The Octagon - Severna Park United Methodist Church

The
O c t ago n
Severna Park UMC
February 15, 2015
H
Severna Park
United Methodist
SPUMC eNewsletter
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Octagon Articles
Worship Services:
8:00, 9:30 & 11:00am
731 Benfield Road
Severna Park, MD 21146
410-987-4700
www.SevernaParkUMC.org
SPUMC@SevernaParkUMC.org
The next Octagon will be
published on March 1st. All articles
must be received by noon Friday,
February 20th. Please email
information to:
Publications@SevernaParkUMC.org.
Rev. Ron Foster, Lead Pastor
Rev. Nicole C. Houston, Executive Pastor
Rev. Byron Brought, Pastoral Care
Rev. Lee Ferrell, Christian Education and Youth
A Dramatic Season
ard to believe that we are already on the edge of Lent, one
of the most significant – and dramatic – seasons of the
liturgical year. It begins on Ash Wednesday when we
“remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return,” and we
take the mark of the cross on our foreheads. Then the season takes
us on a journey of forty days and six Sundays that move us through
the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the betrayal
and agony of Holy Thursday, the horror of Good Friday, and finally
the surprise and joy of Easter. What a roller coaster ride!
Our theme at SPUMC for the season – A Broadway Journey
through Lent — has elicited a whole range of reactions. Some folks
are simply curious, others excited, and a few have expressed
skepticism about what in the world Broadway songs and themes
could possibly have to do with Jesus, anyway. I would suggest a lot.
This series was developed by a team of folks at my former
congregation in Bethesda. Starting with the assigned lectionary
texts for the various Sundays, we came up with a number of shows
and songs whose themes overlapped with the biblical passages and
put them in conversation with one another. For example, the song
for Ash Wednesday is “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent (an
entire play about living with our mortality) which poses the
question, “How Do You Measure a Life?” When we explore the
covenant between God and Abraham, we’ll look at it in the light of
the signature love song from Phantom of the Opera, “All I Ask of
You.”
I invite you to dive in with us on this musical and mystical journey
through the season. Come to worship not only to enjoy the special
music, but to let it capture your heart and faithful imagination.
Sign up for a Morning Matinee or Evening Ensemble (small group
Bible study) and dig into the scriptures with others. The hope and
the goal is that we would all be drawn more deeply into God’s
dramatic and passionate love for us in Jesus.
Rev. Ron
Living Well on Wilkens
(Formerly Brigette’s Place)
In 2012 SPUMC rehabbed a home on Wilkens
Ave. in Baltimore for the purpose of creating a
day resource center for women caught in
addiction, prostitution, and homelessness.
SPUMC has been offered the opportunity to purchase the home and
grow the ministry. Our vision is to be a compassionate Christian
presence on Wilkens Ave. as we provide resources to help women meet
their immediate physical needs and long term goals for getting off the
street. The Church Council has approved the formation of a 501c3 nonprofit entity to take up this ministry and carry it on pending approval by
the Church Conference.
Important Dates
Information Sessions: Febr u ar y 15 th at 12:15 p.m. in the
Sanctuary & February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Church Parlor
Church Conference Vote: Mar ch 1 st at 12:15 p.m. in the
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are we creating Living Well on Wilkens as a 501c3?
A 501c3 is a tax exempt non-profit organization. Creating a 501c3 to
purchase the home and run the ministry allows for healthy liability
separation between the church and the mission. Setting up a 501c3 also
allows us to better broaden our base of volunteer and financial support
by approaching partner churches and applying for grant funding. The
501c3 will be run by a board of directors, the majority of which will be
SPUMC members or individuals approved by the SPUMC Missions
Committee.
2. How will we fund Living Well on Wilkens?
Detailed financial breakdowns are available on the Living Well on
Wilkens fact sheet located on the Welcome Desk. Funding for the
mission will come from individual gifts, the approved Missions budget,
partner churches and grants. Currently we are $2,370 short of
obtaining the full purchase price of the home and the funds needed to
fully run the mission for the first year. The purchase price is set at
$23,500 (closing costs included). No debt will be incurred on behalf of
this mission.
3. Who will maintain the home?
The home will be maintained by the Living Well on Wilkens Board of
Directors, not the SPUMC building and grounds manager.
4. Are Capital Campaign Funds being used?
No. Capital Campaign Funds are designated funds and cannot be
used for other missions, ministries, or expenses within the church.
For more information, please join us at one of the
information sessions listed above.
Our church will be hosting a Leadership Training Day for the
Southern Region of the BWC on February 21st. Workshops will be
offered for church leaders in both program and administrative
areas. We need people willing to serve as hosts for the morning
(8 a.m.—Noon) to help provide hospitality and guide people
through our building. Contact the church office if you can help
out. Church leaders and committee members are also encouraged
to be part of this training event that you won’t have to travel very
far to attend!
Inclement Weather
Policy Information
The Church follows the closings and
delays of Anne Arundel Community
College. The Nursery School follows
those of Anne Arundel County Public
Schools. Our website homepage will include announcements
about all closings and delays: www.SevernaParkUMC.org. In the
event of inclement weather on Sunday mornings, Rev. Ron will
make the judgment call by 6:00 a.m. If you do not see a notice of
cancellation on the website, then church services will be held.
For more details on any of these events in the newsletter,
go to our website (www.SevernaParkUMC.org) under
Headlines or Current Events.
Backpack Buddies
As we send home food every Friday with
20 children, we are in constant need of
many food items for our weekly packings.
Our most pressing needs at this time are
for peanut butter (14-16 oz. jar), Chef
Boyardee, shelf life milk (any flavor), cereal, raisins, granola
bars, juice boxes, nut packs, applesauce, and tuna salad or
chicken pouches or kits. All items should be single serving size.
Check in Fellowship Hall in the Mission Corner for lists of these
and other needed items. Thanks in advance for your donation.
Save These Dates!
United Methodist Men’s
Breakfast on March 14
The UMM will present a Kairos Prison
Ministry talk and video as UMM shares
breakfast with a men's Kairos prison
ministry team participating in a training day at SPUMC On
March 14 at 7:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Garage Sale on May 2
This is the best time of year to start
cleaning out those closets and drawers,
especially when we are cooped up inside
hibernating from the cold. Clear out
some “stuff” and repurpose it for a great
cause, our Volunteers in Mission
ministry here at SPUMC.
A Broadway Journey
Through Lent
Later this month we’ll begin a creative
season of Lent in worship and in small
group Bible study. Music and themes
from Rent, Les Misérables, Miss
Saigon, Phantom of the Opera (and
others) will help us journey from Ash
Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Sign-ups for our Evening
Ensembles & Matinee Meetings (Small Groups) are on the
Welcome Center today.
SPUMC’s Broadway
Journey Through Lent
Overture: Ash Wednesday, February 18th
Rent (Mortality)
Act I: February 22nd, Luke 4:1-13
Wicked (Temptation)
Act II: March 1st, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32b
The Lion King (Identity)
Act III: March 8th, Luke 13:6-9
Les Miserables (Grace)
Act IV: March 15th, Genesis 15:1-2, 17-18
United Methodist
Women’s Retreat
The UMW Women’s Retreat will take
place on Saturday, September 19th at
the Bon Secours Spiritual Center. Don't
forget to tell your family and friends...all women are welcome to
attend!
Phantom of the Opera (Covenant)
Act V: March 21st, Philippians 3:4b-14
Man of La Mancha (Quest)
Act VI: Palm Sunday, March 29th
Jesus Christ Superstar (Passion)
Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 993
in Fellowship Hall
Cost: Adults - $6.00, Seniors & Children 5-12 - $4.00
Children under 5 are free.
Pancakes, Sausage Links, Apple Sauce, Brownies, Ice Cream
Lenten Musical
Members of every SPUMC
musical ensemble, band and
choir will come together once
again for our Lenten musical. “Messengers of the Promise” will be
presented Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. Begin your journey
through Holy Week in a special way as the story of the Gospel
unfolds in music and drama. Would you like to participate?
There’s always room for a few extra singers, musicians, speakers
or support staff. Contact Jon Brewer for more information at
jbrewer@SevernaParkUMC.org.
Appalachia Service Project
Plans are underway for our 2015 mission trip to
Kentucky with the Appalachia Service Project,
June 27-July 4. “ASP” is a non-profit home repair
ministry affiliated with the United Methodist
Church which seeks to engage youth in putting
their faith into action as they do home repair with
and for the poor of central Appalachia. Led by
faithful adults, teams of youth meet an
Appalachian family, learn a whole new culture and work to make
homes warmer, safer and drier.
If interested, and if you were unable to attend the first meeting,
please contact Rev. Lee Ferrell for the necessary information
lferrell@SevernaParkUMC.org.
ASP Talent/Service Auction
Sunday, March 22nd, 6:00 pm
Plan to attend the 2015 Appalachia Service
Project Talent/Service Auction to raise funds
for this year’s youth trip to two counties in
Kentucky. Enjoy good dessert and beverage, sometimes raucous
and hysterical bidding and great fellowship! Children are
welcome, but childcare is provided.
Pease consider donating a service or skill to be auctioned.
Donation forms are available on the Welcome Desk.
Volunteer in Missions
VIM is sponsoring a trip to Costa Rica
from August 9-16. We will be working
on Costa Rica Mission Projects in the
southern part of the country where we
have worked on three previous trips.
This is more of a construction oriented
trip than the trips to Strong Missions
where we have gone the last two years. If you are interested in
going on this trip, please call or email to GET YOUR NAME ON
THE LIST NOW. It will fill up quickly. You can get further
information on this project by checking their website.
Heaven’s Kitchen
Heaven's Kitchen serves a hot meal to folks in the
Brooklyn community once a month (every 4th
Saturday). Volunteers may help cook, set tables and
serve or provide clothing, toiletries and other
essential items. All are welcome to help in this
ministry.
Contact
Heaven'sKitchen@SevernaParkUMC.org.
A Souper Thank You
Thank you for your generous donations to
the Souper Bowl of Caring. Over $3,800
was divided between Heaven’s Kitchen and
SPAN, and many bags of food were
delivered to the SPAN Food Pantry. This was over double the
amount of money that was raised last year and the most we have
ever given to the Souper Bowl of Caring outreach.
February ALL Meeting
On Tuesday, February 24, ALL (Adults Loving Life)
will host Erica Benjamin, Director of Children’s
Ministries, as their next speaker at noon.
Grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and
neighbors of all ages are an important part of the
faith development of future generations. Come and
learn how you can help raise another generation
who know and share God’s abundant love.
Memorial Garden Clean-Up
The Memorial Garden Committee needs your help to
prepare the garden for the Easter Sunrise Service.
We’ll be mulching on Saturday, March 21st from
8:00 a.m. – noon so bring your wheelbarrows and
rakes. Come for an hour or as long as you can.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Would you like to make a lap robe, but just
don't have time? If you can knit or crochet a 9
inch x 9 inch square, you can. All you have to
do is make the square and leave them in the
Prayer Shawl Ministry Basket. We will put
them together to make a lap robe. If you want
more information, please call Cindy at
410.647.8453 or Dawson at 410.647.3436. Our next meeting is
February 18th in room 302 from 1-3 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Worship
season together.
Join us as we begin the season of Lent
with Ash Wednesday worship services on
February 18th at noon or 7:00 p.m. Come
receive the imposition of ashes and Holy
Communion as we embark on this holy
Connections
Are you new to the church? Want
to know more about SPUMC? Do
you want to get more involved in
church
activities?
The
next
Connections Class and luncheon
will be on Sunday, April 12. Class is at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor,
followed by lunch in the Fellowship Hall at 12:15 p.m.
Moms Connect
This is a group for all moms. We
gather the first and third Thursday
of the month in the church parlor at
6:30 pm. Child care is provided.
Upcoming programs include:
February 19 - Holiday Traditions
March 5 - The Bible
March 19— Disciplines for All Ages
April 2 - No meeting due to Spring Break
April 16 - Overcoming Hardship
May 7 - Help Me Get Organized
May 21—Keeping Secrets
Contact Erica (ebenjamin@SevernaParkUMC.org) for more
information or to RSVP.
Women’s Retreat
Sign Up
Daughters of the King Annual
Spring Retreat at Sandy Cove is
scheduled for March 20th through
22nd. Sign up now in Fellowship
Hall by the Nurses’ Station. Only a few slots remain!
Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry
Easter Eggstravaganza
UMYF Happenings
Severna Park United Methodist Church
731 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146
Saturday, April 4, 2015
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Games, Crafts, & Snacks
Egg Hunt Begins at 10:00 a.m.
Bring a Basket
Sunday, February 15, 7:00 p.m.
Group building. Remember we are in Room 208 this week.
8:40 p.m. — ICUs.
Sunday, February 22, 7:00 p.m.
Program, Favorite Hat Night, Games.
8:40 p.m.—ICUs.
Sunday, March 1, 7:00 p.m.
Choice Night
8:40 p.m.—ICUs.
Legos Needed for
Summer Sunday School
This Summer our Sunday School classes
will be using lots and lots of Legos. Please
consider donating your Legos or if you see
Legos at a yard sale, buy them for SPUMC. The more Legos, the
more learning, the more fun.
Mentors Still Needed
for Confirmands
Our 2015 Confirmation Class will each
be needing a mentor for this very
important time of preparation for
church membership. Mentors are adults
who can love middle highs and are willing to spend some time
encouraging and supporting them as they grow in their faith. The
time commitment is what you make it. The possible relationship
with one of our youth is immeasurable.
If you think you may have the gifts to be a mentor, or would like
Super Sixth News
Super 6th meets on February 22 for bowling at
Severna Park Lanes, 1:00-3:00 p.m. $10 per
person gets you games, shoes and a pizza
lunch. If you bring a new friend, let Rev. Lee
know
ahead
of
time
(lferrell@SevernaParkUMC.org). Arrange your own rides to
and from. Try to bring cash, not check. See you there!