The Network Newsletter
Sept 5, 2009
KEEP IT SIMPLE SAINT
While I was on vacation I had the rare pleasure of playing golf with my
parents. Playing golf with my parents is like playing with the tortoise
and the hare. My mother, who is a very good player, hits one relatively
short ball after another straight down the fairway. My father, who is a
classic hacker, hits very long shots from one rough to another.
Unfortunately, when it comes to golf, I take after my
father. This last time out, after a two year lay off from golf, I played
especially poorly. I whiffed, I topped, I sliced, I hooked, I did other
things I don’t have names for – none of which sent the ball straight
down the fairway.
Consequently, my parents began to give me lots of
friendly advice; left arm straight, follow through, imagine your target,
feet apart, ball forward, ball back, don’t do this, do do that, etc.,
etc. As you might imagine, the more advice I got the worse I played! I
had so many things to think about I could barely move! What started out
as a simple game of whacking a ball with a stick and watching it fly had
become very complicated and confusing scientific exercise. Rapidly
almost all joy was lost.
Fortunately, I decided to take advantage of a second
opportunity to play golf with my parents. This time I determined to tune
everything else out and focus on the cardinal rule of almost every sport
– keep your eye on the ball! And what do you know, I played much better
and had a great time!
Sometimes Christianity loses its joy and becomes a
complicated and confusing exercise. In the midst of all the dos and
don’ts and ritual we lose the simple joy of being a beloved child of the
King.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, knew that
Christians often fall into this trap and so he wrote 3 SIMPLE RULES FOR
CHRISTIAN LIVING to help Christians return to the basics and rediscover
the joy of being a follower and friend of Jesus.
Starting on September 13 our whole church will be
learning about Wesley’s 3 SIMPLE RULES. Every Sunday School class, from
the 3 year olds through the adults, will study these rules. In addition,
I will be preaching a 6 part sermon series on these rules. The goal is
for all of us to “go back to basics” and discover and rediscover how
simple and how joyous it is to be a follower of Jesus.
As your pastor I am urging you to take advantage of
this new opportunity to simplify and revitalize your walk with Jesus.
Make every effort to attend worship and Sunday School beginning
September 13th.
Your Pastor,
Doug
 Grace
Property Update
We have continued good news with regard to the sale of
the Grace property. The Chinese Baptist Church is currently leasing and
using the Grace property and is ready and willing to buy the property as
soon as the Grace cemetery can be properly subdivided. There is a
hearing on September 16th to secure legal approval for this subdivision.
Please keep Jim Emerick in your prayers as he faithfully continues to
lead us in this effort.
PS You might be interested to know that the Bufano family is now happily
renting the former Grace parsonage!
 Youth
Group 2009-2010
The new youth group year is upon us! We hope you will join us if you
are in 6th-12th grade. And bring a friend - all are welcome! Come
experience fun games and engaging discussions among your peers. We have
some new things planned, as well as old favorites on the schedule.
Check us out!
9/13/09 - 5:30 - 8pm - Youth Group Kickoff! Dinner provided
9/20/09 - 3:15 - meet at church to lead worship for the youth group
at Lori Hays' church in Howard County
9/27/09 - 6:30 - 8pm - resume regular youth group schedule
Women's Night Out
Calling all women that are looking for a night out with other women
where there will be great food and fellowship. Women's Night Out begins
again on September 11th at 6:00 P.M. Anyone interested in joining us
that night is asked to bring a dish to share with others. We will eat
and socialize from 6:00 to 7:00 followed by a movie and discussion.
Our first movie will be Whale Rider Based on the novel
of the same name by Maori writer
Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider is a unique family drama directed
Niki
Caro. On the eastern coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people
believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on
the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership
positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of
Paikea. This tradition is challenged when a young mother dies in
childbirth along with her newborn male son. His twin sister manages to
survive and the father (Cliff Curtis) runs off, overwhelmed with grief.
The little girl, Pai (Keisha
Castle-Hughes), is brought up by stubborn grandfather Koro (Rawiri
Paratene) and gentle grandmother Nanny (Vicky
Haughton). Koro, the chief of their tribe, is disappointed because
Pai's twin brother was supposed to be the next leader. Trying to find
the proper successor, he attempts to organize a leadership group amongst
the local boys while Pai enlists the help of her has-been uncle Rawiri
(Grant Roa) to teach herself the art of chiefdom. She appears to possess
a natural leadership ability and adventurous spirit that draws her to
the proliferation of her faltering tribe. Whale Rider premiered at the
2002 Toronto International Film Festival and won the World Cinema
Audience Award.
A powerful movie that lends itself to a stimulating
conversation when it is over. Our evenings usually end around 9:30 P.M.
Mark your calendars now for September 11th and then every for the first
Friday of each month there after. We hope to see you there.
Do What It Takes to Grow in Your Faith
Join a Small Group This Year!
Groups Start Sept. 13
Tuesday – 10AM in church library – Doug leads study of 3 Cups of Tea
Tuesday – 7PM in church library – Skip Casey leads study of John
Wednesday – 7AM in church library - Doug leads study of 3 Cups of Tea
Thursday – 10AM in church library – Doug leads study of 3 Cups of Tea
Thursday – 1PM in church library – Doug leads study of 3 Cups of Tea
Thursday – 7PM at Thompson’s – Doug leads study of 3 Cups of Tea
Sunday - 6:30PM in church library – Sylvia Beke leads study of Romans
Note #1 You needn’t have read 3 Cups of Tea nor Dangerous Surrender to
join Doug’s groups. You can participate in the discussion without having
done the reading. The book discussion will only last three weeks. After
that we will be studying the book of Romans.
Note #2 We are working on an on-line study for those who just can’t make
the 7 options above. Let us know if you would like to be a beta tester!
 SUNDAY
SCHOOL OPENS
SEPTEMBER 13 - 10:45 A.M.
COME AND JOIN IN THE EXCITEMENT!
What an exciting beginning, we have 35 children and youth enrolled
in Sunday School this year!!! Have you ever yearned to teach or is it
in your heart to help spread the "GOOD NEWS" by working with children?
We need you at Mays Chapel!!! With so many youth and children, we are
hoping you will volunteer to give up an hour of your time several times
a month to spend with these wonderful kids. Our classes are covered by
experienced teachers, but they need your help. Please call the office
410-560-3173 or e-mail Etta Emerick at ettaem@aol.com and let us know
that you want to help the youth at Mays Chapel have the best year ever.
Thank you for your support for
Paula Bucci’s ministry with needy school children!
Supplies Needed for Calverton Elementary School:
Lysol
Cleaning Products
Kleenex
Paper Towels
Hand Sanitizer
Water
Tennis Balls
Easy reg & floor puzzles
3 Ring Binders
Pencils
Pencil caps
Erasers
Art supplies
Colored markers & pencils
Construction paper
Junior Scrabble, Candyland, Trouble
New & Used children’s books
3x5 cards
Small Paper Cups
Skin moisturizer
Boxes of crackers
Small scissors
Money: Payable to Mays Chapel UMC – marked “school supplies”
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