The Messenger

First & Wesley United

Methodist Church

89 Center Street

West Haven, Connecticut 06516

203-933-8795

November 2016

The pledge campaign for this year begins on November 13

th. What comes to mind as you hear

pledge campaign? When I was a lay person, I liked my pastor. Yet, there were a couple of

things that I could not agree to.

First, he had a long sermon. As it passed the 15-minute mark, I began to think about

something else: “What would I eat for lunch: Burger King or Taco Bell?” Or “How

wonderful it is! The Giants won the Super Bowl last week.” I didn’t like a long sermon!

Second, my pastor always emphasized more generous offerings during the sermon. It was

almost threatening, and I confess that I used to be allergic to hear a sermon about more offerings.

Now, I would like to change the way of approaching the pledge campaign from the obligation to the celebration.

If you are struggling financially now, or if you consider the offerings as monetary gifts only, then you may be

uncomfortable with a pledge campaign. However, according to the guidelines of Stewardship, generous offering

is not just about giving money. It has to do with the whole of who we are and how we care for our neighbors,

beginning with God’s generosity toward us. In grateful response to God’s love, each of us uses our heart, mind,

soul, and strength as well as money.

As you look at the pledge card, you will find something new this year. That is the pledge of your talents and time.

Please consider: “What talents has God given to me, and how can I use them for the glory of God?” “How many

hours do I spend enjoying myself, and how many hours do I give to God and God’s church?” We are reminded

that the offerings are not only giving monetary gifts but also giving ourselves to God.

Then, why do I give more generous offerings? To increase the pastor’s salary? I disagree. To buy some

luxurious decorations for the sanctuary? I disagree. I believe that we give more generous offerings in order to do

the basic functions of the Christian church faithfully. (Please refer to my article in the October Messenger for the

three basic functions of the Christian Church.)

In addition in doing so we live a happy life. Does God want us to be happy? Yes. Does God want us to be rich?

Not necessarily. Being rich does not always mean being happy. As a pastor I have counseled many people. I

often find that money is not everything for a happy life. I have seen many people who have more than enough but

are not happy, and many others who are not rich but live a happy life, sharing generously what they have with

others in need. How happy we are as we share our talents and time and energy with our neighbors in need!

Another reason for more generous offerings is to respond faithfully to God’s generous blessings. Since we have

been blessed by God, we return the small portion of it. This is like the offering of the woman in the bible who

came to Jesus with costly perfume, anointed Jesus’ feet with it, and wiped them with her hair. When she

dedicated the most precious offering to Jesus, she did not expect anything from him. She was so thankful for

salvation that she wanted to show her gratitude to the Savior.

I would like us to be like the woman, the mature Christian, who gives not only the material offering but also the

spiritual one from thanksgiving. What I am thankful for is that we have a lot of faithful members and friends who

like the woman, have given generous offerings to our church with monetary gifts, talents, time, and energy.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you and encourage you to continue to show your faithfulness and

generosity to God’s church. Our church has changed positively, having more people at Sunday worship and

serving God and our neighbors more actively and joyfully. Your faithful financial support will help our church to

keep doing faithful work for the glory of God. Amen.

Sungmu Lee

Lectionary Readings for November 2016 November 6, 2016

Haggai 1:15b-2:9 and Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98 • Job 19:23-27a and Psalm 17:1-9 • 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 • Luke 20:27-38

November 13, 2016 Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12 • Malachi 4:1-2a and Psalm 98 • 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 • Luke 21:5-19

November 20, 2016 Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79 • Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 46 • Colossians 1:11-20 • Luke 23:33-43

November 24, 2016 (Thanksgiving) Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Psalm 100 • Philippians 4:4-9 • John 6:25-35

November 27, 2016 Isaiah 2:1-5 • Psalm 122 • Romans 13:11-14 • Matthew 24:36-44

Adult Sunday School

The Adult Sunday School class is for anyone too old for the teenage class. We meet in Kendall Hall

during Sunday school hour for lively and wide ranging discussions on how our faith impacts our daily lives

Monday through Saturday. Our current guidebook is Faith is the Answer, But What Are the Questions? By

James W. Moore. The author says “Faith is the answer, of course, but still, what are the questions, and

how do we respond to them honestly, creatively, and redemptively?”

Come and join us for an energetic and enlightening time!

PRAYER GROUP

Prayer Group will be gathering on Tuesday, November 1st from 10AM to noon at

Thelma and Richard Reid's home, 101 Bellevue Avenue, West Haven. There will be

time for study - time for prayers - and time for fellowship. All are welcome to come

and join in!

Isaiah 43:1b-2, 4

Fear not for I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.

When you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you.

You are precious in my eyes and honored and I love you.

The good news proclaimed across the ever rolling streams of time through a thousand ages of space and echoed

by an endless cloud of witnesses is this:

God has redeemed us;

God has called us each by name.

We belong to God.

We are precious in God's eyes.

God sees us and honors us.

And best of all God loves us!

Sometimes we find it hard to believe that God loves us when we find so very little to love about ourselves!

But he does!!!

Youth Group News We have two youth groups at First and Wesley. I/M youth group is for children in 4th grade to 8th grade and HS youth

group is for children in 9th to 12th grade. We generally meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. If you are

planning on coming for the first time, check our church website for up to date info or contact Helen Smith at 203-934-

9886 or by e-mail at drsmith@snet.net

Our Youth groups will be raking leaves on November 19th from 9 am - 4 pm. If you are unable to rake your leaves and

would like to have this done, please contact Helen Smith at 203-444-2362. There is no cost for this service - it is a mission

project. You are asked to provide bags for this and if you wish to donate money to a mission project of the church that

would be fine!

Meetings for the Youth groups are as follows:

November 6th NO YOUTH GROUP

November 13th I/M Youth Group (grades 4-8) 6:00-7:30 pm

November 19th Youth groups rake leaves 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

November 27th Senior High Youth Group 6:00-7:30 pm

NOVEMBER 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

30 31 1 10–12p Home Prayer Group

(101 Bellevue Ave,

West Haven)

5p Youth Choir

2 7:30p Bible Study

3 10 Koinonia Café

6p Bell Choir

7p Adult Choir

4 6p Confirmation

Class

5 8-3pm Harvest Fair

6 All Saints Sunday

* Daylight Saving Time Ends 9:15 Sunday School

10:30 Worship & Communion

11:30 Coffee Hour

7 7p Stewardship

Committee

Meeting

8 Election Day

5p Youth Choir

7:30p Finance

Meeting

9

10 10 Koinonia Café

6p Bell Choir

7p Adult Choir

11 Veterans

Day

12 10-11:30

Group Study #3:

“Defying Gravity”

13 9:15 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

11:30 Coffee Hour

6p I/M Youth Group

* Pledge Campaign #1

* Thanksgiving Baskets Due

14 6:45p Sunday School

Teachers Meeting

15 5p Youth Choir

16 6p Missions/Outreach

Meeting

17 10 Koinonia Café

6p Bell Choir

7p Adult Choir

18 6p Confirmation

Class

19 9-4p Combined

Youth Groups: Rake

Leaves

10-11:30

Group Study #4:

“Defying Gravity”

20 Thanksgiving Sunday 9:15 Sunday School

10:30 Worship & Communion

11:30 Coffee Hour

* Pledge Campaign #2

* Messenger Articles Due

21 22 7p Trustees Meeting

23

24 Thanksgiving

Day

25 26

27 Advent Begins 09:15 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

11:30 Anointing for

Healing & Wholeness

11:30 Coffee Hour

6p HS Youth Group

* Pledge Campaign #3

28 29 5p Youth Choir

30 7:30p Bible Study

Notes: * Free Community Breakfast with Santa will be held on

Saturday, December 3rd

, from 8am to 11am.

* As of October 20, 2016. For further updates, visit

www.firstwesleyumc.org/calendar.

Missions and Outreach

The six UMARMY participants presented us with an inspiring program on Sunday, October 16, 2016! Marissa

diNicolo, Hanna Werle, and Anna Bartozzi told about their amazing transformations during their July 10 – 16, 2016

experience. Becky Baker read, with great expression, her son Derek’s account of the six-day mission project. This is

to become an annual mission and faith experience for the youth of our church. We have several fundraising efforts

planned to support the participants of UMARMY in 2017.

Myrna Clinton and Chris Latham attended a very meaningful service on Saturday, October 15 in Armonk, NY. This

“Journey to the Act of Repentance” was supported by CONAM, and was intended to acknowledge the wrongful ways

Native Americans have been treated in the past, and pray for guidance in the future. This outside service was attended

by both our District Superintendent Rev. Ken Kieffer and our newly-installed Bishop Thomas Bickerton.

The committee working on the “Breakfast with Santa” met on Wednesday, October 12. Details of the free community

breakfast were discussed, such as the need for volunteers, craft ideas, menu, and our additional mission project—we

will be collecting mittens, gloves, and hats, so they can be distributed to anyone who is in need of them.

We have two projects that are coordinated with our Covenant to Care social worker, Lisa Fryer. We are collecting the

following items for “Thanksgiving baskets”: canned fruits and vegetables, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, packages of

stuffing and instant mashed potatoes. Additionally, each “basket” will include a Stop & Shop gift card that can be

used for meat or dessert—these may be purchased from Dave Smith and given to Chris Latham. Everything must be

received by Sunday, November 13, so Ms. Fryer can deliver the “baskets” in time for the holiday. Ms. Fryer will be

providing us with “wish lists” from her clients and their families for Christmas. Please choose an “ornament” from

our tree, sign your name next to the appropriate name on the list provided, return the gift asked for by Sunday,

December 11 wrapped and with the “ornament” attached. Please feel free to partner with someone to fulfill these

wishes, and it isn’t necessary to purchase everything on the “wish list”.

Our annual Alternative Christmas Market will be held on Sundays, December 4 and 11. The following will benefit

from your generosity: Heifer International, World Service of the United Methodist Church, W.H.E.A.T., Beth El

Shelter, Project Hope, and the pharmacy fund of the Hill Health Center. Please consider remembering your family and

friends with a donation to one of these charities, and send them a card to notify them of your generosity!

A “Harvest” offering will be taken on Sunday, November 20 to benefit the many mission projects we support in our

church, including UMCOR who will assisting those effected by the flooding in North and South Carolina brought by

Hurricane Matthew.

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16 at 6pm, before the 7:30pm Bible Study. As always,

everyone is welcome, and we are always looking for different mission projects!

Journey to an AOR Oct. 2016

At the 2015 NYAC, our then Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, spoke words of hope and promise in saying “Never Again”

referring to the Act of Repentance service. If you were at Conference that year, you know what a powerful service it

was. Its power and spirit has inspired the Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAM) members to go forward.

Early this summer, a few members of CONAM decided that we would go forward with that promise. And, so, 3 of us

did just that, in prayerful thought, to create a service. No easy task. We endeavored to find the most likely area for our

intended service.

The designated area mapped out by a CONAM pastor, was one of the largest massacres in the NY/Ct area; a spot in

North Castle, NY according to a detailed report in the book: “Insubordinate Spirit”, by Missy Wolfe.

And so, on a bright sunny Saturday morning, October 15, we gathered at a location that was indeed, picturesque. A

quiet area in a wooded spot with a road that led to the Kensico Reservoir. One could imagine the Native Americans

living in such a spot, close to water, hills, beautiful tall trees. The area was carefully mapped out, showing the possible

route of the journey that led General Underhill and 130 of his men, in February of 1644 from Tomac Cove to the quiet

spot where we were gathered. Much to the CONAM members and everyone’s delight, our Bishop, Thomas J.

Bickerton showed up!

We sat on chairs in a circle for the service. One CONAM pastor opened with a Historical Reflection on the Munsee

Massacre. Carol Osgood led us on the auto harp in hymns. Drum Kevin Tarrant and fellow Drum and friend Travis

Richardson, called the Silver Cloud Singers, sang in their native tongue to the beat of their drums. (Note: in Native

culture they are called the drum, not drummer) Kevin and Travis were crucial for the success of the event. As they

sang, a hawk flew overhead calling out. I was told afterwards by my husband Dan’s cousin, Tracy Thomas (Mohawk)

that “we were being acknowledged.” Kevin Tarrant said he wouldn’t be surprised if the ancestors were there.

An impressive bulletin was put together by a CONAM pastor and liturgy by another CONAM member, Pastor Doug

Osgood. History was written on the left side of the page and the liturgy on the right side. Rev. Doug Osgood led us in

the liturgy that he had carefully prepared with some input from Cyndi Kent, the NE Jurisdiction Director of CONAM.

The Holy Spirit was present and powerful in many ways. Those who were Indian read parts and non-natives other

parts. We prayed and we reflected.

In the center of our circle was a Native American colorful blanket with a handmade rattle made by an Indian on the

Onondaga Nation, a drawing on a fungus from a tree by Tracy Thomas (Mohawk), one of Dan Winward’s cousins

from the Onondaga Nation. In addition, a bowl of water and a dish of White Sea shells were used by each participant

to cast water upon the ground in the surrounding area as a dedicated reminder of the sustaining, renewing spirit that

abides between native and non-native peoples, in 1644 and our present time.

We shared deep reflections as we sat there in God’s creation and pledged ourselves to address the wrong that has been

committed in the name of God by our ancestors.

This and other details were listed on a page of our booklet of liturgy. If you would like a copy, send a request to

ewinward@optonline.net along with your mailing address.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting Native American Ministries.

At times, during the service, a hawk (or possibly eagle) was calling out from the surrounding trees. Tracy Thomas

(Mohawk, and not at this event) said that was a good sign; we were being acknowledged. Kevin Tarrant said he

wouldn’t be surprised if the ancestors were there.

Harvest/Thanksgiving Offertory

Last year, our Church was blessed with your generous Harvest offering which yielded over $13,000 for our Church

roof. This ernest effort resulted in an award from conference of an additional $50,000 to replace the roof. This was

truly an example of how far God will reach down when we reach up only 10%.

This season we will combine our Harvest and Thanksgiving offering to benefit mission work. We hope the one

offering will enable each of us to make an even greater impact and plant seeds that will grow abundantly for the work

ahead of us.

Pledge Campaign

We will be reaching out to the congregation beginning November 13 and for the next 3 Sundays to make a

commitment (pledge) for your time, talent and treasure. On December 4, we will receive the pledge cards and give

thanks for the generous response. Pledging a set amount each week allows the Finance Committee to be able to set a

plan of action for 2017. More information to follow…

Apportionments

Congratulations, First and Wesley, for fulfilling the 2015 Apportionments to the Conference. Apportionments are used

to provide for Shared Ministry of the Methodist Church.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT "Jesus means Christmas to Me"

The children will present a Christmas Pageant, "Jesus means Christmas to me" on December 18th during

our morning worship service.

In order to get this together we will be having 2 rehearsals on the following dates:

Saturday, December 10th 10:00-11:30 AM

Saturday, December 17th 10:00-11:30 AM

If you have a child in the church who would like to be a part of this, come to these rehearsals. The

children need to learn simple songs and we need some to dress up as angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary,

Joseph and some to do narration parts. It's gonna be FUN!

Sunday School News

Sunday School meets weekly on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:15. The

younger classes use a program called Deep Blue. They meet in the sanctuary.

The kids listen to and read bible stories, sing songs, and learn bible verses.

After the opening lesson, students go to their own classrooms to work on

craft projects, play games, read, and talk about the lesson.

The older Sunday School class meet in an upstairs classroom in their comfy chairs. They use a program called

Submerge. They read stories, play games, make craft projects, and talked about their lessons. Each week has a

theme. The theme gives them an opportunity to talk about issues they face as preteens and teens.

Youth Choir COME ONE, COME ALL!

Youth choir will sing on November 20th.

Rehearsals are on the following Tuesdays for anyone in 1st grade and up. Please come and join us!

November 1st 5:00-5:45

November 8th 5:00-5:45

November 15th 5:00-5:45

November 22nd

NO REHEARSAL

November 29th 5:00-5:45

Children's area this year at the fair

We would like to announce that we will be having a Children's area this year at the fair. We haven't had one in

quite a while and would like folks to come to the fair and bring their children. The children will have something

to do while the parents shop.

Fundraiser

Just a reminder that Dave Smith is selling Stop

and Shop cards to members and friends of First

and Wesley. Whether for buying groceries or to

give as a gift, as an added bonus, you can earn

Stop & Shop gas rewards for every $1 spent on

gift cards.

It is hard to believe that more people don’t take

advantage of this marvelous way to raise money

for the church. If you buy a gift card from Dave

Smith you get the full face value at the register

and Stop & Shop sends a percentage to the

church. It couldn’t be simpler and it doesn’t cost

you a dime. The church raised over $1,500.

Coffee Hour

“Coffee Hour ~ we are always

looking for kindhearted souls

to take a turn at serving coffee

after church. Meet your friends to chat in a

relaxed atmosphere. A sign-up sheet is available

in Fellowship Hall. You can also sign up online

on our website,

www.firstwesleyumc.org/Forms.html

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Articles for the October Newsletter are due

by November 20th. Please mark your calendars.

EVERYONE IS A REPORTER

If you give me the- who, what, when, where

and why, I will write your article for you –

Email to dollar.signs@snet.net or call

203-213-6363 and leave a message. Please

send me your email address to speed up

delivery of the newsletter.

Thank you, Bill Hunt

Pennies From Heaven

The Native American Penny Collection is ongoing

to provide very much needed food and fuel. Please

help the Sunday school students by giving them

your loose change each week to support those in

need.

November Birthdays

1 - Jacob Jerrell

2 - Sarah Santamauro

3 - Dolores Danz

4 - Sue McMillian

6 - Jim Jerrell

Kelly Stuhlman

8 - Renee Bobko

13 - Emily Kopec

Jennifer Kopec

16 - Eric Dzikas

19 - Abe McKim

21 - Ann Yost

22 - Becky Baker

25 - John Poe IV

Jocelyn Moscato

28 - Edward Marshall

November Anniversaries

1 - Shelby and Louis Argentino

2 - Ann and Art Yost

13 - Beth and Jim Ammon

25 - Sharon and Jim Stuhlman

If you would like to include someone for birthdays or

anniversaries please see below. Example- name change,

address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to church office.

Volleyball!

Calling all jocks! Or anyone that would like to have

fun! The first & Wesley volleyball team is looking for

players ages 14 years and up!

We will have more information in the next newsletter as

to start date and time.

Pastors

Discretionary

Fund:

Please consider giving a “Love Offering” to Pastor’s

discretionary fund. You may place your gift in the

container on the back table of the sanctuary. If you

wish to write check to the church, please write

“Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo section.

Tell us if you have a member information change:

example- name change, address change, marriage,

birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to

Church office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Prayer Shawl meets the second Tuesday of every

month at the home of Chris McGregor or Linda Kopec.

If you would like to give a shawl to someone, please

see one of the members: Linda Kopec, MaryAnn

Hawkes, Edith Mulligan, Sue McMillian, Sharon Ewen

or Chris McGregor.

Alternately, there are blessed shawls in the church

office as well as letters to go with them and gift bags.

If you take one, please leave a note with the name of

the recipient. We try to keep a list so that we know

how many shawls have been given to friends.

If you don't knit but would like to be part of this

ministry, we would be happy to accept donations

toward the purchase of yarn. If you would like to

choose the yarn yourself, three skeins of Lion Brand

Homespun are needed for each shawl.

Thank you!

The Messenger First & Wesley United Methodist Church

89 Center Street West Haven, CT 06516

Phone (203) 933-8795

www.firstwesleyumc.org

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com

Reverend Sungmu Lee

Sunday Worship Time: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:15am

The November Newsletter