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The good news letter Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of New Berlin Volume 5 Issue 2—March 2015

Holy Week Services

PALM SUNDAY 11 am, March 29, church

HOLY THURSDAY (Last Supper) 6 pm Thurs, April 2, downstairs

EASTER SUNRISE 6.15 am Sun. April 5, Wiggins house

EASTER SUNDAY 11 am, April 5, church

Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors

IN THIS ISSUE:

p.2– Notes from the Pastors p.3-Kitchen Committee Healing Prayer Poem from Eunice p.4– Treasurer’s Report p.5– Shear the Fuel Bill Sky Lake Report p.6– Birthdays Velora’s Granddaughter Trustees Report In Remembrance

Mackenzie Acre

enjoys a painting project at Sky Lake

Camp

Mackenzie is the grand-

daughter of Sheree and Mike Acre

We extend a special wel-

come to those who are single,

married, divorced, gay, filthy

rich, dirt poor, or no habla In-

gles. Whether you used to

work on Wall Street, or if you

used to sleep on Wall Street

you’re welcome here.

Maybe you can sing

like Andrea Bocelli, or may-

be you can’t carry a tune in a

bucket – it doesn’t matter

here! Come all who are

“just browsing,” just woke

up, or just got out of jail! If

you are skinny as a rail or could

afford to lose a few pounds,

you’re welcome here.

We welcome those over

60 but not grown up yet, and

teenagers growing up too fast.

We embrace those in recovery

and also those who are still ad-

dicted. We will walk with you

if you are going through a diffi-

cult time or when you need a

special prayer: chances are

we’ve been there too.

If you don’t like

“organized re-

ligion” or are

“spiritual but

not religious,”

we love you.

Even if you got

lost and wound

up here by accident we hope

you feel at home here.

We love soccer moms,

crying babies, vegans, hipsters,

seekers and doubters, tourists

and locals …. we mean it when

we say, “ALL are welcome

here!”

We hope you will make

a special effort to at-

tend our April 2 Thurs-

day night service which

shows how Jesus trans-

formed the traditional

Jewish Passover Seder

into the Lord’s Sup-

per—the Communion

Service as we know it.

Telephone Prayer Chain If you have a prayer request, call Carol Harris at 847-8914 or Pastors Lyle and Mary Ann at 829-2209

Welcome ALL, to the First United

Methodist Church of New Berlin!

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What a cold winter we've had! Now Thanks to God, Spring is flinging

itself with birdsong, ambling woodchucks, running sap and blue skies

back into our lives.

God also taught and blessed us by giving us the idea of having

church downstairs during the Winter months. We not only saved several

thousand dollars but there was also a greater spiritual blessing. There

was something about the relaxed, intimate atmosphere downstairs that

brought us even closer in worship and fellowship to God and one another.

We plan to go upstairs again beginning Palm Sunday, March 29, and East-

er, April 5, but we have valued these recent services downstairs.

Another great thing that goes on downstairs is our 60+ Senior Lunch

Program. $3 for a great lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays at Noon. Call Che-

nango County Council on Aging, 607-337-1770. Growing in Faith and

serving others for Christ is our aim. We have many ways of doing this

through Worship and Hospitality through the Spring and Easter Season. If

you haven't been with us for a while we hope you'll come on by. We share

a very friendly, positive environment.

On Weds. night, May 20, Rev. Beverley Butler will be with us for an

evening of fellowship and sharing. We also will have a Rummage Sale in

May and our famous Plant Sale in early June but we don't have exact dates

for these yet. If you ever want to visit with either or both of us, we are

happy to do so, and if you are ill or in the hospital, please let us know.

May you walk with God every day of your life and may we be in each

others' prayers every day.

Pastors Lyle and Mary Ann

The pastors new grandniece Ella Fernandes .

NOTES FROM THE PASTORS

Pastor Mary Ann celebrates her 80th birthday surrounded by family

FOOD PANTRY

Contributions to the Food Pantry ( no live chickens please ) Dry food, Canned Goods

Box Downstairs.

Useful supplies for the church: cleaning supplies, paper goods, ice melt, etc. Donation

Box Upstairs.

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The kitchen committee started out the new year with a soup sale on January 31. It was a first and we sold all we had in only an hour and a half. We didn’t make a large profit, but we now know how to make it bigger and bet-ter the next time.

In February, we served dinners after two funerals, the first for Bea Kukulech and the second for Bev Brill. Also, on February 21, we hosted Chit, Chat and Chew at the Episcopal church.

In March, we served dinner after a memori-al service for Ed Haddon. Also, in March, we started our Wednesday night church services again, starting with March 18.

Rainer Rzucidlo gave us a presentation of pictures from her trips to Africa, where her son and his family live. It was an incredible

show and I hope more of the congregation will get a chance to see it in the future.

In April, we will be serving lunch to the children at the Young Child Festival hosted by the Village of New Berlin. This is an annual event, and we have participated

since its first event in 2013.

We are always looking for projects to serve the community. We plan another soup sale in the Fall and possibly a second one in February or March. We are truly blessed to have so many help-ing hands in our church and the community. Thanks to all for all you do.

Linda Wiggins,(Chair)

KITCHEN COMMITTEE

It’s Been A Long Winter

Winter will not release its hold! No amount of grumbling will budge it!

We know Spring’s beneath the deep white stuff But daily shoveling does not nudge it.

Then comes a red wing’s song From high atop snow capped branches

And we poor mortals shrug and say, “ Who are we to judge it?”

March 18, 1994 Eunice Cooper

A Tree for Easter

Eunice Cooper cele-brates the seasons by decorating a tree. Here is her Easter tree. Below is a poem that seems just right for this year! She wrote it in 1994, and is taken from her book of poems “Seasons”

One Easter Sunday morning as the pastor was preaching a children's sermon, he reached into his bag of props and pulled out an egg. He pointed at the egg and asked the children, "What's in here?" "I know, I know!" a little boy exclaimed, "pantyhose!"

HEALING PRAYER:

Lord, Your Scripture says that You

heal all diseases and whoever believes

in You will not perish but have ever-

lasting life. Strengthen and heal us,

Lord, in these times of illness. When

You were on Earth, You did all things

good and healed all kinds of sickness.

You gave Your life, forgive our sins,

rose from death's grip, and promise us

eternal life. Lord, we believe in our

hearts that You are with us here today

and with Your most holy power will re-

move all sicknesses and evils that af-

flict the Earth. Please heal Sheree and

Shawn and all in our circles of concern

who suffer from cancer or any other ill-

ness or disability. Let this be done to

Your Glory, Father Almighty. We

praise and glorify You in Jesus' Name.

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Budget Report - Both the income and expenditure sides of the budget are doing rela-

tively well. We continue to be financially solvent with a reasonably good cash flow status. Our net available cash on hand is running near $4,100 per month, year-to-date. Although not “on easy street” we are doing ok.

Current Topics of Financial Interest: Heating Oil – Although last year was a brutal year on the heating oil front, shutting

down the sanctuary this winter and taking other heat saving steps have markedly reduce our heating oil costs. We spent around $6,422 last year and are only at about $2,355 so far this year. It is estimated our heating costs this year will be around $4,600. Again, this is an estimate, based on current usage, but it is far better than last year, in spite of the very cold winter just passing (I hope). A pie challenge from Tom Benson and a Shear Sheree campaign brought in nearly $3,000 towards the oil fund.

Chenango County 60+ Program – We continue to receive approximately $1,000 per quarter for the use of the church by the county 60+ program. Attendance is good, as friends and new acquaintances share a meal and good time.

Pancake Breakfast – The trustees ran a pancake breakfast raising $350 last month.

Tables and Chair Donation – Thanks to a grant from the R. C. Smith Foundation of Norwich, we added 80 more chairs and 2 additional tables to the 10 chairs and 10 chairs donated through the Peter Virtell Memorial Donations. This brings us to a total of 90 chairs and 18 tables, enough to replace all the old folding chairs and heavy tables

Ministry Shares – Our ministry shares, as assigned by the conference office continue to be paid up-to-date.

That’s about all from the treasurer’s corner. Remember, many hands and many pockets make all things possible.

Treasurer Ken

TREASURER’S CORNER March 2015

Endowment Fund now open

The Endowment Fund by-laws have been

completed by the Endowment Fund Com-

mittee and were approved by the Ad

Council in February. “ Funding the fund

is now a possibility, ” says Bob Slavicek.

Delivery of new chairs await unpacking in the church hall

Amanda and Kris Ruhland

Amanda Ruhland is graduating with a degree in Communication Information Design from SUNY Institute of Technology and Kris, her brother, has just been accepted into the National Honor Soci-ety. Be sure to support Kris when he does his Bowl-a-thon last week April to raise money to pay for boy scout camp. Kris is working on his Eagle rank.

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Sheree Acre’s hair cutting fundraiser, held a

week before Christmas, raised $2,900 toward

the church’s winter fuel bill.

The “Shear the Fuel Bill” event allowed peo-

ple to shave portions of Sheree’s hair in return

for a donation.

Sheree’s husband Mike, agreed to a buzz cut

when donations exceeded $500 and Bob Slavi-

cek also pledged to have his 25-year mustache

shaved off when donations reached $1000.

Sheree, a cancer survivor, hosted the event as

a way of thanking the church community for

all their support over the years. Sheree and Mike Acre

Sheree & Mike’s hair

loss is church’s gain

Pastor Lyle and Susie Carpenter watch as Velora Hose cuts some of Mike’s hair.

Megan Carpenter(left) watches as Aunt Sheree embarks on her hair cutting venture. Hairdressers

Marty Benson and Susie Carpenter supervise.

Sky Lake prepares for 2015 season by Sheree Acre

Well, the snow is starting to melt and the mud is accumulating quickly. A sure sign that spring is near!

With spring in the air, Sky Lake is busy prepar-ing for all sorts of fun for those of all ages. Pro-grams include: REJUVENATE: A Spring Ladies of the Lake Experience April 10-12, 2015 Riley Lodge $200.00 Founders' Lodge (more like a motel) $240.00

FELLOWS OF THE FOREST: a day retreat for men. September 12, 2015 $50.00 OPEN HOUSE and CRAFT FAIR: May 23 free Chicken BBQ for $9.00 adult $6.00 child 4-12 MEMORIAL DAY weekend camping in campground, West Shore cabins or Riley Lodge price dependent on selection. SUMMER CAMPS begin June 28-August 14, 2015: Too many to list here. Price dependent on camp. Many different themes to choose from.

Labor Day Weekend camping in campground or Riley Lodge. Price dependent on selection

For additional information check out the web site skylakecenter.org or give Jenna a call in the office (607) 467-2750

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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Many families

around New Berlin

benefited from the

generosity of those

who donated gifts

to the “Spirit of Christ-

mas’ event.

Several church in town

were involved in the

event, hosted by our own

Marty Benson.

“There are so many peo-

ple in the area who need

help. We are mak-

ing sure they have

a nice Christmas

dinner and enjoy

the spirit of Christ-

mas,” she said.

“Spirit of Christmas’

started at our church sev-

eral years ago but has

grown so successful, do-

nations now have to be

housed in firehouse

where’s there’s more

room.

‘Spirit of Christmas’ success

APRIL

Birthdays 4 Jan Ingraham

14 Tucker Cattanach,

14 Dick Anderson

16 Gretchen (Anderson)

Robinson

23 Barbara Levenson

26 Carl Anderson

Anniversaries

6 "Doc" & "Squeek" Smith

18 Deb & Jim Eccleston

27 Ken & Lois Ruhland

MAY

Birthdays 1 Matt Levenson

2 Jen Waffle

3 Joyce Waffle

4 Mike Hubbard

6 Moe Anderson

14 Jill Eccleston Catena

15 Tom Reed,

15 Brendan Cattanach

19 Lillian Holl

20 Shirley Niles

23 Irad Ingraham

26 Aleta Dunham

30 Eunice Cooper

31 Shelly Randall

Anniversaries 3 Gary & Marty Benson

JUNE

Birthdays 1 Gary Waffle

8 Bob Brunelle

9 Pastor Lyle

21 Sue Slavicek

22 Bonnie Jean Bauer

25 David Larrabee

28 Nathan Randall

30 June Morey

Anniversaries 1 Len & Carol Johnson

11 Rainer & John Rzucidlo

15 Pastors Lyle & Mary Ann

18 Jill & Rob Catena

30 Ted & Becky Reidenbach

JULY

Birthdays 5 Devin Hubbard

8 Debbie Eccleston

9 Sheree Acre

13 Paige Catena

14 Pat Hilgert

17 Marty Benson

19 Caree Acre

20 John Kinney

22 Chuck Monaski

25 Ben Reed,

25 Brenda Waffle

30 "Squeek" Smith

Anniversaries 6 David & Mary Larrabee

AUGUST

Birthdays 1 Gary Benson

3 Ellen Smith Nesbitt

13 Cory Sawyer

14 Chloe Patrick,

Pat Bachman

18 Caitlyn Reynolds

19 Becky Reidenbach

19 Rich Anderson

20 Drew Ruhland

21 Mary Larrabee

31 Bev Harris

Anniversaries 3 Bob & Ellen Nesbitt

7 Tom & Gert Reed

16 Ken & Linda Wiggins

SEPTEMBER

Birthdays 2 Collin James Pudney

2 Carol Johnson

9 Ben Anderson

12 Jeff Reynolds

17 Kate Newbold

24 Jeff Hoxie

29 Helen Alcott

30 Josh Wright

This lovely tree was part of the Christmas Spirit at our church throughout the season

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60+ Senior lunches & fellow-ship every Tues & Thurs. Lunch served at Noon. Cost $3.To make a reservation the first time call Glady Slentz at 607-965-8866.

Senior lunch Church Website

Our church has a nice website whose address is fumcnewberlin.org where

you will find our calendar, previous news-letters and much more.

WELCOME TO NIKA!

Velora Hose’ s granddaughter, Nika, was born March 5th ( 7lbs 15oz) at St. Luke’s Hos-pital, Utica. Here she is with proud parents Melissa and C.J. Hose of River Rd, New Berlin.

In Remembrance We remember lovingly our members and friends who have recently completed their life's journey, as well as their famiies and all who miss them, including Pete Virtell, Eldora Gregory, Bea Kukulech, Betty Schreiber, Ron LaBrie, Ed Haddon.

LETTER from the TRUSTEES Dear Methodist members,

With Spring approaching we are discuss-

ing the projects that lie ahead for our

church this coming year.

There are numerous things that need doing

so we must list them according to priority.

As of right now, a new roof on the one-

storey section of the church heads the list.

This is essential. Also in need of repair are the

porches of the parsonage along with the con-

crete ramp at the front entrance to the church.

Winter treated us pretty good on the whole but

with temperatures being severe, it was

beneficial to hold our services down

stairs to save heating costs.

Contributions to help with these repairs

would be very helpful and much appre-

ciated.

Thank you for all of your continued

support .

Sincerely Tom Benson----Trustee Chair

A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his

wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt."

"What happened to the flea?" asked his son.

New Larrabee granddaughter

Jayden has a new baby sister, Jordyn Jean Marie, daughter of Mike and Samantha Hubbard, happy grandparents Dave and Mary Larrabee

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First United Methodist Church PO Box 530 New Berlin, NY 13411

To:

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required.

To save trees & postage costs, electronic editions of the newsletter are available—please contact Pastor Lyle with your email address to be added to the distribution.

First United Methodist Church 51 South Main Street

P.O. Box 530 New Berlin, NY 13411 fumcnb@frontiernet.net

(607) 847-6350

Worship: 11:00 am, Sunday Morning Summer Hours (July & August): 10:00 am.

Coffee fellowship following the service