Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2009

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS
SEEING ONLY THE BAD AND NOT THE GOOD

In Luke 7:32, Jesus observed that this generation is like school children who pipe and their friends won't dance, who wail and their chums won't cry. "There is no pleasing you!" We simply find something wrong with everything.

John Wesley pointed out that every gift God gives us humans is quickly sullied by human hands. He said every revival comes with defects. So he'd pray, "Lord, send revival without the defects." But then he told the Lord, "If you won't do it, then send the revival with the defects."

Pharisees only see the smoke, never the fire. They complain about defects, never seeing the revival. Negative, critical persons, they are judgmental.

Let us all go into the new year with faith in the future! God has carried Vernon Methodists through quite a bit for quite a long time. We wait new things and new visions of what we are called to be.

I hope to see you all on Sunday, September 13 for Rally Sunday!

Roberta L. Williams

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Where Has the Summer Gone?:

It seems hardly possible that the months of June, July, and most of August have passed by since our last report! Thankfully, we have been able to stay pretty close to our financial plan, mostly due to the outstanding performance of our "100% Club" pledge members. We are still in a state of deficit in our Program & Ministry (or 'Operating') accounts and will probably remain that way for the remaining months of the year. We had hoped for a good attendance at our ham and bean supper, but that was not the case; probably due to weather and vacations. The food and fellowship were great, as usual. The Apple Festival will be our next source of 'extra' income. That currently is planned for October 3rd.

As we look to the future, we see the gap closing between bills to be paid to keep us going and the financial support to pay those bills. This has already been the case for the present year, as you can see. The probability is that there will be less discretionary money available for missions than we have become used to. The Finance Committee and church leaders will be taking a close look at this as we approach the Fall Stewardship campaign and will be working on strategies to address the issue. In the meantime, it's not too early to begin praying for God's support in this test. Fund balances at the end of July, 2009, are as follows:

Dave Howe

NEW ENGLAND ASSEMBLY OF THE LAITY

The 56th gathering of the Assembly was held at Marist House, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the weekend of July 31-August 2nd. Dave and Shirley Howe and Rev. Roberta attended from our church. The theme was "Stretch Out Your Hands" and the keynote speaker was Rev. Curtis Brown, the conference Director of Congregational Development and known to us through his work with Natural Church Development. He developed the theme around the concept of radical hospitality; reaching out in unconventional ways to demonstrate Jesus' welcoming love and care to all. (Have you ever offered to clean someone else's toilet?)

Some 55 persons were in attendance and all shared a weekend bathed in the Holy Spirit as experienced through singing, worship, healing ministries, small group discussions, fun and fellowship and the now-famous 'show and tell' summary put together by the media team.

Next year's session is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of August 6th thru 8th. The focus will be on "Passionate Spirituality", a subject that's high on our NCD priority list. Perhaps we can encourage our Health Team to attend. Scholarships are available.

Dave Howe

MISSIONS

Monthly collections:
Over the summer we collected toothpaste & toothbrushes (July) and school supplies (August). Many thanks to all who contributed items to these collections.
The Mission and Outreach Committee will be distributing these items over the next months.
VUMC also participated in Vernon Social Services Back-to-school Clothing drive. Two families now have two children going back to school in new clothing.

SEPTEMBER- Food Drive for Tri-Town Pantry:
This month we will be helping to fill the shelves at the pantry. Any nonperishable item is welcome. Always needed are rice, pastas, sauces, canned meats and meals in a can (i.e Spaghetti-o's). Think of what you would like to see on your pantry shelves. Baby foods and pet foods are also needed. This is the time to take advantage of those buy-one, get-one (or two or three) free deals.

Heifer Project:
We have progressed beyond the middle of the cow! (Not sure if we are moving back from the front or forward from the rear) We now have $318.32 toward our $500 goal. So keep those empty refundable bottles and cans coming!

Tri-Town Shelter:

The super shopping trio of Renee-Kylie-Sierra did their thing again-looking particularly for umbrellas (yup-with all the rainy weather this Spring/Summer, the Shelter needed more umbrellas) and bedside lamps. When they delivered the items to the Shelter, the girls were given an extra special tour of the facility.

Mission to Slidell:
VUMC's Three Amigos (Bob. Dave and Jim) are again planning to head South in early November to work on the continuing rebuilding in that area still recovering from hurricane damage.

This and That:

· We wish all of our young people well as they return to school this fall. Michelle Robertson will be starting her college career at the University of Rhode Island while Becca, Jes, Michael and Stephanie return to their respective colleges to continue their educational journeys. We will be sharing their addresses with you once they are settled in. We invite to you keep them in your thoughts and take the time to send an occasional card or email to them.
· Sharing, Inc. informs us that this year's Good Friday Walk resulted in a donation of $4,000 to Tri-Town Shelter.
· Peace with Justice: $24 was received for this special offering.
· Blanket Sunday: the $188 received for this offering will allow for the purchase of at least 30 blankets to be distributed by Church World Service in emergency and disaster situations both nationally and abroad.

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, September 10th, 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.

POT LUCKS
6:30 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th

Our church will host a group of walkers participating in the Inter-Faith Walk for Peace. Persons of faith are walking 1000 miles throughout New England to raise awareness for worldwide peace. The group will be spending an evening at our church and we will be providing a pot luck supper for them. All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH

Pot Luck at Rockville UMC. Come and hear Belinda Forbes, DDS. We have supported her work as a dentist in South America for many years and if you did not hear her speak the last time she visited VUMC this is a great opportunity to hear about the good work she is doing.

CWM DISTRICT RALLY
ALLELUIA SUNDAY
OCTOBER 4, 2009 3PM TO 6PM
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
98 NORTH MAPLE STREET
HADLEY, MA 01035

A time for laity and clergy from across our district to come together.
A time to celebrate "all things new" - new pastors, new lay speakers.new ministries, new UM members, and much more!
A time to elect Equalization members for 2010.
A time to elect district leadership.
A time to give thanks.
A time to be blessed by a variety of talent from around the district.
A time for worship and fellowship - nourishment for body and soul!
Each church is encouraged to bring something visual celebrating the "ALLELUIA" in their church (poster, symbol, etc - be creative!). These "signs of Alleluia" will be brought forward during the opening procession to create a worship center for our gathering time.

Offering to support District Discretionary Outreach Ministries.

Roberta L. Williams

ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE

Our Charge Conference will be on October 5. The Staff-Parish Relations will meet at 6:00 and the yearly church meeting is at 7 p.m.

All are invited to attend the Charge Conference. See me if you'd like more details.

Roberta L. Williams

BUDDIES

We are going to institute an opportunity 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, or who needs a particular skill, you can let us know. Some Buddies might offer; rides, 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. We will have more information available at church.

Roberta L. Williams

APPLE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009
10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

The annual apple festival is just five weeks away. I know that I can count on everyone to pitch in and make this year's festival another rousing success. The Apple Festival offers so many different ways for us all to help our church. We need everyone: bakers, shoppers, organizers, cooks, people to set up, work at booths, clean up and (my favorite job at the festival), EAT! Any and all help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. The sign up sheets in the narthex are just waiting for your name.

Pies: Sign up on the sheet in the fellowship hall. We are permitted to bake the pies in our homes though the church kitchen is available for those who would like to use it. Plan on bringing your pies to the church Friday October 3rd or the morning of the 4th. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet the number of pies you plan on donating. All kinds of apple pies are welcome.

Apples: Dave Howe has gotten apples and pie tins at a reduced price for anyone who wants them. There is a sign up on the table in the fellowship hall. See Dave for advice regarding the quantity to order if you are making multiple pies.

Attic Treasures: Early fall cleaning is the perfect time to find items to donate to the attic treasures booth. We will schedule times for the church to be open on Saturdays in late September so you may drop off your donations. The attic treasures booth can always use volunteers to help with pricing the items. If you are an experienced tag saler- think about spending a few hours helping to sort and price our "treasures".

Food Booth: We sell a few side dishes in addition to the hot dogs and hamburgers. We will need volunteers to make potato salads and apple crisp in the church kitchen the week before the festival. Please see me if your schedule will allow you to do this.

Shopping: There are a number of food items and paper products that need to be purchased for use at the festival. Please check the list in the narthex and indicate if you are able to provide any of the items. If you find it easier to donate a few dollars rather than shopping yourself, I will gladly accept donations toward the Shopping List.

Booths: In years past, individuals have come up with unique ideas for different booths at the festival. Let me know if you have an idea for a booth and I will do whatever I can to help with your idea.

Please see me after church, give me a call at home (872-5566) or email me at kjlwinters@gmail.com with all suggestions and questions. Thank you, in advance for all your help! Prayers for a mild, sunny day, will be appreciated.

Kathy Jo Winters

SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURES

SEPTEMBER WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE OCTOBER ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the October issue by Thursday October 1st. Anything not received by 4:00 p.m. on that date will not be included in the newsletter. Thank you for your cooperation

Roger White - editor, pro tempore

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