First United Methodist Church Newsletter

As summer approaches, many of us are thinking about the fun vacation that’s “just around the corner.” But few of us can leave for vacation without stopping the mail and the paper, arranging for someone to feed our pets, planning how our bills will get paid while we are away, making sure we are leaving our work in order so that either someone else can cover our duties while we are gone, or we have things done ahead so that everything doesn’t fall apart during our absence.

The same principle is true in most of the things in life that give us pleasure. Many of them simply could not be sustained without a framework of tedium that deals with making a living, maintaining relationships, fulfilling promises and handling everyday responsibilities.

In fact, people who study job-satisfaction say that even those who have jobs they love still find some aspects of their work dull. Some job research suggests that if you like 65 percent of the work you do, you’ve got a great job. That’s because almost every position requires about 35 percent of your time to be spent on prosaic, even almost boring tasks, but tasks that are essential to your work and that allow the enjoyable 65 percent to take place.

Back in the last century, Theodore Parker Ferris, who was Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Boston, commented that “Life is a strange mixture of rapture and routine, and we cannot have one without the other.” I think he was right.

The first chapter of the book of Acts invites us to think of both (rapture and routine) as it documents the beginning of the early Church. Witnessing Jesus’ ascension into heaven was a mind-blowing, other-worldly—mountain-top—experience for his disciples. But this was followed by their return to Jerusalem. It was a coming down from the mountain both literally and figuratively. They were not down long before they had to deal with a matter of church administration—the replacement of Judas.

So, here, in the opening chapter of the book that tells us about the birth and early years of the church, we see the apostles dealing with both mountaintop and mundane matters. There’s no question as to which one is the more exciting, yet both are essential to the church. To put it in our context, there could be no worship taking place in our sanctuary in any on-going kind of way if the church council, the finance committee, the trustees and others did not also meet to handle routine but important matters, like making sure we have heat in the winter, bathrooms that work and teachers for our classes.

And that is how it is not only with the church, but with life. If we don’t accommodate the routine, the mundane and the humdrum, we cannot long have the ecstatic, the blissful and the delightful. Sooner or later, there are new tasks that must be done, and routine work that seems to stifle contentment.

In his book The Road Less Travelled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck tells of a young woman he had counseled who had come to him complaining about her tendency to procrastinate on her job. After many failed attempts to solve the problem, he finally asked if she liked cake. She did, and admitted she ate the frosting first. The same principle was true of her work habits. She would devote the first hour of her day to the more gratifying half of her work and the remaining hours picking away at the objectionable remainder. Peck suggested that if she were to force herself to accomplish the unpleasant part of her job during the first hour, she would then be free to enjoy the other six. She agreed and made the switch and soon overcame her tendency to procrastinate. And by so doing, she was happier.

Let us not forget, however, that the book of Acts was not written as a manual on how to live happily. It was to tell of the growth of Christianity and the church and to witness about the risen Christ. In order for the church to go forward and have the high times of spiritual excitement and the joy of seeing people redeemed through the Gospel, the church had to take care of the administrative work as well.

It is important for us to see that the apostles did not see their administrative task of filling an opening on the evangelism committee as somehow less spiritual than their preaching and teaching work.

In the long run, taking care of the routine in a timely manner makes the times of rapture (including a fun vacation) even sweeter.

It’s a lesson for the church but also for all of life.

In his amazing love,

Pastor Dottie

Worship at FUMC

Sunday Morning Schedule
9:00 AM – Chapel Communion Service

10:00 AM – Worship Service
Nursery Care available

Month of Sundays

June 7

Holy Communion

June 14

Baptism

Recognition of Graduates

Presentation of FUMC Scholarships

June 21

Lay Speakers Recognition

June 28

COP Participants Commissioning

Karen Popjes, preaching

Opportunities to serve on Sunday Morning!

If you will serve as an Usher, please contact Sandra Barnes.

If you will serve as a Worship-time Greeter, please contact Elsie Burdge.

If you will help prepare the elements for Holy Communion, please contact Dick Carlson.

If you will serve as an Acolyte (altar candle lighter), please contact Marion Fischer.

If you will serve as a Liturgist (reading the Scripture), please contact Gail Ewin

If you will serve at Fellowship Time, please contact Beulah Capitulik.

If you wish to be trained to operate the Sound/Amplification system for Sunday Worship, please contact Jerry Tavolaro.

If you wish to be trained to run the Videocamera for Sunday Worship, please contact Dan Rutan.

If you will serve in any of these ways, please contact the person listed or the church office at (973) 383-4450.

Vacation Bible School

“DISCOVERY CANYON”

Explore the Wonders of the Word!

July 19-23

All children Pre-school – Grade 6 are invited to join our canyon adventure at Vacation Bible School from July 19-23. Discovery Canyon invites you to enter in with your heart, mind, and eyes wide open to explore the many wonders you will find. We will look in unexpected places, listen closely, pause, and reflect. Vacation Bible School will be a life-changing experience for you, and the guides, as you journey through the canyon from gully to cavern to the rim. Enjoy the majestic wonder of God’s creation and the Word of life as we get ready to experience the wonders of the Word!

Discovery Canyon brings children full circle with amazing activities, lasting friendships, and Bible adventures. Each day the children will explore the Word, make Bible connections and collect critter friends- each carefully linked to the Bible verse and daily story.

We will enjoy canyon crafts, gully games, shadow science, red rock music, and the canyon café.

Our teaching staff is in place. We need teacher assistants. Please sign up if you would like to assist us in any way.

Pastor Karen

FUMC Member Notes

Our condolences to Maureen Johnson and family on the passing of Rev. Thomas E. “Tommy” Johnson on May 6, 2009. A memorial service will be held at the Newton First United Methodist Church on June 6 at 11:00 a.m.

A memorial service for Natalie Mooney will be held June 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at the Newton First United Methodist Church.

New Jersey Association of Homes and Services for the Aging has named Ellen Courtright Resident of the Year.

This award recognizes a resident of a housing or health care community for his/her charitable work, volunteer efforts or other personal endeavors on behalf of the residential or general community in which he/she resides.

Mrs. Courtright is a happy and helpful 99 year old resident who not only contributes to the Sussex county Homestead, but to the greater community. Mrs. Courtright was one of the first nurses to establish the now thriving Newton Memorial Hospital. She has maintained a life of giving even as her health has slowed her down in the past several years.

Ellen remains active by giving advice in a website based advice group called the Elder Wisdom Circle, which has published a book in the last year. She held the position of Treasure of the Resident Council for the past year. She also helps the activity staff to maintain various paper work projects and assists the Homestead Auxiliary with folding and stamping their mailings. She puts together pamphlets for The Department of Public Health Nursing, clips coupons for the staff, and single handedly assembled the 140 staff thank you gifts and cards for the holidays and during National Homes for the Aging Week.

Ellen works at the Resident council bake sales, helped in establishing and running the new resident store and even named the store.

We congratulate Ellen Courtright on winning the Resident of the Year Award. (Ellen is FUMC’s eldest member).

Graduates Names are Needed for Recognition!

We need the names of graduates for recognition in June!

For eighth-grade/junior high school graduates please give us their name and the school they currently attend.

For High School graduates please give us their name and the school from which they are graduating. If it is out of the Sussex County area, please give us the location as well.

For Undergraduate College, please give us the graduates name, degree earned, field of study and school name and location. You may indicate any special recognitions earned (cum laude, summa cum laude, magna cum laude, phi beta kappa) and we will include this information in the Member Notes section of the newsletter.

For Graduate degrees earned, please give us the graduates name, degree earned, field of study and school name and location.

Please give the above information to the church office in writing or e-mail (newtonfumc@embarqmail.com) as soon as possible.

FUMC Mail Box

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the family of Steven Van Dyk, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your gift.

Your gift has helped build a charitable trust that will be used to give financial support to Steve’s wife and children in the days ahead. As we all know, it is always hard to lose someone we love—and doubly so when our grief is compounded by worry over household expenses. Thank you for your support of this wonderful family. Your loving kindness will assist the Van Dyk family in preparing for a future without Steve.

During this season of the church year, when we give thanks to God for the Easter promise of new life, we trust you know you have been a fine example of that self-giving love to others. We are grateful for your kindness and we shall pray that God will bless you richly in thanksgiving for your generosity.

Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Rhonda M. Myers, Trustee

* * * * *

Muchos Gracias! To all of you for your prayers and support.

The Trinity UMC was grateful as well as the Guatemalan children and staff. Lauren and I had an amazing time helping in the school and in constructing different projects. Your generous support helped to complete many projects. This year the feeding program sponsored by their local church is able to rent a small space to serve food, and we built a roof over part of the kitchen area. They hope to start a school there soon. Another school in its infancy needed a partition to separate a classroom from a corn grinding machine that was open to the public. We built a 4-car wooden train on the Colegio Rey de las Naciones property for the smaller children to play in since they were forced off of their rental property and the schools had to combine. (This was instead of the originally planned swing set and slide since the younger children needed an area.) Dropped ceilings were put in 4 of the classrooms here also.

Lauren took part in a dental puppet show to teach the children about dental care. She helped teach 10^th graders sewing and read to the children. We all helped by speaking a lot of English with them, (as they know speaking English is the road to success.)

The children are excited to see us arrive in our vans in the morning and are always appreciative of our work. The people we travel with are a really enjoyable group. We work hard during the day, find interesting places to eat for dinner, and even squeeze in some local shopping. They invite you to come along next year to see first hand what this mission is all about. Just remember to bring your tool belt, or your teaching skills, whatever you prefer.

Thank you again for your generous support and God bless you.

Suellyn and Lauren McGlew

Memorials, Special Gifts, and Estates Committee

When special occasions arise, consider the “Perfect Gift” which perpetuates our church, providing special needs beyond the operating budget, and making a lifelong connection for individuals. Acknowledgement cards are mailed to donors & families.

Memorials & Special Gifts received this past month

Memorials	Given by
James J. Cohrs	Cathy & Ronald Belmont
Rev. Thomas Johnson	Roberta Harris, Jean & Fred Iliff, Terry & John Iliff, Beulah & Joe Capitulik
Natalie Mooney	Jean & Fred Iliff, Nancy Love, Marjorie Rutan Estate
Marjorie Rutan	Nancy Love

Special Gift

In Honor of Megan Leonardo’s Confirmation given by her parents, Terri and Shawn Leonardo

United Methodist Homes presents the
15th Annual
Walk for All Ages

To benefit the Fellowship Fund

Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 1:30 pm

At the Great Auditorium Pavilion,
Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Featuring:

Short Walk * Lunch * Entertainment * Awards Ceremony * Guided Tent Tours * T Shirt * Free Daily Beach Pass

Registration Begins at 12:30 pm.

Brochures with more information, registration form and sponsor form are available at the church.

Summer Camp Information Available

Schedules and registration information for the United Methodist Camps of Greater New Jersey (Aldersgate Center and Pinelands Center) is available at the church. You can find the information in the narthex literature rack or on the table near the Charles’ Courtyard.

Come Together Club

Annual Picnic

June 9, 2009 at 1:30 P.M.

At the McCue’s

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Drinks will be provided

The cost is $2.50 per person
with a Covered Dish, and a Chair.

RSVP By June 1 to Lois McCue
with your choice of a Covered Dish.

Summer Camp and Childcare Registrations
Being Accepted at Tender Heart Daycare

Tender Heart Daycare, Inc. located in the First United Methodist Church of Newton is now accepting registration for Summer Camp and Childcare registration for 2009.

We are a non-profit childcare center serving children ages six weeks to 13 years. Programs offered include Infant, Toddler, Preschool and Pre-K. We also have half day programs as well a Before and Aftercare programs.

Church Staff Position Open
for Youth Director

Youth Director needed at the First United Methodist Church, 111 Ryerson Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860. Position available September 1, 2009.

Candidate should have experience working with young people and have a church background. Approximately 20 hours per week. Salary commensurate with experience. Please send resume to the above address or e-mail to

newtonfumc3@embarqmail.com.

Have Lunch With Us

Sunday, June 7

11:30 AM thru 1:30 PM in Holland Hall

During and/or after the Ad Council meeting

Bring a Friend

~~~

Father’s Day Picnic

Hot Dogs, Potato Salad,
Baked Beans, Chips

Strawberry Shortcake

~~~~~~~

Beverages

Iced or hot tea, coffee, lemonade

$6 adults – $3 kids under 10

Family Maximum $20

~~~~~~

A Lunch Bunch Fundraiser

Sponsored by

United Methodist Women

MEMBER BIRTHDAYS

6/1 Jonathan Miller, Lauren McGlew

6/2 Brielle Cintron

6/3 Marge Albretsen, Joyce Post, Megan Huff

6/4 Dorothy Peer, James Spadola, Monica Virga

6/5 Peggy Albert

6/6 Roberta Harris

6/7 Christopher Goytil, Joshua Anderson

6/8 Linda Current, Barbara Cornwell

6/9 Stephen Frasier

6/10 Bertha Caton, Terri Leonardo

6/12 Daria Hamm, Andrew Burd, Nicolle Philhower

6/13 Lori Churchill, Zachary Anderson

6/14 Cheryl Pelka, Stephanie Haskins, Dana Carey, Lucy Frasier, Rylie Ackerson

6/15 Reg Brooks, Jerry Tavolaro, Lynne Rupp, Gretchen Lauzon

6/16 Sally Buckmaster, Christopher Campana, Sharon Cornwell

6/18 Kyle Kays, Debra Monesmith

6/19 Amanda Virga, Olivia Wilinski

6/20 Greg Fischer, Tommy Spooner

6/21 Doris Coe, Joseph Mussolini Jr., Oscar Frasier, Connor Crane

6/22 Quida Chamberlain, Christopher Catalano, Jessica Nolan, Katy Nolan

6/23 Samuel Hontz

6/24 Barbara Williams, Lee Dudziec

6/25 Susan Green, Betsy Crum, Edward Vanni, Lisa Carlson

6/26 Mac McDonough, Paul States, Analiza Jacinto, Madeline Rich

6/27 Andrew Kovach

6/28 Lynne Sherman, Adam Tavolaro

6/30 Mary Anderson

Is your birthday missing or listed incorrectly here? Let the church office know so that we may correct our records!

Daily Bible Readings

Called to be Free to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

June 1	Acts 2:14-28
June 2	Acts 2:29-47
June 3	Acts 6:1-15
June 4	Acts 7:1-22
June 5	Acts 7:23-53
June 6	Acts 7:54-8:3
June 7	Acts 8:4-25*
June 8	Acts 8:26-40
June 9	Acts 17:1-15
June 10	Acts 17:16-34
June 11	Acts 18:1-28
June 12	Acts 19:1-20
June 13	Acts 19:21-41
June 14	Acts 20:1-16
June 15	Acts 20:17-38
June 16	Ephesians 1:1-23
June 17	Ephesians 2:1-22
June 18	Ephesians 3:1-21
June 19	Ephesians 4:1-16
June 20	Ephesians 4:17-5:2
June 21	Ephesians 5:3-33
June 22	Ephesians 6:1-24
June 23	John 14:1-31
June 24	John 15:1-17
June 25	John 15:18-16:4a
June 26	John 16:4b-33
June 27	Ezekiel 2:1-3:11
June 28	Ezekiel 3:12-27
June 29	Romans 8:1-17
June 30	Romans 8:18-39

Copies of this Newsletter may be picked up at the church. This Newsletter is also posted at our web-site.