july/august 2016 circuit rider€¦ · pearl river united methodist church, 130 franklin avenue,...
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PEARL RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 FRANKLIN AVENUE, PEARL RIVER, NY 10965 (845)-735-2241
CIRCUIT RIDER
Worship for July/August
July 3rd: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION
The Games: Faster, Higher, Stronger Philippians 3:13-14
July 10th: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The Games: Training for the Games 1 Cor. 9:24-27
July 17th: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost– HOLY COMMUNION
The Games: The Power of the Team Hebrews 10:24-25
July 24th: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Games: Endurance vs. Perseverance James 1:2-4,13
July 31st: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION
The Games: The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat Hebrews 12:1-2
August 7th: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Rich Rose will be preaching
August 14th: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
John Murphy III will be preaching
August 21st: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Stripped Away: Version 2.0 Luke 10:25-37
August 28th: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION
Stripped Away: You Are What You Eat Mark 14:17-25
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Circle of Sisters will be meeting on Friday, July 15th, at 6:30 at Leslie Rocha's home to discuss the book "Unorthodox" by Deborah Feldman. Please RSVP to Leslie or Maria Halzack if you
will be attending. In August we will get together for dinner on
Friday, August 19th ( restaurant to be announced) please RSVP to Maria Halzack if
you would like to join us.
From the Editor's Desk...one last time....
After 74 Circuit Riders starting in November of 2009, I am handing the newsletter back over to the office, where it used to be prepared. I am confident that
Camille will continue to put together a newsletter that the members and friends of the church will find useful
and informative.
My favorite part of coordinating this for the past few years was the opportunity to write a few words in this column to help capture where we were as a church at that moment in time, or to just share some random
thoughts. As I have had a chance to review these this month, sometimes they reflected happy times, and
sometimes sad, but always there was a theme of hope and faith that came through.
I hope in the months and years to come that you will
consider using this space to share when something in our church moved you, or when an Outreach project profoundly affected you, or when you witnessed or
benefitted from a random act of kindness, or perhaps when you experienced an "AHA" moment of faith.
So my parting "gift" as I step aside as Editor is to share some of my favorite columns "From the Editor's Desk"
in this Circuit Rider, or better yet, a collection of my "AHA" moments!
Enjoy them, and have a safe, restful and enjoyable summer!
Richard Rose
Thank you to My Church Family--So many thanks for making my 90th birthday such a lovely experience!
Love you all, Borin Lugton
Hi Everyone,
Yes... we moved... to South Jersey on May 4th!! Just
wanted to send everyone a quick email to let you know our new address and phone number:
53 Altair Drive, Turnersville, NJ 08012-2407--Home
phone: 856-716-6382 We're getting settled in and feeling more at home each day.
Hope all is well with all of you. Keep in touch. Love, Andrea and George Lagos
Greetings from the Bell Room! All 24 handbell ringers and I would like to thank
everyone for their support this past ringing
season. We hope you enjoyed the pieces we
rang during worship, as well as those during our
two concerts and two festivals.
We are taking a much deserved break for the
summer, to rest up, get more music ready to
ring and perhaps repair and refurbish some of
the bells. We'll be back after school starts
again, sometime in September.
Pamela Gunning, Director of the Handbell Choirs
The UMW honored Marilyn and Ralph
Nelson with the Centenary Fund award for
their many years of devoted service to our
Church.
The 2nd quarter pledge of $650.00 has
been given, also a donation of $150.00 for
the VBS and $100.00 for the Relay-for-
Life. Will will provide supplies for the
Lunch-with Love program in July.
A short Fair meeting will be held on July
10th after worship. Please try to attend.
I wish all the members a very happy and
healthy summer. Peace & Love,
Helen D'Agostino, President, UMW
ALL-CHURCH OUTING TO OCEAN GROVE
On Sunday July 10th
after worship, we will be heading down to
Ocean Grove, NJ for a day on the beach and a wonderful evening
concert at 7:00pm in the Tabernacle, as they present the 62nd
Annual Choir Festival. We will be leaving from the church at
11:00am and returning around 10:30pm. All are welcome!
July 3, 9:30 AM: The Youth will give a brief presentation
on the mission trip during church service. All mission team members should be in attendance.
July 24, time TBD: Pool party! The Stewarts have
graciously invited the Youth Group to their home once again this summer for a pool party. More details will be
sent out in July.
August 7: Tentative day trip to Ocean Grove, NJ following church service. If you are interested, please contact
Becca, 862-266-4636.
We are a community
Rooted in Grace
Growing in Faith
Reaching Out with God’s Love
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the past several days, I have had the great honor of
baptizing two beautiful children of God, blessing graduates
as they prepare for the next journey, commissioning our
Youth Mission Team as they headed off to NYC to serve
and serving together with over 30 volunteers as we share
God’s love with 41 children from our community in VBS.
I feel so blessed to see God’s work in action. To watch as
more and more young people become engaged in the life
of our community. To see so many members stepping out
to serve and use the gifts that God has given them. To
watch as God touches the lives of all our members from
the very youngest to those that have been a part of the
community for many decades. There is great power in
knowing a God that loves us so deeply.
During VBS this week, we have been singing and moving
to many songs, but none has touched my heart like the
prayer song we end with each day. The words: “Only
You could love me this way…Only You deserve all the
praise…Only You could love me this way…There is only
one like You. Only You.” The words and melody are
simple, but the message is so powerful. The children’s
faces are visibly transformed as they sing this each
day…some of them even close their eyes in prayer. In
those moments, they are experiencing the power of God’s
unconditional love.
Brothers and sisters, this is a message our world so needs
to hear. God loves you…just the way you are ... deeply
...powerfully. You are loved. Now…go and be that love
in the world.
In God’s amazing grace and love, Pastor Cyndi
When: First Tuesday of the month July 5th Time--9:30 AM
(No August!) Where: Hogan's Diner
Why: A Chance to talk and connect.
Thank you to all who donated for the Relay for Life Walk to Remember. It was greatly appreciated.
Soup labels and Pop-tops are still welcome for the Red Bird Mission.
The Outreach Committee is grateful and very thankful for all past and present donations all have given very
freely to help. You are all appreciated.
Gloria Murphy - Outreach Committee
Thank You Lord/Recognition and Remembrance In Loving Memory of George Ahrens, from Tommie and Family
In Memory of Kay Pawlicki, from Joan Greenhalgh In Honor of Pat Everett for planting the front garden, by Marilyn and Ralph
Nelson Please consider a special offering when appropriate to honor, recognize or give
thanks for a special occasion or a special someone. ________________________________________________________________________________
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM
Our Outreach committee is asking for your help in making a difference for children
who are less fortunate and might be going back to school in September without
school supplies. We will be collecting the items listed below during the months of
July and August.
They REALLY need all of the following: Compasses---Dividers---Dictionaries--Scissors---Book Covers--Hi-lighters--Graph Paper---PencilCases---
Loose Leaf Paper---Pencils---Pocket Folders---3 and 5-Subject Notebooks--1’ Binders--Marble Composition Books---Blue or Black Pens---Pencil Sharpeners---Calculators
Monetary donations are always a welcomed blessing. Our congregation has always graciously given items from their hearts so we thank you in advance.
Please contact Gloria Murphy with any questions.
______________________________________________________________________
PASTOR’S VACATION
Pastor Cyndi and her family will be on vacation July 17th
- 21st.
Rev. Bernie Khaw (Thiells UMC) will be covering any pastoral
emergencies. Cell: 478-299-9974
She will be in CA from August 1st
– Aug. 15th
.
Rev. Dawn Corlew (Bergen Highlands UMC) will be covering
any pastoral emergencies. Cell: 609-338-9711
______________________________
GREAT WEEK OF VBS FUN AT SURF SHACK: Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love
Our church was filled this week with over 41 children and more than 30 volunteers from our church and our community, who gathered to explore how to put their faith into action. During this mission-focused VBS, each child experienced God’s amazing love, explored God’s mission for their lives and discovered
ways to live out and share God’s love in the world. A special thank you to Judy DiToma and all our teachers and helpers for making this week a possibility. You are a blessing!
SUMMER MISSION TRIP:
Our young people traveled to New York City on Sunday for a weeklong
mission trip with Center for Student Mission from June 26th - July 2
nd. They
are working in food banks, soup kitchens, assisting inner city youth at summer
playgrounds, planting trees, painting and helping out wherever they are
needed. Most importantly, they are sharing God’s love with each person they
come in contact with and I have no doubt they will in turn be impacted by the
experience. Thank you for your prayers and financial and spiritual support of
our young people! Join us on Sunday July 3rd
to hear about their experience.
NAMES OF YOUTH: Angie Diss, Shaun Hager, Christian Lagos, Amogh Matthews, Michael Stewart, Mark
Stouffer and Sean Stouffer ADULT LEADERS: Becca Chew-Zorn, Tom Zorn, Joel Smus
______________________________________________________________________________________
Disciple Bible III – Remember Who You Are
This 32-week study focuses on the Old Testament Prophets and the Letters of Paul.
Together we will examine the connection between memory and identity as people of
God. If you have already taken Disciple I, this is a wonderfully opportunity to dig
deeper into God’s word. We will be meeting on Monday evenings from 7-9:30pm
beginning September 19th
. If you are interested in participating in this study, sign up
sheets with be available in Coffee hour beginning Sunday July 17th
or you contact the
Church Office @ 845-735-2241 or [email protected]
_________________________________________________________________________ TRUSTEES SUMMER CLEAN UP AND WORK DAY
A Summer Clean Up and Work Day will take place on Saturday July 9th, starting at 9am. There are many jobs to be done, both outside and inside our buildings. Some are small and some are not. Team up with your best
buddy or work partner and join us on July 9th. A list of tasks will be posted at the driveway side entrance. If you have them, bring your tools, paint brush or cleaning equipment. If you don’t have them you can still
come, we need your help.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nursery Schedule for July & August:
July 3 – Judy DiToma and Bridget King July 10 – Amy Mendler and Mark
Stouffer July 17 – Ricky Murphy and Caitlyn Roy
July 24 –Tish Ahimon and Christine Scavetta
July 31 – Peggy Anschick and Brandon King August 7 – Collene Murphy and Sydney Gibbs August 14 –Susan Doyle and Michael Stewart
August 21 – Lori Micelli and Amogh Matthews August 28 –Leigh Ross and Bridget King
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
There are currently 63 pledging individuals or families who have pledged $239,400 for the REACH Campaign....it is never
to late to pledge if you have not yet done so. If you have pledged and need more REACH envelopes, please contact either Finance Secretary Rich Rose or the church office.
May 2010
“With a Little Help From My Friends”
Dear Members and Friends, The final lyrics of the above Beatles song go, “Yes I get by with a little help from my friends, With a little help from my friends.” I
couldn’t help but think about this as I read a letter sent from UMCOR to our church. They were thanking us (and on their behalf I thank all of you) for our collection of $1435.25 for the victims of the
earthquake in Haiti.
However, more importantly in my mind was the next paragraph. “Thank you for being there…for being hope in Haiti…your
generosity offers a spirit of hope in the midst of devastation” Yes, our gifts went for specific items, like water, food, medical
supplies and shelter. But UMCOR reminds us that the gift means hope, and that our gift, and the gifts of churches like ours are
combined to bring hope to those who so desperately need a ray of sunshine in their darkest hour.
When we are called to act, our congregation’s efforts are time and again outstanding to our community, and to our world! So let this
serve as a “not so subtle” reminder that it’s not just about the dollars, or the food—it’s about hope! Yes, we can all get by with a
little help from our friends… ______________________________________________
January, 2011
As some of you are probably aware, I have had the pleasure of teaching a confirmation class to five of our youth who are making the journey to membership in May. We are about one third of the
way through the class, and I have to tell you that it is very refreshing to see the seriousness that these five young people exhibit in the
class, and their desire to move forward on their journey. Each month brings new material to learn, concepts to grasp, and philosophic and spiritual ideas to wrestle with, and yet they do so
with equally healthy doses of caution, deep thought and enthusiasm.
As we all put up the new calendars and prepare for a new year, it
occurs to me that we adults can take a lesson from our youth, particularly as we move forward later this year into another period
of transition and new pastoral leadership.
As we move forward on our journey in 2011, let’s also be both serious and enthusiastic about the road ahead of us. We too will wrestle with things that are new and not always comfortable, but
like our youth, let us do so with the following New Year’s resolution in mind—making our church stronger a year from now than it is
today. ______________________________________________
January 2012
One year ago, in the January 2011 edition of the Circuit Rider, I wrote an open letter that ended with the following: “As we move
forward on our journey in 2011, let’s also be both serious and enthusiastic about the road ahead of us. We too will wrestle with
things that are new and not always comfortable, but … let us do so with the following New Year’s resolution in mind—making our
church stronger a year from now than it is today.”
2011 has not always been comfortable, particularly because we have said good-bye to a number of church members and friends,
including Dick Everett, Larry Noonan, Kim Simpson, Priscilla Lowery, Edna Riedell, Tom Cupples and George Ahrens, among
others. But we also have celebrated with the graduation of a confirmation class, welcoming new members, many wonderful
community events and outreach efforts, and the welcoming of our new pastor and her family into our church and our community.
So what about our resolution from a year ago..…is our church
stronger today than a year ago? I would measure that in two ways. First, we continue to progress on the road of financial stability, as
we have again paid 100% of our shared ministries in 2011. But perhaps more importantly, look around on a Sunday morning in
church….it is not nearly as easy to find a seat as it was a year ago!! Happy New Year!
______________________________________________
June 2012
On June 10, Pastor Frank Kowar will preach his final service at the Hillsdale UMC, and begin his retirement. For those who are fairly new to the Pearl River United Methodist Church, Frank was the pastor at Pearl River for about 11 years, leaving in 2007 for his
current charge. Yet while he has not been our pastor for nearly five years, he is and will always be part of our church family.
Many of us will always have many fond memories of Frank, as well as his wife Nancy and their family. My memories run the emotional
gamut, from the great joy and fun sharing a table at Maureen Orletti’s wedding; to his care and compassion officiating a memorial
service for one of our family members; to our own offering of care and compassion when Frank and Nancy tragically lost a grandchild.
Frank will also always be part of my “9-11 memory”, as one of the local clergy who led services at the local park in the days following
this horrific event.
I am sure many of you have similar remembrances, and I invite you to take a moment in the coming days to drop Frank a line and share a memory or a sentiment as he and Nancy prepare to leave. Perhaps my favorite memory is when I think back to some high stress times
in my own life, and hearing Frank tell me (many times), “Rich, don’t sweat the small stuff…..and it’s all small stuff!” Well, Frank and
Nancy, as you pack up and head to Ohio for the next chapter of your lives, remember to not sweat the small stuff…..and yes it really is all
small stuff! Good Luck and God Bless! ______________________________________________
From the Editor's
Desk...Over
the Years!
February 2013
I was pleased to be present recently for the special coffee hour hosted by the United Methodist Women (UMW), where they recognized Helen D’Agostino for her efforts as the head of the
UMW, as well as for the church. For those of you who know Helen, you know that she was “multi-tasking”
long before that word became a part of our everyday lexicon. Helen and I share a joke that whenever I see her coming, I just hand her
my wallet and ask her to give me back whatever is left.
While Helen was recognized and lauded for her “major” efforts on behalf of our church as the head of UMW, I will always most
recognize the “minor” acts that Helen does that we can all take a lesson from. She is always quick to greet a new face, and put them at ease as they enter the church. She often subtly “recruits” our newer members in hosting coffee hours, often providing them a confident
first foray into church service. She often grabs a younger and a “more experienced” member to assist in presenting the communion
items, making this act an intergenerational event.
These are just a few of the things that may sometimes go unnoticed, but are clearly appreciated. So Helen, while we are all grateful for
all that you do for our church, I am particularly appreciative for the little things that you do to lead by example. It is these things that can teach us all to be better members of the Pearl River United
Methodist Church! ______________________________________________
April 2013
For many of us, Holy Week and the intensity of emotions that surrounds it is the “crescendo” of our annual faith journey. Faith
during Holy Week is a continuing affirmation of our secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
We often discuss faith in church, but I want to focus on a definition of faith that seems particularly appropriate this month. One of the
definitions of faith is “confidence or trust in a person or thing”. We have had the pleasure to witness a lot of faith over the past
month. The Board of Ordained Ministry has shown faith in Pastor Cyndi, by approving her upcoming ordination. Our District
Superintendent has shown faith in our church, as with his blessing and recommendation we have been approved to return to full time pastoral leadership, effective July 1st. And finally, the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference has shown faith in the direction of our
church, as they have chosen to have Pastor Cyndi continue her ministry at our church.
Clearly the month of March has been full of acts of faith, so as we
move into April and beyond, I encourage you all to consider another act of faith--a personal “leap of faith” as we continue to grow as a
congregation. Faith has clearly been shown in our church as a whole; so take a moment to assess how you as an individual might take a personal leap of faith that can help both you and our church
continue to grow and thrive.
To borrow (and slightly edit) a quote from Harold Whitman: “Don’t ask yourself what our church needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what our church
needs is people who have come alive.” ______________________________________________
September 2013
Back in June, I was participating in the Orangetown Relay for Life as part of “Team PRUMC”. The main feature of the event is walking the laps around the track, and as in past years I would always put on
my Walkman, and “power walk” around Central Avenue Field.
However, this year as I was doing my laps I came up on Peggy Van Nostrand (whom my wife dubbed the Energizer Bunny) who was
walking lap after lap while most of us had already stopped to take a
break or chat with others. At that moment, I did something that I normally do not do. I slowed down, took off my earbuds, and
walked a couple laps with Peggy. During those laps, we chatted about the beads she was collecting for every lap walked, people we
had luminaria bags for, and a number of other topics. I couldn’t help but be impressed by her determination and her sense of
purpose that evening.
This was the first thing I thought about when we heard the news of Peggy’s passing at church on Sunday. I also thought about the
birthday card I would get every November from the church, thanks to Peggy, and how that small act helps to connect us as a
community.
This week, 38 children are enjoying Vacation Bible School at Pearl River UMC for the first time in a number of years. Peggy would have
been a part of this, and I can’t help but think that with the years she spent with the school district, she is looking down smiling at the energy and enthusiasm that is in the building this week. Peggy, we will miss you here, but I think we all know that heaven became a
better place this week with you in it. ______________________________________________
January 2015
"We are a community rooted in grace, growing in faith and reaching out with God's Love."
Yes, you read our mission statement on the last page of every Circuit Rider now, you hear Pastor Cyndi echo it in many of her messages, and you will see it on church letterhead and other communications.
But in case you have yet to buy in to this simple but powerful message, please take a moment to read the letter below, written by the mother of one of the families who we "reached out with God's
Love" to during Project Joy:
"Hoping you had a great holiday season. and wishing you the best gifts on this Christmas,,,
"LOVE" because where there is love - is also faith.....and where there is faith there is peace.
Where there is peace "is God"....and where there is God!!! nothing is missing!!!
God is in your heart, how do I know it?? Because you picked this letter, my child's letter and I am blessed. And so are you..
God will always bless you for make a big smile to my kids on these Christmas. I can't bring home the biggest tree and fill it with toys underneath, but instead, I will bring them my love and cook them a
delicious meal. and teach them to be thankful of people like you - full of love, thank you so much for your generosity. God will always bless
you and your church family. Wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!!!. Thank
you!!!" ______________________________________________
June 2015
The March 25, 2014 minutes of the Church Council included a discussion that we needed to begin thinking about our 150th
Anniversary, coming next year....... Fast forward 15 months, and here we are!!
As Church Council Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to
thank each and every person who has been involved in any aspect of planning this upcoming 150th Anniversary celebration. To try to
name you all would inevitably lead to an oversight, but I know that you all know who you are!
One of our goals this year was to encourage members to spend 150
hours in 2015 involved in church activities. I suspect that some people have probably spent 150 hours in the planning and
preparation of this event alone in the past few months....and I even suspect that some will feel like they have spent 150 hours on this
between now and June 7th!
To All...Enjoy our Sesquicentennial celebration on June 7!! And to our Youth......nominations are now open to chair the
Bicentennial celebration in 2065!
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Beginning July 3, church worship service will begin at 9:30 AM, and will continue through Sunday, August 28
PRUMC
130 Franklin Avenue Pearl River, NY 10965
Our Mission:
We are a community
rooted in grace, growing in
faith and reaching out with
God's Love.
CIRCUIT RIDER--JULY/AUGUST 2016
Pearl River United Methodist Church
Phone:
845-735-2241
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website:
www.pearlriverumc.com