C L Y N M A L I R A U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

Clynmalira Connection October/November 2013

Musings from the Meadow as featured online at www.clynmalira.org

It’s been raining for some time now, and the meadow is sog-gy. It glimmers in the pale moonlight and there are patches of mist rising toward faint stars far overhead. Fog obscures its farthest edges. Tonight it is a place of mys-tery and wonder. For months it’s been oppressed by relent-less heat and drought. Sur-rounding trees have remained green, because of deep roots, but the lush fullness of its grasses had given way to brittle and brown stalks, beat-en down in places because of howling winds and a few sparse, but severe thunder-storms. Tonight, and yester-day, and the night before, gentle rains have watered the meadow, and it has respond-ed with an increased vigor and a new flexibility. There is the first gentle hint of a fresh breeze wafting across its sur-face causing the mists to per-form a slow dance as they shift from place to place, and there is a bit of a flutter as the grass begins to respond as well.

In the dance we call living there are magical moments when we pause to appreciate and reflect upon the wonder with which we are blessed day after day. Why do we so seldom pause? And what about giving thanks?

We are now in the midst of Autumn. It’s a time of transition and busyness for Mother Na-ture as well as for human be-ings. Squirrels and other crea-tures that surround us are en-gaged in preparing for Win-ter—the long siege of waiting for what will be next Spring; they innately know that prep-aration is essential for their survival. Before the little ani-mals hole up for the Winter, they know they must put aside a sufficient amount of food or other stores to hold them until the Spring resurgence. Just one season, that is enough; that is all that is necessary for their continued existence.

So too, we are busy in our Human pursuits: The school year, the church year, the ac-tivity year of many civic and charitable organizations, and preparation for seasonal holi-days, not to mention rooting for our favorite teams or an-ticipating the beginning of the new TV season. Preparation, planning, sorting, prioritizing, reporting, evaluating, and a myriad of other processes that allow us to gauge and meas-ure results and to be pre-pared, fill our lives with activi-ty and “doing things.”

There is nothing innately wrong with any of these things and many are necessary for human survival; but when we let our busyness get in the way of our connection with that which is beyond us, there is a problem.

The problem is that our psyche and our spirit become dry and brittle, and our body and our soul ache for the exuberance and flexibility of youth. Only when our being is in the midst of Being, do we know the cleansing and refreshing pow-ers of the waters of life. Rain in the meadow is real and re-freshing and renewing; it is also a metaphor for life abun-dant. And so it is with Wind as well.

Clynmalira means fresh air in Welsh. I invite you to stop by and experience a draft or two. Come and be freed from the storms of life, at least for a time. In the midst of time and space, may the mists of beyond freshen and renew you.

~~ Pastor John

October Meetings/Events Sat, Oct 5: Fall Festival (8 am

to 3 pm), Haunted House (11 am to 2 pm)

Sun, Oct 6: Youth Confirmation Class, Session 1 (noon to 1:30 pm)

Sat, Oct 12: Haunted hayride or corn maze

Sun, Oct 13: Youth Confirma-tion Class, Session 2 (noon to 1:30 pm)

Sat, Oct 19: Hope Packing Party at Grace Fellowship Church, 9505 Deereco Road, Timonium

Sun, Oct 20: Charge Confer-ence (1:00 to 3:00 pm)

Sat, Oct 26: Haunted House (5:00 to 7:00 pm) during Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Par-ty (5:00 to 8:00 pm)

Sun, Oct 27: Youth Confirma-tion Class, Session 3 (noon to 1:30 pm)

November Meetings/Events Sat, Nov 2: Youth Group (4:00

to 6:00 pm) Sun, Nov 3: Youth Confirmation

Class, Session 4 (noon to 1:30 pm)

Tues, Nov 5: Board of Trustees (7:00 pm)

Wed, Nov 6: Staff-Parish Rela-tions Committee (6:30 pm)

Sat, Nov 9: Youth Group (4:00 to 6:00 pm)

Wed, Nov 13: Finance Commit-tee (7:00 pm)

Sat, Nov 16: Youth Group (4:00 to 6:00 pm)

Sun, Nov 17: Youth Confirma-tion Class, Session 5 (noon to 1:30 pm)

Wed, Nov 20 Church Council (7:00 pm)

Sat, Nov 23: Youth Group (4:00 to 6:00 pm)

Sun, Nov 24: Youth Confirma-tion Class, Session 6 (noon to 1:30 pm)

Sat, Nov 30: Youth select Christ-mas tree for sanctuary

The Meadow at Sunset

Dinner Theater Dates Nov 8, 9, 15, 16: 6:00 pm din-ner, 8:00 pm show Nov 10, Dessert-Only Matinee: 3:00 pm dessert, 4:00 pm show

News from the Pews: Recent Church Activities

Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner by Alverta Hester, Lay Leader On September 14, the Clynmalira Youth Group continued its community outreach by holding a spaghetti din-ner. Participants in the event ranged in age from 7 to 77, and it was a wonderful experience for each and every one—the real children as well as the young-at-heart! The patrons also seemed to enjoy the experience thoroughly. Our fa-vorite compliment came from a friend who said that it was compara-ble to “fine dining at its best.” Be sure to make room in your schedule to come out and share in our next event.   Editor’s Note: Joan Clark notes that the youth waiters/waitresses were outstanding and the food was deli-cious. Robin, Alverta, and Joe Hester, and Rob Wright deserve much ap-plause for organizing, cooking, and setting up this event.

Adult Dinner Theater Preparations Are in Full Swing

Free-Will Luncheon for Seniors by Sally Hottel, United Methodist Women (UMW) President On Tuesday, September 10, the Clyn-malira UMW held its second Free-Will Luncheon for seniors in the community, friends, and church members. Everyone was very pleased with the turnout—45 in all, with seven new attendees. A delicious and very colorful luncheon was served—beef barbecue on a roll, orange Jell-O with fruit, slaw, and po-tato chips for the entree, and pound cake with berries for dessert. All those who came out on Monday and Tuesday to prepare, set up, and serve were very much appreciated. Those who attended said how much they enjoyed the luncheon, the beauti-ful table decorations, the sing-a-long with Nancy and Val, and the gifts they received. Our Free-Will Luncheons are a big success, and now they are a part of the UMW’s effort to reach out to each and every one in the community.

All Decked Out!

The entrance to our Fellowship Hall is looking good. Kudos to Dick Price, John Carter, Shirley Naylor, Cathe Corbusier, and Gailey Streett for refinishing the deck, stairs, ramp, and railings. Good job!

In November, the Clynmalira Players will present The Masked Canary, a musical Western melodrama set in 1880s Tombstone, Arizona. Come cheer and hiss (and split your sides laughing) as our lively cast of charac-ters act, sing, and dance their way across the stage to spin a tale of the Old West. Cunning villains plot and scheme. Heroes and heroines do their duty. And all the while, society ladies crusade to preserve the town’s good reputation, which they feel is threat-ened by the goings on at the Bird-cage Theater and the Lucky Cuss Gambling Saloon and Tonsorial Par-lor. Tensions mount, good confronts evil, long-held secrets are exposed. As rehearsals progress, Patty Streett and some of our church ladies and gents are cooking up a brand new menu with a Western theme for this year’s buffet. And as always, the meal will be topped off with a varie-ty of homemade desserts.

Pictured left to right, clockwise: Val Davis plays society lady Flora Courtland. Val is also helping with costumes and choreography. Josh Adams takes on the role of the villain, Judge Mortimer Harshly. Holly Marie O’Keefe debuts with the Players as Fifi, the French maid. Nancy Turk accompanies on the piano and keyboard. Rob Wright is directing the show; he also plays Ole Timer alongside his loyal sidekick, Sidekick, portrayed by Alex Bury. Tara Alban (center) is cast as Peachy Jamm. Other players, not pictured, include Holly Morrow debuting as Little Victoria, Andrew Luby as Lt. Pete Bogg, James Griffey, Jr., as Lonely Wolf, Morgan Zinkhan as Wing Tip, Tracy Obrigkeit as the Unknown Woman, Christine Merriman as Amanda Goodsort, and Linda Jones as a society lady.

SO WHO IS THIS MASKED CANARY, ANYWAY? Find out after dinner on November 8, 9, 15, 16, or on November 10 at the dessert-only matinee. Stay tuned for the flyer, for more details!

This Year’s Charge Conference by Joan Clark, Church Council Chair The Baltimore-Washington Confer-ence has scheduled this year’s Charge Conference at Clynmalira on Sunday, October 20, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Our new District Superintendent, Reverend Laura Easto, will meet with us to review our ministry and missions, to receive reports, and discuss our objectives and goals for the next year. All chairpersons and members of the congregation are invited to attend.

Board of Child Chair Auxiliary by Millie Trainor, BCC Coordinator

Since 1874 the Board of Child Care (BCC) has been providing a home for children who cannot live at home. For the past sixty years, the Auxiliary has made sure that the children in the residences receive those important “little extras”—Valentine candy, Easter baskets, birthday cards. And each year the Auxiliary spon-sors the Christmas Store where children can buy gifts for their families. This year Baltimore North has been asked to contribute cake mix and icing for the Thanksgiving baskets. In addition, the Christmas Store is in need of more items for men. Auxiliary membership dues are $2.00 a year. Millie Trainor will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Missions Requests by Amelia Griffey,

Missions Coordinator

North Baltimore County Cluster Food Bank—

Items Needed Canned fruit Cake mixes and frosting Cookie mixes Pancake mix and syrup Please DO NOT FORGET to feed the Heifer International piggy!

Missions

 

Christmas Bazaar and Luncheon by Joan Clark

Saturday, December 7, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Once again, we are pleased to have a delicious luncheon menu. We will offer a Silent Auction, fresh wreaths, a gift table, and delicious baked goods. We are expanding the num-ber of crafters this year, always try-ing to keep a nice variety. If you can contribute an item to the Silent Auc-tion, have a new gift item for the Gift Table, and/or can bake a treat for the Bake Table, please see Joan Clark, Margy Billmire, or Shirley Naylor. We will provide more information about pricing and pre-ordering wreaths as soon as our vendor has this available. As always, we appre-ciate your enthusiasm and support for the Bazaar.

Needed for Halloween Party on Saturday,

October 26 NEW/SEALED board and card games to give away as prizes. All games should be child-friendly (for children two to 15 years) or family-friendly.

Clynmalira Youth Group Mission

Clynmalira UMC encourages its youth to develop spirit and a compassion for others. Our Youth Group encourages its members to express their faith through individual thoughts and mission activi-ties that interest them. Each year, the youth select several outreach projects for their focus. Their dedication through faithful support of these projects en-courages spiritual growth so they may follow God’s word as they grow into the future leaders of Clynmalira.

PEOPLE UNDER THE STEEPLE: COMING EVENTS

2920 Stockton Road Phoenix, MD 21131–1125 (410) 472-4107

Rev. John Dailey, Pastor (443) 402-1145 Mobile Email: oh2ski@live.com

CALL TO ACTION What Does Clynmalira Offer? A safe haven for spiritual development and fun Outreach to youth, especially the generations under fifty Relationships among all age groups that honor God and

one another Missions that touch people’s lives and convey the healing

power of God’s love Transformation as we unite to form the body of Christ on

Earth

Worship Services & Sunday School, Sundays @ 10:00 am Worship Services led by children/youth, every 3rd Sunday @ 10:00 am Youth Group, Saturdays @ 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings, Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm

 

Clynmalira: A friendly church in the country

C L Y N M A L I R A U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

October Birthdays October 1: John Carter Natalie Baker October 11: Morgan Nally October 14: Alverta Hester October 17: Sharon Blair Tanya Mowbray October 21: James Griffey October 22: Evelyn Baker October 23: Amelia Griffey October 24: Kathy Brown October 26: Joan Clark

November Birthdays November 1: Mike Palumbo Albert McCausland November 12: Joseph Hester November 14: Christine Merriman November 20: David Sandy November 29: Mike Zinkhan

 

 

 

We’re on the Web!

www.clynmalira.org

2013 Community Christmas Cantata Appalachian Winter by Joseph Martin

Performances

Friday, December 6, 7:30 pm, Cedar Grove UMC

Sunday, December 8, 3:00 pm, Pine Grove UMC, Rayville

Contact person: Elaine Gradowski: 410-967-5201

Elaine Gradowski, Director Elisa Poole, Accompanist

Singers wanted—all skill levels welcome Rehearsals are held on Saturdays at 9:00 am and on Sun-days at 3:00 pm, beginning on October 5, at Pine Grove UMC, Rayville, 19401 Middletown Road, Parkton, MD.