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The Messenger June, 2009 From the pastor…
As usual, I’m a bit late in considering some
things, but I’ve been thinking lately about the sacrifices which the first
Methodists here in Mexico must have made. (I know that our bicentennial was
last year but as I say I’m often a bit late!) I can’t imagine how hard it
must have been for those first Methodists. Can you?
I mean, they had to worship in someone’s
house for several years. Then, when they were able to move to a church
building, they had to begin from scratch. What must it have been like to build
the actual building from the ground up? Where could they find enough money to
cover such a huge cost? And, when did they find the time to donate their labor
to the cause of raising the church building? These were folks who earned their
living each day, often with back-breaking labor. How, I wonder, did these
folks muster enough time, energy, and money to build this house of worship?
And how, even in the lean times, did they find enough money to support a
pastor?
Well, the times were different, you might
say. It cost so much less then, prices were so much lower. And, people were
less distracted by other things so they had so much more time to devote to the
church, you might say. To which, in my sweetly pastoral way, I answer:
“Hogwash!”
I truly believe that every generation faces
huge obstacles standing in the way of active and meaningful participation in
church life. I also truly believe that each generation surfaces some folks who
are willing to give what it takes to build up the church, in whatever way is
needed. And, I sincerely believe that First UMC, Mexico is blessed with the
kind of folks who can support, strengthen, and sustain the church-even in hard
times.
Today we in Mexico blessedly do not have to
“start from the ground up”. We have an aging, but very usable, building. We
have active, knowledgeable members. We have useful and meaningful ministries.
BUT, we do face challenges in 2009. One of our biggest challenges is raising
enough income each week to meet all of our expenses. While it is true that
this is a perennial problem, it has grown larger in this year. And, another
challenge we face is the daunting task of making the church building more
accessible to everyone.
Fortunately, these “challenges” are being
faced head on. The Finance Committee has recently sub-divided into a budget
group and a stewardship group. Watch for information from the Finance people
in the near future. And, the ASAP (Accessibility, Safety, and Achievement
Project) team will soon begin work on the next phase of our accessibility
project: a bathroom near the Fellowship Hall which will accommodate
wheelchairs, walkers, and their “owners”.
While it is true that each generation in the
church faces its own challenges, it is equally true that each generation has
the potential to address their problems adequately. Let our prayer in First
United Methodist Church be that God’s guidance and blessing will continue to
be with us today as we face, and meet, the challenges we face in the third
century of mission and ministry in this place.
Sincerely, Bill -------------------- IMPORTANT DATES
June 10: Deadline for Newsletter
June 10: Auction at Dugway Methodist Church
June 14: Flag Day
June 16: UMMen’s night at the Alliance Field in Syracuse
June 20: Friendship Circle Garage Sale Rebekah/VillageHall, Main Street
June 20: UMMen’s Breakfast with Jack Jackson as guest speaker and Outreach
Committee as guests
June 20: UMM Italian Dinner Feast
June 20: Aldersgate Camp Open House
June 21: Father’s Day
June 21: Graduates Recognized during 9:45 Worship Service, Sunday School
Certificates
June 21: Baby bottles return to church
June 21: Casowasco Camp Open House
---------- Thank You, Thank You too:
*Anyone that would like to sponsor an issue of the Messenger ($42), is
welcome to call the church office at 963-3066
----------- The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.” ---------- On Fatherhood... Children spell “Love” T-i-m-e. Dr. Anthony P. Witham Don’t be fools; be wise; make the most of every opportunity
you have for doing good. Ephesians 5:16 TLB ------------ United Methodist Men's Saturday, June 20, 4-7pm. ------------ FRIENDSHIP UNIT GARAGE SALE The Friendship Unit is sponsoring a garage sale during the
Community Yard Sale Day on June 20th. ------------ Sunday School in June As the Sunday School year comes to a close a large measure
of gratitude is given to Jeannie Revette, our Sunday School Coordinator, for
her work throughout the year. ------------ TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME.... UMMen’s night at the ballpark is June 16. ------------ UMM June Breakfast Jack Jackson will be the special guest speaker at the
UMMen’s June breakfast meeting on June 20. ------------ TEA FOR TWO? NO, TEA FOR 87!!
The Teddy Bear Tea, an ASAP project, held on Saturday, May
16, was a huge success for the children of all ages who attended. Many
dressed for the occasion and brought their favorite Teddy Bear. The tables
were decorated with flower filled teapots that had a helium balloon
attached. Kelly Freihofer was Mistress of Ceremonies and told the Story of
the Teddy Bear. BooBoo Bear from Jellystone Park led a parade of children
and their bears around the Fellowship Hall and Ken Sturtz, a college
student from New Haven, mesmerized with his delightful magic show that
lasted a half hour.
A tasty lunch of tea sandwiches, veggies and fruits, and
Nancy Murray's 100 individually decorated cupcakes along with tea and
lemonade was served by; Molly Freihofer, Liz Emery, Lindsey Loforte and
Rae Ann Earl. Then the highlight - a chocolate fountain with heaps of
strawberries, pineapple chunks, pretzel rods and wafers in which to dip.
After a game of musical chairs in which there were no losers, but rather
winners of helium balloons in each child's favorite color, the party ended
with the children getting a 'goodie bag' to take home. One child commented
"Grandma, this was my bestest day ever".
There were 87 tickets sold. Duane & Sue Morton took photos of
the children with their bears. Profits from those photos plus the ticket
sales grossed $888.52. Because much of the food and other things was
donated, we netted $808.00 for the ASAP fund. So a really big thank you to
everyone who generously donated, who bought tickets or who helped in any
way. The committee had intended that this was a one time event, but
popular demand many make it happen again next year. The Teddy Bear Tea
Committee
------------ ASAP UPDATE The Accessibility and Safety Achievement Project (ASAP) account, together with generous donations and some fund raisers, now totals nearly $20,000. This means that work on the new handicap accessible bathroom in the Fellowship Hall can soon commence. Great work! Thank you to all who contributed in any way. ------------ ATTIC TREASURE SALE REPORT With the support of all who contributed and purchased,
the profit from the sale was $1,380. ------------ RECIPE CORNER: This month’s recipe, for Golden Salad, comes to us from Madelyn Schmidt and can be found in our church cookbook “Treasures From Heaven”, on page 22. Golden Salad
2 packages orange gelatin 1 six ounce can frozen orange juice
2 cups hot water concentrate, thawed
1 can Mandarin oranges 1 cup ginger ale (drain, reserve syrup)
Dissolve gelatin in hot water.
Stir in reserved syrup, orange juice, and ginger ale. Chill until slightly thickened. Add mandarin oranges. Chill in bowl or pour into an oiled mold. Chill until firm. ------------ A NOTE FROM OUR CHURCH CAMP COORDINATOR
Over the past three years we have raised funds through chocolate sales
to financially assist kids who are planning to attend either Camp
Casowasco or Camp Aldersgate. The cost of one week of camp ranges
between $325 and $375. In the past, we have been able to raise enough
for each camper to have $80-$150. This, combined with the generous
donations from the Men’s Fellowship and now, this year, the Friendship
Circle Baby Bottle Collection, has greatly benefited our campers.
Because the profit incentive changes each year, and
because we have more campers signing up, we need to increase our
chocolate sales. If we sell 40 boxes of chocolate, we will earn 50%
profit, which gives us $1000. to split between our campers. Currently we
have twelve campers signed up, and 40 boxes is a lot for these kids to
sell alone.
Some of the most successful chocolate sales have occurred in local
businesses and from those who have offered to bring a box to
work…..which brings me to the point of this letter!
We feel that with the help of the members of our
congregation, we will be able to sell 40 boxes. The kids who attend camp
greatly benefit from the experience, and may not be able to attend
without the help of this fundraising. Thank you!!
If you feel that you would be able/willing to take a box of chocolate to
your workplace or to a business nearby, please contact Lynn Sheldon.
------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Accessibility and Safety Achievement Project Gift Card Request I request a gift card in honor or memory (please circle one): Person Honoring or Memorializing:____________________________________________________ Address (in honor only):_____________________________________________________________ Occasion:________________________________ Amount:_________________________________ Donor Name:______________________________________________________________________ Donor Address:_____________________________________________________________________ Please deliver this form and check (with “ASAP in memo section), to the church office or mail it to: Mexico First United Methodist Church, PO Box 255, Mexico, New York 13114 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |