What is Happening At Kemble
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REMINDER!! It is a policy of Kemble Church to keep the back security door locked and closed when children are present. This means Sunday School, Choir Rehearsal, and Parent’s Time Out. Please do not keep the door propped open at any time. During the week you can be buzzed in. During church, please use the Sanctuary doors to enter the building. Thank you for your cooperation.
REMEMBER! REJOICE! RESPOND!
As we here at Kemble prepare for our 2009 Stewardship Campaign, we invite you to remember the many blessings God has given to you and your family. We know that times are difficult; the economy is poor, the cost of everything is higher, and some of you may even be without a job. It is easy to get caught up in scary times and not think about the many ways God has remained faithful to us. As we remember the positives in our life, let us rejoice that God has given us the privilege of managing the resources he provides. We are instructed to be good stewards and we are to do so responsibly and joyfully.
In the coming weeks we will emphasize in our church services the importance of being good stewards with our prayers, our presence, our talents, and our finances. We ask you to pray earnestly about your pledge so that you can respond in a way that will allow Kemble to meet its budget and continue to move forward in doing God’s work.
Sunday, November 15, will be a special service for Covenant Sunday. Please plan to bring your pledge card to church that day as we demonstrate our commitment to the Lord. Otherwise, please send it to the church office in the enclosed envelope. Thank you. Good stewards remember, rejoice and respond!
The Stewardship Committee
CHURCH CONFERENCE - On Tuesday, November 24th at 8:00pm we will be gathering in fellowship for the annual Church Conference (formerly called the Charge Conference). The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for you as a member to learn about those people who have committed themselves to be part of the organization and operation of Kemble Church. The transition of committee members occurs at this time and new people are welcomed into the works of the Church. Rev. Charles Bender, retired Conference minister, will be present to hear reports and learn about our Church.
All members of Kemble are welcomed to the Conference and encouraged to participate in the proceedings.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the Coffee Hour following the 10:45 am service for October and March. If a group or family would like to provide refreshments for the coffee time any week, call or see Dottie McQuade. Thank you.
SAVE THE DATE for the Advent Fair - Sunday, November 22nd in the Chapel from 9:30-10:30 AM
THE SQUARE CIRCLE will be selling two-year date books during November. Look for more info to follow!
New Circle Forming
The United Methodist Women Membership Committee is in the process of forming a new Circle. This circle will be multi-generational and open to all women of our congregation. After gathering the names of interested ladies we will have a meeting to discuss the style of the group and meeting times and locations. We know there are members out there who would like to be involved. Sometimes we don’t know who you are. Please contact us so that you can join our family. The membership committee consists of Jan. Lancaster (848- 7794), Libby Sellen (845 0833), and Mandy Sparacio (241- 3582). Contact any committee member or the church office and we promise to contact you.
FOOD PANTRY DONATION - On Friday, October 23rd at the Grand Opening of the newly remodeled Woodbury Acme, Pastor Ralph received $500 in Gift Cards for the Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries. We appreciate this generous donation and we thank Acme for their involvement and concern for our community.
OUR COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be held at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 22nd at 7:00pm.
People in the news
NEW DIRECTOR - Normajean McMichael has taken on the position of Director of Parent’s Time Out, Kemble’s nursery and preschool program, following the resignation of Karen Merriell.
Normajean has worked with PTO for four years as an aide in the nursery. She and her husband Scott are parents of two children, Ryan and Jessica, and just recently became proud grandparents of Hailey Kay.
Normajean lives in West Deptford, where she grew up. She graduated from West Deptford High School and is currently taking classes at Gloucester County College.
Blessings and good wishes to Normajean in her new position at Kemble.
Miriam (Bunny) Wilson
Bunny was born on March 2, 1931 to Peter and Mary Super, who operated a farm in Westville Grove. Sister Lori came along five years later.
Bunny graduated from Woodbury High School in 1948 and worked in a local attorney’s office. She and jack Wilson dated in high school and were married in May of 1952. She joined him as a member of Kemble Church. They had two children, Rick and Kim.
Bunny was taken ill with polio in September of 1953 when Rick was four months old. She was treated at the Camden Municipal Hospital, which was designated for all polio victims in the region. After three months she was discharged and she and her little family lived with her parents while she was recuperating.
In 1959, Bunny was one of the original founders of the Florence Circle. She was treasurer of UMW for thirteen years, and President for four years when the women’s organization was called W.S.C.S.
Bunny became a member of the Board of Trustees in 1971 during Dr. Neal Raver’s ministry, and became it’s President in 1984 until the present. She has served Kemble through the ministry of five pastors; Dr. Raver, Russell Shivers, Rollo Michaels, David Finch, and Robert Ralph.
During her tenure as President, Bunny oversaw major events at Kemble: recarpeting of the Sanctuary and Chapel, the installation of the elevator, and the complete renovation of the organ. She is kept informed and aware of the maintenance and repairs of the Church and parsonage and works with her fellow trustees to keep Kemble in tip-top condition. Bunny was also instrumental in helping establish the Kemble Scholastic Assistance Fund in 1984.
Bunny and Jack had been married for 54 years at the time of his passing three years ago. They spent many summers at their home in Vermont.
Going to the theater is one of Bunny’s passions. Since selling the Vermont home, Stone Harbor has become her summer retreat.
Thank you Bunny for your many years of devotion and service to Kemble Church.
MISSION NEWS
GREATER WOODBURY COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES - The Pantry has a need for nonperishable food. We need pancake mix, syrup, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, mashed potatoes (boxed), rice mixes, and coffee (regular and instant). If you are considering a monetary donation to the Food Bank, please make all checks payable to GWCM - Food Pantry.
Home Missions - Not all mission work is done in West Virginia or Kentucky; it is happening right here in our backyard, at the Neighborhood Center in Camden.
A work crew of Kemble members and friends, led by Ray Sweeney and comprised of Nadine Sweeney, Kurt Lang, Carol and Fred Lesser, Alan Conway and son-in-law Joe, and Bernie Carlson tackled the job of renovating a classroom. In 2008 the Center was notified that it was in violation of the State of NJ childcare code for square footage per child in After School and Summer Enrichment program. In order to enlarge one classroom, two closets had to be removed and Ray and his group said, “Send us, Lord.” The demolition aspect had Nadine and Carol carrying out the debris while the men knocked down the walls. Ray and Nadine have spent many hours finishing up the project. Now Ray has also agreed to remove a wall of a second classroom with the help of another volunteer at the Center.
In addition to the work at the Neighborhood Center, the Sweeneys have been very active in preparing Camp Delanco for the upcoming camping season. What a blessing it is that these wonderful people are so willing to share their time and talents for the glory of God and the enrichment of their fellow men.
Music
CHOIR REHEARSALS -. The Music Ministry of Kemble Church holds regular rehearsal schedules: Sanctuary Choir (grades 1-5) - Thursdays at 6:30 PM, Raver Hall; Chapel Choir (grades 6-9) - Sundays at 12:00 noon, Carson Room; Hand Bell Choir - Thursdays at 7:00 PM, Chapel; and Senior Choir - Thursdays at 8:00 PM, Raver Hall. We are praying that we will see new faces in each of our music ensembles this year! We are so grateful for the faithful who come out each week to prepare for leading the congregation in worship. We have a great time together, while presenting great music for God’s glory! Come be a part of the Song!
.Calendar
Choir Rehearsals Every Thursday
6:30pm - Sanctuary Choir
7:00pm - Bell Choir
8:00pm - Senior Choir
Ken Steele, our organist and Choirmaster, piqued our curiosity about the concert by Ted Barr and Tony Thurman, His description, however, could not measure up to the performance delivered by these two musicians on October 25th. With the raradose moved to afford full view of the organ and the grand piano at the center of the altar rail, the visual and musical treat was truly impressive as they treated us to our favorite hymns. Thank you Ken for arranging such a wonderful treat.
ARE YOU READY FOR AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE? On Sunday, November 22nd we will have ONE SERVICE at 10:45 a.m. as the Rev. Jim Hughes will bring the word of God alive through music and drama as he presents Angelsong. As we prepare for the Advent Season, witness the birth of the Savior from the lofty view of the heavenly host. Enter into an exciting realm of celebration and music as the hosts of heaven proclaim to God’s lost people “all is well”. Invite a friend to come and share what truly will be a meaningful and inspiring message. A free will offering will be taken.
