SP&SA Update Page 1

Over the last few days I’ve heard several different discussions about gay marriage on public radio. The arguments for and against (mostly for, hey, I said public radio) were interesting, but a bit predictable. What struck me, though, was the number of times gay callers mentioned, quite casually, the support they and their partners receive from their church

communities.

Why would that be surprising? I’ve served this great reconciling congregation for years, and I’ve had the privilege of being involved in a number of weddings and commitment ceremonies. (Our daughter Jessie was five or six before she understood that weddings could involve people of different genders!) I know how important an inclusive view of God’s love is to

my own understanding of the Christian faith.

Still, the overwhelming public perception has been that churches are hostile to gay rights and marriage equality. That perception is fed by many things, including the official stand of our own denomination, which as recently as last month issued a ruling prohibiting people like me from officiating at gay and lesbian weddings, even in states

where they are legally sanctioned.

But churches are still churches, and Christians are still Christian. I can remember my dad telling me that whatever we think, or think we think, about people in the abstract, it’s hard to harbor prejudices against people

you actually know.

Maybe the fact that so many gay callers wanted to talk about the support of their congregations means that perceptions are

changing. I only know that listening to those callers gave me a real feeling of

pride in the church.

Speaking of that, there are lots of chances this month to show your pride in the church. June is Pride Month, culminating in the annual Heritage of Pride parade down Fifth Ave. Please plan to come!

Last year’s SPSA contingent was awesome: some thirty of us, including more than a

dozen youth. Talk about pride in the church!

I know there are a lot of committed and faithful Christians who do not agree with me about gay marriage, ordination, or a lot of other things. And that’s OK with me. Every once in awhile the Spirit enables us to have a great conversation, and some blessed thing

flows out of it!

This morning I met with a group of Midwest Methodists from Michigan who had come to see our church. Excellent people, in love with the Gospel. I took them through the food pantry and the shelter and the theatre and everywhere. They were curious about everything we do, so I explained how our reconciling ministry began. I was surprised and delighted at how many heads nodded in agreement. And as I told our story, I know

that they felt my pride in the church.

I know this isn’t a perfect church. Lord save us from being a perfect church. But I

hope it’s a church God can take pride in.

Pride in the Church By K Karpen

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YOUNG ADULTS:

Strangely-Warmed Hearts By Rev. Manny Santiago

There is a well known story about John Wesley and his experience at a religious meeting in Aldersgate, when he joined a group of Moravian Christians for their worship. The story says that, while listening to the reading of Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans, Wesley felt his heart ―strangely warmed.‖ It was from this time on that Wesley decided to work towards the renovation of the church of his time.

It is true that the church has had many renovations. It is also true that we can join another reformer, John Calvin, when he stated that ―the church reformed and always to be reformed.‖ The work of the church does not stop just because is summer! On the contrary, the season of Pentecost which we celebrate at the end of May is a call to feel the Spirit of God to do God’s work during the liturgical season of the Ordinary Time. John Wesley’s experience of a heart so moved by God’s grace helped him to understand that the church cannot conform to what has always been done. This experience also helped Wesley to envision a church that is involved with the movements of social action and social justice.

During this summer time, it is my invitation to the young adults at SPSA to look for experiences with God when our hearts get ―strangely warmed.‖ Here are some ideas:

-Take time to pray, both individually and in the company of family and friends.

-Read at least one passage of the Bible a day. -During your vacations (if you are taking any during the summer) plan to visit places that need an economic boost; help the country to get back on its feet! -Volunteer to help in Vacation Bible School at SPSA or in any summer event for kids or youth in our church or elsewhere.

-Foster new friendships with people around you.

By following these simple things, the experience of Pentecost can happen again and again in our hearts, and the church will continue to be transformed by the people God has called to transform it.

Young Adult opportunities this month:

- Sunday, May 31, 6 pm: Pentecost Potluck at K & Charlene’s - Thursday, June 4th, 7 p.m.: Farewell ―happy hour‖ for Sara Pugh, at The Parlour - Saturday, June 6th, 2 p.m.: All church clean up of the courtyard and cook-out. - Sunday, June 7th, 10 a.m.: New Parents breakfast in the parlor. - Sunday, June 7th, 1 p.m.: Brown bag brunch in the park. Please bring a monetary donation for the Malawi project - Sunday, June 14th, 12 p.m.: YAs to host Coffee Hour - Tuesday, June 16th, 7 p.m.: YA Committee meeting - Saturday, June 20th, 7 p.m.: YAs dinner, place TBD - Sunday, June 28th, 1 p.m.: Pride New York march - Every Sunday during June at 10 a.m. in the parlor, the return of ―Hooking for Jesus!‖ Come with your knitting set or any other manual craft and join us as we watch the History Channel series: ―In Search of History.‖

MISSION, CHURCH AND SOCIETY: CROP WALK RECORD

The SPSA response to the 2009 CROP Walk has been phenomenal. We have exceeded our 2008 record of $4,001.00 for donations, and not all the results will be in until June 1. A final total will be in the next Update. I thank the following hunger busters for their support: 1) The children of the church for making the trail mix for the walkers; 2) the many walkers; 3) the youth, their families, and others for putting together the sandwiches and setting up the social hall for the festivities at the end of the walk; 4) the WSCAH crew for preparing all the delicious food; 5) the SPSA Online Team for the fantastic online donations they received; 6) and especially all of you who supported the walk with your generous donations.

My experience this year as chairperson of the NYC CROP Hunger Walk Committee has been terrific because of the awesome support all of you have given. I have learned through this CROP Walk experience that when the going gets tough, SPSA gets going. I'm glad I threw in my chips with this amazing SPSA community of faith. Thank you all for your commitment and action to stamp out hunger. God bless you! Ken Tulloch, Chairperson, SPSA Mission/Church and Society Work Area

SP&SA Update Page 3

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN: Purpose-Driven Concerns By Ressie Mae Bass, President

We have a PURPOSE! UNITED METHODIST WOMEN is a community of women whose purpose

is: To know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative sup-port community fellowship; and to expand con-cepts of mission through participation in the global mission of the church. The purpose state-ment refers specifically to ―the organized unit of United Methodist Women.‖ ―Organization‖ is right up front. Good organization is part of the heri-tage of women who have organized for mission.

A community of women exists through-out the organization, from the local and district unit, the district and conference organization to the officers, directors, and staff of the Women’s Division. This community strives to follow Christ’s teaching and example to do acts of jus-tice, mercy and faith and to serve one another on an equal basis. Members of UMW are unified by a common purpose. Mission is our reason for being and mission is our reason for ―doing.‖

At the May unit meeting we shared some of our con-cerns and issues related to the purpose and our responsibility as members. Out of this sharing, three specific issues/concerns surfaced:

-Immigrants and their families, their civil rights and

needs for advocacy on their behalf. -Economic crisis and the financial struggle many local units are facing across the country trying to met their Pledge.

They need our encouragement. -Boy Scouts trained in violence and how to use weapons to locate terrorist and illegal immi-grants.

We are exploring possible actions that can be taken on these issues.

UMW finds its leadership, strength, ca-pacity and creativity within each of its mem-bers. The Women’s Division is seeking to capture that spirit, that message, and get it out in celebra-tion and promotion of UMW. To that effort it is be-ginning to build a library of member images that will be woven into print, video and web communi-cation pieces, to promote the organization and the upcoming Assembly 2010. A video/photo shoot was held Saturday, May 9 in New Jersey. United Methodist Women of SPSA had five members who

participated: Edith Bryson, Miranda Sackeyfio, Beth Ann Kirby, Jo Goodson-Tiedeman and Dorcas Demasio.

The next unit meeting will be June 14 at 1 p.m. The program will be ―A Reinvigoration of the Love Feast‖ led by Dor-cas Demasio and Edith Bryson. We will not have a unit meeting in July and August but will resume in September.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE:

JOYS AND CONCERNS By Julia Kristeller

I don’t usually get to hear Joys and Concerns when they are announced in church. I miss that (though I do catch up on them later.) But during that time, I am with the children hearing their joys and concerns. Children who want to share in our circle and drop a stone or shell into a bowl of water or carry one away with them as a reminder. They often see both the joy and the concern in a given situation in their or another’s life.

We make time to share our joys and concerns because it isn’t always an easy thing to do, or to find a listening ear for. We practice because it takes a certain willingness to be open, vulnerable and direct. It isn’t about the drama, or the story. It is different than a complaint or a wish. It’s a declaration of what matters to

us, what is closest to our hearts. It’s a request for support through our pain or worries or for a shared acknowledgement of our joys and celebrations. It’s about our humanity. Being able to share our joys and concerns openly and in a safe space is a fundamental part of what a church community is about. As part of worship, it becomes a form of prayer.

We sang ―What a Friend We Have in Jesus‖ last week. I have always been struck by the line: ―What a privilege to carry, everything to God in Prayer.‖ It is a privilege that we all have to carry our pain and our joy to God. Sometimes this happens silently and privately. But it can also happen through our sharing with one another as community and as Christian friends. When we share our joys and concerns with each other out loud we all become the ears and the holding space of God. We build our trust and our faith that our humanity will be held.

Besides Joys and Concerns at worship, here are some other ways to share:

Come see me or the ministry staff

anytime you need to.

Family Workday and Cookout June

6 and other fellowship events and make some new friends.

Join the Visitation Team which will

meet In June at TK and is looking for a new leader, or let us know if you need a visit.

SPSA Career Roundtable: Renamed

to include all those rethinking their career path, by necessity or choice. Next meeting June 14th at 1 p.m. in the Chapel. Topic: Networking: In or Out of Work. Facilitated by Martha Patton and Chris Madden. Upcoming Bible Study: Spiritual Sustenance: Sharing the Sacred Stories of Women. Studies and sharing from scripture and our own lives. Thurs. June 11 for 6 weeks in the Youth Room. 6:30 p.m. Tea; 7-8:30 p.m. discussion.

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WHAT MIND IS UP TO AND HOW YOU CAN HELP By Charlotte Patton

Lots of exciting things are happening. As you may have heard, Bishop Richard Wilke—renowned leader and teacher in the Meth-odist Church and author of the Disciple Bible Study—will be MIND’s guest at annual conference this year! He will be speaking at the MIND lunch on Friday, June 12 on the topic ―Conflict in the Church.‖

Our own bishop, Jeremiah Park, extended the conference’s welcome to Bishop Wilke and asked him to preach the ordi-nation sermon. After years of imploring our conference leadership to include some kind of official acknowledge-ment of the exclusiveness of the ordination ceremony – the event that most painfully marks the unjust exclusion of LGBT people from the church – for the bishop to invite MIND’s guest speaker to take center stage at that event is huge.

Bishop Wilke’s schedule during his visit also includes a book sign-ing and a sermon at Christ Church on the day after our annual con-ference ends. We hope MIND members and supporters will take part in as many of these events as possible. Here is the summary:

Thursday, June 11, 6:30 p.m.: Cokesbury book signing, in the Hof-stra arena at annual conference; Bishop Wilke will be signing cop-ies of his 2008 book ―The Tie That Binds,‖ which includes a chapter on the struggle in church over how to treat LGBT people.

Friday, June 12, 12 p.m.: MIND lunch, in the Hofstra student center; keynote ―Conflict in the Church‖ by Bishop Wilke.

Saturday, June 13, 2 p.m.: Ordination service, Hofstra arena; ser-mon ―In Times Like These‖ by Bishop Wilke. (Armband team meets at noon; clergy assemble at 1 p.m.)

Sunday, June 14, 11 a.m.: Christ Church Sunday service, 520 Park Ave. (at 60th St.); sermon ―A Famine in the Land‖ by Bishop Wilke

We hope you’ll also consider volunteering to help MIND pull all these and other activities together. We need people most urgently to help with the armband distribution at the ordination service on Saturday. We also need people to help with the lunch on Friday, and for those that will be there

throughout annual conference, we need people to staff the MIND table. To volunteer, send an e-mail to DrBenz3@verizon.net.

Whether or not you are planning to attend annual conference, I hope you will become a member of MIND or renew your member-ship ($15 – more if you can, less if you need). We will be holding a membership drive during coffee hour on May 31. If you have any questions, please contact me at charpatton612@gmail.com or call me at 917-817-2530. Thank you for your continuing support for justice.

Peace, Charlotte Patton

Church Growth Task Force Update A Church Growth Task Force has begun meeting at SPSA. We’re talking about and planning for the HUGE topic of ―church growth.‖ Join in the conversation at our next meeting, June 1 at 7:15. In the meantime, consider this: Three things you can do to welcome visitors at SPSA:

1. Show up to church 10 minutes early to greet visitors and new faces. (NOTE: church

starts at 11 am. Really.)

2. Talk to three new people each week at coffee hour (this includes first-time visitors

and members you don’t know). 3. If you volunteer at the church (as a tutor, at the shelter, at WSCAH, etc.) tell a visi-

tor or new member about your experience. She/he may want to get involved as well. RethinkChurch Jayson Dobney and Sara Pugh greeted the sea of volunteers who poured into SPSA May 6th for the media launch of the UMC’s RethinkChurch campaign, and encouraged them to really rethink church in a way that welcomes all.

Homework Help End of Year Party! Gina Boonshoft poses with her student, Stephanie Olea, while mom Leticia ex-presses her thanks to Ken Tulloch for helping her with her English this year.

SP&SA Update Page 5

June

Birthdays

Children & Families: BIBLES AND BEYOND By Rev. Julia Kristeller

What role does the Bible have in the life of your children? Of your family? What do your kids know about the Bible? What do you hope they will learn? How can we all help the scriptures have more meaning and impact in their lives and ours? Often, in more progressive churches, in an effort to not take the Bible too literally, or not to re-experience the Bible drills of childhood, we question how to best integrate the Bible into the lives of our children.

In Sunday school we have been using two different Children’s Bibles, The Family Story Bible for K-1st grade and the Children’s Illustrated Bible for 2-5th. Each week in our small or large group we read and discuss a story from the Bible in a way that feels real, engaging We want to help children understand the humanity and divinity in the Bible, and how the lives and experiences and lessons relate to their own lives. They understand a lot, are beginning to really remember the stories and how they relate to each other, and they have a lot of great questions!

On June 7 children moving into Kindergarten or 2nd grade next year as well as any children who have not yet received a children’s Bible will be presented with one in church. We are hoping all children can attend. We want every child to have a Bible for the summer and encourage families to explore

and read the stories together. In Sunday School we will continue to learn about the books of the Bible and where they came from.

During June we will also continue to learn about the Early Christian Church and will

look at what it means to be a Christian kid, what it means as kids to be in service to others, and brainstorm some service projects for the summer.

June Events May 31: Pentecost. Share Your Spirit Sunday School. Come share your gifts of the spirit talent through music, art, dance with the children. Julia away. Potluck 6pm at the Parsonage.

June 6: Family Courtyard Clean-up, 2 pm.

June 7: Communion and Baptism Sunday. Children stay in Church, children entering K and 2nd grade receive Bibles.

June 14: New Parents Breakfast/Youth Sunday.

June 21: Sunday School Parents Breakfast 10 a.m. Celebrating Dads, Celebrating Summer

June 28: Pride March VBS 2009: The Way of Water: August 24th-28th A place for summertime fun, fellowship and friendship as children explore the Way of Water! We’ll look at water in the Bible and in life: Its beauty and how we need to protect and save water. And of course have lots of creative fun and play in and with water!

Enrollment Forms and Flyers Available now on Children & Families Bulletin Board or see Julia. Help spread the word, and invite others to join us! Fellowship, and friendship! Also looking for youth leaders and adult helpers.

June 1

Kathleen Seiter

June 3

Rick Spratling

June 4

Deborah Velez

June 5

Annie Lester

Marie McKinney

June 6

Kevin Ash

June 8

Michele Betancourt

Linda Mann

June 9

Jayson Dobney

Caroline Pohlmann

John Pohlmann

Sara Pugh

Latoya Sherron

June 11

Annette Funk

June 12

Charlotte Patton

June 13

K Karpen

Adam Robbins

Casey Robbins

June 14

Geoff Horrell

Oliver Kerr

June 15

Dan Chayefsky

June 16

Tracy Cole

June 17

Morris Gurley

Jane Williams

June 19

Carol Braswell

Luke Paustian

June 21

Linda Barrington

Kyra Greenawalt

June 22

Kimilee Bryant

June 23

Erna Weber-Daniel

June 25

Suzanne Paul

June 27

Marie Moser

When is YOURS?

Welcome Sacred Center! Beginning on June 14, we will welcome a new

congregation to our church. Visit www.sacredcenterny.org to learn more about our new partners.

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YOUTH MINISTRY

SENT OUT IN GOD’S NAME By Rev. Manny Santiago

In the Gospel of John 20.21, Jesus tells his followers: ―Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.‖ God sends us to be God’s own presence in our world. This is a huge responsibility! We are God’s feet, God’s mouth, God’s hands, God’s eyes… We are sent in God’s name to do the work of justice, love, and reconciliation in this world. How can we do this? The story of the first disciples gives us a glimpse of how we can accomplish doing God’s work in our midst. In Acts 2.1-13 we read of the story of Pentecost, when the first followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit and started testifying of God’s love to the world. This is how we can accomplish God’s work; by being filled with the Holy Spirit of God. There are many things we can do to accomplish God’s work and one of them is to be involved in the life of the Youth Ministry here at SPSA. The summer months are fast approaching, and the youth

from our church will be out of school. But, that doesn’t mean that the work ceases. On the contrary, SPSA needs of your help to continue serving our neighborhood and our city.

Here are some of the things you can do: Volunteer to work with the kids from WSCAH, work with the Children’s Ministry during Vacation Bible School, volunteer to clean up the church during vacation, sign up for summer camp at one of the many Methodist camps around the Annual conference… There are many other things to keep you

busy during the summer. If you are interested in one of them, just let me know and I will give you more information on many opportunities of service around the area. And may this be a summer filled with joy, peace and the love of God!

Youth Activities for June: Sunday, May 31, 6 pm: Pentecost Potluck! Saturday, June 6th, 12 p.m.: Youth Cookout mural painting in the courtyard. 6 pm: Church Cookout Sunday, June 7th, 1 p.m.: Youth Ministry Open House! Saturday, June 13th, 7 p.m.: Youth lock-in at the church. Sunday, June 14th, 11 a.m.: YOUTH SUNDAY! The Youth will be leading worship. Sunday, June 28, Pride March!

NEWS FROM THE COFFEE CORNER:

SUMMER CHOCOLATE!

As we continue our commitment to support fair trade products through the UMCOR-sponsored Equal Exchange Project, we have good news: Equal Exchange has worked out a way to ship the chocolate bars in the summer. Since SPSA is just a 2-day ship route from the EE headquarters in Massachusetts, they will ship chocolate to us for an extra $10 an order and they will pack it with ice packs to make sure it doesn’t melt before it gets here. Drinking chocolate, hot cocoa mix, and spicy cocoa mix are always available in the summer at no extra charge.

Standing Orders

Coffee and tea orders are being placed roughly every six weeks now. If you would like to work out a ―standing order‖ with me, please contact me about the possibilities. As long as we keep up with the bills, it shouldn’t be a problem. Also, if you want a standing order, but you only want half a case, I will try to find you a partner to take the other half of your order each time.

From the Spring 2009 A Cup of Justice Newsletter-Equal Exchange: "I am a

trained coffee grower….I put my hands in the dirt to grow the plant…. And it's really beautiful. I like to work with the coffee for the love of my coffee that gets a good price. That's why I became a [co-op] member, because only by organizing can we make progress."

--Alejadrina Salas Altamirano, San Fernando Co-op member, Erapata, Peru.

Christie R. House

SP&SA Update Page 7

June 2009 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

May 31 PENTECOST!

11 Worship K Preaching 1 Mission, Church & Society 6 Pentecost Potluck! 550 WEA

June 1

3 Staff Meeting 7:15 Church Growth

2

6:30 Pilates 7:30 Knitting

3

7:30 Yoga

4

YA Night Out

5

6

12 Youth 2 Workday 6 Cookout

7 Communion

10 Choir; 11 Worship K preaching 1 Young Adult Brunch 1 Youth Group open house

8

3 Staff Meeting 7 Gathering

9

6:30 Pilates 7 Children’s Ed

Comm. 7:30 Knitting

10

7:30 Yoga Annual Confer-

ence

11

6:30 Tea 7 Women’s Bible Study

12

Night of a Dozen Dinners

13

4 Choir Youth Lock-in

14 Youth Sunday 10 New Parents’ breakfast 10 Choir 11 Worship: Stella Boonshoft & TL

Guest preaching 100 United Methodist Women 1:00 Career Roundtable

15

3 Staff 7:00 Trustees

16

6:30 Pilates 7:30 Knitting

17

6:30 Finance 7:30 Yoga

18

6:30 Tea 7 Women’s Bible Study

19

20

4 Choir 6 Night of a Dozen Dinners 8 Peace Dance

21 Fathers’ Day 10 Choir ; 10 Sun School Parents Breakfast 11 Worship K preaching 1 Five Wishes 1 Youth Group

22

3 Staff Meeting 7 Gathering

23

6:30 Pilates 7 Book Party 7:30 Knitting

24

7:30 Yoga

25

6:30 Tea 7 Women’s Bible Study

26

27

4 Choir

28 Pride Sunday

10 Choir 11 Worship K preaching 2 Pride March!

29

30

6:30 Pilates 7:30 Knitting

1

7:30 Yoga

2

3

Holiday

4 Independence

SPSA-BJ Shelter for Homeless Women, Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7. Volunteers needed!

A Farewell to Sara

Cookout! We are dedicating the

first cookout of the year

to Sara Pugh. She is leaving mid-June to

take a church in Virginia.

Let’s send her off in style! JUNE 6, 6 PM IN THE COURTYARD

Pentecost Potluck! Sunday, May 31, 6 pm

At the Parsonage

Nights of a Dozen Dinners! Help build the SP&SA Community

June 12th & 20th Contact Charlene charlenefloyd@aol.com

or 212-724-5548 to sign up.

All Church Work Day Come fix up the place! Saturday, June 6, 2-6 pm

Followed by the cookout at 6.

Universal Peace Day Benefit Dance Party Saturday June 20th 8 p.m. to midnight SPSA hosts the 25th Universal Peace Day, Aug 5th in our sanctuary to commemorate the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima and as a call for a future of peace and reconciliation. This year’s special events include a Films for Peace Festival, ArtPeace show and more that will extend from Aug 1-9th. See Julia for tickets to the fundraiser. Come by for Dancing and Auction June 20 after SPSA’s Night of a Dozen Dinners.

NEW CHRIS GRABENSTEIN MYSTERY! Chris Grabenstein's next John Ceepak mystery

MIND SCRAMBLER takes place way down the shore in Atlantic City. Danny and Ceepak investi-gate the murder of a friend backstage at an illu-sionist's show in one of the big casino theatres. To celebrate, join us Tuesday June 23rd, 7 pm. Partners & Crime Mystery Booksellers 44 Green-wich Avenue (corner of Charles).

Page 8 SP&SA Update

The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist

263 West 86th Street New York, NY 10024 (212) 362-3179 www.spsanyc.org

Inside: Page 1: Pastor’s Column: Pride in the Church Page 2: Young Adults; Mission, Church & Society Page 3: UMW: Purpose-Driven Concerns Page 4: Church Growth; Homework Help; Rethink Church; MIND Page 5: Children and Families’ June Birthdays Page 6: Youth Group; Fair Trade Chocolate! Page 7: Calendar; Activities Page 8: Cropwalk

Pentecost Potluck May 31, 6:00 at the Parsonage

Courtyard Cookout June 6, 6:00

A little bit of rain didn’t get in the way of this year’s NYC Cropwalk. SPSAers raised $7000 in this effort to fight hunger here and abroad.