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THE GOOD NEWS from the
Stratford United Methodist Church Good News email: [email protected]
2600 MAIN STREET STRATFORD, CT 06615-5893 SUMC phone: 203-375-5851 ~ and fax: 203-375-6890
SUMC email: [email protected] SUMC website: www.sumcct.org
Volume 57 No. 3 November 2015
The Rev. Simeon Law, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Donald Kirkham, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Paul Jacobson, Director of Music
Lanette Kardos, Director of Christian Education Beth Buckmir, Preschool Director
Mary Jane S. Fast, Church Secretary
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Dear Stratford United Methodist Church,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. It continues to be a joy and
privilege to serve the Stratford United Methodist
Church. Each time I interact with congregants I learn
more of your stories and how God has been at work in
your lives. It is truly my desire to better know the
people of our congregation.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email
([email protected]) or by phone (860-821-
3015). I am thankful for those who have reached out
to me to inform me that a person is in the hospital or
ill, invited me to their homes, or just to share an
encouraging word. I am here to serve this church and
community.
It was quite an experience to be present for the arrival
of the pumpkin truck. It was heartwarming to see
congregants and community members working hand-
in-hand to unload the truck. What a wonderful
reminder that we are called to be a community in
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action, in service to others. The Church exists to be
agents of God's redeeming work, Christ's hands and
feet in service to the world.
We are currently in the midst of a worship series
entitled “Growing as Stewards.” We have been so
richly blessed by God with the gift of life,
relationships, and material blessings. We are called to
be good stewards of these gifts, to use them in way
that glorifies God and furthers the redemptive and
transforming work of the kingdom.
Keep your eye out for our 2016 pledge mailing. They
should be arriving shortly in blue envelopes. Take
time to prayerfully consider your financial support for
God's continued work in our midst. The pledge cards
can be placed in the enclosed envelope and either
mailed back or placed in the offering plate.
I encourage you to join us in worship as we continue
to learn more about being good stewards of all that
God has us entrusted with.
In Christ,
Rev. Simeon Law
email: [email protected]
cell: 631-504-9886
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The 2016 Stewardship Campaign is underway.
You will soon receive a newly designed
Pledge Card along with a letter from Pastor
Simeon. This year, we’ve added an electronic
giving option for your pledge. Should you
select this option, instructions for doing so
will follow prior to year-end.
Our 2016 goal is $227,000. Your generosity in
helping us achieve this goal will be greatly
appreciated.
If you have any questions, please contact me
at 203-878-8801 or at [email protected]. You
may also leave a message for me at the
Church Office.
Thank you,
Jerry Dellert, Finance Chair
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The ownership of the Dead Sea scrolls has been disputed ever since they were found in a cave above the Dead Sea in Israel. Found by a fifteen year old goatherd, they have proved to be fascinating to archeologists, historians, biblical scholars, and laymen. Following the original discovery, other scrolls and fragments were found in the area until about 1957. Most of the scrolls, which are approximately two thousand years old, were in fragments, and scholars continue to attempt to piece the fragments together. Included in the fragments are the Book of Isaiah the Book of Psalms. The manuscripts of the Book of Isaiah are among the oldest Hebrew copies of the Hebrew Bible found to date. You can find more information about the scrolls in these books: The Dead Sea Scrolls, by J.M. Allegro (221.4 A); Dead Sea Scrolls , Life and Faith in Bible Times, (221.4 D); and The Dead Sea Scrolls by Millard Burrows (221.4 B). Advent begins at the end of November,the Church Library is a source of Advent and Christmas material, including crafts, stories, and home worship ideas. In Straw and Story (394.2) is one of those books. Look for more suggestions in the December Good News.
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INCIDENTS AND HAPPENINGS
OUT OF OUR PAST
The Italian Mission
An American philosopher once said, “What passes for identity
in America is a series of myths about one’s ancestry”. In the early 1900’s immigrants from Southern Europe
flocked to America to seek a better life. A large number of
these were uneducated farmers and working class Italians.
Unlike previous immigrants from Northern Europe and
England the Italians found it difficult to assimilate into the
“American Melting Pot”. During that time many Americans
believed that the Italians were incapable of assimilating into
American society and were a menace to the future of the
country. The leaders of the Methodist Church did not share
these beliefs. They felt that the heroes of the Italian race could
be reidentified in such a way that they could find a place in the
national myths that constituted the American identity. To this
end the American Methodist Church established the Italian
Mission. Through this mission Columbus and many other
Italian heroes were recast in a way that symbolically unified
the Italian race with the Anglo-Saxon race. The Stratford Methodist Church contributed to the work
of the Italian Mission. In the early 1900’s many Italian
immigrants lived in Honeyspot and near the new Beaver Dam
reservoir in Stratford. A series of weeklong tent revival
meetings, sponsored by our church, were held on the commons
in Stratford. One tent meeting was held near Beaver Dam for
the Italians, with the Reverend Filiteo Tagliatatela from the
Methodist Italian Mission of New York City preaching. As a result of the work of the Methodist Church Italian
Mission, Columbus Day is now a national holiday, and Italians
are well established as part of American society.
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UMCOR – HOPE IN ACTION
Responding to most vulnerable, least visible
For 75 years and counting, the United Methodist Committee
on Relief (UMCOR) has lived up to its mandate to alleviate
human suffering around the world. UMCOR is present in
humanitarian aid, walking alongside survivors of disaster,
conflict, or war, and working with local partners to bring
needed relief during events that overwhelm a community’s
ability to recover on their own.
In 2014, the International Disaster Response and Risk
Reduction unit of UMCOR issued 107 grants, totaling $8.5
million, to partners across 35 countries. The grants provided
humanitarian aid for those affected by conflict in Syria, Iraq,
and Ukraine, and for those impacted by Ebola in West Africa
and by flooding in Bosnia, to name a few.
In the United States, UMCOR responded to 33 new disasters,
while also maintaining a presence in 10 disasters from
previous years. New grants included those made in response
to the immigration emergency, when some 60,000
unaccompanied minors came to the U.S. through Mexico.
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However, UMCOR’s work is not just in disaster response – it
includes programs and projects in water and sanitation,
sustainable agriculture, food security, relief supplies, and
much more.
Some current projects:
South Carolina floods: South Carolina is beginning to pick up the pieces after a storm so catastrophic South Carolina’s governor called it a “1,000-year flood.” The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church is now stepping up in the aftermath, with Bishop Jonathan Holston urging prayer, generosity of compassion and financial resources and volunteerism as the state begins slow steps to regroup and heal.
“Presently, we are in a time of waiting until the floodwaters
recede before any coordinated response can begin,” Holston
said in a statement. “As people of faith, we hold onto the
promise that God is faithful in the midst of the storm and the
flood. God’s love will triumph in the midst of loss and
destruction.” UMCOR urges people to do four key things:
pray, donate funds to UMCOR or the South Carolina Annual
Conference, wait for the invitation to come and serve as
volunteers for cleanup, and assemble health kits. Donations
to help in the aftermath of the South Carolina flooding should
go to Advance #901670.
Last year’s US disasters: Assisting communities in Oklahoma,
Texas, and Maryland whose moments in the headlines
because of disaster have long faded, but whose recovery is far
from over. Families in Oklahoma and Texas are still feeling the
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impact of tornadoes, torrential rain, straight-line winds, and
massive flooding that tore across both states last spring. Rain
fell steadily for weeks, causing rivers to overflow their banks
and flood the homes of thousands, notably those who could
least afford it.
Dominica: When Erika, the fifth named tropical storm in this
year’s Atlantic hurricane season, hit the windward shores of
Dominica, a small island nation in the eastern Caribbean, the
devastation was unprecedented. UMCOR is supporting
recovery efforts there, providing clean drinking water and
emergency food items.
California wildfires: People have been calling, people have
been giving, but it's because of United Methodists in the
United States and all around the world who give to UMCOR
that we are able to continue to make a difference for the long
haul. UMCOR will be here California for the long haul.
Alleviating suffering in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine: UMCOR is
providing ongoing relief to affected populations in Syria, Iraq,
and Ukraine, where armed conflicts have alternately
simmered and raged for years and where a total of more than
16 million people have been forced from their homes. The
beauty of UMCOR is, because of the values we ascribe to—
impartiality, independence, humanity, and neutrality—the
only thing that matters is human suffering. If somebody is
suffering, we’re called to be there—as UMCOR and as an
extension of The United Methodist Church.
You can subscribe to the weekly UMCOR HOTLINE at umcor.org.
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Arts & Crafts : will meet Wednesday, November 11th, 2:30 pm at the home of Joyce Fuller. We will be making Christmas crafts for the boutique. Books & Things: will meet Monday, November 16th, 12:00 pm at the home of Margaret Wachs. Please bring a sandwich. Susanna Wesley: will meet Wednesday, November 18th. Please bring a sandwich.
UMW News
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NOVEMBER 2015 BIRTHDAYS 2 Taylor Millbauer 17 Patrick Spada 2 Brittney Schuessler 19 Katie Frusciante 4 Howard Jack, Jr. 19 Alexander Siksay 4 Jean Sosnoski 20 Phebe Kirkham 6 Ryan McCoy 20 Sarah Ruskin 6 Susan Nedbal 21 Madeline Burgess 6 Brian Olah 21 Ethan Erickson 6 Melanie Russell 21 Harold Lee 7 Connie Beth Demko 22 Robert W. McCarthy 7 D’Andre Dina 23 Vincent Hardy 8 Martha Baird 23 Marjorie Milne 8 Barbara DeBiase 24 Robyn Bicknell 8 Maya Hopkins 24 James Demko 10 Laura Weller 25 Megan Uhrynowski 11 Karen Giammattei 26 Mary Hardy 11 Molly McFarland 27 Robert Bobko 12 Leontene Grandfield 28 Bill Rehm 13 Frank John 28 Elwood Tschopp 14 Chelsea Green 29 Autumn Graham 14 Vickie Matthew 29 Caitlyn Knight 16 Theresa Knowles 30 Barbara Mwanga 16 Janice Narus 30 Holly Crowther 30 Brendon Wall
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November 2015 Wedding Anniversaries
Nov. 6th Mr. & Mrs. Millbauer Nov. 17th Mr. & Mrs. Jack Nov. 17th Mr. & Mrs. Devonish Nov. 18th Mr. & Mrs. James
If your November birthday or anniversary isn’t on this list, please call the church office at 203-375-5851.
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All Saint’s Day – November 1st. As is our custom, we will celebrate All Saints Day by honoring the memory of those parishioners and their friends and/or family who have passed away within the past year. Names of the deceased will be read during the 8:15 am and 10:00 am services. If you have lost a loved one (who is not a parishioner of SUMC) and would like their name to be included, please contact the church office (203 375-5851 or email: [email protected]). – Thank You
COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS November 22nd. Each year at Thanksgiving time we generally see cornucopias spilling over with
a colorful harvest bounty of fruits, vegetables and nuts. This year we would like to share our bounty with those in need. On Sunday, November 23rd, we are asking everyone to bring in a non-perishable food item. After the 10am service all the food will be boxed up and sent to a local Food Pantry. All donations are greatly appreciated. – Thank You!
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On Sunday, November 29th,
We will be hosting our annual
First Sunday of Advent Joint Service
with the First Baptist Church
During the 10am service.
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Check out our new Facebook Page, which can be found at SUMC
Sunday School. Here you will find upcoming events and classroom
news.
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GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH!
The SUMC Sunday School, Pre-School and Daycare Center will be collecting warm hats, mittens and scarves again this year for children and families in need. Please consider donating to our mitten tree and help give the gift of warmth this season!
A Six-Session Bereavement Support Group will be offered at our church beginning in mid-
Oct. All are welcome and you need not be a
member of the church. Anyone interested
should call Joyce Lewis at 203-375-2161 or the
Church Office. Our suggested meeting day will
be Tues. morning, but we are flexible
according to the needs of the participants.
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Walter Rauschenbusch
O God, we thank you for this earth, our home; For the wide sky and the blessed sun, For the salt sea and the running water, For the everlasting hills And the never-resting winds, For trees and the common grass underfoot. We thank you for our senses By which we hear the songs of birds, And see the splendor of the summer fields, And taste of the autumn fruits, And rejoice in the feel of the snow, And smell the breath of the spring. Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty; And save our souls from being so blind That we pass unseeing When even the common thorn bush Is aflame with your glory, O God our creator, Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
From Living God’s Justice: Reflections and Prayers
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Thank You to those who collated the Good News on Aug. 19th
and Sept. 23rd: Diane Troutman, Cecila & Howard Jack, June
Evitts, Barbara Hagan, Marianne Care, Ruth Semancik, and
Barbara Piper.
Congratulations to Alena and Michael Romano on the baptism of their son, Dante John Moniz Romano, born Sept. 13, 2013 in Danbury, CT. Congratulations to Emily Scofield and John Samela who were united in marriage on October 10, 2015. Emily is the daughter of Ed and Judi Scofield and granddaughter or Chris and Joyce Fuller.
Condolences to the family of Bernie Sosnoski, former SUMC Member, who passed away on Wed., Oct. 7th in Colchester, at the age of 84. A Memorial Service was held in Colchester on Fri., Oct. 16th. Bernie leaves behind his beloved wife Jean and two sons, David and Robert.
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ALTAR FLOWERS are provided by church families each
week to honor, or in memory of, loved ones. We have been blessed
to have very faithful donors for very many years. At this time, we
need some additional help. Circumstances have changed for many of
our families. Please call Jo Ann Schif at 203-378-1845 if you wish to
help in this important ministry.
CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES are available on the Narthex
Table. You are welcome to take a copy.
FLOWER DELIVERY MINISTRY We are looking for a
Chairperson for our Flower Delivery Ministry which delivers the
altar flowers after the 10am service to our shut-ins. Duties include
scheduling monthly Sunday delivery ministers. Please speak to
Burdette James if you are interested.
SUMC NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKFAST Third Saturday of each
month: We are currently serving an average of thirty to forty meals
at our neighborhood breakfast. We have a loyal staff preparing,
serving, setting up and cleaning up each third Saturday. We
welcome new volunteers, or just stop by and enjoy a meal with us. If
you wish to volunteer, in any capacity, please contact Ray & Jo-Ann
Burrows 203-377-5034 or [email protected].
USHERS NEEDED! If you would like to become an usher, please
see Michael Kranyak.
NEW ADDRESS Rev. Stu and Carolyn Baker’s new address:
Cornwall Manor, 118 Overlook Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042; 1-717-270-
5391 (Independent Living).
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SUMC Church Email Addresses: Rev. Simeon – [email protected]
Church Secretary – [email protected]
Church School – [email protected]
ALL ARTICLES FOR THE GOOD NEWS SHOULD BE
E-MAILED TO [email protected] OR
LEFT IN THE GOOD NEWS BOX IN THE CHURCH
OFFICE. THANK YOU!
GOOD NEWS SCHEDULE FOR 2015
Good News Issue Articles Due no
later than...
Good News Mailed
January/February December 7th December 17th
March February 8th February 18th
April March 8th March 18th
May April 12th April 22nd
June May 10th May 20th
July/August June 7th June 17th
September August 9th August 19th
October September 13th September 23rd
November October 11th October 21st
December November 8th November 18th
In addition to reading The Good News, bulletin supplements,
viewing our website (www.sumcct.org), looking at our
Facebook page, or checking out the local newspapers, there
is another way to keep up-to-date on upcoming events at
S.U.M.C. Call the Church Office (203-375-5851) when it
isn't staffed (that would be after 2 p.m. weekdays and all
weekends). Press 5 to hear a calendar of upcoming
events. The recording is updated on a regular basis.