Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2008

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

Wednesday, February 6, is Ash Wednesday. We will have a service of Communion and the Imposition of Ashes: 7:00PM in the Sanctuary. Both the Table and Ashes focus our spirits on the Passion of Christ for the world, for you and me. I encourage you to mark the beginning of the Lenten Season intentionally.

The Lenten Season concentrates on the depth of God's love experienced in the life, ministry and death of Jesus, the Christ. As people who claim to be alive in Christ, it is a time of self-examination and growth in order that we may be contemporary models of God's love in Christ's name in today's world. To assist you in your walk, memorize and spell Lent in a daily time of personal devotion and prayer.

L is for Light. As we read Isaiah's description of the Servant of God, a primary task is to being the Light of God's presence into the world to dispel the darkness. Into whose darkness (despair, fear, anxiety or loneliness) have we brought God's Light today?

E is for Energy. Christians actively engage the world of evil with grace and hope, with kindness and justice. We see throughout the life of Jesus his initiation of sharing God's transforming love. How am I working to change conditions of society (being informed and active politically, thinking globally and acting locally)?

N is for Nourishment. Jesus regularly was in worship among his people and spent time in prayer, both alone and with others. How are we nourishing our spirits with God's love and strength (daily prayer and devotions, corporate worship, Bible study)?

T is for The Cross. Jesus gave his life in the hope that humanity may know and experience the depth of God's faithfulness. His love was intentional and sacrificial. What am I willing to sacrifice (a TV show, a night out, a CD) in order to have time to extend God's love for my neighbor or to make a contribution to a special offering or ministry of hope?

OUT-TO-LUNCH BUNCH

Want to get to know church members a little better? Fellowship and food is the best combination. We are going to try different places; order off the menu; and enjoy the great fellowship of each other. Please join us for a Sunday lunch of fellowship and friends. Just tell them that you are with Vernon Methodists and we'll see you there!
02/17 - Vernon Diner

TRUSTEES REPORT

As a follow-up to my status reports that were given to you before Sunday Services, the Trustees would like to give you a summary outline of the progress of the Roof Replacement Project.

Construction drawings will be completed by the end of January and Pelletier Builders have been asked to submit their cost estimates for the work. They have been asked to break their numbers down into a series of separate work packages so that we may review the costs separately.

Construction drawings will be completed by the end of January and Pelletier Builders have been asked to submit their cost estimates for the work. They have been asked to break their numbers down into a series of separate work packages so that we may review the costs separately.

The packages are as follows:

There is not enough room to give all the details of each package, but feel free to ask me any questions.

The committee's intent is to present these costs to you in February so that we can discuss the various options, decide on the ones we want to finance, secure the funds, sign a contract, and get the project underway late spring to early summer this year.

Our finance committee has already done some preliminary work and will have that information as well for us during these discussions.

We need everyone's participation in these discussions, so I ask now that you continue praying for this project and that we all seek for wisdom and guidance from the Lord on how best we can be good stewards of the blessings we have been given in the form of the building.

Jim Haag

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

The Worship Committee is working on a number of opportunities for you to participate and experience the Holy Season in unique ways and at different times. We will have our special Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 pm at the Church. This year our soup and sandwich suppers and study group will be meeting on Thursday evening. This is a new change, so please mark your calendars. Other opportunities include the ecumenical Maundy Thursday service being held at the First Congregational Church. Then there will be the Easter morning sunrise service at Fox Tower at approximately 6 am followed later in the morning by the traditional Easter worship service. Prayerfully consider being a part of any or all of these worship opportunities as you prepare and ultimately celebrate the Risen Savior. Plans are in the works for the annual Women's Communion Breakfast for Sunday, March 9th. It will be extra early this year as Daylight Savings Time just so happens to fall on the same day. We will make an extra cup of coffee for you to enjoy (wakeup) with your breakfast. Our special guest speaker will be the Reverend Heidi Chamberland, District Superintendent. We trust that all the ladies will take this opportunity to share in this unique fellowship and worship service.

My fervent prayer is for each one of us to open our hearts and minds in preparation of meeting Jesus in a new and unique way this Easter.

Jim

FINANCE REPORT

Here We Go Again!:

The old year is past and the new begun. We have finished our budget-building and the plan for 2008 is in place. I want to congratulate all of our pledgers, who, once again met the 100% goal overall for 2007. What a blessing to have such committed givers! We also ended 2007 very close to the plan, so look forward with optimism to 2008. You will note a balance of $10473.48 in the Program and Ministry Fund. $5417.27 of this balance will be required to balance the budget for 2008 and the rest may find its way into the Building/Renovation Fund, to build that up to the most possible before construction on the roof begins sometime this Spring. The Finance Committee has been working with the Trustees to formulate a financing plan for the work to be done. We are all hoping to know the total cost soon.

We have another challenging year ahead of us, but God always provides, so let's proceed with hope and happy anticipation!

Fund balances at the end of December 2007, are as follows:

Dave Howe: Chair

MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 30th: VUMC to serve at Cornerstone Soup Kitchen Sunday, February 3rd: SOUPer Bowl Sunday

Bring your cans of soup, stew chili! Will the Patriots Souper Bowl be fullest? Or will the Giants Souper Bowl win?--donations will go to the Tri-Town Pantry.

Red Cross Blood Drives:

For an appointment to donate, call
1/800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) Friday, February 15th
1:00 to 5:45 p.m.
Rockville United Methodist Church, 142 Grove Street

Tuesday, February 26th
1:00 to 5:45 p.m.
Curves of Vernon, 575 Talcottville Road

*******************************

Haitian Health Foundation
please mark your calendars for Sunday, February 10th. We are planning to have a potluck lunch following services. Odette Bosse will be our guest. Odette will be bringing examples of some of the things she makes with the materials you have been donating. She will have samples of the packages she puts together. Michelle Farrier is currently in Haiti but will be returning before then and we hope she will also be able to attend and give her first hand report on this mission work.This is a great opportunity to talk with this amazing woman (Odette) and find out how she uses the items you donate. You will also find out how you might be able to become more involved with this work (i.e. assembling the packages, sewing some of the items, helping to pack boxes for the container or loading the container for shipping)

Health Kits

As we go into this new year, let us not forget the collection of items for Health Kits to go to UMCOR. There are boxes in the Jerusalem room for each of the items needed - toothbrushes, toothpaste, full size combs, nail files or clippers, bath size bar soap, hand towels and washcloths. All items must be new - toothbrushes must be individually wrapped.

……………..

Don't forget to bring in your EMPTY, REFUNDABLE bottles and cans. Proceeds go to the Heifer Project. There are several Work Ark magazines available on the table by the coin jar. You can read all about the animals and how they help people in different countries to provide food and income for their families.

……………..

Going forward into another year the Mission and Outreach Committee reminds you that our meetings are open to everyone -and if you know of an area of need that you would like to see us address, please let us know.

The next Mission & Outreach meeting will be Wednesday, February 13th at VUMC. (Note we have changed our meeting date to Wednesdays during Lent so as to not conflict with the Lenten studies) These meetings are open to everyone.

FEBRUARY SCRIPTURES

FEBRUARY WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

THE DIETER'S 23rd PSALM

The Lord is my Shepard,
I shall not want;
He maketh me lie down and do push-ups.
He giveth me diet bread,
He restoreth my waistline;
He leadeth me past the refigerator for mine own sake.
He maketh me to partake of the green beans instead of the potatoes;
He leadeth me past the pizza parlor.
Yea, though I walk through the bakery, I shall not falter, for thou art with me;
Thy artificial sweetner and diet colas, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a diet for me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my salad with low-cal oil;
My cup will not overflow.
Surely 2% non-fat milk and yogurt shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will live empty and hungry forever!

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
MARCH ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the March issue by Friday, February 29th. 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

The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.