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Fellowship

News

Willow Grove United Methodist Church

34 York Road, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090-3422

April 2001

some thoughts……….. It is Easter, the time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time when we

celebrate death and new life; the end of one life and the beginning of another.

We talk about resurrection a lot within the church. There is always a lot of discussion about

Jesus’ dying and being raised. But one of the important questions is what do we do about our own

death and resurrection.

Allowing the old life to die and moving into a new life are always hard experiences for human

beings. My mother is having a hard time with that whole process. The old married life she knew for

67 years is gone, but no clear picture of a new life has emerged as yet.

We all go through those experiences in one form or another. I believe the hardest part is

finding the willingness to let go of the old life. Being born again is so hard because we want so much

to hang on to the familiar that we know and understand. It is normal for my mother to want to go

back to being married rather than ahead to widowhood because she understands married.

In the wilderness the Israelites wanted to go back to slavery in Egypt rather than forward into

the wilderness because they knew and understood slavery. They had been slaves for years and

knew what to expect as slaves. They didn’t know what to expect in the wilderness and were

frightened of the possibilities.

But God went ahead of them as the pillar of fire and smoke to lead them and give them

direction. And the wilderness led to a whole new, wonderful life they never dreamed possible in Egypt.

Lots of writers are suggesting that the church is in the midst of its own death and resurrection.

We know the old life where we had Sunday morning worship and Sunday School, but we don’t

understand Saturday evening worship and weekday education. We know hymn books, but we don’t

understand PowerPoint worship.

I was at a conference last week where the leader reminded us that 50 years ago mainline

churches were at the heart of communities providing programs and worship to which people

responded. We were the heart and soul of the community filled with people who felt loved and

included in our church lives. On the edge of the communities were fundamentalist, Pentecostal,

holiness churches that were bickering over who was saved and who wasn’t, preaching sin and

damnation, struggling to survive. Today, we were reminded, those roles are almost totally reversed.

We are struggling to survive, bickering over who we can or cannot marry, while those formerly ‘fringe’

churches are now at the center of the community, providing programs and worship that fill people

with love and acceptance.

It seems to me that the problem is that we want to get back to where we were and don’t know

how to get there.

I would remind you that Jesus didn’t know how to get from Palm Sunday to Easter either. He

didn’t have a plan or program that he followed to get from death to resurrection. What he did was

trust that God would take care of getting him through to resurrection if he just turned his life over to

God and trusted God to carry him. But he had to be willing to let go of the old life of teaching and

healing so he could move into a new life.

The Israelites didn’t know how to get from slavery to freedom either. What they did finally

learn was just to trust that God would get them through the wilderness. They finally learned that the

pillar of fire and smoke could be trusted to give them direction. But they had to be willing to let go of

any desire to hang on to the old days of slavery.

In our transition the same process works. I am absolutely convinced that if we are willing to

let go of the old life, God will lead us to a new one. God will give us whatever it is that we need to

find resurrection. Whether it is individually or collectively God has not forgotten our names. Just as

God will get my mother through to a new life if she is willing to let go of the old one, God will do the

same to the United Methodist Church, Willow Grove United Methodist Church, and all the other

churches that are moving into a new time and life.

Near the end of his book, The Eyes of the Heart, Frederick Buechner has a little prayer that I

think is so appropriate for people and churches who are struggling with resurrection: "Dear Lord,

bring me through darkness into light. Bring me through pain into peace. Bring me through peace into

life. Be with me where I go, and with everyone I love. In Christ’s name I ask it. Amen." My

experience is that God always answers that prayer if we just let go and allow him to do so.

Shalom,

Byron

Church Communications

The last Interim Committee meeting had a good discussion about the need for more

communications within the church. One of the great needs is for each group within the

church to provide a regular article for this newsletter. If you are a chairperson or leader

of any committee or group reading this you will soon receive a letter asking you to

develop a means of submitting an article regularly. We have got to move beyond the

pattern of assuming that everyone already knows what we do.

Note: The deadline to submit articles for May’s Fellowship News is Easter Sunday, April 15.

Byron’s Retreat Day

Because Byron will be on vacation at the end of the month, he will not be taking a retreat day in April.

Byron’s Continuing Education

On Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, Byron and others from the church will be

attending an Alban Institute Conference in Baltimore on "Redeveloping Congregations:

New Life for Older Churches." If anyone is interested in participating in this conference,

please call Byron ASAP.

Byron’s Vacation

During his vacation from April 22 through April 29, Byron will travel to Florida to visit his

son and spend some time in renewal in the sun (even though

It seems like the end of February and early March would have

been a better time to escape the cold). During his absence, our

new secretary, Maureen, will know how to reach him.

Rev. Howard Pinter will be available for Pastoral Care.

Welcome, New Secretary –

Maureen Konen The Staff - Parish

Committee received a number of resumes for the new secretary, interviewed four candidates, and chose

Maureen Konen, who was to begin work on Monday, March 26. Maureen comes to us from the Holy Redeemer

Health Care System and has had extensive secretarial and administrative experience. She lives in Hatboro and is deeply involved in her

children’s lives and has been looking for a work experience closer to her community.

Maureen will be working 30 hours each week. The exact office hours are now being

negotiated with Staff-Parish, who are considering the most effective time for the

office to open, the wisdom and feasibility of having the office open after work, and phone

coverage over the weekend. The hours will be announced in the Sunday bulletin after March

26 and in the next newsletter.

Dan’s Leave of Absence

As many of you know Dan Deitzel, our Director of Music Ministry, will be taking a

leave of absence until around Labor Day. Dan works for a large national assisted living firm.

The Vice-President of the company met with him and wanted to temporarily transfer him to

Pittsburgh immediately. Dan has negotiated his departure after Easter Sunday, but during

May, June, July, and August he will be playing here one Sunday each month. He will remain

in regular contact with the Staff-Parish liaisons. He has been told to keep his

apartment in Roslyn and expects to return to it around Labor Day.

This is an ambivalent situation without any doubt. We feel excited for Dan and his new

career opportunities, but also sad that he will be gone for awhile. We took some time on

Sunday, March 18, to say goodbye.

Lenten Bible Study and Meditation

Some of you are aware that there is a Lenten Bible Study and Meditation time being

held each Sunday at 12:15 p.m. The group meets for one hour to discuss a particular

passage each week and spends some time at the end of the hour in meditation, prayer, or

quiet reflection. The final meeting is scheduled Sunday, April 1 at 12:15 p.m.

There is no requirement that you go to all of the sessions, therefore, anyone who is

interested is welcome to come on April 1. Pizza and beverages will be available.

JAWJAG Lenten Series

The JAWJAG Lenten series will conclude on Wednesday, April 4, at Jarrettown United

Methodist Church. A Soup and Sandwich supper will be available at 6:15 with a Hymn

Sing at 7:15 and Worship Service at 7:30. The speaker on this last night will be Millie

Dienert. Everyone is urged to attend this conclusion to our joint Lenten services.

The Apostle Peter

drama will be presented

Saturday, April 21, 7:15 p.m.

Please invite your friends and

witness this moving dramatization

in our sanctuary.

A free-will offering will be taken

following the drama for this

"New Life Ministry."

Christian Camping – Give it a Try!

Recent and Upcoming Camp Experiences

The McKelveys , Mathers , and Cunninghams enjoy camps such as

Children’s Pioneer, Junior High Adventure, Senior High Adventure, and Youth, as well as

volunteering as counselors and nurses. Nicole Durchsprung, Bobby Rowland, and

Leslie Ott enjoy the Plateau. Joanna Hyde, Kirsten Graupner, and Michael Hyde have all

been life guards at Carson Simpson Farm, as well as Innabah campers/counselors during

horseback riding, outpost, and choir camps. Alicen Graupner has enjoyed the outpost and

creative arts camps. Joanna and Jenny Hyde volunteer during Challenge camping. Melissa

Shaw, Angela Crouse, Rebecca and Stephanie Lamb, Jared and Jacob Soltis,

Andrew and Matthew McIntyre have all been campers at Carson Simpson Farm. Jared

and Andrew enjoyed the Flat Tire Festival at Gretna Glen.

This year, Dot and Merle Bennett will be making memories at Innabah as they enjoy

one of the "Grandparents and Me" sessions. Paul and Jenny Hyde are co-program

directing a new camp at Innabah called "Parents and Me." This camp is for one or two

parents and any of their children aged eight and under (yes, even toddlers and infants).

An exciting new camp for ages 14-17 is the CILT camp. During this camp, teens will learn

how to be a counselor-in-leadership-training and then, during the summer, they can

volunteer for three additional weeks to work as a CILT. For each week worked, the CILT

gets $100 back from the original $300 fee for the training week. Good deal, right?

All four of the Christian camps in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference have a

wide variety of camping experiences that fit anyone’s personal interests. Specialty camps

include creative arts, computers, horseback riding, backpacking, golf, sailing, miniature

golf, soccer, baseball, science, music and drama, rock climbing, and canoeing. Camp

booklets are available on the table outside the Narthex. Volunteer to be a counselor,

volunteer to do some maintenance, volunteer to help anywhere on any of the sites, come

camping! Or donate money or items needed at each site.

During the next two years, each of the camps will be completing major construction

projects. Please take a look at the "Fueling the Fire" notebook with the camp booklets

and see what exciting things will be taking place in Christian camping. What

environment could possibly be better for our children and youth than a week at camp with

counselors and volunteers filled with the spirit and bubbling over with enthusiasm to share

the spirit. Summer Camp booklets are available now. Sign up quickly for a week of incredible

fun and spiritual growth. At Carson Simpson, Gretna Glen, Innabah, and Pocono Plateau,

you are sure to find a camp that fits your interest, whether you are 3 or 93. Check it

out!

1st through 6th graders, get a head start on camp! There are a few openings for the

May retreat at Innabah. We leave Friday evening, May 11, and return either Saturday

evening, May 12, or Sunday noon, May 13. Contact Jenny Hyde at 215-659-9067 for

more information. Thank you to the 35+ families who supported the joint Girl Scout cookie booth.

Over 115 boxes of cookies were ordered and, hopefully, delivered. (If you did not receive

your order, please contact Jenny Hyde.) The scouts greatly appreciate your willingness to

support them, even at the cost of your glucose level! If you are still hungry for

Samoas (caramel, chocolate, and coconut), Do-si-dos (peanut butter icing between

oatmeal cookies), Reduced Fat Apple Cinnamons ("special" graham crackers), and

Tagalongs (peanut butter patties), contact Jenny Hyde at 215-659-9067.

Youth News

Sunday, April 1, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Youth Fellowship Bake-Off – We get to

bake tons of cookies for a Lenten Service.

Bring board games and your best "kitchen" attitude.

Sunday, April 8, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Combined game/fellowship time,

separate "hot topics" time. Bring your

friends – they’re always invited.

Saturday, April 21, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Last Friendly Group dinner clean-up for

the school year. Help needed – Thanks!

Sunday, April 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Pizza Party with a Bible study – Need I

say more? We’ll move into the 2nd chapter of

John’s Gospel while stuffing our faces. Ideas

for toppings? - call Janis!

Saturday, April 28

Contemporary Christian Concert

featuring Geoff Moore and The Apologetics.

Duffy Robbins, from Eastern College, will

speak briefly. All this happens at Lansdale

United Methodist – meet at our church at 6:15

to return around 10 p.m. Reserve your ticket

by calling Janis today! Tickets cost $26.00,

and they’re worth it. Adults who sign up are

welcome as well.

Blood Drive

St. David's Church will be hosting a blood

drive on Monday, May 7, from 2:00 p.m. until

7:30 p.m. Call Pauline Bergan (215-657-

0165) for an appointment or just drop in on

the day of the drive. Let's continue to support

our community in this way.

Fellowship Time

Let's welcome the new look of fellowship

time. Several groups in the church have

expressed concern that this time has become

too elaborate and too much work for the

planners. However, the tradition and time for

fellowship is valued by all. The presentation

will now be more informal with less food and

more fellowship. Let's join together in putting

the fellowship back in fellowship time!

United Methodist Men

Saturday, April 7, 7:30 a.m.

Our Bishop, Peter Weaver, will speak

following the 8:00 a.m. full breakfast at

Jarrettown United Methodist Church. To make

a reservation, contact Bill Woehr (215-343-

0907) by April 1. How wonderful it would be if

we could have 20 ore more men from Willow

Grove UMC hear Bishop Weaver.

Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.

"Where Jesus Walked" - Come and take

this journey to the Holy Land in Jerusalem,

Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, and Nazareth.

Wednesday, April 18

Spring Take-Out Dinner – "Old-Fashioned"

Chicken Dinner (includes dessert and salad)

Tickets are available from any of the

Methodist Men – $6.50 covers a complete

meal except for beverage. Take-out dinners

will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets must

be purchased by April 15.

Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.

"Steps Into the Holy Land" - This visual

pilgrimage through the Holy Land celebrates

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Passion Play

Presented by The Hilltoppers of

Hopewell United Methodist Church

Friday June 15 June 22 June 29

Saturday June 16 June 23 June 30

Sunday June 17 June 24 July 1

Tickets are FREE but they are required for

one of the specific dates above. For individ-ual

or group tickets, write to:

Passion Play

Box 224

Downingtown, PA 19335

Contact Bill Woehr for further details.

Girl Scouts are:

Awesome! (And a Blessing!)

Excerpts from Girl Scout Sunday, March 11, 2001

Victoria Travis: I like Girl Scouts because we donate cookies to the Norristown State Hospital. I

enjoy Girl Scouts because I meet new people. My favorite thing in Girl Scouts is that we sing

Christmas carols.

Laura Travis: I like Daisies because we make crafts. I enjoy making new friends. I enjoy earning

badges.

Rachel Carter: This is my third year of Girl Scouts. I enjoy everything we do. I like going camping

the most.

Melissa Shaw: I like camping, crafts, and the friendship circle.

Rebecca Lamb: What I like about Girl Scouts – arts and crafts, going on trips to the New Jersey

State Aquarium and Thinking Day, I like to hold the flag, I liked our Daisy Investiture ceremony when

we popped up with our Daisy masks on, I like singing Girl Scout songs.

Stephanie Lamb: What I like about Girl Scouts – arts and crafts, being a color guard in the flag

ceremony, I like going places, I like coloring in our Daisy activity book, I liked getting a real daisy at

our Investiture ceremony, I like playing Girl Scout games.

Samantha Pronzato: My favorite parts about Girl Scouts are camping, badges, and selling cookies.

When we sell cookies it helps pay for camping and trips. I like camping because there are always

fun things to do and see, like crafts, walking trails, and lakes. I like the nature and outdoors. I have

lots of friends in our Brownie troop, and it’s fun to learn new things with them. I also like how every

year we earn more and more badges. It’s like a collection.

Joanna Hyde: I am an adult graduate Girl Scout. What I really liked about Girl Scouts is all the new

people that we got to meet and the fun trips that we always went on. I know our troop did a lot of

service projects in combination with trips that we did and that was always fun to do.

Holly Gustafson: I like everything.

Mary Gustafson: I’ll be graduating this year so I won’t be in Girl Scouts anymore. I have my own

Daisy troop and I like working with them. They’re real young like these girls and I like all the stuff

and helping them have fun.

Alicen Graupner: Our troop does so many cool things. We go indoor rock climbing, we learn how

to do ballet and jazz dance, we go on trips to New York and New England, and we have lots of fun.

Jenny Hyde: And I ditto all of that. As a leader, and I have been an official leader since Joanna

was in fourth grade, as well as doing the Daisy troop with her, I think just sharing in the lives of all

these young girls and watching them mature and decide who they really are in life is such a

blessing. We do a lot of interacting with other troops so we get to know some of the younger girls

and, hopefully, help them to understand how much fun Girl Scouts is even when you become a

senior high student. It’s hard for them to schedule all of this into their busy lives but I really respect

the girls who stick to it. And I’m really proud of the troop I work with because all seven of them have

gotten their Gold Award and that’s tremendous for them. And I thank you all for some wonderful

years.

Friendly Group Join us for an excellent program on

April 21, at 7:15 p.m. when Nick Seyfried of

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will present, "The

Apostle Peter." This drama will unfold in the

Sanctuary following the 6:00 p.m. dinner. Our

church family and friends are invited to at-tend.

A free-will offering will be taken following

the drama.

Please contact Bill Woehr or Fred

Vandegrift (chef) for dinner reservations. Cost

of the dinner is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for

children and youth. Note that this dinner will

begin at 6:00 p.m.

Retreat for Seniors and Adults

Ladore Conference Center, Waymart, PA

The Friendly Group extends an invitation

to all adults to spend one week – May 21-25 –

at this beautiful Salvation Army Retreat

Conference Center. Cost for one week is

$190. If you are interested in spending a

week with friends and members of our Church

family, please contact Bill Woehr (215-343-

0907).

Dear Church Family,

Thank you so much for the many "get well"

cards, flowers, and phone calls and also for

the many visits of Rev. Pinter. Each day I get

stronger and hope to see you all real soon.

Please keep me in your prayers.

In Christian Love,

Ginny Binns

Dear Friends,

This is a sad time for me and my family

but you have been so very supportive with

your lovely cards. Just to know that you care

means so much at this time. What would we

do without faith in Christ? It is our hope and

gives us the courage to continue life’s

journey.

In His Love,

Ann Boyer

A donation of $100 to the United

Methodist Men was made by Mildred Fritsch

and friends in memory of her husband,

Herman Fritsch. Herman was an active

member of the UMM and a member of the

Men’s Bible Class. The donation in his

memory was directed to missions giving by

the United Methodist Men.

"Old Fashioned"

Chicken Take-Out Dinner

April 18

4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Chicken

Vegetables

Roll and Butter

Salad

Dessert

Tickets are only $6.50 per person and can

be purchased before April 15.