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90 Church Avenue, Forestville, CT 06010 | 860-584-0529 | 1
The Circuit RiderAsbury United Methodist Church NewsletterServing God in the community for over 150
years
APRIL 2016 | VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 4
OUR STAFF
Pastor The Rev. Laura L. Galbraith
Secretary & Newsletter Editor Melissa Gray
Custodian Bruce Lauzier
Music Director Michael Coderre
Organist Jana Ros
Bell Choir Director Kristen Russo
Nursery Coordinator Briana Hoffman
CONTACT INFO
Office: 860-584-0529Fax: 860-584-0520 (call first)Parsonage: 860-261-4131
Pastor e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Web Page: www.asburyumcforestville.com
1
April 2016
Dear Friends,We are facing challenging times in our country and in the Church. The question as to who to trust and how to live in peace with one another continues to surface. Among different groups and around social media outlets, the response is varied. As the Church – God’s Church – we are called to respond in love when others respond in hurtful ways. We have been given a great opportunity to open our doors to the community for a discussion regarding our faith practices and living in peace with one another in such times.
In cooperation with the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding, Hartford Seminary and the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, we will host, “Honest Conversations With Our Muslim Neighbors.” Please mark your calendar now: Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 pm at Asbury. You will hear different perspectives and learn a few things along the way. There will be time for answers and dialog in response to your questions following presentations by the speakers.
This is an event that we don’t want to miss! Please share this information with others that you know. Bring a neighbor, family and friends. Come with your questions and thoughts and a willingness to learn something new. The beauty of God surrounds us this time of year as spring approaches. The beauty of God’s people gathering together to learn about each other and build relationships surpasses even the beauty of the new flowers and budding trees. Come, friends … experience the beauty.
God bless,
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J U L Y W O R S H I P A S S I S T A N T SApril 3_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worship Leader 10:00 a..m. Youth GroupGreeters............................. TBDFellowship Hour................. Amy Majors & Marilyn BechertAltar Flowers...................... Girl Scout Troops 66166, 66106, 66607 April 10______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worship Leader 10:00 a..m. Pat Sallstrom Greeters............................. Harriet Donovan & Stacey RichFellowship Hour................. Harriet Donovan & Stacey RichAltar Flowers...................... Lorna Baxter April 17_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worship Leader 10:00 a..m. Gene KelseyGreeters............................. TBDFellowship Hour................. The Esten FamilyAltar Flowers...................... The Alkoff Family & Heidi Borkowski
April 24________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worship Leader 10:00 a..m. Pat PottsGreeters............................. Don & Joan TilleyFellowship Hour................. TBDAltar Flowers...................... The Beveridge Family
Altar Guild______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jen Burrows
Birthday Caller______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pat Potts
Soup Kitchen_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Men’s Club
8:30 a.m. Worship Leader________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Carl Aspland, Norm Fusaro
Ushers_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wayne Fuller, Bonnie Emery, Dennis Floyd, Don Mazerolle, Dick Peterson, Roy DiYulio
A P R I L B I R T H D A Y S01 Len Cannon
Hailey Rose McDonald02 Mason Clevenger
Michelle CyrVanessa FloydElizabeth Hrywniak
03 William BradleySara Colapietro
04 Todd Baumberger05 Kensi Staggers06 Owen Fearn
Alan Stockman07 Emily Peterson08 Adeline Hazzard09 Kathy Mazerolle10 Donald Rackliffe11 Lennox Apraku-Boateng
Charles ColoskeJolene GrassoBetty HusseyKimberly Stark
12 Nathan CannonJames HaslerEric Tye
13 Linda GreyDeborah LauzierJared Staub
14 Malcolm CummingsDonna MurrayDavid ScottMichael SpauldingJennifer Weyrauch
15 Sophia Cole16 Heidi Borkowski
Rebecca Schaffrick17 Jennifer Majors18 Kyle Fuller
Tricia Lockhart20 Jennifer Pelletier21 Jeffrey Clement
Dara HolcombJay Mullins
22 Allysa Barnaby23 Mark Cannon24 Matthew Baumberger Jr
Keith Pond Jr.C.J. Stankevich
A P R I L W O R S H I P A S S I S T A N T S
25 Leah DepreyMatthew Deprey
26 Anton ClementAlex Spaulding
27 Jonathan DenskiErin JonesJohn KromKarly MartinGabriel SoucyErnest Szydlo Jr
28 Philip BorkowskiMichael MaskeryGeorge Richardson
29 Alicia DepreyKaren SauerVera Therrien
30 Jennifer BuckleyMaureen MartelIvette ScanlanCathleen Whillock
90 Church Avenue, Forestville, CT 06010 | 860-584-0529 | 3
In Our Thoughts and Prayers… Jonah Cutter, Barbara & Lizzy Hrywniak, Dave Wheeler, Desiree Szydlo, Hunter Smith, Claudia Peterson, the Wysocki family, Linda Cook, Janell Olivieri, Jeannette Mahannah, Chuck Coloske, Bonnie Maskery, Carl Aspland, Elsie Lyons, Edward Coloske, Elene Myers, and others who have needs of which we may not be aware.
If you wish to be listed in the bulletin and newsletter for prayers, please call the church office at 860-584-0529 or e-mail us at: [email protected].
If you wish to relate prayer needs to the prayer chain, please call Phyllis Petit at 860-589-6059 or Mernie Whitcomb at 860-583-5373, or e-mail Pastor Laura at [email protected]. Please keep your call brief, and be aware of the privacy rights of the person(s) for whom you are requesting prayers.
Dear Asbury Friends,
Your visits and cards during my recent hospital stay meant so much to me. They warmed my heart. I so appreciated your good wishes. I thank you. I feel so blessed to be a part of our Asbury family.
With Love,Phyllis Petit
We also received thank you letters from:
UMCOR for our monetary donation, and
St. Vincent DePaul Mission for our donation of paper
products.
We are in need of drivers to take parishioners to and/or from doctor’s appointments or to the hospital. If you can help, please call the church office with the days and times of your availability.
The deadline for the May Circuit Rider is Sunday April 17th.
Please leave all articles in the mailbox in the church office or e-mail them to:
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Bristol ChoralePresents
A Touch of SpringChoral Concert
Saturday, May 7, 20167:00 p.m.
St. Paul High School1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol, CT
For more information, contact Ken Ferris 860-675-3915
Purchase tickets online at www.bristolchoralsociety.org
Tickets also available at: Michael’s Jewelers, Shannon’s Jeweler or Simply Hair
Join us at Wendy’s of Bristol on 1247 Farmington Ave.
Tuesday, April 5
Tuesday, May 3
from 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Stay and enjoy fellowship or get take out. Ask to have your receipt put in the Asbury UMC basket! We receive 20% of all sales made! Proceeds are split between Apportionments and the Backpack Program.
Leprechauns Lorna Baxter, Donna Pehmoeller and Harriet Donovan making Irish Soda Bread. There are still a few loaves left for sale for $3.00.
Thursday Morning
Bible StudyThe Thursday morning study group will begin reading the
book, “The God We Can Know: Exploring the ‘I Am’ Sayings of
Jesus” by Rob Fuquay.
The study will begin on Thursday, April 14th from 9 a.m
to 10 a.m. in the library. Please speak to Mernie
Whitcomb for more information.
In Youth Group we do a lot fun stuff, like movie night or bowling. We even get to pick where we go, they are really fun things that we do.
Other times we will just have a meeting and sit and talk to each other to get to know each other better. We have a lot of fun in Youth Group, so if you want to have fun with us then come and join the Youth Group!!!!
The next meeting will be on Sunday, April 3rd at the church at 5 pm for pizza and a planning meeting. All youth in grades 5 through 8 are welcome!
Hailey Rose McDonald
90 Church Avenue, Forestville, CT 06010 | 860-584-0529 | 5
UMCmarket enables United Methodist ministries to generate incremental funding while providing value and monetary savings to their supporters. You shop at thousands of top retailers like Target, Home Depot, CVS, etc… You take advantage of categorically organized discounts and deals. Asbury receives a percentage of every dollar spent online at no additional cost to you or the church. Please visit www.umcmarket.org to learn more.
Donna Pehmoeller, our webmaster, has done a wonderful job updating our website. Check it out, including the full color newsletter at www.asburyumcforestville.com
Asbury UMC will be holding a clothing drive collection from now through June 1, 2016. The following items will be collected: Men’s, Women’s & Children’s wearable & usable clothing, Shoes, Belts, Handbags, Linens (Bedding, Curtains, Towels, etc…), Stuffed Animals, Hard Toys.
We will receive money for every pound we collect. So go through your closets, basements, your friend’s closets and basements and bring them down to Asbury. Please be sure to put all items in a tied plastic bag.
You may bring your items to Asbury anytime during the week between 9a-12p, and on Sundays before and after services, and leave them in Wesley Hall.
If you need someone to pick up the donations, please contact the church office at 860-584-0529 and arrangements will be made.
Remember we are paid on a per pound basis, so why not share the information with others. If you have any questions, please contact Geri Beveridge.
“An Emmaus weekend offers young people of high school age a short course in the Christian way of life. Those who come to an Emmaus weekend experience Christian community and a time of reflection and insight into their own lives. There is uplifting music, a chance to meet and get to know new friends, an opportunity to know oneself, others, and God on a deeper level, and to share the joyful and loving relationship that is central to the Christian experience.”
Pastor Laura will be serving as a Spiritual Director for the weekend and will be there from start to finish. If you think you might be interested, speak to Pastor Laura for more info.
Some basics:All youth – whether a part of a church community or not – are welcome to attend!The weekend starts at 6:00 Friday and wraps up by 4:00 Sunday.The location of this retreat is at First United Methodist Church in Shelton, CT.Cost is $45.00 and scholarships are available.
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UMCmarket Clothing Drive
Weekend Retreat for High School Youth of All Faiths!
Friday – Sunday, April 22-24
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Tell us what Asbury means to you! You can submit your testimonials by emailing them to [email protected] or by leaving them in the church office. You can choose to have your name added or you may submit it anonymously. This month our submission is from Karen Cranford.
I’m happy to share with you a few stories of stewardship by my family members. My children are the 5th generation of Asbury members. I realized this when my Grandfather Bradley told me of his childhood experiences at Asbury, meaning his parents were members most likely too. Grandpa’s service included ringing the Sunday church bell. When he was a little boy, his family lived in Bristol, and the railroad tracks were behind his family home. Sunday he would walk the tracks to the old train station in Forestville, then to the church. He would then walk up the steep narrow steps to the belfry, and when he reached the top, he would give the rope a couple good tugs which would give out several loud “bongs”. That is how he told it to me, and I love picturing him as a little guy calling the village of Forestville to worship. He also served by singing in the choir, and admitted to carving his initials into the choir loft! How I wish that beautiful Cherrywood Sanctuary was still here so I could see that today. I imagine my grandfather had a very strong faith because I never heard him say an unkind thing about anyone ever.
I’m not sure how my parents served, but I do remember hearing them discussing church at home and they sent us to Sunday school most Sundays. Dad and Mom both grew up in church, Dad here at Asbury where I know he attended youth group which was called Epworth League back then. According to his diaries, he faithfully attended and loved it. In one entry he wrote about him and Cliff Emanuelson planning the Halloween party at church. My grandmother made them baby doll dresses, and Dolly Pease made them bonnets. So they went as babies. Cliff brought the cider, and put the glass bottle down and the bottom fell out. It’s fun imagining my family enjoying Asbury as I have.
Then comes my generation. My sisters and I were all confirmed at church and enjoyed Sunday school, but did not make strong connections because the summer months we were always away. My earliest memory is of standing at the rail of the old Sanctuary receiving my single marigold on Children’s Sunday, which was a long held tradition for many, many years. Another was of singing in the Junior Choir with my sisters and best friend, Ruthie. Rev. Watson was not only our minister, but the Junior Choir Director. We loved him and singing, but did not like his big black book or the big black dot he would put by our names if we were caught talking and giggling. If that happened, it meant you could not wear the wooden cross around your neck that Sunday in church choir. I always sat by Ruthie so you know how that went for us – more than one Sunday without a cross! Just so you know, my sister, Marcia, always had a cross to wear!
Also, how could I forget the winter we had Sunday school in the old empty house on the hill without any heat. I was not particularly happy about giving up my shiny patent leather shoes for snow boots, or having to wear mittens instead of my white pearl trimmed church gloves. As it was I don’t recall ever asking why we were there, but back then I wouldn’t have been given an answer that mattered. I was COLD! I now assume we may have been adding on the new Sunday school wing. I was finally confirmed at 14, then drifted away, came back to marry, and drifted away again. Natural for some young people.
I found my way back for the new generation of my family: my two kids, Kara and Billy. I wanted to raise my children in a wholesome environment where they would be accepted and loved, learn to care for others, make strong bonds with other children and given a feeling of community. You may not see them often, but I will always give a lot of credit to Asbury for their upbringing. I’m very proud of the people they are today.
(Continued on Page 8)
On Saturday May 7th, the Board of Trustees will gather to get the grounds, and maybe even the indoors spruced up for Spring and Summer. We encourage everyone to come and help! We will gather at 8 am and the wonderful assistance from the Boy and Girl Scouts will make the work a lot easier! Bring rakes, brooms, and look forward to having fellowship too!
90 Church Avenue, Forestville, CT 06010 | 860-584-0529 | 7
APRILGod’s Word of Mercy and
Forgiveness
1 Jonah 3.1-10 2 Jonah 4.1-11 3 Hosea 1.1—2.1 4 Hosea 2.2-23 5 Hosea 3.1—4.10 6 Hosea 4.11—5.15 7 Hosea 6.1—7.2 8 Hosea 7.3-16 9 Hosea 8.1-14 10 Hosea 9.1-16 11 Hosea 9.17—10.15 12 Hosea 11.1-11 13 Hosea 11.12—12.14 14 Hosea 13.1-16 15 Hosea 14.1-9 16 Leviticus 16.1-19 17 Leviticus 16.20-34 18 2 Samuel 9.1-13 19 1 Kings 16.29—17.7 20 1 Kings 17.8-24 21 Psalm 32 22 Psalm 51 23 Psalm 52 24 Psalm 56 25 Psalm 57 26 Psalm 91 27 Psalm 102 28 Psalm 103 29 Psalm 121 30 Psalm 130
Consider The Lilies
A Womens’ Retreat
Sponsored by Women In Fellowship
Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Asbury
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Ticket Price: $15.00Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Tickets on sale now! Only 50 tickets will be sold so get yours before they’re gone! Please see Karen Cranford or the church office for more information.
Financial statements for 2015 giving are available in the Narthex. You can pick them up on Sundays or during the week between 9-1 when the office is open. If you wish to have yours mailed to you please call the church office and leave an updated address. Statements will be available until April 15th. Any remaining statements will be shredded
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F E L L O W S H I P
Save The Date
April 1 and 2 Girl Scout Sleepover
April 5 @ 5 pm – Wendy’s Fundraiser April 15 @ 6:00 pm – Tag Sale Early Bird Special April 16 @ 8:30 am – Tag Sale April 17 Circuit Rider Deadline April 23 @ 9:00 am – Women’s Retreat May 1 Campership/Academic Scholarship Collection
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One Day Mission Trip in Connecticut:TEAM ASBURY UMC – HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF
We are looking to put together a Team from Asbury UMC, to work ONE Saturday in Connecticut, offering assistance to an area still hurting by the damage from Hurricane Sandy. If you are interested, please see Amy Majors (email: [email protected]) or Pastor Laura. We are looking especially for skilled labor. So if you, a friend or someone you know fits the skills list below, please consider volunteering your time for One Day this Spring to help a family still suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy.
We'd like to encourage people with any of the following skills and skill levels to join our team:Construction Drywall PaintingCarpentry Hanging Doors/Installing Windows MasonryOffice/Computers Tile Installation Flooring/vinylSpiritual/Emotional Care Badged ERT UMCOR-Trained Team Leader
Skills: Rough Carpentry - Installing 2x4s, putting up drywall/sheetrock, insulation, etc.Finish Carpentry - Molding, trim work, taping, mudding, sanding, etc.
If you can answer “YES, I CAN!” to any of the FOLLOWING choices for the skills above please JOIN OUR TEAM:Have never done but willing to try Have experience but need guidance Can do well independently Can do well and give guidance Working in trade
Again, please see Amy Majors (email [email protected])or Pastor Laura with your interest. THANK YOU
(Continued from Page 6)
As far as my service goes, for the past 38 years I have served in several areas. The ones I have really grown from would have to fall into the categories of my work with children, different types of outreach, and studies of several kinds. I tried lots of things and I learned and grew in faith from most of them. There were mountaintop experiences such as being a part of drilling a well in Africa, and working with youth and the leaders was always exciting and sometimes I think I was having the most fun!
Completing Lay Speaker classes was a thrill (I was tricked into that!), but worked hard to deliver a few decent sermons. Being lay leader for 10 years and experiencing all sorts of opportunities I never would have otherwise, was wonderful. Then there were the mission trips to Maine and Biloxi. Take a mission trip! It changes your life! Disciple Training and teaching, and watching how it has grown and touches people’s lives in so many ways. A big thank you to long time teachers Jim and Deb Bechert, and all the other teachers and seekers who took on this challenge to grow in their faith.
So these are just a few ways I know of that my family has tried to be good stewards of Asbury over the years. I’m going to end this by saying, it’s always a blessing to be a blessing. Carry on Good Stewards of Asbury.
Karen Bradley Cranford
90 Church Avenue, Forestville, CT 06010 | 860-584-0529 | 9
In February the ladies took a tour of the Prudence Crandall facility where we learned of its beginnings, and how it has grown and evolved over the years to become an advocate for people who find themselves in abusive relationships. We also met and heard from two young ladies who were able to share their own personal stories with us giving credit to Prudence Crandall for their many areas of support that have lead them to change their lives. We were all touched by meeting them and are now planning ways in which we can help this wonderful place!
Our next meeting will be on April 28th at 6:00 p.m. Location is yet to be decided. Watch for information in your bulletin. All ladies are invited.
SPRING TAG SALE! SATURDAY, APRIL 168:30 AM – 2:00 PM
(Early Bird Special, Friday, April 15th from 6 – 8 pm @2.00 door charge)
Bring your donations for the sale: jewelry, antiques, small furniture, household items, toys and glassware starting MONDAY, APRIL 11TH.
No electronics please.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO REACH SUCCESS!
*Set up, organizing and pricing, clean up and removal to SaversPlease call Ann Morin at 860-584-8576 for more information
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
6:00 PM Girl Scout sleepover to 10:00 am
2
3 Communion, Dial A Prayer Collection
9:00 AM Adult Sunday School
11:30 AM – Christian Outreach
1:00 PM – Tai Chi
5:00 PM – Youth Group
4
7:30 PM NA
5
9:00 AM Crochet Class
5:00 PM Wendy’s5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM Stephen Ministry
6:00 PM Bell Choir
7:00 PM Boy Scouts8:00 PM AA
6
6:00 PM Disciple II
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
6:15 PM Tai Chi
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
7
10:15 AM Seniors
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM TOPS
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
7:00 PM Girl Scouts
8
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
9
10
9:00 AM Adult Sunday School
11:00 AM Education
1:00 PM – Tai Chi
11
6:30 PM Church Council
7:30 PM NA
12
9:00 AM Crochet Class
3:30 PM Soup Kitchen
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM Bell Choir
8:00 PM AA
13
6:00 PM Disciple II
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
6:15 PM Tai Chi
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
14
9:00 AM Bible Study
10:15 AM Seniors
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM TOPS
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
15
Tag Sale Early Bird
Special6 – 8 PM
16
Tag Sale8:30 AM to
2:00 PM
17 One Great Hour Of Sharing
9:00 AM Adult Sunday School
1:00 PM – Tai Chi
Circuit Rider Deadline
18
7:00 PM – American Legion
7:30 PM NA
19
9:00 AM Crochet Class
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM Stephen Ministry
6:00 PM Bell Choir
8:00 PM AA
20
6:00 PM Disciple II
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
6:15 PM Tai Chi
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
21
9:00 AM Bible Study
10:15 AM Seniors
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM TOPS
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
22
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
23
Women’s Retreat
9 AM to 3 PM
24
9:00 AM Adult Sunday School
1:00 PM – Tai Chi
25
7:30 PM NA
26
9:00 AM Crochet Class
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM Bell Choir
8:00 PM AA
27
6:00 PM Disciple II
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
6:15 PM Tai Chi
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
28
9:00 AM Bible Study
10:15 AM Seniors
5:00 PM Exercise Class
6:00 PM TOPS
6:00 PM WIF
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
29
6:00 PM Girl Scouts
30
Girl Scouts Community
BBQ10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and 10:00 AM Fellowship Hour at 11:00 AM
A walk is day in and day out praying; day in and day out Bible and Psalms reading; day in and day out obeying; talking to Christian friends, and going to corporate worship, committing yourself to and fully participating in the life of a church. It is rhythmic, on and on and on. To walk with God is a metaphor that symbolizes slow and steady progress.
—Timothy Keller, Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering
