THE NIMMONSBURG WITNESS

You may have heard the saying, “nothing is certain, but death and taxes”. But even this seems uncertain today. If we have not learned anything else in the first five months of 2020, we have learned that nothing is certain. As we face the reality that in five months untold thousands have unexpectedly died from Covid-19, many have received a form of a tax refund from the government, and April 15 has now moved to July 15, we know that nothing is for certain. Even the certainty of TAX DAY is not certain.

This year has taught us we cannot count on our jobs, protect our health, or even buy toilet paper when we are out. We no longer assume that the groceries we need will be in stock, or that we will be allowed to go to church next week. So many things which we thought were secure and within our control have been taken away because of a germ. We now know that a microscopic virus has the power to shut down the world. Never saw that coming!

So how do we go on from here? There are so many things I do not know, but this I know for certain: God brings his people through difficult times. God answers his people and reaches them with his powerful and able hand. Some people trust in the government, jobs, investments or their own abilities, but we trust in the mighty name of the LORD our God. All of the things of this world will fail, but God’s faithful love endures forever. Those who do not trust in God are crushed and broken, but we rise up and stand firm. Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob gives victory through King Jesus and answers us when we call! This is my translation of Psalm 20:6-9 and of this I am certain.

We cannot trust in the things of this world. We cannot trust in the things we think we know. The first half of 2020 has made this clear. It is with this in mind that we must all live by Proverbs 2:5-6 today.

THE NIMMONSBURG WITNESS

Lead Story Headline

Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church 918 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, New York 13905

Rev. Jenni Piatt (607) 724-5421

June 2020

We all have those “bends in our road of life”. Some we see coming,

and others catch us off guard. Pastor Jenni has launched her website

bendingroad.weebly.com to share her thoughts along the way. Check it

out, and may you be blessed and supported along your journey.

Our June Celebrations!

Upper New York Summer Camping 2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and after multiple meetings with experts in the medical and camping fields, the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries Committee has decided to suspend all UNY-hosted summer programs at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake and Skye Farm for the summer camping season in 2020.

This is disappointing news, but the safety of campers is the top priority. Those who have already registered will be contacted directly and will receive a full refund.

Page 2 THE NIMMONSBURG WITNESS

Anniversaries!

6/8 - Mini & Ed Daub 6/10 - Mark & Cherri Rueffer 6/20 - Dorothy & Stanley Forsyth Marilyn & Gary Moyer 6/30 - Mary & Bill Pease

Birthdays!

6/4 - Cheryl Lindsey 6/6 - Cheryl Rueffer Dennis Green 6/7 - Jeffrey Oakley 6/8 - Connor Oakley 6/11 - Justin Rueffer 6/12 - Christine Ryder 6/13 - Brittany Desario 6/16 - Kaitlyn Mach 6/17 - Ariana Hudson

6/18 - Nancy Oakley Annette S. Ryan Andrew Ryan 6/19 - Richard Riesen 6/22 - Steve Randall 6/23 - Lucas Hoyt Karin Lesch 6/26 - Deborah Hagerman 6/28 - Sloan Rueffer 6/30 - Shelly Schaffer

I pray that all of you are well, and that you are aware of the love of God today. God loves YOU! I truly miss being together — I miss worshiping together and I miss that personal contact. I pray we can safely be together soon. We now know that we are part of NYS Phase 4, and will return to “normal” worship when Phase 4 begins. This will probably be the beginning of July. We have been cleared for drive-in style worship, and that could be exciting. In order to do that, we would need someone to handle the sound system, broadcast platform, music and lyrics, accompaniment, parking, and possible other things. If someone wants to take this on and coordinate it, that would be cool! I want to thank those who are continuing to support the church financially. Our income is remaining fairly consistent and that is not only important for now, but also for when we return. We will need enough funds to relaunch, and not begin in a hole. Lastly, I want to thank those who have been making phone calls and staying connected with each other. I still have concerns that someone will fall through the cracks, so stay vigilant and stay connected. It has been mentioned that we should be reaching out to our Sunday School, and this is a great idea. Those who want to make this happen should connect with each other and keep me in the loop. I pray God’s blessings on you today and always. Pastor Jenni

Covid-19 Church Update

At the start of this pandemic, Pastors Jenni and Dave Piatt felt led to pray for and with people. They used their website portaparsonage.weeby.com as a venue to do this. Each morning at 5:30 am, they pray for those who join them, and then post the video on YouTube for people to pray throughout the day. You can join them in prayer anytime.

Joint Worship Service and Picnic with Conklin Forks and Hawleyton Churches

Sunday, August 16th Kirkwood River Park Pavilion

Worship Service at 10:30 am with Picnic at Noon

Drinks, hot dogs and table settings will be provided. Please bring a dish or dessert to pass, camping chairs and any yard games you would like to play. Picnic will be held rain or shine. If inclement weather, the picnic will be in Fellowship Hall at Hawleyton United Methodist Church.

Prayer with Portaparsonage

Meet Our Finance Committee Our Finance Committee is responsible for the income and expenses of the Church, creating and reviewing financial policies, making provision for the annual audit, and ensuring proper stewardship of the financial resources of the Church. The Finance Committee of Nimmonsburg UMC meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. If you have any questions or concerns about the finances of our Church, these are the people to talk to. We, the Nimmonsburg UMC Finance Committee, would love to hear from you.

Sincerely, Rex Decker, Chairperson, Rachael Hagerman, Treasurer,

Elizabeth Button, Financial Secretary, Sally Baldwin, Karen Holman, Shelly Schaffer, Don Birtch, and Patti Derr


Picnic in the Park

Please let Pastor Jenni know if there are any people associated with the Church who will be graduating

from high school or college this June. We want to make sure to remember them!

Local high school students must fulfill community service credits, and we at NUMC are grateful for a little extra help now and then. We have adopted the following simple requirements for community service:

1. All work must be approved by Pastor Jenni prior to being done. 2. Requests should include an estimate of hours and description of what you’ll be doing. 3. Students must check in with Pastor Jenni or a designated person when they begin work, and again when they are done. 4. Students can do 1-3 above by phone, e-mail or in

person.

Please note that all requests should be made by the student doing the community service, not by a parent or guardian.

Community Service

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

When we return to

worship together, Pastor

Jenni will be looking for

personal testimonies to

share with the

congregation. If you have

something you would like

to share, please contact

Pastor Jenni. Thanks!


The deadline for requests for Endowment Funds to be distributed for 2020 was originally scheduled for May 31, 2020.

Extension of Time to Submit Endowment Fund Requests

United Methodist Women Rummage Sale Update

Due to recent circumstances, this deadline has been extended to the fall. Please make sure your request is received by the Church Office as soon as possible.

As you have probably already figured out, the UMW Rummage Sale in June has been cancelled. The next Rummage Sale is scheduled for the first Friday and Saturday in October. We are hoping that things will be back to normal at that time, but nothing is certain. We will keep you posted as we know more.

Happy Father’s Day!

Meet Bruce Kellett, NUMC Custodian Bruce has lived in this area since he was 6 months old when his parents relocated to Kirkwood from Pennsylvania. He has been married to Denise for over 40 years and they have three wonderful daughters, three awesome grandchildren and two talented son-in-laws. It’s been almost three years since he retired. He enjoyed his working days at IBM Facilities Engineering and SUNY Cortland Facilities Planning, Design and Construction. He thought he would miss the daily routine upon retirement and he did, for about one day!

Bruce enjoys many things in life, but he does like to stay busy, as his wife knows! Not much for sitting around. He enjoys doing projects at home or at church, whether it’s cleaning, lawn work or repairing things. His other activities include biking, boating, skiing, going to the gym and learning to play golf. But his favorite times are when he is with his grandchildren. They are so amazing!


United Methodist Student Day- May 31 Right now there are UMC young people who might not have the resources to attend a school of their choice, or, for some, any school at all, who’ve been sent by you into the world God loves because of your giving to United Methodist Student Day.

When you give generously you are supporting these students as they prepare for a life that unites faith with knowledge.

Although we were not together on May 31st for this annual collection, you can mail your contribution to the Church. Please indicate on your check that this is to be used for the United Methodist Student Day collection.

Dear Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church,

The family of Dorothy M. (Dot) Turner would like to thank you for expressing your sympathy to us through the many wonderful cards, letters and gifts. We also thank you for the support you gave Mom over the past several years, sending numerous cards, letters and flowers, and stopping by to visit her while she was homebound. She appreciated all those who reached out to her giving your time, physical assistance, words of encouragement, scripture references and faith throughout these many years. She especially loved talking with all of you, sharing fond memories of the community, the Church and its many activities, and her strong faith in God.

In Christ’s love, Scot and Barbara Turner

Sarah Nell Barnes


Sarah “Nell” Barnes, 90, passed away on May 7, 2020 in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her son, Steven Barnes, her three daughters, Nancy O’Neil, Jean Smith and Peggy Kenyon and their spouses. She also had 13 grand-children and 7 great grandchildren.

Nell was an active member of the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church for 59 years. She taught Bible Studies and children’s classes, made quilts for bazaars and costumes for pageants. She helped with fellowship dinners, and was a lay leader and a member of United Methodist Women for many years. We have Nell to thank for the wonderful banners which are hung in our sanctuary for every season of the church year which she designed and created.

A memorial service for Nell will be held at a later date in Binghamton. Donations in her memory can be made to Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, 918 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, New York 13905.

A copy of the compete obituary can be found online at Boyd-Harrox-Givnish Funeral Home in Norristown, Pennsylvania, or you can call the office and leave a message and we will send you a copy.

Answers to Word Scramble: Proverbs, Revelation, Lamentations, Romans, Genesis, Hebrews, Exodus, Hosea, Galatians, Jonah

Deuteronomy, Zechariah, Numbers, Philippians, Ephesians, Philemon, Jeremiah, Judges, Obadiah, Esther

UMCOR’S Response to COVID 19 Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Global Ministries and UMCOR have given half a million dollars in direct assistance to communities affected by COVID-19. This includes support for: Food pantries in the U.S., Latin America, Africa and the Philippines, personal protective equipment, sanitation equipment and water, toilet paper, diapers, facial tissue, hygiene products and utilities assistance.

The need, though, remains great. Requests are received daily from churches and ministry partners in the U.S. and around the

world - your help is needed today! 100% of your gift to the Sheltering in Love UMCOR COVID-19 Response Fund will immediately address the basic needs of many vulnerable communities. Your gift today will demonstrate compassion and care. Even as you shelter in place, you can be there for others. Please give, today.

Gifts to the UMCOR COVID-19 Response Fund should be directed to Advance #3022612. To give online, visit https://advance.umcmission.org/p-2025-umcor-covid-19-response-fund.aspx. To give by check, send checks payable to Advance GCFA to: Global Ministries/UMCOR GPO, P.O. BOX 9068 New York, NY 10087.


Answers on Page 6

Peace with Justice Sunday is June 7th

Together we spread the gospel of peace and encourage cooperation locally, in the United States and globally.

To learn more about Peace with Justice Sunday, go to http://www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/peace-with-justice-Sunday.

You can give at their website, or you can mail your contribution to the Church, indicating on the check or envelope that it is to be used for the Peace with Justice Sunday collection.

JOYS AND CONCERNS Just because we are not meeting together

doesn’t mean that we are not praying. Please send your joys and concerns to Pastor Jenni through e-mail, the website contact form, by phone, or whatever method works for you.

When prayer requests are shared on-line, only first names will be used to protect

privacy in a very public forum.

Due to ongoing coronavirus

restrictions and the safety of

everyone involved, our 100th

Anniversary Celebration Sunday has

been rescheduled from June 21st to

Sunday, September 20th. This is the

Sunday after our scheduled

Anniversary Block Party on

September 19th.

Please watch for updates in

our Newsletters or on the website at

NimmonsburgUMC.weebly.com.

Please don’t forget to let the office know of any changes in your phone numbers, address or e-mail. Thanks!

Nimmonsburg United Methodist ChurchNimmonsburg United Methodist ChurchNimmonsburg United Methodist Church

E-Mail: Phone:

Bishop: Rev. Mark J. Webb [email protected] Ofc: (855) 424-7878

Binghamton Dist. Super.: Rev. Dr. David Kofahl [email protected] Ofc: (607) 748-0662

Pastor: Rev. Jenni Piatt [email protected] (716) 560-4400

Office Administrator: Marjorie McCoy [email protected] Ofc: (607) 724-5421

Chair of Trustees: Paul Derr [email protected] (607) 648-5471

Chair of Administrative Bd. Patti Derr [email protected] (607) 648-5471

Chair of S/PPRC: Don Birtch [email protected] (607) 238-7983

Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church

918 Upper Front Street

Binghamton, New York 13905

Website: NimmonsburgUMC.weebly.com Facebook: Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church YouTube: Nimmonsburg UMC

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THE NIMMONSBURG WITNESS