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 July/August 2010 No 2 modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2008, 2009, 2010)
We look forward to the lazy, hazy days of summer. And with the hot, humid days of recent weeks, summer has announced its arrival this year in unmistakable terms. Summertime in the church means that schedules are a little less hectic and all of us are taking advantage of opportunities for vacations and recreation. we will still worship together. we will stil have times to learn and grow together. We will still show caring and concern for each other and our world around us. But our summertime pace allows us to be a little less intense and more focused upon our needs for rejuvenation and renewal of spirit.
What is important for us to remember is that we are the church three hundred and sixty-five days a year and each one of us is called to a year round discipleship. Going on a vacation does not mean that we cease to be followers of Jesus Christ. Summertime does not mean we take a break for our Christian values of kindness, compassion, and love. rather, our summertime discipleship reminds us of our need to reconnect our souls with God's creation and allow God's Spirit to recreate spirit within us. During the summer Jesus'' disciples continue to worship, continue to learn, continue to grow. my hope for each one of us is that during these months of summertime, God's Spirit will fill our souls and revive us. May we experience all the fullness of life that God intends for us both when we are apart and when we are fathered together. May yours be a blessed summer.
Grace and peace, Dick
Our congratulations go to our Youth Class for their Yard Sale fund raising efforts that netted $535.05 for the benefit of Hoffman Homes for Youth. Becca presented a check to Hoffman Homes representative at our Children Appreciation Sunday worship service on June 6th. Also we congratulate Debbie and Lisa and all who helped with the recent golf tournament at South Hills Golf Club. A net amount of $2,086.40 was raised for our Community Support Fund (formerly Gifts for the Needy) and will allow us to continue to reach out to our community in ways that are helpful and meaningful.
Each year in December, a new Flower Chart is placed in the tower door entrance to the sanctuary for those interested in signing up to provide altar flowers for Sunday services in the year to come. With so many new faces in our congregation, the Worship Committee reminds us that many dates are available for those who would like to offer altar flowers in honor of or in memory of loved ones. A couple of florists in the area are used to picking up our vase inserts and returning them with fresh flowers the Saturday before our worship service. Those who provide flowers should contact the church office early in the week with bulletin information and they are encouraged to pick their flowers up as soon as possible following the worship service. Anyone interested in additional information about ordering flowers can contact the church office.
SERVICE PERSONNEL PRAYER CONCERNS
We will be updating the service personnel prayer concerns for the September 5th bulletin. Please notify the church office of names that are to remain in the bulletin or of names to be added.
Why Stephen Ministry:
We have many needs for care in our congregation and community: people experiencing grief, illness, loss or a job, relocation, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses or challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care that would be helpful to them. With ounly one pastor for a congregation of 400 members, you can quickly see why it is impossible for our pastor to meet every single need of every single person.
Stephen Ministry expands the care that St. Mary's UCC can offer by equipping and organizing memebers to provide Christian care. This gives us a larger pool of people with the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ's love and care to those who most need it.
For more information about Stephen Ministry or to request a Stephen Minister, please contact one of our leaders: Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen.
we will be collecting sample toiletries, socks, and gloves for Cold Weather Shelter. When you vacation this summer please save all soaps, shampoos, lotions, itc. from your stay in a hotel/motel. These items will be collected at the World Community Day Celebration in November. Items may be given to Becky or left at the church office. Thanks and God Bless you.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - GETTYSBURG TOUR
Due to popular demand, I have scheduled another Gettysburg Battlefield tour for Sunday, Sept 26. Quite a few people said they wanted to go on the tour but they were unable to make that date. See Nancy for more information.
Pastor Scott will lead adult summer Sunday school classes for al who would like to attend starting on Sunday, July 4th at 9:15 am. Classes will be held in the south room chapel. On one of his vacation Sundays, Sunday August 15th, Nancy Householder will give a presentation on the Monuments of Gettysburg during the class time for all who might be interested.
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: July 11, 2010 |
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