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May Newsletter, 2003
Office Memo
Next month’s newsletter will be a
combination of June, July and August. All information should be submitted by
May 20th. The deadline for the September Newsletter will be
August 21st. The church secretary will be on vacation the week of
June 22nd. Any information for the June 22nd and 29th
bulletins must be in the office by June 17th. Thank you for your
cooperation!
Mondays in Moscow Concert
The last concert of our initial season
will feature Edward Wargo on flute with piano accompanist. Mr. Wargo is a
native Scrantonian and is on the music faculty of Marywood University. The
performance will be Monday, May 5, 2003 at 7:00 PM.
Important People in May
May 4
Communion
Scripture Reader: Sharon Kelly
Ushers: Jim Smailes, Jack Carling,
Dale and Deborah Gromlich
Greeters: Rosie and Heather Alt
May 11
Mother’s Day
Scripture Reader: Glenn Czulada
Ushers: Allen and Sally Bendinsky
Ed and Marge Sebring
Greeters: Peg Alt and Lisa Oliver
May 18
Ushers: The Lamm Family
Greeters: Alice and Jack Carling
May 25
Memorial Sunday
Ushers: Dan and Pam Edwards
Paula Edwards and Ryan Reid
Greeters: Bev and Ed Kovac
North Pocono Food Pantry
Food of the Month:
Yellow Vegetables
The Food Pantry is also in need of paper
grocery bags. Please leave your donations in the basket in the coatroom.
Spring Fair
This year’s Spring Fair will be held on May 3rd from 9 AM to 3 PM and will include rummage, toys, books, and a flea market. All donations must be clean and useable. A bake sale and light lunch will also be available. This is one of our biggest fundraisers and lots of volunteers are needed to make it work. Please offer your time by calling Lorie Reigal at 842-7413 or Paulette Fotta at 842-9971.
Election Day
May 20, 2003
Moscow UMC will be having a soup, sandwich and
bake sale on Election Day – May 20, 2003. Plan on helping out and/or donating a
baked good or just stopping by to eat in or take out.
Great Fifty Day Offering
Zimbabwe Partnership
Dear Friends and Members of the Wyoming Conference:
The 50 days leading from Easter to Pentecost has become for the churches of the Wyoming Conference a great time of giving. It is in these days that we focus on our partnership with the United Methodist Churches of the Zimbabwe Conferences and its mission conferences. We receive a special offering to support this partnership and particular mission needs in and around Zimbabwe.
Churches are asked to promote this need and mission throughout these great 50 days. The actual offering may be received in whatever fashion is suitable for each individual church. The presentation of the offering occurs during the Annual Conference session in June.
This year’s offering will be directed toward hunger in Africa. We will use the Bishop’s Appeal for this cause as the vehicle of assistance. Your money will move to address the needs in the most desperate of places.
v Zimbabwe and Drought: Zimbabwe continues in a time of great drought. The lack of rain has caused crops to die in the fields.
v Zimbabwe and Economics: Unemployment and out of control inflation have forced the cost of food to move beyond the reach of many people.
v Zimbabwe and Politics: Many large farms under the ownership of whites have been seized by the government. These farms are no longer producing or have had their productivity greatly limited.
v Zimbabwe and Aids/Zimbabwe and Children: AIDS is taking the lives of huge numbers of young parents. The surviving children sometimes join extended families where there already is limited food. Some are placed in orphanages where food must be carefully portioned out. Some end up on the streets begging for food.
The Great Fifty Days moves from the resurrection to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our partnership with Zimbabwe is based upon the certainty of new life in the resurrected Jesus and the strength of mission through the Holy Spirit. Won’t you respond generously to this offering?
Sincerely,
Ken Wood, Zimbabwe Partnership Chair
Moscow UMC will contribute our basket offerings during the Great 50 Days for this mission work.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School has been set for July 14 to 18 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. The theme will be Group’s SCUBA, Super Cool Underwater Adventure. Volunteers are needed for decorating, to be leaders for crafts, games, snack, video center, Bible exploration, crews and more. For more information please contact Sharon Kelly at 689-2163 or Barb Buxton at 842-7943.
MUMC Treasurer’s
1st Quarter Report 2003
At the April 8th meeting of Administrative Council, I gave a report on our financial status for the first three months of 2003. There were four major points in this report and I’m happy to say, it’s all good news. We are indeed doing better! Here are the highlights:
1. Our income has increased by $2,363.00 compared with last year at this time. That’s an extra $180.00 per week.
2. We have paid $2,440.00 to conference for our Ministry Share. Last year at this time, we had paid - $0.00.
3. Our overall spending has increased by $4,872.00. This may at first appear to be bad news – “Why are we spending so much more?” – however, last year at this time, there were bills waiting (and waiting) to be paid. This year, our expenses are paid and up to date. Also, half of this amount can be attributed to our Ministry Share commitment.
4. To keep up with all budgetary items, our weekly income needs to be $3,000.00. Last year’s avg. weekly income at this time was $2,531.00. This year it is $2,854.00 – we are really getting close!
As we recently rejoiced in the Risen Christ, let us continue to rejoice in our renewed stewardship commitments.
Yours in faith with Christ,
Debbie Hafler
A Thank You
Have you ever attempted to cook for 200? No? Neither have I. But for Jim Smailes, it’s “old hat!” He’s been at it three times a year for almost ten years working out of the Moscow UMC’s kitchen. To him, it’s like preparing a meal for him and Muriel.
Preparing 6,000 meals over ten years in conjunction with the many volunteers who have helped has meant a positive cash flow into the Church’s treasury of over $25,000.
I’m proud to have been able to work with Jim, especially, and the many others who have contributed to this success story. But as the saying goes, “All good things come to an end,” and Jim Smailes is retiring. Retiring as in Social Security and retiring from the kitchen. The torch is being passed … we’re not quite sure to whom yet. That’s going to be up to the many talented people in our congregation.
We do know that a new “Pasta Team” is being organized by Lois Linko to meet the challenge of serving 200 dinners on May 17th in our Social Hall. We understand that homemade meatballs will be part of the pasta and salad fare for this all you can eat dinner. We’re hoping that this new team will continue the tradition for future years’ pasta dinners.
There are still openings for kitchen organizer-chef for the October dinner fundraiser, which though designated Chicken and Biscuits, could be any appetizing offering. Next Spring’s Pork and Sauerkraut dinner, or whatever the menu may be, also will need a kitchen organizer-chef. We understand that for the October event, Gus and Vicki Herman may be willing to co-chair and do the organizing of the dining room needs.
The 2004 dinner fundraiser chairs need to be in place in early January so that coordination with the other North Pocono churches and fire companies in the near vicinity can be accomplished with as little conflict as possible.
Jim Smailes, you are going to be missed in the MUMC kitchen. I’m sure that there will be occasions when you again show up either as a mentor or volunteer. May I thank you for all you’ve done over the years. The Church is tremendously appreciative of your dedication.
Jack Carling