VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

The Voice of Newman

Newman Memorial United Methodi st Church

Special Points

Of Interest

Announcements

Pastor’s Letter

Calendar

Worship Schedule

Pastor’s Letter 2

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

2

Worship Schedule 6

Calendar of events 7,8

Prayingthrough 2,6

Upcoming Events 8

Inside this issue:

March 2018

The Voice of Newman

Newman Memorial United Methodi st Church

Special Points

Of Interest

The 2018 Capital Cam-

paign

Pastor’s Letter

Calendar

Worship Schedule

ACT to End Racism

Newman Windows

Pastor’s Letter 1

Birthdays &

Anniversaries

5

Worship Schedule 6

Calendar of events 7,8

Newman Windows 3

Upcoming Events 8

Inside this issue:

Hello Newman,

As I write this letter in

my office, the sun is

shining and it is quiet

around the building.

What a contrast from the

wind and rain and cold of

yesterday!

I wish all of our days

were like this! I wish I

could spend all my time

in 75-80 degree weather,

without having to bundle

up and without having to

run for cover from the

elements.

That’s wishful thinking.

I know by now that we

need to have all types of

weather to live success-

fully on this planet. We

need the rain and wind

and snow as well as the

sun and gentle breezes. I

heard birds twittering

this morning and saw

shoots of green leaves on

some of my house

plants—a sure sign of

Spring. This makes me

think of new life and of

Resurrection.

Resurrection makes me

feel hopeful, not only

about the Resurrection

that comes at the end of

time, but of the little res-

urrections we experience

each and every day. I in-

vite you to look for signs

of resurrection in your

life. Winter sometimes

makes me feel sad, and

causes me to hibernate,

just like the bears, but I

am always peeking out

for signs of new life and

light, that give me hope.

Here are some of the

things on my HOPE list:

I am hoping that we will

pass common sense gun

laws in this country and

that we will do everything

we can to reduce mass

killings. We can do it, yes

we can!

I am hoping that those

immigrants who live in

the shadows will be able

to come into the light as a

path to documentation

and citizenship is created

for them.

I am hoping that those of

us who have not been able

to find time to practice our

faith will make a determi-

nation to do so. I am hop-

ing that we will all take

care of each other and look

out for each other that we

will live together as neigh-

bors and as family. I hope

too that the dream ex-

pressed by Martin Luther

King Jr. that we all come

together as sisters and

brothers in a beloved com-

munity will become a real-

ity because we all deter-

mine that we are working

for the Reign of God

(Kingdom of God).

This dream can be resur-

rected and become a reali-

ty. With God all things are

possible!

Love, Pastor Laurel

From the Pastor’s Desk

The 2018 Capital Cam-

paign currently stands at

$3,102. (Plus 852 from the

January Birthday Club)

We will add to this as we

record the additional

amounts that come both

from the January birthday

club members and addi-

tional contributions made

by members. The line draw-

ing of the church building

that is shown at right will

be magnified and placed in

the lobby to show our pro-

gress in restoring the build-

ing. Look out for it.

PAGE 2 THE VOICE OF NEWMAN VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

On April 3-5, 2018 the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and its partners will gather in Washington, D.C. for a historic event to launch its Truth and Ra-cial Justice Initiative. As we mark 50 years since the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, we will commit to do our part to eradicate the entrenched racism that grips the United States and paralyzes our ability to see every hu-man being as equal. NCCUSA: We challenge ourselves and our communities to join in truth-telling, leading to actions that right the wrongs, and, with God’s grace, bring healing and wholeness to all people, and unity to the nation.

AWAKEN oneself to the truth that racism is ever-present, deeply rooted in American culture, and profoundly damaging to our communities.

CONFRONT racism, speak truth to power, and stand up against injustice.

TRANSFORM the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and institutions.

April 3-5 is only the beginning. Our #rally2endracism is the launch of a comprehensive, multi-year program to address racism in our nation. Schedule At-A-Glance for April 3-5, 2018 Tuesday, April 3: 2pm: National Mall: United Methodist Bishops’ Prayer Rally 6:30 pm Ecumenical Worship Service in the Orthodox Tradition Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathe-dral,2815 36th St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20007 Wednesday, April 4: ACT to End Racism Rally on the National Mall 7-8 a.m.: Silent Prayer Walk to the National Mall 8-9 a.m.: Interfaith Service 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Rally and Call to Commitment Thursday, April 5: National Day of Advocacy & Action

CENTRAL BROOKLYN CLUSTER NYAC UMC

DATES: APRIL 3,4, 2018

BUS LEAVES BROOKLYN 7AM APRIL 3

BUS RETURNT TO BROOKLYN 10 PM APRIL 4

OVERNIGHT STAY: HOLIDAY INN AND SUITES

10000 BALTIMORE AVE COLLEGE PARK MD

BUS COST PER PERSON $60.00

HOTEL COST PER ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) $109 + Taxes

PAY BUS COST TO YOUR LOCAL PASTOR

PAY HOTEL COST DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL

PAGE 3 THE VOICE OF NEWMAN VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

One of the most attractive features of the Newman Me-

morial UMC building at 257 Macon Street Brooklyn is

its stained glass windows. And they appear to be very

versatile, especially when the sunlight shines in . Pic-

tured above is the central Newman Window which is

above the front door at 257 Macon. Depending on the

time of day and year the picture is taken, a different

effect is shown and at times, the colors even change. The

windows feature the colors blue and red, but sometimes,

as above the sunlight is captured as it shines into the

sanctuary which is colored gold and the window has a

golden glow. This window with the light streaming in

will be featured as the mark , or sign of Newman, going

forward.

This Lent, Newman Memorial participated in the

Central Brooklyn Cluster Services. Six Churches in

the Cluster—Bethany, Bethel, Bushwick Parish,

John Wesley, Newman Memorial and Union . The

Ash Wednesday Service was held at Bethany, and

the concluding service on Good Friday will be held

at Union. Newman Memorial hosted the service on

February 21. Here below are some of the prayer

cards that were distributed to participants, as we

focused our prayers on HEALNG, JUSTICE, LOVE

and PEACE.

Healing is restoration. It is the process where-

by the broken spirit is restored to right rela-

tionship with God. To be separated from God

is to be in a state of dis-ease, a state of sin, a

state of distress. Dis-ease often indicates its

presence through symptoms and when symp-

toms are relieved or disappear altogether, we

may be assured that we are cured. When we

are healed, the relationship between our-

selves and God has been repaired and re-

stored. We return to a right relationship with

God and are then empowered to make right

choices with regard to our lives—our bodies,

mind and all of our worldly affairs. It is then

that we are in a state of healing. It is in stay-

ing in alignment with God that we are healed.

We stay in alignment with God through pray-

er and thinking and acting according to the

Word of God.

PRAYER FOR HEALING

I present myself to you Lord God for healing. I

desire to be in right relationship with you and

so I bring my broken body, my broken

thoughts, my distressed being to you for heal-

ing. I praise and thank you God that you are

the source of healing and I believe that my

body, mind, spirit, and affairs now immersed

in your presence will be healed. I thank you

for this blessing and I pray that your presence

of wholeness will now extend to

_____________________ (name of person (s) you

are praying for).

My prayer is that the whole world will come

under your healing power. We are fearful and

apprehensive at what is happening around us and

the sincere desire of our hearts is for healing and

restoration. Heal us Lord, Heal us in this moment.

In the power that is in the name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Floral Club

Garden of Flowers

Order Form

All Flowers $20.00 each

(Enter quantity next to color)

Name:______________________________________________________

(Please print all information clearly)

Easter Lily: Tulip: Hyacinth: _____White _____Pink _____Light Pink _____Purple _____Purple _____Red _____White _____White _____Yellow In memory of: ______________________________________________________________ In honor of: ______________________________________________________________ ____________ I will leave plant(s) for the Sick and shut-ins ____________ I will take plant(s)

You may give this form and payment to any member of the Floral Club no later than Sunday, March 25, 2018. Please make checks/money orders payable to Newman Memorial UM Church.

Floral Club Members: Veronica Darby, Sharice Easterlin, Ruth Fulton, Diana Melhado, Erna White, Tonya White

Easter is on it’s way! In four short

weeks we will be celebrating Resurrec-

tion Day. We would like to create a

garden of flowers n the altar and so we

ask asking you to purchase flowers to

help make this a reality.

Please use the form at left to select the

kind of plant you would like to pur-

chase and be a part of the Resurrec-

tion Celebration!

Below, pictures of the February Birth-

day Club celebration, Feb. 25 2018

Above, Joycelyn Agard, Mattie Aiken and Johnnie Dinkins

celebrate, while others join in the birthday celebration

Join the BIRTHDAY

CLUB in 2018

One of our fundraising ef-

forts for the Capital Cam-

paign for the repair and

restoration of the Newman

Building is centered around

the Birthday Club.

The idea is this—you may give your gift in the form of

the number of years of your life plus one. So, for exam-

ple, since I am going to be 32 next year (ha!) I will con-

tribute at least $32+1 or , I can double that ($64+1) or

triple that ($96+1). The least amount you give is your

current number of years plus 1, but you can give mul-

tiples of your age plus 1. At the end of every month

ALL those celebrating birthdays will gather for cake and

ice cream and present their birthday gifts. You can in-

vite your friends (any friend or acquaintance) to con-

tribute their gift to you of any amount and donate it to

the capital campaign in your honor! and have a grand

celebration. There’s a lot of fun to go around and a build-

ing to be restored. The March Birthday club cele-

brates on March 25 after worship.

Celebrating Birthdays this month!

4--Jamela Wright 7--Dana Johnson 8--Aaliyah Fuller, Luther Singleton, and Robert Washington 11--Shanese and Sharon Thompson 12--Brittany Logan 13--Jamell Myers 14--Annie Gurley 20--Marcia Alleyne 21--Marcus Delancey 31--Ashley Sparrow Anniversary: 12--Clarence and Gwendolyn Lewis

The Capital Campaign is our permanent Building Fund. which will enable us to restore and rebuild Newman proper-

ties starting with the main building at 257 Macon Street and including the 625 Macdonough Street and 326 Halsey St.

properties.

The Debt Relief fund is the third of three

funds through which the congregation will

meet its financial obligations for the year.

New envelopes will be distributed for the year

2018, and the congregation is asked to desig-

nate their contributions to one of three funds.

The Operating Fund (Tithes pledges and reg-

ular offerings) The Capital Campaign Fund

(Birthday Club and other special offerings)

and the Debt Relief fund ( sacrificial and oth-

er special offerings). The Debt Relief Fund is

established for the purpose of paying off debts

that are owed to the Annual Conference and

we will continue to solicit these funds until

debts are either paid off or forgiven. If you

are in the position to pay off the entire debt

for the church and are led to do so, please

speak to the Pastor for the exact amount of

the debt. The picture at left shows the 2018

contribution envelope.

DATE:________ NAME:_____________________________

Last First

TITHE/PLEDGE/OFFERING (Operating Expense) _______

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: _______

DEBT RELIEF: _______

OTHER OFFERING: ________________ _______

PRAY FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS

Mrs Bernice Bracey

Ms. Salina Coleman (50 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216)

Mr. James Doe

Mr. Eldon Jones

Mr. Carl Johnson

Mr. Searcy Parks

Mrs. Charity Smalls

Mrs. Lucille Urquhart

Mr. Robert Washington

Worship Schedule MARCH 2018

Date Scripture Sermon Themes

March 4 3rd Sunday in Lent Purple

1 Corinthians 1: 18-25 Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19, John 2: 13-22

God’s Wisdom, Our Foolishness Women’s History, Seeking for Wisdom, Lacking Understanding, Prejudging based on a lackof un-derstanding

March 11 4th Sunday in Lent Purple UMCOR Sun-day

Numbers 21: 4-9, Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2: 1-10. John 3: 14-21

Hymns and Their stories Lent, Suffering, Resistance

March 18 5th Sunday in Lent Purple

Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5: 5-10; John 12: 20-35

Guest Speaker

March 25 Palm Sunday

Mark 11: 1-11; Psalm 118; Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31; Philippians 2: 5-11; Mark 14: 1-15, 47;

Palm Sunday Narrative Anticipation & Fulfillment

March 29 Holy Thursday

Exodus 12: 1-4, 11-14; Psalm 116: 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-7, 31b-35

Passover Seder & Service of Foot-washing

Service, Prayer

March 30 Good Friday

Isaiah 5; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10: 16-25; John 18: 19-42

Service at Union UMC 12 noon; Bethany 7 pm

Observance, Suffering, Victory

March 31 Holy Saturday

Salvation History from Genesis to John

Vigil in Sanctuary 5pm—8pm Keeping Watch, Doing our duty

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18

This year Newman Memorial United Methodist Church celebrates its

118th Anniversary. That’s quite a record. This congregation has faith-

fully served the Bedford Stuyvesant Community for this length of time;

and we want to continue serving for another 118 years at least. Our

community ministries include both a Soup Kitchen and a Food Pantry.

Within this Faith community we worship through liturgical dance and

choral ministries, and grow new Christians through youth and chil-

dren’s ministries. Volunteers keep the organized congregation going as

they serve on various committees; and as ushers and communion

stewards. Newman is in the process of re-imagining itself as it seeks to

serve the needs of the contemporary community outside its doors, and

the young generation of Christians participating in its Sunday School.

We’re looking for community folks to join us as together we transform

the world in which we live. We welcome you to worship with us on

Sundays at 11;00 from September through June and at 10:00 am

during July and August; to join us for prayer at noontime and Bible

Study at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays. We seek your input and ideas on

how we can be of assistance and support to you. Give us a call at 718

-622-7955 and make an appointment to speak with the leadership of

the congregation. Pastor Laurel is prepared to assist you in sorting out

life’s challenges during counseling appointments on weekdays or at a

mutually convenient time. Come to Newman, you’ll find a warm loving

welcome here!

257 Macon Street

Brooklyn, NY 11216

NEWMAN MEMORIAL UNI TED

METHODIST CHURCH

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Phone: 718-622-7955

Fax: 718-638-3243

E-mail: newmanumc257@gmail.com

web: www.newmanmemorialchurch.org

Web address

Www.newmanmemorialchurch.org

NMUMC—

Doing a new Thing!

DATE EVENT DESCRIPTION

MARCH 11 3:30 pm Ushers’ Sermon

MARCH 18 7:30 am UMM Breakfast: Guest Speaker

MARCH 29 Holy Thursday. 6:30 pm Passover Seder & Service of Footwashing

MARCH 30 Good Friday. 3-hr service at Union UMC. Dinner served at end of service.

MARCH 31 Holy Saturday. Vigil at Newman 5—8pm.

APRIL 1

Resurrection Day

APRIL 3, 4 ACT to End Racism Ecumenical Rally in Washington DC

APRIL 7 African– American Museum, Washington D.C. trip

Contributors to this issue: Pastor Laurel; Tonya White, Benjamin Lindsay, Xenia Samuel, Cathy Thompson