May Newsletter

E-MESSENGER UNION  UNITED  METHODIST  CHURCH    

200  BROOKLINE  BLVD.    HAVERTOWN,    PA      19083  610-­‐789-­‐1700                        Fax  –  610-­‐789-­‐0136      www.unionhavertown.org  

MAY  2013

Mother’s Day Offering for Imagine No Malaria

As we honor and remember our mothers on the very American holiday we call Mother’s Day, we can help a mother in Africa save her children from malaria by contributing to Imagine No Malaria. Just a few years ago, the statistics showed that a child died every 30 seconds from malaria. That statistic has been cut in half, so that now malaria claims a life every 60 seconds. But malaria is a preventable and treatable disease. We need to work to reduce the death rate to zero as we show God’s love to all God’s children. Imagine No Malaria is the United Methodist effort to end deaths from malaria through prevention, education, communication, and treatment. Here’s what’s happening. Prevention: Imagine No Malaria is responsible for the distribution of 1.2 million insecticide-treated bed nets in Africa. Education: Imagine No Malaria has trained 5400 community health workers to personally deliver mosquito nets and measure their usage rate. In Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the use of nets now exceeds 80%. Communication: Imagine No Malaria is communicating how to use and care for bed nets and when to seek treatment for malaria. The United Methodist radio station in Cote d’Ivoire broadcasts messages about malaria to thousands of listeners every day. Treatment: The United Methodist Church operates more than 300 hospitals, clinics, and health posts throughout Africa. Imagine No Malaria provides these facilities with rapid diagnostic tests and malaria medications. On Mother’s Day, May 12, we will receive a special offering for Imagine No Malaria. You can recognize the important role your mother played in your life, by helping another mother protect her children from malaria.

MAY WORSHIP Saturday, May 4: 5:00 p.m. - Evening Praise Sunday, May 5: Sixth Sunday of Easter 9:45 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Holy Communion Acts 16:9-15 Saturday, May 11: 5:00 p.m. - Evening Praise Sunday, May 12: Third Sunday of Easter/ Mother’s Day 9:00 a.m. – Family Breakfast 9:45 a.m. – Sunday School for all children 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Acts 16:16-34

Saturday, May 18: 5:00 p.m. - Evening Praise

Sunday, May 19: Pentecost 9:45 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Acts 2:1-21 12:00 p.m. – After Church Fellowship Saturday, May 25: 5:00 p.m. - Evening Praise

Sunday, May 26: Memorial Sunday Combined Outdoor Worship / Trinity Sunday 10:00 a.m. – Outdoor Worship Service

JOIN US THIS MONTH FOR THE NEW SERMON SERIES: “CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM 2013”

FROM THE PASTOR:

Here we are in the month of May and enjoying the blessings of spring! Let’s allow the springtime to be reflected in our faithfulness and in living our faith in a way that impacts our world for Christ this month. I will begin a new sermon series called “Citizens of the Kingdom 2013” this month. I was inspired by our Youth Group meetings on Wednesday evenings for this sermon series. Our Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator, Timothy Wotring, was helping our young people to understand what the Kingdom of God is like and how we live as citizens of that Kingdom. I believe that this is important for all of us. I will begin by using the lectionary lessons from the Acts of the Apostles and I invite you to join us Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings for a vital worship time which prepares us for a week of serving God in our everyday. This past Sunday I shared a song in my sermon that is entitled “Clear the Stage.” This song by Ross King reminds us of an abiding truth: in order to truly worship God and honor God we need to do our own personal ‘stage clearing” and place front and center what is most important in our lives, an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s be dedicated to doing just that, friends. It takes dedicated lives that are focusing on the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to live fully the life He’s given us. I close with some words from the song I mentioned above:

Take a break from all the plans that you made And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper. Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak And pray for real upon your knees until they blister. Shine the light on every corner of your life Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open. Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

I simply invite you to take a break, put everything else aside, talk to God, and listen…….. You are in my prayers as you journey on, Pastor Mary Jane

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MEMORIAL SUNDAY COMBINED WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY PICNIC: May 26! We will again serve as hosts for the Combined Worship of St. Faith, Temple Lutheran, and Union on Memorial Sunday, May 26, in an outdoor service. . Please note that the time of worship is changed for this Sunday only. It will be held at 10:00 a.m. with no Sunday School that day. Please plan to stay after worship for a combined Picnic at our church with our brothers and sisters in Christ on Brookline Blvd! Please bring a dish to share. Look for the sign-up sheet in the church lobby.

DUNWOODY WORSHIP: Pastor Mary Jane will be leading worship at Dunwoody Village on Sunday, May 12. You are welcome to join her there for this time of worship. Please let her know if you will be attending. Soloists and lay readers from Union are always welcome to join in the worship leadership!

YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY NEWS APRIL 2013 In postmodern philosophy, the term “event” is used often. Philosopher Jacques Derrida understood event as a transformation in one’s life that happened by accident. The event is never named beforehand, but sometimes afterward. Clearly, this happened during the Transfiguration when Peter asked to make shrines of Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. Peter did not go up to the mountain expecting this but was transformed and wanted to commemorate this event. In our youth groups, we pre-name events with the intention that they will be transformative for all who attend. Our youth events attempt to change the way we interact with the world and others and present to all a wholesome understanding of love and grace found in Jesus. Our Middle School Youth Group meets every Wednesday night at 7:30pm. In April, we have been playing games outside, emptying out our energies. We then come inside and have activities, snacks, and discussion. For May, we are going to continue this routine and start with a new lesson: the Fruits of the Spirit. We left April learning about the first and most important fruit, love. In addition, we are going to have a lock-in the night of May 10 starting at 7pm. Then the next day, we are going into Philadelphia to learn about the history of the United Methodist Church at Old St. George’s located in Old City.

Our UH3 group will continue meeting in May. At one of our meetings in April, we were able to make gift bags for the IHN guests’ children. We learned how important it is to care for others. For May, we are going to continue to make gifts for others. We will meet May 11th and 25th at 1:30pm. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining us, you can tell them to contact me at [email protected] or call me at 301-876-7606 Peace,

Timothy May Activities

1: Youth Group 15: Youth Group 8: Youth Group 19: Gretna Glen

10: Lock-In 22: Youth Group 11: Old St. George’s 25: UH3 11: UH3 29: Youth Group

Union United Methodist Church is pleased to announce a

BBQ Ribs & Chicken Fundraiser

Menu

1/2 Rack Rib Meal $12.00 1/2 Chicken Meal $ 7.00

Meals include: one side dish, drink, roll with butter

Pre-ordered meals will be ready for pick up at the church at 200 Brookline Blvd., Havertown PA on Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

**after 3:00 pm meals not picked up are subject to being sold

Thank you for your support!

***For information contact 610-789-1700.

(cut here) Pre-order form

Name: _______________________________ Phone #:_________________________ Pick up time: ______________________ Number of chicken meals: _______________ X $ 7.00 = _____________ Number of rib meals:____________________ X $12.00 = _____________

(cash is preferred) Total enclosed: _______________

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Grace Brogan Matthew Shaw Sue Owen Janet Tyler Betty Parsons Yuki Ishida Anita Radke Edythe Flanagan Don Consul Caroline Schaible Matthew LaDue Herman Kirby George Keller Mary Hankins Doris DuVal Joy Bennett Jim Brodie Daniel LaDue Stephanie Brunelli Lois Flounders Owen Kirby

                   MEETINGS Thursday, May 2 _ (7:00 p.m.) Stewardship Task Force Meeting Tuesday, May 7 _ (7:00 p.m.) Worship Committee Meeting Monday, May 13 _ (7:00 p.m.) VBS Planning Meeting Tuesday, May 14 _ (7:00 p.m.) Board of Trustees Monday, May 20 (7:00 p.m.) Leadership Team Meeting

COMMUNITY DINE

AROUND 2012-2013

Cost: $7.00. Please make your reservation by calling Pastor Mary Jane by the Wednesday prior to the luncheon.

Second Mondays, 12:00 Noon Luncheon dates: May 13 - Temple Lutheran Church June 10 - St. James UCC

MESSENGER SPONSOR We thank George Keller for

sponsoring the May Messenger in honor of Florence and all other mothers.

Please consider being a sponsor for

the Messenger. Sponsors cover the expenses related to printing and mailing the Messenger ($100), so that we can share church news with visitors, friends and neighbors, as well as church members. If you would like to sponsor a future edition, contact Barbara Drake or the church office.

BLESSINGS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following people with May birthdays: Tony Kowalski 05/03 Caroline Schiable 05/05 Dot Bonghi 05/10 Michael Kowalski 05/16 Janet Tyler 05/26 Wyatt Martin 05/27 Daniel LaDue 05/27 If we have missed your birthday, we apologize. Please call the church office to add your birthday to the list.

UNITED METHODIST

WOMEN May 11 – Flea Market, 8-2. Helpers are needed to set up on Friday afternoon and evening. Donations of vegetable soup, baked goods, and desserts are needed. Helpers are needed to staff the bake table, gift shop, and lunch room. Everyone is invited to clean out their closets to provide items for sale in the gift shop. If you have a lot of

stuff to get rid of, you might want to take a vendor’s table by contacting Bev Schmitt. All money raised supports our UMW Mission work, so plan to come out and support the event by shopping and buying your lunch. May 14 – Buffet lunch, provided by all our members bringing something to share. A great program will be presented by Rev. David Ryan, who is in charge of our Conference’s Congo Partnership. He will be showing pictures of his trip to the Congo and telling stories of the people and mission work that United Methodists of Eastern PA are helping to carry out. June 6 – Save the date for our Strawberry Festival with supper from 5 pm to 8 pm.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Vacation Bible School Sponsored by: St. Faith Episcopal, Temple Lutheran Church and Union United Methodist

JULY 8-12, 2013, Mon.

through Fri. 9 to noon each day.

Held at Union, UMC Ages 4 through 10

Call 610-789-1700 to pre-register.

UNITED METHODIST MEN Men! clean up help is needed Saturday May 11th after the Flea Market at 2:00 pm., to put away tables, chairs, vacuum Fellowship Hall and help clean in Kitchen. Also if you would like to help with the family breakfast on Sunday, May 12th, we could use your help with set up and clean up. Thank you, Jim Drew

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

All are invited to join in an ongoing study of Books of the Bible, from 10-11:30 in the church lounge. Our current study is of the Minor Prophets.

DIRECTORY CHANGE: Please make the following changes to your directory: Dick and Nancy Wright 1566 Vassar Court West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: 484-266-0686

STAFF

PASTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . .MARY JANE KIRBY MINISTER OF MUSIC . . . . .YUKIKO ISHIDA ORGANIST . . . . . . . . . . .JOSE MELENDEZ YOUTH & FAM. MINISTRIES. . . . . TIMOTHY WOTRING TREASURER. . . . .. . . . . . . . TOM McALPIN CHURCH SECRETARY . . .CYNTHIA L. KLINE MESSENGER EDITOR . . . .BARBARA DRAKE

OUR ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST Breakfast prepared

and served by The Union United Methodist Men

Sunday, May 12 9:00 AM

BULLETIN SPONSORS

NEEDED! The cost is $10. per week. You may choose to sponsor the bulletins in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone, or in thanksgiving for a blessing; whatever you choose! You will be sent the bulletin in the mail with a note for payment. Please sign up on the pages in the narthex. There are plenty of Sundays available.

FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR After many years, the cost of our altar flowers has risen from $30. to $40. per Sunday. We have needed to change florists and are now getting flowers from Nally’s in Upper Darby. Thank you for sponsoring flowers in honor or in memory of your loved ones or for special occasions. The price change is effective immediately. Please speak to the pastor if you would like to sponsor flowers and need some assistance with the increased cost. We extend our thanks to the member of our church who has offered to cover extra expenses above those listed to provide larger bouquets for our worship. Thank you!

PENTECOST

A shadowy room upstairs In off-street concealment,

Saddened and afraid, Reluctant Apostles

Gather into careworn crowd.

And a great wind blows (The Grand Ruah). It swirls from nation

Into hamlet Into hideaway,

Filling each believer's breath With vitality.

All that is Language pours out--

Dogmatic dialects Insipid idioms

Juvenile Jargon-- Notwithstanding.

What word

(palabra, slovo, wort, cnoBo, kata, mot) Would I choose

Were I caught in the ecstasy of Light-- One of Fear or One of Hope?

One says: "Prepare us for Persecution" The Other" "Ready All for Rule of Love"

Rather than admit "What God Hath

Wrought" again, I'll take the kindest gift

Where lingual cacophony Transforms into hallowed harmony.

Good God, help me to sing along!

--Bunnie Bryant

MISSION AND OUTREACH Mission Covered Dish Supper on April 21 focused on ways we are in mission. Barbara Drake shared her experiences attending the Bishop’s lunch for missionaries on April 3 and the Conference Mission Celebration on April 6. She got to speak with Becky Parsons, the missionary with whom we have a covenant relationship, as we provide $300 each year for missionary support. Becky is a church and community worker in Roanoke, Virginia. She reported that over 100 children from low-income families are being served by the United Methodist Community Outreach Program of Roanoke. They are transported 3 evenings per week during the school year to receive dinner, tutoring, a Bible lesson, and physical education programs. On Friday evenings they are sent home with a backpack containing 6 meals for the week-end. Other programs during the year include camp scholarships, Vacation Bible School, Christmas Angels, school supplies, and a clothing closet. You can learn more about this mission project by visiting their web site A fascinating aspect of the Mission Celebration was a computer skype visit with Deborah Strausbaugh, a young adult who just started her Mission Intern experience in Mobile, Alabama, after 1 ½ years in Afghanistan. She told of living in a house in Kabul with 6 single ladies in a walled compound with a guard. She used her financial education to help a non-profit organization which is aiding the Afghan people. She shared interactions with the Afghan women of the neighborhood who came to the house for Thanksgiving dinner and asked questions about her faith in God. A second skype visit was with missionaries Gary and Cindy Moon in Thailand. It was 9:30 pm for them, and we shared a short worship service together. They have taken in 8 girls aged 8-16 who are HIV positive orphans, and they are raising them as their own children. This is providing a Christian

witness in a non-Christian nation that has the highest HIV rate in Asia, due largely to sex trafficking. Interfaith Hospitality Network Thanks to all who helped to host our IHN guests during the week of April 21. Mission u to be held July 19-21 at Lancaster Bible College. Formerly called School of Christian Mission, Mission u is an opportunity to learn about one of three mission studies: Poverty, The Roma of Europe, or Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly. There are classes for youth and children over age 6. Pastor Mary Jane will again lead the children’s class. This is a wonderful experience for the whole family. Scholarships are available to help with the cost. Talk to Barbara Drake if you are interested.

RECOGNIZING OUR

YOUTH: Cassandra Flanagan is in her 12th year at Upper Darby High School and an active member of her school’s Chorus. Congratulations, Cassie, for all of your high school achievements! She is a member of the Girl Scout troop that meets here at our church and we are so thankful that Cassie is also a vital member of our own Youth Group. We are blessed by Cassie’s smile and her words of greeting or encouragement. An enthusiasm for life and her positive spirit shows through in Cassie’s ongoing interest in many charitable activities such as her support for the IHN program and animal concerns and shelter. Cassie and her Dad, Bob, have been involved in a Tour du Shore bicycle ride that has included many miles of biking to the shore on behalf of children in need. Another thing that Cassie enjoys is camping at Gretna Glen and participation in that ministry. Blessings to Cassie now and in the years ahead!