Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Circuit Rider The Newsletter of Asbury United Methodist Church
17 Old Post Road South, Croton-on Hudson, NY 10520-3039
Tel: (914) 271-3150 email: [email protected] website: www.asburycroton.umcchurches.org
Jean Evans, Editor Lena Cheng, Mailing Coordinator
CIRCUIT RIDER FEBRUARY 2016
Pastor’s Message
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power[c]is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
If you are like me, after the Christmas holiday excitement has worn
off and the cold of winter sets in, perhaps you start to feel a little
restless or melancholy. I miss being outside sitting on the porch,
walking around town and the long days filled with sunlight. I
especially miss the green of the trees and grass.
And here we are in February about to enter one of the most solemn
seasons of the church calendar. Lent is a time of reflection and repentance, a mindfulness of the 40 days
that Jesus spent in the wilderness and the journey to the cross.
As we approach the season of Lent, I invite you into a journey through the dark woods. Based on Eric
Elnes book, Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings for Soulful Skeptics (and Other Wanderers), our
worship in the six weeks leading up to Easter will take on a different tone. We will be more reflective
and engage our senses as we explore “what if times of uncertainty, failure or emptiness are opportunities
for spiritual awakening?”
In addition to Sunday worship, I encourage you to find ways to deepen your relationship with God in
intentional ways this Lent. Some suggestions are:
Experience worship on Ash Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Participate in the Lenten study on Monday nights and learn about how to engage in the
Spiritual Disciplines in the Wesleyan tradition. Order and read, Gifts of the Dark Wood by Eric Elnes (available as a hard copy or an e-
book on amazon.com). Listen to the two songs that will be part of our worship during Lent:
“Gifts of the Dark Wood” youtube/SwN9Nx894cI “Come and Rest” youtube/4xDtng4Qnb0
I look forward to traveling with you through this season and will be in prayer with you as we strive to
walk fully in the path of Jesus.
Peace,
Pastor Melissa
“Men Growing in Christ so Others May Know Christ”
ASBURY CROTON ON HUDSON UNITED METHODIST MEN’S FELLOWSHIP ASSOCIATION
ACOHUMMFA
FEBRUARY 2016 meeting dates:
Saturday
8:00 a.m. Free BREAKFAST at Frankie’s (OPTIONAL)
8:30 a.m. MEETING BEGINS
19 Old Post Road So Croton on Hudson
10:00 a.m. MEETING OVER
Topics: MARK
2/6: OUR ONLY MEETING IN FEBRUARY 2/13: WINTER BREAK NO MEETING** 2/20: WINTER BREAK NO MEETING** 2/27: WINTER BREAK, NO MEETING**
** Please join the LENTEN STUDY Mondays 2/15, 22, 29 at 7:00 p.m. (6:30 p.m. for light dinner). Experience John Wesley’s Spiritual Disciplines as “means of grace” by which the Holy Spirit may transform our hearts and lives. Disciplines include prayer, Bible study, meditation, solitude and hospitality.
Weekly Readings (IT’S JUST 15 min/day, WHOLE BIBLE IN A YEAR, YOU CAN DO IT!) for personal devotions: 1) EXODUS 35-LEVITICUS 10
2) LEVITICUS 11-27
3) LEVITICUS 28-NUMBERS 13
4) NUMBERS 14-29
(WARNING: THIS MIGHT BE A CHALLENGE YOU MAY NEED HELP WITH. ASK PASTOR OR Don Daubney, John Kolman-Mandle or Stu Colby, or Bill Laemmel).
Intercessory Prayers:
1) Asbury Prayer Chain
2) Asbury COH Church Families: C-D
EVENTS
Spaghetti Dinner at St. Augustine RC Church, Rt. 9 Ossining, 6 :00 p.m., SATURDAY 2/6 Support Boy Scouting program Troop 49, Ossining
All Asbury families invited as guests of ACOHUMMFA
More info: Stu Colby call or text 914-330-4104 or [email protected]
NOTE: ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CALL / CONTACT ABOVE TO CONFIR
Asbury families and your friends are invited as guests of
Asbury Croton-on-Hudson United Methodist Men’s Fellowship
Association
Spaghetti Dinner 6:00 p.m. SATURDAY, Feb. 6
St. Augustine Catholic Church
381 N. Highland Ave. Ossining, NY
(right at first traffic light after crossing the Croton River Bridge)
(DINNER FREE/NO CHARGE. Just sign in at the ticket table)
Support Boy Scout Troop 49 Ossining
30+ fabulous gift basket drawings as a fundraiser for the Troop
More info: Stu Colby call or text 914 330 4104 or [email protected]
ASBURY CHURCH DIRECTORY
A number of you have asked to have a church directory. We are in the process of updating and printing the Asbury Church Directory which will contain information on all members and regular attendees. The directory will be organized by household information and will contain address, phone number, email address and names of all household members. You may also provide cell phone numbers and additional email addresses. During the next two coffee hours, you will be asked to update your household’s information. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. For more info, contact Cynthia Plater. Copies will be made available for the use of members and regular attendees. Use of this directory for any other purposes, including commercial or political, and reproduction of this directory, are expressly prohibited.
\
MEMBERSHIP and BAPTISM
If you are interested in learning more about baptism or becoming a member of Asbury, please contact
Pastor Melissa: 646-241-7746, [email protected].
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday: Our theme for Lent this year is “Gifts of the Dark Wood” which will be introduced
at our Ash Wednesday service on February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Please plan to attend this meaningful time as
we reflect on the question, “What if times of uncertainty, failure or emptiness are opportunities for
spiritual awakening?”
LENTEN STUDY
John Wesley spoke of Spiritual Disciplines as “means of grace” by which the Holy Spirit may transform
our hearts and lives. Certified lay servant Carol Merante will lead us in a class about the classic
Disciplines, including prayer, Bible study, meditation, solitude, and hospitality.
Lent begins on February 10 this year. The season is a time of reflection and rededication. Please join us
in Lent as we journey together in this meaningful study on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. (light supper at 6:30).
February 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14.
Please sign up on the sheet in the back of the sanctuary so that we can order you a book. (Contact Pastor
Melissa).
ASBURY BOOK GROUP
The next meeting of the Asbury Book Group will be Saturday, February 13 at 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in
the music room. The book for February is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Books are reserved for the
group at the Croton Free Library.
Come and join the fellowship and lively discussion. A continental breakfast will be served.
- Barbara Whipple
Save Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, for lunch with your sweetheart! The United Methodist Women will sponsor a Love Lunch following morning service.
If you are able, please contribute a pot luck item for the food tables. Either a “love apple” (tomato based) dish, a salad, Italian bread or a chocolate dessert. Please
telephone Barbara Whipple at 271-5095 if you plan to contribute a main dish.
Activities will include a Valentine piñata and making homemade valentines.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JACKIE SMALL
- Doris Daubney The memorial service for Jackie Smalls was a huge success in spite of the snowstorm and
a postponement from Saturday, January 23 to Sunday, January 24.
Many thanks to all who helped set up tables and chairs, all who baked for the dessert table and to Pastor Melissa for a very memorable celebration of Jackie’s life. It was wonderful to see George Smalls Jr. who grew up in our church and now resides in
Pennsylvania.
BOOKS FOR THE OPEN DOOR CLINIC
- Kirsten Daubney
Books for the Open Door Clinic donation has been hugely supported by members of Asbury as well as the parents of Play and Learn. Through your generosity and other groups that I organized we were able to supply over 600 books, so far, to the program
to combat illiteracy.
The red box will remain in the hallway for ddonations of gently used or new books for continuation of this program to donate books throughout the year.
Thank you all for helping.
COMMUNITY RIDES
- Barbara Whipple
Inez Jacklin has researched the availability of community rides to meet the needs of non-
drivers or those without cars. She found three organizations in the Westchester area that provide ride services:
Westfair Rides: For medical appointments only. Mount Kisco based. 914-764-3533
Ride Connect: Potential riders should call and register to be placed on their database. 914-242-7433
Paratransit: This organization is looking for volunteer drivers; check with your
insurance company regarding liability coverage. 914-995-2957.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM FEBRUARY 20
- Barbara Whipple
In keeping with the principle that “no one has the right to abuse you”, Ms. Kim McNair
from the My Sister’s Place organization will speak about domestic violence and My Sister’s Place programs for providing hope, achieving justice, and changing lives at the UMW
February meeting. Her presentation is in conjunction with the Asbury UMW’s spring project for the collection of personal care items for individuals housed in My Sister’s Place shelters in Westchester County.
Instances of domestic violence occur at all levels of society and within all racial, ethnic
and religious groups. The information you learn from Mrs. McNair and from the My Sister’s Place handouts about domestic violence could help a family member, neighbor or friend. The personal care items that will be collected will assist and comfort domestic
violence victims and their children.
Asbury women are encouraged to come to hear Mrs. McNair, have a light breakfast and enjoy fellowship on February 20 from 9:00 .m. – 10:30 a.m. in Asbury’s social hall.
Starting in February there will be a collection box at church for items to donate to My Sister’s Place.
Items needed include:
Gift cards to Target, Walmart, Shop Rite and CVS
Diapers, all sizes, and baby wipes Destin, A&D Ointment (baby)
Full size baby and adult toiletries Toothbrushes and toothpaste Washcloths
New packages of baby bibs and onesies New packages of socks and undergarments
New duffle bags New umbrellas
Art and craft supplies New pillows, twin size sheet sets & twin size blankets New umbrella strollers
Nail and hair care items
My Sister’s Place, 1-800-298-SAFE(7233), provides emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, legal assistance and children’s services. More information can be found at www.mspny.org.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
2 Christian
Meditation 7pm-Wesley House
3
4
5
6
8:30 ACOHUMMFA
10:00 Food Bank
10:00 AA
7
9:00 Adult Sunday School
10:00 Worship
7:00 Croton Chorale
Sunday School Town Hall
& Brunch 11:15am
8
9
Christian
Meditation 7pm / Wesley House
10
ASH WEDNESDAY
Service 7:30pm
11
Candlelight Vigil
for Immigration
Reform 6-8pm/ Croton-Harmon Station
12
GS1235
6:15
13
8:30 ACOHUMMFA
19:00-10:30 Book Club
(Music Rm)
0:00 Food Bank
10:00 AA
14
9:00 Adult Sunday School
10:00 Worship
11:15 “LOVE Luncheon”
6:00 Jan Peek Meal
7:00 Croton Chorale
15
Lenten Study 7pm
Light Supper 6:30pm
16
7:30 Ad Board
17
18
19
20 8:30 ACOHUMMFA
9:00-10:30 UMW
Special Speaker
(Social Hall)
10:00 Food Bank
10:00 AA
21
9:00 Adult Sunday School
10:00 Worship
7:00 Croton Chorale
Easter Pageant Rehearsal
11am-1pm
22
Lenten Study 7pm
Light Supper 6:30pm
23
24
25
26
GS1235
6:15
27 8:30 ACOHUMMFA
10:00 Food Bank
10:00 AA
28 9:00 Adult Sunday School
10:00 Worship
11:15 Coffee Hour
7:00 Croton Chorale
Easter Pageant Rehearsal
11am-1pm
29
Lenten Study 7pm
Light Supper 6:30pm
FEBRUARY 2016 ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
