TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE MEANS OF GRACE MAKES THE VISION POSSIBLE 2 ................................................................................

MISSIONS/OUTREACH 3 .....................................................

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE  3 .....................................

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 4 .......................................

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE 4 ........................................................

2017 FALL BAZAAR 4 ..............................................................

A THANK YOU FROM OUR RED BIRD MISSION 4 ......

HARRIET TUBMAN ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER 5 .......

FALL ADULT STUDIES 5 ........................................................

YOUTH NEWS 6 .......................................................................

HAPPENINGS 6 ...................................................................

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS 6 ....................................

VOICES IN PRAISE 6 ..............................................................

PRAYER TEAM 7 .......................................................................

THE PRAYER ROOM HAS MOVED 7 ............................

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER APPOINTMENTS 7 ................

COMMUNION SUNDAYS 7 ...........................................

SOAKING PRAYER 7 ........................................................

UPCOMING SOAKING PRAYER DATE 7 ......................

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS 7 .......................................

OUR MEMBERS & THEIR FAMILIES 7 ......................

FRIENDS OF OUR CHURCH 7 .......................................

MEMBERS OF OUR MILITARY 7 .................................

CHORTLE 8 ...............................................................................

JOYFUL RINGERS 8 ................................................................

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM 8 ......................................

KIDS’ CORNER 9 ........................................................................

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS 10...........................

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Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church The Journey

SEPTEMBER 2017

2381 New Hackensack Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Telephone (845) 452-2933 Newsletter E-Mail editor@pokumc.org E-mail office@pokumc.org Website www.pokumc.org

Adrienne Brewington PASTOR

Louise Dalton, Karyn Millham SECRETARIES Tony Hagin TREASURER Leslie Tracey-Delauney TRADITIONAL MUSIC DIRECTOR & ORGANIST

Anne Ciraulo CONTEMPORARY PRAISE DIRECTOR

John Marrine YOUTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Diana Collello COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Megan Joslin HARRIET TUBMAN ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER DIRECTOR

THE MEANS OF GRACE MAKES THE VISION POSSIBLE Back in May I began to unpack for you the results of our visioning process. Let us remind you of the action points it contained:

❐ Wesleyan Covenant Groups We must all step up our discipleship quotient by developing and participating in Wesleyan style covenant groups that assemble for the purpose of Bible Study, prayer and personal accountability. “How is it with your soul,” an expression often used by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, has got to become the touch phrase through which we engage each other, assess our own connectedness to God and hold each other accountable.

❐ Evangelism Emphasis We must focus more heavily on the true nature of evangelism – both what it is and what it is not – and develop church-wide processes for making evangelism a core belief from which our actions and ministries flow.

❐ Deepening Spirituality of Youth & Young Adults We must develop methods for caring for the souls of our young adults, with the intention of moving them into more faithful church attendance and nurturing their souls into more faithful Christian discipleship.

❐ Creating a House of Welcome We must make this a place where everyone is welcome to be – just as they are. And we will find ways for all who journey here to speak their truth while being heard with love and respect. There can be no limits on God’s love or the ways in which we give it expression.

❐ Discipling New Members We must adopt ways to acclimate new members into the life of this congregation, mentoring and encouraging them into active participation in our work and ministry; nurturing them on their spiritual journeys.

❐ Excellent Worship We must continue to make excellent worship a focal point of the life of this congregation. Vital, vibrant worship that gives worshipers a glimpse of the divine is an essential part of our ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

With regard to the first two components of the Vision – the formation of Wesleyan Covenant Groups and building our future ministry on a foundation of Evangelistic emphasis – I have felt moved to share with you the following regarding the Means of Grace:

“Courageous and forward-leaning mission congregations practice spiritual disciplines. Our vital work is a spiritual adventure based in John Wesley’s means of grace. John Wesley taught that God’s grace is unearned and that we were not to be idle waiting to experience grace but we are to engage in the means of grace. The means of grace are ways God works invisibly in disciples, hastening, strengthening; and confirming faith so that God's grace pervades in and through disciples. As we look at the means of grace today, they can be divided into works of piety and the works of mercy.

“WORKS OF PIETY ❐ Individual Practices – reading, meditating and studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting,

regularly attending worship, healthy living, and sharing our faith with others.

❐ Communal Practices – regularly share in the sacraments, Christian conferencing (accountability to one another), and Bible study.

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THE MEANS OF GRACE MAKES THE VISION POSSIBLE (CONTINUED) “WORKS OF MERCY

❐ Individual Practices - doing good works, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, and giving generously to the needs of others.

❐ Communal Practices – seeking justice, ending oppression and discrimination (for instance Wesley challenged Methodists to end slavery), and addressing the needs of the poor.

“Making disciples, growing vital congregations and transforming the world is part of a spiritual adventure that is empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit as churches engage in the means of grace. Spiritual goals are accomplished by connecting the means of grace with proven vital church practices such as planning, strategic direction, prioritization, clear focus and alignment.”

Evangelism is a work of mercy; participation in covenant groups is a work of piety. We learned during Lent’s Soup and Scripture study on the Means of Grace that one who sincerely desires to grow in the image and likeness of God must practice not only BOTH works of mercy and works of piety, but ALL works of mercy and works of piety. To do otherwise makes us lopsided in our faith walk – kind of like doing squats and lunges on the same leg over and over without ever exercising the other.

My prayer is that as we continue to journey together we will all endeavor to give our very best to God, by diligently practicing works of piety and mercy in every form in which they are available to us. Don’t you think we owe at least that much to the God who has already done everything for us?

Peace to you all, Pastor Adrienne ___

MISSIONS/OUTREACH On Sunday, October 15, 2017 the annual Crop Walk will be held.  We hope to have a large number

of walkers to represent PUMC.  Last year there were more than 400 walkers from 58 different congregation and groups.They raised $60,295.00  For further details and to sign up, contact Cathy Close.

 

Our annual Thanksgiving Basket program will begin again in October.  We will be distributing from the Family Partnership Center this year rather than the Reformed Church.  We are excited about this as people will not have to use stairs to receive their basket.  We will need help bringing our food items to the Center on the day of distribution as well as with the actual distribution.  Sign up sheets to provide the groceries for a family of four and a check to cover the turkey and pie as well as to come and help will be available on the following Sundays in October 1st, 8th, 15th and the 22nd.  More details will be in the October Journey.

 

We appreciate your help in these Mission areas!

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE  October 14th, from 10AM - 4PM at PUMC. Department of Motor Vehicle approved. You can save 10% on your vehicle liability, collision and personal injury insurance for three years, and may reduce up to four points on your driving record.  Sponsored by American Safety Inc. #028. The fee is $40, part of which is given back to the church. Dress comfortably, bring a bag lunch. To register, contact the church office at 452-2933.  

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE [Carla Vinson - Circle President]

Monday, September 11th, 1PM, Fellowship Hall, Friendship Circle will resume meeting, and this would be a wonderful time to join if you are not already a member. We have interesting programs, followed by a business meeting and delicious refreshments. Enjoy an afternoon out!! Mark you calendar!!

2017 FALL BAZAAR Coming attraction: “2017 Fall Bazaar”, Saturday, October 21st & Sunday, October 22nd

How would you like to be involved? • Would you like to help us with set up [Thursday afternoon or Friday morning]? Would you like to help

on Saturday (2 hour shifts) selling, work in the kitchen, lunch time as waitress, greeting visitors, and more. It’s a wonderful time. If so, please call Geri Hoernes.

• Could you make “Gift Basket”? It is only about two months until our wonderful bazaar, so its time to create gift baskets. We can’t do it without you!! Ideas . . .

Coffee Lovers Gardeners Goodies Arts & Crafts Beach Babies Pampering/Spa Date Night Teacher Treats Disney Dreams Books and Puzzles

Knitter/Crocheter Music Sports Fan Pet Lovers Bar-B-Q Tailgaters Camping Auto Care Kit

Please let us know what theme your basket will be. Remember that a “basket” can also be a “fancy box” or even a “tote style purse”. We’ll have sign up sheets ready right after Labor Day. Thank you in advance for your help.

Items that you have made or set aside for the Bazaar can be left on the stage after September 20th – please label for “UMW Bazaar.”

A THANK YOU FROM OUR RED BIRD MISSION We have received a special letter of thanks from Shirley Ann Walker,Treasurer of our Mission for the 2000+ Campbell Soup Labels (discontinued by Campbells) and 4000+ box tops that we forwarded in July to the Mission. Our United Methodist Church Mission is active in 9 Kentucky counties and 1 in Tennessee ministering to spiritual, economic, educational and physical needs of the people. The daily challenges have increased due to the rise of unemployment, health care, natural disasters and severe storms Our continued contribution of “box tops” will continue to help purchase many needed items. Also they request our continued prayers for their work in the mission.

Our “box top” collection box is in Fellowship Hall and please keep filling it up!!

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Beginning mid September, our Sunday bulletins will have a list of needs for the Bazaar and also in the October Journey!

HARRIET TUBMAN ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER The Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Center (HTASC) students and staff wish to thank the members of the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church for their support during the 2016-2017 school year. It was a very successful year at the center! This spring has found our center family thinking beyond themselves by creating felt tie blankets and donating them to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, exploring the creative past by learning about telegraphy at Locust Grove Historic Site, and sparking an interest in engineering through experiments at program.  A special thanks needs to be given to all the PUMC members who have donated their time through helping with center events or taking a moment to listen to an emergent reading at program. I would like to take a moment to thank the members of the 2016-2017 HTASC Board …

Jeff Hart Will Cass Barb Adams Betsy Allen

Curtis Vinson Tim McCoy Shona Tucker Ray Polivka

Your dedication, kindness and helpful hearts have been a Godsend to the Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Center family.  In addition to saying farewell to the school year, with a heavy heart, we will be saying goodbye to one of our HTASC staff members. Our Lead Teacher for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, Miss RaVae Grant, has been given a great professional opportunity and will be leaving us at the end of June.  We wish to thank Ms. Grant for her dedication and service to the students at the HTASC and wish her luck on her new endeavors.  Consequently, the Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Center is currently looking for a dedicated, caring and energetic person to lead our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade scholars during the 2017-2018 school year. Do you have a passion for working with students? Are you a life long learner? Perhaps God is calling you to become a positive role model for our center’s youth? If you have questions about the position, please contact the HTASC Program Director, Megan Joslin. The Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Center Board would love to welcome new members to its 2017-2018 ranks. If you have any questions about what being a board member is all about, please do not hesitate to ask one of our current members. 

FALL ADULT STUDIES

During the past school year, our Adult Sunday School class had enjoyed the first half of a study and discussion focusing on the Book of Galatians.  Beginning on September 10, 2017, we return to our journey through Life Lessons with Max Lucado – Book of Galatians and we invite you to join us to complete the second half. Our study guide is filled with intriguing questions, inspirational storytelling, profound reflections, and space for journaling. Furthermore, we explore an additional commentary perspective during each new lesson. Max Lucado is the author of multiple best-selling books of the Christian faith, and is America’s Leading Inspirational Author. Please contact Bob or Anne Ciraulo, if interested or have any questions. We could help you to order a study book, but since we are halfway through it, obtaining a study book would be helpful but not necessary.

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YOUTH NEWS

[ John Marrine - Youth Ministry Director ] HAPPENINGS

Having just returned from a summer of missionary work with our youth, I'm reflecting on our experiences in serving the Philadelphia, Ensenada, and Hudson Valley communities and can't help but to be proud of our youth in the way they conducted themselves and their continued growth in their faith. There are so many stories to tell and hopefully, you have caught a glimpse of this through their testimonies during the services upon our return back home. It is such a pleasure for the leadership team on these trips to know that although we have a lot of fun, when it comes time to serve, the youth are all in and get to work. To see the personal and spiritual maturity and growth of the youth from year-to-year is a blessing. As I tell them, we have come to expect this code of conduct from them while on these trips, but we never take it for granted. Thanks to all for your continued support and know that we do not take this for granted either. We have many great activities planned for the upcoming year, starting in September with our Youth Group Kick-off Picnic where we'll share a meal together, discuss upcoming events and activities and have some fun with games. Hope to see you at the picnic and other youth events.Keep in touch with all of our youth information and events by way of the youth bulletin board or church website (under the 'Youth' tab at www.pokumc.org).

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS

VOICES IN PRAISE [Anne Ciraulo - Contemporary Praise Director]

We are so blessed to have Voices in Praise leading us in worship all year round. Thank you to each one who has shared a voice or an instrumental talent throughout the summer. We’ll be starting Wednesday rehearsals again on September 13th, 7-8PM, in the sanctuary. If you feel the Lord calling you to share your reasonably-on-key voice or presentation level instrumental talent with us, VIP always welcomes new members. We sing, we pray, we laugh, we worship, we care for each other. Please contact Anne Ciraulo for information about joining. Come, sing for joy to the Lord!

DATE TIME ACTIVITY

Sun Sep 10 12:30PM-3PM Youth Group Kick-off Picnic

Fri Sep 15 7PM-9PM TGIF

Sun Sep 17 6PM-8PM Youth Fellowship

Sun Sep 24 12:30PM-2PM

Wed Sep 27 7AM @ schools See You At The Pole

Apple Picking

"

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PRAYER TEAM [Vickey Carroll]

THE PRAYER ROOM HAS MOVED For a number of years, our Healing Ministry has offered prayers in the little room next to the office. At times, this room needs to be used as office space for church business. In order to have a more healing and spiritual atmosphere, we have moved into the room also used by the Christian Counselors on the lower level. It is handicapped accessible through the outer door and it has a cozier, more spiritual feel. Please feel free to drop in for prayer as needed on Sundays between services. No appointment necessary.

The Prayer Team is here to pray with you for any need, big or small, or for someone you know in need of prayer. ALL IS KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. There are several opportunities for you to receive prayer: 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER APPOINTMENTS The Prayer Team is always ready to meet with you for prayer. We encourage those who are in need of healing of any kind to come in for a prayer session. No need is too large or too small for God! Simply call the Church Office (452-2933) to request an appointment and a team will be happy to meet and pray with you .

COMMUNION SUNDAYS Prayer is always available during the Holy Communion portion of worship on the first Sunday of the month. Teams are located in the front and back corners of the Sanctuary.

SOAKING PRAYER Soaking Prayer is a precious hour to give to the Lord, and to sit and soak in his presence. No water is involved! This is a time meant to be set aside for you and God − and He will bless this time you carve out for Him. Soaking Prayer is not just for times of crisis; it is for any season of your life. Sit quietly while soft worship music plays, and soak in the presence of Our Lord. You may pray, read the bible, write, or just rest in Him − even sleeping is permitted! Soaking Prayer is available the last Friday of the month at 7:00PM in the Sanctuary. Childcare is available. We hope you will join us!

UPCOMING SOAKING PRAYER DATE September 29th

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MEMBERS & THEIR FAMILIES Ruth Arnfield, Barbara Bates, Gladys Bierce, Catherine Carroll, Frank Cassidy, Bill Close, Sr., Janet Cole, Dylan Coughlin, Jewel Darden, Sandra DeGuzman, Irene Feller, Irene Firner, Bryan Foy, Veronica Gordon, David Griest, Karen Griest, Doris Hammell, Dana Jones, Danny Jones, Sue Lynch, Joe Michaloski, Marge Michaloski, Gael Morey, Yvonne Morrow, Kervin Niver, Margaret Niver, Bea Northway, Karla Quinlan, George Sherban, Gloria Sherban, George Sidgwick, Hilary Stamper, Meegan Veeder-Shave, Kerianne Wendover, Marilyn Zier

FRIENDS OF OUR CHURCH David Andujar, Jay Bacchiochi, Donald Brooks, Greg Chermak, Dave Coffin, Betsy Denis, Judy Ebling, Shirley Federico, Jordan Fidler, Kevin Goodwin, Gretchen Gould, Carolyn Hochlowski, Doreen Hochlowski, Barbara Hoeft, Karl Holmstrom, Jason, Jeanmarie Jacques, Georgia Kustas, Frank Lorifice, Mary Lorifice, Mary Moody, Michelle Morrow, Dianne Myers, Dean Nataro, Martha Ollive, Peter, Colin Reilly, Bill Robertson, Sallie, Patricia Schmidt, Pat Southard, Helen Sypek, Jackie Triguero, Ava Vinson, Jeffrey Wendover, Jr., Clifford Zier.

MEMBERS OF OUR MILITARY Both the active and/or retired: Joshua Lord, 1-69 Infantry Medical Platoon Sergeant, NYC; Jason Oliver, Kuwait; D. J. Wiley, Iraq.

IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE OR FRIEND WHOSE NAME YOU WOULD LIKE INCLUDED, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE.

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CHORTLE

JOYFUL RINGERS The Joyful Ringers will continue to meet Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM, through the summer. These rehearsals will continue to be fun And are for current ringers and anyone who wants to try a handbell, or two, to see what its like without any commitment. We will also be trying different kinds of music and Handbell techniques. We won’t be performing at services until the Fall. Call or text director Pat McCullough (240-6451) or just show up!

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM Please consider joining our ‘Green Team.’ PUMC has committed to the New York State Adopt-A-Highway Program, and agreed to pick up litter along a 2.2 mile stretch of Route 376 (New Hackensack Road), which includes the roadsides along the front of our property. Four Saturday morning work dates, approximately two months apart, are scheduled each year. The third date this year is SATURDAY, September 9th. We meet in the church parking lot area closest to New Hackensack Road at 8AM. We'll loan you a reflective safely vest, a yellow hard hat, a sharp-pointed litter pick-up stick and a supply of clear plastic trash bags so you can better enjoy the roadside landscape for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Join us with YOUR pair of gardening or work gloves, vintage long trousers and closed toe/hard soled shoes or boots. If you wish, bring your own favorite litter pick-up device and hydration fluid.

To join the Green Team call or email the church secretary. You may also contact me with your name, phone number and email address so you can be notified if bad weather or another situation requires a change of date or time. Current Green Team members are requested to notify me, if they will or can not attend on September 9th scheduled session.

Thank you and God Bless,   Hank Eichenhofer, Chairman______    

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KIDS’ CORNER

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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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FRI 01 7:00PM Narcotics Anonymous 7:00PM Young Adult GroupSAT 02SUN 03 8:30AM Service 9:45AM Intercessory Prayer 10:45AM Service 2:00PM Parkside AAMON 04 LABOR DAY/OFFICE CLOSED 7:00PM Gamblers AnonymousTUE 05 9:00AM Men’s Bible Study 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 6:30PM Joyful RingersWED 06 7:30AM Prayers 7:30PM Young Adult ServiceTHU 07 2:00PM Collate Bulletin 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymou 7:00PM Chancel ChoirFRI 08 7:00PM Narcotics Anonymous 7:00PM Young Adult GroupSAT 09 8:30AM Men's Breakfast SUN 10 COMMUNION 8:30AM Service 9:45AM Intercessory Prayer10:45AM Service12:15PM Visitation Committee12:30PM Youth Kick Off Picnic 2:00PM Parkside AAMON 11 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous TUE 12 9:00AM Men’s Bible Study 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 1:00PM Art Group 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 6:30PM Joyful Ringers 7:00PM Trustee Meeting 7:00PM SPRWED 13 JOURNEY DEADLINE 7:30AM Prayers 7:00PM VIPsTHU 14 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 2:00PM Collate Bulletin 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous 7:00PM Chancel Choir

FRI 15 7:00PM Narcotics Anonymous 7:00PM Young Adult GroupSAT 16 8:30AM Men's Breakfast 9:00AM Prayer Tean 3:00PM Pipe Organ/Cello ConcertSUN 17 8:30AM Service 9:45AM Intercessory Prayer10:45AM Service 2:00PM Parkside AA 6:00PM Youth FellowshipMON 18 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous 7:00PM Stewardship Committee MeetingTUE 19 9:00AM Men’s Bible Study 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 1:00PM Art Group 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 6:30PM Joyful Ringers 7:00PM Church CouncilWED 20 7:30AM Prayers 7:00PM VIPs 7:30PM Finance Connittee 7:30PM Young Adult ServiceTHU 21 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 2:00PM Collate Bulletin 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous 7:00PM Chancel ChoirFRI 22 8:30PM Collate Journey 7:00PM Narcotics Anonymous 7:00PM Young Adult GroupSAT 23 8:30AM Men's Breakfast 3:00PM Homeless ShelterSUN 24 8:30AM Service 9:45AM Intercessory Prayer10:45AM Service 2:00PM Parkside AA 6:00PM Youth FellowshipMON 25 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS (CONTINUED)

TUE 26 9:00AM Men’s Bible Study 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 1:00PM Art Group 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 6:30PM Joyful Ringers 7:00PM Mission/Outreach 7:00PM Worship CommitteeWED 27 7:30AM Prayers 6:00PM Evangelism and Church Growth 7:00PM VIPs

THU 28 9:30AM Strength & Balance Classes 2:00PM Collate Bulletin 5:30PM Primary Purpose AA 6:30PM Program Council 7:00PM Gamblers Anonymous 7:00PM Chancel Choir 7:00PM Education CommitteeFRI 29 7:00PM Narcotics Anonymous 7:00PM Young Adult GroupSAT 30 8:30AM Men's Breakfast

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