KARIN'S COMMENTS...
"The cauldron of burnout and the wasteland of
busyness have driven me to lie on my face before God to find out what he is
doing."
-Ian Johnson
Recently,
I read an article from a sociological perspective recognizing a trend toward
less and less play. It claims that
because of various activities, children have less chance to play. It also claimed that parents have neglected
playtime in their own lives. The bottom
line was that everyone needs play to enable their creative abilities and that
we must place a higher value on it so life is more fulfilling for us and our
children and grandchildren.
The same
must be true for worship. If we neglect
praise of our Lord and Savior, I imagine life could seem very unfulfilling and
too difficult. Worship reminds us that
God is in charge and, therefore, we don't have to be.
Summer is
the perfect time to play and to worship. There are churches everywhere. Consider going to church while you are on
vacation. Walking into a place where
you are a guest gives you a whole different appreciation for what it's like to
be new. Bring back a bulletin and some
ideas. And when you're in town, plan to
be in worship. We have lots of exciting
music and ideas for the summer!
It's also
comforting to know that people everywhere worship the same God. May God's blessings be upon you this
summer. May you take lots of
opportunities to play.
Grace
and Peace,
Karin
JOHN'S JOTTINGS...
I was
privy to a conversation recently that troubled me. In fact, I wish it hadn't been within earshot. One person was lambasting another person for
some personal transgression that apparently occurred long ago. And he said, "I'll never forgive him as
long as I live, never!" As I left
the store, I found myself feeling very sad for that person. It's true; there are matters that take place
for which we feel we can never forgive.
They say it's possible to forgive, although it's never quite possible to
forget. I'm not so sure about
that. It seems to me too many people
are absolutely locked into the worst of the past -- and just as absolutely
unwilling to let go. And it has
virtually eaten away at their lives to the point of distraction...
There is
an old saying, "There are no birds that return to last year's
nests." Have you ever noticed
that? It's true. Birds never return to last year's nest. They seem to know, almost by instinct, that
it's better to let go of the past.
Start afresh, start anew.
Reclothe your mind in the spirit of what Jesus would say. "If you refuse to forgive, my Father in
heaven is not likely to forgive you."
And St. Paul went on to challenge his followers, "Forgetting what
lies behind and pressing on to the high mark, let us lay aside the sins which
cling so closely...” He was right.
Carrying the problems of the past can be such a heavy burden; it
literally destroys us from being creative, from being truly committed to the
higher ideals and goals of life. It
might "kill us" long before our time has come.
Think about this.
Have you carried a burden of forgiveness much too long? "Let go and let God", as Glenn
Clark use to say. That long-held
resentment and burden -- say "so long" to it, and you may find a
renewal and spiritual refreshment you never thought possible. Remember -- "there are no birds that
return to last year's nests."
Peace,
Pastor John
TRUSTEES
ANNOUNCE RECEIPT OF BEQUEST
The Board
of Trustees would like to acknowledge a $25,000 bequest received from the
estate of Isabella Clarke. The Board
unanimously voted to transfer $22,000 of this gift to growing our Endowment
Fund. The $3,000 balance will remain in
Special Funds until the Trustees can identify a special need in the church that
can be used toward a permanent recognition of Isabella's gift.
Look for a
future article in the EPISTLE about our Endowment Fund and how you can
remember the church in your estate planning.
In the meantime, if you would like to know more about this Fund, contact
Paul Beck.
The May
14th "Workday" turned out a small but enthusiastic group, who worked
on small projects inside and outside the church. Painting, landscaping and organizing topped the list of
accomplishments. Thank you to all those
who so willingly volunteered -- your efforts towards enhancing our building are
very much appreciated!
Tracey
Furman, President
U.M. MEN
WIND DOWN FROM A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!
Thanks to
the planners and staff of the United Methodist Men for another tremendous
year. Although we are winding down our
schedule and looking forward to a summer break, we still have a few activities
slated for June and July. Please plan
to participate. As always, any activity
involving United Methodist men is filled with fun and fellowship!
Our
remaining scheduled events are as follows:
Wed., June 1 - General
Meeting with a presentation by Kate Lewis Brown on "Spiritual Gifts"
Sat., June 4 - Pancake
Breakfast (last one until September!).
Proceeds will go to St. Paul's Library
Wed., July 20 -
Miniature Golf Outing
May you
all have a relaxing and enjoyable summer!
Harold Moyer, President
This has been an extraordinary year for the
Music Department and I would like to acknowledge everyone who has worked so
diligently to make our worship varied and exciting:
Those
who assisted with the Children's and
Youth Choirs -- without their hard work and dedication, our children would not
sing the way you heard them on Mother's Day; to Elvie Melegrito, who is
my right hand, and brings so much love of children's music and worship to every
rehearsal; to Meg Baker, who plays for both groups and finds time to
compose special music (What would we do without her?); to Debra McCurry,
who deals with communications, organizes dinners, and is always a support
beyond the call of duty; to Sarah Beck and many other parents;
to Betsy Sanford and Shannon Braddock, who carry out the
communications for the Sanctuary and Youth Choirs. And to Anne Garrett, who gave many years of service as
Music Librarian. She has now passed the
reins to Bette Eaton. My thanks
to you both.
One of the most exciting things
has been the revitalization of our handbell choir. Kudos to Keely Fraser for spearheading this effort, and to
Linda Ferrara for working with Keely.
Brian Lilley and the "Praise Team" have worked
very hard this year to start something new and exciting in worship. They have been backed-up and taken care of
by Stu Foster, John Regan and Dave Furman from the Sound Team.
Joe Miranda, who continues to be
with us as substitute organist/composer -- we are so happy he is still part of
the St. Paul's family. The addition of Marvin Mills to the staff, as
organist, has been wonderful. Marvin's
gifts go far beyond his playing!
And finally, to all of our choirs,
especially the Sanctuary Choir, which is the backbone of our
worship. I thank each and everyone for
a wonderful year of worship and music.
Tom Pedersen, Music Director
MORE NEW
MEMBERS TO WELCOME!
On Sunday, May 8th, the congregation welcomed the
following:
Mr. Michael and Mrs. Sylvia B.
They have 3 daughters:
Kristina, Brianna, and Ashley (who was
baptized the same day her parents
joined)
And, on
Pentecost Sunday, the congregation embraced the 15 confirmands, whose names
were listed in last month's EPISTLE.
In the
first five months of this year we have received 31 new members, and have
recorded 12 baptisms.
During the
summer months, please remember your membership vows of
"prayers, presence, gifts and service". These are needed ALL YEAR!
Betty
Simmons
Membership
Secretary
© © © © ©
SUNDAY SCHOOL LISTS REMINDERS FOR SUMMER
As the
regular Sunday School year winds down and we swing into summer, here are some
reminders of upcoming opportunities:
Summer Sunday School begins
June 19th. Sign-up sheets for parents
to volunteer to teach are available on the second floor of the educational
wing.
Vacation Bible School will be
held June 20-24. There will be classes
for pre-school and elementary, with opportunities for older kids to help the
leaders. Information brochures can be
found throughout the building -- but slots are filling up fast!
As a
successful Sunday School year ends, thanks go to the teachers for their
incredible commitment to our kids; to volunteers for the time they
commit to our program; and to the entire congregation for the enthusiasm
they have shown for our efforts.
On a
personal note, thanks to all for your support of me as Superintendent these
past six years; and please pass on your commitment and good work to our new
Superintendent, Robin Mayhew.
Mike
McCurry
© © © © ©
HISTORY
TIDBIT
What foreign mission was supported by a Prayer and
Spiritual Enrichment Group, led by Julia Clews, from 1978 to the early 1990's?
[Answer can be found elsewhere in this issue]
MORRIS
RICE RETIRES FROM COUNTING TEAM
No one has
stayed after Sunday worship services for more years than Morris Rice! For 32 years, he has been staying to count
the morning's offerings. He has been an
example of how to assure the accuracy of the collections, correctly record the
sums, and make the deposits. Other
counters have shaken their heads in amazement as they recall how he has been
able to quickly find a miscount and accurately adjust balances.
"There
haven't been many changes over the years," said Morris. "It's been satisfying."
In recent
years, Morris has been captain of a 3-or-4 member team, which "does its
duty" about ten Sundays per year.
Mostly, because of his expertise, Morris' team has even counted on
Christmas weekends!
But,
Morris has decided to retire from these duties. Amy Preston, who previously counted in another United Methodist
church, has assumed leadership of Morris' team, which virtually disappeared
because it included his wife, Sue, who has also retired.
There are
four other counting teams who spend about one-and-a-half hours after church on
their designated Sundays. Now that the
Rices have retired, more counters are needed -- including substitutes. If you are interested, please sign up in the
Church Office.
Oh yes,
Morris in effect is now a substitute, volunteering to help when needed!
-Arlo
Wagner
Counting
Team Coordinator
CLUB BIDS
A FRIENDLY "SO LONG" UNTIL FALL
As most of
you know, the Friendship Club's June trip will end this season of get-togethers.
The
catered luncheon in May was well attended and enjoyed. Our entertainment was given by Mary Ann
Jung, who held the body of interested seniors in the palm of her hand as she
gave an impersonation of Clara Barton -- costume and all!
As
reporter, I'll be back in September -- announcing the October plans for food
and entertainment. Until then, have a
healthy and happy summer.
-Sue
Merritt
R R R R R
2005
EDUCATIONAL AWARD PRESENTED
A lovely
college-bound teenager -- currently a leader in our Youth Choir, and regular
worker at church events -- was the sole recipient of St. Paul's 2005
Educational Award. A certificate and
check were presented on Sunday, May 22nd.
In the 17
years since the establishment of this annual award, a total of $23,600 has been
given to 49 high school graduates from our congregation! Thanks to everyone for your continuing and
generous support, especially our U.M. Men, Council on Youth Ministries, and
many individual donors.
Our
warmest congratulations go to:
MAILE BLISS - Univ. of Maryland
College
Park, MD
HELPING
NEWCOMERS FEEL A PART OF THE FAMILY
Last month
I gave some facts about first-time church guests. Of course, we're always delighted when our guests come back. And even happier when they decide to become
members (or active non-members) of St. Paul's.
But that's not the final step, as many of us might think.
Most
people join a church with the happy expectation of becoming a part of a
wonderful Christian fellowship. Sadly,
all too often, this doesn't happen and the new member falls away during the
first year of membership. Why do they
leave?
Most
churches, if asked, will tell you that they are very friendly. Unfortunately, this is the case for
long-time members, but not to newcomers.
We need everyone's help to ensure that St. Paul's is a church that's
friendly to newcomers as well as to those we've known for years.
As
important as it is to be friendly and welcoming to a new person on his or her
first visit, please don't stop there!
What about the 3rd or 5th time?
When you see a face that you don't know -- in church, at a meeting, or
at a social event like the Pancake Breakfast -- please take the time to get to
know the person behind the face. Sit
with them, introduce them to others.
Help them feel part of the family.
Let's all make a special effort to surround the newcomers in our church
with caring and friendship.
Kate Lewis Brown
THE
MOUNTAIN WAY SHOP UNDERGOES A "FACE LIFT"
You may
have noticed some new faces in The Mountain Way shop -- and they belong
to Alexia Chatfield and her mother, Sallie. The two of them have answered our request
for help -- and we greatly appreciate that.
Ken and I
will still be involved, in some ways.
Ken will be going to churches to speak about the missions, and taking
crafts to sell -- but the Chatfields will handle the rest.
Drop in
and meet Alexia and Sallie -- you'll like them!
Quote:
"Wear
a smile and have friends; wear a frown and have wrinkles."
Ken &
Evelyn Pinkard
J J J J J
AH,
SUMMER.....
Baseball...evening
strolls...burgers on the grill... These are just a few of the
things for which summer is so beloved.
As activities begin winding down for the usual summer hiatus, please
consider joining the Older Adult Ministry for the following:
¦ Don't Worry, Be Happy!
That's the theme for this year's "Our Day Away," to be held Monday,
June 6 at West River, MD. This one-day
retreat, sponsored by the Baltimore-Washington Conference, will feature
Bible study, personal reflection, lively discussion, breakout sessions, outdoor
worship, and all the wonderful amenities of the West River retreat
facility. The cost is $35, which
includes lunch and a morning snack.
Please sign up in the Church Office; transportation is available.
¦ Tuesdays Together will be held June 21 at noon. In addition to the plenary worship,
communion, lunch ($4), and fellowship, June's gathering will feature a dramatic
presentation. It is the perfect
complement to Tuesday morning's Bible Study, which will continue weekly
throughout the summer at 10:45 a.m. in the library.
Meanwhile,
the OAM Committee wishes you and yours a relaxing, refreshing, sunburn-free
summer!
-- Your Older Adult Ministry Committee --
Meg Baker, Betty Capps, Deane Hill,
Sue Roberts,
David Taylor, Glen Whipple,
and Rev. John
Walker
V-I-M TEAM
TO BE COMMISSIONED
On Sunday,
July 3rd, our Youth V.I.M. Team, who will be participating in the Southern
Hospitality GROUP Work Camp in Valdosta, Georgia, July 9-16, will be
commissioned during the 10 a.m. worship service.
Participating
youth include, Vinny B, Lauren B, Kristen C, David D, Angela D, Sam E,
Anthony G, Mary Jeanne H, Bobby H, Chris H, Will M, Janice S, Kristin S,
Kristina Ta and Brian T. The
adult chaperones include: Kristen
DeMoss, Pat Warren, and Rick Buckingham.
Thanks to
all who have supported our UMYF fund-raisers this year!
! ! ! ! !
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED! !
The Town
of Kensington is in the planning stages for its 38th Annual Labor Day Parade
and Festival, and is recruiting volunteers to help with this event. Both adult and teen volunteers are needed
for pre-event planning, event set-up, and event day logistics. SSL credit hours
are available for youth. If you are
interested in helping in any way, please contact Kathy Taylor (301-942-9254);
email: ladytaylor@msn.com
"Please thank the members of
your congregation for their outpouring of food for Bethesda Help. Claire Kordella delivered 18 bags of
groceries to our food closet in the month of April. We are ever so grateful for this generous gift, and also for the
many hours of help your volunteers give to HELP. Sincerely yours, Gloria F. Harvey, Corresponding Secretary."
"The
Justice & Compassion Ministry thanks the congregation for its support for
the neediest and the least among us.
Your Lenten Offerings will benefit the following recipients:
UMCOR Tsunami Relief - $1,874;
Hospice Casey House - $1,395.38; Federation of the
Blind - $1,050.50;
Asian Pacific Islander American
Domestic Violence Resource Project - $834.
-Jon Melegrito"
E EE E
YOUTH GO
INTERNATIONAL!
St. Paul's
will be represented at the 8th International Christian Youth Conference on
Evangelism, July 19-26 at Teresopolis, Brazil.
CAITLIN F will be commissioned at our 10 a.m. worship service on
Sunday, July 17th.
Q Q Q Q Q
HERE'S A
CHALLENGE FOR YOU!
I am
hoping to do a little study about what it's like to be a first-time visitor at
a church -- but I need help. For the
first part of the study, I am asking help from people who have been members of
St. Paul's for at least 15 years or more. What I will be asking you to do is take one Sunday to visit a
church where you know nobody and without revealing why you are there. We'll fan out to different denominations all
around the area and then bring back our findings based on a little checklist
everyone will have.
Please let
me know if you would be willing to help out with this little study. For some of you, it will be easy if you are
traveling this summer and attend a church service elsewhere. Of course, that won't work if you attend a
church where family members belong! I
am hoping to hear from a large number of people, so that we can get a good
sample. Then I can report back to you
what we have learned.
Kate Lewis Brown
(301-946-2008)
COLLEGE
VISITS MADE
Be sure to stop by the youth bulletin board, in the
office hallway, to view the photos of Rick Buckingham's April campus visits:
Amy R - George
Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Brad R - George
Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Michael S –
Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI
Shawn C - Earlham
College Richmond, IN
Alison S - Univ.
of Cincinnati (Graduate School) Cincinnati, OH
Also visited:
Michael, Gabi & Daniel B and Matthew
B, Chicago, IL
A national map shows where all of the St. Paul's
students and military personnel (of whom we are aware) are located. Please send corrections and additions to
Rick Buckingham.
v v v v v
ALASKAN CRUISE-TOUR ORIENTATION LUNCHEON COMING UP
Please
keep in your prayers all of those who will be traveling this summer --
particularly those of our St. Paul's family who will be participating in the
Alaskan Cruises in July and August. A
total of 27 persons (6 in July and 21 in August) will be enjoying together some
of Creation's most beautiful and wild scenery.
On Sunday,
June 12th, Rick Buckingham will be hosting a get-together over lunch in
Heavener Hall for this summer's cruise passengers. Please R.S.V.P. to the Church Office by June 5th.
Volunteer
drivers are NEEDED to drive cruise passengers in our St. Paul's vans to
Dulles Airport for an early departure on Friday, August 12th -- and/or pick-up
returning passengers on Wednesday, August 24th. Please contact Rick if you are able to help.
Q Q Q Q Q
UMYF WILL
WELCOME NEW SIXTH GRADERS
All rising
sixth graders are invited to a UMYF Party at the home (backyard) of Kap
and Alexia C, Kensington on Sunday, June 5th, 6-8 p.m. There will be games, pizza and sundaes.
Please call
Kap or Alexia by June 1st to let
them know whether or not you will be able to attend.
© © © © ©
TAKE A
PEEK INTO THE FUTURE!
Even
though summer has not yet begun, you can look to next fall and mark your mental
calendars for some new and exciting events.
Disciple
II will be offered on Monday nights; Scriptures for the Week in Worship is
scheduled for Tuesday mornings at 10:45; and there will be a series of
short-term studies on Tuesday nights.
ALSO - in
November there are plans for a Couples' Retreat - Marriage with a Mission. This will be a time (Friday night to
Saturday afternoon) of fellowship, play, worship, learning, recommitment,
wrestling with communication styles and value systems -- a time to explore your
mission as a couple and expand your vision.
Please contact Karin if you could help plan this!
© © © © ©
St. Paul's United
Methodist Church
10401 Armory Avenue,
Kensington, MD 20895
301-933-7933 Fax.
301-933-4418
Home Page:
http://www.stpaulsk.org
E-mail:
stpaulsunited@verizon.net
Pastor Karin W. Walker
Visitation Pastor John C. Walker
Min. of Ed/Yth. Richard L. Buckingham
Wesley Sem. Intern Michele Van Son
Music Director N. Thomas Pedersen
Organist Marvin Mills
Office Manager Carol Lewis
Assistant Administrator Beverly Burdin
Membership Secretary Betty Simmons
Coord. Of Lay Ministries Kate Lewis Brown
Volunteers for mailing the May EPISTLE: Adda Clark, Gerry Hobbs, Nelson Hunt, Ida DeVierno, Mae Miles, Marilyn
Jenkins, Tracey Furman & Marco Palma, Evelyn Schaeffer, John Boggess,
Frances Read, Vernon Pierce, Peggy & George Lehman.
