Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

MAY 2008

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

As Pentecost and Trinity Sunday approach Christianity struggles to once more, make these concepts, more understandable.

English mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, was also a theologian in the Church of England. One of her characters in her novel was a missionary in Asia trying to explain the Trinity. The man in the church pew said, "Honorable Father, I understand. Honorable Son, I understand, Honorable Bird, I don't understand."

Most Americans responding to polls say they believe in God. That means different things to different people. C.S. Lewis wrote of a girl he knew who said that the word "God" reminded her of a "vast tapioca pudding." And she hated tapioca pudding.

After 9/11 most Americans realized that it makes a vast difference what kind of God a person believes in. What happens when people believe in a god that says it is right to kill those who do not believe the same way? What is the outcome believing in a god that condones the taking of hostages, the murder of innocent people, and the subjugation of millions. What happens to children when their parents believe in a god that demands polygamy?

Christians believe in a God who has revealed God's holy nature and purpose to the world in and through Jesus Christ. We also believe that God continues to reveal Himself. Jesus told the Disciples and his followers that He would "send them the comforter," the Holy Spirit, when he ascended after the cross. On Pentecost, celebrated May 11, 2008, the presence of God became richer and deeper than ever before as the Holy Spirit came upon them. The part of God who continues to reveal Himself in the world is The Holy Spirit.

We believe in God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Does this mean that we believe in three Gods? No. The early church spoke of "God in three persons." Judaism believed in One God. But the early Christians, many of whom were raised Jewish, had experienced the presence of God in the person of Jesus. When he was crucified and ascended he said he would "send the counselor to you." The Holy Spirit is, as Yale professor Halford Luccock says, "God in the Presence Tense." As a human, Jesus could be only in one place at one time. Through the Holy Spirit He can be everywhere making God real in our lives, cheering us on.

The King James Bible calls the Holy Spirit "The Comforter". There is a story of a seminary student who was supposed to write a paper on "The Lord has taken away our guilt." Instead he wrote "The Lord has taken away our quilt." The professor penned in the margin: "That's alright He has promised to send us the Comforter." It comes from the Latin word parakletos, meaning "one who stands beside us to give us strength." Who in the church could not use some strength?

Let us pray that through the power of God and our commitment to Natural Church Development that we experience the moving of the Holy Spirit in this place and in our lives.

Rev. Roberta L. Williams

PRAYER WARRIORS AT WORK

The Natural Church Development team of Prayer Warriors has been formed, the exciting adventure has begun, and we are already experiencing some miraculous results. The team presently comprises Dave Howe, Kathleen O'Connor, Lempi Hannaford, and Dorothy Stronberg. We meet on Sunday mornings during coffee hour for a brief time of sharing and to get our weekly prayer assignments. We expect to work closely with the Health Team to carry out God's purpose for our church. All are welcome to join the Prayer Warrior team. There are no dues or hard and fast rules. All that's needed is a belief in prayer and a desire to see something miraculous happen in the life of our church. Come, join the adventure!

PUBLIC SUPPER MAY 17
4:30PM - 6:30PM

The 'natives' are getting restless in their desire for one of our famous mouth-watering pot roast suppers, so we are going to satisfy those desires. Please mark the date on your calendars, spread the word to your family and friends, and prepare to pitch in and help to make this another roaring success. It's "buffet style…all you can eat" and no reservations are required. Prices are $10.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 6 to 10. Children ages 5 and under are FREE!

MAY EVENTS AT ROLLING RIDGE
RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER

MAY 6
THE HEART OF LEADERSHIP - LEADING
WITH SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

Quaker teacher Margaret Benefiel, author of Soul at Work, joins rolling Ridge Director Larry Peacock in leading a one day retreat on cultivating a leadership style that is less driven and more spiritual grounded, less frantic and more compassionate. Register on line before May 5th and receive the discount of $40. 9:30 am - 3 pm.

MAY 12-15
OASIS- A SPIRITUAL SPA!!

A spa experience awaits you at OASIS! Four days at our annual spiritual spa. Each person receives a massage, spiritual direction, classes in yoga, wellness, prayer, poetry and meditation. Walking the labyrinth, kayaking on the lake, leisurely dining, worship and sharing, and a drumming circle are all part of the experience included in your registration. You may also add sessions of foot reflexology or healing touch. Come for 4 days to refresh, renew and re-energize your life. If you can't come for the whole experience, consider a "Taste of OASIS". Come for Tuesday or Wednesday for $95 and take the classes, yoga, meals and use all the facilities. Rates range from $475 for a private room to $300 as a commuter.

Register on line at www.rollingridge.org or call 978-682-8815

Larry J. Peacock, Executive Director
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center,
N. Andover, MA

UNITED METHODIST WOMAN'S NEWS

SPRING DISTRICT MEETING
MAY 3 MA 9-3p.m.
EAST LONGMEADOW

Compassion and Justice Our sisters in Nicaragua Solidarity

SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION 2008
THEME: LIVING THE SACRED

May 3 Martha's Vineyard
July 18-20 U. Maine, Farmington, Maine
July 25-27 Gordon College, Wenham MA
Sept 18-20 Camp Aldersgate, North Scituate RI

How are we as God's people to understand the story in the midst of human acts of racism, violence and earthly destruction?

Social Study: Native American Survival
Spiritual Growth: I believe in Jesus
Geographic Study: Israel/Palestine

For more information:
860-446-8619
eboiselle@sbcglobal.net

GENERAL CONFERENCE IN FULL SWING

Meeting once every four years, 992 delegates from United Methodist churches in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe, opened their 10-day legislative sessions with the singing of "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and "Are We Yet Alive." Some 5,500 visitors, conference officials and choir members observed the pageantry from the galleries of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Visit www.gc2008.umc.org for General Conference information, news, and legislation tracking

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

SPRING IN NEW ENGLAND
One of the reasons that I like the Spring season so much is the promise of warm gentle breezes carrying the fresh scent of new life. The house has been shut up tight to keep the cold out and the heat in for what seems like forever and the air is stuffy and stale. Now is the time to throw open the windows and let the fresh air in. Easter was something like that. The Jewish leaders thought they had Jesus all sealed in the tomb - but low and behold Jesus rolls away the stone and comes out as gentle as a breeze with the promise of new life. If you are not careful, you could rush right by Him. Before too long that gentle breeze became the rush of the wind at Pentecost. Hopefully it will come again to VUMC. Pentecost and Mother's Day share the same Sunday this year - May 11th. Come join us in celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit and the blessings of Mothers in our lives today.

FLOWER FUND
Many of you have taken the opportunity to sign up for our annual contributions to the Flower Fund. A special word of thanks goes out to each of you for doing so. Those who are so near and dear in our lives will be remembered on Mother's Day and Father's Day.

TRUSTEES REPORT

Status Report on the Roof Project: Pelletier Builders have revisited their numbers and then with some discussions with the Trustees, we have come to an agreement on the Scope of Work and Contract Price for the Project. Based on the decisions that the Congregations made at our Church Conference, the contract will cover the following:

Cost of the Contract: $ 135,000

Once we are far enough along in the Project and we know what monies are left in the contingency funds, then we will decide to replace the flooring in the Social Hall.

Tentative start date will be the end of June - so construction should be done by September.

A special thanks to the strong backs of Al, Bob, Carl 2, Carl 3, and Dave for all the hard work they performed in taking down the trees. No trips to the hospital - that is a good thing. Keep an eye open and ears alert because it will not be very much longer before we will be scheduling a spring clean-up around the Church in early May. We should coordinate it so that we get it done just before the upcoming Community Supper - make the place sparkle for our guests.

We have lots of other plans in the works for this summer to coincide with our new roof and Social Hall floor. It has been over 10 years since the addition was painted. The exterior entrances also need painting. And the rest of the floors will look especially dingy, so they will be cleaned and refinished. All of these tasks will take the time and talents from everyone in order accomplish these goals.Pulling together will lighten the load for everyone and provide opportunities for us to share in Christian fellowship.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

First Quarter a Success!

We've reached the first financial milestone of the year and the picture is very encouraging. Income has been right on plan and expenses are a bit less than expected; primarily because costs have come in lower than expected. That's good news. The other good news is that the "100% club" members have exceeded the 100% level in this quarter. On top of that, the Building/Renovation fund is approaching $69,000; more than we had anticipated. We could easily be above $70,000 by the time construction starts. Praise the Lord for this good news! Let's all do our best to keep this positive momentum going for the rest of the year. It appears that our God is with us!

The committee's work with the roof replacement project is completed, with the exception of a few minor details. The loan of $70,000 over a 15-year period has been approved and we have made arrangements with a law firm to handle closing details. We will continue to work with the Trustees as needed in matters related to the contract.

Presently, we are planning a community pot roast supper for Saturday, May 17th. Put the date on your calendars, start spreading the word, and plan on helping out wherever you can. We can expect another good crowd. The word is that the 'natives' are getting restless.

Fund balances at the end of March, 2008, are as follows:

Dave Howe: Chair

MISSIONS

Tri-Town Pantry
We are extending our April food drive an extra couple of weeks - until May 11th. Stop & Shop was kind enough to lend us a shopping cart - now we need to make that cart overflow!

Heifer Project
Please continue to bring in your empty, refundable bottles and cans for this project.

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 Graduation, 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. There are some of the gift cards on the table by the coin jar. See me regarding special gifts, cards.

Collections at annual conference:
NEUMC will again have a collection site at annual conference for kits and supplies for UMCOR. We have already assembled a number of Health Kits; however it would be nice to send more. - Just a note on the Health Kits: we no longer include toothpaste in the kit - check out the boxes in the Jerusalem Room to see what other items are needed. (However, if you see some good buys on toothpaste, Tri-Town Shelter and the Haitian Health foundation will be happy to accept them.)

Also at conference there will be a collection of old cell phones. These will go to Safe Havens and be reprogrammed with emergency numbers and given to those in at-risk situations and for the elderly. Even the older phones can be accepted - they are disassembled for parts. There is a bin in the fellowship hall for this collection.

Your Mission Committee (primarily Carl Tyler, III, in this case) has been working on putting together a booklet with information about the various projects and organizations which we support with the monies you have entrusted to our care and use. We hope to have it available to you soon so you can have a better understanding of just where these dollars are going and what they are doing.

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Congratulations to our intrepid candy selling team of Renee, Colleen, Carl & Laurie!! All those little chocolate bars found a home and those dollars made it into the Building Fund to help make VUMC a safer and more welcoming place from which and in which we may all pursue our mission of receiving and spreading the Word and love of God.
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Mission Garden: Planting time is drawing nearer! I'm still looking for suggestions on what to plant - beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash (type?) and eggplant are on the list so far - and a few marigolds and sunflowers; however, what else? If you could give a little time as a seeder, weeder, or picker, please let me know. Any time you can contribute is appreciated.

Holy Land Pilgrimage Opportunity
A 10 day Holy Land pilgrimage, October 29 - November 7, 2008, will be hosted by Rev. Walter Wnek of Wesley UMC in Wareham, MA. The tour will include visits to Jerusalem, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Haifa as well as many other features including the Dead Sea, Masada and a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. The trip is well priced at $2269. For a brochure, please call 508-291-8633.

Red Cross Blood Drives: For locations and an appointment to donate, call 1/800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543)

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

Sunday, May 4th - Golden Cross Sunday

Sunday, May 18th - Peace with Justice Sunday

Special note:

If you have access to the internet and you would like to see what other Methodist churches around the country look like, check out this website!!
gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=908&act=nav_loc

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The next Mission & Outreach meeting will be Thursday, May 15th. At 7PM at VUMC. These meetings are open to everyone.

Lydia Dingle

MAY SCRIPTURES

MAY WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

GREETERS

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
MAY ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the June issue by Friday May 30th. 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.