February 7, 2019

781-893-9595377 North Avenue, Weston MA 02493A weekly newsletter of the Weston United Methodist Church

Turtle Boat Head

Y. David Chung

Please keep praying for the entire United Methodist Church as the February 23-26 General Confer-ence approaches. May God's Holy Spirit prevail in all the deliberations, discernment, and decisions made in St. Louis.

Thought of the WeekFeb. 7, 2019

HOPEIn Our Prayers

Bill B.

Joanne C.

Taj M.

Gail M.

Geri Q.

Diane O. and the

family of Jean M.

Louise R.

““Many African Americans were drawn to Methodism by John Wesley’s fer vent opposition to slaver y and by the Gospel message which affirmed the sacred worth and human rights of all God’s children. They believed in that message of hope and salvation even when the church didn’t always act like it believed what it was preaching. The message which had touched the hearts of poor and oppressed English factor y workers and miners, also re-sounded in the spirits of enslaved Africans.”

Greetings, WUMC!

Last Sunday (2/3/19), we started our worship service a little differently, and I wanted to be sure that you understand why. The choir and pastor and worship committee chair met together the previous week, and decided we needed to smooth out our opening to worship. Therefore, the pastor and choir will be entering the sanctuary (from the back) at 10:30, followed by the an-nouncements and welcome from our worship leader. Then the Prelude will be played, to help us to prepare ourselves for worship. This will help us all to turn our hearts to the worship of God in a meaningful way, it will keep the choir together and out of the line of traffic for those arriving for worship, and it will give a clear signal that our time to begin has arrived.

The other thing we talked about last Sunday was the question of clapping for the anthem and offertory, as a result of the questionnaire that was sent out last fall. One question found on the questionnaire responses was whether the choir would feel unappreciated if no one clapped, and the answer to that is no. The choir makes music as an offering to God and as a part of the worship experience – it is a gift rather than a performance, and thus applause for them is unnec-essary. Any spontaneous applause should be done as gratitude to God or praise to God. A quiet “Amen” is equally meaningful, or a simple smile.

May God grant you a meaningful worship experience as we all give the gift of our worship to God!

Pastor Pat

Pastor’s Corner

READING AHEADScriptures for Sunday, February 10

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5 : 1 - 11

Isaiah 6: 1 - 8

ANNOUNCEMENTS

S i g n o f t h e T i m e s

Sat. Feb 9 - 10:00 a.m. - Brunch at Jen and Jeff Hall’s home (resched-uled to this date due to inclement weather).

Sun., Feb. 10 - Noon - Lunar New Year Celebration

Mon., Feb. 11 - 5 p.m. - Serving Bristol Lodge

Tues., Feb. 12 - 9 a.m. - Altar Guild 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. - Small Group Study 7 p.m. - Trustees meeting rescheduled

Wed., Feb. 13 - 10 a.m. - Knitting 11:30 a.m. - Weston Clergy Association 7 p.m. - Church Council meeting rescheduled

Fri., March 1 - Noon - Weston’s annual World Day of Prayer; Parish Hall.

You may have noticed the changes made to our weekly newsletter The Beams. Your feedback is always important to us. Please feel free to talk to Pastor Pat about the changes or write to TheBeams.WUMC@gmail.com for comments, suggestions, ideas and contributions.

We look forward to hearing from you.

I first met David Chung at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City nearly 30 years ago. He was a featured artist in a group installation. Flanked by his mother who thanked me with a gra-cious bow for having traveled from Cambridge to

give her son and his work some press, and his charming blue-eyed wife who was quick to note that she was born and raised in Belmont, MA, we began a series of con-versation about his work, theory, filmmaking, history, family, and the L.A. Riots which had just rocked the U.S.

The Turtle Ship or Geobukseon is iconic to Korean identity and history. It is a source of great pride for all Koreans in its ingenuity, originality, independence and power and might. Chung’s Turtle Ship is placed in the upper background of the 20+feet charcoal mural. Still, it domi-nates in a backdrop that includes modern buildings and skyscrapers despite time and relocation.

We bring with us a selective part of the old world to the new. This has been true of every new ethnic, racial and religious group that found new homes in the U.S. and formed new, rich, thriving communities while trans-forming for the better the existing, established culture.

For this reason, Chung’s re-appropriated, post-modern, “Americanized” image was chosen to represent our week celebrating Korean Americans at WUMC this week.

The first wave of Korean Americans came to the U.S. in 1903. This is how the January 13th, 1903 issue of The Ha-waiian Star described their arrival:

“One Hundred and Two Subjects of the Hermit Kingdom Reach Here to Try Their Luck at Planta-tion Labor

A possible solution of the problem of labor on the planta-tions arrived this morning on the S. S. Gaelic. The “solution” came in the shape of a party of 102 Korean immigrants for these islands. Aside from the possibility of Korea being a source of supply for labor, the advent of the party was of special interest for the reason that they were the first large party of immigrants to ever leave Korea for the western hemisphere.”

Within five years of their arrival to the U.S., the Korean Americans formed a house of worship. Within a decade of their arrival to the U.S., the new immigrants erected two churches in which to worship and praise God together. Korean Americans in U.S. churches have been and contin-ue to be a powerful, enduring legacy woven into the rich tapestry of plural America.

In 2003, national celebrations honoring the centennial of Korean immigration to the U.S. took place. A Weston Korean American chaired the New England chapter of the national Centennial Committee. Our current music director, Hyo Choon, co-chaired the Centennial Concert which sold-out Jordan Hall, saw the attendance of the Presidents of New England Conservatory and Berklee Col-lege of Music, and aired nationally on select NPR affiliates. Then President G.W. Bush, Sens. Kennedy and Kerry and Gov. Romney all sent letters of congratulations.

WUMC is blessed to have worshipped together in the recent past with Sewon, John, Hannah and Kristen, Kim, Grace, Paul and their children, and Rev. Dr. Jung Sun Oh and Myung Kang. We miss you all and keep you in our hearts and prayers.

R.L.

Come and enjoy a specially prepared Korean luncheon as we cel-ebrate the Lunar New Year. We will also have a special guest preacher this Sunday, the Rev. Taesung Kang, District Superinten-dent of the New Hampshire District.

Rev. Kang was ordained an elder in the South Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church in 1999, transferred as a full member to the North Carolina Annual Conference in 2004, and has been a member of the New England Conference since 2008. Rev. Kang was the founding pastor of two churches – one in South Korea and one in North Carolina - and he served as pastor in Patten, Maine, and in Charlton City, MA, before going to the New Hampshire District. During his ministry, Rev. Kang has focused a great deal of energy on leadership development, faith formation, and children/youth. Rev. Kang has a BTh from Methodist Theological University (Seoul, Korea) and MTh from The Graduate School of Theology, Mokwon University. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2001 with an MDiv and Husson University (Maine) in 2008 with an MS in Business.

Rev. Kang’s wife, Mina, who will join him on Sunday, is a project manager for Verizon. They have three children: Andrew, Kat, and Julie.

Special Guests

Ab

ou

t the co

ver

Lunar New Year

설날

SeollalThe Koreans, honorary Koreans and the

Trustees of WUMC invite you to join us in our celebration of the lunar New Year.

A Korean meal will be served.

Feb

ruar

y 10

thFo

llow

ing

Wor

ship

Abundant Blessings in the New Year

Celebrating

Planned Giving

Sunday, Feb. 24Trustees and Finance Committe meet before worship

Congregation meets after worship

The phrase, “a can of worms”, was born in the 1950s by fishermen. It represents and brings to mind an entangled mess, something ugly and difficult. Sometimes, we are warned that if we bring up a certain topic in conversation or start a new task, that we could be opening a can of worms. Perhaps

sitting around a table in your church parlor, fellowship hall, or at a church council meeting, someone has dared to open that can and exposed and brought into plain sight that which needed to be said. The issue, not spoken of for years, the dread of the worms, caused even the bravest soul to keep quiet. Worms, moving in all different directions, cold and slippery, making grasping them almost impossible. Yes, keeping that can closed seems almost wise, prudent, dignified and proper. Often within the church, the worms are those things we hang onto as norms, truths, and learned and accepted traditions.

In my role at the Foundation, I’ve often opened the can, the stewardship can of worms. Just asking if it’s ok for the pastor to know what people give is a can that will make some church members squirm like the worms in the can. Suggesting that the lack of money is just a symptom of bigger problems, perhaps the unwillingness to change, or the reluctance to share our faith as evangelists is a can filled with worms. At a special meeting of General Conference in February the human sexuality can will be opened yet again. The church has lots of cans.

And in writing this, I’m nudged to look in my own cupboard, at my own can of worms. What are the things I avoid dealing with and talking about – perhaps requiring confession and atonement? Don’t we all have such cans? And do not each of us bring our cans to church, perhaps hoping with prayer that the Holy Spirit will both open, clean, make sense of, and bring healing and understanding to those things hidden so dark in our hearts? Lent is coming. Let us bring our can to church and pray Jesus brings a can opener.

Gary Melville, ChFC, CAP

Director of DevelopmentUnited Methodist Foundation of New

England

Guest Sermon

A Can of Worms

Our hungry brothers and sisters need our care more than ever as the tem-perture continues to plummet.

Those who are cold de-serve a warm, godly smile. Those who are hungry de-serve food preparedwith divine love and care.

Two sign-up sheets are posted asever in the church parlor and inParish Hall.

After worship on Sunday, pleasesign up to do your part.

Items of need:

5) Sloppy Joes, 4 lbs. from each contributor, prepared(4) Hamburger buns, 2 dozen fromeach contributor(4) Potato Chips, 2 large bags(2) Brownies or Cookies, each portionto serve 24(2) Orange Juice and(3) Milk, 1 gallon each

Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen

Monday, February 11, 5:00 p.m.Second Mondays of each month

Grace Vision UMC 545 Moody Street, Waltham

Se

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r a be

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mu

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yGlobal Ministries Mission Volunteer openings

Tanzania – Assistant Women’s Program Coordinator needed to support an ongoing women’s crafts project for the purpose of income generation for local women in remote area. The volunteer will also be asked to oversee the teaching of introductory business principles.

St. Mary’s, Ohio – Support needed for transitional Christian home for men. The volunteer will assist with guiding participants in spiritual growth and development of practical life skills such as budgeting and interviewing as well as lead weekly Bible studies and community groups.

For more information, contact the Mission Volunteer Office directly at mv@umcmission.org and for a complete list of placement sites requesting long-term volunteers (individuals and couples serving for two months and up to two years) visit www.missionvolunteers.org.

Reception Volunteer

Would you like to support survivors, as well as our team of staff members? Reception volunteers create a welcoming environment for survivors visiting our community office. Tasks for this position vary, and typically include greeting individuals arriving at our office, answering our phones, assisting with adminis-trative tasks, and occasional childcare when needed. This role is based at our Main Office in Waltham. Bi-lingual individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements and Details:

Completion of our full training (approximately 40 hours).Participation in an additional Phone & Hotline Training.A one-year commitment is recommended for this position. Exceptions can be made for one-semes-ter and summer internships

Hours: Morning and afternoon hours are available for this position. Shifts are from 9-1 or 1-5.Time commitment: volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one 4-hour shift per week. To learn more or apply for this position, please email Lauren Montanaro at lauren@reachma.org.

Ministry of CaringMinistry of Caring is a new ministry that is still being formed - perhaps God is calling you to be part of it. If you or someone you know could serve God and your brothers and sisters in the church in this way, please speak to Pastor Pat. The mission of the Ministry of Caring is to be aware of the needs of the parish and the wider community; to serve those who are homebound, hospitalized and in nursing homes in a manner that shares the love of Christ through acceptance and support, and to meet the individual in the moment. This committee is currently being established, and will set their regular meeting schedule.

Members can give as much or as little time as they have available. The only talent required is the ability to truly and lovingly care. Membership is open to all who wish to serve. Responsibilities may include:

• To attend regular meetings to pray together, to enhance skills through enrichment presentations, and to

share concerns, celebrations, and news of persons on the concerns list

• To make visits to those who are homebound, hospitalized, or in nursing homes

• To create calling lists of those in our church family, and to make regular (monthly) calls to the persons on

their calling list

• To send cards or notes and make telephone calls, as needed

• To share gifts of transportation, meals, shopping, etc., as you are able and as it is needed

• To be willing to truly listen. Sometimes this is the hardest job and the greatest gift.

Please speak to Pastor Pat if you have any interest in this work or if you know of someone with these gifts.

EVENTS

March 9, 2019 - 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Wesley United Methodist Church

114 Main StreetWorcester, MA 01608

MORNING WORKSHOPS

• First things first: Reclaiming Jesus in the church

• Something happens when God’s people pray

• Models of governance that free us for Discipleship

• Spiritual disciplines and practices• Fighting the good fight— conversations on Spiritual warfare

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

• Understanding God’s call with all that noise• Learning to live for Jesus one day at a time

• The growth-power of small groups• Catalysts that grow a small church

• Lay speaker or lay servant ministry? Confused?

COST - $20/PERSON – Early registration – February 1, 2019 $25/PERSON - After 2.1.19GROUP REGISTRATION - $15/person of 5 or more

Living for Jesus

Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Al ber t MosleySenior V ice P resident , Fai th and Health

Methodist L e B onheur Healthcare

Hosted by: New England Conference United Methodist Women, Commission on Archives & History, Boston University School of Theology

Guest Speakers: Harriett Olson (UMW CEO), Pat Thompson (NEC Historian), Dana Robert (BUSTH), and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar (NEC)

Celebrate: fun, fellowship, worship, remember our history, share our stories, and hear about our future

Highlights: See stained glass windows from the Tremont St. Methodist Episcopal Church (our birthplace). Learn more about our founders and first missionaries. See exhibits of our founding and history in Boston.

What you need to know: Outside walking will be required between venues (approximately 1/4 mile). Access to buildings requires

some steps or outside entry ramps.

Space is limited. Reservations are required (no walk-ins allowed): Reservations will be honored on a “first received” basis by envelope cancellation and must be mailed prior to Friday, February 1st. To make reservations, mail this form with a nonrefundable fee of $100.00 per person to: Marcia Hoyt, 8 Bacon Street, Natick, MA 01760. Make checks payable to NECUMW All reservations will be confirmed via email or phone.

150th Birthday Registration Form (all information required – use separate forms or a list)

Name ______________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address (City, State, Zip) ______________________________________________________________

Email Address _________________________ Phone number _________________________________

Special/allergy Food Issues: _____________________________________________________________________________

Childcare needed? Name/Ages of children ______________________________________________________

(Childcare will NOT be available unless registered)

See the back of this sheet for further information

Join the Birthday Celebration 150 Years and Counting

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Boston University, Boston, MA 8:30 am to 4:00 pm