their lives and to quote Lore�a Lynn “it doesn’t beat around the bush,” but “tells it like it is.” It has the ability to name reality when “life ain’t fair” or is beyond comprehension. I’m guessing we all have a few of those lyrics that sing of our lives?

“I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I sure hope it’s not a train.”

“Some�mes you’re the windshield and some�mes you’re the bug!”

“I’m so lonesome I could cry.”

Send in your favorite lyric lines.

And I hope you encounter the divine this summer – in ordinary or coarse places, in colorful sunsets on the water or in some unredeemed character in a diner. Wherever your roads take you this summer, look for how your life sings out your faith to others – and theirs to you.

And bring back those stories, those songs, and oh yea, a li�le dirt.

ph

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by

Fred

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B ring us your dirt. No, really.

In our Country Roads series with Tex Sample, he says spirituality is not just limited to those “clean” mountaintop experiences. In fact, for him, it’s much more

“earthy.” So we’re collec�ng dirt (the literal kind from whatever place you find yourself this summer) and talking about the kind of faith that brings us through the metaphorical kind of dirt. For Tex, finding God

involves the common and the unclean, the profane and the seamy. It speaks in four-le�er words. Further, it deals with sex and genitals, with blood and gore, and dirt and the gri�y. It is the unkempt end of life and the people who so stringently represent such things. (From Earthy Mys�cism: Spirituality for Unspiritual People)

We don’t o�en share our seamier sides in our suburban, middle-class congrega�on, but God is one who can be trusted with ALL of our lives. God meets us where we are and o�en surprises us in the wrong people and unexpected places.

Our country music soundtrack isn’t afraid to name our reali�es: the loneliness of broken rela�onships, the habit of bad choices leading to �me behind bars, and the wilder side of living and loving. I’ve been reading Tex’s book White Soul: Country Music, the church and working Americans analyzing the poli�cs of resistance in country music, its ability to sustain lament and its imagination of a new reality. Tradi�onally, country music sings

Pastor Kelly

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Special health concerns: Bob & Diane F__ , Janet G__ , Hank K__ , Tom R__ , Eileen B__ & Phyllis R__ .

July 11 Carol & John Dunlop 12 Be�y & Tim Edge� 25 Pastor Kelly & Steve

August 7 Pam & Doug Parker 7 Kaitlin & Ma� Leveille

9 Marilyn & Norm Richards 15 Janet & Fred Gagnon

17 Arlene & Kevin Greener 18 Alicia & Bill Lipinski

Church office hours for the summer: Monday – Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Regular hours will resume

September 6 Church secretary on vaca�on July 10-13

office staffed by volunteers 9:00 am to noon.

Edie Buckley - East Village

Marilyn Burns - LifeCare, Wilbraham

Dottie Barnes - Birch Manor in

Chicopee

Dot Buzelle - Redstone

Joan Kearns - Wells Country Village,

Vernon CT

Ruby Waide - Orchard Valley, Wilb.

Paul Willer - Reeds Landing

New Venture for the Colteys

Congratula�ons and Good Luck to Leo & Wendy Coltey on the opening of their new restaurant.

Roadside Pizza & Grinders is located at 1037 Thorndike St. in Palmer. Stop by and check out their delicious menu on the bulle�n board or visit them online at:

www.roadsidepizzapalmer.com

While Pastor Kelly is out on sick leave this July 6-23, contact Tom McGowan or lay leaders Chris or Rick Hutchison for pastoral needs. Or if you have need of a Reverend, Bruce Arbour (serving Westfield UMC) will be happy to help (413-883-3051 or 413-219-6412).

To my church family,

I want to send a sincere thank you for the Carrington scholarship I was awarded. It means a lot to see my educa�onal goals

as a�ainable thanks to ELUMC's generosity. Addi�onally, it means so much to see my church family suppor�ng me in this way. I feel so loved and blessed to be a part of this congrega�on. Thank you all, I hope to accomplish great things with your help.

Sincerely, Emily Dunlop

Kelly & Our Church Family

Thank you for the �me you spent with Jeff over the past 2 years. I know how much this meant to him

& I know it li�ed his spirits. All of us truly appreciated your frequent & upli�ing visits to Boston.

I have received numerous comments on the beau�ful & personal memorial service provided for Jeff. Thank You.

We are also most apprecia�ve of the church & its members who provided the luncheon a�er the service. This was a wonderful gathering.

Chris, Jus�n, Rachel & Christopher Jones

On behalf of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, I would like to thank you for your gener-

ous gi� of $100.

It is because of your con�nued support, that we are able to build simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with local families in need.

Again, thank you for suppor�ng Habitat’s mission

In Partnership, Jennifer E. Schimmel, Execu�ve Director

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3

September 10th

Join us for a delicious French Toast Breakfast and register your children for Sunday School.

Sunday School starts September 17.

S��� T�� D����

C�������� T�� S��� Saturday, September 9th

8:00 am to 2:00 pm rain or shine.

Like last year, there will be a community tag sale on the lawn of ELUMC. Members of the com-munity will be able to purchase space and sell their tag sale

items. Anyone in the congrega�on is also welcome to purchase a space and sell their tag sale items. Each 10’ x 10’ space is $10. Applica�ons are available on our church website. Questions — see Julie Dunlop, Liz Gelinas, Laurel Manley, Laura Kinney, or Barbara Ollson.

In addi�on to sending in your pledges while your enjoying the summer weather, you can also help keep our ministries going by dona�ng items the church can make use of. The possibili�es are endless.

Here are a few examples:

Roll of forever stamps

Ba�eries for the sanctuary microphones (9volt & AA)

Paper goods for fellowship �me (environmentally friendly - no Styrofoam)

Name-brand corkscrew pasta for Our Place meals

Use your imagina�on to come up with even more ideas.

Register now with Lay Leaders Rick & Chris Hutchinson or call the office at 525-7416

Worship Retreat October 13-15

Spirit Fire Retreat Center

Dear Church Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I am wri�ng to tell you that I am resigning as Music Director of ELUMC, effec�ve September 1. My last Sunday with you will be August 27.

This was a very difficult decision to make! However, my request for an extension for my doctoral program was final-ly approved! (My eight years to complete expired this spring.) Because of that, I will be returning to classes this fall, and it just isn’t possible for me to do both.

I want to thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your support of me and my program over the years. I will miss all of you VERY much, and I move forward carrying many wonderful memories in my heart. I hope you will pray for me as I move forward, and I will keep all of you in my prayers.

God bless and keep each and every one of you! JT

Brainstorming & planning the year ahead in worship.

Join our efforts to make sensory-rich worship

meaningful and memorable.

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4

On Sunday, June 11th, ELUMC, St. Mark’s Episcopal & the First Congrega�onal Church came to worship, pray and sing together as a united Body of Christ. The special guest preacher, was Dr. M. Saleem Bajwa from the Islamic Society of Western MA. Dr. Bajwa reminded us that we are blessed more in doing good when we act, together -- communi�es of faith (Jewish, Chris�an, Muslim) have a common mission of love and jus�ce.

ELUMC’s “Rhythm for All” grant program kicked off its series of workshops on multigenerational music-making with rhythm instruments on Sunday, June 4th. The opening workshop was led by our good friend, drummer Rick Marshall. Rick introduced us to the idea of drum circles, using his “bucket” drums which are so popular.

Prayers at the start of the Methodist-Episcopal so�ball game. St. Mark's ended up holding on to the John Wesley trophy 5-4 in 7 innings. But it was more about fun and fellowship than any trophy Thanks to the Jones family for dona�ng the sandwiches and cookies to fuel the teams!

Faye shakes her

maracas while the

drum circle keeps the

beat.

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F������ ��� H����� L����� ��� F�����

Every Wednesday, 100-150 peo-ple–men, women, and children– receive a hot lunch at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Springfield. Some are homeless,

most are families trying to make ends meet.

WE NEED YOU on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to help us provide that meal. At 8:30ish a group gathers in our kitchen to cook up whatever recipe is planned for that day.

Here’s how you can help.

of the month, meet the crew from 8:30 - 11 to chop, prep, cook, li�, and package the meal for travel.

IF you’re short on �me but don’t mind cleaning – show up at 10:30 - 11:00 to help wash the pans and return the kitchen to its pris�ne condi�on.

you can help transport and serve the meal from 11-1 (or just meet at the Cathedral at noon to serve). It’s a very organized, quick system to provide meals and it takes less than an hour to feed everyone.

IF you don’t have �me on one Wednesday morning a month, how about buying pasta for the meal? They use 20lbs of Rigatoni/Ziti every month – they request name brand pasta “with lines on them” rather than generic brands that don’t hold up to baking. Or you can be a shopper of meats. The Cornbowers o�en bought the chicken at Arnolds and with their move back to Pennsylva-nia, there’s an opening for meat buyer.

IF you can’t be a buyer, you can s�ll help with a do-na�on toward the food. Put Loaves & Fishes on your giv-ing envelope or on the memo line of check.

Let Denise Forgue know of your interest and she’ll get you started (413-733-5644 or mems5luvs@gmail.com)

A R������� F��� ��� C����� T��������

As we head into the summer months, please try to keep your church giving current. If you’ve fallen behind this year, please try and catch up. Thank you, Julie

July services Sunday at 10:00 am

family - focused, in the round with 2 “pray-ground” areas for the kids. (in the middle of the ac�on or more removed).

Send in your favorite country song of faithful living and we'll play it during worship.

July 2 Hero Central

July 9 David Calhoun, District Supervisor preaching

July 14-16 Partridge Hollow Campground All-Church Camping Adventure with Sunday morning worship

around the campfire.

July 16 Tom & Joan McGowan preaching in the sanctuary.

August services Sunday evening at 6:30 pm

outdoors with ice cream following

the service Bring your own lawn chair

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C � � � �� � � � � � L � � � � � � � � � (See Lay Leadership report insert.

For on-line version go to the last page)

On June 19 at our church conference, we elected a

slate of new officers for the shared ministry ahead of us.

We are grateful for those who are stepping into new roles and on new teams:

Kelly Greene new Church Council chair, Diane Chandler, Recording Secretary, Diane Hemingway, Financial Secretary & Barbara Mar�no Staff/Parish Rela�ons chairperson & Jessica Ryan, Safe Sanctuary Coordinator. We also wel-come John Dunlop, Vera Denyko & Fred Gagnon as new Members-at-large to the Council.

Jack Redman & John Deziel join the Media Team.

Andrew Samuelson will co-chair the Stewardship team with Ruth Owen and Ashlee Deziel will be joining the team.

Pam Minahan joins the Education team & we are desperate to find someone to coordinate the vital Safe Sanctuary program.

Kim Ketcham joins SPRC & John Dunlop takes his wife Julie’s spot on the team.

Ma� Leveille who filled in for Bill Gelinas when he was deployed now becomes an official Trustee.

Rick & Chris Hutchinson have graciously agreed to extend their role as Lay Leaders for one more year as we seek to recruit others to this pivotal func�on.

We are also grateful for those leaders who have served faithfully and are now rota�ng out of their leadership roles:

Sco� Grabowski who has faithfully chaired the Trustees and is also rota�ng off the team.

We are especially grateful for the leadership of Denise Evans who is training new leaders for the Media Team and had a central role in developing our worship service for many years, but is planning a move to North Carolina next summer.

We are grateful for Tom McGowan’s able leadership of the Stewardship Team, he steps down as chair but remains on the team.

Diane Hemingway rotates off Lay leadership and we add Kelly Greene, Paul Kinney & Carol Johnston to the team.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

The Lay Leadership prayerfully considers their work to find places of service where we match the gifts and graces of members with work that feeds their soul. If you’re feeling called to help talk with the lay leaders or pastor about how you can be in ministry & help us serve others.

F��� ��� T�������

The desk in Pastor Kelly’s office needs to be replaced. We are looking for a wooden desk in good condi�on with similar

dimensions to the current desk: 4� 8" wide, 2�. 6''deep.has three drawers on right, and 2 drawers on le�

If anyone has a desk or knows of someone who maybe retiring a desk in GREAT condition, please call Joan Clark so that measurements and other details can be discussed.

J���� D����� H���� T� H���� O�� V�������

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organiza�on created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. The mission is to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to Visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. The top priority is given to the senior veterans - World War !! survivors, along with those other vet’s who many be terminally ill. As the number of WW II veterans is dwindling, Honor Flight has begun to include Korean War Veterans on their flights.

Julie applied and was selected as a guardian on a Father’s Day flight from Manchester, NH to Washington, DC. She was paired with 85 year old Korean War veteran, Wallace Health. They spent the day together visi�ng the memorials in Washington, DC. Wallace and the other 20 veterans received a hero’s welcome all day long, from motorcycle and police escorts, to the crowds of people lining up at the airport Sunday morning and then again late Sunday night to cheer and shake their hands. Those visi�ng the memorials that day wanted to tell the veterans themselves, thank you for your service. Julie commented, “It was an experience I will never forget and I look forward to accompanying another WWII or Korean War veteran to the memorials in Washington, DC.”

Our own Julie Dunlop on an honor flight taking a veteran to the memorials in DC. What a great

service to our country --both of them.

T�� M�������� M�������� 7

The Springfield Clinic of New England Jus�ce for Our Neighbors con�nues to serve our neighbors in need. The clinic is held on the second and fourth Mondays of

each month. With our partners at Community Legal Aid, Inc. the clinic offers free legal advice and service to about four individuals each night.

Because people in need of legal counsel o�en come with other friends and family members, the clinic also provides free childcare and a wonderful home-cooked meal for every guest. The childcare and meal are provided by different volunteers from area congrega�ons; East Longmeadow UMC, St. Paul’s UMC in Ludlow, Faith UMC of Chicopee, and Trinity UMC of Springfield. In addi�on, volunteers from the East Longmeadow UMC and Trinity UMC regularly volunteer with recep�on and intake procedures.

Since the start of the year, the clinic has seen twenty people from the following countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Cameroon, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Colombia, El Salvador, China. As of the end of February 2017, the CLA lawyers have 38 open JFON cases

Clinic coordinator Diane Mackie recently had a very personal experience regarding the importance of JFON. A student from a local high school where Diane teaches was very upset and was ac�ng out. When his teacher spoke with him about his behavior, he finally opened up that his father was in deporta�on proceedings. The teacher spoke with Diane who was able to give them an appointment with the JFON clinic. Since visi�ng with the lawyer, the student is in much be�er spirits and has been able to focus on his studies again.

The JFON clinic in Springfield has been able to help many people who otherwise would not be able to get affordable legal help for their immigra�on issues. It has been an important ministry for Trinity since September of 2013.

(excerpt from the April 2017 New England Jus�ce For Our Neighbors Newsle�er)

D����� S��� V��������

W��� �� ��� H������ R�S����?

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Wes�ield is a non-profit home improvement store and dona�on center that accepts dona�ons of new and gently used building materials, furniture, appliances and décor items and much more, then sells these items to the public at a frac�on of the retail price.

Located at 301 East Main Street in Wes�ield, the store is open to the public, with items priced 30-80% off retail prices. Merchandise sales support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to serve families in need of simple, decent affordable housing...building homes, community, and hope throughout Hampden County and around the world.

The store is open for shopping Tuesday 12:00pm-5:00pm and Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00am-6:00pm. Dona�ons are accepted Tuesday through Saturday between 10:00am and 5:00pm.

To schedule a pick up or ask a question call 413-642-8990 and/or send a picture to ReStore@Habitatspringfield.org.

S������� �� ��� R�S���� �� � ���-��� ���������.

E������� ��������!

All proceeds support families in need.

ReStore benefits the environment. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Re-purpose!

Customers receive usable items at affordable prices for their home improvement needs.

V�������� �� ��� R������

Volunteer opportuni�es available helping with sales counter & floor, pricing merchandise, cleaning, organizing and so much more! We can’t do it without dedicated volunteers.

“A House Is Built With Boards And Beams,

A Home Is Built With Love and Dreams.” -Unknown

SAFE SANCTUARIES

T��� ������ �� ��������� �� ��������� � ���� ����� ��� ��� ��������.

Address Service Requested

East Longmeadow United Methodist Church 215 Somers Road, STE 2

East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998

413-525-7416 • a reconciling congrega�on www.elumc.org

THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE �� J���

10:00 a.m. – Worship Professional child care available for the li�le ones 10:45 a.m. – Fellowship Time

THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE �� A�����

6:30 p.m. – Worship on the lawn with ice cream fellowship to follow Nursery is open but unstaffed.

The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

T���� A����� ELUMC A��-C����� C������ W������

July 14-16 Partridge Hollow Campground, Monson, MA

Come join us for the weekend, 1 night or 1 day. No Tent? No problem we’ve got plenty.

The campground has a pool, wading pool, horseshoe pit, playground etc...

All Ages Welcome!

The cost is $72 per family which includes 2 adults and 2 children. Day trippers can come for the day for a fee. You need not have camping equipment to par�cipate — we have extra stuff.

Deadline to register is July 7

For more informa�on please contact Rick Hutchinson. Registra�on forms are available at the church office.

Please e-mail completed informa�on to Rick Hutchinson or leave it in his church mailbox. Payment in full due upon arrival. Make checks payable to ELUMC and mark CAMPING on the check.

For the on-line church calendar follow this link:

http://57650311.view-events.com/

Revised 6/19/2017

East Longmeadow United Methodist Church Leadership Teams 2017-2018

CHURCH COUNCIL

Church Council Team Leader Kelly Greene

Lay Member/Annual Conference Tom McGowan

Alt. Lay Member/Equalization Member AC Lois Harris

Lay Leader Rick & Chris Hutchinson

Church Council Recording Secretary Diane Chandler

Financial Secretary Diane Hemingway

Treasurer Julie Dunlop

Worship Chris Hutchison

Education Laurie Conz

Stewardship/Outreach Ruth Owen & Andrew Samuelson

Staff/Parish Relations Barbara Martino

Trustees _________________

Finance John W. Dunlop

Endowment Ross Overlock

Youth Liz Gelinas, Laura Kinney KC Leveille & Barbara Ollson

Membership Secretary Carol Johnston

Lay Leadership Co-Leaders Pastor & Lay Leader

WORSHIP Team Leader: CHRIS HUTCHINSON (19) Kelly Greene (18) Usher Coordinator Denise Evans, (18) AV Ex officio Vera Denyko (19) Chris Hutchinson (19) Sandy Lemanski (19) Tom McGowan (20) Joan McGowan (20) __________________ Music Director and Pastor

EDUCATION Team Leaders: Laurie Conz (19) Louise House (17) Adult Ed Laura Kinney (18) Patricia Ryan (18) Laurie Conz (19) Liz Gelinas (19) Pam Minahan (20) Safe Sanctuary Coordinator Jessica Ryan Nursery Coordinator Diane Hemingway Adult Education Coordinator Louise House (17) Confirmation Coordinator Kaitlin Conz Leveille

Bold indicates new assignment

MINISTRY TEAMS

STEWARDSHIP/OUTREACH Co-Team Leaders: Ruth Owen & Andrew Samuelson Bev Kalloch (18) Julie Dunlop (18) Lois Harris (18) Ruth Owen (19) Ashlee Deziel (20) Andrew Samuelson (20) Lay Leader and Pastor Diane Hemingway – Financial Secretary Pioneer Valley Free Health Service Liaison: Bill Johnston or designee Vance Gagnon

Gary Conz – Recreation Coordinator ____________ – Visitation Coordinator

MEDIA TEAM Denise Evans Kelly Greene Jack Redman John M. Dunlop Steve Hilbun John Deziel

Members-at-large John Dunlop Vera Denyko Fred Gagnon Bev Kalloch Kaitlin Leveille

Revised 6/19/2017

STAFF/PARISH RELATIONS Team Leader: Barbara Martino Barbara Martino (20) Gary Conz (19) John Arnold (19) Mike Dodson (19) John Dunlop (20) vice-chair Kim Ketcham (20) _____________ young person <35 Lay Leader: Rick & Chris Hutchinson Lay Member: Tom McGowan Pastor FINANCE Team Leader: John W. Dunlop (18) John W. Dunlop (18) Bill Johnston (18) Lay Member/AC: Tom McGowan Lay Leader: Rick & Chris Hutchinson Financial Secretary: Diane Hemingway Treasurer: Julie Dunlop Church Council TL: John M. Dunlop SPR Representative Trustee Representative Stewardship TL: Tom McGowan & Ruth Owen Auditors: Kelly Greene & Ruth Owen LEADERS OF CREWS

Fellowship Family Ministries Vance Gagnon Liz Gelinas Bev Kalloch Laura Kinney Lois Harris Reconciling Team Bell Choir Vera Denyko – co-chair Joan McGowan Kim Ketcham – co-chair Singles & More Kelly Greene

SUPPORT TEAMS

TRUSTEES Team Leader: _______________ Fred Gagnon (18) Carol Johnston (18) Joan Clark (19) Kelly Greene, recording secretary (19) John Ketcham (19) Matt Leveille (20) Bill Gelinas (20) Paul Kinney (20) Ex-officio mbs: Security Coordinators: Michael Dodson (17) 1st Response: Paul Kinney (17) Lawn – Dave Ritchie (18) ENDOWMENT Team Leader: Ross Overlock Endowment Treasurer: Mike Lemanski Ross Overlock (17) Norm Richards ex officio Pastor LAY LEADERSHIP Team Leader: Pastor & Lay Leader Rick & Chris Hutchinson Julie Dunlop (18) Bev Kalloch (18) Kaitlin Leveille (18) Barbara Ollson (18) Diane Chandler (19) John Dunlop (19) Beth Fisk (19) Kelly Greene (20) Paul Kinney (20) Carol Johnston (20)

RECONCILING John M. Dunlop Julie Dunlop Emily Dunlop Vera Denko

Capital Campaign Team Paul Kinney & Kelly Greene – co-chairs John M. Dunlop Bob Ferguson Rick Hutchinson KC Leveille Joan McGowan Kelly Turney