Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

OCTOBER 2009

PASTOR'S LETTER:
CHARGE CONFERENCE

'Twas the night before Charge Conference, when all through the church
Not a preacher was stirring, none doing research.
Apple Festival went well, thanks to great prayer,
Now we hope that St. Chamberland soon will be here.
The members were nestled all snug with cheese spreads,
Visions of Pot Roast Dinners danced in their heads.
Liturgists in their sweaters, the ushers in earflaps,
Had just sat down for this year's recap.
When out in the lot there arouse such a clatter,
I shut down my computer to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Yanked up the blinds and threw out the sash.
The moon on the crest of our traveling show
Illuminated like Vegas the Prayer Bears below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The joyful, well mannered our D.S. full of cheer,
With a bold driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment our Bishop's handpick!
More rapid than eagles her laity they came,
And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Usher! Soup Kitchen! Madonna, and Vixen!
On Men's Group, on Sunday School, Missions and Blitzen!
To the top of the church! to the top of the hall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
Yearly ministry we'll count blessed by new small fry,
Then we whisper sweet names of our loved ones "good-bye".
So up eighty-four the car almost flew,
With messages of hope, St. Chamberland, too.
Then it was time to give the burden of proof.
Was Vernon Church friendly? or are we aloof?
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the isle we walked with Heidi on holy ground.
She was dressed in bright colors, from her head to her foot,
And she declared to all listening Vernon's taken good root;
A video of The Bishop, she had flung on her back,
A modern day Methodist just opening her pack.
Her eyes -- how they twinkled! her dimples how merry!
Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry!
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
Uplifting our spirits; then turned with a jerk,
And laying her finger aside of her nose,
And giving a sign, all praying hands rose.
She sprang to her car, to her team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight,
"Charge Conference is over! let Ministries Ignight!"

Rev. Roberta L. Williams

CHARGE CONFERENCE
Monday 10/5 at 7:00pm

BUDDIES

We have started using a "Buddies" approach to helping each other, giving opportunities to "Be a Buddy, or "Have a Buddy". If you have time and are interested in being a buddy to someone who has unmet needs particular skill, you can let us know by contacting Bob Mattern or Roberta Williams. Some Buddies might offer rides, take you shopping, early morning needs, trips to Dr.'s or tutoring, cooking, or other "hidden talents."

You might need a buddy to help you for a one time project, or an ongoing need. Let any member of the Church Leadership Team (Roberta Williams, Bob Mattern, Carl Tyler III, Colleen Morgan, Dave Howe, Jim Haag, Kathy Jo Winters, Lydia Dingle, Roger White) know and we will help you.

Bob Mattern

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Looking Forward With Hope:

This is the time of year when we begin looking forward to the year 2010 and the financial planning for the expected needs of that year. We will be conducting our annual Stewardship campaign in the month of October and the theme will be "WE CAN DO IT".
As we have noted earlier, our challenge will be to address the closing gap between bills to be paid and the financial support required to pay those bills. The reason for this is that, in the past two years, we have added nearly $10,000 per year to our Pastoral Support package and are now obligated for an additional $7,300 per year in loan payments for the sanctuary roof repairs. The Finance Committee and church leaders have met to take a close look at this challenge as we approach the Fall Stewardship campaign and will be working on strategies to address the issue as the campaign progresses. We recognize that many in our church family are already extending themselves sacrificially of their time, talent, and finances and we're reluctant to keep pressing them to give more, especially in these times of economic uncertainty. Consequently, we have set a combined Program & Ministry, Mission & Outreach, and "Second Mile" pledge goal of $62,000 for the year 2010. This is comparable to what we had for 2009 and we think that it has a good probability of being met or exceeded. Our focus will continue to be helping persons to improve their relationship with God through the pledging process rather than focusing on budget needs. Obviously, this focus may be a challenge for all of us as we look to 2010. In the meantime, let's remind ourselves that We Can Do It (with God's help, of course). And let's move forward with hope and prayer!

Fund balances at the end of August, 2009, are as follows:

Dave Howe

MISSIONS

Monthly collections
Our September food drive for the Tri-Town Pantry resulted in an overflowing bin of items. Thank you to all who donated!

OCTOBER - UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
The UN General Assembly created UNICEF on December 11, 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Headquartered in New York City, UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.
Since 1950 when a group of children in Philadelphia donated $17 they received on Halloween to help post-World War II victims, the Trick-or-Treat UNICEF box has become a tradition in North America. To date, these boxes have collected approximately $91 million in Canada and over $132 million in the USA.
We have decided to designate the entire month of October as Trick-or Treat for UNICEF.
There are some large orange pumpkins in the Fellowship Hall. - These are our "little orange boxes" and they will gladly accept all those loose pennies and other change that are cluttering up your dresser tops, your counters, your pockets, and your handbags.

School Supplies
The school supplies which you donated in August were given to Skinner Road School. The teachers and students were delighted to receive these items and sent a VERY large thank you poster to VUMC. It is posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall and contains signatures and notes from the students and teachers.

Back to School clothing
The school supplies which you donated in August were given to Skinner Road School. The teachers and students were delighted to receive these items and sent a VERY large thank you poster to VUMC. It is posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall and contains signatures and notes from the students and teachers.

Back to School clothing

The two families whose children were provided with clothing this fall have sent thank you cards from their children and themselves expressing their appreciation for your generosity.
The two families whose children were provided with clothing this fall have sent thank you cards from their children and themselves expressing their appreciation for your generosity.
Vernon Social Services reports that they were able to outfit 73 children with new clothing this year.

This and That:
· God's Creation calendars are available for those who signed up for them (and for those who did not) The cost is $6.00 per calendar.
· VUMC served at Cornerstone Soup Kitchen on Wednesday, September 30th. We provided a large fresh salad and Italian bread as additions to the meal served.
· We wish all of our young people well as they continue their educational journeys.

Michelle Robertson is beginning her college career at the University of Rhode Island while Becca, Jes, Michael and Stephanie have returned to their respective colleges. We invite to you keep them in your thoughts and take the time to send an occasional card or email to them. (Michelle is having a bit of a hard time with her first time away from home, so a few cards might help that transition for her!)

Michelle Robertson
Union Express
50 Lower College Rd - Unit 2836
Kingston, RI 02881

Becca Mattern
167 Highland St - Apt#3
Worcester, MA 01609

Michael Capppiello
1 Vernwood Dr
Vernon, CT 06066

Jessica Ebrahimzadeh
(need to confirm address)

Stephanie Curtis
(need to confirm address

Red Cross Blood Drives:
For an appointment to donate, call 1/800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543)
More than 600 blood donations are needed EVERY DAY in Connecticut!

The next meeting of the Mission & Outreach Committee will be Thursday, October 15th, at 7pm at VUMC. These meetings are open to all. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or any of the committee members.

Lydia Dingle

TOGETHER FOR TOMORROW UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 2009

Disbursements to Local Churches near $3.1 Million!!

Block II (Tri-State, Central MA, and Metro Boston Hope Districts) churches which participated in the Together for Tomorrow campaign were recently mailed checks totaling $121,917.93. This represents the "Local Church Share" of Block II pledge payments received between March 1, 2009 and August 31, 2009.

With this mailing based on pledge receipts through August 31, 2009, we have disbursed a total of $3,079,640 in Local Church Shares to participating Local Churches since the inception of the campaign!!

As of August 31, 2009:

Net Pledges made to the Together for Tomorrow Campaign - $15,007,882

Total Pledge Payments received - $ 8,532,244

We give thanks to God for all who faithfully pledged to the Together for Tomorrow Campaign, and all who are keeping the ongoing success of the campaign in their prayers.

Grace and Peace,
Marion C. Grant
Together for Tomorrow Campaign Office

OCTOBER SCRIPTURES

OCTOBER WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
NOVEMBER ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the November issue by Thursday October 29th at 4:00 p.m. Articles not received by that date and time 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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