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April 2015

APRIL 2015 ISSUE 4

Inside this issue:

Some Thoughts . . from Rev. Dave

Here Wee Grow!

UMW News

Troop 108

Prayer Chain

Mission Statement As followers of Jesus

Christ, our mission is

to make Christian

Disciples:

by using our spiritual

gifts; by practicing

the means of grace;

and by living our

faith.

April at HUMC

April 2-5, Holy Week Schedule (page 3)

April 14, UMW Meeting (page 4)

April 15, Covenant Bible Study (page 4)

April 17, Financial Peace University (page 7)

April 28, Evergreen (page 8)

W e often recite one of the various historic creeds (the Apostles’

or Nicene) as part of our worship on a Sunday morning. Many

of us know the words by heart. But when was the last time we pause to

consider what these sacred creeds are really saying? Join Rev. Dave for

an in-depth look at the words of the Nicene Creed and what they mean

for modern believers as he explores We Believe. This four week series

will examine what the creed has to say about

God the Father (April 19)

God the Son (April 26)

God the Holy Spirit (May 3)

and how to make sense of the concept of the

Trinity (May 10).

Worship with us

Sundays at 10 AM

Sunday School at 10:15

All are Welcome!!

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April 2015

Some Thoughts from Me —Rev. Dave

alone knows the future. All we can do is wait and

hope and trust in His promise winter will turn to

spring as surely as the past fall gave way to win-

ter. And guess what? It always does.

In many ways that hymn describes you and

me, doesn’t it? There is something so beautiful

inside of each of us. For some of us, that beauty

lays dormant, waiting to spring into life. For

others, that beauty is already beginning to

blossom and grow. Some of us believe that

beauty is there, others doubt that anything

beautiful can come from their lives. For them,

the mistakes of the past lay like a heavy blanket

of snow weighing them down. But the promise

we have from God is that once we give ourselves

to Him we will begin to see His divine plan for

our lives.

The second verse of the Hymn of Promise

reminds us that, “there’s a dawn in every dark-

ness, bringing hope to you and me.” That is the

promise we have from God. There is a dawn out

there, regardless of our past, regardless of our

fears, regardless of our mistakes, regardless of

our doubts. There is a dawn, a future, waiting.

Exactly what it is remains a mystery, but that it

is, and that it is wonderful is the promise we have

from an ever-faithful, ever-loving God. It is the

promise we have from the One who loved us so

much that He sent His only Son into this world to

pay the price for our mistakes and for our sins so

that we might have that future to look forward to.

Spring is coming! It is coming for the

flowers, it is coming for the birds, it is coming

for the trees, and it is coming for you and me.

And it will remain” unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.”

Grace and Peace,

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an

apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butter-

flies will soon be free! In the cold and snow

of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

(Hymn of Promise--#707 UMH) I have long thought that the Hymn of Promise is

one of the most beautiful hymns in our hymnal. It has

such wonderful imagery reminding us of the “hidden

promise” that awaits us in the seasons of our lives.

This year I am especially struck by that one line, “in

the cold and snow of winter there’s spring that waits

to be.” Well, we sure have had the cold and snow

this year, haven’t we? I can’t remember the last time

we faced such a prolonged and bitter cold-snap as

February gave us. And I could have done without the

weekly (always on Saturday and Sunday it seemed)

deposits of snow that God saw fit to dump on us.

Driving became difficult as we couldn’t see to get

out of smaller side streets, or even our own driveways.

The sidewalks were nearly impassable. And many

of us found it safer and easier to just “hunker down”

and wait it out. And that is where the end of that

verse really strikes me; “there is a spring that waits

to be, unrevealed until its season, something God

alone can see.”

What gets us through the winter is the promise

that spring will come—sometime. What gets us

through the cold days of reduced daylight, what

gets us through the relentless snowfalls, what gets us

through the isolation that comes from hunkering

down is the promise that spring will come—sometime.

When it will arrive—if it will arrive—is something

that we can’t see. God alone knows the schedule. God Dave

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April 2015

Easter arrives this year on April 5. Due to our elevator construction we will

celebrate this great event in the Fellowship Hall and will offer two services,

one at 8:30 AM and one at 10:00 AM.. The 8:30 time frame will be ideal

for people who have lunch plans; allowing you to enjoy the celebration of

Easter worship while still having plenty of time get to your luncheon

destination.

The usual 10:00 time frame will be great for people seeking a “slower”

pace to their Easter morning. Regardless of which service you choose,

we hope you will plan on celebrating this greatest of days here.

Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter is a time ripe with opportunities to deepen our faith,

and renew our commitment. This year, there are many ways for us to accomplish that, and you are invited to

be a part of as many as possible. The Holy Week schedule is as follows:

Palm/Passion Sunday (March 29) – We will gather together to worship at 10 a.m. for a service

that reminds us of the celebration of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem, as well as his love that led him

to lay down his life for us.

Maundy Thursday (April 2) – We will gather in the Fellowship Hall to worship at 7 p.m. for a

service of communion and remembrance, as we remember the Last Supper that Christ ate on the night

he was betrayed.

Good Friday (April 3) – The Enfield Council of Christian Churches invites you to attend a noon-

time Lenten service at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, on Enfield Street. This one hour service of

prayer and reflection will give each person an opportunity to ponder the depth of God’s love that is

reflected in the Cross of Christ. As part of the service we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy

Communion presided over by clergy of various denominations within Enfield.

Easter Sunday (April 5) – Come and celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, and the promise of Life

Everlasting, as we gather at 8:30 AM and 10 AM for a service filled with music and celebration.

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April 2015

Communion Offering

The communion offering for the month of April will go to the Enfield Food Shelf.

Please contribute to help families in the Enfield community.

Additionally the Enfield Food Shelf has the following Easter Wish List

Pancake Mix, Syrup, Cereal;. Ham, Boxed instant potato.

Canned green beans, corn, other veggies, Canned soup, Canned

pasta, Spaghetti sauce, Butter, Eggs, Sugar.

Monetary donations help the Food Shelf to obtain food in bulk from Foodshare and other sources at

below retail cost.

UMW Meeting

April 14, 2015, 7 PM

Do you have a favorite woman in the Bible? Come to our program on

Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM when we will have a panel presentation

about some of these women and discuss how they may impact our lives

today. Our panelists are Connie Lamond, Barbara Sackett and Marie

Prior.

Join us for refreshments and fellowship afterwards. All women of

the church are invited, and we would love to see you.

Chair: Janette Young,

Hostesses: Joyce Young and Doris Mack-Perez.

United Methodist Women— Linda Borio

Covenant Bible Study The third and final segment of the exciting COVENANT

Bible Study kicks off on Wednesday, April 15. This

challenging and engaging study is an eight week look at

how we live out our faith as a covenant people. The first

eight weeks looked at the creation of covenant while the

second segment looked at what it means to live in covenant.

Now we will focus our attention on Trusting the Covenant.

This video-based course draws on the insights of biblical

scholars as well as our own experiences.

The cost of the workbook is $20, and you don’t have to have attended the previous sessions to gain

some wonderful insights into scripture. As always, we offer two opportunities to fit your schedule. Classes

will begin on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 PM, or Thursday, April 16 at 2 PM. See Rev. Dave for more in-

formation or to order a workbook.

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April 2015

Children’s

Books Month

to the parents who joined us to assist the

children.

During the month of March we discussed

authors such as Norman Bridwell (Clifford the

Big Red Dog), Dr. Seuss (The Cat in the Hat),

Eric Carle (The Hungry Caterpillar) and others.

We read different stories each day and

enjoyed activities to go along with each of the

books. One day the four-year-old groups read

Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle. On that day

Mr. Phelan made pancakes for us. They were

Yummy!

HWG sent three staff members to the

Keefe-Bruyette Math and Science Symposium

at St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford. This is

a full day workshop that we have attended several

times over the last few years. This year we were

able to send teachers at no cost to HWG since a

grant was received from the AFP Project.

Three staff members also attended a work-

shop on leadership through the AFP. This is a

two-part training. The second will be held in early

May.

Applications for the fall 2015-2016 school

year are coming in. At present our morning four-

year-old programs are at the maximum, which is

a great feeling. Space is available in the after-

noon for additional four-year-old students. Our

three-year-old classes do have spaces remaining.

One final note….HWG said good-bye to

Mrs. Baker a teacher since 2009. Two of her

children were students with us and her oldest

daughter was an assistant during her sophomore

year in college. We wish her well in her new

position as a full time infant/toddler teacher at

another center. She will be missed.

As always we thank you, the HUMC mem-

bership for your support and your prayers.

Until Next Time. . . .

Here Wee Grow!— Phyllis Phelan

M arch has been a very eventful month for

the children at Here Wee Grow! This month

the four-year-old students have welcomed Mr. John

‘Sheirer, professor of English and communications

at Asnuntuck Community College. Professor Sheirer

has been honored multiple times by Who's Who

Among America's Teachers and recently received

the Distinguished Service and Educational Excel-

lence Award.

Mr. Sheirer has written a new children’s book

called I Like Sticks, which he read to the children

and followed with a discussion. Children were

encouraged to ask questions. Libby (the world's

wisest dog) celebrates her love of sticks and gives

a delightful lesson for readers of all ages about the

importance of being yourself.

Our second visitor was Kate Hanscom, also an

author. Ms. Hanscom lives in Mass with her family.

On her visit to HWG she read Literal Lilly. This

story is to inspire children to ask questions. This is

how we continue to learn. The second book she

read was Fickle Fiona, which is a story about

making decisions. Both of these books not only

entertain but teach readers new and challenging

words through descriptive scenarios and imaginative

characters.

Both visitors were well received and children

were excited about the stories “they” were writing to

place into a class book.

Later in the month all HWG students enjoyed

the yearly carnival. We played games and won

prizes, enjoyed wonderful treats and had fun with

our classmates and friends. We were very grateful

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April 2015

Elevator Update

The pit for the elevator has been excavated, the back stairway and former coal bin have been removed to

make way for the new bathrooms, and tons of dirt and debris have been removed. The elevator has been

officially ordered. Construction has begun with the framing of the elevator shaft and pouring of concrete.

The committee is working hard writing grants and tending to last minute details. (It is amazing how many

of those there are for a project this size.) We are on the way! Keep praying as God continues to work in

our lives to expand our ministry throughout the Enfield area.

The elevator pit

has been dug out

The back staircase and coal bin are gone.

The elevator pit has been dug out.

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

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April 2015

We would be happy to include your name on our

birthday list. Simply call the church office at

860-749-7098 to be included.

Financial Peace University

HUMC is pleased to once again offer Financial Peace University

(FPU). This outstanding and life-changing program begins Friday,

April 17, and continuing for nine sessions. FPU teaches God's ways of

handling money. Through video teaching featuring celebrated Chris-

tian Financial Counselor Dave Ramsey, class discussions and interac-

tive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get

from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan

will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and

save wisely, and much more!

Classes start at 7 PM each week and last for around an hour and a half. The cost for the materials for

this course is $95. For more information, contact Rev. Dave or Colleen, or check out the Dave Ramsey website

at daveramsey.com.

1 Nancy Dyer

3 May Buonanducci

5 Kayla Brewer

7 Sue Braun

12 Adam McDonagh

16 Lois Osier

19 Don Sim

To our wonderful church family:

The family of David Steele greatly appreciate all your kind Expressions of sym-

pathy; thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers during his recent

illness.

Grace and Peace,

Betty and Carol Steele

To everyone at HUMC,

I wanted to thank everyone for the cards, calls and kindness on the recent

passing of my husband, Al. Your thoughtfulness is certainly appreciated.

Janette Burkhardt

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April 2015

Nursing Home Outreach Opportunities

The next opportunity to be in mission to local Nursing Homes takes place on

Tuesday, April 28, at 11:00 AM at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation

Facility. As always the worship service will last approximately one half hour

and include old favorite hymns, prayers, scripture, a very brief message, and

the sacrament of Holy Communion. We are always in need of folks to assist

in the singing and to just generally greet the residents who come to the

service.

It’s fun. It’s easy. And it really does make a difference.

Hope to see you there.

The troop is in the final stages of planning our trip to Toronto in Canada for our April campout. The

troop leadership (both scouts and adults) have planned an agenda for 4 days which includes a tour of the many

sites in Toronto and the surrounding areas, spending a day at Niagara Falls on both sides if the border, and

making new friends thru the fellowship of Scouting with a Canadian Troop. We’ll update everyone on our

trip in the coming issues of the Steeple Tidings. May’s campout is scheduled for Molly Stark State

Park in Vermont. The weekend will feature conservation projects around camp that are necessary to complete

the Camping merit badge as well as honing outdoor skills for Maine High Adventure Trip.

June’s campout will be at the Cooney Campground Resort & Spa located in eastern Massachusetts.

Tentatively scheduled activities include the Motor Boating and Fishing Merit badges as well as a final

“shakedown” for Maine High Adventure Trip.

And it’s only 118 days until summer camp at Yawgoog Scout Reservation. Preliminary preparations

have been made but planning will be ramped up to “full throttle” once we return from Canada. Meetings with

the Senior Camp Staff will be held in April and troops will learn at that time what our weekly themes will be

and what new exciting changes and activities await the scouts in 2015. It also will be a special year as Yaw-

goog celebrates its 100th season of operations as well as Troop 108 celebrates its 30th year in attendance! Cer-

tainly 2 major milestones worthy of celebrating!

The New Year also is an opportunity for any young man who is at least 11 years old, or completed the

5th grade or has earned his Arrow of Light, to join Boy Scouts. We are in full swing actively recruiting We-

belos II scouts that are ready to cross over to Boy Scouts – but – we accept young men who are eligible to join

at any time of the year. If you know of a potential scout that would like to come and visit our troop on

Wednesday

evenings, please have them contact Larry Juhasz, Scoutmaster, at cttroop108scoutmaster@gmail.com for more

information.

Until next month’s Steeple Tidings Troop 108 signing off.

Troop 108 thanks the HUMC for its continued support of our troop!

Troop—continued

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April 2015

Greetings from the scouts, leaders and families of

Troop 08.

Spring is here! The snow has almost melted, the record cold of February

is now a fond memory, potholes become a challenge to drivers on the

roads, and our thoughts turn to the outdoors and enjoying all that Mother

Nature has to offer in the Spring!

February’s Campout was held at Yawgoog Scout Reservation in

Rockville, RI. The scouts worked on outdoor skills such as starting fires

in the snow, treating contaminated water by boiling it from a frozen

state, winter survival skills, trail cooking, snow shoeing, and hiking with

all their gear in 30” of snow. Several scouts also worked on the Camp-

ing, Cooking, Communications, and Public Speaking Merit Badges. Yawgoog is our week long summer

camp for 30 years now and the scouts are use to 80-90 degree hot & humid summer days and not minus 7

degrees (before the wind chill is applied) with 30 inches of snow on the ground! But the beauty that is

Yawgoog shines thru no matter what the season.

March’s Campout will be held at Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth, CT and will feature more advanced

outdoor skills. Scouts will be making improvised shelters, learning winter first aid skills, making fires using

flint & steel or a 9 volt battery with a gum wrapper or steel wool, snow shoeing, trail cooking, and continuing

the journey of completing merit badges. This campout along with February’s will provide an opportunity for

the scouts to hone the skills that they will need when they attend Maine’s High Adventure Camp in July 2015.

Stay tuned for more details in next month’s Steeple Tidings.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in Troop 108’s Pasta Dinner on March 7, 2015.

This is our 6th year doing the Past Dinner that not only raises funds for our troop operations but provides

an opportunity for fellowship between the troop and HUMC families. It was great to see many familiar

faces and meet a few new ones from the HUMC Congregation! We continue to appreciate all the support

we receive from the parishioners of the HUMC.

Just a reminder to mark your calendars with a month long upcoming fundraiser starting in April - Troop

108’s Candy Bar Sale. You will see Troop 108 Scouts at the local grocery stores during the weekends and

the week long Spring Vacation from school selling a variety of candy bars. The cost remains at $1.00 and

the proceeds go directly into each scout’s account which they can use to pay for scout activities, equipment,

uniforms, and summer camp. One of the twelve points of the Scout Law is that a scout is “Thrifty” which

means he should pay his own way by earning the funds to do so. We appreciate your help in supporting our

scouts and their activities.

Troop elections of the next group of boy leaders of Troop 108 will occur in March. Troop elections

give scouts the opportunity to plan and execute the Scouting Program with minimal adult support. It also

fulfills a requirement for rank advancement by holding & actively serving in a “Position of Leadership”. I

will update this event with the election results of our new boy leaders for the next 6 months in May’s

Steeple Tidings edition.

see Troop—Page 8.

Troop 108— Scott Vujs

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April 2015

Isobel

Skukowski

749-7451

Church

Office

749-7098

Nancy

Dyer

763-5344

Jane

Clark

749-7379

Doris

Mack-Perez

745-2789

Sandy

Butcher

749-0478

Sue

Braun

749-2234

Linda

Borio

749-6727

Russell

Cook

749-9182

Dorothy

Prest

749-4350

Please keep the following in your prayers Alice Allen, Claire Avery, Dennis Babcock, Amanda Bonaldi, Jacob Carlander,

Mark Chevalier, Jane Clark, Berta Clawson, Shannon Curley, Mary Jane Dyer,

Stella & Stanley Dynia, Lena Fellizar, Alex Fisher, Janice Holmes, Molly Johnson, Zack Joseph,

Susan Klecha, Robert Lareau, Eloise Nenon, David Pederzani, Dot Prest, Louis Schaefer,

Ralph Stanzione, Ron Uricchio, Ella Weisel, Millie Witkoske, Jon Young

Pray also for these Members

Babs Baker, Redstone Rehab Facility

135 Benton Dr, E.Longmeadow, MA

Lois Osier, Blair Manor

612 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT

In Christian Sympathy To Colleen and Rev. Williams on the passing of

her uncle, Richard Collins, who went home to the Lord.

If you have a name to add or notice a name that is missing,

please contact Isobel Skukowski or the church office.

Rev. Dave

749-9595

Vernell

Sandford

749-6031