Each November, we light candles and recite the names of members who have died the preceding year. And we remember those dearly

departed in our own circles of care who have enriched our lives, who con�nue to live and grow in each of us, who have helped make us who we are. The following devo�onal was shared by Pastor Emeritus, Marj Mollar at the memorial service for Diane Ferguson. It's an important reminder that Jesus gathered the church. So a�endance isn’t an obliga�on of a denomina�on or a pastor but an invita�on to discipleship by Christ. Because Jesus knows how we are healed . . . by the company we keep. By being together. By the prac�ce of gathering each week, by the commitment to being a part of body, by the habit of loving and forgiving up close. This stewardship season we celebrate again this congrega�on---by honoring all those who since 1853 have been part of the circle of care, whose stewardship and faithfulness have made it possible for us today to be in ministry from the corner of Somers and Chestnut. And we celebrate those who con�nue to cast their lot with this motley set of characters. As we seek to bring new life to a sanctuary in need of repair (beginning with removing the carpet held together with duct tape that has become a trip hazard and an allergen), let's again renew our membership vows--to support this place of ministry with our prayers, our presence, our gi�s, our financial support and our witness. And by this new life we experience hand to hand, heart to heart, broken body to broken body.

November 2018

H � � W � H � � �

Pastor Kelly

How We Heal — by the company we keep Wri�en by Mary Lu�

“Jesus went through all their towns proclaiming good news … and making people well.” Ma�hew 9:35

The truth about human beings is that we’re broken. The larger truth is that we heal each other. We have the power, o�en by the simplest of acts, to help each other heal. The gospels’ most vivid stories are about healing. We call them “miracles,” and they are, but not just because the lame walk, the blind see, and the deaf hear. It’s the way those things hap-pen, so close, so human. Jesus li�s people to their feet, applies salve to their eyes, touches their ears. The miracle isn’t the healing. The miracle is that one person decides not to stand aloof from another person’s pain. The wonder isn’t that people are healed, it’s that they’re loved like that. The greatest need we have is to be treated with care, treated like human beings, but because that’s so rare, when it happens it seems miraculous. We say, “If you have your health, you have everything.” That’s not true. Some people aren’t healthy, but they have something many healthy people would gladly trade for – people who pray for them, accompany them, don’t forget them, a circle of care. In such circles even people facing death may experience a kind of healing, even the dying find the blessing of life. Jesus didn’t heal everyone, but he showed us a new kind of life that can be ours when we don’t retreat into one-person worlds. He gathered the church as a circle of care to give that new life away, hand to hand, heart to heart, suffering body to suffering body. It’s how we heal - by the company we keep.

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C��� W��� Thank you to church members, family & friends who supported

Team ELUMC in this year’s Greater Springfield Crop Hunger

Walk. A special Thank You to our walkers, John & Julie Dunlop and Vance Gagnon. A total of $527 was raised for the cause.

Special health concerns: Bev & Hank Kalloch, Little Ford, Ellen Marcil, Jessie Grabowski, Phyllis Rathbun, Richard MacGovern, undergoing cancer treatment and Rabbi Mark Shapiro, surgery on Nov. 5th.

Dot Buzelle - Redstone

Joan Kearns - Wells Country Village, Vernon CT Bob Ferguson & Paul Willer Reeds

Landing

Jesus said to visit the sick, care for the widow, the refugee, the orphan, for by doing so, you do so to him.

– Make �me to visit these people (limit visits to 15 minutes for those who are ill).

– Listen ,or sit in silence.

– If they're too �red to talk tell them something about what’s going on in your life.

– Thank them for spending �me with you & tell them the church con�nues to hold them in prayer.

– Let them get on with their day.

"If you want to li� yourself up, li� up someone else." --Brooker T. Washington.

As the office will be closed between Christmas and the New Year, the �������� for the J������ Methodist Messenger will be December 4. If you plan to have an article in that issue, please submit it by the deadline.

The deadline for the December issue will remain November 15.

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil pain�ng and autumn a mosaic of them all.” —Stanley Horowitz, poet

The Mission Shares marketplace

will be open in the fellowship

hall a�er the worship service

Sunday, November 4th. A variety

of homemade soups and baked goods

will be available for purchase; sales

will help support ongoing missions programs and services

of the United Methodist Church. 'Hope to see you there.

From St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in East Longmeadow:

We held our annual Taste of Greece on 10/12-14. This is our biggest fund raising event of the year. We appreciate your kindness

and generosity in allowing us to use your church parking lot on Friday and Saturday (our busiest days) during our event. Our fes�val would not have been possible without this. Your help with this aided us in having a successful event. Thank you for your generous support of our event! Kind regards, Angie Gouzounis, Chairperson

Condolences to the family of Marilyn Burns who passed away on October 23rd. Especially for daughter Barbara (who many of us know from Loaves & Fishes and UMW events) and son

Douglas. A Memorial Service will be held at East Longmeadow United Methodist Church--tenta�vely set for Saturday a�ernoon, November 24.

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SAVE THE DATE! On November 27, you can extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season by par�cipa�ng in UMC#GivingTuesday. Hope is knowing there are be�er days ahead: days of full stomachs, warm beds, safe communi�es and joyful opportuni�es. One hundred percent of your gi�s made online through The Advance goes to the missionary or project of your choice. In 2017, millions of people from 150 countries raised over $300,000,000 on Giving Tuesday. This year, United Methodists will once again come together as a part of that movement to advance vital ministries around the world. Thank you for your generous gi�s through The Advance, the designated giving channel of The United Methodist Church.

The following are just two examples of ministries you can support through UMC #GivingTuesday :

JFON works to respond to the desperate needs of immigrants. The New England

JFON Board oversees three clinics. The clinics rely on volunteers to welcome clients, do intake interviews, act as interpreters, and handle other non-legal tasks. The clinic at Trinity UMC in Springfield is con�nuing to take new cases and the Woburn clinic has just re-opened. Efforts are being made to open a clinic in the Lawrence/Lowell area and work con�nues in Portland, ME taking new asylum clients fleeing poli�cal oppression. The biggest expense is paying immigra�on lawyers with the specific knowledge of immigra�on law necessary to represent clients. Asylum cases can last for years due to the backlog of the United States Ci�zen and Immigra�on Services (USCIS) and the Immigra�on Courts. Many are awai�ng assistance. Your generosity can allow JFON to see addi�onal clients and provide new hope and a new future for them.

O��� H���� M���������

Open Heart Ministries is an ecumenical church coopera�ve in West Virginia that includes 21 United Methodist congrega�ons from the Greater

Clarksburg Coopera�ve Parish, and 9 partnering churches: Some of their families are building trus�ng rela�onships and they con�nue to work with them over �me, as they strive to get out of the poverty and to become self-reliant again Gayle Lesure, Director of Open Heart Ministries, & coordinator of rural and urban ministries, works especially with single women with children.

CRAFTY APPLE FAIR Saturday, Nov. 10

9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Contact Sco� Grabowski

to volunteer.

Mondays, November 5, 12, 19

At First Church of Christ in Longmeadow,

UCC 736 Longmeadow St.

7:-00 - 8:30 p.m. with coffee, tea & desserts

It’s not too late to join us on Monday nights to explore what the sacred text means to the Jewish and Christian communities in our region.

During this course, we will explore the different (and possibly similar) ways we read and relate to sacred texts. At each session representatives from two religious traditions will present, field questions, and facilitate conversation. We will focus on Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuterono-my. No prior knowledge required. Just you and your curiosity.

November 12th Amy Katz and the Rev. Kelly Turney will be discussing Deuteronomy.

Y��'�� �������! Sanctuary Renova�on

Informa�on & Feedback Session

Saturday, Nov.17, 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary

We will hold our third information & feedback session on the sanctuary renova�on project as part of our Growing Today for Tomorrow capital campaign pro-gram. Since the earlier sessions were held on Sundays a�er worship, we're changing the day and �me for the benefit of folks who can't a�end on Sunday.

To those who have a�ended previous sessions or provided feedback directly to a member of the capital campaign team - THANKS - your input and feedback has been invaluable in shaping our way forward.

However, there is more to discuss! Topics will range from physical space modifica�ons to color pale�e to chair styles. We'll also talk a bit about finances. We want to hear your opinions and ideas!

Join us on November 17 as together we step forward in Growing Today for Tomorrow!

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S���������� C�������

T his y ear ’s

Stewardship

Campaign

focuses on

our church's

history. There

is a memory

board for any-

one to display

pictures of past

church events,

members, etc.

(Please make

sure your name

is on the back.)

Please bring in your pledge card on November 18th, Consecra�on

Sunday. To celebrate, we will have a classic Methodist potluck

luncheon.

Please bring a dish to share.

By last name: A-G bring salad or side dish

H-P: bring an entree

Q-Z: bring a dessert

Or if your name doesn’t align with your favorite potluck offering, bring whatever you like.

I�'� S����� R������ T��� -- �� M��� P��������, � C����� R������

Join us to learn our history, re-live precious

memories and dream about what's next for

ELUMC.

What’s your why? Why you belong to ELUMC?

Each week a member will share their story of why

they commit their prayers, presence, gi�s, service

and witness to this par�cular incarna�on of the

body of Christ.

You won't want to miss a Sunday.

Nov 4 -- All Saints -- remembering our blessed saints and the beloved who have died this past year

Nov 11 -- Honoring our veterans with military witness

Nov 18 -- Consecra�on Sunday and potluck (The children will be singing during worship)

Last year we received 50 pledge cards, we'd like to

exceed that number this year.

The sisters walked to the church, which was one of those simple buildings, four walls, a door, a crucifix,

and twenty folding chairs. Those chairs were mul�dimensional. Set them up facing the front, and they

served as pews. Circle them around a teacher in the middle, and you had Sunday School. Push them up to

card tables, and you feasted on donated food. Fold those chairs, stack them in a corner, and you cleared a

dance space. Folding chairs proved the existence of God.”

( a passage from the novel “Reserva�on Blues” by Sherman Alexia)

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W � R � � � � � � �

Florence Pomeroy knits for mission work of the 5-star UMW unit & the Covenant Group

Coffee & Conversa�on

The Fergusons help to celebrate 150 years of Worship & Fellowship

at ELUMC.

Souper Bowl Party

Add your memories of past church events, members, etc. Bring in pictures and display them on the memory board.

Three li�le pumpkin heads ge�ng ready

to pick their perfect pumpkins.

Before the clock tower renova�on.

Confirmands celebrate a Seder meal

with pastoral intern Ken Mantler.

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November 4

Turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night when you go to bed.

F��� ��� M������� �� M����

Hi everyone,

The Music Department con�nues to work towards bringing people closer to Christ. We will also continue to augment our sound with guest musi-cians.

With Advent almost upon us it is time to plan for the Christmas season. We welcome anyone who wishes to sing only for the Christmas services to a�end rehearsals on the following dates: December 6, 13 and 20 – 7:45p

Thank you!

Grace & Peace, Rick

“If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfei�ng, The appe�te may sicken, and so die.”

― William Shakespeare

L����� ��� F����� M��� P����������

The Our Place at Loaves and Fishes team meets diligently At 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month to prepare a

hearty meal in our church kitchen, which is then later served

at an area soup kitchen. Volunteers are needed to help with the food prepara�on.

Also, because so many are in need of this service, the cost of the monthly meal ingredients is approximately $180/mo. This is not a funded item in our church budget but an important mission that we’ve supported for many years.

If you are able to volunteer, please see Julie Dunlop for more informa�on. If you are able to donate toward the cost of the meal, please write a check to ELUMC with “Our Place” on the memo line.

N�� R�������� C����������

We are a "green" congrega�on so when a caterer for a funeral brought non-recyclable, non-renewable resources,

ELUMC disciples were distressed. From now on, ELUMC will offer a Recep�on Coordinator to help families plan for greener ways to gather.

Thanks to Laurie Conz, Diane Hemingway, Beverly Kal-loch, Joan Clark, Liz Gelinas, & Carol Johnston for your dedication to beautiful, welcoming, and green receptions that honor well our loved ones who have died and care for the future of our planet.

Please remember to bring your own reusable water bo�le to church to enjoy filtered water from our water cooler or your own coffee container if you prefer hot beverages to reduce the cups we have to use and wash at church.

P����� R������� N� S��������.

The Trustees are plan-ning on a leaf cleanup at the parsonage on November 17th. (Time of day to be de-termined later.)

Contact Paul Kinney

if you can help.

What are you doing every day at 2:33? Set an alarm as a reminder to pray for a way forward for our denomina�on. We’re mee�ng as a global church 2/23 - 26, 2019 to vote on how to witness to inclusive love of gospel.

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ELUMC will once again be par�cipa�ng in the annual Thanksgiving collec�on of food for the Open Pantry in Springfield. The Sunday School students will be handing

out decorated bags a�er worship on November 4th and November 11th. Fill a bag and also ask neighbors, friends and rela�ves if they would like to fill a bag. Please return the filled bags on Sunday, November 18th. Help will be provided to assist in unloading any filled bags from your car to the church. Thank you for your generosity.

As we enter the season of giving, we pause to reflect on

the true meaning of the holiday season and how we can provide service to others. Whether purchasing dona�on items or shopping for loved ones, making purchases through UMCmarket creates a contribution to your ministry. It's a great way to give twice, at no additional cost to you.

UMCmarket offers many savings opportuni�es for you while genera�ng dona�ons for your ministry. May we con�nue to give thanks for the indescribable gi� we have been given.

Visit umcmarket.org to sign up and view a list of participating retailers.

You can also sign up for the Amazon Smile program. Amazon will give ELUMC 0.5% for purchases made through Smile.

Interfaith Coffee and Conversa�ons Every Tuesday

9:30 - 10:30 am, un�l June 4, 2019

A weekly drop-in gathering at Starbucks in the Longmeadow Shops anchored by Pastor Marisa of First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, UCC and joined each week by different area interfaith clergy.

Come by for a private chat, a group ques�on, or a connec�on with a cup and a faith presence!

See you there!

N��� � D�������� C��� ��� � S������ �������� ? ( or none in par�cular ? )

A wide range of flavors are available in a variety of sizes including cupcakes.

Best of all, sales benefit Mission Shares.

Please see Vance Gagnon or email gagnonvance@gmail.com for more informa�on and to place an order.

Thank you.

In 2016, Massachuse�s updated its nondiscrimina�on law to include protec�ons for transgender people in public spaces like restaurants, parks, hotels, and hospi-tals. But opponents gathered enough signatures to put this law on the November 2018 ballot, trying to strip transfolk of equal protec�on. A YES vote on ques�on 3 upholds the 2016 nondiscrimina�on law.

Faith communi�es are a cri�cal voice in this fight. Faith-filled Bay Staters know that discrimina�on against transgender people goes against values like welcoming the stranger, trea�ng all people with dignity, and living a life of compassion.

SAFE SANCTUARIES

T��� ������ �� ��������� �� ���������

� ���� ����� ��� ��� ��������.

Address Service Requested

East Longmeadow United Methodist Church 215 Somers Road, STE 2

East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998

413-525-7416 • a reconciling congrega�on www.elumc.org

THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE

8:30 a.m. – Bible Study for Jr./Sr. High & Adults 10:00 a.m. – Worship & Church School (pre-schoolers through Grade 5) Professional child care is provided for “Cribs & Creepers”/“Toddlers & Twos.” 11:15 a.m. – Fellowship Time

The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Stewardship is about how you use the blessings given you: your �me, your gi�s, your service, your prayers, and your witness.

Please join us in worship as we celebrate all the gifts we bring in faith, and we bless our pledges of financial gifts for the 2019 year of ministry at ELUMC.

A Pot Luck & Celebration will follow the service. Make a pledge to be good stewards of ELUMC’s history, building, finances and mission for such a �me as this.

November 18

HAVE YOU HUGGED A TRUSTEE TODAY?

The Trustees (those officially on the team and those trustee types) have been working extraordinarily hard!

And deserve our gra�tude.

You may have been out this summer but the Trustees were hard at work and continue to make improvements you may not immediately notice around the building but are so important for the upkeep and con�nued ministry of this building.

- overseeing the HVAC installa�on

- dealing with carpenter ants and ro�ng wood repairs

- gu�er bids and installa�on

- roof inspec�on

- exploring solar panel op�ons

- grounds and lawn (special shout out to

Dave Ritchie and Steve Wood for the lawn and Vance Gagnon, Brian Kingsley and Joan Clark for the flower beds)

- parsonage garage supervision

- utility cost overruns, boiler issues, dripping pipes

- ge�ng bids for sanctuary work

Emails have been buzzing as trustees scramble to meet contractors/vendors here (since we need 3 bids for major purchases) and then they have op�mized online discussion of all the op�ons and work in between mee�ngs. And they do it all on a shoe-string budget.

Here's a list of those who may well need a hug.

Paul Kinney

Joan Clark

Fred Gagnon

Carol Johnston

Kelly Greene

John Ketcham

Ma� Leveille

Bill Gelinas

Dave Ritchie

Steve Wood