Oct. - Sharing Our Gifts - The East Longmeadow United Methodist

T
he Jews have it right with Rosh Hashanah in the early
autumn. Fall feels like the new year...with its brisk
nights, and a new school year, and all those new TV shows
(some we hope don’t last till winter). For us in the church it
means a new Sunday school year, the homecoming service,
catching up after missing
each other all summer,
lots of visitors looking
for a church home, and a
welcome back “french
toast” brunch.
Celebrating the New
Year, Rosh Hashanah
honors the anniversary
of
creation
and
humankind’s role in
God’s world. By custom,
the shofar (a hollowed-out ram's horn) is sounded and
symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey are eaten to
evoke a "sweet new year" (think about that the next time
you go apple picking and wrap it in caramel).
Here at ELUMC, the sound of the new year is heard also—
not a ram’s horn but bells and choir voices sounded at
Homecoming as well as guest soloist Evelyn Harris, a
perennial favorite, and even our new Administrative
Assistant Carol Derouin sang along. New also, are team
assignments, the council’s membership, and everyone has a
renewed sense of mission as we consider our church’s
unique role in creating God’s commonwealth.
We get to ask anew: Where is the suffering in our town and
in our region? What unique gifts do we have to address
these concerns? Where is our wide welcome needed most?
What areas of injustice incite our passions?
For me this year, as I’ve worked with Father Peter Swarr
from St Mark’s and others in smaller congregations, it’s
about asking what are we doing with the resources we have
(members and money) rather than focusing on getting
more.
photos by Kelly Turney
2013
{ On-Line Edition }
And when I concentrate on the gifts we have currently and
where those are active in the world, I discover some pretty
amazing things–not to toot our own horn (but it is the season
of the shofar):
We should be very proud of the relationships we’ve formed
with other congregations to make
discipleship happen:
At the Convoy of Hope, ELUMC
was the only UM church, and 1 of
only 2 East Longmeadow churches
involved to bring services to over
5,000 people in need.
On social justice issues like gun
violence and casino gambling,
ELUMC spoke out in the press and
continues to witness for a better
world. We’re currently making prayer flags for a communitywide event sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Western
Massachusetts. (We’re the first EL church to sign on).
We’ve partnered with St. Mark’s and others in Rebuilding
Together, in worship (the next joint service is Feb. 9 and MA
Council of Churches Executive Director is preaching), in social
justice issues and even in service at the Big E.
We’ve worked across congregational and denominational
lines to share educational & worship resources and through
our involvement with New Hope Regional Ministry, we’re
forging new ways to be church in the region. Those ministries
include the rehab of Monroe House, and Justice for Our
Neighbors (JFON) refugee and immigrant ministry of
hospitality which includes Jim & Lois Harris (they’d love some
company).
It has long been in our DNA to work with others and the
strong program of the Pioneer Valley Free Health Services
continues to be a leader for other programs and be of service
to those needing healthcare—thanks for the faithful service
of our own Bill Johnston, Steve Chandler and Paul Kinney.
continued on page 4
2
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
October Anniversaries
4 Linda & Ken McGrady
20 Jean & Joe Merton
BABY
NEWS!
Congratulations to
Evie Soucie’s
daughter, Katie, and new
grandchild, Aleah Evelyn,
born prematurely but
doing well.
Norman H. at Wingate East
Longmeadow
Gene H. & Fran T. at East
Village.
Helen W. , Jewish Nursing Home.
Kevin H.
Special health concerns: Eileen B. , Marilyn B. ,
Arnold C. ; Michaela C. , Beth F. , Janet
G. , Joyce H. , Barbara K. (Carol J. ’s
mom) Grace M. , Bev P. , Patty R. .
Robert (Bob) Wood Sr.
March 3, 1920-September 8, 2013.
Memorial contributions may be
made in Bob’s memory to the
Holyoke Soldier’s Home.
T
hank you to those who
participated in the Our
Place challenge which started
in early August. Our hope was to
raise at least $800 to help
sustain this important ministry
through he end of the year.
I’m pleased to announce that
over $1550 was raised to date.
We still want to support Our Place in the coming years so
please continue to give.
You can also help by donating pasta and other meal items
as well as your time, to help prepare the meal. See
Theda’s article in the summer newsletter for more
information.
Julie Dunlop
Wyatt Henry Chandler! born Sept 27 to Emily and Steve
Chandler in Northampton, with proud grandparents Steve
and Diane Chandler. 8lbs 5 ounces, 20 inches long and
doing great!
Congrats to new
grandparents Laurie
and Gary Conz on
the birth of Caroline
Arlene Conz born to
Nathan and Julia on
September 19 in
Jersey City. 8 lbs 14
oz.
3
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
Church/Parsonage Workdays
Summer may be a time for fun and relaxation but many volunteers gave their time and talents this summer to the
trustees’ church and parsonage workdays.
Here is a list of some of the projects that were completed:
A great start was accomplished on the parsonage deck.
6 office chairs - upholstery cleaned.
Rev. Kelly’s desk chair cleaned.
Trustees’ drawer in office gone through, organized and re-set
into newer lateral file cabinet.
Historical file cabinets gone thru and organized.
Narthex tile floor cleaned, waxed and buffed.
Nursery entry door - wood repaired and touched up.
Light fixture at top of stairs repaired.
Several light bulbs replaced.
Social hall closet cleaned and organized.
Brush and trees removed or trimmed at woods’ edge.
Scott, Tom, Pastor Kelly, Kyle and Courtney seen here. Bell
Mat placed on deck to shield Montessori parents/children
Gelinas & John Dunlop also spent a lot of time on it.
from water drops during rain storms.
Baseboard vinyl strips re-attached.
Much scraping of loose stain/paint on siding.
10 St. Marie conference chair seats cleaned.
Kitchen floor cleaned.
Prayer journal podium-2nd coat of white paint applied.
A top to bottom cleaning of the lower level bathrooms, beyond the nice maintenance job done by Leo and crew.
Entry doorways painted with 1st coat
PUMPKIN PICKIN’
October 19
Pell Farm
96 Kibbe Grove Rd.
United Methodist Youth invites our church family
to enjoy the autumn weather and each other.
Meet at the church at 10 a.m.
to head out for a day of pumpkin picking.
$5 admission includes Hay Maze, Corn Maze,
Hay Ride and Petting Zoo
On November 3 we are
remembering our loved ones
who have died this last year.
Send the office the names of
the loved ones you would like
listed in the bulletin and
please
include
their
relationship to you and date
of death.
4
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
continued from cover
And within our own walls, the sweetness of service is being
savored also:
New member Eileen Brogan has re-energized and
coordinated a great visitation program and more members
than ever are empowered to take communion to others,
visit hospitals and travel in groups to see folks, and as a
result more members are being visited. (If you have not
been visited and would like to be, let the office know and
soon some one will come knocking at your door).
• Lay leader Kelly Stenta’s
leadership and relationshipbuilding has re-invigorated
several ministries as well as
formed a new singles ministry
that may well include the most
diverse group of people in the
congregation.
Scott Grabowski has formed
new relationships with our
neighbors and awakened the spirit of fellowship and
competition in the men’s group. Not to mention leading
the Trustees and their volunteers to more than a dozen
work days to ready our locations for ministry.
It’s been amazing to watch the Education Team led by Liz
Gelinas and Laura Kinney (who double as Youth Advisors)
do their thing with scarce resources, young children
underfoot and growing families. They DESPERATELY NEED
people who will take a Sunday a month (or from time to
time) to love on the babies in the nursery or “teach” the
pre-school Sunday school lessons loving prepared by
Ashley Mundrick. In addition, Vacation Bible School’s
“Everywhere Fun Fair” was great fun taking us around the
globe. It takes more adult volunteers than kids to pull off,
but is so rewarding. A child who isn’t a member but has
participated several years stopped me in CVS this summer
clearly so excited about her connection to that program.
It’s been inspiring to watch Ruth Owen, defy her own
expectations of age, to lead our Outreach efforts to include
a partnership with the Interfaith Council of Western
Massachusetts and their Peace-full
City art installation of prayer flags to
be hung this November in the heart
of Springfield. Her former efforts
with the Council of Churches makes
her ideal to forge connections with
ministries like National Night Out (at
which we gave out over 500 cookies
in August), Crop Walk and Rebuilding
Together.
A new Recreation (re-creation)
ministry took a hike up a
mountain this summer led by
Gary Conz and included those
not active anywhere else in the church. Future outings
promise to be an opportunity for non-church goers to
connect with the divine in nature.
And that’s just naming a few of the out-front folks. There are
plenty of behind-the-scene quiet efforts that rarely get
accolades like Verne Cornbower who redeems the bottles
and cans, and all those un-named volunteers who see a
recycling bin overflowing and empty it. This summer I’ve
seen plenty of Mike Dodson, Vance Gagnon, Courtney
Pearson, and Joan Clark and all those Gardeners for God who
attend to the beds and bushes around the building. Or Lois
and Jim Harris, Bev Kalloch, Joyce D’Angelo, and Bill & Carol
Johnston who handle fellowship time every Sunday. Or the
Worship Team who spend hours making waves overhead, or
the Steves (Chandler and Hilbun) who, along with director
Diane, bring dramatic flare to our worship. (continued next page)
Photo by Eileen Brogan of Kerry at sundown
used for Storm Sunday
So this isn’t us handing out cookies but is
pretty much what we looked like: without the
costumes and the executive office. Imagine
Ruth Owen and Louise House as President
and First Lady.
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
5
We’ve also made some progress on the goals we set for
ourselves through the natural church development
process.
• Shake Up Worship goal: This summer ELUMC’s grant
application was awarded one of 6 national worship
consultants
to
enhance our media/
visual art efforts and
we
sent
three
members to the
worship
design
workshop to develop
We’re coaching several churches through the
creative sensory-rich
process and sent out Tally Reeverts and John
worship. Not to
Dunlop as speakers. One church being coached
mention that our
has just voted to become reconciling and two
summer
services
others are still in the process.
included
an
innovative
open The Worship Design Retreat at Craigville Beach was
Small Group Ministries: See page 8 for the
space
time
to intense trying to plan ahead for an entire year of
bourgeoning efforts of Needlers & Menders as
respond to the word worship series.... so every break we looked for
well as Fun Night, Bocce tournament, Men’s,
at a station of your inspiration on the beach. And Denise took pics of
Singles, Recreation, and Mission Shares
choosing designed to every sunset.
Marketplace. And watch for Movie Nights to
me e t
mul tip le learning styles. Photos from
return this Fall.
members were used to illustrate the creation series (see
page 4) and are encouraged for upcoming series as
We ARE living into our calling—We are finding ways to
members look deeply into their surroundings to find
multiply our effect. We are witnesses to the many ways
examples of scarcity and abundance (see page. 7)
God is moving the world.
• Sharing Personal Experiences: 10 families served as
DJs for the summer services and shared about their
musical choices. Even those worshipers who reported
unfamiliarity with a particular choice(s) said they
enjoyed hearing how that person’s life intersected with
their choices. Using no microphones helped many feel
more comfortable in speaking publically and the effort
everyone made to hear without amplification was
appreciated. In addition, nine members shared their
faith journeys with the
confirmands and seven
wrote faith journals which
were excerpted in the
newsletter.
Reconciling Ministries:
The Pastor attended the
Reconciling
Ministries
Convocation in DC this
August and ELUMC remains
the strongest reconciling
voice in Western Mass
fr om
which
other
congregations seek advice.
At Rosh Hashanah, the
traditional greetings is
"Shanah Tovah" (which, in
Hebrew, means "have a good
year").
So I say to you, Shanah
Tovah.
Pastor Kelly
At one of the RMN convo
worship services Bishop
Melvin Talbert spoke
powerfully about our need
as United Methodists to
remain Biblically obedient
to the inclusiveness at the
heart of the gospel and the
Book of Discipline. This
service was highlighted on
the PBS show Religion &
Ethics Weekly. (The blue
fabric swagged on the
walls hung over our heads
as waves).
6
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
THE SEASON OF CREATION
Sharing the Word with Children
At the Homecoming Service, blessing backpacks
(& bags, briefcases and a couple of purses).
Movement Choir on Ocean Sunday to Billy Joel's River of Dreams, “in
the middle of the night, we go walking, through the mountains of faith
and the ocean so deep.”
Theda Cornbower transferred the Shema prayer in
Hebrew onto fabric strips that can live in the packs.
The Chancel Choir singing with special guest artist,
Evelyn Harris, for Homecoming with new Admin Asst Carol Derouin.
7
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
A Picture is worth. . .
HOMECOMING SUNDAY
Your photographs (and videos) can help
provide sensory-rich worship for our
congregation. The Worship Team is seeking
photos illustrating and illuminating our worship
themes. We're grateful to Theda and Eileen who
sent in "storm" pictures for our Creation Series.
N
E
X
T
U
P
:
In October Out of Scare City
Send in your photos of scarcity and abundance in
our region —on the small scale or large, people or
nature, pleasant or challenging—we need them all.
Enjoying brunch following Sunday’s service on the 15th.
BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT
In December Unexpected Presents(ce)
Photos of unexpected presents you've received
AND how God comes to us in unexpected ways.
January 10 things They Never Told Me About Jesus
Use your imagination to photograph the ways life
following Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into the Sunday
School
stories
of
our
childhood.
Lent Holy Vessels
Photograph things and people who hold the holy
beautifully. We'll be using the meaningful vessels
that have been passed down or have special
meaning to you, and beach glass as a metaphor, so
this series will require more than just your
photographs.
Messrs. Fazio and Graziano and team, our neighbors across the
street on Chestnut (brick house, long drive), accepted our
challenge to a Bocce competition on September 17th.
Scott, John, Vern and John C. were the ELUMC players. Kelly and
Eileen decided not to play, but were fabulous cheerleaders and
supporters. Our team lost the 3 games, but the first 2 were pretty
close.
Better luck next time!
Eileen Brogan cheering on ELUMC’s Bocce Ball team.
8
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
SOUP’S ON
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Have you ever played Farkel? Or maybe Scrabble is
The Mission
Shares
Market Place for 20132014 will begin on
Sunday, October 13th. There
will again be a selection of
delicious soups ($6.00) and
breads ($3.00). The Market
Place will be held the second
Sunday of each month
(unless there is a conflict with another church activity and
November is one of those months!) from October through
April. Packaged soups/breads will be on sale in the
Fellowship Hall after Worship Service. (No Market Place in
November.)
If there was/is a particular soup or bread that you enjoy/ed,
let Barbara, Vance or Theda know. Or if there is a soup or
bread you enjoy making and would want to share it with
others, your help would be welcomed and appreciated.
Buying soups and breads is not only a way to have a quick,
tasty meal for your family but also helps ELUMC meet its
appropriated Mission Shares.
Bon Appétit!
Submitted by Theda Cornbower
P.S. A reminder: custom decorated cakes can be ordered
for anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Various sizes and flavors are available (including some
gluten free and vegan options); cupcakes too. Sales benefit
Mission Shares. Please see Vance Gagnon for more details.
Thanks.
SAVE THE DATE!
ALL CHURCH CONFERENCE
November 5, 2013
with
District Superintendent
more to your liking. How about Bridge? Chicken Foot?
Would you enjoy teaching others how to play your
favorite game?
Or how about K, p, yo, cast on – these are all
instructions used for knitting.
Winter evenings can become long, boring and lonely. So,
Fun Night is being planned for the fourth
Wednesday of each month in the church
fellowship hall beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The first meeting will be held October 23rd.
Invite friends and neighbors (they don’t have to
be members of ELUMC) to enjoy a fun night of sharing.
Those who wish to learn knitting, bring a
pair of knitting needles and a skein of
yarn. Instructions will be provided to
introduce the Shawl Ministry.
Those who wish to play board games,
bring your favorite game. (There will be
games available just-in-case.)
This evening program is in addition to the morning
Needlers/Menders group which meets the second
Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship
hall. A project this group is working on is peace flags that
Ruth Owen is providing for completion.
An invitation is extended to everyone to be a part of these
groups.
Theda Cornbower
CT / WMA
Alleluia Sunday
October 6, 2013 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
SOUTH UMC, 1226 Main St.
Manchester, CT
Follow in the footsteps of John Wesley
and be “strangely warmed” as we gather for
a time of worship and celebration
that nourishes our body and soul
as we open ourselves to being formed
by the God who called us.
9
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
Greetings, Friends!
Well,
our Chancel and Bell Choirs
are off to a marvelous start this
The Interfaith Council of Western Mass. is
developing a community-wide art project to further
relationship and build unity among residents of
Springfield and surrounding communities.
They’re asking all to join in making prayer flags
which will be displayed in Springfield in November.
Prayer flags are available for you to decorate as
you wish.
Please join us in this project. See Ruth Owen to
obtain flags.
fall. With the help of our good
friend and guest artist Evelyn
Harris, we had a wonderful
Homecoming Sunday, and the
music continued to be strong expressions of joy
throughout the month of September. Hats off to our
choirs!
If you can't make the commitment to weekly
rehearsals with the Chancel Choir, there is and
opportunity for you to raise your voice with
us. On December 15, we will present a Christmas
cantata, Hope for the Lowly, with special guest vocalists
and Instrumentalists.
If you'd like to join us, you can do so if you can make 6
REHEARSALS: Thursdays, Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 5 and
12; Dress Rehearsal Sunday, Dec. 8 after church. For the
Thursday rehearsals, plan on joining us from 7:30 to
about 8:15, and for the dress rehearsal, plan from 11 to
about 12:30, just to be safe.
This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us! I hope you
will consider raising your voice with us.
Blessings of peace and harmony to you all, JT
Tuesday Morning
Music Concerts
season started
October 1, 2013.
For $30, a member will be
able to attend 12 concerts
for the 2013-2014 season. All
concerts are held at Trinity United Methodist Church,
Springfield. For more information contact: Yolanda
Martin, at virgo9654@aol.com. For a complete list of
concert dates please see the bulletin board.
Fred Gagnon handles the website for the Music Club. If
you have any questions or need more information you can
contact Fred or visit TuesdayMorningMusicConcerts.org
“...a piece of Tanglewood in your own back yard.”
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
December, 15, 2013
Hope for the Lowly
REHEARSALS
Thursdays
7:30-8:15 p.m.
Nov. 7, 14, 21; Dec. 5, 12
DRESS REHEARSAL
Sunday Dec. 8,
11-12:30
Presentation in Worship:
Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.
"Come lift your voice with us
during this joyous season!"
10
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Mission U!
Oct 12, 2013 at 9:30 AM
East Longmeadow UMC
Have you ever wondered about the people that we
think of as Gypsies?
The official name for them is "ROMA". Who are
they? Where did they originate? Did you know that they are very
skilled with music and crafts, and are not fortune tellers?
Come to Mission U on Oct 12th and find out more about these
people.
A donation of $10 includes lunch. This program is sponsored by
the CT / WMA district United Methodist Women; Open to all.
36th Annual
CROP Hunger Walk
October 20, 2013
Starting location:
Trinity United Methodist, Sumner Ave.
1:00 p.m. Registration
2:00 p.m. Walk
Registration forms available from
Ruth Owen
THE METHODIST MESSENGER
The sense that there is not enough drives greed, fear
and exclusion. We begin to live in “Scare City” where it
seems that death, starvation, feelings of being
overwhelmed and swallowed up can lurk around every
corner. The Good News is that this is an illusion. A
spiritual journey into the truth of abundance offers us
an alternative vision of where to live our lives. This
October, we’re “moving out of Scare City” and traveling
to the vast, open habitats of God’s abounding grace.
October 20 – Towers of Power – a look at the idols that bind us and
confront the myth of scarcity.
October 27 – Special guest preacher from Bering Memorial in Houston.
Rev. Ernie Turney brings a word from this remarkable reconciling
congregation doing amazing work through its focus on abundance.
November 3 – Around Every Corner there seems something lurking to
make us afraid. Death tops the list for many. But this All Saints Sunday we
honor our faithful dead even as we discover how to trust in the divine
presence to shift our fear to curiosity and assurance that we are never
alone.
November 10 – The Other Side of the Tracks – In Scare City, people are divided by fear of the
“other.” This makes us overprotective fence-builders and hoarders. Is this any place to live? Rather than
offering safety and freedom, we find ourselves trapped. The walls built to protect ourselves become our
prisons. This week we explore the abundance that comes when we draw the circle wide. And with some
creative tithing calculus we discover the joy and freedom of giving beyond our wildest calculations.
November 17 – Altars Everywhere – The irony in moving out of Scare City (or scarcity), we don’t
have to pack and go anywhere. Rather, we’re called to transform the places within and around us with
the evidence of God’s love and grace. We are called to build altars everywhere to reveal the gifts of
abundance to a hungry world. On this Consecration Sunday, we bring our pledges for our 2014 giving
and explore how we offer radical generosity to transform the places where we are.
Adult Class: Beware of Shiny Gods
allows us a space to broaden our
understanding of stewardship beyond
giving money to the church. Rather,
we’ll explore how to live into the joy of
abundance in all of life as we learn to
find freedom from the things that
distract us. For four Sundays beginning
Oct 20, in the Parlor, at 8:40 a.m.
11
East Longmeadow United Methodist Church
215 Somers Road, STE 2
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998
413-525-7416 • a reconciling congregation
www.elumc.org
Address Service Requested
SAFE SANCTUARIES
THIS CHURCH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING
A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN.
THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE
8:30 a.m. – Bible Study for Jr./Sr. High & Adults
10:00 a.m. – Worship & Church School
(pre-schoolers through Grade 5)
Professional child care is provided for
“Cribs & Creepers”/“Toddlers & Twos.”
11:15 a.m. – Fellowship Time
Link to view the October Calendar On-Line
The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Saturday,
November 9
9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Congregation Bake Sale Donations
Drop Off Schedule:
Friday, November 8, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 9, 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
(Please leave donations in the church kitchen)
Items needed include:
breads, brownies, cakes, cookies,
cupcakes, fudge, muffins, pies, etc.