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Page last updated: May 26, 2007
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXVIII June 2007 No 2 modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, 2006, Jan 07, Feb07. Apr 07, May 07)
Children's Outdoor Service - June 3rd
Graduate Recognition - June 3rd
Tuesday Night Book Study - begins June 7th
CAC Annual Meeting - June 8-10th
Ice Cream Stand - June 10th
Father's Day Bulletin - deadline June 10th
Rev Julian Hall retirement - June 16th
New Member Sunday - June 17th
Newsletter Reminder - deadline June 20th
50th Anniversary Hymn Sing - June 24th
VBS -June 25th-29th
The Spirit is among us and we as a people of the Spirit are empowered by God. We have now entered the season of the Spirit that we call Pentecost, and we are reminded of the power of the Holy Sprit to bind us together for divine purposes. As we celebrate our 245th year at St. Mary's and the 50th anniversary of our United Church of Christ denomination, the month of June provides us with opportunities for celebrating our life together in the Spirit whether our journeys take us in separate directions or keep us close to one another in the days and weeks ahead. Warmth and sunshine invite us to come out into the expanse of God's creation and experience all the wonder that God's world holds for us. We will continue to worship and study together. Some for us will gather with other members of our Central Atlantic Conference as we celebrate the Spirit's continuing witness to us of the God who is still speaking, even in our time and in our very midst.
The God we worship continually defies our attempts t impose human limitations on divine activity. If God chooses to create or destroy, who are we to object? If God chooses to become incarnate in Jesus Christ, who are we to ignore? If God chooses to inspire us with divine Spirit, why would we want to resist? The Spirit blows where it wills. We really can co-create with God. We really can co-reconcile with God. We really can co-inspire with God. We are called to co-operation that God's divine will might be done. God has called us together into covenant with one another. God's Spirit has chosen to dwell with us to bind us together in love. It is blessed tie tat binds our hearts together. In the days and weeks ahead, may we take advantage of the opportunities for mutual sharing and mutual service that the Spirit provides for us. Together, let us share the burdens and the joys of one another and those whom we are called upon to serve as we continue our journey together as God's people her at St. Mary's United Church of Christ.
Grace and peace, Dick
"Let It Shine" is the theme of this year's Central Atlantic Conference Annual Meeting to be held June 8-10 at the University of Delaware. Pastor Scott and three of our church members will attend the gathering which will include a keynote address by Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson, President of the North American Churches of the World Council of Churches.
This Year's gathering of the General Synod of the United Church of Chris marks the 50th anniversary of the denomination that brought together the churches of the Congregational Christian denominations and the Evangelical Reformed denominations in 1957. General Synod meets every two years as a denomination gathering of folks from the conferences and associations of the United Church of Christ. In addition to our conference minister, Rev. Dr. John Deckenback, retire pastor, Rev. Robert Rock will also be in attendance as a delegate. We have been grateful for Bob's service as a supply preacher during Pastor Scott's recent sabbatical.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ denomination, the St. Mary's Fellowship Committee has planned a Hymn Sing for Sunday afternoon, June 24th, starting at 3:00 PM. This will be an opportunity to sing old songs and new and celebrate the rich heritage that is ours at St. Mary's UCC in our 245th year. There will be a Pot Luck dinner that will begin at 5:00 PM following the hymn sing, and all are invited to attend and bring a friend or two.
New members will be invited to join our church on Fathers day Sunday, June 17th. Those interested in joining or know of someone interested in a formal relationship with our church should see the pastor or call the church office as soon as possible.
Sunday, June 3rd, we will be having our children's outdoor service followed by a congregational picnic provided by the fellowship committee. We will also be honoring graduates at this service. This service will especially appeal to the young and the young at heart. So make your plans now to join us outdoors and enjoy God's Natural Beauty. This is a great opportunity to show off your blue St. Mary's T-shirt.
Our former pastor at St. Mary's, Rev. Julian Hall will be retiring this month form active ministry in the United Church of Christ. A retirement celebration for Julian and Elsie Louise has been planned by the members of trinity UCC in Hanover, PA and members of our congregation have been invited. A dinner will be held on Saturday, June 16th, at 5:30 PM at the Hanover Elks Lodge. The price is $17.00 per person. Any who would still like to sign up for the dinner should call (717) 637-2233. Response was requested by June 1st. All of us at St. Mary's wish Julian and Elsie Louise much joy and happiness as they look forward to this new chapter in their life together.
This year the Mother's Class will again sponsor teh Father's Day Bulletin. Names in honor or memory of can be included for $1 per name. See Betty Harman or use the envelopes on the back windowsill of the church. Deadline is June 10th. Again we ask for your help in making this project a success.
Anna Rollins will be leading a book study Tuesday evening s in June at 7 PM. The book is Crossing the Desert by Robert J. Wicks. They will meet in the new library area on the vestry.
Note the schedule change: Our graduation seniors from high school and college will be acknowledged during our outdoor worship service on Sunday, June 3rd. members of the church are encouraged to call the church office to be sure that all graduating seniors are included in our listing.
Dust off your instruments, St. Mary's is forming an ensemble to play a few times a year. Contact the church office for more information.
The children in the Sunday school will meet all together, in the downstairs basement, for combined classes for the month of June. We anticipate as school gets out, there will be fewer children attending so this wil be easier for the teachers.
Due to poor attendance in the last few years, there will be NO Sunday school classes for children during July, August, and September 5th (Labor Day weekend). The Christian Education committee recommended this to the consistory and the consistory approve it.
Sunday school classes for children will resume September 9th, Faith Renewal Sunday.
St. Mary's UCC invites kids to "Take the Plunge" into our Vacation Bible School the week of Monday, June 25th - Friday, June 29th. Activates will run from 9:30 AM to 12 PM each day. All children ages 2 (MUST be potty trained) to 11 (just finished 5th grad) are welcome. Registration wil begin at 9AM on Monday June 25th. there will be a presentation for families of the participants at 11:30 AM on Friday June 29th, followed by a picnic and games.
We still need helpers, even if it is only for a day! Please contact Stacy, Kelly or the church office if you can help.
Questions and answers about Stephen Ministry:
Where did Stephen Ministry Start? Stephen Ministry started in 1975, when Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, began it to multiply the care giving in his congregation in St. Louis, Missouri. St. Mary's is one of the 9,000 Stephen Ministry congregations from more the 100 denominations.
Why the Name Stephen? The name Stephen comes for St. Stephen, who was the first lay person commissioned by the apostles t provide caring ministry to those in need as recorded in Acts 6.
What are Stephan Leaders? Stephen Leaders are the ones who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministers, identify people in need of care, and match them with a Stephen Minister. We have 3 Stephen Leaders at St. Mary's. They are: Steve Dutterer Dorothy Ellen Dutterer, and Pastor Scott.
What are Stephen Ministers? Stephen Ministers are the caregivers. They have been through 50 hours of training in Christian care giving, including general topics such as listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, and using Christian resources in care giving. In addition, their training covered specialized tropics such as ministering to the divorced, hospitalized, bereaved, and aging. We currently have 3 Stephen Ministers. They are: Bea Thomas, Commie Bankert, and Kent Kreamer.
Again this year, our church will be selling Hoffman's Ice Cream at the Fiddlers Convention on Sunday, June 10th, at the Farm Museum. Proceeds from this year's sale will go to the Program Staff Fund. Volunteers are needed and those who can help out should sign up in the Vestry or contact the church office.
As in previous years the July & August newsletters will be combined. Please submit all articles by June 20th. In order for articles to be included in the next months newsletter they need to be received by the church office by the 20th of the month.
Tank you to everyone who has contributed printer cartridges and/or cell phones for Charles Carroll Elementary: the students, parents, and faculty/staff say a big THANK YOU! Charles Carroll has raised about $800 so far this year by recycling printer cartridges and cell phones. The support of St. Mary's UCC has been an important part in this fundraising effort!
Charles Carroll will continue to collect ink-jet & laser printer cartridges and cell phones as an on-going fundraiser. So please continue to bring in this unwanted and environmentally unfriendly "trash". You will be helping to protect the environment and helping to support Charles Carroll Elementary. Collection bins are located at Brewer's Market, Westminster Union Bank (Union Mills Branch), St. Mary's UCC, as well as Charles Carroll Elementary School.
Please donate ANY and ALL printer cartridges and cell phones. Remember to ask your family, friends, and co-workers to donate printer cartridges and cell phones that they may have. Every little bit helps! The coordinator for this program is Emily Brown. Again THANK YOU for you support of CCES!
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
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