T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXXI May 2010 No 2 modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2008, 2009, 2010)
Christian Women United in Carroll County - May 7th
Mother's Day - May 9th
No Children's Sunday School - May 9th
Golf Tournament - May 15th
"By the Kids, for the Kids" Yard Sale - May 15th
Battlefield Tour - May 16th
Acolyte Training - May 16th
Blended Worship Service - May 23rd
Strengthen the Church - May 23rd
Young Mother's Retreat - June 5th
Earth Baskets -May
Attention Graduates - June 5th
VBS - June 21st-25th
This month, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the season of the Spirit. Pentecost is the time to celebrate being the church. On Sunday, May 23rd, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday and the birth of the church of Jesus Christ. We read about this story in the book of Acts, about the rush of a mighty wind, and tongues of fire empowering the first disciples for great deeds. The timid became bold. The weak became strong. The hesitant became determined. And so the church was born to proclaim the message of Christ and to carry his ministry into all the world. It has been the Spirit that has brought us through difficult times and frustrating times. Yet the Spirit has also held us together to experience times of joy and celebration. Because of the Spirit at work in us, we have become bold, we have become strong, we have become determined. Empowered by the Spirit we have accomplished great deeds together. And as we continue to experience the winds of the Spirit blow in our midst, I am certain that even greater deeds are ours to accomplish in the years ahead.
The greater portion of the church year, which we now enter, is the season of the Spirit. Without the presence of the Spirit, the story of Jesus remains an enchanting myth or an epic legend. We can read about it; we can hear it told or see it acted out. The story can touch our intellect and even give flights of fancy to our imagination. But the passion to make it our own comes only when the Holy Spirit fills the depths of our souls with wind and with fire. With the presence of God’s Spirit dwelling within our midst, the story of Jesus becomes our story; the reality of Jesus becomes our reality. The Spirit of God continues to be poured out upon us. We continue to have a message to share. We continue in the ministry that is ours to perform. We continue to pursue the mission that is ours to fulfill. Filled with the Spirit of God at work in us, may the passion of committed Christian discipleship inspire us and empower us. With commitment and conviction and determination, may we continue to faithfully fulfill our calling as followers of the Christ whom we love and serve and adore.
Grace and peace,
Dick
We remind everyone that on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd, 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.
Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day. This is always a special Sunday at St. Mary’s as we remember and honor our mothers during our service of worship. This year our Bell Choir will also be a part of our 10:30 am worship hour. We have continued the tradition started by the Mother’s Class of gathering names for our Mother’s Day bulletin and we encourage everyone to keep attendance at worship as a part of 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.
The Worship Committee has put together a day-long retreat specifically for young mothers who need a day away for spiritual renewal. The retreat will be held on Saturday, June 5th, starting at 9:00 am with lunch provided. Anna Rollins will serve as retreat leader for this event which will be held at the Bell Cedars Retreat house at Carroll Lutheran Village. We are asking for a donation of $5.00 to register and a sign-up sheet is located in the Vestry. We hope that many of our younger mothers will be able to take advantage of this meaningful and exciting opportunity.
1st
Annual St. Mary's UCC Golf
Tournament
Last call for golfers to sign up for our first annual St. Mary’s Golf tournament to be held on Saturday, May 15th. Proceeds from the tournament will be added to our “Community Support Fund.” This fund used to be called our “Gifts for the Needy” fund and will continue to be used to assist those in need in our community as well as be available to help underwrite projects that support our local community. We are looking forward to a good time shared by all, and we thank all those whose efforts have helped to make this initial event a huge success.
Nancy is studying to become a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg. She will be giving a tour of the battlefield, on Sunday May 16 from 1:30-5:30pm. If you haven't seen the battlefield in the last five years, you will be amazed at the changes. She is also going to include visiting some places that most people don't know about. After the tour we will be having dinner at General Picketts Buffett. If we have enough people sign up we can get a group discount. We will be meeting at the church at 1:30pm and carpooling up to Gettysburg. The tour is free, but each person will be responsible for their meal. There will be a sign up sheet in the vestry beginning in May. If anyone has any questions, please call Nancy.
Tuesday, June 8, Nancy will be giving the Box Lunch talk for the Carroll County Historical Society. Her topic is” Monuments At Gettysburg.” The monuments on the battlefield were put there by the veterans themselves to tell the soldiers' stories after they were gone. Each is unique and has a story to tell. Nancy examines monuments and the meanings of their markings and symbols. After this session, you will never look at the monuments on the battlefield the same way.
The Box Lunch talk are held at Carroll Post,American Legion, Westminster, Md.
The Post is located at the corner of green and Sycamore St.
Admission is $1.00 for members and $4.00 for non-members.
“The Stephen Minister-Care Receiver Relationship” - An Excerpt from “Stephen Ministers Listen Well” by Marge Terman
A Stephen Minister is a caring, compassionate friend, a good listener, a firm believer in God and someone who can keep confidences.
The referred, known in Stephen Ministry as the care receiver and a Stephen Minister will be paired. The Stephen Minister will call the care receiver to set a time to meet, and the confidential caring relationship has been established.
Some people find it hard to admit they need help, but in fact, realizing that one needs help in a life transition and then seeking that help is a sign of strength, as well as an opportunity to grow personally and spiritually. There is great benefit is talking to an objective person when it isn’t possible or practical to share with a family member.
A Stephen Minister is ready to be that person who might be of help as a confidential, active listener and compassionate care giver.
For more information about Stephen Ministry at St. Mary’s, please contact Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen.
Christian Women United in
Carroll County Events
Christian Women United in Carroll County will hold May Friendship Day on Friday, May 7th at St. Benjamin’s Lutheran church in Westminster. The theme for this event is “Living the Vision”. Registration will begin at 9:30 am. If you would like to attend please call Becky by April 30th so we can make lunch reservations.
Christian Women
United in Carroll County is also collecting sample toiletries, socks, and gloves
for the Cold Weather Shelter throughout the year. These items may be
brought to the church office or given to Becky.
Children's Sunday School Notes
Children's Sunday School will not be scheduled for Sunday May 9, 2010 , Mother's Day. We hope everyone enjoys a leisurely breakfast with their families and joins us for the 10:30 worship service!
Children’s and Youth Sunday School offerings for the months of April, May and the first Sunday in June will be donated to Heifer International towards the gift of an Earth Baskets. Each Earth Basket costs $60, and provides two essential gifts. Bees which produce honey and wax and provide extra income for struggling families and tree seedlings which provide shade and fodder for animals and prevent soil erosion. This is a very earth friendly gift. The children will become more aware of how they can help protect God’s wonderful creation, the Earth.
“By the Kids, for the Kids” Yard Sale
The youth group is planning a yard sale at church on Saturday May 15th from 9:00-2:00. All proceeds will go to Hoffman Homes for Youth. Rent a space only for $10, spaces with table set up $15. Renters are in charge of set-up and clean-up. We would like to have a church table where anyone can drop off items for donation. If they are not sold, they will be taken to Goodwill. Food will be available in the social hall in the basement of the church. Activities include kids’ games with prizes, pony rides, and a bake sale. For more information contact Becca.
Sunday June 5th the Christian Education Committee will be honoring High School and College Graduates during the 10:30 Worship service. Please contact the church office with your information. We are looking forward to this opportunity to acknowledge our graduates. This is also our Traditional Outdoor Service. Hope to see you there!
Calling everyone from east to west.
BAOBAB BLAST is the get together of the summer!
What: Baobab Blast Vacation Bible School
When: June 21-25, 2010
Time: 9:30am-12noon
Who: All children age 3 (potty trained- 5th Grade)
Why: Summer’s here and it’s time to get together.
Check out the action in Grassland Games, Kalahari Crafts, Serengeti Science, Savannah Storytelling, and Madagascar Music! For further information contact Linda or the church office.
The pastor will conduct training for youngsters interested in serving as acolytes during our services of worship. The training session will be held during the Sunday School hour on Sunday, May 16th. Parents of children interested in becoming acolytes are encouraged to speak with Dana, chair of our Worship Committee or with Pastor Scott.
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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Email: office@stmarysucc.org Page last updated: April 27, 2010 |
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