TIDINGS OF WELLER “Affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we care for others and tell people about Him.” Affirm ~ Care ~ Tell May 2015 101 N. Altamont Avenue, Thurmont, MD 21788 Office: 301-271-2802 On the Web: www.wellerumc.com “Of Nepal, Baltimore and Hope” Just when we think it’s safe to get on with our lives, something happens. This week it turned out to be two somethings. Last Saturday, the country of Nepal was hit by a severe earthquake that toppled build- ings in that ancient land. As of this writing, over 4,600 people are dead, many more are injured and up to one million children need help urgently, according to CNN. Humani- tarian assistance is on the way but the dev- astation is such that it will take years to re- build homes and businesses. Then on Monday, rioters took to the streets of Baltimore following the funeral for Fred- die Gray, the 25 year old man who died af- ter sustaining injuries while in police custo- dy. Despite calls for peaceful protests by the family and local clergy, hundreds of peo- ple used the event as an excuse to loot and burn in several low-income neighborhoods of the city. Police and National Guard are re- sponding but as is the case in Nepal, the damage done by one night of violence will take a long time to repair. Whether we are far away from earth shattering events, such as the Nepal earthquake, or closer to home, as is the case with Baltimore, we are still connected to these events by our common human condition. As people of faith, we unite in prayer for Nepal and for Baltimore, praying that God’s peace and God’s justice may flow into both situa- tions. International aid agencies, including the United Methodist Committee on Relief, are already sending much needed help to the people of Nepal. In Baltimore, local clergy and lay people— including many United Methodists—are on the front line of the response to the vio- lence, urging restraint and working to redi- rect anger into more constructive respons- es. Following the violence in Baltimore, a number of clergy have cited these words from the prophet Jeremiah, where God directed the people of Israel to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). As events unfold over the coming weeks, let us re- member to pray for the welfare of the people in Nepal and in Baltimore. Let us offer prayers for peace and for justice; for reconciliation and under- standing; for community building and re-building; and for the restoration of conditions that lead to the kind of abundant life God desires for all human beings. This is the hope we live by; that even in the midst of disaster and destruction, the Spirit of God’s redemptive love is at work in the world. Peace, Pastor Bob
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TIDINGS OF WELLER “Affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we
care for others and tell people about Him.”
Affirm ~ Care ~ Tell
May 2015
101 N. Altamont Avenue, Thurmont, MD 21788 Office: 301-271-2802 On the Web: www.wellerumc.com
“Of Nepal, Baltimore and Hope”
Just when we think it’s safe to get on with our
lives, something happens. This week it turned out
to be two somethings.
Last Saturday, the country of Nepal was hit
by a severe earthquake that toppled build-
ings in that ancient land. As of this writing,
over 4,600 people are dead, many more are
injured and up to one million children need
help urgently, according to CNN. Humani-
tarian assistance is on the way but the dev-
astation is such that it will take years to re-
build homes and businesses.
Then on Monday, rioters took to the streets
of Baltimore following the funeral for Fred-
die Gray, the 25 year old man who died af-
ter sustaining injuries while in police custo-
dy. Despite calls for peaceful protests by
the family and local clergy, hundreds of peo-
ple used the event as an excuse to loot and
burn in several low-income neighborhoods of
the city. Police and National Guard are re-
sponding but as is the case in Nepal, the
damage done by one night of violence will
take a long time to repair.
Whether we are far away from earth shattering
events, such as the Nepal earthquake, or closer to
home, as is the case with Baltimore, we are still
connected to these events by our common human
condition. As people of faith, we unite in prayer
for Nepal and for Baltimore, praying that God’s
peace and God’s justice may flow into both situa-
tions.
International aid agencies, including the
United Methodist Committee on Relief, are
already sending much needed help to the
people of Nepal.
In Baltimore, local clergy and lay people—
including many United Methodists—are on
the front line of the response to the vio-
lence, urging restraint and working to redi-
rect anger into more constructive respons-
es.
Following the violence in Baltimore, a number of
clergy have cited these words from the prophet
Jeremiah, where God directed the people of Israel
to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent
you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf;
for in its welfare you will have welfare” (Jeremiah
29:7).
As events unfold over the coming weeks, let us re-
member to pray for the welfare of the people in
Nepal and in Baltimore. Let us offer prayers for
peace and for justice; for reconciliation and under-
standing; for community building and re-building;
and for the restoration of conditions that lead to
the kind of abundant life God desires for all human
beings. This is the hope we live by; that even in
the midst of disaster and destruction, the Spirit
of God’s redemptive love is at work in the world.
Peace,
Pastor Bob
WELLER NEWS
Imagine No Malaria
In the Spring of 2014 we accepted a challenge along with many other churches in our district
and around the world to raise money to fight malaria in Africa. Our goal was to raise $3,000
by the end of this year. Through the generous giving of the people of Weller we now have
$2,767.28. With only $232.72 left to raise, the end is in sight! Hopefully, these efforts will
make a big difference and reduce greatly or eliminate deaths from this disease in Africa.
Although all birthdays are special for us, one of our Senior members is
having a special birthday in May. Florence Stitely will be turning 92
on May 21st. Please consider sending her a card as she is in the
Weller 90+ club! Cards may be mailed directly to her.
You may call the church office for her address.
SERMON SERIES LOOKS AT UNITED METHODIST ORIGINS AND FAITH
FOR TODAY
So we’re Methodists, what does that mean?
Maybe you were an EUB (Evangelical United Brethren), what’s that
all about?
So we’re United Methodists, does that matter in today’s world?
This month we begin a new sermon series that examines the begin-
nings of the United Methodist Church and what that means for us
today. The series focuses on the beginnings of the Methodist
movement in England and the start of the EUB church in America.
Not just a history lesson, this series addresses important questions
about God’s mercy, grace, assurance of God’s love and our response
to that love in faith. The series is presented in three parts:
10 May Our Wesleyan Heritage: Holiness of Heart and Life
17 May Our EUB Heritage: “We Are Brothers”
24 May Our United Methodist Heritage: Living by the Spirit
Rev. John Wesley, principal founder
of Methodism
SPORTS
Come and bring your friends for an evening of fun at the ball park! It’s
Fireworks and Faith Night on June 28th at the Frederick Keys Harry
Grove Stadium. The Keys will play the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Re-
served seat tickets will be $9 for adults and $6 for ages 3-12 and sen-
iors age 60 and above. Special activities for the event are listed be-
low:
3:30 – 5:00 Music with the Waterboyz for Jesus .
6:00 Game against the Wilmington Blue Rocks begins.
After the game – Fireworks
Contact Pat or Henry Alexander at 301-271-7164 for more information or to
buy tickets. Ticket money will be due by June 14th.
LET’S TALK SPORTS By Robbie Shaffer
Weller lost its first playoff game on 13 April to Mt. View, 78-54, at First Bap-
tist Church of Frederick. It was a close game at halftime, 34-29, but Mt. View
quickly ran away with it in the second half.
Weller’s season ended on 20 April with a loss to Grace U.M. of Frederick with a score of 72-64.
We remained close but came up with a loss.
Weller is looking forward to its next season. Thanks to all those who played and came to watch
the games.
See Bob Shaffer, Henry Alexander, Terry Fogle or me for the schedule of games.
Photography Notice
Please note that photographs taken during church activities and services are used for keeping our church archives up-to-date and for use in
our bulletins, newsletters, website and Facebook account. We ask that no tags, comments or changes be made on these photos for security
reasons. If you prefer not to have you or your child's photo used in any of these areas, please notify Sandra Valentine or Pastor Bob.
We will end our regular Sunday School year for kids on June 7th
at our regular Sunday School time with a celebration in front of
the Weller House, 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., that will include ice
cream sundaes and games. Parents are welcome to join us!
I’d like to thank our dedicated Sunday School teachers and helpers Darlene
Wastler, Debbie Stull, Makayla Stull, Nancy Eyler, Kelly Alexander, Ethel
Brauer, Paulette Mathias, and Kelsey Mathias. While they are taking a much
deserved summer break, we’ll be having Summer Sunday School each week for ag-
es 3-12 in the Sunday School area in the church. This will be a one room class
with a variety of activities. Please come and bring your friends!
On June 7th we’ll also be presenting our third graders with a Bible as a gift from
the church during each worship service. Our third graders this year are Hope
Brown, Kayleigh Frantz, Abbey Shaffer and Jonny Wastler.
Summer Sunday School will run from June 14th
until August 30th . In order to give our regular
teachers a summer break, we will need to have a
volunteer teacher and an assistant sign up for
each of our summer Sundays. We will use a One
Room Sunday School curriculum for ages 3-12.
The curriculum is planned and easy to follow with a small amount of preparation
involved to gather extra materials or make copies for the coming week. Please
contact Pat Alexander, 301-271-7164, for more information or sign up on the
clipboard.
G-FORCE Adventure Park! Vacation Bible School for kids from nursery age to 5th grade will be held from
Monday 22 June to 26 Friday June
6:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Come meet Checkers the Cheetah and Move, Act, Care, Follow, and
Share with God.
Register your kids now or sign up to volunteer at
http://2015.cokesburyvbs.com/wellerumc
Paper registration forms are available in the lobby and a volunteer sign
up sheet will be passed around in church. Please consider helping in this
important ministry!
Any questions please contact Bob Miller, Amanda Keilholtz or call the
church office.
LADIES NIGHT OUT
14 May in the fellowship Hall at Weller UMC
6:00 p.m.
Adults - $7.25 Ages 5 - 12 - $5.25 4yrs. and under - free
Tickets on Sale: 26 April, 3 and 10 May
Catered by Mountain Gate Family Restaurant.
Ticket sellers - Dorothy Clever, Cindy Hart, Pat Alexander, and Karen Younkins
Unless otherwise noted, the following events take place at the same time each week for this month: Tuesdays Weekly bulletin information due to office by noon Thursdays: Narcotics Anonymous in Weller House 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Normal Church Office Hours are: Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Closed on Fridays.