirmand this year, Emily has made the Confirmation process so fun, inspiring and grace-full. Emily is unblinkingly honest about what she thinks and what she believes—and always willing to question both. She has a great mind and a love of reading that sparks her interest in other times and places. Emily is a true team player, loving sports—but, tellingly, is as committed to cheering others on as she is to playing herself. She possesses abundant talent, and has always loved the hymns and beauty of the church—who will ever forget her singing, in second grade, “Amazing Grace” from start to finish? Emily is committed to and passionate about helping others, and will continue to serve God’s people so well. We are so blessed to count her as one of us.

Abby Touzjian                                                          Mentor: Heather Sullivan
Abby is a sweet and gentle young woman. She is inquisitive and in her own quiet way she questions the world around her. Abby is always willing to try something new; whether it be a new food, a new activity, or a new musical instrument. She will try anything once. Abby enjoys spending time with the young children in the church including helping her father teach Sunday School. She hopes to someday use this talent to become a fourth grade teacher. She has always wanted to share her love of this grade with others. In the future here at BUMC Abby hopes to continue working with the children of the church as well as helping out wherever needed; I look forward to her sharing her wonderful gifts with us.

It Doesn’t Feel Like Goodbye
When I started working here in July of 1993, I was so excited about working in ministry again—becoming involved in a thriving Sunday School with talented teachers; helping build on a youth ministry that had a strong base and history; working with a congregation that was so clear-eyed about its future and ministry and mission. I came to BUMC knowing I had found a great job—and have had the luxury of having that great job deepen and change over 15 years. Being hired by BUMC has always felt like a gift from heaven, wrapped up with a big bow!
     What I could not have foreseen then is the spectacular depth and breadth of that gift from God. In your presence, and through your constant generosity of spirit, your willingness to share of yourselves, I have received endless gifts of grace and faith and love. You have opened your lives to me in your most tender moments. You have held my family so gently. You are my friends, my family, my community, and you will always be home.
     I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family, and time to deepen my spirit. I am so sure that this will also be a great time of new things for BUMC. Know you will always be in my heart and in my prayers, and that I am so grateful for you and our journey together.

Announcements
Consecration Sunday Report
The following is an update of the statistics reported on Consecration Sunday.

A total of 67 giving units (families or single persons) completed Estimate of Giving Cards this year.
A total of 50 of these giving units increased their financial commitment above their last year’s amount.
A total of 67 giving units committed a total of $198,266.
This is an overall 3.6 percent increase in total giving above last year.

Since we have changes in membership and pledge units over the course of a year, I feel one other statistical result is worth noting. For pledge units that pledged in both 2006 and 2007, there was a 14.3 percent increase in giving.
If you have any questions about this report, please see Terri Stull.

Associate Pastor to Begin July 1, 2008
My name is Bob (Song Bok) Jon. I am so glad to become a part of the Belmont family. I grew up in the countryside of Korea. I still remember what a great time I had with my friends there flying kites, fishing, and riding my bicycle. My father was the senior pastor at a small church surrounded by trees, flowers, and fruit plants. I loved to go to worship services, sing in the choir, and study the Bible. In 1997 I entered Yonsei University in Seoul to study theology. While studying about God, the Bible, and church, I became unsure of my calling to ministry. I was hopeless not knowing what I was doing in seminary. However, God spoke with me telling me how much God loves me. Once I met God, my life was transformed entirely. I decided to study theology in the United States to see how God works for God’s people in this world in many different ways.
     Before coming to the U.S., I spent three months in the Philippines and six months in Sydney, Australia, studying English. In January of 2004, I started the Master of Divinity program at Boston University. I made lots of friends while learning the cultures, thoughts, and value system in America. While studying at Boston University, I attended Union United Methodist Church in Boston, working as the Assistant Pastor for Worship and Youth Ministry. Union UMC is predominantly an African-American congregation but at the same time, a multi-ethnic congregation; it consists of 40% African American, 20% Caribbean, 20% Africans, and 20% White. I came to love the history, faith, culture, and music of this church. I loved to praise God with energy and joy.
     In 2007, I graduated from Boston University and pursued the second master’s degree at Yale Divinity School, majoring in Homiletics. The more I studied preaching, the more I fell in love with it. It is because I have witnessed to the power of preaching that transforms the life of people, church, and society. Preaching also calls us to the presence of God to grieve over the loss, injustice, and suffering in this world, and to hope for the coming kingdom of God in which we fully realize the mercy and grace of God. This year, 2008, I am graduating from Yale Divinity School, and I will be doing the Doctoral Program of Theology at Boston University, majoring in Homiletics again.
     I am very glad to be appointed at Belmont United Methodist Church this summer. I love to play sports. I play basketball, soccer, volleyball, and hockey. I love Christian contemporary music. I play the piano and guitar. I love to watch movies and read novels. Oh! I also love to play video games. My favorite one is Winning Eleven: Pro-Evolution Soccer. Finally, I love God and God’s people so much. I love to hear stories about how God loves God’s people. Moving to a new place and meeting new people requires courage and is a challenge and an adventure. But new places and new friends provide us with opportunity to grow more in love, share stories, and enlarge our vision. I cannot wait to meet you, worship with you, and become a part of the Belmont family. I trust in our Lord who will bind us in love that will never fade away in this world. Amen.
     Pastor Bob (Song Bok) Jon

The Fiesta de Aida
The Committee on District Superintendency would like to announce the Celebration of Aida Fernandez and the 8 years of her ministry as our District Superintendent. The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 3-7 p.m. at St. John’s Korean UMC in Lexington. For more information, or to RSVP please call the church office or see the invitation posted on the board by the office.

May Fair
The May Fair was a success thanks to everyone’s help. Thanks especially to Cecilia Cranmer for organizing the Bake Sale table, Anita Miller for organizing the Plant Table, Ann Koumjian for organizing the Craft Table and Jocelyn Milton for organizing the Youth Yard Sale table. These tables were successful due to their organizers and the minions who helped staff and stock (great donations) them. A special thanks to Liz for organizing the youth for set up, work during the fair and for taking down the fair. With them and the numerous involved adult helpers we were able to produce a successful fair.
Louise Halstead, Fair Chair

Youth Group Schedule
Sunday, June 1: End of the Year Barbeque and Party at the LaRocques’ house from 2-6. Parents and siblings are welcome.

Host Family Needed
Michael Langa is the Area Representative for Quest International. Quest International is a nonprofit corporation committed to advancing intercultural educational student exchange. Arlington Academy has accepted one of their students from China from August to January 09. They are looking for a host family to host this young girl. If you are interested in more information, please contact Michael Langa at 508-340-7462.

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.

Kitchen Wish List
The fellowship time after church service is a wonderful time to foster friendships and reconnect the generations. To keep this going we need everyone’s help. When shopping please consider purchasing an item to restock our shelves. Some items always needed include:

Sponges, Dishwashing soap, Dish towels, Assorted boxed crackers/cookies, Tea varieties, Non-dairy creamer. Any contributions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Terry Grimm

Coffee Hour
June 1: DEFG, Coordinated by Terry Grimm
June 8: HIJKL
June 15: MNOPQ, Coordinated by Linda Rodi
June 22: RSTU, Coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito
June 29: VWXYZ, Coordinated by Ava Walsh

Sunshine Page
Confirmation
Congratulations to Calista Diehl, Lindsay Duval, Joanna Milton, Emily Savarese and Abigail Touzjian who were confirmed on May 18.

Weddings
Congratulations to Dale Gyure and Juliette Melina Jooste who were married April 5 in South Africa. Aaron and Dale’s mother were in attendance as well as most of Juliette’s family. Aaron, Juliette and Dale are enjoying family life together. They will probably come to the States later this year or early next and settle somewhere for a while.

In Our Thoughts
Marion Cushing is now home recovering from hip surgery.

June Birthdays:

1:         Ross Matson
            Nancy Kneiss
2:         Eunice Yost
            Liz Wimmer
4:         Joanne LeCount
6:         Sharon Hamilton
            Abigail Touzjian
8:         Stephanie White
9:         Calista Reagan
12:       Emily Hamilton

13:       Carmen Rodi
            David Sullivan
14:       Lynda Schuler
15:       Rachel Wimmer
18:       Steve Savarese
20:       Linda French
21:       Everett Wicks
22:       Jane Marchetta
23:       Greg Diehl
24:       Caroline Albert
            Richard Halstead

Anniversaries

5:         Ann and Aram Koumjian
6:         Ros and Paula Paine
14:       Judy and Kerry Wilson
20:       Will and Linda French

21:       Bob and Sandra Pohlman
            Iris and Brenton Canning
22:       Alan and Stephanie White
24:       Dick and Janet Coombs
30:       Jim and Janet Muirhead

Letters from Members and Friends
I have been truly blessed to be counted among the extended family of our church. Your many cards and notes were a big boost at getting me on the right path to a healthy new start. Thank you all very much for your kind words and get well wishes. I expect to continue my recovery and be back to church soon. May God bless you for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Dave Walsh

June 2008 Worship Services
June 1:10:00 a.m.   Communion               Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29

June 8: 10:00 a.m.    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

June 15: 10:00 a.m. Father’s Day            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39

June 29: 10:00 a.m. Communion Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42

The Churchlight - May 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:32:19 +0100

eChurchlight, May 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
Charge Conference

From Liz
New Orleans update

Announcements
Associate pastor to be appointed
Fiesta de Aida
Monthly fellowship meal
May Fair
Mothers Day Breakfast
Peace with Justice Sunday
Youth Group Schedule
Office coverage needed
Claire Hoffman celebration
Womens Book Group
eChurchlight sign up
Coffee hour schedule

Joys and Concerns
Worship Service schedule

Dates to Remember

May 3: May Fair, 10:00-3:00
May 4: Walk for Hunger
May 4: Monthly Fellowship Lunch & Talent Show, 11:30
May 7: New Orleans orientation meeting, 7:00
May 10: Car Wash, 10:00-2:00
May 11: Mothers' Day Breakfast, 8:30
May 18: Claire Hoffman graduation celebration, 6:30
May 18: Deadline for June Churchlight
May 20: New Orleans orientation meeting, 7:00
May 29: Women's Book Group, 7:30

May 22-26: Mission trip to New Orleans

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

One of the sayings I have heard that has stuck with me over the years is "The only thing that never changes is that things are always changing." I can't even remember where I first heard it. It reminds me of another saying, "The more things change the more they stay the same," which seems to be a contradiction but in fact is more likely part of the same truth. I have always felt though I have no way of backing it up that paradox is at the heart of truth. Reality is both simple and complex. It is what it is but what is of course not always clear. In any case we are experiencing change in our community that is not in question. I would argue that we are always changing but in these days we are changing in ways that are undeniable. When Liz goes in June the face of our congregation will change. Her presence on the staff of this congregation has been far more than just someone who works here. She has lived here and has given us life, her life. I am only just beginning to comprehend how I will miss her. What she does will be loss enough but for me it is who she is that has blessed us most for hers is a generous, open, loving spirit always ready to give more than asked, always giving herself away. Surely we have worn her out and she deserves a blessed rest. We celebrate with her a new day. We have lost her presence on our staff but we have gained all that she has given and left to us of herself. We have been changed by her presence and strengthened by her ministry to go forward and do more.

The thing with change is that you can fight it and resist it in a futile attempt to stay the same actually decreasing your possibilities or learn from it and embrace it and use it to increase what is possible. One of the great things about Liz's spirit is that nothing was impossible. There was nothing she would not take on and accomplish if it would help someone. This is her legacy to us and if we are wise we will carry on in her spirit and go into the unknown future with hope and love in our hearts that we will do all the good we can, that we will help each other, that we will pay attention to the needs of each other, that we will be there for each other and reach out in strength to whole world.

Let us be glad for the gifts we have received and let us go forward with gladness and generosity as we seek the new day together. Our commitments as a community continue as we begin the process again to recruit leaders for our congregation. Pray for how you can help. Together we will be the church, a grateful and giving people celebrating what we have had together and the changes that are the reality of life and the new life that is always promised for those who faithfully offer themselves for God's work in the world. Even as things are always changing one thing remains constant and that is God's calling to people to rise up and live for each other in love and peace, seeking always justice and the welfare of all people everywhere. Christ is alive and goes before calling us to do even greater things than he has done. Bless your hearts, Larry

Charge Conference
The Annual Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, June 22 at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Rev. Mike Clark will be presiding. Reports from committee leaders/chairs are due to the office on June 1.

From Liz
Thank you all so much for your gracious and loving responses to my announcement that this will be my last year on staff at BUMC. As always, in these past two weeks you have been a kind, supportive, giving community. It is hard to imagine what life will be like without being here, day in and day out, in the thick of things, but I do know this: I have been blessed beyond measure by being in ministry with you, by working with Larry, Hilary, Casey and Kevin, and by all of us sharing our lives together.
As difficult as change is (and you know how I hate change!) this change feels like the right one for me and my family--and for the church. I am excited by the gifts that Bob Jon will bring to this place, and for the new directions in ministry which will unfold. Know I will be praying for all of you and for BUMC--and look forward to staying in touch.

New Orleans Update
We just found out that we have been done in by the American Airlines crisis and increasing gas prices--our airline tickets are about $100 per person more than we expected. If you can help us raise this extra money, we would appreciate it. Donations are always gratefully accepted, and we have many upcoming planned fundraisers:

MAY 3 - May Fair
The youth group is setting up and cleaning up the May Fair, in addition to hosting the BAKE SALE and YARD SALE that day. Here is how you can help:

Bake for the Bake Sale--see Sarah Kolenbrander or Calista Diehl
Bring your gently used items to church on Friday, May 2 for the Yard Sale (or call Liz at 781-229-0994; we will come pick them up if necessary!)
Come to the May Fair and support our church missions

MAY 4 - Talent Show
Talent Show during our all-church luncheon. You can help by:

Participating in the Talent Show: see Catherine Grimm or Emily Kolenbrander to sign up!
Stay for lunch on May 4--enjoy the show, and show your appreciation during the free-will offering!

MAY 10: Car Wash 10-2
Come get your car clean for Mother's Day! The Car Wash is Free--Donations accepted!

MAY 17:
The concert has been postponed yet again--sorry!

ONGOING:

Hire a youth to do the jobs that you hate to do--see Nora Bent or Catherine Grimm!
Found Money--bring your spare change to church and place it in the "Found Money" jar in the Narthex
Cans and Bottles--bring your redeemable cans and bottles to church and place them in the bins in the front entryway--the youth group will recycle them for you!

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

New Orleans Trip Orientation/Group Building for all participants will be:

Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM in the Social Hall
Wednesday, May 7 at 7 PM in the Social Hall
Tuesday, May 20 at 7 PM in the Parlor

Please let Liz know as soon as possible if you cannot make any of these dates--full participation is expected!

Announcements

Associate Pastor to be Appointed
The Staff/Parish Relations Committee has announced that Bob Jon will be appointed to Belmont United Methodist Church as an associate pastor (quarter-time) beginning on July 1, 2008. Pastor Jon has an M. Div. from Boston University and is finishing a Masters in Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) at Yale University this month. He is a certified candidate for ordination in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church and is licensed as a local pastor. He will also be a student in the doctoral program at Boston University in the fall with a full scholarship. Pastor Jon was an intern at Union United Methodist Church in Boston. He brings a number of gifts and an enthusiastic love for the church to us. In the next Churchlight we will have more information about Bob as we prepare to welcome him to our ministry.

The Fiesta de Aida
The Committee on District Superintendency would like to announce the Celebration of Aida Fernandez and the 8 years of her ministry as our District Superintendent. The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 3-7 p.m. at St. John's Korean UMC in Lexington. For more information, or to RSVP please call the church office or see the invitation posted on the board by the office.

Monthly Fellowship Meals
Our next Fellowship meal will be after worship on Sunday, May 4 with a Talent Show!

May Fair
Saturday, May 3^rd 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. is our May Fair this year. Even if you can't be there to work, be sure to come and Shop, Shop, Shop! There will be great gifts for mother's day and graduations. Bring your friends, if you can't come send your friends. Even if you don't buy, we welcome everyone to come and look. All our income will help our missions. The bake sale table proceeds directly helps the youth trip to New Orleans.

Mothers' Day Breakfast
Sunday, May 11, 2008
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Annual Mothers Day Breakfast honoring the women of the church

Menu:
fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, cornbread muffins, oatmeal, juices, coffee, tea and milk
Also featuring home-baked goods by the men (!) of the church

women and children under 12 are free
men – a silent contribution

a complimentary long-stemmed rose
for every woman to take home

Want to help or have questions? Call Joel Grimm at 781-648-6927

May 18 is Peace with Justice Sunday
Your offering on Peace with Justice Sunday helps the children of God everywhere to live lovingly and peacefully. Half of the offering supports peace with justice ministries globally through the General Board of Church and Society, and half assists annual conference-related work such as Faith Communities Uniting for Peace in West Ohio. "Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you," wrote the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. Help to bring peace and justice to a hurting world. Please give generously on Peace with Justice Sunday. Your gift makes a world of difference!

Save the Date!
Project Bread's Walk for Hunger May 4, 2008

Youth Group Schedule
Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4 – Fundraising-O-Rama
Saturday, May 10—9 a.m – 3 p.m.—Carwash
Saturday, May 17—6:30-10:30 p.m. Benefit Concert (postponed)
Thursday, May 22-Monday, May 26—Second Mission Trip to New Orleans
Sunday, June 1–1-5 p.m. End of the Year Barbecue & Party at the LaRocques'

Office Coverage
A volunteer is needed to help in the church office while Hilary Baldwin is away from May 28-June 3. Please call the church office if you would like to help.

You Are Invited to a Graduation Celebration for Claire Hoffman
Sunday Evening May 18 at 6:30 p.m.in the Social Hall
Please come to celebrate with Claire!

The Women's Book Group
Our next meeting is Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. We will be discussing Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. Until Imler House is repaired, we will meet in the church parlor. We are very informal; if anyone feels moved to bring food in the theme of the book, it is always appreciated but never required. Come if you can – it is always fun.

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
May 4: RSTU, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Espposito
May 11: Mother's Day Team
May 18: VWXYZ, coordinated by Ava Walsh
May 25: ABC, coordinated by Lisa Courtney

Joys and Concerns
Baptisms
Russell Owen Whitmore, born August 8, 2007, son of Laural and Don Whitmore and brother of Noelle Whitmore, was baptized on March 30, 2008.

Weddings
Congratulations to Michael Powell and Desiree Baron who were married Monday, April 14, 2008 and to Caitlyn Sullivan and Jason Chisholm who were married Saturday, April 19, 2008.

In Our Thoughts
Dave Walsh is home recovering from a heart attack and a stent procedure. Marion Cushing is recovering from hip surgery she had at Mount Auburn Hospital after a fall.

Our thoughts are with Harry Northway on the passing of his wife, Irene on April 15, 2008. A funeral service was held on Friday, April 18.

May Birthdays:

1:         Casey Hannan
            Erica Albert
4:         Abigail Hamilton
5:         Jessica Rosenstein
7:         Malia Matson
8:         Caitlyn Chisholm
10:       Charlie Gore
12:       Alan Walsh
            Lisa Rosales Moura
13:       Owen Grimm
            Aram Koumjian
14:       Emil Wieher
15:       Marguerite Muirhead
            Caroline Marchetta

16:       Giancarla Perugini
            Virginia Stockwood
17:       Elinor Rumery
            Linda Atkins
18:       Sandy Thompson
            Ryan Ashford
            Ethan Ashford
            Lia Rosenstein
22:       Jordan Pohlman
24:       Robert Wainwright
26:       Dorothy Backman
            Barbara Ryther
27:       Deirdre Savarese
29:       Neal Touzjian
30:       Amanda Sullivan

Anniversaries
17:       Dave and Debbie Myers
23:       Mark and Jocelyn Milton
24:       Bert and Louise Halstead

May 2008 Worship Services

May 4:10:00 a.m.   Communion               Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53

May 11: 10:00 a.m. Pentecost            Color: Red
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:1-21, I Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39

May 18: 10:00 a.m. Peace with Justice Sunday    Trinity Sunday            Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Mathew 28:16-20

May 25: 10:00 a.m. Communion     Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 49:8-16a, I Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34

The Churchlight - April 2008

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:26:07 +0100

eChurchlight, April 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass

From Liz
New Orleans Fundraisers

Announcements
Monthly Fellowship Meals
Mayfair Fundraiser
Youth Group Schedule
Native American Sunday
Time for Spring Cleaning
Womens Book Group
Hospice Volunteers Needed
eChurchlight Signup
Coffee Hour Schedule
Stamps and Soup Labels
Lost and Found

Sunshine Page
Worship Service Schedule

Dates to Remember

April 13: Monthly Fellowship Lunch, 11:30
April 20: Deadline for May Churchlight
April 24: Women’s Book Group, 7:30

Coming up next month
May 3: May Fair
May 4: Walk for Hunger

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

My granddaughter came over to play Sunday afternoon. I guess she was having a good day because at one point in the afternoon she said very happily, "I'm going to remember this day for the rest of my life!" I tried to think back to see if I could remember any day when I was six years old but none came to mind. Then I got to thinking about what we had done that day to make it so memorable. Ronia had made Easter baskets for us and had one of her own. We hid fifty-five colorful plastic eggs filled with surprises and hunted for them. We read stories and played games and shared a wonderful meal together. Ronia ate more candy than vegetables. It was a wonderful afternoon but I was left wishing I could see inside her little girl's heart to understand what made her feel such joy that made her say she would remember this day for the rest of her life.

Though I could not fathom the mysteries of a six year old girls' heart I was given something too, a moment of insight into the gift of life itself and of my gratefulness that I am alive and am in the presence of this beautiful little girl so full of hope and love and joy. I expect we all need to be reminded once and a while that we are grateful. It is so easy to become so busy living that we forget that we are alive and surrounded by the many blessings that life provides.

In this season of Easter we celebrate life. We are grateful for each other and for all that we hope for as a community that seeks to live in Christ and do all the good we can. I just came across a new book that might be a place for us to see ourselves. It is written by Bishop Reuben Job and is entitled: Three Simple Rules, A Wesleyan Way of Living. The first rule: do no harm. The second rule: do all the good you can. And the third rule: stay in love with God. When I read these three rules I felt like everything I had been thinking and saying (if not always doing) my whole life was being confirmed. I am grateful for the church and for the possibility to be part of a community of people who would even consider such things. I hope and pray that you will be surprised with a grateful heart as I have been and that together we will be faithful to Jesus who gave us all a day we will hopefully never forget as long as we live.

From Liz
Easy New Orleans Fundraisers

There are several ways you can support our mission trip to New Orleans:

Make a donation—simply note “New Orleans Donation” on the check or envelope.
Bring in your loose change and put it in the “Found Money” jar in the Narthex; all change collected between now and Memorial Day will be designated for the trip.
Bring in your redeemable soda cans and bottles. There are bins in the Narthex for them; the youth group will cash them in.
Come to the Benefit Concert on Saturday, May 17 – 7 p.m. in the Social Hall. Enjoy good, LOUD music from I Am Arcane and several local high school bands. Admission is $7; youth group will be selling snacks.

Announcements

Monthly Fellowship Meals
There will be no Fellowship Meal on April 6, as we will gather the next week for our catered Consecration Sunday celebration meal on April 13. Our next Fellowship meal will be after worship on Sunday, May 4.

Mayfair Fundraiser
We are having the “May Fair on Saturday, May 3^rd. Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a fundraiser dedicated to our missions.
     We hope to rent 30 tables to vendors or craft persons at $30 a table. If you or someone you know is interested in renting a table please talk to Louise Halstead. Artists as well as craft people and vendors are welcome. We already have jewelry, yard mosaics, beaded shirts, and Tupperware agreeing to come.
     We will have a “Bake Sale Table” which everyone is welcome to contribute to. There should be NO custard products in the bake sale – this is a Town of Belmont Health Department rule. The Youth Group will be working at this table and using the proceeds from the Bake Sale portion of the fair for their trip to New Orleans at the end of May. Please help them have a successful bake sale!
     There will also be a “Crafts Table run by the church. This table will have items made and contributed by church members for sale. It is spring so we need to think of things people may want to purchase as Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts. Also, objects people may want to use in the yard would be good. Jewelry, original cards, wooden plaques . . . are all of interest. If you have something to donate to the table please let Louise know. All ideas are welcome.
     We will again have a Plants Table. Plants were popular items last year. We are looking for house plants, yard plants and seedlings to sell. If you want to thin your yard plants the Plant Table is a good place to put your excess plants. The green thumbs in the congregation have a better idea than I have about what is possible. Please let Anita Miller or Louise Halstead know if you have something to donate to this table.
     Please think about how you can help. The Youth Group has agreed to set up and take down tables in exchange for the Bake Sale proceeds. If you can help them I am sure they will accept any help. Sat., May 3^rd we will need help staffing the tables. Please help out for an hour or two during the day. Many hands make light work. Fliers are available!!! Please post them in any locations you think interested people may go. Posting in Belmont, Watertown, and Arlington is important. Invite your friends to come enjoy the day!!! If you have any questions please talk to Louise Halstead at church or call her at 617-489-1340.

Save the Date!
Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger May 4, 2008

Youth Group Schedule

Sunday, April 6: Youth Auction during Coffee Hour; Youth work 1-4
Sunday, April 13: 2-6 Laser Tag!
Sunday, April 20: Bowling 12:30-2:30 at Lanes and Games
Sunday, April 27: No Meeting

April 6 is Native American Awareness Sunday
Your offering on Native American Ministries Sunday enriches The United Methodist Church in many ways. Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved seminaries receive scholarships. Across the United States, urban ministries reach out to Native Americans and others. Mission with Native Americans in your annual conference and across the connection is developed and nurtured.

Time for Spring Cleaning?
Do you need spring cleaning done? Your gardens readied for spring? Leaves raked that got trapped under the first snow? Silver polished? Windows washed? Hire one of our fabulous, hard working youth! There are two ways you can get a capable helper to do the work you hate to do: 1.) Bid on your favorite candidate at the Youth Auction on Sunday, April 6 at Coffee Hour—our in-demand youth spark quite a bidding war for their services! If you win, they can work for you that afternoon, or set up another time. 2.) Some youth are choosing to be in a labor pool, and work multiple times for multiple folks. You can hire them at a set rate, for either the afternoon of April 6 from 1-4, or another time convenient for both parties. If you have questions, or would like to sign up for a helper, please see Liz.

The Women’s Book Group
Our next meeting is Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. We will be discussing The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim. Until Imler House is repaired, we will meet in the church parlor. We are very informal; if anyone feels moved to bring food in the theme of the book, it is always appreciated but never required. Come if you can – it is always fun.

VNA Hospice Volunteers Needed
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.

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Coffee Hour

April 6: ABC, coordinated by Lisa Courtney
April 13: DEFG, coordinated by Terry Grimm
April 19: HIJKL
April 27: MNOPQ, coordinated by Linda Rodi

Box for Stamps and Soup Labels
The collection box for stamps is now going to the Spellman Museum of Postal History at Regis College. If you would like to donate canceled stamps, please drop them in the box in the office. The stamps benefit programs for the girl and boy scouts and school groups.

Lost and Found
Missing: One of the large coffee carafes and the tea pots for coffee hour. If you might have borrowed it – or have seen it somewhere please let us know! Missing something? Please check the lost and found basket in the closet off the Narthex.

Sunshine Page
Births
Congratulations to Suzanne and Dave Francione on the birth of Alexander David Francione, on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. Alexander weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 inches long.

New Members
Welcome to Philip Imboywa, who joined the church on Feb. 24.

April Birthdays:

2:         Jennifer Coombs
            Jeffrey Coombs
            Noah Wimmer
5:         David Myers
6:         Jennifer Bourque
9:         Alexandra Hale
12:       Joanna Milton
14:       Bruce Pahlm
17:       Ava Walsh
            Caren Rosales
            Arthur Marchetta, Sr.
19:       Amelia Ayres

20:       Danielle Rosales
            Elizabeth Rosales
            Leah Wimmer
21:       Selima Chandler
23:       Peter Savarese
24:       Paula Paine
25:       Ryan Touzjian
26:       Mark Milton
27:       Christina Matson
            Jack Canepa
30:       Emily Savarese

Anniversaries
7:         Arty and Carol Marchetta
9:         Scott and Tanya Myers
15:       John and Nancy Montanaro
30:       Richard and Sidney Gerrold

April 2008 Worship Services

April 6:10:00 a.m.   Communion   Native American Awareness                  Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, I Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35

April 13: 10:00 a.m. 4^th Sunday of Easter   Consecration Sunday            Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:42-47, I Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10

April 20: 10:00 a.m. 5^th Sunday of Easter                                                  Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 7:55-60, I Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14

April 27: 10:00 a.m. 6^th Sunday of Easter Heritage Sunday Communion Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 17:22-31, I Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

The Churchlight - March 2008

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:14:02 +0100

eChurchlight, March 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass

From Liz
Lenten Series
New Orleans Trip Update
New Orleans Fundraisers

Mission Update
Hoop Shoot Out
Partakers Prison Ministry
Baby Blankets

Announcements
Youth Group Schedule
One Grea tHour of Sharing
VNA Hospice Care
Monthly Fellowship Meals
Womens Book Group
May Fair
Tutor Volunteers
Electronic Churchlight
Coffee Hour Schedule
Sunshine Page
Letters from Members
Worship Service Schedule
Easter Lily Order Form

Dates to Remember

Mar 2: Monthly Fellowship Lunch, 11:30
Mar 8: Rock concert, New Orleans benefit, 7:00
Mar 16: Deadline for April Churchlight
Mar 27: Women’s Book Group, 7:30
Mar 30: Hoop Shoot Out, Nothing but Nets benefit

Every Wed: Lenten potluck dinner, 6:30

Check the Worship Schedule for special Easter services.

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:

Make a donation—simply note “New Orleans Donation” on the check or envelope.
Bring in your loose change and put it in the “Found Money” jar in the Narthex; all change collected between now and Memorial Day will be designated for the trip.
Bring in your redeemable soda cans and bottles. There are bins in the Narthex for them; the youth group will cash them in. So far, we have raised almost $60--it doesn’t sound like much, but that is close to 1200 bottles and cans!
Come to the Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 8—7 PM in the Social Hall. Enjoy good, LOUD music from I Am Arcane and several local high school bands. Admission is $7; youth group will be selling snacks.
Easter Sunday Bake Sale: The youth group will be preparing special Easter Breads and desserts for sale on Easter—plan now to bring one to your Easter dinner! We will take orders on Palm Sunday, March 16—see a youth group member!

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.

March 2: ABC
March 9: DEFG
March 16, Palm Sunday: HIJKL
March 23, Easter: MNOPQ and RSTU
March 30: VWXYZ

Sunshine Page
March Birthdays:

3:   David Coombs
      Faye Reagan
6:   Dorothy Rosales
      Jen Bourque
9: Terri Kolenbrander
      Michael Montanaro
      Emily Myers
11:       Ron Bourque
12:       Ramona Cass

14:       Susan Haller
18:       Scott Pluskey
20:       Richard McGowan
21:       Kathie Stayton
24:       Michael Duval
25:       Connor LaRocque
            Jeremy Dick
30:       Brian Schaffhausen
31:   Claire Cassidy

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. 5^th 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: ____________

The Churchlight - February 2008 - Part 2

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:11:22 +0100

eChurchlight, February 2008 – Part 2
Worship & Evangelism

Contents (click on a topic to select)

Boy Scout Sunday
Bishop Weaver
Reconciling Congregation Consideration

February 2008 Worship Services

February 3:10:00 a.m.   Communion   Transfiguration Sunday             Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9

February 6: 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service            Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February 10: 10:00 a.m. 1^st Sunday in Lent      Scout Sunday            Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11

February 17: 10:00 a.m. 2^nd Sunday in Lent                  Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17

February 24: 10:00 a.m. Communion    3^rd Sunday in Lent   Color: Purple
Bishop Weaver Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42

Special Services in February

Ash Wednesday Service 7:30 p.m. Feb 6

Boy Scout Sunday, Feb 10
Boy Scout Sunday will be observed at the regular 10:00 a.m. service on February 10.

Attending the service will be members of the Scout units which meet at the Church:
Cub Scout Pack 384 – Cubmaster Brenton Newell
Boy Scout Troop 304 – Scoutmaster Jeanne Star
Venture Crew 304 (co-ed) – Crew Advisor Patrick Mahoney

We invite and encourage all current or former Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers, and Venture Scouts – especially Eagle Scouts – to join with us. Help celebrate 88 years of continuous service to youth of Boy Scout Troop 304. The boys and leaders much appreciate the support that the Belmont United Methodist Church and its Clergy and Members have given us over these years.

To join with us assemble in the Church Gym between 9:30 and 9:45 to walk in with us at the beginning of the Service. If you choose not to walk in with us, please join with us when we stand to recite the Scout Oath and Law.

Bishop Weaver to preach at BUMC on Sunday, Feb. 24.
Peter David Weaver was born into the parsonage family of Adolph and Dorothy Weaver, January 15, 1945, in Greenville, PA. He received the degrees of B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1966), M.Div. from Drew University (1969), and Doctor of Theology from Boston University (1975). He has also received honorary Doctorates from Lebanon College(1999) and Albright College (2000).
     Ordained a Deacon (1967) and Elder (1969) in the Western Pennsylvania Conference, Bishop Weaver served the Whitaker United Methodist Church from 1971-1977, developing outreach ministries to community youth and industrial workers.
     From 1977-1988, Bishop Weaver served as Senior Pastor of the historic Smithfield United Church (UCC and UMC) in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. The congregation launched ministries with young adults, older adults, urban children and youth, corporate leaders, the homeless and poor, and the arts. During this time, he was co-founder of the Bethlehem Haven Shelter for Homeless Women, based on Christian hospitality principles.
     In 1988, Bishop Weaver was appointed Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, where spiritual emphasis was given to ministries with the neighboring
universities, young adult singles, persons with AIDS, the poor, and the development of an inclusive church. He helped start the interfaith “One Voice Against Racism” movement.
     While these congregations grew in service and numbers, the foundation of all ministry was spiritual growth through worship and small groups, leading to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and for hands-on ministry in the community and world.
     While serving congregations, Bishop Weaver also wrote for various publications and taught for Drew Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological School. For over ten years, he had weekly programs specifically produced for radio.
     His community involvement included “Leadership Pittsburgh,” the “Mayor’s Task Force On the Homeless,” and many boards, which included Goodwill Industries, YMCA, United Campus Ministries, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
     Some of his many other church responsibilities included chairing the Mission Division of the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church and serving as a delegate to four General Conferences. In the Western Pennsylvania Conference, he chaired the “Together” Stewardship and Funding Program and the committee that led to a new vision and strategic plan for the Conference.
     Elected in 1996, Bishop Weaver served the Philadelphia Area of the United Methodist Church (Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula Delaware Conferences) until 2004. As the Conferences developed new strategic plans, missional partnerships among congregations were initiated, congregational revitalization process instituted, youth ministry was significantly expanded, a Bishop’s Community leaders forum was held in dozens of communities, programs addressing racism and cultivating unity grew, and creative approaches to evangelism were encouraged. Over thirty new congregations, including Muticultural, Latino, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese ones were started. Major new partnerships with Nigeria and Congo Conferences were established. He, also, served on the Boards of Drew University, Albright College, and Wesley College along with being a part of the Leaders Forum of Philadelphia and a founding member of “Good Schools Pennsylvania,” which focused on public education reform.
     In 2004, Bishop Weaver was assigned to the New England Conference, which includes 550 congregations, in five states, committed to a vision of being “Transformed by the Holy Spirit . . . as we boldly proclaim Christ in the world.” In support of this, the Conference has reorganized itself in a more flexible, collaborative way for resourcing congregations and empowering District ministries. Over 15 million dollars has been committed in support of new congregations, the vitality of existing congregations, the four camping and retreat centers, care for retired clergy, and our international partnerships with West Angola and Nicaragua. Along with a number of boards and committees, Bishop Weaver serves on the Board of Boston University.
     From 2004-2006, Bishop Weaver served as President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church serving churches worldwide. He continues to serve on the Executive Officers team. During this time, a major reorganization and refocusing of the work of the Council occurred taking Bishop Weaver to many countries of the world to work with United Methodist, ecumenical, and political leaders. He has particular interest in the “END POVERTY” movement and is a part of the National Council on Foreign Relations work to relate faith and foreign policy matters. He has served on the denomination’s General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21^st Century, and chaired the Northeast Jurisdiction Strategic Visioning/Planning process.
     Bishop Weaver is married to Linda Sells Weaver. They have eight daughters and four grandchildren. His hobbies include music (trombone), water sports, and woodworking.
     His “life verse” is “If anyone is in Christ there is a new creation. . .” 11 Cor.5:17

Is It Time to Become a Reconciling Congregation?

The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the policy manual for the world-wide United Methodist church, states that all people are persons of sacred worth, but that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Because of this belief, persons who are avowed, practicing homosexuals are not ordained in the United Methodist system. While the Book of Discipline clearly advocates protecting everyone's human rights, it specifically states that no United Methodist monies should go toward supporting homosexual causes. Because of this stance and these statements, many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered have not felt comfortable in the United Methodist Church; if they are in a UMC, they have not always felt they can be honest about who they are.
     At the same time, there are churches within the United Methodist system that believe the church's stance on homosexuality needs to change. These congregations have voted to become Reconciling Congregations; to say, essentially, that in their congregation, everyone is welcome to be who they are; that they are invited into full participation in the life and work of the church, without limit, including the limit of sexual orientation.
     The process of becoming a Reconciling Congregation within the United Methodist Church is pretty straightforward--you think about it, talk about it, pray about it; you develop a Reconciling Statement that is printed in your materials, much like our current Mission Statement; and you register your congregation and its statement with the Reconciling Ministries Network.
     Clearly, this is an issue around which there are a variety of opinions and strongly held beliefs. Eleven years ago, we undertook a good deal of study about the issue, but we never developed a statement or took a vote on whether to become a Reconciling Congregation. Now, it simply seems to many of us like this is who we are--we are welcoming, we are open, we are affirming--and we should make it clear that we are. However, this is something we all need to decide together. The Evangelism Team has talked about it; the Missions Committee has talked about it, and brought a possible Reconciling Statement and adapted Mission Statement to the Administrative Council in January. Those statements are printed here. Please read the statements, talk about them, pray about them--and about whether we are ready as a church to become a Reconciling Congregation. There are books and a DVD in the office if you would like to learn more about this issue. There are studies we can undertake together. We will talk as a community about this at the March Administrative Council meeting--if we are ready, we can vote then, or decide what our next steps should be. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please speak with me, or with Larry.

Possible Reconciling Congregation Statement:

The members and staff of Belmont United Methodist Church work together in hope for the peaceable kingdom. We believe that all people are children of God, and are therefore individuals of sacred worth. We welcome everyone into full participation in the life and work of our congregation, embracing persons of every age, gender, sexual orientation, racial and cultural identity, economic reality, marital and family status, and physical and mental ability. Taking seriously the message of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, we commit ourselves to be an open and affirming Reconciling Congregation.

Possible adapted BUMC Mission Statement:

Belmont United Methodist Church is a family of Christian believers who—in worship, fellowship and service—embrace all who seek the Lord. We welcome all who wish to join us in the life and work of the church, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, culture, status or ability. We serve as disciples of Christ, bringing Jesus’ message of love, hope and reconciliation to a troubled world. We are committed to weekly worship, individual and community prayer, Christian education for all ages, responsible stewardship, loving friendship, hospitality to all, mutual support in times of need, mission outreach through direct service, and Christian witness.

The Churchlight - February 2008 - Part 1

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:06:28 +0100

eChurchlight, February 2008 – Part 1

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass

From Liz
Pageant Thanks
Lenten Series
Confirmation Update
New Orleans Update
New Orleans Fundraisers
Rides Available

Imler House Decision Process
Missions Update
Finance Update

Announcements
New District Superindentent
Youth Group Schedule
Grief Support
Magic Show
Nativity Notes
Monthly Fellowship Meal
Office Volunteer Needed
Women's Book Group
Committee Chairs Notice
Churchlight Sign Up
Coffee Hour Schedule

Sunshine Page
Letters

Dates to Remember

Feb 3:   Monthly Fellowship Lunch, 11:30
              Imler House proposals due
Feb 9:   Magic Show, Nursery School benefit, 2:00
Feb 13: Lenten potluck dinner, 6:30
Feb 16: Rock concert, New Orleans benefit, 7:00
Feb 17: Deadline for March Churchlight
Feb 28: Women’s Book Group, 7:30

Note
Worship related items are in Part 2 of the eChurchlight

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

"Because we love, God is present." -Thomas Merton

I read somewhere that in a recent survey about 3 of 4 of the unchurched population have a negative image of Christianity. The reasons are many and complex, of course, and some are random while others are all too real and though there is not much we can do about every single incident where someone is harmed by Christianity, there is something we can do and that is to practice self-giving love as a community in ways that are visible and irresistible. There is no better evangelism than being a place where people love one another and are reaching out to the world around them with care and welcome. In a world worn out by fear and grief, the love of Christ lived out by real people in real places cannot fail to be noticed and welcomed.

The biggest negatives in the survey I read were the feeling of not being welcome or included and of hypocrisy. We should learn from this and pay attention to how open we are and how true we are to our mission and especially to our Christ. I really think that what most people are looking for is the grace that is so abundant in the life of Jesus but sometimes gets lost in the struggles involved with maintaining a large and complex institution. It is unreal to think that we will not make mistakes and fail to perfectly manifest the life of Christ in the world but if we practice love and grace, we will be able to acknowledge our shortcomings while never abandoning our outreach. This simply means that we continue to do all the good we can without keeping score and never failing to lift each other up and our world in prayer and mutual concern at every opportunity. It means that we love each other enough to respect the heartfelt views of those with whom we do not always agree and then carefully consider what it is that God is calling us to do together. Where we love God will be present and we will know what to do.
Bless your hearts. Larry

From Liz

Thanks for being in the Christmas Pageant!
The wonderful Christmas story was indeed told in a special new way at BUMC this year as ALL of us participated in the telling. Thanks so much to all of you for so cheerfully and enthusiastically becoming shepherds and angels and wise ones and townspeople for our amazing morning. You made the story come alive for all of us, and helped us all to see it in a new and meaningful way. What fun--and what a blessing!

Join us for our Wednesday Lenten Series--Going Deeper
Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 6, which we will mark with a worship service in the Sanctuary at 7:30 PM.
Beginning Wednesday, February 13, we will meet in the Social Hall each Wednesday at 6:30 PM for a simple potluck meal of bread and soup, followed by a Lenten program led each week by a member of our community on the theme, "Going Deeper:": In our busy lives, how do we make time to deepen our spirits? We will be done by 7:30, in time for any scheduled meetings, or for families to be home in time for homework, bedtimes, etc. Please plan to join us as often as you can for a community meal and this opportunity for reflection and conversation.

Confirmation Update
How blessed we are--for the third year in a row, we have a Confirmation class! Five young women are working with Larry in class and with mentors from the congregation to decide if they will join the church this spring. Please keep them and their journeys in your prayers. They are: Calista Diehl (mentors: Nora Bent and Linda Kincaid); Lindsay Duval (mentors: Anita and Kelly Jo Miller); Joanna Milton (mentor: Barbara Ryther); Emily Savarese (mentor: Liz LaRocque); Abigail Touzjian (mentor: Heather Sullivan).

New Orleans Update
As of now, there are 23 people from BUMC going on the Memorial Day weekend trip to our sister churches in New Orleans! Seven adults and 16 youth will fly down for four days, continuing the relationships and work we started in October. We are looking forward to seeing the friends we made on our last trip, making new ones, and finding new ways to be in ministry together with the folks of Hartzell, Covenant and Chalmette United Methodist Churches. Some "veterans" will be making the trip, and some new folks will be joining us. In addition, we will be working with the folks from Tigers Go!, the Mission and Social Justice Ministries of Clemson University. We can still add some more folks--if you would like to come, please see me as soon as possible! It will be the best trip you ever take!

New Orleans Fundraisers
Our first trip to New Orleans wouldn't have been possible without all of you--your prayers, your support, and your generous financial contributions. We are starting to fundraise for our next trip, and know we can count on your continued help. We have three fundraisers planned for February:

Recycle for New Orleans: There are three large, covered, decorated bins in the entrance hall to hold all your redeemable cans and bottles. Tired of taking them to the supermarket and dealing with those machines? We'll do it for you! Bring your soda cans and bottles to church, and we will be happy to redeem them for New Orleans!

Mardi Gras Fundraiser: Our next Sunday Luncheon will be cooked by the Youth Group, when we cook for Bristol Kitchen in February. It will be on Sunday, February 3--the Sunday before Mardi Gras! Come and enjoy a Mardi Gras-themed lunch, complete with beads, noisemakers, masks to decorated, games and music! The free will offering that day will go to the New Orleans trip.

Benefit Concert--We're Not Done Yet 2! Chris LaRocque and his band, I Am Arcane, are producing another benefit concert on Saturday, February 16 at 7 PM in the Social Hall. Several local high school bands will play; the youth group will sell refreshments. Admission is $7 per person; all proceeds go to the trip! Come hear some great music and have fun!

Rides Available for Evening Meetings and Events
If you would like to come to an evening meeting or event at church, but do not like to drive in the dark (or in bad weather), there is always someone available who would be willing to drive you! You can call or email the church office Tuesday through Thursday (617-489-0730; bumc2@verizon.net); or Liz anytime (home 781-229-0994; cell 617-872-9802; liz_larocque1@msn.com) and we will make sure you get a ride! We love your company and it is never an imposition--please call, and please come!

What should we do with Imler House?

Imler House represents a long standing piece of our congregation’s history. It has housed Sunday school classes, youth group events, meetings, our archives and, for many years, the families of associate ministers. Now that Liz and her family have moved we need to decide what to do with this property and the Church Council wants everyone’s help in making this decision.

The church Council has developed a process by which we may discern the best use of Imler House for the church at this time. The process will have three parts. First, we are asking for proposals for possible uses of the building. Second, we will all consider what questions each proposal raises in terms of feasibility. Finally, we will decide, as a congregation, on which proposal will best suit our needs.

We are entering the first phase of this process – the proposal phase. Anyone with an idea for a way in which we might use Imler House over the next five to ten years can submit a proposal. All it needs to have is a short statement of what should happen to Imler House and a short statement about the ways in which this proposal might benefit the mission and ministry of our church. These proposals should be submitted to the office or to Laurel Wainwright (Church Council chair) by Sunday, Feb. 3^rd .

At the Feb. Church council meeting all proposals will be reviewed. The purpose of this review is to generate questions that might need to be answered regarding the feasibility of each proposal. A committee will investigate each of the questions to determine which of the proposals is possible. When all questions are answered the congregation will again review the proposals and decide which one will best serve our needs.

Questions?????? Please ask Laurel Wainwright or Larry Wimmer.

Mission Update

BUMC continues its history of an active involvement in outreach and mission around town as well as around the world.
In our own back yard, we continue to support the Belmont Food Pantry through helping to serve the public on the first and third Saturdays as well as stocking shelves and occasional other projects. Please contact Pam Vershbow if this is a mission you are called to serve.
     The Bristol Kitchen located nearby in Waltham, serves 40-80 people daily. BUMC has prepared and served a meal a month for well over 100 months, making this our oldest continuous mission. The Wells Young Adult Fellowship started our commitment to this ministry. Now each month finds a different group of volunteers cooking and serving the
meal. Some months a group of volunteers comes together for the day, at other times a formed group like the youth group, a confirmation class, or a scout troop takes charge. Young or old, if you can navigate a kitchen or just share a smile while serving your brother or sister, you will be blessed by taking part in this ministry.   Talk to Terri Kolenbrander if you would like to participate.
     Through Partakers’ “College Beyond Bars” Program, BUMC sponsors an inmate at MCI Framingham. We currently provide material and emotional assistance to Yvette Gordon to help advance her education. Members correspond with her and visit with her to provide moral support and guidance. We have lately been providing funding for a cell phone to allow our client to keep up with her children, with whom she has had little contact for several years. This has been a remarkable blessing to her. If you would like to experience a little piece of liberation theology, talk to Linda Kincaid.

If you are compelled to leave the comfort of your back yard, you might want to consider some of the more global missions we support.
     The Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) supports asylum seekers (typically one client at a time) by building a framework of support and a program toward self sustainability. We team up with other churches in our local cluster to help our client establish a place to live, support in finding a job and the emotional and spiritual support to cope in a new environment. Talk to Linda French or Ros Paine, if this is where you are called to serve.
     Our relationship continues with the Cooperative Parish Ministry of Cornerstone, Covenant and Hartzell United Methodist Churches in New Orleans. All three churches are back up and running after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina two years ago, but they still need a lot of help. The youth group is planning a return trip Memorial Day weekend in which we hope to help wherever we are needed as they continue rebuilding and resettling displaced members of their congregations. In the meantime, drop our brothers and sisters in New Orleans a note to let them know they haven't been forgotten! The address is:

Cornerstone United Methodist Church
5276 Bullard Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70128

So, if you can bang a nail or are the front man for a rock band that wants to be in our battle of the band fundraiser, speak with Linda Kincaid, Liz LaRocque or any of the youth group members.
     “Nothing but Nets” is a new mission to the Methodist conference and to our church. Malaria infects more than 500 million people a year and kills more than a million— one person dies about every 30 seconds. The disease is particularly devastating in Africa, where it is a leading killer of children. In the poorest parts of the world, where effective window screens are lacking, insecticide-treated bed nets are arguably the most cost-effective way to prevent malaria transmission. One bed net costs just $10 to buy and deliver to individuals in need. One bed net can safely last a family for about four years, thanks to a long-lasting insecticide woven into the net fabric. So far we have sold 42 nets. You can make a contribution to the Sunday collection by making a check out to “BUMC” and designate “NETS”. Talk to E. J. Johnson if you have any fund raising ideas for this project.
     Edna Van Saun, our long-time Music Director, has heeded her call to reach out to vulnerable children by traveling to Brazil to teach music in an orphanage supported by Hope Unlimited. Our mission committee is exploring ways which we might be in active orphan ministries. If this is an area in which you are being called, please talk to Brad Stayton.

At BUMC it has always been our objective to lead with our hearts and hands, not just our checkbook. If your heart is leading you in the direction of another ministry not listed here, come share your vision at the next Missions Committee meeting (we meet the second Tuesday of each month) or talk to Brad Stayton.
     While each of these missions require us to reach out to others, often times it is we who receive the greater blessing.

Finance News
Following are some highlights from the 6 month treasurer’s report:

Total Income: $114,846 (not including an endowment withdrawal)
Total Expenses: $143,000
Pledge Amount Received: $104,819 (6 month)
Total pledged: $193,160 (12 month), $96,580 (6 month)

Although we are doing well on pledge payments, our 2007-8 budget will show a loss in pledges based on these numbers. The budget was completed before pledge cards were totaled and included $230,000 from pledges, rather than the actual pledge amount of $193,160. If anyone would like to see the detailed report, please ask Terri Stull or Kathie Stayton. If you have any questions about your pledge amount, or how much you have paid so far, please ask Louise Halstead.

Announcements

New District Superintendent Appointed
The Metro Hope District Committee on the Superintedency joins Bishop Peter Weaver in announcing the appointment of Rev. Martin D. McLee as District Superintendent as of July 1, 2008.
     Rev. McLee brings energy and deep spirituality to the Superintendency that will serve our District, the Conference and United Methodism well. He has a vigorous commitment to evangelism and an understanding of administration as ministry.
     Rev. McLee has served Union United Methodist Church in Boston’s South End for the last eight years and recognizes both the uniqueness and the common thread of church life in ministry in urban, suburban and town settings.
     His special emphasis extends Christ’s love into the world and invites those outside the church into the Christian journey.
     While here he has had a commitment to inclusive ministry and the United Methodist connection.
     Even as we say goodbye to Dr. Aida Irizarry Fernandez in appreciation for her ministry we are grateful for Rev. McLee’s appointment and look forward to his vision and leadership.
     The Service of Welcome for Rev. McLee will be in the Fall of this year. Details will follow at a later date.

Youth Group Schedule

Sunday, January 27: Tubing at Nashoba--bring lunch and your snow clothes to church. We'll leave from church at 12:30. A two hour tubing ticket is $20; bring extra money if you want snacks at the snack bar. Adults will drop kids off at home when we are done--probably between 4:30 and 5. Friends are welcome--let Liz know if you are coming (and bringing friends) so we have enough drivers!

Saturday, February 2: Youth Group is cooking and serving the meal for Bristol Kitchen, plus more for our church luncheon on Sunday. We will meet in the church kitchen at 1:30 to cook, and leave by 4:30 to serve; back by 6. Let Liz know if you can help plan, shop, cook, serve, or bake desserts ahead of time!

Sunday, February 10: Regular Meeting 6:30-8. BRIEF Planning meeting about the upcoming concert and schedule, followed by a program and games. Friends always welcome!

Saturday, February 16: 6-10:30 PM. Benefit Concert for our Mission Trip to New Orleans. Come help set up, sell snacks, collect admission, and clean up--and have fun! See the flier in the paper Churchlight--it will be a great time!

Saturday, February 23: 10 AM-Noon Service Project for the church: Bring your pledge, your Windex, your sponges and your energy--it's been a long time since we have helped with a church cleanup day, and what better reason than having special guests? Come have fun together making the church sparkle--and plan to come to worship tomorrow to meet Bishop Peter Weaver!

Sunday, March 2: Laser Tag! Watch the bulletin for details!

Grief Support Group to Meet at Imler House
Valerie Epstein-Johnson, M.A., A.T.R. a Bereavement Field Coordinator with Beacon Hospice’s Charlestown office, will be facilitating a 6 week grief support group Monday nights from 5:30-7 p.m. beginning 2/11/08. The group is free and open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Through discussion and educational literature, Valerie will educate members on the grief process and coping skills that promote healing. Most importantly, this group will be a place for grieving people to mourn together and support each other on the path to hope and healing. Please register by calling or emailing Valerie Epstein-Johnson at 617-242-8370x15 or vepsteinjohnson@beaconhospice.com.

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School Magic Show
Join us Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 in the Social Hall for a bake sale, crafts and a Magic Show featuring Mike Bent’s “Abrakidabra”. Cost is $6 per person or $25 per family.

Nativity Notes
Thanks to all who helped set-up and take down the outdoor Nativity Set: Doug Teeter, Brian Sullivan, Brad Stayton, Ken Scott, Bill Wilson, Geoffrey Diehl, Phillip Imboywa, Michael Johnson, Harry and John Busteed and Joel and Owen Grimm, who also climb the tower every year to hang the star.
     This was the ninth season for our home-made Nativity. Back in the fall of 1999 we set to work to build the display in time for Christmas. A total of 63 children and adults did the carpentry and painting and when it was done we had a special lighting ceremony on the lawn. At the time we were the only church in town with an outdoor Nativity Set. This year four churches put up displays.
     We’re planning to add a few more shepherds and sheep this fall for the 10^th season so that a new generation of children will also have a sense of ownership. If you’re interested in helping out please speak to E.J. Johnson.

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, Feb. 3, following worship. February's meal will be on the theme of Mardi Gras, with New Orleans inspired food, beads, noise makers, festive music, games, and masks to decorate. Bring your family, and come join in a great meal and fun prepared and provided by the youth group. The freewill offering taken at lunch will go toward the youth group trip to New Orleans in May.

Office Volunteer Needed
Would you have a few hours to cover the office on Thursday, February 7. Hilary will be out of the office and coverage is needed from 12-3. Please call the office if you can help (617-489-0730).

The Women’s Book Group
On February 28, our book will be Moon Tide by Dawn Clifton Tripp. We meet at 7:30 in the Imler House Parlor – all are welcome!

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.

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.
    If you need to change your email information, select “Edit Profile” after signing in.

Coffee Hour
Feb 3: HIJKL
Feb. 10: MNOPQ
Feb. 17: RSTU
Feb. 24: VWXYZ

Sunshine Page
Births
Congratulations to Liz and Larry Wimmer on the birth of their grandchild; Zarya Wimmer Hussein. Zarya was born Dec. 24, 2007 in New York City to parents Natasha Wimmer and Tarik Hussein, weighing 6 lbs. 15 oz.

Baptisms
Noah Anderson Panto, son of Melissa Kennedy and Joe Panto, born 4/26/07, was baptized on January 20, 2008.

In our Thoughts
Our sympathy to Ginny Stockwood on the death of Warren on Saturday, January 19.

February Birthdays:

2:         Caitlin Marchetta
4:         Carolyn Backus
            Alicia Tardiff
            David Bourque
            Obafemi Williams
5:         Ellen Canepa
6:         Morrie Bailey
7:         Louise Halstead
            Ted Barton
8:         Dorthea Hansen
            Ian Hale
9:         Joanna Schaffhausen
11:       Evelyn Murray
12:       Ruth Wells
            Linda Keltner
            Jessica Pohlman

13:       Carole Brown
15:       Ed Sanford
            Judy Wilson
            Terry Skelton
16:       Henry Hansen
18:       Julie Carey
            Patrick Vershbow
19:       Christine Marchetta
            Judi LeCount
24:       Amanda Gore
            Jonathan Bailey
            Beverley Phillips
25:       Mike Bent
            Sarah Wilson
28:       Olive Woodland

Letters from Members and Friends
Child Life Services sends a special thanks for your recent contribution (baby blankets) which helped to spread the joy and spirit of the holiday season throughout the hospital. We appreciate your support of our program.
Myra D. Fox, Child Life Services, Children’s Hospital Boston

Dear friends from Belmont UMC, Thank you for all the wonderful Christmas gifts for the children. You have brought much joy to the children at Cooper.
Thankyou! Deb Ansourlian, Executive Director, Hattie B. Cooper Community Center

Dear Santa, thank you for all the toys this year. I really liked the toys you gave me. But the best thing I love is you. Yours truelly, Tiffany
Hattie B. Cooper Community Center please see cards posted on bulletin board

The Churchlight - January 2008

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:40:40 +0100

eChurchlight, January 2008

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Liz

Announcements
Monthly Fellowship Meal
Car Donation Needed
Youth Group Schedule
Women's Book Group
MLK Breakfast
Churchlight Sign Up
Church Cancellation Notice
Coffee Hour Schedule

Sunshine Page
Letters
Worship Schedule

Dates to Remember

Jan 6: Monthly Fellowship Lunch, 11:30
Jan 20: Deadline for Feb Churchlight
Jan 24: Women’s Book Group

through the looking glassL.L.WimmerI was reading a new story to Ronia this week about a little girl who lived in the city. In her neighborhood was a vacant lot where garbage and junk seemed to accumulate. Also in the lot was a scraggly bush without leaves that the little girl was convinced was a rose bush and if she took care of it would bloom and fill the lot with roses. Everyone told her it wasn't a rose bush at all but she insisted and she also began to clean up the lot so the rose bush could have fresh air and sunlight. She watered the bush and all the neighbors watched and felt bad because they knew that bush was never going to have roses on it but, they began to help her clean up. Finally the little girl decided to have a tea party in her rose garden. Everyone wondered what would happen when she didn't have any roses but she solved that by making paper roses and put them on the bare branches. And her neighbors surprised her (and possible themselves) by bringing to the party rose bushes, which they planted because they could not bear to see her disappointed. Her belief in that bush had started something in all of them. And because a little girl believed there would be roses blooming there and because she never stopped working to that end teaching everyone around about hope, something happened that was unexpected by everyone else - the vacant lot full of trash, became a rose garden and it became a rose garden not just because a little girl believed it would, it became a rose garden because those whose hearts were touched by her belief helped her clear the lot and brought roses to plant there. It's not a bad metaphor for a starting a new year. We heard a little bit about it in Advent - flowers blooming in the desert and so on. Wouldn't it be worthwhile to be a church that plants roses in vacant lots - that brings love to bear on a lost and broken world, not just an imaginary love that wants to make the world better, but a love that brings the roses and hauls away the trash and does the work to make the world better. We have our marching orders already do we not? In this New Year, 2008, why don't we do all the good we can! And watch the roses bloom.   From LizThanks to everyone for participating in our first-ever congregation-wide Christmas Pageant. What an amazing experience, to be a part of the old, familiar story with each other, enabling us to see it in new ways. What a gift!

Second Work Trip to New Orleans: If you are interested in participating in the work trip to New Orleans over Memorial Day Weekend, the deadline for reserving a spot is Sunday, January 13. You do NOT need to be a youth group member to come along—all are welcome. Cost will be about $400 per person. See Liz if you have questions, or want to reserve a spot!AnnouncementsMonthly Fellowship MealsWhat a great time we have, sharing in a meal together after worship once a month! Our next monthly fellowship meal will be on Epiphany, Sunday, January 6, following worship. Plan to join us for a wonderful lunch and fun and fellowship program!Car Donation NeededWould you consider donating a car you no longer need/use? RIM is looking for a car to help our client, Edwige to get to her job. Employment is difficult for her with the baby. Please call Linda French with questions 617-489-3656.Youth Group ScheduleOur next Youth Group meeting will be Sunday, January 6 – watch your bulletin for details!The Women’s Book GroupThe book group has chosen it’s selections for January and February! On January 24, we will discuss Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen; for February 28, our book will be Moon Tide by Dawn Clifton Tripp. We meet at 7:30 in the Imler House Parlor – all are welcome!Committee ChairsPlease let the office know if you cancel/change a meeting so that the calendar can be updated and a space reserved for you.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community BreakfastMonday, January 21, 2008 from 8:45 am – 11:00 am at the Belmont High School Cafeteria

Keynote Speaker: Kim McLarin, author, journalist, and host of WGBH’s Basic Black.
     Supervised activities for children under 10; Disability accessible; ASL interpreters. $5.00/person, $10/family at the door. Proceeds go to the After School Transportation Fund for Belmont’s METCO High School Students. Join us for food, music, and community. Preregistration requested for food and childcare requirements:
     RSVP to www.belmontagainstracism.org or june.roberts@verizon.net 617-489-0478 or ddabney@verizon.net 617-265-1918. Volunteers needed the weekend before and the day of the event. To volunteer contact Jonathan Jacoby at Jacoby42@aol.com or 617-489-3740
January 20: Human Relation’s DayYour offering strengthens outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth.
Electronic ChurchlightThe 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.Is Church Canceled?In the event of severe weather, check Channel 5! If we need to close the building, a notice will be posted on Channel 5 news (WCVB) and their website (thebostonchannel.com). The notice may be listed under U, for United Methodist Church Belmont. We will also continue to try to notify folks via the website, email, the church answering machine message, and word of mouth. If there is snow but church is NOT canceled, please be sure to check whether the town of Belmont has declared a parking ban – if so, we are limited to the spaces in the lot. Questions? See Liz.Coffee HourJan 6: RSTU
Jan 13: VWXYZ
Jan. 20: ABC
Jan 27: DEFGSunshine PageBirthsCongratulations to Jessie and Jonathan Epstein on the birth of their son, Emmett William Epstein, born Dec. 5th, weighing 8 lbs., 6 oz and 21 1/2 inches long.

Congratulations to Aaron and Nancy Kneiss on the birth of their son, Isaac Sascha Kneiss, born Thursday, Dec. 13, weighing 8 lbs., 7 oz, 20.5 inches long.
In our ThoughtsOur thoughts are with Warren Stockwood, who was hospitalized and is now home, and Don Troxel who had heart surgery at Mass General on Dec. 17 and is now recovering. Jessie Epstein, was hospitalized and is now home.Our sympathy to the family of Margaret Nelson, who passed away on Saturday, December 15. A memorial service in the Spring is being planned.January Birthdays:2:         Devin LaRocque
3:         Marion Cushing
4:         Jim Muirhead
6:         E.J.Johnson
10:       Kirk Kolenbrander
11:       Lisa Kelly
            Ann Ashford
12:       Dave Walsh
            Christopher LaRocque
            Andy Walsh
13:       Emily Kolenbrander
            Gwen Hynes
14:       Sarah Kolenbrander
15:       Martha Wainwright
18:       Debbie Blaisdell
22:       Douglas Matson
23:       Richard Gerrold
            Lisa Courtney
24:       Stephanie Schaffhausen
26:       Jill Quickel
28:       Ros Paine
            Alan White
January Anniversaries:1:         David Rumpf and Anna DiMascio
Letters from Members and FriendsDear Members of Belmont United Methodist Church,
Thank you very much for the generous use of your social hall for the Belmont High School Marching Band’s annual banquet. The school, our student musicians, and all their families are most grateful to you for providing us a space in which to celebrate the accomplishments of our student musicians who are learning valuable lessons about working together in an ensemble that supports the larger school community. Best wishes for peaceful holidays,
With gratitude, The Belmont High School Marching Band
To the people of the Belmont United Methodist Church,
All of us at the Food Pantry thank you for your wonderful donation and support. We truly appreciate your generosity.
Many thanks, Rosemary Kules; Belmont Food Pantry
January 2008 Worship ServicesJanuary 6:10:00 a.m.   Communion     Epiphany of the Lord            Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Mathew 2:1-12

January 13: 10:00 a.m. Worship Baptism of the Lord     Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17

January 20: 10:00 a.m. Worship      Human Relations Day                Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7, I Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42

January 27: 10:00 a.m. Communion                   Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4, I Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23

Deadline for the February Churchlight is January 20.

The Churchlight December 2007

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:33:12 +0100

eChurchlight, December 2007

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Liz
Thanksgiving Ingathering
Church School Holiday Schedule
Fundraising
Monthly Fellowship Meals
Christmas Pageant
Youth Group Schedule
Mission Front
Belmont Food Pantry
New Orleans Partnership
Cooper Community Gifts
Announcements
Christmas Open House
Access to Amazon
good Sense Ministry
echurchlight Sign Up
Is Church Canceled
Coffee Hour Schedule

Sunshine Page
Letters
Worship Schedule
Poinsettias Order Form

Dates to Remember

Dec 2: Monthly Fellowship Lunch, 11:30
Dec 9: Christmas Open House at the French’s home
Dec 23: Christmas Pageant

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

I was wrong. I had decided to give up the notion that there could ever be peace on earth. I was wrong because that is no way to live. Advent reminds me to live with expectation. One of the promises of God that comes to earth with Jesus is peace on earth. How dare I give up on that? And so let us live with expectation. Let us look for signs of hope. Let us find the good in all that is before us. Let us remain faithful to peace on earth not by giving up but each giving in to the dream of peace that is God's plan for creation, the shalom of a world that finds each other and itself. Peace will come because we practice peace and we will practice peace until peace comes.

When I was discouraged and losing hope, my friend and colleague sent me this little story:

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coal-mouse asked a wild dove.
"Nothing more than nothing," was the answer.
"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the coal-mouse said. "I sat on a branch of a fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow, not heavily, not in a raging blizzard, no, just like a dream, without any violence. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3, 741, 952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch-nothing more than nothing, as you say-the branch broke off." Having said that the coal-mouse flew away.

The dove, since Noah's time an authority on the matter, thought about the story for a while and finally said to herself: "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come about in the world."

The practice of peace is the practice of all the little things that appear to be nothing but which are adding to the great weight of the inevitable time when all things will be made right. To live with expectation is to hope again. It is to live a life that says yes instead of no. It is to live a life of celebration celebrating what is to come until it comes, thanks be to God. God made us to say yes to life. We were made for peace. Peace is what is natural, not war.

i thank you God for most this amazing day
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable you?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

E.E. Cummings

I wish I had written that! Lift up your hearts! May this advent bless your life with the expectation of peace.

From Liz
Thanksgiving Ingathering
Thanks to your generous donations combined with those of Calvary UMC in Arlington, our youth groups sorted and boxed over 40 boxes and bags of food on Sunday, November 18. The food was taken to the Thompson School in Arlington, where it was added to their food donations, and provided meal boxes for over 30 families who need assistance over the holiday season. Thank you so much for your support!

Church School Holiday Schedule
There are no classes on December 23 or 30—they resume January 7. The nursery will be open on Christmas Eve. There is no Jesus in the Gospels on December 21 or 28.

Fundraising
The youth group raked leaves on Sunday, November 11—and is happy to rake your leaves, too. There is no set cost; all donations go to the Youth Group Mission Fund, which has been used primarily for our work in New Orleans. If you would like to hire the youth to rake your yard, call Geoffrey Deihl at 617-484-9461. They are also great at other chores—see me!

Monthly Fellowship Meals
What a great time we have, sharing in a meal together after worship once a month! We meet next on Sunday, December 2 at 11:30; our meal will be the meal prepared for Bristol Kitchen on Saturday. Following the meal we will have a lively Carol Sing and Hanging of the Greens. January’s meal will be Sunday, January 6.

Christmas Pageant—Get Ready!
Our pageant this year will, of course, be telling the same wonderful story that we all love and expect but with something a little extra this year – a celebration of our whole church family. During worship on Sunday, December 23 the most beautiful story ever told will unfold among us in the holy hour of worship. Come see the glorious story told again—and find yourself caught in the magic of it!

Youth Group Schedule
Sunday, December 2: Regular meeting 6:30-8 at the church; we will also make some quick decisions about our schedule for December-February.
Sunday, December 9: We’ll leave at 12:30 (right after Sunday School) to shop for Christmas gifts for Cooper Community Center. Bring money for a food court lunch! Schedule after December 9 will be available following our meeting on the 2^nd!

On the Mission Front
Belmont Food Pantry Thanksgiving Gifts
On Saturday, the 17^th of November, over 70 people were helped at the Belmont Food Pantry. Generous donations, like BUMC’s, made it possible to have plenty of food on hand and to give every client a $25.00 gift certificate to Shaw’s. The clients were very thankful and excited about their gift certificate! As for me, I am thankful to belong to such a generous, wonderful, thoughtful congregation. Thank you for your donation! Pamela Vershbow

New Orleans Partnership Update
We continue to be in contact with our sister churches in New Orleans. We have sent them a copy of the pictures and video we took on our recent trip, and are exploring ways we can continue to help them get what they need, while the experience continues to bless us. Our next trip will be over Memorial Day weekend, and anyone is welcome to join us; please see me if you are interested, or email me at liz_larocque1@msn.com.

Cooper Community Christmas Gifts
Each year we provide Christmas Gifts for the children of Cooper Community Center and their young siblings. On the Narthex wall there are stars with the name, sex and age of children at Cooper Community Center. Please take one or more stars and purchase a gift (approx. value $10-$20) for the child listed on the star. Return the star and the gift will be wrapped and delivered during the following week. Watch for news about the wrapping party.

Announcements
Annual Christmas Open House
Please save the date: Sunday, Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m. A potluck of appetizers and desserts at Will and Linda French’s home.

Please use our link to Amazon
Please remember to use the link found on the left side of the Belmont United Methodist Church web site http://www.umcbelmont.org/ when shopping at Amazon. The church receives a referral fee if you access Amazon through our web site.

Good $ense Ministry
A Personal Financial Management Course – Are You Interested?
The United Methodist Foundation makes this short course available to churches. The course consists of 6 short videos, discussions with a facilitator, and a workbook to help you evaluate your own financial situation (only you see what you write in the workbook). The cost in $ and time: $10 for the workbook, prep work, home work, and attending the classes (6 hours class time). Classes can be arranged at the most convenient time for the participants. If you are interested please contact Louise Halstead: phone (617) 489-1340, email: Louise.Halstead@verizon.net.

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. You may change your email/profile data by first logging in and then selecting Change Profile. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Is Church Canceled?
In the event of severe weather, check Channel 5! If we need to close the building, a notice will be posted on Channel 5 news (WCVB) and their website (thebostonchannel.com). We will also continue to try to notify folks via the website, email, the church answering machine message, and word of mouth. If there is snow but church is NOT canceled, please be sure to check whether the town of Belmont has declared a parking ban – if so, we are limited to the spaces in the lot. Questions? See Liz.

Coffee Hour
Dec. 2: RSTU
Dec. 9: VWXYZ
Dec. 16: ABC
Dec. 23: DEFG-HIJKL
Dec. 30: MNOPQ

Sunshine Page
Births
Congratulations to Elizabeth and John Whitley on the birth of a baby boy on Nov. 20^th. The baby weighed in at 7.1 lbs.

Baptisms
Meghan Julia Walsh, born December 22, 2006, daughter of Stephanie and Andrew Walsh was baptized on November 18.

In our Thoughts
Don Troxel has been hospitalized in Mass General for a staph infection and endocarditis. If all goes as planned, he will be home for a long course of IV antibiotics. Allison Colton had surgery 11/14 and is home recovering. Terry Kolenbrander had surgery 11/12 and is home recovering.

December Birthdays:

1:         Liz LaRocque
3:         Andrew Wong
4:         Nancy Montanaro
5:         Eleanor Newcombe
            Renee Eurdolian
6:         Matthew Tardiff
            Brenton Canning
9:         Judy Anderson
10:       Trudie Hale
11:       Robert Brown
16:       Kathy Touzjian
17:       Janet Coombs
            Terry Grimm
18:       Caleb Teeter
19:       Doug Teeter
            Love Joy Melendez

20:       Kristie Wetzel
21:       Dick Coombs
22:       Bob Hynes
23:       Alex Schaffhausen
            Sybil Fetter
            Theresa Pluskey
            Bert Halstead
            Carol Wintermyer
24:       Janet Muirhead
            Jason Melendez
28:       Kelly Jo Miller
            Barry Anderson
            Francis French
31:       Jeffrey Ayres

December Anniversaries:
27:            Douglas and Christina Matson

Letters from Members and Friends
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for the delightful baby shower on November 4^th. We had a wonderful afternoon and were very touched that so many came to “shower” us with adorable gifts and well-wishes. An extra big thank-you to all those who helped to organize, set up, and photograph the event. What a wonderful group of people we have here at BUMC! We are truly blessed to have such a loving and supportive community, and look forward to watching our children grow at the church.
   Best wishes,
   Jessie & Jonathan Epstein
   Nancy and Aaron Kneiss
   Elizabeth and John Whitley

December 2007 Worship Services
December 2:10:00 a.m.   Communion     Advent 1             Color: Purple or Blue
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

December 9: 10:00 a.m. Worship Advent 2            Color: Purple or Blue
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12

December 16: 10:00 a.m. Worship                     Color: Purple or Blue
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:46b-55, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

December 23: 10:00 a.m. Communion        Pageant            Color: Purple or Blue
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25

December 24: 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols Color: White

Poinsettias for Christmas
Once again we shall decorate our chancel with the traditional Poinsettias which we then distribute to shut-ins after Christmas Sunday. You may share in this ministry of beauty and love by completing this form and returning it to the office with $7.50 for each plant ordered. Please indicate the number of plants you are ordering. We must have your order by Sunday, December 9, 2007. Please Print clearly.

Your Name: _____________________________________________________________

In Memory Of: ___________________________________________________________
       Or
In Honor Of: ____________________________________________________________

I Will take my Poinsettia on Christmas Sunday and deliver it to:

__________________________________________________________

I will leave my Poinsettia at the church to be delivered to shut-ins.

                Number of Plants ______ Total $ ______    Date Paid ______

The Churchlight November 2007

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:31:20 +0100

eChurchlight, November 2007

Contents (click on a topic to select)

through the looking glass
From Liz - New Orleans Update
Monthly Fellowship Meals
Jesus in the Gospels
Youth Group Schedule
Adult Study Opportunities
All Saints Day
Pumpkin Fair Update
Good $ense Ministry
Habitat Home Dedication
Christmas Open House
Churchlight Sign Up
Coffee Hour Schedule
Sunshine Page
Worship Schedule
Poinsettia Order Form

Dates to Remember

Nov   4: Monthly fellowship lunch and mission fair, 11:30
Nov   4: New Orleans dinner & discussion, 6:30 pm
Nov 14: Potluck dinner, 6:30 pm
Nov 14: Admin Council meeting, 7:30 pm
Dec   9: Christmas Open House at the French’s home

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

One of the speakers in the "Living the Questions" presentation this past week said that she thought the moral life was measured by what we do everyday in all the mundane routine of our lives. It is not just those moments of historic proportion, the great public crisis of our times or even those personal turning points in our own lives but rather it is in the private moments when we each make choices about how we will act on a day to day basis that others may not even know that defines whether or not we are living a moral life.
     I remember reading in The Wisdom of the Desert one time about the monk who declared he would live in private as if he were in public. It is a simple enough statement but he went on to describe that he imagined when he was alone that Christ was present with him even as he imagined that in public Christ was also there so that wherever he was Christ was present and so he decided to live his life as if Christ were present in it and so he lived out his life in the presence of Christ, the ultimate moral life, because it is a life completely integrated with itself, unchanged by circumstances or situation.
     If we were to look to Scripture to describe what the presence of Christ would mean if we were to abide there we need look no further than the words: This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. The moral life is measured by how much our choices from one moment to the next are governed by the love of Christ which Jesus also described very clearly as laying ones life down for others. One could even say that the moral life is the life that serves.
     This life of service is both private and public from the simplest act of kindness that goes unnoticed to a public act that demands attention. From the desert fathers again we read: Malice will never drive out malice. But if someone does evil to you, you should do good to him, so that by your good work you may destroy his malice. It sounds a lot like that word in Romans that says: Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
     In my view the love of Christ enables us to overcome evil with good every day and it is not easy but this is what the moral life does. Malice is not just an actor on the world stage but a player in our daily lives and the more we abide in Christ the less such malice will have life in us and in the world around us. It requires constant attention to the fact that we are in the presence of Christ always and it requires the commitment to always be the servant who sacrifices his or her own self-interest for whatever the love of Christ demands. Much is required but much is given, for the reward of the moral life, a life in Christ, is more than our imaginations can even hope, for as we live out the love of Christ we receive the peace of Christ, a treasure, that if we only knew, I believe we would give everything we have to possess.
     The moral life is not about how good we are but how much good we do because we love. I believe morality is linked with love in Christ, the love that is of humility and service. It is not about how many rules we keep but how much love rules our hearts. May we all dedicate ourselves to service because of the love of Christ and see where God will take us when we do.

From Liz
New Orleans Trip an Amazing Experience
What was amazing? Let me tell you a few things…16 kids understanding that the weekend was not about them or their enjoyment…and pitching in and working HARD to help others. Seeing devastation that, somehow, we all thought had just “gone away” over the two years since hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck.   Traveling to the levees…and realizing they were just 6 blocks from the church where we stayed…and realizing what that must have meant for the church and the neighborhood it is still trying so valiantly to serve. Meeting person after person who has weathered the storms and is trying to find a “new normal”—yet, each one, happy they are staying in New Orleans and sure that God is with them. Joining in lively worship with faithful people, who were willing to proclaim their faith in word, song and story. And being able to share it all with each other, during the trip and since our return. We, all twenty two of us who made this first trip to New Orleans, are grateful to this congregation for its support, interest, gifts and prayers.

What’s next for our work in New Orleans?
Anyone interested in what next steps we will take is invited to join trip participants and their families for an informal pizza dinner on Sunday, November 4 at 6:30 in the Social Hall. Bring a salad or dessert to share, and $3 per person for the pizza!

Monthly Fellowship Meals
Beginning in November, our Sunday meals will be the first Sunday of each month, and we will have for our meal whatever we have prepared for Bristol Kitchen that same weekend. Volunteers are always welcome—see Liz or Terri Kolenbrander if you can help! Our next Sunday meal together is Sunday, November 4; in addition to enjoying a delicious lunch, we will be able to share in a Mission Fair.
     We also have the chance to eat together the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30, when we gather for a potluck dinner before Administrative Council. If you have never been to a Wednesday night potluck, come join us! You are welcome to stay for the meeting at 7:30, if you wish. Our schedule moves up a week in November; the next potluck dinner and Administrative Council meeting will be Wednesday, November 14.

Jesus in the Gospels
Jesus in the Gospels has begun; we have 14 people gathering each Friday evening for fellowship and study. This is a 30 week study looking at the Jesus we find in each of the gospels—and the Jesus that finds us, through them. Participants read assigned passages daily (about 45-60 minutes a day), then meet weekly for 2 ½ hours to discuss and learn from each other. This is not a study one can move into and out of easily, but there is still room if you would like to join in, catch up, and be with us for the remainder of the journey! It sounds intensive, and it is, but it is well worth it. Interested? See Liz or Barbara Ryther!

Youth Group Schedule
October 28: Halloween Activity with Calvary UMC. We will meet here from 6:30-8!

November 4: Pizza Dinner—What’s next for our work in New Orleans? Meet at 6:30; bring your families, anyone interested in joining us, a salad or dessert to share, and $3 per person for pizza!

November 11: Leaf Raking after church! Bring work clothes, rakes, bags and a bag lunch—we will eat together right after Sunday School, then split up to rake! Hopefully, we’ll be done by 5—and you can rest on Monday—no school!

November 18: Ingathering! We will join the Calvary UMC youth group at their church to sort and box the ingathering. Time will be announced—watch the bulletin!

November 25: No Meeting—Thanksgiving Weekend

December 2: Movie Night? Game Night? We have a bunch of activities to reschedule—we’ll see what we feel like as the date gets closer!

December 9: Shopping for and sorting Christmas gifts for Cooper Community Center. We will meet right after Sunday School, and head for the mall! Bring money for a food court lunch!

Adult Study Opportunities
Living the Questions continues through the fall. The following is the schedule:
Oct. 28:      Lexington UMC              Topic: “A Kingdom without Walls”
Nov. 4:       Arlington UMC               Topic: “Lives of Jesus”
Nov. 11:     Watertown UMC               Topic: “Compassion”
Nov. 18:     Belmont UMC Social Hall   Topic: “A Passion for Christ”
Nov. 25:     Lexington UMC                 Topic: “Out Into the World”
Dec. 2:       Arlington UMC              Topic: “The Contribution of Wesleyan Theology”
More details will be available in the weekly bulletins.

All Saints’ Day
On November 4 we will celebrate All Saints' Day in worship. All those who wish to remember a loved one who has died is invited to light a candle during the service in their memory.

Pumpkin Fair
Thank you everyone who helped with the Pumpkin Fair. Without your help Organizing, Setting Up, During the Day, and Cleanup we could not have had the wonderful activity we had on the lawn. With our successful Pumpkin Fair we collected more than $2000 for our missions. The Youth Group and RIM each ran tables to earn money specifically for their causes while the rest went into the mission budget to help cover our ongoing Mission expenses like Bristol Kitchen. Thanks to All of You, Louise Halstead and Liz LaRocque

Good $ense Ministry - a Personal Financial Management Course
Are You Interested? The United Methodist Foundation makes this short course
available to churches. The course consists of 6 short videos, discussions with a facilitator, and a workbook to help you evaluate your own financial situation (only you see what you write in the workbook). The cost in $ and time: $10 for the workbook, prep work, home work, and attending the classes (6 hours class time). Classes can be arranged at the most convenient time for the participants. If you are interested please contact Louise Halstead phone:(617) 489-1340, e-mail: Louise.Halstead@verizon.net

Habitat Home Dedication Ceremony
You are cordially invited to join us for the Dedication Ceremony of a new Habitat home at 315 Brighton Street in Belmont on Sunday, October 28 at 2:00 in the afternoon. There will be a brief program including the Blessing of the Home and an opportunity to meet the Mei family, the new homeowners. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to 617-423-2223 or Maureen@habitatboston.org

Annual Christmas Open House
Please save the date: Sunday, Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m. A potluck of appetizers and desserts at Will and Linda French’s home.

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.
    If you need to change your email information, please log in and then following the login process, go to “Edit Profile” in the left column.

Coffee Hour
Nov. 4 – ABC
Nov. 11 – DEFG
Nov. 18 – HIJKL
Nov. 25 - MNOPQ

Sunshine Page
Births
Congratulations to parents Alan and Stephanie White on the birth of Derek on October 22. Derek joins his big brother, Deacon.

In our Thoughts
Kathie Stayton had surgery on Tuesday, October 9. After 48 hours in the hospital, she is home continuing her recovery.

Our sympathies are with the family of Esther Skilling who recently passed away.   A service was held on Saturday, Oct. 13.

November Birthdays:

1:         John Canepa
2:         Terri Stull
6:         Diane Gore
            Elizabeth Baker
8:         Robert Hale
10:       Jean Husson
            Scott Myers
15:       Jerome Farnsworth
            Ryan Miller
16:       Nora Bent
19:       Jocelyn Milton

20:       Emily Farnsworth
            Stephen Rosales
            Florence Brackett
21:       Brad Stayton
22:       Susan Soergel
            Janice Knight
            Andrew Duval
24:       John Montanaro
25:       Robert Nordlund
28:       Allysa Gore
            Caitlin Sullivan
30:       Debi Rosales
31:       John Busteed

November Anniversaries:
9:         Terry and Joel Grimm
10:       Mark and Liz LaRocque
19:       Charles and Diane Gore

November 2007 Worship Services
November 4:10:00 a.m.   Communion     All Saints Day            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10

November 11: 10:00 a.m. Worship                                              Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Haggai 1:15b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38

November 18: 10:00 a.m. Worship                                           Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

November 25: 10:00 a.m. Communion   United Methodist Student Day            Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43

Poinsettias for Christmas

Once again we shall decorate our chancel with the traditional Poinsettias which we then distribute to shut-ins after Christmas Sunday. You may share in this ministry of beauty and love by completing this form and returning it to the office with $7.50 for each plant ordered. Please indicate the number of plants you are ordering. We must have your order by Sunday, December 9, 2007. Please Print clearly.

Your Name: _____________________________________________________________

In Memory Of: ___________________________________________________________
       Or
In Honor Of: ____________________________________________________________

I Will take my Poinsettia and deliver it to:

__________________________________________________________

I will leave my Poinsettia at the church to be delivered to shut-ins.

                Number of Plants ______ Total $ ______    Date Paid ______

The ChurchLight October 2007

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:50:43 +0100

eChurchlight, October 2007

Contents (click on a link to select)

From Larry
From Liz
Monthly Lunch at Church
Church School Plan
Floor Renovation
Priorities for Coming Year
Adult Study
Imler House Update
Music for Orphanage (Edna Van Saun)
DVDs Available
Pumpkin Fair
eChurchlight Access
Coffee Hour Schedule
Blood Drive
Sunshine Page
Worship Schedule
An Evening of Music

Dates to Remember

Sept 30: Church School opening day
Oct 11: Pumpkin Fair set up, 5:30
Oct 13: Pumpkin Fair, 10:00-4:00
Oct 14: Fellowship lunch 11:30

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer
One of the words I read this summer that I remember even though I have forgotten for the moment who said it: "Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived." this is not a new idea for me but it is one of the things that was confirmed for me in my time apart. The renewal leave itself was a mystery to me. I didn't know what to make of it at first. I grew up on a farm and the idea of not working and being paid for it was not part of my experience. I have talked a lot about the gift of life and of receiving gifts before the leave ever happened but it was all theory. Now I know what it is like to receive a gift that I have not earned or at least that according to my interior values system have not earned. Some would argue that 30 years of ministry earns you a sabbatical time and I would not disagree but I am talking about what I felt inside which was itself another learning from the time apart. When you are given the opportunity to just be, you do make some self-discoveries. One discovery is that I talk about grace a lot but I keep working to make sure I won't need to depend on grace for anything. There is probably a better reason to work. Another thing that I am learning is that as I learn new things about my interior self those learnings just keep expanding. In other words they don't go away. As a result I will continue to go deeper and continue the process of being present in my own life.
I think this is what John Wesley meant when he asks of us "Are you going on to perfection? Are we being perfected as we go? Are we learning, growing, improving, becoming everything that God made us to be? Perfection in this sense from my understanding of it means becoming complete, being made whole. It is something we continue to work on as individuals and as a congregation and that is hopeful. It is the hope of the gospel that we can be changed, redeemed, completed, made whole. We do not stay the same. We are learning how to be. Thanks be to God. Amen.

From Liz
Larry’s back! And all is right with our world. . . It is so wonderful to have Larry back with us, and to have celebrated his return on Sunday, September 23. Thanks to all who helped with worship and with our first monthly feast together. And thanks for your generosity—we splurged on a catered meal, but your donations covered almost all of the cost! The fun and fellowship we have together is worth more than any of us can count. . .

Monthly Fellowship Meals
Monthly Fellowship Meals will continue throughout the year. Our next Sunday meal will be Sunday, October 14 at 11:30 in the Social Hall. Our menu will be simpler; after we feast and chat together, the folks who are traveling to New Orleans will give us a brief overview of their trip and their impressions of our new partnership. Beginning in November, our Sunday meals will be the first Sunday of each month, and we will have for our meal whatever we have prepared for Bristol Kitchen that same weekend. Volunteers are always welcome—see Liz or Terri Kolenbrander if you can help! We also have the chance to eat together the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30, when we gather for a potluck dinner before Administrative Council. If you have never been to a Wednesday night potluck, come join us! You are welcome to stay for the meeting at 7:30, if you wish.

New Church School Plan
Several families and Church School teachers met on Sunday, September 9 to discuss our hopes for BUMC Christian Education, and to plan for the coming year. This year looks to be a wonderful blend of new ideas and old favorites. The plan:

Nursery Care is available during worship for infants through age 4. Our nursery is staffed by volunteers; if you would like to help, please see Kathie Stayton or sign up in the Narthex!

Age 4 (pre-K) through Grade 4 will meet for Church School this year during worship. We will meet in the Yellow Room at 10 on Communion Sundays, then join our families in the Sanctuary for Communion; on all other Sundays, we will begin the morning with our families in worship, then leave for Church School after the Children’s Time. We are once again using the wonderful, lectionary-based Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. Teachers for this age group are Neal Touzjian, Doug Teeter, Kirstin Reagan, Jocelyn Milton, Heather Sullivan and Liz LaRocque.

During the 11:30-12:15 Church School time, younger children who stay will have two options: Choir practice in the Social Hall with Linda Keltner, or supervised play in the gym with Heather Sullivan. Questions? See Liz or Heather Sullivan.

Grade 5 through Adults will continue to meet after Coffee Hour, from 11:30-12:15. We will also be using Seasons of the Spirit for our youth classes; Senior High and Adults will also have short-term, topical studies. The available classes are:
Grade 5-8 meets in the Youth Room with Terri Kolenbrander

Confirmation for interested youth in grades 7-8 will meet in the Pastor’s Study with Larry
Grades 9-12 will meet in Imler House, and will be taught by Elizabeth Whitley, Rebecca Kazokas, Linda Kincaid and Liz LaRocque.

Senior High youth can choose their class: Seasons of the Spirit study in the Dining Room, or short-term topical studies in the Parlor.

Adults will meet with John Whitley in the church Parlor; class topics will be decided by John and the group.

MYF begins for the program year on Sunday, September 30, from 6:30-8 in the Social Hall. All youth in grades 5-12 are invited! We will make our own desserts, then plan together for the coming months—with games and fun thrown in! See you there!

Isn’t our main floor beautiful?
Thanks to Charlie Gore, EJ Johnson, Louise Halstead and Hilary Baldwin, who coordinated the renovation of the floors in the Narthex, Chapel and Parlor. A committed crew of volunteers—Barbara Ryther, EJ Johnson, Greg Diehl, Jocelyn and Joanna Milton, Doug, Andrew and Caleb Teeter, Terri Stull, Joel Grimm and Liz LaRocque—rearranged furniture and got the spaces looking spiffy for our Welcoming Sunday, September 23. Of course, once one item is renovated, we all start seeing other areas that want our attention! If you see an area in the church that could use some TLC, or would like to help in spiffing up our church home, please speak with Charlie Gore or Liz LaRocque.

Priorities for our 2007-2008 Program Year:
At our planning meeting on September 16, we reaffirmed the priorities discussed at the May planning meeting. Those priorities are:

Involving and integrating congregation members, both old and new, in all areas of the life of the church;
Communication
Determining how to best use our buildings and property.

Each committee is encouraged to discuss these priorities and incorporate them into the work of their group; all committees are encouraged to report to the Administrative Council regularly, and to be represented at each Administrative Council meeting. The committee schedule for the coming year is:
1^st Tuesday: Education (Heather Sullivan, chair)
1^st Thursday: Staff-Pastor-Parish Relations (Morrie Bailey, chair)
2^nd Tuesday: Missions (Brad Stayton, chair)
2^nd Wednesday: Finance (Terri Stull, chair)
3^rd Wednesday: Administrative Council (Laurel Wainwright, chair)
4^th Tuesday: Evangelism (Steve Courtney, chair)
4^th Wednesday: Worship (Larry Wimmer, chair)
4^th Thursday: Book Group (Imler House)
TBD: Property Care (Charlie Gore, chair)
Quarterly/as needed: Trustees (Diane Gore, chair)
Quarterly: Memorial Gifts (Emily Farnsworth, chair)

We are lucky to have several folks who have volunteered to take over as chairs of committees—when you see them, please say thanks!

Adult Study Opportunities
Becoming Disciples through Bible Study is a wonderful, inspiring course that, over 34 weeks, studies the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. At last count, about 70 BUMC adults have participated in Disciple; of those, almost 20 more also joined the second study, Into the Word. We are hoping to once again have a Disciple Bible Study course, including our friends from St. John’s UMC in Watertown, Lexington UMC, and Calvary UMC in Arlington. It is taking a little while to get this organized, but hopefully we will know soon whether we will have a multi-congregation class! If you are interested, please see Liz or Larry!

Jesus in the Gospels is a 30-week, second generation Disciple Bible Study, exploring how Jesus is presented in each of the four gospels; how we come to know Jesus and are known by him. This year, we will be meeting on Friday evenings from 6:30-9 p.m. While this course is designed for Disciple graduates, we would love to have anyone who is interested participate. If you are interested and have not yet signed up, please see Liz, or email her at liz_larocque1@msn.com

Living the Questions will resume this fall. We will be meeting with three other churches. The following is the schedule:
Oct. 14:    Watertown UMC
Oct. 21:    Belmont UMC – Social Hall
Oct. 28:    Lexington UMC
Nov. 4:    Arlington UMC
Nov. 11:   Watertown UMC
Nov. 18:   Belmont UMC – Social Hall
Nov. 25:   Lexington UMC
Dec.   2:   Arlington UMC
More details will be available in the weekly bulletins.

An Update about Imler House
As you know, now that the LaRocques have moved from Imler house we are faced with an interesting decision concerning how we might want to best use that property. This was first discussed at the Administrative Council’s Sept. meeting. The council is aware that there may be many options for how to use that property and that we, as a community need to make some careful decisions about the option that will best serve our congregation. The council has begun to formulate a plan for gathering proposals from any interested individuals. The proposals will then be reviewed by the congregation to determine the feasibility of each option. This process may take time but hopefully the time spent will allow us to make the best decision. More information about the timetable and exact process will be made available next month in the Churchlight. In the meantime, everyone should know that one short term option that is being considered would be to have our new custodian live there until we make a longer term decision. This option, if it occurs, would last no more than one year. This temporary option would allow us time to make a careful and thoughtful decision while keeping Imler House from standing empty.

On the Mission Front
Bringing Music to Street Children
Dear Friends,
     It is hard to believe I am less than 3 months away from my departure Dec. 3 to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to start my music work with orphaned children.
     In Brazil, there are an estimated 7 million street children. They suffer every imaginable form of abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation. The average survival for street kids is only three to four years, and 16 children are reported murdered every day (2006 U.N. Report). But many murders go unreported. Approximately 18% of the children are “biological orphans” – the remaining 82% are “social orphans,” having been forced to flee home due to abuse, neglect or violence.
     I will be living in the orphanage, Hope Unlimited, in the girls’ quarters. This should be interesting for someone without children. Anyhow, I look forward to it.
     I am proposing a very intensive program with the children. They will spend about 5 hours a week in class, learning general music education, singing in choral groups and learning how to play the recorder. The program will conclude with a Christmas concert on 12/24 right before Santa arrives with gifts for everyone.
     It is hard for me to conceal my excitement about the project. There is currently no structured music program at the orphanage, not even a piano, and I am told the children are already excited about it.
     Many of you have graciously offered to contribute financially to this endeavor. Your generosity is much appreciated as I have no funding to cover any of the costs associated with running it. Should you wish to make a tax deductible contribution to this project, please make checks payable to:

Belmont United Methodist Church
Orphanage Project
421 Common Street
Belmont, MA 02478

You can mail the check directly to the church, or, if you wish, feel free to give it to me and I will make sure it gets to the church. Please be assured your contributions will only be used to support this program.
     In any event, your interest in what I am doing and words of support have been of great comfort and encouragement to me.

Affectionately,
Edna Van Saun
“Next to silence, music comes the closest to expressing the inexpressible”
-Aldous Huxley

Announcements
DVDs Available
We still have some DVDs of Confirmation 2007, Confirmation 2006 and the 2006 Christmas Pageant for anyone who had children participating and did not receive one. Contact E. J. Johnson

Pumpkin Fair
The Pumpkin Fair is on Sat. October 13^th. If you can help please contact Louise Halstead at 617-489-1340 or Louise.Halstead@verizon.net or Liz. Help is needed on Thursday October 11^th to set up the tent. We will begin setting up at 5:30 – we need 6 to 8 people to set up quickly. On Sat. we will begin at 8:00 a.m. setting up tables for the Mega Yard Sale and other activities. The Fair opens at 10:00 and goes until 4:00. We will have a Bake Sale table, games, bounces, crafts activities, pumpkin decorating, and Bar-B-Q express. There are a variety of places we need help with to run the Pumpkin Fair smoothly. Please help be baking and participating in the fair. After the fair we need help taking everything down. With many hands we can be cleaned up before 5:30. Funds raised by the Pumpkin Fair will be used to support our Mission Projects.

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
Oct.   7 – HIJKL
Oct. 14 – MNOPQ
Oct. 21 – RSTU
Oct. 28 – VWXYZ

Questions: please contact Terry Grimm 781-648-6927

Belmont Community BUS Blood Drive
Friday, October 12, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Belmont Fire Headquarters 299 Trapelo Road. For an appointment, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.givelife.org

Sunshine Page
In our Thoughts
Our sympathies are with the family of Priscilla Winters, who passed away on Sept. 7. A service was held on Sept. 13.
Our sympathies are with Mal Ellison and family on the death of Erdine Ellison, who passed away on Sept. 22.

October Birthdays:

3:         Stephanie Muirhead
5:         Warren Stockwood
8:         Margaret Wicks
            Roy Greenland
            Mimi Anderson
            Fiona Milton
10:       Brian Pahlm
            McKenna Ashford
12:       Scott Koumjian
            Cody Anderson
14:       Kerry Wilson
17:       Robert Montanaro
21:       Virginia Jay

22:       Mei-Ling Wong
23:       David Rumpf
24:       Pamela Vershbow
            Lynn Monahan
25:       David Blaisdell
            Virginia Hayward
26:       Joel Grimm
28:       Margaret Nelson
29:       Sally Schear
30:       Jane Albert
            Maury Emery
31:       Ronia Peterson

October Anniversaries:
6:         Morrie Bailey and Anita Miller
15:       Steve and Deirdre Savarese
20:       Barry and Judy Anderson
26:       Brad and Kathie Stayton
27:       Mike Bent and Linda Kincaid

Sunshine Page Update
Please help us keep current with birthdays and anniversaries. Please fill out and return the form to the office if you would like the information published in the Sunshine Page of the Churchlight. Thank you.

Name: ___________________________________________________________

Birthday: ___________________________________________________________

Anniversary: ________________________________________________________

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

October 2007 Worship Services
October 7:10:00 a.m. Worship   World Communion Sunday    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10

October 14: 10:00 a.m. Worship         Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19

October 21: 10:00 a.m. Worship        Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8

October 28: 10:00 a.m. Worship    Communion          Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14

You’re Invited to
AN EVENING OF MUSIC
at
St. John’s United Methodist Church
80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown

Sunday, September 30^th
7:00 p.m.

Including
Vuextemps Capriccio for solo violin
Beethoven’s Notturno for viola and piano
Schumann’s Fairy Tale Opus 113
Brahm’s Sonata in E flat, Opus 120 No. 2

Featuring
Dimitar Petkov on Viola
and
Kathryn Rosenbach on Piano

We are handicapped accessible.
There will be refreshments following the performance.
A freewill donation will be collected to benefit the Music Fund.
For more information, please contact the church office at 617-926-2931

The Churchlight September 2007

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:54:09 +0100

eChurchlight, September 2007

Contents

From Liz
Welcome Back Larry
Save the Date
Adult Study Opportunities
Sunday Dinners at Church
Changes at Church
Youth Group Mission Trip
New Mission?
Igniting Ministries Recognition
Magic & Song Wrap-up
Finance Chair
Ashley Fund Thanks
Pumpkin Fair
Churchlight Sign-up
Coffee Hour Schedule
Sunshine Page
Worship Schedule

Dates to Remember

Sept 9: Church school meeting, 11:30
Sept 16: Planning II, 11:30
Sept 23: Welcome Back Larry luncheon, 11:30

From Liz

There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.
There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.
You feel it, don’t you?
--Rumi

I love this time of year—this sense of a new year starting. For me, September, not January, has always been the new year; the time to plan, to begin new things, to look forward with hope and excitement. With our move to Burlington, this September has an added edge for the LaRocque family. We have been back-to-school shopping (of course) several times, and with each trip, the excitement grows. What will this year bring? Where are we headed? What will we learn? While the questions are exciting for us as a family, they are no less compelling for us as a church.
     Can you feel it? We are on the threshold of wonderful new things, flames ready to be kindled, voids ready to be filled. In less than a month, our Larry will be back, with new tales to tell, new experiences to share, new energy and ideas to guide us.
     And we, too, are ready for new things. Already, we have a different look as you enter the front door of the church, but it goes far beyond that. We are ready to deepen our spirits, to jump in again with study and spiritual growth. Our Church School is heading in exciting new directions; our youth group is sharing itself in life-changing ways, and we are offering new and challenging adult studies. You can read all about these things in this Churchlight. More importantly, you can be a part of it all. Where are you being led?
     Mahatma Gandhi once said, “If one man gains spiritually, the whole world gains with him; and if one man fails, the whole world fails to that extent.” More than anything, as followers of Christ we are a community that relies on each other to do the work that we are called by God to do. In a large group of people, it is easy to feel unnoticed, or unneeded, or unappreciated. Know that we rise and fall, gain and fail with each other. Where do you see yourself in this community? Have no doubt that your gifts are needed. Where would you like to serve? We will all work together so that we can all serve in ways that use our gifts and talents. If you have tried before and not found a “niche” in the life of the church that feels comfortable, please try again. It will take all of us working together and loving each other to be the church God calls us to be,
     We meet again as a community on Sunday, September 16 to plan our calendar and to talk more about where we are being led by God as a community this year. Some program ideas are already in place, and just need to be scheduled; other ideas are still in process, and await decisions that need to be made by the community as a whole. Where do you think we are being led? Please read this Churchlight carefully, see what is already planned and where you might want to plug in. Please pray about where we are as a community, and where we can be. Think about what you would like to see us be and do. Finally, come share your thoughts and ideas on the 16^th—we need you!

Welcome Back, Larry!
Larry returns from his renewal leave on Tuesday, September 18 and will be back in the pulpit on Sunday, September 23. We will have a special worship service on that day to welcome him home, followed by a catered luncheon and fun program to honor Larry’s return. You don’t need to bring a thing—come for a morning of celebration. A free-will offering will be taken to offset the cost of the luncheon.

Please save these important dates:
Sunday, September 9: Church School Meeting 11:30 in the Parlor All families of the church are invited to come talk about their hopes and expectations for Church School this year. Please consider how your family would like to participate in Church School, and come join in this discussion!
Sunday, September 16: Planning, Part II 11:30 in the Social Hall We will continue the process begun at our May meeting of setting our priorities and program for the coming year. We will calendar regular committee meetings and special events, as well as entertain new ideas for us to explore as a congregation. All are welcome. Each committee/team/group/work area should make sure at least one member is present to represent them as we develop the calendar for the year. The gym will be open for children to play.
Sunday, September 23: Welcome Home, Larry! Worship at 10 followed by Coffee Hour; catered luncheon begins at 11:30 in the gym. Come celebrate!

Adult Study Opportunities
Living the Questions is a wonderful adult discussion series that poses many of the theological questions of our time. Each session begins with a thought-provoking video discussion by some leading theologians, followed by group discussion. This spring, we joined with folks from our neighboring UMC churches—St. John’s in Watertown, Calvary in Arlington, and Lexington UMC—for the first half of the series. We are hoping to join with them again to conclude with the last eight weeks of the series in October and November. Each session stands on its own; come for as many sessions as you can! The calendar is being developed; please watch your Sunday worship bulletins for further information!

Disciple Bible Study: Disciple is a wonderful, challenging, life-changing 34-week study of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. It examines the Bible through the lens of how each of us is called to be a disciple. Meeting in groups of 8-12 people, participants commit to reading 30-45 minutes a day for six days a week, then meeting together on the seventh day. The weekly meetings are for 2 ½ hours each week. Sounds like a big commitment in a busy life, doesn’t it? It may be, but I can tell you this:

· Even if you are already a regular reader of the Bible, this structured, focused reading will deepen and enrich your faith life;

· Once you start Disciple, it becomes a regular part of your routine—something you “just do” because it is enjoyable and worthwhile;

· Meeting every week in a small group of people from your church community has meaning and value that you cannot even imagine before you begin;

· You will learn wonderful new things about yourself and your faith;

· You will form relationships with members of your faith community in a deeper way than you can in any other context;

· In the eleven years since BUMC offered its first Disciple class, nearly 100 adults have completed Disciple Bible Study; each will tell you they are glad they did.

Each Disciple class has brought new life and energy to our journey together as God’s church.
For the first time, we are hoping to have a Disciple Bible Study class that includes members from the other UMC churches in our area. Are you interested in being a part of this call? We will find a day and time to meet that works for everyone who is interested. If you would like to know more, please call Liz LaRocque at 781.229.0994, or email me at liz_larocque1@msn.com.

Jesus in the Gospels: For Disciple “graduates,” this is a second-generation Disciple Bible Study. Designed as a 30-week study, it follows the same format of daily reading and preparation with a weekly 2 ½ hour meeting. The focus is on meeting the Jesus presented by each of the Gospel writers; of reading deeply enough that we come to know and are known by the Jesus in the Gospels. Using gospel comparisons and supporting passages from throughout Scripture, we are called to read the Gospels carefully and theologically, learning all we can about Jesus, and ourselves, through them.
Don’t you miss Disciple? Setting aside regular time for your faith, to read, to reflect on a focused, single subject? Meeting with good people each week to discuss important things, things you don’t regularly discuss in other places? Come back together and let’s study and meet again. Call me—or I’ll call you, and we’ll make it work.

Monthly Sunday Dinners Together!
Come have Sunday dinner with your church family each month! No need to cook, no need to bring anything—just come, have dinner, share in fellowship with your friends from church. Lunch will be provided—a free-will offering will be taken to offset the costs of lunch.
Beginning in November, we will meet the first Sunday of each month; September and October are a little unusual because of our schedule. On our dinner Sundays, we will have Coffee Hour as usual so we can visit while the month’s “hosts” put dinner out without having to rush; we will NOT have Church School, so everyone can enjoy dinner together. Lunch will begin at 11:30 in the gym.

Here is the schedule:

· September 23: Welcome Home, Larry! catered luncheon and celebration!

· October 14: Sunday Dinner; we will also hear briefly about our youth group’s recent mission trip to New Orleans.

· November 4: Sunday Dinner; brief preview of upcoming holiday plans and giving opportunities.

· December 2: Sunday Dinner followed by Advent devotions and Carol Sing.

A New Look on the main floor:
Before he left on his renewal leave, Larry did all the work of getting bids on new flooring in the Narthex, Parlor and Chapel. Thanks to the hard work of a few more folks, the new floors are in! We have refinished hardwood floors in the Chapel and Parlor, and carpet will be laid soon in the Narthex. We owe a huge thanks to Louise Halstead, EJ Johnson, Hilary Baldwin, Charlie Gore and Larry Wimmer for their hard work in making all phases of this project happen.
     If you would like to donate a new area rug for the Parlor, or would like to assist in updating the Parlor or Chapel, please speak with EJ, Charlie or Liz.

Staff Change:
As of August 16, Ken Fowler finished his many years of service as our custodian. Kevin Cassidy has agreed to return as interim custodian while the congregation and Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee determine the church’s needs moving forward. If you would like to discuss our custodial needs, please speak with a member of the SPPRC.

On the Mission Front

Youth Group Mission Trip to New Orleans
As of this writing, we have 16 kids and 7 adults going to New Orleans in October. In addition to building relationships and learning about the area and its devastation, the youth group will be spending its time in New Orleans building. We have been asked to help put up walls and ceilings, to lay tiles and install push bars on doors! Thank goodness we will have some expert guidance—we certainly have willing workers!
     This trip would not have been possible without the unending support of the BUMC congregation. Thanks to you, we have raised over $2000. Of course, we are still accepting donations! We have one more major fundraiser planned—a benefit concert in the Social Hall in late September, featuring I Am Arcane and other local teen bands. Come enjoy some great music—watch your bulletins for details! And please continue to pray for our trip!
     We have been in regular contact with the pastors of our three partnership churches, and have received the excellent news that all three churches are now re-opened and working to restore their ministries. They have received the monies we sent them (designated from our share of the Together for Tomorrow pledges) Our gift to them has been used for a variety of necessities—building supplies for rebuilding the churches and homes, office supplies, ministry supplies, replacing church furnishings, all of which were destroyed in all three churches. They are very grateful for our partnership and support.

Are We Ready for Third-World Mission Again?
As we continue to think about this question together, I encourage you to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It tells the story of Mortenson’s stunning success building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It provides a lot of food for thought and discussion in terms of individual responsibility, peace-making, and international mission. Read it, see what you think, and maybe we can schedule some time to discuss it together.

Igniting Ministry
Letter from United Methodist Communications Igniting Ministry: The Television and Welcoming Ministry of The United Methodist Church

May 16, 2007

Dear Stephanie and church members,

The Igniting Ministry Team at United Methodist Communications is pleased to recognize Belmont United Methodist Church as an official “Welcoming Congregation” for 2007! Our denomination recognizes hospitality as a vital ministry. Embracing newcomers and providing opportunities for discipleship in our congregations is a lifestyle.

We hope you will continue to participate in the four-year award process moving your congregation toward a permanent welcoming lifestyle. Upon renewal of each year’s form, we will send you an additional seal for your plague, as well as an additional designation on the Web site. The worksheet and Year 2 addendum sheet is enclosed. All of these forms can be downloaded from our web site, http://www.ignitingministry.org/.

I’ve also enclosed a press release template. Please feel free to fill it in and use if desired for your hometown and conference newspapers.

Igniting Ministry continues to grow, and we hope we are providing you with the tools and resources to enrich your ministry. Go to our website for more information.

On behalf of the entire Igniting Ministry team, we thank you for all that you do to ensure that newcomers know the people of The United Methodist Church have open hearts, open minds and open doors.

Sincerely,
Royya James, Certification Coordinator
Igniting Ministry
United Methodist Communications

Announcements

Woodstock for Kids?
Magic and Song on the Lawn drew a crowd of about 250 parents and small children and one grandfather named “Larry” who attended with his grand-daughter, Ronia. Singer, banjo-player Paul Sedgewick lead off the show with some lively tunes that had the kids hopping up and down all over the lawn. Highlights were “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “There Ain’t No Bugs on Me” which he performed as a duet with emcee Catherine Grimm. This set the stage for our favorite magician, Mike Bent, who wowed the crowd with an exciting new magic/comedy routine that included the world’s largest magic wand.
     Thanks to everyone who helped out with setting up the stage, passing out programs, watching over the building, or donating or serving free refreshments. We opened the front doors for access to the restrooms and turned this into an opportunity to light up the Sanctuary and stage a mini-open-house.
     And a special thanks to Louise Halstead for all of her hard work and organizational help and to Mike Bent who donated his performance for the sixth year in a row. Mike also donated some magic-wand sets which sold out and raised $150. for the Youth Group mission trip to New Orleans.
     It was a great night! - E. J. Johnson, Show coordinator

Finance Chair
Welcome to Terri Stull, the new Chair of the Finance Committee. Terri has graciously agreed to chair the committee for the next year and I hope everyone will work with her to make it a successful and rewarding year.
     Thanks to everyone who has returned their pledge cards. Having your pledge makes planning for the year easier. It is always nice to know there will be income.
- Louise Halstead

Ashley Fund
There is a special thanks to the people who responded to Liz’s “Scholarship for Ashley” appeal. Ashley Griffin was a part of our church family until her mother became too ill to continue working in the nursery. It is wonderful we can help her continue her successful experience at North Cambridge Catholic High School.

Pumpkin Fair Saturday, October 13
In October we will once again have a Pumpkin Fair. Sat., October 13^th is the big day!!! We will be needing help setting up (Fri. night), running the fair Sat. and taking down. Please think about how you can help. If you or anyone you know is interested in renting a Yard Sale Table they can be rented for $25. - Louise Halstead

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Coffee Hour
September wraps up our summer routine of doubling the groups with coordinators serving on a sign-up basis. The schedule is:

· Sept. 2, A-G, Terry Grimm coordinating (781-648-6927)

· Sept. 9, H-Q, (volunteer needed)

· Sept. 16, R-Z, (volunteer needed)

· Sept. 23, Church Luncheon

Regular Coffee Hours with one group per Sunday will resume in October. To volunteer please contact Linda Rodi, 617-489-1538, llrodi@yahoo.com

Sunshine Page
Births
Congratulations to parents Julie and Tim Carey and to Terry Skelton, grandfather; on the birth of twins Dylan and Marisa born July 8 at 9:30 and 9:31 a.m. Dylan weighed in at 2 lbs, 13 oz, and Marisa 2 lbs, 9 oz. The twins were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for a month, but are doing well enough that they have been transferred to South Shore Hospital, closer to home.

Weddings
Our congratulations and best wishes to:
Rebecca Kazokas and Brendan Kidwell, married in our sanctuary July 14 with Rev. Mike Clark officiating; and Christina Mauro and Alan Walsh, married at Martha Mary Chapel on August 4, with Liz LaRocque officiating.

In our Thoughts
Get well wishes to Erdine Ellison, who is recovering from a heart attack and stroke. She is now back at Belmont Manor.

Alan Walsh was in a motorcycle accident in June and was hospitalized for several days.

Warren Stockwood was hospitalized in July; he is now home.

Olive Woodland was hospitalized and in rehab in late July/early August; she is now home recovering.

Margaret Nelson was hospitalized for ten days in June and July; she is now home.

September Birthdays:
1:         Catherine Grimm
            Alex Myers
2.         Siraan Touzjian
3.         Natasha Wimmer
            Ronald Fetter
5:         Malcolm Ellison
            Jennifer Kelliher
7:         Carolyn Eurdolian
9:         Jessica Mosher
10:       Ian Ashford
16:       Abigail Ayres
23:       James Buck
29:       Carol Marchetta
            Shawn Stovall
30:       Anita Miller
            John Eurdolian

September Anniversaries:
6:         Mark and Lisa Tardiff
8:         Ron and Jane Albert
11:       Aaron and Nancy Kneiss
15:       Beverley and Ed Phillips
16:       Neal and Kathy Touzjian
17:       Ronald and Sybil Fetter
21:       Everett and Margaret Wicks
26:       Doug Teeter and Terri Stull

Sunshine Page Update
Please help us keep current with birthdays and anniversaries. Please fill out and return the form to the office if you would like the information published in the Sunshine Page of the Churchlight. If you wish, you may email the information to Hilary Baldwin, bumc2@verizon.net Thank you.

Name: ______________________________________________

Birthday: ____________________________________________

Anniversary: _________________________________________

September 2007 Worship Services
September 2:10:00 a.m. Worship      Communion celebrated by Rev. Sarah Mount
Liz LaRocque Preaching                                                                     Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14

September 9: 10:00 a.m. Worship                                                           Color: Green
Claire Hoffman Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-33

September 16: 10:00 a.m. Worship                                                           Color: Green
Liz LaRocque Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, I Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10

September 23: 10:00 a.m. Worship                                                           Color: Green
Rev. Larry Wimmer Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, I Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13

September 30: 10:00 a.m. Worship    Communion                              Color: Green
Rev. Larry Wimmer Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, I Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31

The Churchlight July/August 2007

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:52:00 +0100

eChurchlight, July/August 2007

Contents

Anybody there?
From Liz
Pastoral Coverage
Childrens Ministeries during Summer
Youth Group Mission Trip
LaRocque's New Address
eChurchlight Sign Up Info
Amber, the cat, Needs a Home
Coffee Hour Schedule
Sunshine Page
Worship Schedule

Dates to Remember

Worship services will be held at St John’s UMC, Watertown, 10:00 am, on:

July   1   Rev Mark Clark preaching
July 15   Rev Mark Clark preaching
July 29   Liz LaRocque preaching
Aug 12   Liz LaRocque preaching
Aug 29   Liz LaRocque preaching

Is anybody there? Does anybody care?
George Washington in letter to Congress – Musical 1776

These were the words that went through my mind after the Annual Meeting. The answer appears to be YES and NO. YES, there were many familiar faces at the luncheon and meeting. NO, many faces were missing – never came to church or walked out the door before the meeting occurred. YES, 33 pledge units have returned their pledge cards. NO, 66 pledge units still need to return their pledge cards. YES, pledges exceed $115,000. NO, we still need more than $114,000 to meet our budget. YES, many people have agreed to serve the church next year. NO, many others did not offer to serve.
     The church is more than a building: it is people and relationships. Your participation in pledge, service, presence and prayers are all necessary parts of the church and your relationship to the church. Your serious contemplation of each of these defines your relationship to the church and the survival of the church. Everyone wants a church for baptisms, weddings, and funerals but if we are not present for the church daily it will not be present for us during these very important days.
     Everyone must consider their own circumstances and be more or less active as their lives allow. Please think about your relationship with the church and how you can improve it with your pledge, service, presence and prayers. If you have not returned your pledge card please return it to the church office, or e-mail me at Louise.Halstead@verizon.net.

Louise Halstead
Stewardship Organizer

From Liz
Larry is on renewal leave, from now through September 18. Already, it is clear that we are changed by his absence, by the lack of his spirit and energy around this place. And yet we know that this, indeed, is a necessary thing for him—a chance for him to feed his soul, to further form his spirit, to have a time, long in coming, to rest and relax and just have time away. Please join me in praying for him and his family over these next three months; that this be a wonderful, meaningful time for him; that God guard and guide him and bring him safely back to us.
     We have before us, as well, a wonderful opportunity—the chance to come together as a community, to renew ourselves, to have a season of rest and recreation. Typically, we think of summer as a time to do that as individuals and families—to go on vacation, take weekends off, hang out by the pool or the shore. This summer, Larry’s renewal leave gives us the chance to do this as a congregation—to intentionally have a time of rest as a community, to spend our summer in worship and re-creation, focusing on renewal and our spirit.
     We are blessed this summer to once again be worshipping with St. John’s UMC in Belmont. Beginning July 1, we will alternate Sundays between our churches for the months of July and August. We start July 1 in Watertown and end August 26 in Watertown; the full schedule is printed in this Churchlight. Rev. Mike Clark, Claire Hoffman and I will be sharing the preaching, and we all will worship together.
     September will find us back together in our own church for three weeks in a row before Larry returns. We will hold off the start of our program year until Larry is back; we will have a celebration on Sunday, September 23, then programs will start up on Sunday, September 30.
     It would be nice if we could focus all of our hearts, minds and spirits on worship and study from now until then. Before we can fully kick into re-creation mode, however, we need to get our house in order. On faith, we voted an optimistic budget on June 17—a budget that counts on faithful pledging from each of us. Louise writes eloquently of our financial situation as a community—please, if you have not yet made a pledge, please do so prayerfully NOW so that we can move forward together peacefully as a community.
     At the same Church Conference on June 17, we voted into office our lay leadership for the coming year. As someone said at that time, we are not so big a community that anyone can hide for long. We need all of our spirit-given gifts to succeed. Please use this season to rest and discernment to consider where and how you would like to serve within this community of faith when our program year starts in the fall.

Pastoral Coverage While Larry Is On Leave:
If you have a pastoral need:

PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE FIRST at 617-489-0730. The answering machine will be checked for messages at least once a day, every day. The office is also staffed Wednesday and Thursday 9-3.

1. Feel free to call Liz any time. Her new home phone number is: 781-229-0994. Her cell phone number is 617-872-9802. Liz is in the office Sunday and Monday. Liz is away the weekends of July 15 and August 19.

2. We have a team of lay volunteers who are willing to help in an emergency. This team is being coordinated by Laurel Wainwright, 617-484-9461.

3. Claire Hoffman is also helping to provide pastoral care this summer. Her number is 501-626-5432.

4. If you have an emergency and cannot reach Liz, a lay volunteer, or Claire and have already left a message at the church please call Rev. Mike Clark at St. John’s UMC at 617-926-2931.

Children’s Ministries during the Summer:
Nursery Care will continue through the summer as volunteers are available. A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex for the Sundays we worship at BUMC if you can help by volunteering—summer is a great time to get to know our littlest ones! On Sundays when volunteers are unavailable, the nursery will be open for parents and their children if they choose to use it.
Children’s Church and Church School has ended for the program year. Clipboards and activity sheets will be available for children to use during worship.
Fall Planning: All children, youth and parents of the church are invited to join our Education team on Sunday, September 9 at 11:30 to discuss what shape our fall education programs will take.

On the Mission Front
Youth Group Mission Trip to New Orleans
As of last count, we now have 17 youth and 9 adults traveling to our sister community in New Orleans October 5-8, 2007! Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to plan and raise funds over the summer!

Announcements

The LaRocques have moved!
Liz, Mark LaRocque and family moved on June 20 to their new home. Their new address is: 9 Nelson Road, Burlington, MA 01803.

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.

Home Needed for Amber
Terry Skelton needs to find a new home for his cat, Amber. He is moving later this summer (August 15^th) and needs to find a loving home for her. If you are interested, or know someone who may want to care for Amber, contact Terry at 617-484-4423. (Please see her photo on the bulletin board).

Coffee Hour
Volunteers are needed to setup and cleanup for coffee hour during the summer months when our usual coordinators are taking some time off. Interested? Please contact Linda Rodi, 617-489-1538, llrodi@yahoo.com, or sign up during coffee hour. You may choose any Sunday, not just your letter.
            Date                 Group               Setup/Cleanup
            June 24         H-Q                 Linda Rodi
            July 8               R-Z                   Laurel Wainwright
            July 22             A-G                   Louise Halstead
            August 5          H-Q                  Open
            August 19        R-Z                   Open

Sunshine Page
Baptisms
Ava Tulimieri, daughter of Cindy and Steven Tulimieri, Jack Hoppe, son of Karen and Kevin Hoppe, and Laura Lynch, daughter of Susan and Andrew Lynch were baptized on May 27, 2007.

Alexander Michael Rogul, son of Mary and Emerick Rogul was baptized on June 17, 2007.

In our Thoughts
Get well wishes to Erdine Ellison, who is recovering at Belmont Manor.

Our sympathies are with the family of William Newcombe, who passed away on June 7, 2007.

July Birthdays:
1:         Ann Dirr
2:         Geoffrey Diehl
            Dory LeCount
            Edward Phillips
4:         Cameron Fetter
6:         Florencia Rodi
7:         Kate Hamilton
8:         Robert Bridges
9:         Diane Pahlm
11:       Bob Pohlman
            Elizabeth Emery
12:       Iris Canning
            Aaron Kneiss
13:       Caitlin Matson
            Anna DiMascio
14:       Jose Colon
15:       Laurel Wainwright
            Ellen Sullivan
16:       Jennifer Sliney
            Abigail Vershbow
            Sidney Gerrold
17:       Lisa Tardiff
            Sheila Ayres
18:       Isis Melendez
22:       Cindi Bourque
23:       Madeline Brown
            Larry Wimmer
            Richard Sliney
24:       Mark Tardiff
25:       Mark LaRocque
27:       Linda Kincaid

July Anniversaries:
1:         Brian and Stephanie Schaffhausen
11:       Kirk and Terri Kolenbrander
            Laurel Wainwright and Greg Diehl
            John and Carolyn Eurdolian
12:       Jerome and Emily Farnsworth
14:       John and Ellen Canepa
15:       David and Ellen Sullivan

August Birthdays:
3:         Michael Johnson
8:         Ann Koumjian
11:       Bill Wilson
12:       Amy Iadarola
13:       Sandra Pohlman
            Leigh Ann Canepa
15:       Priscilla Grindell
16:       Paul Winters
17:       Meredith Grimm
19:       Edna Van Saun
20:       Calista Diehl
21:       Andrew Teeter
24:       Priscilla Winters
26:       Dale Gyure
27:       Jean Mulroy
31:       Arthur Marchetta, Jr.
            Kevin McClaughry
            David Sullivan

August Anniversaries:
7:         Ian and Ann Ashford
8:         Larry and Liz Wimmer
            Jeff Rosenstein and Donna Esposito
9:         Dave and Ava Walsh
10:       Steve and Debi Rosales
17:       James and Pamela Vershbow
19:       Bill and Linda Rodi

Sunshine Page Update
Please help us keep current with birthdays and anniversaries. Please fill out and return the form to the office if you would like the information published in the Sunshine Page of the Churchlight. If you wish, you may email the information to Hilary Baldwin bumc2@verizon.net
Thank you.

Name: ___________________________________________________________

Birthday: ___________________________________________________________

Anniversary: ________________________________________________________

July/August 2007 Worship Services
July 1:10:00 a.m. Worship at St. John’s UMC in Watertown
Rev. Mike Clark Preaching             Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62

July 8: 10:00 a.m. Worship at BUMC
Rev. Mike Clark Preaching               Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 15: 10:00 a.m. Worship at St. John’s UMC in Watertown            Color: Green
Rev. Mike Clark Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37

July 22: 10:00 a.m. Worship at BUMC
Claire Hoffman Preaching            Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Amos:8-1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

July 29: 10:00 a.m. Worship at St. John’s UMC in Watertown            Color: Green
Liz LaRocque Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) , Luke 11:1-13

August 5: 10:00 a.m. Worship at BUMC   Color: Green
Rev. Mike Clark Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21

August 12: 10:00 a.m. Worship at St. John’s UMC in Watertown            Color: Green
Liz LaRocque Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40

August 19: 10:00 a.m. Worship at BUMC   Color: Green
Rev. Mike Clark Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56

August 26: 10:00 a.m. Worship at St. John’s UMC in Watertown            Color: Green
Liz LaRocque Preaching
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17

The Churchlight June 2007

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:50:08 +0100

eChurchlight, June 2007

Contents

through the looking glass
From Liz
Youth Group Schedule
Hospitality Award
Missions
New Orleans Mission Trip
May Fair
Stewardship Campaign
Belmont Against Racism Meeting
eChurchlight Signup Info
Coffee Hour
Sunshine Page

Confirmands' Bio
Car Wash Announcement

Dates to Remember

June 1     Annual reports due
June 3    Forms & deposit for New Orleans trip due
June 16   Youth Group Car Wash
June 17    Promotion Sunday, Potluck Lunch

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

June promises to be an interesting month for us. On June 3 we will celebrate the end of our student intern's year of field education with us. Claire Hoffman has completed the course and served us well. Even though her Field Education requirement is finished at Boston University School of Theology she will be staying on with us. This summer we are offering her a small stipend to help Liz with leadership in the parish in my absence.
     Differently from previous years the Annual Conference will continue on Sunday this year so on June 10 I will be there. The Annual conference worship that morning will be celebrating confirmation classes from all over New England. On June 17 we will gather following worship for our own annual church conference to approve a budget for the year beginning July 1 and to elect our servant leaders.
     On June 24 Barbara Ryther, one of our lay leaders, will bring the message on the first Sunday of my renewal leave. Barbara is a gifted and creative preacher and you won't want to miss what she has to say.
     In July we are once again partnering with our friends at St John's in Watertown for worship. We will begin there and alternate each Sunday through August. May this be a time of renewing and strengthening our connection with our neighbors.
     Summer is a blessed time, a time to recreate, to rest, to have adventures. At the same time it is a time to remember the God who blesses us with the beauty and warmth of summer, indeed with life itself. Enjoy the summer and each other. Find time for play and at the same time for your church for no matter where our summer adventures take us we belong to God and to each other. May our souls find rest and recreation in God this summer. Peace be always with you.

From Liz
We are once again approaching the end of our program year—and looking forward to a summer of re-creation, rest and renewal together. This will be an unusual summer for us as Larry takes his renewal leave and we plan some “down” time together as a congregation. As we move toward summer, here are

plans for the coming month:
Sunday, June 17—Promotion Sunday, Potluck Luncheon and Annual Meeting
Promotion Sunday: We will celebrate our Church School year, present Bibles to our young readers, and recognize our graduates. If your child is in grade 2 or older and has not yet received a Bible from the church, please see Liz. If you know of anyone from our extended church family who is graduating this year, from high school, college, or grad school, please contact the church office with their name, where they are graduating from and what their plans are.

Potluck Luncheon: We will be doing our end-of-the-year luncheon a bit differently this year—instead of BBQ chicken with sides, we will all share together in a Potluck. Church will provide plates, utensils, cups and beverages; bring your favorite dish to share! If you are not sure what to bring, you can use the following suggestions:
A-F: Salad; G-P: Main Dish; Q-Z: Dessert
     If you can help set up or serve at the Potluck, please see Liz!

Annual Meeting: We will review our past year and celebrate our ministries together. Reports are due June 1; contact Larry, Hilary or Liz if you have questions!

Children’s Ministries during the Summer:
We are hoping to help our kids experience worship in new ways this summer, and to give all our hard-working volunteers a time to rest.

Nursery Care will continue through the summer as volunteers are available. A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex for the Sundays we worship at BUMC if you can help by volunteering—summer is a great time to get to know our littlest ones! On Sundays when volunteers are unavailable, the nursery will be open for parents and their children if they choose to use it.
Children’s Church and Church School end for the program year on Sunday, June 10, with a celebration during Promotion Sunday on June 17. Clipboards and activity sheets will be available for children to use during worship.
Fall Planning: All children, youth and parents of the church are invited to join our Education team on Sunday, September 9 at 11:30 to discuss what shape our fall education programs will take.

What a month! Is it me, or have things been exceptionally busy around here lately? The Spirit is moving! How exciting it has been—and how blessed we are to be engaged in such life-giving ministries. Highlights of this last month’s activities:

Our stewardship presentations began on Sunday, April 29 and continued through May 17. Everyone who lives locally should have received an invitation to one of these 10 presentations—if you did not, please contact the church office! The presentations included an opportunity to fill out your pledge card for the coming program year, and to complete your nomination form—both very important pieces of our life together in community. Laurel Wainwright and Louise Halstead have done and incredible job putting a lot of essential information about the church’s programs, finances and needs into very accessible form—please make plans to see this presentation if you have not already, and to thank them if you have!
We had a wonderful May Fair on Saturday, May 5, raising over $1400 for the missions of the church. Close to 30 vendors were here selling beautiful and useful goods, and we had our own church crafts table, bake sale and plant sale. Much appreciation to Lisa Tardiff for suggesting this fundraiser and being our prime organizer; to Terry Grimm and Louise Halstead for all their work in helping to make it all happen so well; to Cecelia Cranmer for chairing the Bake Sale table, Anita Miller for chairing the Plant Sale table, and Terri Kolenbrander, her Sunday School Class and all who helped by donating things to or staffing our Craft Table.
On Saturday, May 12, several of us met for our annual planning retreat. We discussed Larry’s upcoming renewal leave and plans for our upcoming program year. Thanks to Larry, Barbara Ryther and Laurel Wainwright for organizing and leading this planning day.
Once again, we were feasted on Mother’s Day with a lovely breakfast. We are so lucky to have Joel Grimm and his band of merry men—they feed us and care for us so well each year. Thank you!
We rock! On Friday night, May 18, BUMC hosted a benefit concert for Save Darfur. Produced by Chris LaRocque, the concert featured six local middle school and high school bands, drew an audience of over 130 Belmont and local youth, and raised about $1000 for Darfur. If you missed it, don’t despair—plans are in the works for another concert in September to benefit the youth group mission trip.
Confirmation Sunday was Sunday, May 20, and we have been blessed with six new amazing members. You can read about them in this Churchlight!

All these are the “extras”—and don’t include the “everyday” ministries of worship, education, mission, administration that happen all the time around here. How lucky we are!

Youth Group Schedule

Sunday, June 3: No Meeting—Graduation. Registration forms and deposit due for New Orleans trip!
Sunday, June 10: 6:30-8 at the church End of the Year Ice Cream Party and Celebration!
Saturday, June 16: Car Wash 10-2! We’ll gather at 9 to set up, and be done with clean up by 3. See Liz or Catherine Grimm to sign up for times to help!

BUMC Receives Hospitality Award
BUMC has been recognized by United Methodist Communications (UMCom) as an official “Welcoming Congregation.”
     “Welcoming Congregations” are a select group of United Methodist congregations nationwide that meets criteria including embracing newcomers and providing opportunities in discipleship. The recognition program is part of a larger effort launched in late 2000 by UMCom, the denomination’s communications agency, to use modern technology and the common language of television to spread the Good News of Christ to a world of need.
     “Open hearts, open minds, open doors” is the theme of the denominational effort, the centerpiece which is a series of national cable TV advertising, supplemented by regional and local church participation. The overall aim of the effort is to invite people, particularly those between 25 and 54 years old, to enter into connection with the Christian community as they seek meaning and purpose in their lives.

On the Mission Front
RIM (Refugee Immigration Ministry)
Remember RIM needs your help over the next few months for rent and living expenses for Marie, Edwige and Maiwenn. Please make donations out to BUMC and designate for RIM.

Baby Blankets
We have now made, provided and donated 29 blankets to the Young Mothers Clinic at Children’s Hospital, Boston. Thank you all so much for your efforts! And remember, it is perfectly acceptable to bring your quilting, knitting and crocheting to worship and meetings!

Letter from the General Board of Ministries:
Thank you for your gift to mission. We acknowledge with gratitude your gift received recently in this office. Upon review of the information contained below which identifies the amount and direction of your gift.
4/1/2007     Heifer Project International     $1,110.00
Again, thanks for your generous support to mission.
Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer, General Board of Global Ministries

Youth Group Mission Trip to New Orleans
Our trip is confirmed for October 5-8, 2007! Reservation forms and a $150 deposit are due to Liz by Sunday, June 3; we will try to accommodate folks after that, but cannot guarantee that space or flights will be available.   Information packets have been handed out at MYF and emailed to youth group members; if you have not received one, please see Liz. If you are not in the youth group, but would like to join us (as either a youth or adult), we would love to have you come along—just see Liz!

Are you racking up those frequent flier miles? Please consider donating some to the youth group for our trip, if you can!
And THANK YOU to all of you for your kind support of our fundraisers—we have raised over $2000 for the trip so far, with more plans in the works!

Announcements

May Fair
The May Fair was successful! We earned over $1400 which will be used for missions, including $1000 for our RIM mission. Thanks to all the people who helped us run the fair.
     Louise Halstead and Lisa Tardiff, co-chairs

Stewardship Campaign
The Finance Committee’s Stewardship Campaign is ending soon. Please return your pledge cards and service questionnaires to the office or to Louise Halstead or Larry. These will help with planning next year’s budget and activities.
     Thank you, Louise Halstead, Finance Committee Chair

Belmont Against Racism Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 14 at the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist Parish Hall. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the speaker, Ron Bell will start at 7:00 p.m. Ron Bell, Director, Public Liaison Office of the Governor of Massachusetts has been a voting rights and community activist for over 20 years. He is the founder of “Dunk the Vote” a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing civic participation and promoting social change. He has received numerous awards including President Clinton’s “Point of Light” Award in 1995, A & E Biography Network Community Heroes Award 2002, The Freedom House History Makers Award 2005, and the Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us in January 2006. Free and open to the public.

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.

June Coffee Hour
As the church program year winds down to Summer, our Coffee Hour hostesses, and their families, deserve a round of thanks from all of us. The Coffee Hour team this past year consisted of Lisa Courtney, Terry Grimm, Shelle Lynch, Linda Rodi, Donna Esposito-Rosenstein, Kathy Touzjian, and Ava Walsh along with support from Carolyn Backus, Jocelyn Milton, and Laurel Wainwright. Members of the various groups also provide much needed support and food contributions. Thank you all for the hospitality, welcome, and fellowship you provide.
     Coffee Hour for the Summer months is run a little differently with larger groups and volunteers solicited for set up and clean up on a week-to-week basis. To volunteer, look for sign up sheets at coffee hour or contact Linda Rodi by email, llrodi@yahoo.com You may volunteer for any week not just your letter. The schedule for the month of June is:

June 3: group H-Q, Carolyn Backus and Linda Rodi
June 10: group R-Z, Louise Halstead
June 17: group A-G, Terry Grimm
June 24, group H-Q volunteer needed

Sunshine Page
Confirmation
Congratulations to Peter Savarese, Nora Bent, Allison Colton, Caroline Marchetta, Kelly Jo Miller and Christopher LaRocque, who were all confirmed on May 20, 2007. Thank you to their mentors Jessie Queior Epstein, Sybil Fetter, Steve Savarese, Brad Stayton, Terri Stull and Sandy Thompson.

Baptism
Aaron Gyure was baptized by Rev. Wimmer at the church on Wednesday, April 18 before Dale went back to South Africa. Aaron will be going with Dale to South Africa, where he will be attending Manor Gardens Primary School until December.

Birth
We celebrate the birth of Noah Anderson Panto to Joe and Melissa Panto on Thursday, April 26. Noah weighed 7 lbs 10 oz and measured 19 inches at birth. Congratulations to this wonderful new family!

In our Thoughts
Beverley Phillips had surgery on Monday, May 14. After a difficult week in the hospital, she is now at home recovering. Her address is: 8 Kennedy Lane, Apt. 19 Milford, MA 01757.

June Birthdays

1:         Ross Matson
            Nancy Kneiss
2.         Eunice Yost
3:         Pat Dirr
            Liz Wimmer
4:         Joanne LeCount
            Aaron Gyure
6:         Sharon Hamilton
            Abigail Touzjian
7:         Bonnie Dirr
8:         Stephanie White
9:         Calista Reagan
10:       Kimberly Sliney

12:       Emily Hamilton
13:       Carmen Rodi
            David Sullivan
14:       Sally Yarworth
            Lynda Schuler
15:       Rachel Wimmer
18:       Steve Savarese
20:       Andrew Eurdolian
            Linda French
21:       Everett Wicks
22:       Jane Marchetta
23:       Greg Diehl
24:       Caroline Albert
            Richard Halstead

June Anniversaries:
5:         Ann and Aram Koumjian
6:         Ros and Paula Paine
            Robert and Trudie Hale
14:       Judy and Kerry Wilson
20:       Francis and Linda French
21:       Bob and Sandra Pohlman
            Iris and Brenton Canning
22:       Alan and Stephanie White
24:       Dick and Janet Coombs
28:       Warren and Ginny Stockwood
30:       Jim and Janet Muirhead

June 2007 Worship Services
June 3 :10:00 a.m. Worship Peace with Justice Sunday Communion    Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15

June 10: 10:00 a.m. Worship    Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: I Kings 17:8-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17

June 17: 10:00 a.m. Worship   Father’s Day    Promotion Sunday     Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: I Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36-8:3

June 24: 10:00 a.m. Worship     Barbara Ryther Preaching     Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: I Kings 19:1-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39

Confirmation 2007
We are blessed today as six wonderful young people confirm their membership in our church community. None of them are strangers to us—all have been involved over the years in church school, youth activities, fundraising, mission projects, worshipping with their family and friends. All are currently in eighth grade, looking forward to high school next year, and looking forward to even deeper involvement in this community of faith. Here is just a snapshot of each of them—please take the time to speak with them and get to know them better—you will be glad you did!

NORA GRACE BENT:
A fantastic and loyal friend, wickedly funny, an entrepreneur and magician’s assistant, soccer player, bassoonist, exceptionally organized student—there is not much Nora cannot do. Sandy Thompson came out of “mentor retirement” at Nora’s request, and they have had a wonderful time learning together. Nora wants to join the church because she feels welcome and “right” here. Nora says Sandy helped her understand the importance of understanding her faith, and of service to the community. Sandy says of Nora:
     “It has been a great honor for me to study with Nora in preparation of her Confirmation. Nora is a brilliant, quiet young woman who has taken this process quite seriously. From the beginning she has had to learn how to prioritize and multi-task as she not only kept up with school studies but also did an awesome history project about Japan which gained her a place in the semi-finals. Nora recalls an increased understanding about faith and believing in God from the age of 12 years. She describes the journey of faith as "something you choose to do and how you do it." She is always clear that her faith has been inspired by the example and support of her family, not only of her parents but her extended family.
     Nora continues her faith journey in earnest and expresses a confident belief in God. She is invested in exploring how to incorporate her spiritual life into her relationships and everyday choices as a lifestyle.
     Nora has a strong sense of commitment and is able to set goals and remain focused in achieving them, whatever the sacrifice, including saving up for a new Bassoon. Besides her musical interests, Nora is expanding her creative skills and is learning to sew. She also enjoys assisting her dad with his magic shows and is often a sounding board for him. Nora has also assisted her mother in the nursery so that parents can enjoy the church service without distraction.
     Nora is already considering possible careers in either law or politics. She has already started to put her "heart and sole" into special causes by raising funds and completing the 20-mile Walk for Hunger this year. Nora is currently identified with gifts of Hospitality, Creativity, Justice and Organization. One thing she has come to appreciate during our confirmation studies is an increased understanding of the content of the bible. She believes that participating in worship is important and finds it easier to connect with the music and hymns. Nora enjoys helping others and feels it is important to teach others about what you believe. Nora does not envision herself in the pulpit anytime soon but might someday make an awesome Sunday School Teacher!”

ALLISON LOUISE COLTON:
Allison has participated in our worship, fundraisers, children’s and youth ministries for years, first coming as a friend and then finding her own home here—and how lucky for us that she has! Allison has a deeply kind and compassionate heart, and goes out of her way to serve others. Allison continued a friendship started at Belmont Day School by asking Sybil Fetter to be her mentor, and appreciates that Sybil helped her understand what it means to be a Methodist. Allison is choosing to join BUMC out of that understanding, and because she likes how she feels included in everything that happens in the church. She is committed to serving the church through the youth group and mission trips, and “any way that is helpful to others around me.” Sybil writes of Allison and their time together during Confirmation:
     “When we began this journey together I already knew many things about Allison Colton. I knew that she is a dedicated, motivated student; that she is a skilled athlete; that she is confident and mature; and that she is an avid Red Sox fan. As we progressed together, I began to know more. I have learned that Allison is strong. I learned that she is deeply loved not only by her family but also by the close-knit group of neighbors and friends that she treats like family. I learned that she is a reflective and intelligent young woman-that she is willing and able to think deeply about her life's experiences and how they have shaped her and her beliefs.
     Allison will bring her dedication, her commitment to community, her intellectual spark, and the same brilliant enthusiasm that she brings to each Red Sox season to our church and our spiritual life together. I am grateful for the opportunity to know her better. We are all blessed to welcome her.”

CHRISTOPHER RICHARD LAROCQUE
Chris has been a part of this community for most of his life, and this church is part of his home. When asked why he wants to join the church, his answer was typical Chris: “Because my mom told me to, in the beginning… but now it just feels right.” Chris is honest, funny, talented, completely himself, completely willing to share himself with the world. He wants to serve the church by starting a church band and bringing in other kids. Chris found a champion in Steve Savarese at age 5 when Steve was his soccer coach, and Steve was willing to join with Chris as his mentor in Confirmation. Chris says Steve gave him the gift of being able to question just about everything and still be taken seriously as a person of faith. Steve says of Chris,
     “Chris is really a gracious kid. He is respectful, appreciative and genuinely a good person. He has a maturity of thought that goes beyond his age. I think it is because he is such a creative person, and his thought process is creative. He can think beyond the immediate and the superficial to the big picture. It is true in his music, and in his writing. When we read Scripture together, we would be reading the same words but he would see things in there that blew me away, that made me see the story in a completely different way. He really got what the Scripture is about.
     Chris is so respectful of different perspectives. He is respectful of people who are different from him, who are interested in different things than he is. He has an ability to be himself, and to be true to himself—to be unique, and to not be afraid to show who he is. He has real strength, and he knows what is important. He’s a great kid, and I have had a great time with him.”

CAROLINE JANE MARCHETTA
Caroline has literally been part of BUMC since her birth, and is now a 3^rd-generation member. She is a steadfast friend with a quick sense of humor, always surrounded by a large crowd of kids. Caroline is a champion cheerleader, a committed athlete, and a hard worker. She can always be counted on to help out—and to add fun to whatever is happening. Caroline’s Confirmation mentor was Terri Stull. Caroline says that Terri helped her learn about the importance of faith in our lives, and she wants to serve the church through teaching, helping elders and serving those who are less fortunate. Terri writes of Caroline,
     “Watching Caroline grow from a baby into the beautiful young woman she is today has brought joy to me, and I'm sure to many others. The time we've spent studying to prepare for confirmation has let me know her even better. She is a quiet person who is clear on what she expects out of each day. Her family is a priority. She especially enjoys the time she spends with Jaelyn. She also enjoys playing softball, skating with friends, or practicing for cheerleading competitions. This church has been part of her entire life. She has participated in Sunday School, Bristol Lodge, nursery, and wherever help is needed. Although these years are busy ones, I sense that Caroline will always find the church an important part of her life.”

KELLY JO MILLER
Kelly Jo is a terrific young woman—enthusiastic, energetic, incredibly kind, so talented. She is an amazing cleaner and better yet, loves to do it—she doesn’t even need to be asked, she just jumps right in! She never hesitates to speak up, to ask questions, to support others, to giggle—she is a wonderful addition to our life together. KJ has been working with Jessie Queior Epstein, and they have begun a wonderful friendship. Kelly Jo describes her faith as “in process” and appreciated that Jessie has helped that process along by learning with her about the different aspects of church. KJ wants to serve the church by singing in choir and helping cook, and by welcoming new people. How lucky we are. Jessie writes of her friend,
     “During the course of the confirmation process, I've been impressed with Kelly Jo's enthusiasm and diligence. She's intelligent, dependable, creative, and fun. I've found it so easy to work with her, and really enjoy her sunny, easy going manner. Working through this process with Kelly Jo has helped clarify and reinforce certain aspects of my own faith journey, and I feel so lucky to have been blessed with this opportunity. I'll miss spending afternoons with Kelly Jo, she's such a joyful spirit!”

PETER ANTHONY SAVARESE
There are things about Peter that have been true about him since he was a young child—he is a fierce competitor who loves to play, a hardworking student with a quick mind and wonderful ideas, a quiet guy (off the field) who at the same time is incredibly fun. He has grown into an amazing young man who is strong, steady, reliable and so caring. He brings these qualities to church membership, where he will serve God’s church by praying for others, caring for the building and helping with the nursery. He says that Confirmation taught him that Jesus helped many people in unbelievable ways—and that when we see someone in need, we should help them. Peter worked with Brad Stayton, and says that Brad helped him appreciate the world that God created, and to take the time to observe the peacefulness in nature and the people around you. Brad says of Peter,
     “I have been blessed during the past several months to spend time with Peter Savarese in study and reflection. It became evident to me as early as our second meeting that Peter was teaching me far more than I was him. By the third meeting I suggested that he take the mentor book and I become the student. He approached our journey together with a seriousness and sincerity that one does not often find in a young man of his years. While he is hardly a bible scholar at 15, he had a wonderful perspective on the Word and, quite frankly, he consistently blew me away with his extraordinary insight. Fortunately, I wrote down several of his more sapient discernments. Peter reminded me that “while God created us in his image, it is not a perfect reflection.” And “although God rested on the seventh day, he is still creating – the world, and us for that matter, are a work in progress.” Peter Savarese is a wonderful creation of our lord. I am confident that Peter will grow in his faith and help to bring Christ’s Kingdom to this world. It has been my pleasure to take a short walk with Peter on his spiritual journey as a growing disciple.”

Car Wash

Saturday, June 16^th
From 10 – 2

For the youth group mission trip to New Orleans

Free – donations accepted

Come Wash Dad’s Car!

Location: Behind Belmont Methodist Church
421 Common Street

The Churchlight May 2007

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:33:46 +0100

eChurchlight May 2007

Contents
through the looking glass
From Liz
Youth Group Schedule
On the Mission Front
BUMC T-shirts
Building Use
May Fair
Mothers' Day Breakfast
eChuchlight Sign Up
May Coffee Hour Schedule
Sunshine Page
May Worship Schedule

Dates to Remember
May 4      Set up for May Fair, 7:00 pm
May 5      May Fair, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
May 13    Mothers’ Day Breakfast, 8:00 am
May 16    Wednesday night potluck, 6:30 pm
               Church Council meeting, 7:30 pm
May 31    Women’s Book Group, 7:30 pm

June 1     Annual reports due

through the looking glass
L.L.Wimmer

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. . . .There is wisdom in these words from Ecclesiastes. There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and time to reap the harvest, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to hold on and a time to let go, a time to speak and a time to be silent. This list could go on for a while but I will add just one more: There is a time for work and a time for rest. In rest we are renewed. After 30 years in the ministry my District Superintendent and the Staff/Parish Relations Committee and the Church Council have offered me the gift of a rest for renewal. I am grateful for this recognition of the needs of my soul. It is my hope that the renewal time will also be an opportunity for a renewal in the congregation too. We have worked hard and now we need rest and recreation. Hopefully you will find ways to enjoy this interval and will not take it on as a burden but as an opportunity to come together as a community and that we will all come back together refreshed, renewed and ready to carry on.

My renewal leave will begin on June 18 and return on September 18. I will travel, study, and rest. I will connect with family, learn to play the saxophone again, I will read and listen to others to see what new thing I can learn, I will paint and write and do nothing at all. The assistant to the pastor, Liz LaRocque will be present to keep things going and provide pastoral care and the lay leadership of the congregation will step up as well to help her. Claire Hoffman, our student intern this year, may also be around to help out. One purpose of the renewal leave is to help the congregation grow and all help each other. It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Certainly it is in the absence of each other that we learn to appreciate what we have in each other. It will be an opportunity to find ourselves and to strengthen and deepen our shared ministry. Thank you for your love and support and being you, a community of faith that is strong and ready and doing all the good you can.

On Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m. we will gather at the church to make plans about our life together while the pastor is away on renewal leave. All are welcome.

From Liz
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks to all of you who have supported the many youth group fundraisers this spring. Thanks to your generosity, our mission fund is well on its way to $2000.00. Special thanks to Lisa and Steve Courtney, who took charge of the Good Friday sleepover on a moment’s notice and helped the kids make several batches of delicious Easter breads to sell, raising almost $250 for the trip.

Is your car feeling the effects of this long-lasting winter? Treat it to a lovely wash and dry right here at the church on Saturday, June 2. Watch the Sunday bulletin for details!

Do you have a job around the house you’ve been putting off for too long? Hire a youth group member to do it! Youth group members are willing to clean, sort, organize, polish, baby sit, pet walk, spread mulch, rake, mow, weed—whatever you need. You can hire them for a date and time that works for you! Minimum price is $5/hour; all proceeds go to our fall mission trip fund! See Liz if you are interested!

Youth Group Mission Trip Update: Unfortunately, we were not able to send a scouting team to our sister church in New Orleans over April vacation. We do have firm dates set for our October trip: we will be going over Columbus Day weekend, departing Friday October 5 and returning late Monday October 8. All youth grades 5-12 and interested adults are welcome to join us; reservations need to be made by Sunday, June 17 so that we can get the cheapest airline tickets. More details will be made available at our youth group meeting May 20. Questions? See Liz LaRocque or Linda Kincaid.

Wednesday Night Potluck Dinners: Come feast together at a potluck on the 3^rd Wednesday night of each month at 6:30! The next potluck is May 16. You are invited to stay for the Church Council meeting, following the potluck at 7:30.

The Women’s Book Group meets on the 4th Thursday night of each month, at 7:30 PM. We meet at Imler House, just across the driveway from the church. Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 31. Questions? See Liz!

Youth Group Schedule

Saturday, May 5: 5-10 PM
The Youth Group is invited to an evening of fun and fellowship at the Calvary Church, United Methodist in Arlington on Saturday, May 5^th 5-10 p.m.! This event, planned by the newly organized Metro Boston Hope Youth Leadership Council welcomes all district youth grades 6-12 to gather together and hang out at an awesome dinner/dance/movie extravaganza.

Sunday, May 6: No Meeting

Saturday, May 12: 2-5 PM at the church
Mother’s Day Project

Sunday, May 13: No Meeting—Be Nice to your Mom!

Sunday, May 20: 6:30-8 at the church
Regular Meeting—Planning New Orleans

Sunday, May 27: 4-6 PM
Afternoon fun at Payson Park

Saturday, June 2: Car Wash! Details to be announced!

Sunday, June 3: No Meeting—Graduation

Sunday, June 10: 6:30-8 at the church
End of the Year Ice Cream Party and Celebration!

On the Mission Front
Habitat for Humanity House
On April 6^th we sent a team of 9 people to the Habitat for Humanity house in Belmont. We were able to install exterior facings under the eves and on the front gable. We were also able to sand and caulk around the lower part of the house. Thank you to everyone who was on the team and to the people who helped finance our day. Louise Halstead.

Letter from Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry

April 7, 2007
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your generous donation of $12,000.00* to assist Cornerstone UMC in its hurricane recovery efforts. Your partnership with Cornerstone is so important to the ministers and congregation, not only for the physical assistance you have given, but also through your prayers, concerns, and encouragement. You have been a blessing to them, and we hope that your partnering relationship will continue to be a positive force, not only for Cornerstone, but for the congregation of Belmont, as well.

Although there is still so much work to be done, by working together we can accomplish great things. Thank you for being our partners, supporters, and friends.
            In His Name,
            Kathy Masey, Church Partnering
            Louisiana Unite Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry

* Last year when we were collecting pledges for the Together for Tomorrow Campaign we designated 25% of our share to help a sister congregation destroyed by Katrina to rebuild. After expenses the share of what we raised in the campaign that will be returned to our congregation over the next five years is approximately $60,000. This $12,000 is drawn from that promise. Thank you for your pledge and for your faithfulness.

Announcements
BUMC T-Shirts!
The Evangelism Team has designed snazzy blue t-shirts for you to show your spirit to the world. The shirts feature John Wesley's message of "Do all the good you can" on the back, and the BUMC logo on the front. We would be thrilled if everyone in the congregation had one so that we look like a unified team at community events. Shirts are on sale during coffee hour on the 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month and are $15 each. Youth and adult sizes are available. This is the only order we are placing, so don't miss out! Questions? Please see Nancy Kneiss at Coffee Hour.

Building Use
The building has been found left unlocked, with lights left on all night in many instances in recent weeks. Committee chairs, please make sure that all the doors are locked and lights are shut off when your committee leaves the building. The Children’s Church kids have colored and posted helpful reminders at each light switch and exit! All groups that meet – please have a responsible person designated to do this. Thank you for your help in keeping the building secure and to keep the costs down.

May Fair Fund Raiser
Saturday, May 5^th 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The May Fair is on Sat., May 5^th. We need people to help with the Fair. On Friday evening at 7:00 we will be setting up tables in the Social Hall and preparing for Sat. Sat. morning at 9:30 we will move tables into the Gym and set up our tables. We will have a Bake Sale Table, a Crafts Table and a Plant Table. If you can contribute to any of the tables your contribution will be appreciated. We also need people to work during the day. People can sign up to help with the tables during the day. We also need someone to sell tickets for food from Bar-B-Q Express.   Finance Committee – Louise Halstead, Chair

Mothers Day Breakfast
Sunday, May 13, 2007
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Annual Mothers Day Breakfast honoring the women of the church

Menu:
Fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, cornbread muffins, oatmeal, juices, coffee, tea and milk. Also featuring Home-baked goods by the men (!) of the church

*Women and children under 12 are free men – a silent contribution

*a complimentary long-stemmed rose for every woman to take home

Want to help or have questions? Call Joel Grimm at 781-648-6927

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

May Coffee Hour
May 6: MNOPQ group, coordinated by Linda Rodi (617-489-1538)
May 13: RSTU group, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian and Donna Esposito
May 20: ABC group, coordinated by Lisa Courtney(617-489-5331)
May 27: DEFG group, coordinated by Terry Grimm (781-648-6927)

Annual Reports
Committee chairs note – submissions for the annual report book are due on June 1, 2007

Sunshine Page
May Birthdays

1:         Casey Hannan
            Erica Albert
4:         Abigail Hamilton
5:         Jessica Rosenstein
            Tanya Myers
7:         John Dirr
            Malia Matson
8:         Caitlyn Sullivan
10:       Charlie Gore
12:       Alan Walsh
            Lisa Rosales Moura
13:       Owen Grimm
            Aram Koumjian
14:       Emil Wieher
15:       Marguerite Muirhead
            Caroline Marchetta

16:       Giancarla Perugini
            Virginia Stockwood
            Ann McClaughry
17:       Elinor Rumery
            Linda Atkins
18:       Sandy Thompson
            Ryan Ashford
            Ethan Ashford
            Lia Rosenstein
22:       Jordan Pohlman
24:       Robert Wainwright
26:       Dorothy Backman
            Barbara Ryther
27:       Deirdre Savarese
29:       Neal Touzjian
30:       Amanda Sullivan

Anniversaries:
4:         Ann and Kevin McClaughry
17:       Dave and Debbie Myers
23:       Mark and Jocelyn Milton
24:       Bert and Louise Halstead

May 2007 Worship Services
May 6 :10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion               Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35

May 13: 10:00 a.m. Worship             Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, John 14:23-29

May 20: 10:00 a.m. Worship   Ascension Sunday   Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53.

May 27: 10:00 a.m. Worship     Pentecost Color: Red
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27)

The Churchlight April 2007

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:07:57 +0100

eChurchlight April 2007

through the looking glass
From Liz
Youth Group Schedule
BUMC T-shirts available
Building Use
May Fair
eChurchlight sign up
Coffee Hour Schedule
Bishop Weaver Meeting
Sunshine Page
Worship Schedule
Poems for Palm Sunday
Poems for Easter

through the looking glass

With Holy Week upon us once again we are confronted by the state of our own commitment to the one who gave himself away for our sakes. Given his sacrifice for us all, how far are we willing to go to sacrifice ourselves for others? If you wonder what it means that his sacrifice was for our sake I would call your attention to the idea that life includes suffering and that love overcomes suffering. Because of the story of what he did for love we are enlightened. We can know that suffering, though a hard reality, is not the end of the story nor is it the only reality. Love is also real and endures all things. This is crucial information for us as we make decisions each day about what we are doing with our lives. It is easy enough to give up on love but if we do we are lost. This is crucial because the decision to give up on love is the decision to live for ourselves. When we decide to believe in love we also decide to live for others. The decision to live for ourselves or for others is the difference between life and death. Only love can save us even when it appears that love is no match for the violence of the world that resists it, still, in the words of Jesus himself as they took him away to be flogged, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." I have overcome the world, he said, even as the world was coming down hard on him. When Jesus suffered and died for our sakes he championed love as that which would see us through not only our own suffering but the sufferings of the world. We are seemingly surrounded by the sufferings of the world. War and disease and poverty, violence and hatred all abound yet because he suffered and died and death could not hold him, we are given a hope that abounds even more. Because he lives we can live. Therefore we can live. We can be of good cheer. We can stand fast. We can even act to bring love to the world. Dag Hammarskjöld is quoted as saying, "Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible—not to have run away." If that sounds easy it should be noted that we are always running away from life and from love. It is what we do best. It is what we do every time we hold back from sharing our life for the community, every time we hold back from giving generously of our treasures for the sake of the community, every time we resist letting go of the past for the unknown future. It is what we do every time we hold back ourselves from a wholehearted commitment to go where love will take us. The Church exists to embody the love that overcame suffering in the person of Jesus Christ on Holy Week. The Church requires people who are willing to stand in community with good cheer, to believe and live out the reality of love, and to overcome the world by the grace of God. Shall we be the Church where such a love is all the reason we need to come together, to worship, to serve, to do all the good we can for the one who showed us what love is and what life could be? Don't run away, come and be the Church with me, the Church of the resurrected Jesus whose sacrificial love overcame death and suffering for ever. Bless your heart,

From Liz

HELP US GET THE BUILDING IN SHAPE! Please join Joel Grimm and me on Saturday, April 14 at 9 AM in the Narthex for the first church clean-up day. We will start in the attic and work our way down from there—sorting what we will keep, sell, give away, and store and looking closely at what basic maintenance and upkeep is needed in each area of the church. If you have a vested interest in the “stuff” stored around the church or can help us save money on maintenance and upkeep by patching, painting, etc, please join us! We will call it a day by 1 PM; coffee and donuts will greet you when you arrive! (If you want this job done but can’t come yourself, hire a youth group member to come in your place—see below!)

Thanks to everyone who supported the MYF Bake Sale on Sunday, March 18. Thanks to your support, we raised over $250 for our fall mission trip!

Do you have a job around the house you’ve been putting off for too long? Hire a youth group member to do it! Youth group members are willing to clean, sort, organize, polish, baby sit, pet walk, spread mulch, rake, mow, weed—whatever you need. You can hire them for a date and time that works for you! Minimum price is $5/hour; all proceeds go to our fall mission trip fund! See Liz if you are interested!

Easter Breads: A Perfect Hostess Gift for Easter Dinner! The MYF will be selling homemade braided sweet breads at Coffee Hour on Easter Sunday. Plan to bring one to your Easter Dinner hosts or share one with your guests!

Youth Group Mission Trip Update: Well, we are learning a whole bunch! We were hoping to have a “scouting party” go to New Orleans in April, to meet folks from our sister church, do whatever work currently needs to be done, and gather information to bring back to BUMC—for the dual purpose of moving along our sister-church relationship and being better able to plan the youth group mission trip to New Orleans in October. Unfortunately, by the time we got our collective acts together, airline ticket prices had gone up enough as to be prohibitive. So now we are focusing all of our attention on fundraising and email communication to make that trip a well-planned reality!
     The youth group is planning on spending Columbus Day Weekend, October 5-8 2007, in mission with our sister church. We are hoping to keep the cost per person under $350, and to have much of that cost covered by fundraising. We have raised close to $1000 to date; please watch your Sunday bulletins and monthly Churchlight for future fundraisers! Please keep the trip in your prayers—and thanks for your support!

Don’t you just love baby blankets? Cecilia Cranmer had the wonderful idea of creating baby blankets for new moms and babies in need. We are now making all sorts of baby blankets for the Young Mothers Clinic at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Blankets can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tied fleece, or bought with love! They are being collected in the plastic bin in the church office; the first batch will be delivered to Children’s Hospital during Holy Week. We have yarn available for the taking, patterns we are happy to copy, and quick instructions for making tied fleece blankets—if you are interested in helping out with this new mission project, please speak with Cecilia Cranmer (617-332-1675) or me, Liz LaRocque (617-489-5557).

Wednesday Night Potluck Dinners: Come feast together at a potluck on the 3^rd Wednesday night of each month at 6:30! The next potluck is April 18. You are invited to stay for the Church Council meeting, following the potluck at 7:30.

The Women’s Book Group meets on the 4th Thursday night of each month, at 7:30 PM. We meet at Imler House, just across the driveway from the church. Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 26. We will be reading Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of the work of Dr. Paul Farmer. Questions? See Liz!

Youth Group Schedule
         Sunday, April 1: 5:15-7:15 PM at the church
                  Hosting Calvary UMC (Arlington) Youth Group for pizza and games
         Friday, April 6 at 8:30 PM to Saturday, April 7 at 10 AM at the church
            Good Friday Program and Sleepover
         Sunday, April 8: Easter—No Meeting
         Sunday, April 15: 6:30-9 PM at the church
            Movie Night at the Church—Come in your comfy clothes; bring a snack to share!
         Sunday, April 22: 4-6 PM at the church
                  Softball, Frisbee or whatever we feel like in the April Sunshine!
         Sunday, April 29: 6:30-8 PM at the church
                  Regular Meeting—New Orleans after the flood
         Saturday, May 5: 5-10 PM
            Hope District Youth Rally at Calvary UMC in Arlington
         Sunday, May 6: No Meeting
         Saturday, May 12: 2-5 PM at the church
                  Mother’s Day Project
         Sunday, May 13: No Meeting—Be Nice to your Mom!
         Sunday, May 20: 6:30-8 at the church
                  Regular Meeting
         Sunday, May 27: 4-6 PM
                  Afternoon fun at Payson Park
         Saturday, June 2: Car Wash! Details to be announced!
         Sunday, June 3: No Meeting—Graduation
         Sunday, June 10: 6:30-8 at the church
            End of the Year Ice Cream Party and Celebration!

Announcements

BUMC T-Shirts!
The Evangelism Team has designed snazzy blue t-shirts for you to show your spirit to the world. The shirts feature John Wesley's message of "Do all the good you can" on the back, and the BUMC logo on the front. We would be thrilled if everyone in the congregation had one so that we look like a unified team at community events. Shirts are on sale during coffee hour on the 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month and are $15 each. Youth and adult sizes are available. This is the only order we are placing, so don't miss out! Questions? Please see Nancy Kneiss at Coffee Hour.

Building Use
The building has been found left unlocked, with lights left on all night in many instances in recent weeks. Committee chairs, please make sure that all the doors are locked and lights are shut off when your committee leaves the building. The Children’s Church kids have colored and posted helpful reminders at each light switch and exit! All groups that meet – please have a responsible person designated to do this. Thank you for your help in keeping the building secure and to keep the costs down.

May Fair Fund Raiser
Finance Committee – Louise Halstead, Chair

We are having the May Fair on Saturday, May 5^th. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
All ideas and help are welcome. Following are some of the ideas we are moving forward with.
     Lisa Tardiff is organizing the renting of tables. We hope to rent 30 tables to vendors or craft persons at $30 a table. If you or some one you know is interested in renting a table please talk to Lisa. Artists as well as craft people and vendors are welcome.

We will have a BAKE SALE TABLE which everyone is welcome to contribute to. Cecelia Cranmer has offered to set up the table on May 5^th. She will need people to take turns staffing it. There should be NO custard products in the bake sale – this is a Town of Belmont Health department rule.

There will also be a CRAFTS TABLE run by the church. Linda Rodi is setting this table up on May 5^th and Ann Koumjian has agreed to help run it later in the day. They will need people to take turns staffing it. This table will have items made and contributed by church members for sale. It is spring so we need to think of things people may want to purchase as Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts. Also, objects people may want to use in the yard would be good. Jewelry, original cards, wooden plaques . . . would all be good. If you would like to work on your project or a joint project with others there will be work days on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of each month. The dates in April are the 13^th and 27^th. If there is an interest, other dates and times may also be set up. If you have something to donate to the table please let Louise know. All ideas are welcome.

Anita Miller has offered to set up the PLANTS TABLE. She also will need people to take turns staffing this table. Anita is looking for house plants and seedlings for gardens to sell. If you have plants you can start in small posts that would help. The green thumbs in the congregation have a better idea than I have about what is possible.

Bar-B-Q Express will be outside also, set up to provide a delicious lunch for sale.

We will have a special table with jars for donations to each of our missions. Small origami cranes will be handed out to people who make a donation to one of the missions. Examples of the missions jars are: Bristol Kitchen, Belmont Food Pantry, RIM, Sister Church in New Orleans, Youth Group Mission Trip, Partakers “College Beyond Bars”, UMCOR, Cooper Community Center, Habitat for Humanity (Belmont). I have several plastic jars for these donations, but if you have any they would be welcome.

PLEASE THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP. We will need people to set up and take down tables on Sat. as well as people to staff the tables, sell tickets for Bar-B-Q Express, count money . . . If you can help in any way please let me know. Beginning on Sunday, April 15^th there will be sign up sheets for various times and jobs.

Flyers will be available in the Narthex and Social Hall for posting around Belmont, Arlington, and Watertown – in any locations you think interested people may go.

If you have any questions please talk to me at church or call me at (617) 489-1340.

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. Current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

April Coffee Hour
April1: MNOPQ group, coordinated by Linda Rodi (617-489-1538)
April 8: RSTU&VWXYZ groups, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian (617-489-3153), Donna Esposito (617-489-4698) and Ava Walsh (781-891-4092)
April 15: ABC group, coordinated by Lisa Courtney(617-489-5331)
April 22: DEFG group, coordinated by Terry Grimm (781-648-6927)
April 29: HIJKL group, coordinated by Shelle Lynch (617-484-1377)

Bishop Weaver is coming to Metro Boston District
Where: Marshfield UMC - Marshfield, MA
When: April 22, 2007
Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Guests: Bishop Weaver & Wee-Li Tan – “Stewardship, Faith & Money”

Sunshine Page
April Birthdays

2:      Jennifer Coombs
         Jeffrey Coombs
         Noah Wimmer
5:      David Myers
6:      Jennifer Bourque
9:      Alexandra Hale
12:    Joanna Milton
14:    Bruce Pahlm
17:    Ava Walsh
         Caren Rosales
         Arthur Marchetta, Sr.

19:    Amelia Ayres
20:    Danielle Rosales
         Elizabeth Rosales
         Leah Wimmer
21:    Selima Chandler
23:    Peter Savarese
24:    Paula Paine
25:    Ryan Touzjian
26:    Mark Milton
27:    Christina Matson
         Jack Canepa
30:    Emily Savarese

Anniversaries:
7:   Arty and Carol Marchetta
9:   Scott and Tanya Myers
15: John and Nancy Montanaro
21: Erdine and Malcolm Ellison
30: Richard and Sidney Gerrold

Baptisms
Maya Corine Stayton, born March 21, 2006, daughter of Brad and Kathie Stayton was baptized on March 11, 2007.

Benjamin Speed McGee, born March 27, 2006, son of Stephen and Julie McGee was baptized on March 25, 2007.

April 2007 Worship Services
April 1 :10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion        Palm Sunday   Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

April 5: 7:30 p.m. Worship       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. Please note: We will be worshiping with St. John’s UMC in Belmont.

April 6:7:00 p.m. Worship       Good Friday     Color: None
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42.
Please note: We will be worshiping at St. John’s UMC in Watertown.

April 8: 10:00 a.m. Worship    Easter Sunday    Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 10:34-43, I Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 (or Luke 24:1-12).

April 15: 10:00 a.m. Worship   2^nd Sunday of Easter   Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31.

April 22: 10:00 a.m. Worship     3^rd Sunday of Easter   Color: White
Native American Awareness Sunday
Lectionary Readings: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

April 29: 10:00 a.m.   Worship      4^th Sunday of Easter   Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30

PALM SUNDAY

The Donkey
When fishes flew and forests walked
      And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the mood was blood
      Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
      And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
      On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
      Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb
      I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
      One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
      And palms before my feet.

Gilbert K Chesterton, 1874-1936

Palm Sunday
Thy glory dawns, Jerusalem, awake, thy bells to ring!
      Swift fashion thee a crown of gold,
      And bring forth David’s throne of old;
Jerusalem, make ready, make ready for the King!
      From tower and roof thy banners fling,
For down the slopes of Olivet comes riding on, the King!

(Jerusalem speaks:)
      A thorn-bush grows without the wall;
      Of this his crown shall woven be.
      For royal wine prepare we gall,
      For throne a cross on Calvary.

Thy Saviour comes, Jerusalem, make haste, thine altar bring!
      His body for an offering take,
      The heart of all the world to break,
And on the cross uplifted our God shall own him King!
      Ye lands afar, his triumph sing,
For with the love of all mankind our God shall crown him King!

John J. Moment

EASTER

Seven Stanzas at Easter

Make no mistake: if He rose at all
it was as His body;
If the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules
      reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the church will fall.

It was not as the flowers,
each soft spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled
      eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His flesh, ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes,
the same valved heart
that – pierced – died, withered, paused and then
      regathered out of enduring Might
new strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the
      faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not papier-mache,
not a stone in a story,
but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow
      grinding of time will eclipse for each of us
the wide light of day.

And if we will have an angel at the tomb,
make it a real angel,
weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair,
      opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen,
spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are
      embarrassed by the miracle
and crushed by remonstrance.

John Updike

The Churchlight March 2007

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:12:10 +0100

eChurchlight March 2007

From Larry
Committee for worker justice
From Liz
Youth Group Schedule
Missions letter - Heifer
Walk for Hunger
Climate Rescue Day
Cancellation policy
BUMC T-shirts
Vendor/craft Fair
Magic show
Churchlight signup
Coffee Hour
Sunshine page
Joys and Concerns
Worship Schedule
Methodist hymnal
Easter lilies order form

through the looking glass
L. L. Wimmer

why do the babies starve
when there's enough food to feed the world
why when they're so many of us
are there people still alone
why are the missiles called peacekeepers
when they're aimed to kill
why is a woman still not safe
when she's in her home
love is hate
war is peace
no is yes
and we're all free
but somebody's gonna have to answer
the time is coming soon
amidst all these questions and contradictions
they're some who seek the truth
but somebody's gonna have to answer
the time is coming soon
when the blind remove their blinders
and the speechless speak the truth

The words of Tracy Chapman call us to a season of Lenten reflection that goes beyond the usual and the superficial to the real issue which is human sin and what can we do about it? This is the time when Wesley's famous question, "How is it with your soul?" need be at the center of our attention. It may be disturbing to have to face reality but if we never do we will never know the reality that will save us. The world is, frankly, grim but those who follow Christ will bring a gentle grace to the harsh realities not so that we can pretend they are not about us but so that we can bear what must be endured if love is to have any consequence at all in the world we know. Ours is a serious calling and should not be taken lightly yet in Christ we are lifted up and given the strength to overcome and even rejoice. Such joy is well beyond the superficial happiness of self-indulgence and may surprise us with its depth. For despite all that is before us we are who we are and it is what it is and what God wants of us is to be the best and most that we can be, that we be real, that we love and know what love is, that we endure, and never stop giving ourselves to others. 'How is it with your soul?' is a question for us all to ponder not only as individuals but as a community of faith. May God bless our reflection. May we dare to go to the deepest places of our hearts and souls. May we hear and speak the truth in love and may we not be afraid to live for Christ in a world that still is more likely to crucify him than to follow his way. Bless your hearts,

FYI
THE MASSACHUSETTS INTERFAITH COMMITTEE FOR WORKER JUSTICE was founded in 1997 and is an association of people of faith, congregations, and labor unions seeking to promote dignity and just working conditions. The issue of the moment is the continuing erosion of job security, essential benefits, and loss of income to Massachusetts working people. Of particular concern are low-wage and marginalized workers. The MICWJ believes the degrading conditions of workers, as well as the increasing disparity of wealth in our society, presents a moral crisis which affects the well being of our entire nation. The mission of the MICWJ is to address economic and social injustice and to call upon our religious values as a community of faith to act for change. On Sunday, March 4, The Reverend Manika Bowman, representing the MICWJ, will be our guest Mission Moment speaker.

From Liz
Bake Sale: Youth Group Bake Sale at Coffee Hour Sunday, March 18. Please support our Mission Fund!

Wednesday Night Potluck Dinners: Come feast together at a potluck on the 3^rd Wednesday night of each month at 6:30! The next potluck is March 21. You are invited to stay for the Church Council meeting, following the potluck at 7:30.

The Women’s Book Group meets on the 4th Thursday night of each month, at 7:30 PM. We meet at Imler House, just across the driveway from the church. Our next meeting will be Thursday, March 22. Watch the Sunday bulletins and the church website for our book selection! Questions? See Liz!

CPR Classes Available! Terry Grimm and Liz LaRocque have become certified instructors for American Heart Association CPR classes. We are happy to offer these classes at minimal cost to members and friends of BUMC as a ministry. There are several different types of courses available, from basic skills for family and friends to advanced skills for health care providers; we are happy to talk to you about which would be the best fit for you, and to schedule classes at your convenience! All courses offer instruction based on the new 2006 American Heart Association guidelines. If you are interested in a CPR class, you can speak to us at church, or call us at 781-648-6927 (Terry) or 617-489-5557 (Liz).

Youth Group Schedule
Sunday, March 4: 6:30-8 Mission Trip Planning – Meet in the Sanctuary
Sunday, March 11: 12:30-4:30 Tubing at Nashoba. Cost: $20 for 2 hour ticket plus money for snacks if you want them. Drivers needed – see Liz!
Saturday, March 17: 1-5 in the church kitchen: Bake-O-Rama! Come for as much of the afternoon as you can – if you can’t please bake at home.
Sunday, March 18: Youth Group Bake Sale at Coffee Hour! Help raise money for our mission trip!
Sunday, March 25: Regular meeting 6:30-8 at the church.

Missions
Dear Partners in Mission,
Thank you for your partnership with Heifer in order to eradicate hunger. Your gift of $1,110.00 will provide many families with the help they need to improve nutrition for their families.
In Guatemala, the women in the municipality of Quiche have transformed previously unusable land into orchards using native plants and soil techniques. When their Heifer goats and rabbits arrived, the women composted the manure and used it to fertilize their orchards. Today, these women make substantial contributions to their families’ income and formed a women’s group to share what they have learned with others.
     Your official receipt will come from Heifer’s headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas, but I want you to know that the Heifer Northeast Office is very grateful for your support. If you need any assistance planning Heifer related events or programs, please let me know, I would be happy to assist you.
     Thank you for your commitment to Heifer and the mission of ending poverty while caring for the earth.
        Yours for a better world,   Kate Sheehan
        Community Relations Coordinator, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME

Walk for Hunger! Save the Date
Sunday, May 6, 2007 Walk for Hunger
http://www.projectbread.org/ for more information

Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue
March 16-24, Northampton to Boston, coordinated by Religious Witness for the Earth. Walk for an hour, a day, a weekend, or the whole week to stand up for a more peaceful, healthy, just, and sustainable world for all creatures, human and other-than-human.
     The last segment, Climate Rescue Day, Sat. March 24, is a walk from Christ Church, Cambridge, to Copley Square followed by an interfaith service and rally for climate rescue.

· 10:00 am: registration, refreshments, welcome briefing

· 11:30 am: Walk from Cambridge to Copley Square, Boston.

· 2:00 pm: Interfaith worship at Old South Church.

· 3:00 pm: Rally in Copley Square

The Interfaith walk and climate rescue day are calls by the Massachusetts faith community for political action - not a fundraiser. Larger national events are planned to coincide with Earth Day in April. If you’d like to participate as an individual or part of a BUMC team, please talk to Larry or to Linda Rodi (617-489-1538 or llrodi@yahoo.com). Full information is available on the web at http://www.climatewalk.org/

Is Church Canceled?
In the event of severe weather, or unsafe conditions at the church check Channel 5! If we need to close the building, a notice will be posted on Channel 5 news (WCVB) and their website. (thebostonchannel.com). We will also continue to try to notify folks via our church website, email, the church answering machine message, and word of mouth. If there is snow but church is NOT canceled, please be sure to check whether the town of Belmont has declared a parking ban – if so, we are limited to the spaces in the lot. Questions? See Liz.

BUMC T-Shirts!
The Evangelism Team has designed snazzy blue t-shirts for you to show your spirit to the world. The shirts feature John Wesley's message of "Do all the good you can" on the back, and the BUMC logo on the front. We would be thrilled if everyone in the congregation had one so that we look like a unified team at community events. Shirts are on sale during coffee hour on the 3rd and 4th Sundays of every month and are $15 each. Youth and adult sizes are available. This is the only order we are placing, so don't miss out! Questions? Please see Nancy Kneiss at Coffee Hour.

Vendor/Craft Fair fund raiser
Finance Committee – Louise Halstead, Chair

We are having a Vendor/Craft Fair on Saturday, May 5^th. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
All ideas and help are welcome. Following are some of the ideas we are moving forward with.
     Lisa Tardiff will be organizing the renting of tables in March. We hope to rent 30 tables to vendors or craft persons at $30 a table. Lisa has a core of people she has contacted.   If you or some one you know is interested in renting a table please talk to Lisa. Artists as well as craft people and vendors are welcome.
     We will have a BAKE SALE TABLE which everyone is welcome to contribute to. Ceceila Cranmer has offered to set up the table on May 5^th. She will need people to take turns staffing it. In April there will be a sign up sheet for items to bring to the table. There should be NO custard products in the bake sale – this is a Town of Belmont Health Department rule.
     There will also be a CRAFTS TABLE run by the church. Louise Halstead is setting this table up on May 5^th. She will need people to take turns staffing it.   This table will have items made and contributed by church members for sale. It is spring so we need to think of things people may want to purchase as Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts. Also, objects people may want to use in the yard would be good. Jewelry, original cards, wooden plaques... would all be good. If you would like to work on your project or a joint project with others there will be work days on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of each month. The dates in March are the 9^th and 23^rd. If there is an interest other dates and times may also be set up. If you have something to donate to the table please let Louise know. All ideas are welcome.
   Anita Miller has offered to set up the PLANTS TABLE. She also will need people to take turns staffing this table. Anita is looking for house plants and seedlings for gardens to sell. If you have plants you can start in small pots that would help. The green thumbs in the congregation have a better idea than I have about what is possible.
     If you have any questions please talk to me at church or call me at (617) 489-1340.
Louise

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School
March Magic
Featuring Magic by Mike Bent ABRAKIDABRA!

Saturday, March 24^th, 2007
3:30-5:00 in the Social Hall
Doors open at 2:30
$6/ticket, $25/family
Face painting, Refreshments, Fun Time!

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 http://www.umcbelmont.org/ to subscribe. In addition, starting from September, current and back issues will be posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

March Coffee Hour
March 4: VWXYZ group, coordinated by Ava Walsh (781-891-4092)
March 11: ABC group, coordinated by Lisa Courtney (617-489-5331)
March 18: DEFG group, coordinated by Terry Grimm (781-648-6927)
March 25: HIJKL group, coordinated by Shelle Lynch (617-484-1377)

Sunshine Page

March Birthdays

3: David Coombs
      Faye Reagan
6: Dorothy Rosales
      Jen Bourque
9: Terri Kolenbrander
      Michael Montanaro
       Emily Myers
11: Ron Bourque
12: Ramona Cass
14: Susan Haller

16: William Newcombe
18: Scott Pluskey
20: Richard McGowan
21: Kathie Stayton
24: Michael Duval
25: Connor LaRocque
Jeremy Dick
30: Brian Schaffhausen
31: Claire Cassidy

Anniversaries:
1:   LoveJoy and Elliot Melendez
4:   Ron and Cindi Bourque
15: Bruce and Diane Pahlm
16: William and Eleanor Newcombe

Joys and Concerns
Our thoughts and prayers are with Erdine Ellison, who is recovering from surgery she had on January 26.

We are saddened to hear of the death of Glendys Case on September 4, 2006. A memorial service was held on November 17, 2006 in Penney Farms, Florida.

Our thoughts are with the family of Ruth Johnston, who passed away on February 14, 2007. A service was held on February 21.

March 2007 Worship Services
March 4 :10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion 2^nd Sunday in Lent        Color: Purple
            Lectionary Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-55

March 11:10:00 a.m. Worship       3^rd Sunday in Lent Color: Purple
            Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9, I Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9

March 18:10:00 a.m. Worship    4^th Sunday in Lent    Color: Purple
            Lectionary Readings: Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

March 25: 10:00a.m. Worship    5^th Sunday in Lent     Color: Purple
            Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8

Please Note: Easter Plant Form at end of email. More are available in the Narthex.

The Methodist Hymnal - A Rich Heritage
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
            Author: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
            Music: From a Gregorian Chant
            Arranged: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

The words to this hymn were written in 1707 for use at a communion service conducted by Watts and first appeared in Watts’ collection, “Hymns and Spiritual Songs.” These early works were written in the simplest of meters in order to fit tunes suitable for congregational singing and they had a wide circulation. Born in Southampton, England, the eldest of nine children, Watts was the son of an educated deacon in a dissenting Congregational church. He showed a strong aptitude for study and by the time he was 15 years old had learned Latin, Greek, French and Hebrew. He also began to write verses of good quality. He wrote new settings of Psalms but also wrote a number of hymns based on more personal feelings. These hymns were known as “hymns of personal composure” and were very controversial during his lifetime. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” is an example of this type of hymn. Some of his best known hymns are “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”, “Joy to the World” and “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun.” In all he composed more than 600 hymns.
     The tune was the work of Lowell Mason who has been called the father of American public school and church music. He arranged this tune in 1824 from an ancient Gregorian chant. The tune, known as “Hamburg” first appeared in Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music in 1825. It is interesting to note that the entire melody encompasses only a five note range.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
            Author: Anon., Latin
            German Trans: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
            English Trans: James Alexander, 1804-1859
            Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612
            Harmonized: J. S. Bach, 1685-1750

“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” is taken from a lengthy medieval poem Rhythmica Oratio, in seven parts, each part addressing various members of Christ’s body as He suffered on the cross: His feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face. This text is from the seventh portion of the poem and was originally titled “Salve Caput Cruentatum.” The German translation first appeared in 1656 in the German hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica and was titled “To the Suffering Face of Christ.” The English translation first appeared in 1830 in the hymnal The Christian Lyre after James Alexander, a Presbyterian minister, had translated Paul Gerhardt’s German translation. Paul Gerhardt was born in Saxony, Germany and was ordained to the German Reformed Church ministry. He became the center of much theological and political controversy during the rule of Frederick William I, Elector of Saxony, when he refused to assent to the edict of the ruler that forbade free discussion of the differences between the Lutheran and Calvinist Reformed Churches. James Alexander was born in Virginia and received his training at Princeton Theological Seminary and later taught church history there for several years. The tune was originally a German love song (My Heart is Distracted by a Gentle Maid) in Hans Leo Hassler’s collection Lustgarten Neuer Deutscher Gesang of 1601. It first appeared with Gerhardt’s text and has been used with both English and German ever since. It would appear that Bach was fond of this melody since he used it five times in St. Matthew’s Passion. The present musical version of this hymn is really a combination of various harmonizations of the melody by Bach.

Order Easter Lilies
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 25, 2007. These plants will then be distributed to shut-ins after Easter Sunday.
(Please print clearly)

Your Name ___________________________________________________________

In Memory of    1.)

            2.)

            3.)
       Or
In Honor of     1.)

            2.)

            3.)

            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: ____________

The Churchlight February 2007

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:17:31 +0100

eChurchlight February 2007

From Larry
From Liz
Announcements
Sunshine Page
Joys and Concerns
Worship Schedule

through the looking glass
L. L. Wimmer

Growing the congregation seems like a no-brainer. Of course, we want to grow but why? John Perkins writing for Verse and Voice (Sojourners) says: The only purpose of the gospel is to reconcile people to God and to each other. He goes on to suggest that if we are increasing the size of our congregations but are not doing anything to reconcile people to God, not doing the essential work of Christ, what is the point? Indeed it is possible that congregations whether they be large or small are quite capable of doing just the opposite, dividing and hating, rather than reconciling and loving but you already know that. The measure of our life together in Christ is not how many of us there are but how much we are doing to reconcile the world to God. For me, growing a church is not just about increasing the number of people involved but increasing the depth of the involvement of all of us. If more people come and join us to do the ministry of Christ because we love God and one another and they want to live a life of love and service, too, it will be wonderful but our first priority must be the practice of love and service ourselves. We must be what we invite others to be with us. We must have something here worth coming here to have, something happening here that we all want to be a part of.
     Now is the time when we begin to think about our ministry and plan what we are going to do. Committees and ministry teams are asked to have a conversation about their work now and where they hope to go with it and to let the Finance Committee know what kind of budget they need sometime in the month of February. One of the questions that need to be asked is how is our work doing the reconciling work of Christ? How is love being served?
     We are also in the process of deciding what our goals will be for the next season of ministry. What do we hope to accomplish as a congregation of the United Methodist Church? What does it have to with what God wants? Will we be peacemakers and servants, seekers of truth and light, the beloved community working always within the parameters of love itself? How do we measure the depth and size of our hearts and souls?
     I personally have felt a need for a time when we can gather informally to pray for one another and our world and to hear each others stories as they are happening. Together we can get to know each other better and learn how to talk about the things that matter with no expectations beyond a sincere desire to simply care for each other in Christ. Beginning February 7 at 7:30 pm I invite you to join me in the Parlor for prayer and conversation about life as we live it on the first Wednesday of each month. If there is a need I will also offer this opportunity in the daytime during the week.
     In the meantime let us find ways to serve God and our world. Let us go deeper into the heart of God. Let us be the people who live out the gospel of reconciling love in everything we do no matter how large or small. It's all about the love. Bless your hearts.

From Liz

          Impossible! For a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage!
          Impossible! For a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage!
          And four white mice will never be four white horses!
          Such falderal and fiddle-dee-dee of course is impossible! Impossible!
          But the world is full of zanies and fools who don’t believe in sensible rules
          And won’t believe what sensible people say
          And because these daft and dewey-eyed dopes
          Keep building up impossible hopes
          Impossible things are happening every day.
                   (with everlasting gratitude to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella)

What if this year were Impossible Year? Some wonderful ideas have been kicking around in my head since I prayed my way through Disney in December. What if we decided to just go ahead and DO all the things we have been thinking about but for one reason or another thought we couldn’t do? What if we stopped talking about how we could make things happen, and just did them?
     Think about it—we are not without an abundance of resources. Get together ANY group of ten people in this congregation, and we GUARANTEED either have the money, talent, time and know-how to get something done, or we know where we can get it. So what’s stopping us? It has to be that somehow, we think we can’t; somehow we think it’s impossible. But we are forgetting one very important thing. You can find it in Mark 10:27. Go ahead, look it up. Then decide what impossible thing you are going to join with God and the church to do this year…:

· Get on the bus for New Orleans: We are putting together a trip to our new partner church in New Orleans for April School Vacation. It’s going to happen, and you can be a part of it. You can build, you can clean, you can pray, you can drive, you can supervise youth, you can hang out and talk to folks, you can come be a part of a new partnership. See Linda Kincaid, Heather or Brian Sullivan, Larry or Liz!

· Build a house: Belmont is building a Habitat House right here in our own backyard. How can we NOT be a part of this? Colin Campbell, Ros Paine and Louise Halstead all know the scoop—the more hands, the better!

· Feed the hungry: An agency in Cambridge is looking for groups to offer a meal once a month, like we already do with Bristol Kitchen. Can we take this on? Can you help coordinate volunteers once a month, or bake, or cook, or serve? See Liz!

· Clothe those in need: What to do with all those clothes that used to go to Rummage? Wouldn’t it be great to start a clothes closet for those in need? We could make it happen…

· Visit those in prison: We have a commitment to Yavette, but we have struggled to keep it. Could you write to her, encourage her, visit her once in a while? See Linda Kincaid or Laurel Wainwright.

· Welcome the refugee: We also have a commitment to the Refugee Immigration Ministry. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have short-term housing available so families wouldn’t need to live in shelters while we found apartments for them? Or a storeroom of household goods so we didn’t have to scrape things together each time a new family was in need? How could we make things easier for people and families seeking sanctuary?

· Answer God’s call: What else is God calling us, who have been so richly blessed, to do in this place? Nothing is impossible with God….what do you hear? Where are you being led? Chances are, someone else is hearing the same call and wants to join you in answering it as the church. Do the impossible!

Wednesday Night Potluck Dinners Are Back! Come feast together at a potluck on the 3^rd Wednesday night of each month at 6:30! Our schedule for February is a little different—we will be sharing our potluck meal on February 21, before the Ash Wednesday Service at 7:30. Because of the Ash Wednesday Service, the Church Council Meeting for February has been changed to Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 in the Parlor.

The Women’s Book Group meets on the last Thursday night of each month, at 7:30 PM. We meet at Imler House, just across the driveway from the church. Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 22. Watch the Sunday bulletins and the church website for our book selection! Questions? See Liz!

CPR Classes Available! Terry Grimm and Liz LaRocque have become certified instructors for American Heart Association CPR classes. We are happy to offer these classes at minimal cost to members and friends of BUMC as a ministry. There are several different types of courses available, from basic skills for family and friends to advanced skills for health care providers; we are happy to talk to you about which would be the best fit for you, and to schedule classes at your convenience! All courses offer instruction based on the new 2006 American Heart Association guidelines. If you are interested in a CPR class, you can speak to us at church, or call us at 781-648-6927 (Terry) or 617-489-5557 (Liz).

Announcements

Vendor/Craft Fair fund raiser
Finance Committee – Louise Halstead, Chair
     We are having a Vendor/Craft Fair on Saturday, May 5^th. There will be a planning meeting February 8^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. If you cannot come to the meeting but want to discuss the fair please talk to me. All ideas and help are welcome. Following are some of the ideas we want to move forward with.
     Lisa Tardiff will be organizing the renting of tables in March. We hope to rent 30 tables to vendors or craft persons at $30 a table. Lisa has a core of people she has had contact with for another event and will ask them. If you or some one you know is interested in renting a table please talk to Lisa.
     We will have a Bake Sale table which everyone is welcome to contribute to. We also need someone to organize the table and people to take turns staffing it. There should be NO custard products in the bake sale – this is a Town of Belmont Health Department rule.
     There will also be a crafts table and people to staff it. This table will have items made and contributed by church members for sale. It is spring so we need to think of things people may want to purchase as Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts. Also, objects people may want to use in the yard would be good. Jewelry, original cards, wooden plaques... would all be good.
     If you are interested in working with others while you make a craft item please come to the church office between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on February 9^th and 23^rd. I will be in the office. If there are too many people for the office we will move to the Parlor. I will have a project for those who don’t know what to do and will welcome other ideas for other crafts. If people want to get together at other times we can set up other work/social times (during the day and at night). Louise

Hope District Youth Gathering
With Rev. Aida Fernandez and Josephine Sierra on Saturday, February 3, 2007 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Woburn United Methodist Church.

Adult Fellowship
The Adult Fellowship Valentine potluck dinner party will be held on Saturday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jerome and Emily Farnsworth. Please call Linda French (617-489-3656) to sign up for your food assignment or Emily Farnsworth (617-489-0367).

The Food Project Summer Jobs for Teens!
The Food Project is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that inspires youth to grow as leaders. The Food Project’s Summer Youth Program brings together young people from different communities to grow and distribute fresh produce as part of a summer job. Youth work in teams planting and harvesting vegetables, selling at our farmers’ markets, exploring issues in the community, and serving their produce at food pantries. The 2007 Summer Youth Program will run from June 26^th to August 15^th. Youth must commit to the entire seven and a half weeks. Interested youth age 14-16 years are hired as Crew Workers and 20-28 year olds are hired as Supervisors. More information is on the bulletin board and applications are available from the church office or go to www.thefoodproject.org.

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. In addition, starting from September, current and back issues will be posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Coffee Hour
Feb. 4: DEFG group, coordinated by Terry Grimm (781-648-6927)
Feb. 11: HIJKL group, coordinated by Shelle Lynch (617-484-1377)
Feb. 18: MNOPQ group, coordinated by Linda Rodi (617-489-1538)
Feb. 25: RSTU group, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian (617-489-3153) and Donna Esposito (617-489-4698).

Sunshine Page

February Birthdays

2:   Caitlin Marchetta
4:   Carolyn Backus
      Alicia Tardiff
      David Bourque
      Obafemi Williams
5:   Ellen Canepa
6:   Morrie Bailey
7:   Louise Halstead
     Ted Barton
8: Dorthea Hansen
      Ian Hale
9:   Joanna Schaffhausen
12: Ruth Wells
     Linda Keltner
      Jessica Pohlman

13: Carole Brown
15: Ed Sanford
      Judy Wilson
      Terry Skelton
16: Henry Hansen
18: Julie Carey
      Patrick Vershbow
19: Christine Marchetta
      Judi LeCount
24: Amanda Gore
      Jonathan Bailey
      Beverley Phillips
25: Mike Bent
      Sarah Wilson
28: Olive Woodland

Joys and Concerns

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jen Coombs, recovering from foot surgery January 22; and Martie Wainwright, recovering from neck surgery January 25.

Congratulations to Kathie, Brad and Max Stayton on the arrival of Maya!

February 2007 Worship Services

February 4 :10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion               Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), I Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11

February 11:10:00 a.m. Worship                                  Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10, I Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26

February 18:10:00 a.m. Worship    Transfiguration Sunday        Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)

February 21: 7:30 p.m. Worship    Ash Wednesday          Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

February 25: 10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion             Color: Purple
Lectionary Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

The Churchlight January 2007

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:52:39 +0100

eChurchlight January 2007

From Larry
From Liz
Announcements
   Adult Fellowship
   Summer Jobs for Teens
   Electronic Churchlight
   Martin Luther King Breakfast
   Community Blood Drive
   Coffee HourSchedule
The Methodist Hymnal
Sunshine Page
Joys and Concerns
Letters from Members and Friends
January Worship Services

through the looking glass
L. L. Wimmer

We spend so much time getting ready for Christmas that I suspect we forget that Christmas lasts for more than one day. The season of Christmas continues, at least on the Christian calendar, and spills over into the new year of our other calendar, the one that begins in January. Perhaps it is a sign to us if we care to see it that we could begin to build our plans for a new year on the foundation of the Christmas spirit, a spirit of goodwill and generosity and the giving of gifts. In the weeks ahead we as a congregation will be making decisions about what our priorities are. We will be deciding what our goals as a faith community will be and we will be deciding what our personal commitment to those goals will be of our prayers and presence and gifts and service. What can we as a congregation give to the world? What can we offer of ourselves to prepare for the peaceable kingdom of God? What can we do as individuals to increase and prosper this congregation? I envision that we will increase small group life with more opportunities for fellowship and learning and prayer. I envision that we will be more active in service to others in mission. I envision that we will deepen and expand our experience of worship. I envision new leaders stepping up and offering their vision and themselves to make us more. What do you envision? May the spirit of Christmas give us the will to enter the new year of the world with expectation and with vision for what might be. Bless your hearts.

From Liz

Wednesday Night Potluck Dinners Are Back! Come feast together at a potluck on the 3^rd Wednesday night of each month at 6:30! If you want, you are welcome to stay for the Church Council meeting at 7:30! Our next Potluck and Church Council meeting will be Wednesday, January 17! Questions? See Liz!

The Women’s Book Group meets on the last Thursday night of each month, at 7:30 PM. We meet at Imler House, just across the driveway from the church. Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 25. We will be discussing the book The Seville Communion by Arturo Perez-Reverte. Questions? See Liz!

Announcements

Adult Fellowship
Save the date! Adult Fellowship Valentine potluck dinner party Saturday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jerome and Emily Farnsworth. Please stay tuned for more details.

The Food Project Summer Jobs for Teens!
The Food Project is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that inspires youth to grow as leaders. The Food Project’s Summer Youth Program brings together young people from different communities to grow and distribute fresh produce as part of a summer job. Youth work in teams planting and harvesting vegetables, selling at our farmers’ markets, exploring issues in the community, and serving their produce at food pantries. The 2007 Summer Youth Program will run from June 26^th to August 15^th. Youth must commit to the entire seven and a half weeks. Interested youth age 14-16 years are hired as Crew Workers and 20-28 year olds are hired as Supervisors. More information is on the bulletin board and applications are available from the church office or go to www.thefoodproject.org.

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. In addition, starting from September, current and back issues are posted on the website in the Newsletter section.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast
Monday, January 15, 2007 from 8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Belmont High School Cafeteria. The keynote speaker is Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Associate Dean at the Harvard School of Public Health. Admission $5/person, $10/family at the door. Supervised activities for children 11 and under. Pre-registration requested at www.belmontagainstracism.org, or at june.roberts@verizon.net, 617-489-0478 or ddabney@verizon.net 617-265-1918.

Belmont Community Blood Drive
Sponsored by Beth El Temple Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. To make an appointment please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givelife.org

Coffee Hour
Jan. 7: MNOPQ group, coordinated by Linda Rodi (617-489-1538)

Jan. 14: RSTU group, coordinated by Kathy Touzjian (617-489-3153) and Donna Esposito (617-489-4698).

Jan. 21: VWXYZ group, coordinated by Ava Walsh (781-891-4092)

Jan. 28: ABC group, coordinated by Lisa Courtney (617-489-5331)

The Methodist Hymnal – A Rich Heritage

Silent Night    Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848
                   Tune: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
Joseph Mohr was born in Salzburg, Austria and as a boy was a chorister in the Cathedral of Salzburg. In 1815, he was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church. He served various parishes in the Salzburg area and in 1818 he wrote the text for this hymn while serving as assistant priest at the Church of St. Nicholas in the region of Tyrol, high in the Alps. Having learned that the church organ was out of order, he decided to write a Christmas carol for the Christmas Eve Mass – something that would lend itself to guitar accompaniment. He gave the words to Franz Gruber, the local schoolmaster and church organist who composed the simple, fitting tune. Father Mohr and Mr. Gruber sang their hymn-carol, accompanied by Mr. Gruber’s guitar, much to the delight of the congregation. (If you have heard this carol sung with a simple guitar accompaniment, you can appreciate how lovely the combination it is).
     A few days after the Christmas Eve Mass, Karl Maurchen, a well-known organ builder in that area, came to repair the organ and obtained a copy of the new hymn. It was through his influence the music spread throughout the Tyrol region. It became a popular folk song and various performing groups such as the well-known Strasser Children’s Quartet used the song in concerts throughout Austria and Germany. It was first heard in the United States in 1839 when a family of Tyrolean singers, the Rainers, used the music during their concert tours. It was soon translated into English as well as other languages and is presently sung in all the major languages of the world.
     The translation by John F. Young was of the first three verses in our hymnal are the most widely used. Young was an Episcopal priest and later Bishop from Maryland who always had a keen interest in sacred music. The editor of two hymnals, his translation of Mohr’s German text first appeared in 1863 in Hollisten’s Service and Tune Book.

Whence the Christmas Carol
The word “carol” has a dancing origin, probably going back to the Latin “choraula” and ultimately to the Greek “choros” which was a circling dance. During the 15^th Century it came to mean a song, not necessarily accompanied by dancing. Today the carol is synonymous for most people, with any traditional Christmas song. But, in fact, a “carol” denotes a song form that may be associated with any season.
     In the early Middle Ages, carols were a part of the mystery and miracle plays which were used by the medieval church for teaching religious dogmas. The carols were sung during these plays as an intermesso between various scenes. The first hymns in honor of the Nativity were written in the 5^th Century soon after Christmas was established as one of the great church feasts. These hymns were in Latin however, and it was not until St. Frances of Assisi inspired his companions to write in the vernacular that Nativity songs were written for the people to sing. From Italy the carol spread to all those countries where Christianity existed.
     In 1627 the English Puritan Parliament abolished the celebration of Christmas and during the remainder of the 17^th Century and into the 18^th Century the folk-like carol hymns were scarce in England.
     Unless we remember the distrust and disapproval of the Puritans of any celebration of Christmas, it is difficult to realize it was not until the 19^th Century that Christmas became a popular holiday in America. In fact, until 1816 December 25^th was a common work day in Boston and as late as 1870 classes were held in the public schools there on Christmas Day. It was the coming of the Germans, Swedes, Italians, Polish, Irish and other Europeans that helped Christmas celebrations flourish in this country.

Sunshine Page

New Members
Welcome to Tamara Bryant, who joined the church on December 17.

Weddings
Congratulations to Amy Walsh and Chris Iadarola, who were married at BUMC on December 2^nd.

Anniversaries:
1: David Rumf and Anna DiMascio

January Birthdays

2: Devin LaRocque
3: Marion Cushing
4: Jim Muirhead
6: Debbie Myers
     George Yarworth
     E. J. Johnson
10: Kirk Kolenbrander
11: Lisa Kelly
     Ann Ashford
12: Dave Walsh
     Christopher LaRocque
     Andy Walsh

13: Emily Kolenbrander
     Gwen Hynes
14: Sarah Kolenbrander
15: Martha Wainwright
18: Debbie Blaisdell
22: Douglas Matson
23: Richard Gerrold
     Lisa Courtney
24: Stephanie Schaffhausen
26: Jill Quickel
28: Ros Paine
     Alan White

Joys and Concerns
Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret Nelson, who was hospitalized at Mount Auburn Hosp. in late November. She is now at home. Erdine Ellison, who has been hospitalized a few times in December and is now home recovering. Mal Ellison, who is home after an extensive stay at rehab. Jean Husson, who is recovering from pneumonia

Letters from Members and Friends

Thanks to everyone who bought presents, gave money for shopping and helped with the shopping and wrapping for Cooper Community Center. We were able to give over 100 wrapped gifts which were age appropriate for the children at the Cooper Center. The children at the center will have a happier Christmas because of our efforts. Louise Halstead

Thank you for your kind and generous donation of $161.00 to the Belmont Food Pantry! Your donation will purchase food and allow us to distribute gift certificates from local businesses that will enable our clients to purchase fresh foods and items that will meet each individual’s need. The Belmont Community is extremely grateful for your support. Sincerely, the Food Pantry Volunteers
From all of us at the Food Pantry, Thank you for your wonderful donation and your support. We truly appreciate it, Rosemary Kulas

Please see the bulletin board outside the office door for Christmas letters to the church.

January 2007 Worship Services

January 7 :10:00 a.m. Worship     Communion                                             Color: White
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 14:10:00 a.m. Worship       Human Relations Day                          Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, I Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

January 21:10:00 a.m. Worship                                                                     Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, I Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21

January 28: 10:00 a.m. Worship    Communion                                   Color: Green
Lectionary Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, I Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

Sign Up for the Church Newsletter & Email

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:53:59 +0100

To subscribe to the Churchlight and receive email announcements from the church, select the "Newsletter" link in the upper left corner of this page and then on the "Subscribe" link on the resulting page .

Annual Conference Training Opportunity

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:48:39 +0100

Grow Your Church Week

August 2-5, 2006 at Crossroads UMC, Sanford ME

(Guess we missed this one). Click here to see the full program. Heads up for a late-breaking opportunity for summer training and enrichment! Grow Your Church Week is an intensive learning event designed to equip church leaders with first tools for developing stronger, healthier, growing congregations. Every kind of church leader can benefit from this training, and everyone is invited. Over the four days we’ll cover the basics of growing and increasing a healthy congregation filled with disciples of Christ. Come for the whole event, or come for one session.

There will be more like this as the year progresses.

Only a test

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 09:19:14 +0100

on the site until that date and time.
If you specify an Unpublish Date, the News Item will disappear after that date and time

Pray for our evangelism ministry

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 14:21:43 +0100

For the evangelism ministry of Belmont United Methodist Church. May the Gospel be heard by our neighbors And may we be guided and strengthened to provide a welcoming and sheltering spiritual home for those that you lead to us.

eMinistries Needs Your Help

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 08:10:08 +0100

If you would like to help with the development of eMinistries please contact webmaster@umcbelmont.org. We need your help to keep existing content fresh, build and maintain the photo gallery, add new sections for youth, missions or other ministry groups, and much much more.