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 May 2007 No 2 modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, 2006, Jan 07, Feb07. Apr 07)

 

FROM THE PASTOR

With my sabbatical time nearly finished, I look forward to rejoining you on Mother's Day, and over the course of this month, to resume my regular responsibilities as your pastor. I have greatly appreciated these last few months away as a time of reflection, learning, and refreshment, as well as a time to catch up with family members that I am seldom able to see. I am most thankful to Rev. Bob Rock and Anna Rollins for covering pulpit responsibilities in my absence and their continuing willingness to share their special gifts with our congregation. I am also grateful for the gifts that so many of you have been willing to share during this time and especially for the dedicated leadership provided by the members of our Consistory and the members of the various committees of our church. As we look forward together to the days ahead, there is much that we can accomplish in these remaining weeks of the Easter season and our anticipation of the coming of Pentecost. The Spirit of the Risen Christ has been and continues to be a strong and vibrant presence in out midst and continues to empower us to listen and respond to the voice of the God who is still speaking to us. Jesus has reminded us as the people of the church that He has gathered together, "Lo, I am with you always." In the knowledge that Christ continues to dwell in our midst we can look forward to these coming days as a time for continued growth and accomplishment and service. With Chris in our midst we are a church that is truly Spirit inspired, Spirit led, and Spirit empowered. As people of the Spirit, we are and remain the people of St. Mary's United Church of Christ.

Grace and peace,   Dick

Pentecost Sunday

This year, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday on May 27th. This service is our annual commemoration of the birth of the church universal when God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Christ to unite them and empower them for service. This will be a Contemporary Praise Service with music provided by our praise band, Winds of the Spirit. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be served at stations in the front of the sanctuary as part of our celebration at this 10:00 AM worship service. All are welcome.

Strengthen the Church

We remind everyone that on Pentecost Sunday, May 27yh, we will receive our annual offering to help "Strengthen The Church". Great works of redemption can be accomplished when we offer our resources to be utilized by the Spirit in the building and rebuilding of the Body of Christ. Strengthen The Church is our United Church of Christ effort to renew and revitalize the church so that we may continue to be a faithful witness and servant of Christ's love in the years ahead. Envelopes will be made available. Please give generously.

New Member Sunday

St. Mary's will be receiving new members on Sunday, June 17th. Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact the church office as soon as possible. All perspective members are encouraged to attend an orientation on June 3rd following worship service. Current members, please plan to attend the worship service on June 17th and welcome new members into our church family.

Catoctin Association Meeting

This year's annual Spring Meeting of the Catoctin Association will be held on Sunday, May 6th at Christ Reformed Church in Hagerstown. Registration will begin at 2:00 PM and the meeting will end at 6:00 PM. This year's theme is Let it Shine - Growing in Faith and the meeting will include a keynote address by Rev. Ginna Minasian Dalton, Pastor of Christian Education, Youth and Evangelism at Little River UCC, and Rev. Adora Lee will present a workshop on providing for the special needs of children with AIDS in South Africa. Anyone interested in attending should contact the church office as soon as possible. 

Mother's Day Bulletin

This year the Mother's Class will again sponsor the Mother's Day Bulletin. names in honor or memory of can be included for $1 per name. See Betty or use the envelopes on the back windowsill of the church. Deadline is May 6th. Your help and cooperation in making this project a success will be appreciated. 

Mother's Day Sunday

Sunday, May 13th, is Mother's Day. This is always a special Sunday at St. Mary's as we remember and honor our mothers as we gather to give praise and thanksgiving to God. We thank the Mother's Class for their work each year in soliciting names for our Mother's Day bulletin and we encourage everyone to keep attendance at worship as a part our Mother's Day celebrations. This is also the Sunday that we receive a special offering for the care and good work with the elderly at the facilities of Homewood Homes. Special envelopes will be provided and everyone is reminded to make checks payable to St. Mary's UCC. Many of our St. Mary's members have become residents at their retirement community at Plum Creek. Please give as you are able to help the ministries of this UCC related institution.

Spring Clothing Drive

This year's Spring Clothing Drive will run through May 15. Detonations of clothing items can be brought to the church and left in the designated area of the Vestry. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in sharing with others. 

Stephen Ministry

Sunday, April 29th was a joyous occasion here at St. Mary's UCC. Three lay people from our congregation were commissioned into a special ministry of care and concern for others as Stephen Ministers. This rite of commissioning culminates a period of extensive training and preparation for caring ministry through the Stephen Series, a program for lay caring ministry developed by Stephen Ministries of St. Louis. These Stephen  Ministers have studies and practiced skills in such areas as dealing with feelings, crisis intervention, asserting oneself with gentleness and firmness, and numerous other topics to prepare them to help people who are experiencing challenges or problems in their lives. We also had two Stephen Leaders commissioned. 

Please continue to keep all these persons in your prayers as they begin this important Christian ministry at St. Mary's 

Hoffman Homes for Youth Family Day & Bazaar

The Bazaar is May 19th from 9 AM to 3 PM and includes inflatable games, a bake sale, plant sale, indoor flea market, giant prize raffle, magic show and more. Enjoy a free blue grass concert featuring the sounds of Iron Ridge in the chapel at 2 PM. Chicken dinners will be available. Grab the kids and come Hungry!

Change a Pew Sunday

Sunday, May 20th, has been designated as a Change A Pew Sunday by our Evangelism and Spiritual Life Committee. Everyone in the congregation is encouraged to find a seat in the sanctuary that is unfamiliar to them and experience worship from a different perspective. You might even make a new friend or rediscover and old one. Come and see what God has in store for you as we worship together. 

Father's Day Bulletin

This year the Mother's Class will again sponsor the Father's Day Bulletin. Names in honor or memory of can be included for $1 per name. See Betty 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.

 

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