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The Ties that Bind – NEWSLETTER United Methodist Church Babylon, New York 11702
Phone #631-661-5151 Fax #631-661-3043 E-mail address - [email protected]
Web Page - www.babylonumc.org
MAY/JUNE 2015
From the Pastor's Desk
May 1, 2015
Dear Friends in Christ’s Love,
Remember the movie “Lilies of the Field?” It had everything: refugee nuns from Europe seeking to serve God in the deep southwest, Sydney Poitier the talented drifter, and the others who floated in and out of the story.
It is the others that I am thinking about today. In the beginning of the story they attend church out of doors with the priest’s tailgate a makeshift altar. Then Sydney Poitier meets the Sisters, and the idea of building a church, which has been germinating in the Mother Superior’s mind for a very long time, begins to take off. And slowly people become involved and the project takes on a life of its own. In one poignant scene a poor family presents a chandelier that their ancestors had brought from Europe. It is obviously their prize possession, and they offer it to God. Poitier’s employer presents a truckload of fancy brick, even though the church has been built from adobe. Poitier uses the fancy brick to build a bell tower. There are no bells but someday. Someday there will be bells.
Faith says “Someday.” Someday the fruits of our labors will pay off. Someday God’s desires will be done as they are done in heaven. Someday.
Tuesday night we took a someday vote. We voted to repair, rebuild and replace the two pipe organs that adorn our sanctuary. They were entrusted to our care. I invite you, when next you sit in the sanctuary to look at the two instruments and their beauty. How they reflect each other from across the church. Imagine the grand organ speaking and the antiphonal organ answering back. Imagine everything in working order again and imagine much more. For in a very near tomorrow, this will be true.
In “Lilies of the Field” people get carried away by the thought of creating and caring for a sacred space. Thank you for getting carried away. Thank you for saying “Someday.” Getting carried away is a part of being a Christian. The Holy Spirit carried the disciples away out into the streets where they told the good news to all who would hear it. Psalm 150 verse 4 says “Praise God with the strings and with the organ.” Joyously every Sunday we do. We will continue to do so. And often we are carried away by the music into the world where we can do even more to invite people to be blessed by “the Lord of the Dance.”
Someday. Someday. We are a “someday” congregation. We are a “someday” people. So dare to dream. Bring your dreams to church with you. What else can we do in a not too distant someday? Think about it. Pray about it. Let’s make it happen. Thank you. God bless you.
In Christ’s love,
TomPastor Tom
OUR MISSION STATEMENT – We are a community of Christ’s followers. Our mission is to be worshipping, welcoming, inclusive, caring, growing in faith and to live and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the world.
OUR MAY/JUNE HIGHLIGHTS Thursday, May 14 – Confirmation Dinner and Rehearsal at 6 pm Sunday, May 17 – Class of 2015 Confirmation Service at 11 am
Class Pictures at 10:30 am on the lawn Monday, May 25 – Annual Memorial Day Sing-a-Long at 10 am before the Parade
Sunday, May 31 – Sunday School Promotion Service at 9:30 am Special Moving Up Ice Cream Hour following the service
June 10-13 – New York Annual Conference at Hofstra University Our delegates are Rev. Thomas Carney, Doris Richter, Ed Tournu, Florence Bosworth
Saturday, June 13 – United Methodist Women Breakfast Meeting at 9:30 am with speaker
Welcome to eNewsletter 2015. Receiving your newsletter via email will help us to save paper, postage and time. Please continue to let us know your email address if you have not already done so. Complete the information on the outside of the newsletter or email us at [email protected].
Our Worship Services are at 8, 9:30 and 11 am. The Chancel Choir will sing at 9:30 and 11 am services.
Sunday School – 9:30 am – classes for 3 years through high school.
The Infant Toddler Nursery is for all children 3 years and under and is an important element of our church mission. Nursery care is currently under the direction of Sandra Haas and is available at 9:30 and 11 am. Our Infant Toddler Nursery is located in the Education Building.
Bible Study – Join an open Bible study and discussion group - Monday morning at 9:45 a.m. Sharon Niggemeier and Ed Tournu, facilitators. Tuesday Evening at 6:45 p.m. in the library with Rich Santoro, facilitator. For more information, call the church office.
Information for the Summer eNewsletter is due no later than June 15th for immediate mailing Please get your information to Doris in a timely manner.
College Students/Parents – do we have your college address/email? We can email you a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the happenings at church. The Missions committee would like to be able to remember you too. Parents of the college student please help us by providing their college address, or letting us know they are a commuter student.
Our Food Pantry needs have increased. We are serving many more families on a monthly basis. Please continue to remember the FOOD PANTRY when you are shopping. Spam, corned beef hash, beef stew, tuna, chili, jelly, peanut butter, dry milk, canned vegetables, canned fruit, juice, spaghetti sauce, instant potatoes, rice(2lb), coffee, shampoo, toothpaste, bar soap, disposable razors, dish detergent and laundry detergent. Bread and margarine can be delivered directly to the food pantry during church office hours. In addition to non-perishable food items, cash donations and supermarket gift cards are needed and gratefully accepted to assist in meeting the current demands of our food pantry
The Sharing & Caring Soup Kitchen continues to need donations of soup through May17th. As of May 24th, we will no longer need donations until September. We thank the angels who lovingly made donations of soup throughout the cold weather seasons. We will be closed from August 2nd through Labor Day weekend, and will resume our ministry on Sunday, September 13th, at which time we will again need loving donations of soup and helping hands. If you would like to be scheduled at that time, or you would like further information about our Sharing & Caring Soup Kitchen, please call Rose Alfini at 669-4581 or Vicki Troise at 234-2560.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Help with sending newsletters, Update collections in the library, help at Rotary food collections to benefit our food pantry – the next Food Drive will be June 13 at Stop/Shop, Great Neck Road and Montauk Highway, West Babylon, Teach and Substitute at Sunday School. Call the church office for additional information and/or offer to help in other areas.
OUR PARISH FAMILY BAPTISMS – The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Kevin Gerard Warren III, son Kevin and Ashley on March 15th, to Aurelia Rose Edwards, daughter of Jeff and Laura on March 30th, to Theabella Sephine Labruzzo, daughter of Vincent and Jessica on April 12th, and to Leanna Sofia Rodriguez, daughter of Robert and Christina on April 26th.
WEDDING – Congratulations to Bethany Barton and Michael Multan on their marriage on April 25th
SYMPATHY – We extend our Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Gladys Brown on her death March 10, Robert Drummond on his death March 28, Mildred Wheeler on her death March 30, Robert Silsbe on his death April 9, Muriel Griesbeck on her death April 17.
We also extend our Christian sympathy to John and Evelyn Koch, their family and friends, on the death of their son, John on April 18 and to Lynn, Robert, Kyle, and Andrew Dunlop, their family and friends on the death of their father and grandfather, Ed Prohaska on April 24.
UPDATE: Zachary Smith, son of Jeff and Patti, has been diagnosed with Dense Deposit Disease and C3GN. They are both rare conditions that affect the way his kidneys function. Currently there is no cure for these conditions. Zachary goes to Stony Brook Hospital every 2 weeks for treatment. If you would like to keep up to date on his progress and treatment please visit the Facebook page his parents have set up. Go to Facebook – Care for Zachary. His parents are collecting aluminum tabs from soda and canned products. The tabs are sold to a scrap metal company for money. The money is sent to a foundation in Iowa that funds research for Zachary's condition. Thank you for your continued support.
Hospital Visitation – Due to the Hospital Privacy Act, it is vital that you call the church office when loved ones in the hospital wish a visit from the pastor.
Save the Date!
Do you know the names of the people sitting around you? Help us to update our new church directory that will put names with faces. Be part of our new family directory program!
Life Touch will be in Fellowship Hall Wednesday, September 23rd through Saturday, September 26th to capture memories for a lifetime. Each family will receive a complimentary 8 x10 portrait and a free directory for participating!
MISSION NEWS - Time again to bring you up to date on Missions doings.
Our fundraiser night at the Texas Roadhouse netted us $332.03. These monies will help us in our work for the Lord where needed. Thanks to all who participated from our church. Many guests who came to eat at the Roadhouse, gave some money at the door as we handed out flyer's explaining our works. The flyer's contained info on who we support and where the monies go. Great enthusiastic response from strangers, bless them all.
Missions will meet at our regular June 7th meeting at 10:45 am in the church library, due to May being a busy month, with other conflicting scheduled dates. Thanks for understanding.
We are asking anyone who might be interested in all we do, come to one of our meetings and be part of an exciting group work for the Lord. We welcome you.
!
!
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Many "Thank You's" are in order! First, UMW made $406 on our April Food Sale. With several pies from Priscilla Circle and others, along with our usual goodies, this sale had some different offerings that were appealing. We give thanks to all who set up, cooked, and bought.
On to our major fund raiser for the year, our 10th Anniversary Tea at Two. There are enough words or accolades to pour out on all who helped to make this tea so special. From the decorators of tables and rooms and the stage, to bakers and preparers, to waiters, to merchants who donated, and to all those who bought tickets, and so many more, we thank you. As a result of all your hard work, we raised $5,200. This money will go to mission endeavors in our own church, community, and around the world. Carol Langstroth and I offer thanks to you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Other business:
Our next General Meeting will be on Saturday, June 13 at 9:30 am. Miriam Circle with the help of the Mary Marthas will serve a delicious breakfast. Then Priscilla Circle has arranged for Jane Abrams-Tucker to speak about More Camp Adventure. This refers to a camp in Suffolk County that serves children with cancer. There is more detailed information included in this letter. We invite any and all to attend this very worthwhile presentation.
Jane Abrams-Tucker, a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital, will present a program on MORE CAMP ADVENTURE at our UMW General Meeting on Saturday, June 13th. The campers are children in all stages of cancer. Ages of the campers range in age from 6 to 16. Her son Matthew attended the camp from 1996-2001. Siblings are encouraged to attend. Jane's daughter Brittany Abrams is now head councilor at the camp. Jane has been a volunteer from 2001 to the present. All are welcome to attend this meeting, enjoy breakfast and learn more about MoRE (motivational recovery environments) Camp Adventure!
Remember that Mission u will be held in Danbury, Connecticut from July 23-25. Our UMW unit will financially help anyone who is interested in attending.
Again, many thanks to all who make our UMW unit an active, vital part of our church. If you are not a member come and join this wonderful group of dedicated, loving
women! If interested, call our Membership Chairperson, Jean Morse, at 631-969-3242 or ask any of our members to help you out.
With God's help, you are wished a safe and healthy summer! Peg Davis
Fellowship and Art Service - May thru June Schedule
Saturday Mornings - 9:30am Sunday School Chapel - 2nd Floor, Education Building
Come join us for a laid-back time of fellowship and dialogue as we examine art, share our thoughts,
and enjoy our Saturday morning together. Feel free to bring coffee, tea, breakfast, etc.
We’ve been looking at some pretty serious, deep, intense art lately. For our next service we will be looking at JOYFUL art!
Come join us! May 9 - 9:30am
Additional Upcoming Dates: May 16 - 9:30am ~ June 27 - 9:30am
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Wellness Initiative - Open Minds Dialogue
Our group discussion on today’s contemporary topics continues! This is a forum where we dialogue, share, learn, and grow together.
The goal is to open our minds to opposing viewpoints in the context of Christianity; this is not about church policy-making.
Facilitated by Richard Santoro and Greg Lupion
Fridays at 7pm Sunday School Chapel - 2nd Floor of Education Building
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May 15 - Mental Health in Today’s Society June 19 - Being a Christian in 2015 ~ Part II
Please join us!
The James Street Players present:
Calling all young people 26 years and younger!!! Auditions for Shrek the Musical will be May 31st @ 2pm
in the Fellowship Hall of the Babylon United Methodist Church
Show dates: Thursday, July 30 @ 8 pm
Friday, July 31 @ 8pm
Saturday, August 1st @ 8pm Sunday, August 2nd @ 3pm
Rehearsals will be Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday evenings: 7 – 9:30pm Contact Melissa Halversen at 631-398-0706 or email at [email protected]
www.jamesstreetplayers.org
CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC & GAMES
SUNDAY – JULY 12, 2015
BELMONT STATE PARK
Party Time: Immediately after church service Duds: Come to church in your picnic clothes
Nibbles: Bring your favorite picnic basket lunch
! Parking $8.00
name___________________________________ telephone______________________________
how many in group __________ email_______________________________________________
what equipment or game could you bring?
_____________________________________________________________________________
would you like to help in the organizing of the picnic?
Get Ready for Endless Adventure! Endless Fun! Endless Love!
AT VBS 2015
!
For Children 4-years-old through those entering Sixth Grade.
Babylon United Methodist Church Education Building 21 James Street, Babylon NY 11702 August 10th through August 14th, 2015 From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day
Get ready to travel on a life-changing adventure that leads kids in search of a love that lasts forever! At Bible Blast to the Past, kids will participate in the large-group excitement of Blast to the Past Bash, experience God’s Word at Timeless Truth Tent, learn ways to serve others at Mission Quest Cave, discover ancient arts and facts through science and crafts at Discovery Ruins, and enjoy snacks and games at Backtrack Bazaar. There’s even a place for the littlest explorers at Playtime Pasture!
Along the way, kids will travel back in time using five mysterious artifacts as their clues. Through Bible Blast to the Past, they will walk away knowing that God will always love them—no matter what!
Your kids won’t want to miss this adventure! Secure their place on the journey!
Volunteers to help guide our time travelers are needed too! Volunteer for the week or just a day – we need your help!
Registration Fee for the week is $20.00 per child. Registration received after August 1st is $30.00 per child
VBS 2015 Registration Form
(please print clearly)
Child’s Name:_________________________________ Date of Birth:__________
School Grade Child will enter in September 2015:_____________________
Child’s Address:___________________________________________
Child’s Home Phone Number:__________________________________
Parents’ name(s):_________________________________________
Parents’ email address(es):_________________________________________
Parents’ Cell Phone number(s) :____________________________________
Emergency Contact Person and telephone numbers to cal l i f Parents cannot be reached:______________________________________________________________
Child’s Allergies or Medical Conditions:_________________________
Name of Church you attend regularly:___________________________________
Additional Children in Family (residing at same address) registering for VBS:
2. Child’s Name:_________________________________ Date of Birth:__________
School Grade Child will enter in September 2015:_____________________
Child’s Allergies or Medical Conditions:_________________________
3. Child’s Name:_________________________________ Date of Birth:__________
School Grade Child will enter in September 2015:_____________________
Child’s Allergies or Medical Conditions:_______________________________
Registration Fee for the week is $20.00 per child. Registration received after August 1st is $30.00 per child
P l e a s e s u b m i t R e g i s t r a t i o n F o r m s a n d payment to The Babylon United Methodist Church Office, 21 James Street, Babylon, NY 11702. So that w e w i l l h a v e enough supplies for ALL Jungle Safari explorers, please register by August 1st, 2015. You will receive a confirmation email once registration is received. If you have questions, p l e a s e c a l l Meredith Lupion (631)748-1173 or e m a i l h e r a t
AUGUST 21 @ 7:00 P.M.
!
BABYLON UMC NIGHT AT THE BALL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUR VERY OWN BABYLON UMC CHOIR WILL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
! TICKETS ARE ONLY $10.00. RESERVE TODAY. LIMITED AMOUNT OF TICKETS AND
THEY GO FAST!!!! CALL BARBARA ATCHISON @ 631-669-2228 OR
EMAIL [email protected]
