Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

APRIL 2008

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

HOT HOT SUMMERS!

New Englander's know Global Warming too well. Global climate change is fundamentally altering God's creation. My father, and other servicemen landed planes in the Yukon during WWII. They never imagined except at the end of the world when the permafrost would melt. Once the ice was hundreds of feet deep. Now it is melting.

What are we doing to God's Creation? The human death toll is staggering from malnutrition. Global climate change effects the poorest of the poor first. Our duty as Christians is to be a steward of God's resources and the earth. It is not only for future generations, but for those living where water is evaporating and land is eroding. I hope you will join us on April 20 as we celebrate "The Festival of God's Creation".

NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES
SUNDAY APRIL 6

I just got out my calculator, punched in a few numbers and discovered that in a recent year, after I added the grand total of giving to all of the Special Sundays in my conference, the average giving per United Methodist was 24 cents!

24 CENTS!

Now I know not every United Methodist gives to Special Sundays, but I also know many United Methodists give very generously to every single Special Sunday. What saddens me is many people are never given the opportunity to give because the Special Sunday is not announced or observed; resources are not ordered; opportunities are not given.

What I learned as a member of the conference staff is these offerings are the basis for incredible ministries. Just think what we could do if we challenged everyone to put more than 24 cents (how about at least $1) into the offering envelope.

I encourage each congregation to participate in Native American Ministries Sunday, the second Sunday after Easter. These gifts enrich our United Methodist Church! They fund urban ministries with Native Americans, provide scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved seminaries, and develop and nurture conference-based Native American ministries.

What can you buy for $1 . . . $10 . . . $50? If you put your money where your heart is, you can buy a lot on Native American Ministries Sunday! Please do so. Celebrate the gifts and contributions of Native Americans. Thank you!

The Rev. Jane Follmer Zekoff,
former director of connectional ministries,
Wisconsin Conference

VUMC CHARGE CONFERENCE
March 2 & 16, 2008

PRESENT on March 2nd (20): Rev. Roberta Williams, Bob Mattern, Dave Howe, Jim Haag, Shirley Howe, Jayne Cappiello, Carolyn Waltman, Lorraine Crowder, Dorothy Blythe, Laurie Tucker, Eleanor Stead, Lydia Dingle, Carl Tyler III, Al Dingle, Roger White, Dee Turkington, Lempi Hannaford, Phyllis Goehring, Colleen Morgan, and Kathy Jo Winters.

PRESENT on March 16th (26): Rev. Roberta Williams, Bob Mattern, Dave Howe, Jim Haag, Shirley Howe, Jayne Cappiello, Karla Ebrahimzadeh, Carolyn Waltman, Lorraine Crowder, Dorothy Blythe, Laurie Robertson, Laurie Tucker, Eleanor Stead, Lydia Dingle, Carl Tyler III, Carl Tyler Jr., Roger White, Dee Turkington, Lempi Hannaford, Dottie Stronberg, Kathleen O'Connor, Kathy Jo Winters, Renee Logan, Kim Hirschfeld, Margaret Allen, and Kathy Jo Winters.

March 2nd Meeting: Bob Mattern opened the meeting with a prayer. We declared the meeting a Church Conference, meaning all VUMC members can vote.

Pete Schilling gave us an overview of the Natural Church Development (NCD) process, and then answered several questions. Dave Howe made a motion that the VUMC will do the NCD process. The motion was seconded, and passed unanimously. Now we need to form the Church Health Team - volunteers needed.

Next Jim Haag reviewed his handout that describes the workscope and cost estimates of the sanctuary Roof Renovation project ($95,000 - $105,000 with contingency reserves of $30-40,000). The handout also included some additional projects that we may be able to do with leftover reserve funds: · Re-shingling the roof for the addition ($18,000) · Replacing the Social Hall floor, including removing the asbestos floor tiles ($15,000) · Refurbish the Bell for use by installing a electronic striker ($10,000) · Add a Steeple to the Bell Tower ($14,000) · Open up the Sanctuary Ceiling to see the Vaulted Ceiling (cost is unknown) · Several insurance suggestions to mitigate risk - Lightning protection, Vandal-resistant doors, and hard-wired smoke detectors (cost is unknown) Dave Howe then reviewed his handout for Funding options. We will have about $65,000 on hand when the project starts, and will need to finance $70,000 to cover the base cost and contingency reserve. The recommendation from the Trustees and Finance is to finance the $70,000 over 15 years, so the estimated monthly loan payments would be $630. We are currently giving $550 monthly to the Building Fund, so some additional funds will be needed. Dave also mentioned the interest expense of long-term loans where the interest paid out can be large, so he recommended a 15-year loan. He also discussed some possible solutions to this funding challenge - increase pledging level, conduct fund-raisers, divert Together For Tomorrow pledges to VUMC (could yield an additional $200/month).

March 16th Meeting: Bob opened the meeting with a prayer, and then declared this a Church Conference. Jim and Dave gave a brief overview of the handout material and answered several questions. A motion was made to include re-shingling the addition's roof as part of the base contract - it was seconded and passed unanimously. We then discussed the other potential projects that could be done with leftover reserve funds.

We decided that we would not add a steeple for now and not pursue opening the sanctuary ceiling, but just replace the suspended ceiling tiles. Based on the discussion, Jim agreed that the Trustees will not be installing lightning protection, but will work on vandal-resistant doors for the Social Hall hatchways, and will pursue electronic smoke detectors with back-up batteries.

We then prioritize the remaining other projects with "Replacing the Social Hall floor" as the top priority and "Refurbishing the Bell for use" as the next priority. We also decided to finance $70,000 for 15 years.

Bob Mattern, Recording Secretary

NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

The NCD Church Health Team needs at least 3 more volunteers before it can meet with NCD coach Pete Schilling to begin the NCD process.

PRAYER WARRIORS NEEDED!

One of the important ingredients of the Natural Church Development process is a foundation of prayer. To that end, Dave Howe has volunteered to lead a group of 'prayer warriors' in providing that foundation. If you are one who believes in the power of prayer and God is nudging you to participate in this way, see Dave right away. Prepare for the spiritual surprises that will come from this effort!

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

As the shock of the empty tomb fades away and becomes the Joy of presence of the Risen Christ fills our hearts, let us take that Joy and carry it forward into our daily lives. Let it radiate out from within our hearts to show to all around us the true meaning of the Victorious Christ.

Our weekly Lenten Soup and Study group was well attended and we learned something about "Living in the Mind of Christ".Thank you to all those who prepare the meals and those who led the discussions. I did have several of you ask me if we would do our own Maunday Thursday service next year because they have missed it these last several years - so yes we will plan on doing it once again.

Maunday Thursday services were held at the First Congregational Church with Rev. Roberta giving the message that night.

Good Friday service was shared with our brothers and sisters at Wesley UMC in East Hartford.

WOMEN'S COMMUNION BREAKFAST
In spite of loosing an hour of sleep due to the change to Daylight Savings Time, many of the ladies got up bright and early to attend the 35th Annual Communion Breakfast. No one left the table hungry from the fine breakfast prepared by our dedicated crew of men and everyone enjoyed the fellowship time spent with Rev. Heidi Chamberland.

EASTER LILIES
Thank you once again for loaning us your Easter flowers. They always add a special personal touch to the altar.

EASTER SUNDAY
It might have been cold outside on top of the hill at 6:30 in the morning at Foxhill Tower on Easter Sunday, but those who attended the sunrise service were blessed by sharing the Resurrection experience with our brothers and sisters from Rockville UMC, Crossroads Community Church, and the Rockville Church of the Nazarene. It was the largest gathering that we have had in the last several years.

FLOWER FUND
During the last several weeks of April, we will have the sign-up sheets out for our annual contribution to the Flower Fund. As in the past, you will be able to donate funds in either "In Memory Of" or "In Honor Of" mothers and fathers. Then on Mother's Day and again on Father's Day, those names will be listed in the bulletin. Keep an eye out for those sign-up sheets.

WORSHIP SERVICE
In response to several comments and in working with Pastor Roberta, you will notice that we have shifted the order of some of the activities of the worship service in an effort to make it flow a little bit more smoothly and to make it unique and meaningful for one and all. As always, feel free to speak to me of your likes and dislikes of the Worship Service. Our goal is to provide meaningful ways for us to lift up our hearts and voices in Praise and Celebration to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

TRUSTEES REPORT

I would like to thank you all for your participation in our Church Conference as we prayerfully considered, discussed, and ultimately decided upon the course of action we as a congregation will take in trying to be good stewards of this wonderfully old building we have been entrusted to care for.

I have been in contact with Pelletier Builders and they are indeed working on revising the budgetary costs numbers to come to a construction cost number we can sign a contract with and go to the bank and borrow the necessary funds. Those numbers should be available early to mid April. We will meet again to finalize this commitment.

In the meantime, spring is not too far away and there will be plenty of opportunity for working together to clean up the grounds after a long dreary winter. Keep an eye out for upcoming work days. As always, if you see a need, let one of the Trustees know and we can take the necessary steps to address your concerns.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Step Two!

We are nearing the end of the first quarter and appear to be solidly on our financial plan. Two important steps were taken this month. A Church Conference approved the financing plan for the roof construction project and all of the paperwork necessary for the loan application has been completed. This should be submitted by month's end. We now await the first quarter milestone of our financial plan, which is the end of March. We expect to report good news at that point.

Fund balances at the end of February 2008 are as follows:

Dave Howe: Chair

MISSIONS

Good Friday Walk
Three walkers from VUMC participated - David Howe, Robert Mattern, Laurie Tucker. If you pledged your support to any of these walkers - be sure to honor your pledge. Funds raised support the local Tri-Town Homeless Shelter and groups in Alabama and Mississippi who are making a difference in the lives of children suffering from poverty and racism.

Heifer Project
Please continue to bring in your empty, refundable bottles and cans for this project. The committee is currently planning the "animal selection" for Mother's Day, May 11th. You might want to pick up one of the World Ark magazines from the table and read up on the different animals and their importance to the people who receive them. The coin jar also accepts any stray change or folding money you might have lying around!! Also, if you wish to add to this project by gifting someone (for a birthday or anniversary or Mother's Day or Father's Day or whatever occasion) with an animal or bees or trees, please see me about how to do that - we will be sure you receive a gift card to send to the person in whose name you are donating.

Red Cross Blood Drives:
For an appointment to donate, call
1/800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543)
Thursday, April 3rd
12:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Rockville General Hospital, 31 Union St

Wednesday, April 16th
Northeast School, 69 East St, Vernon

Sunday, April 6th, Native American Awareness Sunday
The special offering on this Sunday supports:
o Native American ministries within the annual conference and in urban areas across the United States.
o Two of the Native American ministries to which your VUMC mission committee provides additional support are:
• Alaska Aviation Ministry which reaches out to isolated, small villages in the Alaska interior.
• Four Corners Native American Ministry which has many programs on the Navaho Indian Reservation - family and leadership counseling, community programs, emergency assistance, shelter & counseling for battered women and children.
o Seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans.

Wednesday, April 30th - VUMC will be serving at Cornerstone Soup Kitchen

Mission Garden:
Yup - planting time is just around the corner! I'm looking for suggestions on what to plant - beans and tomatoes and peppers are pretty likely; however, what else? How about a popcorn patch? And you just know seeders and weeders and pickers will be needed.

The next Mission & Outreach meeting will be Thursday, April 10 at VUMC. These meetings are open to everyone.

Lydia Dingle

Other:
Thank you to all who donated or allowed us to borrow your Easter flowers. You will be seeing many of these flowers in our landscape over the next years.

APRIL SCRIPTURES

APRIL WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

GREETERS

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
MAY ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the May issue by Friday April 25th. Anything not received by 6:00 p.m. on that date will not be included in the newsletter. Thank you for your cooperation.
Roger White - editor, pro tempore
E-mail: vumcnews@sbcglobal.net

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