Good Tidings a publication of the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church - March, 2015 March 2015 Quick Look: Sunday Mornings 8:30am ~ Worship, a Quiet, Communion Service 10:30am ~ Worship with Choir, Children's time, Communion 1st Sunday of every month. Wednesdays Thru Lent February 25 - March 25 9:30am ~ Bible Study 6:30pm ~ Lenten Soup/Study Thursdays 7:00pm ~ Choir practice Holy Week - March/April 3/29 ~ Palm Sunday 4/2 ~ Maundy Thursday 7pm Service 4/3 ~ Good Friday 7pm Service 4/5 ~ Easter Sunday ____________________ Church Staff: Rev. Lynn McCracken Pastor Rev. Thomas F. Conboy Minister of Visitation Barbara Pavao Minister of Music Kim Kloczkowski Office Manager Monday-Thursday, 8-2pm Phil Lord Sextant _____________________ Contact Information: Arnold Mills UMC 690 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland, RI 02864 (401) 333-5203 www.amumc.org Saturday March 21 Potluck At 6:00 p.m. Movie At 7:00 p.m. Sign up on the poster Located in the Coat room! (See more from the Hospitality Committee on Page 5) Give It Up! by Dottie Escobedo-Frank will be our Lenten study Feb. 25 - March 25 The back cover of the book describes it this way: Our world is full of distractions and noise – from cell phones and social media to mirrors and even our own voices, we are surrounded by things that monopolize our minds and isolate us from God. A week without mirrors allows us to see the true beauty within, while a week of silence attunes us to God’s voice and the sounds of life. The book invites us to commit to step away from life’s commotion and culminates with Easter, where give it up takes on a whole new meaning. Free of distraction, we can give it up in applause and celebration of Christ, who rose from the dead and seeks to meet up with us in our daily lives. Dear AMUMC Family, As most of you know, Courtney and I will be moving into the parsonage later this spring. (Will spring ever come?) As we prepare our home to put on the market, we are purging the things that we have meant to throw out over the years. It is a wonderful exercise, especially in this season of Lent. The practice of purging gives one freedom from earthly treasures. In this process I find many of the things I treasured when I was a twenty-something, no longer have significance. Out they go. It is amazing how good empty space feels instead of clutter. I invite you to ponder the question asked at the class meetings of John Wesley’s day, “How is it with your soul?” Is it cluttered with things you wish to get rid of? What stops you from purging them? Paul writes these words of advice to the church at Philippi, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). Here is your Lenten invitation to practice the advice of Paul. Use these words of wisdom to help you clean house. Take seriously the question, “How is it with your soul?” Be still, and learn where this will take you on your personal faith journey. Be Blessed, Lynn Welcome New Members! On Sunday, February 22nd seven new members joined the church. They are from L-R: Alex Kithes, Lisa and Brandon Bell, David and Rebekah Puleo , Mike and Jodi Manni. The entire Arnold Mills United Methodist Church family welcomes you! Would you like to become a member of the church? It has been the tradition in the history of the church that baptisms and people joining the church happens on Easter Sunday. As we celebrate a new life through the resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate a new life through baptism and church membership. Pastor Lynn invites all those interested in becoming members of Arnold Mills United Methodist Church to meet with her at 11:30AM on Sunday, March 8th in the church vestry (across from the church offices). Please feel free to bring coffee and refreshments from Cargill Hall to this brief informational meeting. If you are interested in finding out more, but are unable to make this meeting, please speak with Pastor Lynn. Prayer Requests Our heartfelt sympathy all who are grieving the loss of loved ones including the family and friends of the following who have returned home to the Lord: Henry Aldrich, February 11 - husband of Norma Aldrich Chesly Lauzier, February 1, daughter of Eleanor Allard Alice Raymond, February 22, aunt of Dave Raymond Madeline Nixon, friend and neighbor of Pam Martin Janice Strain Belisle, February 13, wife of David Belisle Prayers of Praise! Caiden Tyler Gauvin was born February 18th to Tim and Sarah (Miller) Gauvin. He is the little brother of Sydnee and Trey and great grandson of Bruce Shaw. He was delivered by Dr. Rebecca Randall Nakshian! KUDOS to Fran Carr's daughter, Jennifer F. Carr, primary author of a paper published recently in the Journal of Bacteriology entitled Engineering the Genome of Thermus thermophilus Using a Counterselectable Marker from the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University. Invitation: The congregation of the Calvin Presbyterian Church on Angell Rd., Cumberland invites you to join them as they celebrate the ordination of Kevin Andrew White, and installation as Teaching Elder on Sunday, March 8th at 4:00PM. Prayers for those undergoing medical tests including Sandy Angell, Meridee Beauregard and Sean. Lois Vincenzo (knee surgery); Dottie Audette (open heart surgery), Dick (broken hip); Olga, Jane Shaw’s friend; Maria Encarnacion (friend of Cindy Mauch); Paul Baro; all children awaiting adoption and all trying to adopt; those with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their families. Sally Brager, (Bruce Shaw's sister-in-law); Richard Morin; Stacy Johnson’s mother; Alex Philips’ Mom; Gary Mazzie, Laura Viehmann, Arthur Belisle. All nursing home residents & caregivers including Don & Joyce Burrell, Dawn Cavallaro, Margaret Kelly, Doris Palmer, Eleanor Preston, Flora Stanley, Virginia Ziegler. For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, laying the foundation for UMCOR’s ministry of relief and hope. Donations UMCOR receives through this offering, along with other undesignated gifts made throughout the year, cover our costs of doing business. Gifts like yours make it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other contributions on the projects our donors specify, instead of on administrative or fundraising costs. UMCOR does not receive United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds, so without your offerings, UMCOR would not exist. Because we keep operating costs under 10% of our total budget, undesignated gifts may actually exceed UMCOR’s administrative needs. When that happens, your support is channeled to under-funded programs, where they’re most needed. They also may be used to allow UMCOR to respond to disasters immediately after an event and before funds can be raised. Because of your donation today, we're ready to respond in times of Pg. 3 crisis. EDUCATION COMMITTEE 3/2 Lexi JohnsonMcMahon 3/11 Olivia Lyon 3/6 David MacFarlane 3/18 Ben Johnson-McMahon 3/21 Heather Marszalkowski 3/26 Ryleigh Dunn Come praise the lord with song! Be a part of a new Youth Choir family. Barbara Pavao, our Minister of Music would like to reach out to all youth to see if there is an interested in forming a AMUMC Youth Choir, under her direction. Once we determine the interest, practice times will be set. Please speak with Barbara, Pastor Lynn, or email your interest to the church office. Upcoming dates in March 3/1: 10:30AM Jr Church - Cargill 3/2: 7PM Christian Ed. - Library 3/9: Girl Scout Sunday Girl Scout Sunday March 8th Girls & leaders - you are invited to wear your uniforms to church! We recognize an organization that aims to build “girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.” Beginning March 1st the children will be starting their next unit called, "Easter: Go & Tell". The main idea is that the resurrected Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. Jesus combined his instructions with a promise: "Remember, I am with you always". HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE Super Bowl sub sale: A giant thank you to all who purchased subs and bake sale items! On February 6th The Sparkling Singers performed a Winter Concert Of Love Songs which was greatly enjoyed by all. A freewill offering was taken and the Group donated the $330.00 collected to the ministry of our church. Many thanks to this talented group! The youth group will once again be hosting an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn for the children of the church school after church on Palm Sunday. Children ages pre-k through grade 5 are welcome. Thank you for your continued support! Nancy Gillardi, Leader MISSIONS & SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE Missions Trip - From March 10-15 Dave Raymond will be in Winter Park, CO to assist in providing recreational and emotional support for Combat-wounded U.S. military veterans at the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) www.nscd.org. The “No Boundaries” Program for disabled and combat-wounded military veterans promotes self-esteem, pride and a sense of accomplishment for all participating service men and women as they expand their independence and overcome challenges once thought insurmountable. Contact Dave if you want more information about this wonderful program 401-405-0701 dnr247365@cox.net March 15 will be our annual Missions Sunday presentation. Please join us at both services to celebrate the many activities and events in which our church members participate to benefit others. Our congregation contributes over $30,000 in our budget to fund our Mission shares to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The River UMC Soup Kitchen - Woonsocket On February 11th we celebrated a wonderful meal of clam cakes & chowder, hot dogs, dynamites and dessert, and also Dave Raymond’s birthday as he brought a cake for the guests to share! DAY CHANGE! Due to scheduling conflicts, we are going to switch to Sundays. We are scheduled from 4 to about 6 PM on March 8th, April 12th. Bring a hat (Dept. of Health requirement) and we have chef shirts and aprons for those who want to look “professional”! Thanks to Karen Oswain and Tom Cabana for their wonderful planning, organizing and leadership. Any portion of time you can volunteer would be wonderful and baked desserts are especially appreciated. If you would like to join this fellowship experience, or if you need a ride or want to donate some baked desserts but cannot attend the supper, please contact Karen at 401-333-2166 (H) Karen's e-mail: kkoswain@netscape.net Missions & Social concerns Committee (continued…) Franklin Farm - Planning for the spring plant- Franklin Farm Committee members include AMUMC members Pam Thurlow (2nd from left) and Craig Johnson (4th from left). ing is underway by the garden committee organizers. Now if Mother Nature would cooperate and melt this snow cover we can begin to lay out the planting rows in the garden areas. This Garden is the largest non-commercial garden in all of Rhode Island growing vegetables for needy families. Planning continues in cooperation with Cumberland Town officials to evaluate ways to restore the main farmhouse. If you are interested in assisting in the planning for this season, please contact Chip or Pam Thurlow: thurlowcp@aol.com (Chip); thurlowcp@verizon.net (Pam) or 401-333-1235. From this... to this... in just 4 months! Habitat for Humanity The construction project in Woonsocket is rapidly making progress. The wiring has been completed, and the dry wall installed so the inside work is under full swing. Unfortunately, there will be a brief delay in continuing construction while the organizers coordinate selection of the family scheduled to live in the house. While we are normally scheduled to assist on the second Saturday of each month, we will have to wait for HFH to notify us that they are ready to proceed. We will notify you when we can resume our normal schedule. Be sure to communicate with Al Belisle if you are interested in volunteering or have any questions at: 333-2290; arbelisle@cox.net. Cintas Clothing Donations are delivered to the River UMC and the St. James Episcopal Church in Woonsocket by Ron Blais and Chip Thurlow. Any questions, please contact Chip Thurlow. 401-3331235, thurlowcp@aol.com Since 2011 we have delivered over 650 large trash bags of clothing to those two and other organizations! Woonsocket Shelter - We continue to donate to families in need of housing assistance. The guests continue to need bedding (sheets, towels, quilts, etc.), personal care items (soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, etc.) and canned goods. Donations left in the hallway by the display case are transported to the shelter on a regular basis. Thank you letters from the Shelter are posted on the Missions Bulletin Board in the coat room. Chip Thurlow, Chairperson, thurlowcp@aol.com Missions and Social Concerns Committee Pg. 5 Yardley United Methodist Church in Yardley PA is reaching out to all Middle School Students with a Missions Opportunity. This is the home church of Nacia (Whitcomb) Lipton, Selden Whitcomb's daughter and family. Her children participate in the Youth Group. Middle School Students, are you Ready to Serve? We are waiting for YOU! The Mission: From July 12-15, 2015 YOU will work light construction on homes as well as reaching out into the community through soup kitchens, homeless ministries and other outreach organizations. YOU will spend one day at each site for a well-rounded mission experience. So, please, come have fun while serving a community! The cost is only $150 per person and it includes your lodging and meals (all at the church), a T-shirt and building materials. Do you want more information or are you ready to sign up? Fill out the form at www.yumycalling.com and we will contact you! Contact Denise Harris or Nancy Scurloc at: 215-493-3345 x202, or yumoffice@gmail.com. The work, schedule and focus is on Middle School students (entering 6th-9th gr. Fall, 2015). High School Students are at the discretion of your church. We eat, sleep and play at Yardley UMC. If you have 1-2 youth they can come without an adult, 3 or more from one church we MUST have an adult (to serve as drivers, worksite leaders, support and complete participants in the mission. We organize this mission so that Youth Leaders/Pastors can enjoy the time with their teens. Mechuwana's summer camp brochure is available in the coatroom and on their website at mechuwana.org. Make plans now and sign up early before your camp fills up! NEW PROGRAMS FOR 2015 Include: Family Camp Woods Craft Culture Camp Paper Crafts Travel/Adventure BOARD OF TRUSTEES It's been a long winter and we have tried our best to keep up with the winter storms. Our thanks to Pat Bradley for donating all the plowing done after the numerous storms we've had and to Tom Smith for shoveling. We join with Pastor Lynn in encouraging you all to use your best judgment about joining us for worship services in inclement weather. Your safety is our first concern. In the event services need to be canceled we will have them broadcast on all the major TV channels and posted on Facebook.  Our heating problems seem to be fixed since we've had no problems recently.  We are working with a consultant regarding fire panel recommendations.  A new exterior light outside of Cargill Hall has been installed giving good illumination to both walks at night.  We are looking into installing an AC/Heat pump in the church offices.  Thirty new windows will be installed in the Cargill Hall/Church School/Kitchen.  Colored light bulbs were purchased and installed in the stage floor receptacles and all stage lighting is now functional. We are looking forward to spring and once again seeing our beautiful church grounds. Your board of Trustees continue the work of protecting to the best of our ability the church's physical and financial assets. Our 2015 members are: Fran Carr, Tom Cabana, Craig Emerson, Lindsay Gettinger, Tom Hetherington, Pam Martin, Scott Murphy, Rebecca O'Melia, and Dave Raymond. Fran Carr, Chairperson WORSHIP COMMITTEE NEWS The Worship Committee has set aside, Sunday, March 22 as a day to offer healing services during our normal worship hours. Scripture strongly affirms ministries of spiritual healing. The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek is sozo, the same as that of salvation and wholeness. Spiritual healing is God’s work of offering persons balance, harmony, and wholeness of body, mind, spirit, and relationships through confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Through such healing, God works to bring about reconciliation between God and humanity, among individuals and communities, within each person, and between humanity and the rest of creation. All healing is of God. The Church’s healing ministry in no way detracts from the gifts God gives through medicine and psychotherapy. It is no substitute for either medicine or the proper care of one’s health. Rather, it adds to our total resources for wholeness. God does not promise that we shall be spared suffering but does promise to be with us in our suffering. Trusting that promise, we are enabled to recognize God’s sustaining presence in pain, sickness, injury, and estrangement. A service of healing is not necessarily a service of curing, but it provides an atmosphere in which healing can happen. For the Christian the basic purpose of spiritual healing is to renew and strengthen one’s relationship with the living Christ. (adapted from the UMBOW, pgs. 613-614) At our services you are invited to receive an anointing with oil, then take some time to kneel at the railing or return to your seat, and spend some time in prayer. I will invite you to come forward as you feel called. If you are not comfortable with this, please do not feel you have to participate. You can remain seated and pray. My hope is that you will find the service meaningful to you. Pastor Lynn AMUMC Worship Survey - Many thanks to everyone who participated in our recent Worship Survey. Your feedback will inform our Worship Committee on what is working and what we may want to improve in regards to our Worship services. A total of 53 people responded to the survey. Of those who responded, 25% were married or single with children; 21% are single, and 54% are married “empty nesters” or without children at home. Most people (75%) who responded have attended our services for over 10 years. Here are some details of what we heard from you: Satisfaction with Worship Services - A large majority (80 to 90%) of those responding like the general feel, style and order of worship services. Sermon quality was rated high, as was the “children’s time” portion of the worship service. The choir and special music selections are also viewed very favorably. Almost 25% of those responding thought that the congregation should be participating more during the worship service. Others (47%) would like to see additional music selections, such as a blend of traditional and contemporary hymns. Most people (74%) were satisfied with the current number and times of our worship service. Favorite Part of Worship Comments - A wide variety of “favorites” were shared—Sermons, Children’s time, Communion, and Music were the most frequently cited. Other Comments - Several people expressed concerns about the “Welcome” ritual held at the beginning of each service, saying that the time seemed disruptive to the general feel of the service. We have eliminated this section from the services for now as we consider other ways to ensure that people have adequate time for greeting each other. Many other suggestions were made, although none reached the level of a consensus. All suggestions will be reviewed with care and consideration to each of them. Next Steps - Pastor Lynn and all those involved in Worship Services will use the survey results provided to enhance our Worship time together. We will continue to seek clarification on some comments made, and we encourage you to continue to provide feedback about our Worship Pg. 7 Services. Indulge for Lent: Rather than sacrificing something for Lent — especially something easy and spiritually insignificant, such as chocolate — Patty Kirk, in Guideposts magazine, suggests finding new ways to indulge in God’s presence. Surely one can do this by having extra devotions or attending Lenten worship services. But Kirk offers these ideas: • Spend time outdoors, sensing God’s magnificence. • Spend time with others, extending generosity and compassion. Remember Jesus’ promise that when you care for others, you care for him (Matthew 25:31-46). • Pray for the “little things,” coming before God in childlike trust and feeling peace. • Watch attentively for God’s answers to prayer, and receive them as reminders of his presence. • Turn anxiety into prayer. As you frame concerns as prayers and entrust them to God, you “sacrifice” the tendency to wallow in worry. JOIN US for Wednesday morning Bible study! Currently we are studying Exploring the Bible: The Dickenson Series, by Anne Robertson Introducing the New Testament ALL are welcome. Holy Week, 2015: Worship Events for Holy Week (March 29th - April 5th) Palm Sunday: March 29th - 8:30 & 10:30 A.M. Worship Services Maundy Thursday Service - April 2nd - 7 p.m. Good Friday Service - April 3rd - 7 p.m. Easter: April 5th - Outdoor Sunrise Service: 6:00 A.M. Led by the Youth Group overlooking the Reservoir 8:30 & 10:30 A.M. Easter Services Easter Flowers – A wonderful way to celebrate the resurrection while remembering or honoring a loved one. All information must be received by March 29th. Order Your Easter Flowers Please fill out this form and return it with your check in the offering plate, or mail it to the church (690 Nate Whipple Hwy, Cumberland, RI 02864, clearly marked Easter Flowers. Checks should be made payable to AMUMC. Please consider picking up your flowers after the late service on Easter Sunday morning. Name: ________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________ _____ Tulip ($ /ea.) _____ Easter Lily ($ /ea.) _____ I will pick up my plant(s) Sorry, prices to come soon! In honor of: _____________________________________________________________ From:__________________________________________________________________ In honor of: _____________________________________________________________ From:__________________________________________________________________ Please print clearly, thank you! In memory of : ___________________________________________________________ From: __________________________________________________________________ In memory of : ___________________________________________________________ From: __________________________________________________________________ March, 2015 Arnold Mills United Methodist Church 690 Nate Whipple Highway Cumberland, RI 02864-3353 Rev. Lynn McCracken (401) 333-5203 ww.AMUMC.org Address Service Requested Don’t forget to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed Saturday night! On Sunday March 8th!