Messenger The May 2011

A Prayer for Memorial Day

Almighty God, for those who have sacrificed themselves and given their lives for the sake of others,

we lift up our thankful hearts.

For the dear friends and family members whose faces we see no more, but whose love is with us forever,

we lift up our thankful hearts.

We hold them in continual remembrance, and ever think of them with you,

in that city whose gates are not shut by day and where there is not night.

O Lord, save your people and bless their heritage.

Amen. —Based on words by John Hunter, Scotland, 20th Cent.

Understanding Our Budget by Senior Pastor Bill Jones

This month’s column is the third installment of brief descriptions of the section of our church budget we United Methodists refer to as ―apportionments‖ or Conference Askings. Apportionments support the connectional work of Christ’s ministry in our de-nomination both locally and globally. Next month we will look at how our church budget supports the ministries of Williamsburg UMC.

Church Extension & Development Fund: 65% goes to the Church Devel-opment Team for conference-wide grants and loans to new and existing churches; 25% of what a district raises of CEF will be returned to the districts; and, 10% to the Commission on Ethnic Minority Concerns and Advocacy and the Grants Committee of the Common Table for Church Vitality. All Things New Financial Cam-paign was approved by the 2009 Annual Conference to provide financial assistance with the goal of beginning 250 new faith communities in 30 years. Funds from this campaign will provide support for leadership needs of new faith communities that exceed the funding provided by the Church Extension and Development Fund.

General Connectional Fund: Finances administrative functions of the denomination’s general and jurisdictional levels, including the cost of General Conference, the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference and programs, and financing church agencies which are mainly administrative in function.

Interdenominational Cooperation Fund: Supports General Church ecumenical ministries. This is United Methodism in mission with other Christian denominations, witnessing to Christian unity.

Black College Fund: Supplements the operational expense and capital improvement needs of ten predominantly black colleges and a medical school. This is the largest group of black col-leges related to any Protestant denomination.

Africa University Fund: Assists the development of a United Methodist university which provides opportunities for students through-out Africa. The university is located in Zimbabwe and includes schools of theology, agriculture and education.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands: A Virginia Conference Children's Mission Event, will be held in four loca-tions around the Conference this summer, and Williamsburg UMC is proud to be one of those lo-cations on Monday, July 25 – Tuesday, July 26.

This event offers rising 4th through 6th graders a hands-on opportunity to do mission work. Kids from all over the Conference join together as one "United" Methodist church making a difference in the community.

The cost is only $36 per person. This will include a T-shirt, meals and snacks, and overnight stay. Registration will begin on May 1. Contact Cindy Banek at the church for further informa-tion.

Thoughts from Allie

This May brings the 10-year anniversary of Church Council approving Respite Care as a min-istry of Williamsburg UMC. In those 10 years, Respite has served many clients and their families by offering a safe and fun place for adults with special needs. But its ministry and influence has ex-tended to more than just those who have been served by it. As some of you know, I was an intern at Respite while I was a student at William & Mary, and this experience was significant in my dis-cernment of my own call to ministry.

The internship at Respite was something I stumbled upon junior year of college. I was look-ing for something to build my resume, and they were looking for a volunteer coordinator. I didn’t have the first clue about working with adults with special needs. Still, I was offered the internship and took it. I was cautious, for my first few days working there. I didn’t really know what to say, and I was jealous of the other college volunteers who seemed to interact with the clients so natu-rally, as if they were family.

But it didn’t take long for Respite to become my family, too. Though officially, my job in-volved things like recruiting volunteers and maintaining a database of their hours, the most mean-ingful time was that I spent with the clients. Over that semester, I got to know them, laughed with them, read them afternoon devotions and helped them decoupage vases. The next semester, fall of my senior year, I started bringing my lunch and eating with them around the table. I felt com-pletely at home there.

It was around this time that I was first seriously thinking about the possibility of seminary and ordained ministry. My sense of call to ministry didn’t originate in Respite, at least not entirely. I heard that call through a combination of a lot of different experiences and people. But I have said many times since (even in my seminary application essay) that this sense of call to ministry was best encapsulated in my experience at Respite.

I remember being there one day, eating lunch, and looking around the table. There were a few caregivers, and a college volunteer or two. There were Maureen, and Josie, and Marcy, and Denny. And we were all such completely different people, in age and in ability. But we were a fam-ily. And there we were around the table, eating together and enjoying each other’s company. And I remember thinking in that moment that this was perhaps the best picture of the Kingdom of God that I had ever seen. My own call to ministry was made known to me in the realization—both in that moment and in others, elsewhere—that I wanted to keep taking part in these pictures of the Kingdom, and that I wanted to help others see the same things I had.

One of the joys of coming back to Williamsburg as a pastor is that I get to keep being in-volved with Respite. Though most of the clients I knew from college aren’t there anymore, the spirit of the ministry hasn’t changed. The ways I am involved have, though—I now sit on the Board, and sometimes I get to serve communion to clients in short chapel services. The way I see it, that communion is another expression of the communion I found around the lunch table.

And, of course, when I’ve been sitting in my office for too long writing prayers and preparing for Bible study, I get to head down to Respite for a while. I’ll help paint turkeys or snowmen, de-pending on the season; join clients in a game of bowling or bingo; try to sing along with songs that everyone knows but me, because I’m too young; and find a place around the table for snack time. These simple things all remind me of how I got here, and why.

Condolences

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who have passed away during the month of April:

Ruth Gibson

Raymond Perkins

Sam Whitaker

Joe Winston

If you would like to submit an article for publication in the Messenger, the deadline for submittals is the 15th of the

month. They can be submitted by e-mail to Lianne Koch at

lkoch@williamsburgumc.org. If you have any questions, please e-mail Lianne or call

(229-1771).

Williamsburg United Methodist Women May 2011 – UMW Circle Meetings

Olive Casey Circle – Monday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. in UMW Room 309, speaker will be Rev. Bill Jones

Mary Lou Clarke/Heritage Circle – Tuesday, May 3, at 9:45 a.m., UMW Room 309, followed by lunch at a local restaurant

Jean Craig Circle – Tuesday, May 3, 1:30 p.m., Chambrel Activities Room

Susannah Wesley Circle – Wednesday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. in UMW Room 309. The speaker will be Cindy Freeman, Founder and Director of the Early Childhood Music School at WUMC

Friendship Circle – Monday, May 9, 10:30 a.m., UMW Room 309

Windsor Meade Circle – Monday, May 9, 10:30 a.m., in the Ballroom of Windsor Hall.

Carol Scott Circle – Tuesday, May 10, at 1:00 p.m. in the church den

Sisters in Faith Circle – Tuesday, May 10, 7:00 p.m. in UMW Room 309. Carolyn Yowell will speak about Respite Care and her new role and visions. Discussions will be held about Bazaar projects.

Williamsburg Landing Circle – Tuesday, May 17, 10:30 a.m., 2nd floor, Studio 200, Williamsburg Landing Building.

Important Dates to Remember

May 14 is Hands On Mission May 23 is UMW Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in Room 309

Charlie Clark’s father, Harry

Stephen Shield’s father, Henry McCoy

Back in print pending continued interest and financial support and now available in our church library is the beautifully formatted and illustrated magazine, ―Christian His-tory.‖ Infused with new life by founder Dr. Kenneth Curtis during the last months of his life, the rebirth of this important magazine which recounts our faith’s historical heri-tage is being carried out in Dr. Curtis’ memory. In this special 100th issue celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, read how this most beloved English book was born, the odds that were overcome and where it stands today. You’ll find this new issue, along with the 4 quarterly issues for 2007 and the Winter and Spring issues for 2008 in the binder marked ―Christian History and Biography‖ on the shelf in the Resource Room. If you have copies of those issues we are missing and are looking for another home for them, the library would be happy to have them. We can only use one copy of each issue, however please call Lou Chatfield (564-9296) if you have issues you would like to donate.

Also new in our library are a number of noteworthy books among them Evil and the Justice of God by renown scholar N.T. Wright, The Reluctant Parting by William & Mary Pro-

fessor Julie Galambush, and The Real Jesus by Luke Timothy Johnson. And if you enjoyed Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, you’ll want to check out his newest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.

Looking for a gift for that bibliophile who has everything or to honor a child’s or grandchild’s birthday? Check out our Wish Lists on the bulletin board outside the library and consider donat-ing a book in their honor. You’ll find wonderful selections for adults and children and yours will be a gift to all who use our library. Our thanks to Dorothy Higbee for her recent gift of Bruce Feiler’s Walking the Bible.

Visit our church library soon and check out the many wonderful books in our collection. Remember…

―A book tight shut, is but a block of paper.‖ — Chinese Proverb

Library News

Grief Support Class: ―You Have to Mourn Well to Live Well and Love Well‖

Someone you love has died and suddenly you find yourself in a new world. Everything may seem different and foreign to you, for not only have you lost that special person, you have also lost your dreams for the future and even a part of yourself as you struggle with your new identity. Well-meaning family and friends are often at a loss to know how to help, and the hurt grows deeper. It is crucial that you find a safe time and place to mourn your loss – for not to do so can cause extended grief and may lead to various health issues. Your life will never be the same again, but you can move forward to find reconciliation and hope.

Whether your loss occurred recently or even several years ago, you are welcome to join our Grief Support Class. This ten week program will help you to better understand what you are going through and will provide a ―companioning mode‖ of walking this difficult walk with you. In the words of Alan Wolfelt, in-ternationally acclaimed grief expert and author of our texts, ―You Have to Mourn Well to Live Well and Love Well.‖ Please join us. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.

This class will meet for 10 weeks in the church den on Tuesdays, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. be-ginning May 24. Rev. Jeanne Forrest is the facilitator.

Contact the church office (229-1771) to register and to reserve the texts that will be used for this program.

Hosted by Flute Frenzy

Debra Cross brings her talents as a teacher and a performer to Williams-burg United Methodist Church for a special master class opportunity. Ms. Cross, principal flutist with the Virginia Symphony and the Virginia Opera, will conduct a master class for flute and other woodwind players who are

interested in learning more about practice techniques.

Practice Methods

Master Class with Debra Cross

The one hour master class will be held in the Sanctuary May 10th from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. There is no admission fee for this class and it is open to all Williamsburg

United Methodist Church members who are interested in attending.

Bazaar 2011 Items Wanted –

Books, etc.,

The Friendship Circle needs your help! The Circle is collecting books like the ones you have had on your shelves for years. There are many people who come to the bazaar to buy books as well as VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, old 78 and 45 records, new greeting cards, and note and writing paper. Questions? Contact Phyllis Putnam (229-8035) or Carolyn Mershon (229-6887).

Jewelry, etc.

The Susannah Wesley Circle is organizing the Jewelry, etc. booth at the bazaar this year. The Circle is asking for donations of women’s jewelry such as earrings, neck-laces, and watches, as well as men’s jewelry. In addition, other accessories, belts, ties, purses, billfolds, scarves, and handkerchiefs are also being collected. Questions? Con-tact Carolyn Munro (259-9833) or Bonnie Knizatko (253-0992).

If you have any of these items or other items we have not mentioned to donate to the bazaar, bring them to room 303 on May 6 or 20 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Watch the church

bulletin and the UMW ―Updates and Reflections‖ for other bazaar drop-off dates. If the item is too large for you to handle, contact Charlotte Copley (258-4809) or Ruth Simpson (229-2070) or any other UMW Circle member.

Remember – the UMW Bazaar is Saturday, November 5!

From the Trustee’s Corner . . . The Trustees continue to work with a busy agenda as we begin the second quarter of 2011.

Animal/Wildlife Control

We have completed phase one of the process of elimination of wildlife from the stee-ple. Proper screening and netting have been installed to eliminate further entry and nesting. Phase two will be a ―clean up‖ process from the wildlife that have made our steeple their home for some time. Hopefully, all of this expensive treatment will be completed by the con-clusion of this quarter.

Parking Lot Maintenance Study

We are currently obtaining bids and recommendations for necessary repairs to the church parking lot that will need to be done in the near future. The parking lot has pot holes, and the surface is cracking in many areas. To repair, re-seal, and re-stripe could cost as much as $10,000. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Our Parsonage

We have a new roof on our parsonage at 194 Mill Neck Rd. The roof was installed by Virginia Woodcrafters Inc. We are also replacing all of the original windows at the parsonage. The replacements will be installed during the month of May. This work will be done by the Michael C. Brown Co., the company currently completing the modifications in our sanctuary for the new organ. All funding for the roof and windows has been provided by a designated gift from one of our church families.

The Early Childhood Music School is accepting registrations for two five-day summer sessions: June 6 - 10 and July 25 - 29. Classes of age-appropriate activities in music and movement are offered for ages 2 months through 7 years. Included this summer is Introduction to Key-board (ages 6-7).

Registration is also open for fall classes. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are offered for children ages 2 months through 6 years and adult keyboard. The weekly classes, tailored to the student’s age and developmental level, are taught by certified early childhood music specialists. With this semester, the Early Childhood Music School will mark its 22nd year of providing excellent music instruction in a positive and nurturing environment.

Please contact director, Cindy Freeman to receive registration information and a class brochure (229-1771 x108) or cfreeman@williamsburgumc.org.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC SCHOOL REGISTRATION

WUMC Nametags for Sale!

Exciting news! As a part of WUMC’s mission to ―Welcome Our Neighbors,‖ you can now order your own Williamsburg United Methodist Church nametag. The name-

tags are metal 1‖ by 3‖ with a pin back or a magnetic back. The magnetic back is strong enough to hold through a jacket or coat. The front of the nametag is white with the ―Cross and Flame‖ logo in black and red. Your name would appear in black letters, and ―Williamsburg United Methodist Church‖ is across the bottom in black letters. The nametags are $5.50 for the pin back and $6.50 for the magnetic back. Witness & Welcome Committee members will be available at the Crossroads Table in May to take your or-ders. We hope everyone at WUMC will purchase a nametag and wear it each Sunday. Please plan to pay for your nametags by check made out to WUMC.

Monday through Friday, June 27 – July 1: Vacation Bible School!!

PandaMania: Where God is Wild about You! 9:00 a.m. to noon

Plan NOW to attend our Vacation Bible School, PandaMania, held June 27 – July 1 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Children ages 3-years-old (potty trained) through rising 6th grade are invited to experience the most exciting VBS ever! We will enjoy a wild celebration of God's unconditional love as we participate in crafts, music, games, snacks, and special Bible dramas. Adults and youth, we need your help to make this week memorable, so sign up to volunteer, too! Register at the VBS table located in the church atrium. We look forward to seeing you in the bamboo forest – just watch out for those silly pandas!

For information about any of these Family Events, please contact Cindy Banek (229-1771 x258).

Attention all Families – Mark Your Calendars for theses Exciting Upcoming and Family-Friendly Events:

Monday, May 16: 2nd Annual Mother-Daughter Banquet : “One Magical Night”

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Do you want to feel like a princess for a night? Women of all ages (we are all daugh-ters!) are invited to attend the Mother Daughter Banquet and experience the fun and fel-lowship of “One Magical Night!” Our evening will include a wonderful catered meal and pro-fessional entertainment as well as the opportunity to be treated like royalty. Tickets, $15.00 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 3-10 years old, will go on sale May 1 in the church atrium. Proceeds will benefit Leonarda’s Home of Hope in Honduras.

ReNEW Youth Ministry in May!

From reNEW Youth Ministry

As we come to the close of another ―Regular Season‖ of Youth Ministry pro-gramming, I’d like to offer my humble thanks for the tremendous support the con-gregation continues to provide to me and to reNEW Youth Ministry! We will wrap up the Sunday evening portion of the Regular Season with a Potluck Cookout at the Query Home on May 22, but Wide Open Wednesday events will con-tinue through June 15. Other ―Special Events‖ will pop up on our calendar throughout the Summer ―Post Season,‖ so be sure to stay in-the-loop with Youth Ministry at WUMC! Sub-scribe to the recently reformatted, almost-weekly reNEWSletter by visiting the reNEWSletter page (under Col-lege & Youth) on the Church Website, www.WilliamsburgUMC.org. You can also ―Like‖ us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/WUMCYouth.

Here are some of the other great things we’re planning in May!

May 7-8: Annual Cinnamon Knot Bake-in! We’ll be up (almost) all night baking our delicious Cinnamon Knots so they’ll be fresh for you on Mother’s Day, May 8! Pick up a dozen (or three—they freeze well!) during ―Coffee Hour‖ before or after Sunday School, or after the 11 a.m. Worship. Still only $5/dozen, and all proceeds help fund Youth Missions.

May 15: Annual High School Graduate Recognition and Dinner (HSGRaD)! Graduating high school seniors and their families are invited to join the rest of their reNEW Youth Ministry friends and ―family‖ for a special dinner in their honor. We’re still working on the details, but suffice to say that it will be an evening to remem-ber. Seniors should have received an invitation postcard; please be sure to RSVP and deliver 10-15 photos to be used in a slideshow before May 8! Parents and other adults can volunteer for setup, cleanup and other responsibilities by contact-ing Bill Woodward at BillWoodward@cox.net.

Youth Mission Trips to Jeremiah Project and TEAMeffort are rapidly approaching, so please watch your email for information about forms, information meetings and due dates, coming soon!

reNEW Youth Ministry:

Nurturing, Empowering and Welcoming the youth of Williamsburg UMC and beyond.

Our monthly 50’s Plus luncheon group will meet on Wednesday, May 11 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Our 50’s Plus group is open to any one age

50 plus, and we enthusiastically welcome all new members! We only ask that you bring a small donation for the chicken (provided) and a side dish or

dessert to share with the group. We look forward to seeing you!

For information about our 50’s Plus group, contact Cindy Banek (229-1771).

50’s Plus Luncheon50’s Plus Luncheon

Respite Care Center

Receives $1500 Grant

The Respite Care Center has received a grant in the amount of $1,500 from the Virginia Conference of the UMC Commission on Disabilities! The WUMC Respite Care Program began in 2001 with the financial support of a grant from the Commission. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary in 2011, this endorsement represents the continued strength of our partnership in providing ―A Gift of Time‖ to those in need.

As stated by the Commission on Disabilities, ―respite is needed to give families a break from the tedious nature of daily care giving, relieve stress, and allow for physical and

mental replenishment. Respite allows caregivers to actually have a life of their own outside the caregiver role.‖ WUMC’s Respite Care Center provides this opportunity to families of adults with special needs, while enriching the participant with stimulating afternoon program activities.

Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg Donates $500 toward Respite Scholarships

In response to our donation application, the Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg has awarded The Respite Care Center $500 for scholarships, to help families that have limited means attend the program. JWCW continues to be a pillar to our program, providing financial support for the past 3 years.

If you know of someone in the community that needs respite from their adult caregiver role, encour-

age them to call Carolyn Yowell or Janet Dugas (229-1771) for more information. Space is available at the

moment, for those that qualify after a brief assessment. Scholarship applications will be available soon, and

may be requested once the admission assessment is completed.

Representing the Virginia Conference on Disabilities, Peggy Soulen (far right)

presents a check for $1500 to Carolyn Yowell (center), Executive Director of

Williamsburg United Methodist Respite Care Program. Also pictured are (left to

right) Barbara Haynes, Respite Board Chairman; Reverend Bill Jones, WUMC

Senior Pastor; and Janet Dugas, RN, Respite Care Center Manager.

Beyond Loss… Recreating Your Life With Hope:

In the light of the chaos and confusion of losses we encounter in our everyday lives, two new classes are being offered to help participants have an opportunity to express themselves in a safe and supportive community as they begin to develop a newness of life built on hope and structure.

For those who have lost loved ones: This class is designed to serve as a follow-up and extension of the “Understanding Your Grief” program. Alan Wolfelt’s new book, ―Hope,‖ as well as valuable writings of other authors, will be studied. Anyone who has participated in any of the ―Understanding Your Grief‖ or Compassionate Friends programs is welcome to attend. This group will meet on Mondays, begin-ning May 23 for eight weeks in the church den from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Rev. Jeanne Forrest is the facilitator.

For those who are experiencing loss due to divorce, job layoffs, financial or health instabilities, etc: When we think about grieving, we usually associate it with the death of someone we love. Yet grief is an important part of every sig-nificant loss that we encounter in our lives. This class will talk about how to inte-grate loss and move forward with a life of meaning and love. The group will meet on Tuesdays, beginning May 24 in the church den from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Rev. Jeanne Forrest is the facilitator.

Summer Music Camp

Registration is underway for our community’s ecumenical Summer Music Camp for children who have completed grades 1-7. It will be held here the week of July 11-15 and run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily. Each morning will include devotions, choir, music/

arts, crafts and refreshments. The camp will conclude with a Vespers Service on Fri. July 15 at 7:00 p.m.. The registration

fee is $45. Brochures are available at the church or can be downloaded from the church website.

For further information or to volunteer contact Sarah Bland, Camp Coor-dinator (musiccamp@williamsburgumc.org or 229-6381).

Respite Care Center’s 10th Anniversary

Celebration Begins 2001-2011

Open House on Sunday, May 15

In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, an open house from 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. and 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. will be held at the Respite Care Center of our church. Located on the lower level of the church, the Center will have refreshments and present a running slide show of our history and activities. Please stop by to see all the exciting things happening in the respite family. Staff and volunteers will be

on hand to answer questions about this dynamic, enriching, half-day afternoon community program for adults with special needs. A nominal fee is charged for enrollment after an assessment for admission is done. For more information, call Carolyn Yowell, Executive Director (229-1771).

ZPizza Benefit on Wednesday, May 18

ZPizza located in New Town across from the theaters is teaming up to raise money for The Respite Care Center, by donating 25% of their proceeds from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18! Simply mention Respite Care when you place your order (Good w/ EAT IN, DE-LIVERY & TAKE OUT). To place your order with ZPizza, call 645-3303.

Other Events

Additional activities being developed include the 2nd Annual Christmas Concert to benefit Respite, on December 18 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tom Marshall will delight attendees with holiday music showcasing the new organ! A short program and refreshments will be provided, making this an afternoon you won’t want to

miss.

Carrabba’s will also host a benefit luncheon/program on October 12. More information will be coming on these events.

The Messenger

A Monthly Publication of

Williamsburg United Methodist Church

500 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185

Church Office (757-229-1771)

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Williamsburg, Virginia

Permit #18 Wesley Heritage Sunday

May 22

On Sunday, May 22, our worship services will be visited by none other than the Rev. John Wesley (portrayed by our own Rev. Bill Jones) and his brother Charles Wesley (portrayed by music director Richard Sowers) with the Wesley Chapel organist (portrayed by Tom Marshall) and Susannah Wesley (portrayed by Cindy

Freeman) in a special worship service which pays tribute to our Wesleyan roots: Wesley Heritage Sunday. You may remember that we introduced this unique service last year using local actors. Rev. Jones will present one of John Wesley’s sermons in modern language. Richard Sowers will direct WUMC adult choirs in many Wesley hymns arranged as anthems, responses, and congregational songs. Cindy Freeman will di-rect the children’s and youth choirs. We will rediscover our Wesley heri-tage through the hearts, minds, sermons and hymns of the founders of Methodism.