Hallowe'en

Hallowe'en

“I am disturbed by a recent trend by well-intentioned Christian people to prevent their children from participating in the annual fun of Oct. 31, even to the point of not allowing the use of the name Halloween, because of supposed connections with satanism and/or other destructive activities. As a student of history and a Christian pastor, I cannot in good conscience stand by and allow the Christian connections in this holiday to go without notice, nor am I prone to give up something that has a degree of integrity and purpose (and a lot of fun) just because someone happens to be more destructive in mindset than I am.”

(The above quote comes from a thoughtful article by Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel on Halloween. The entire article can be found online at www.liturgybytlw.com, and is a little too long to be quoted here in entirety; some of it, though, is too “good” not to quote.)

            “The name Halloween is old English and is a reference to the evening before All Hallow's Day, better known today as All Saints, which occurs on Nov. 1. The feast of All Saints, celebrated in Christian calendars of Lutherans, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians and many others, is a celebration of the numerous faithful men and women of history who have died, including those recently passed away, who serve as examples to us of Christian living. The feast was established on this date by Pope Gregory III in the 8th century, and soon was observed universally by the whole Church.

From the beginning, this Christian feast of remembrance included a vigil, meaning that services and activities of preparation for the feast began on the night before. In England, this feast became known as Hallowmas, referring to the mass of All Hallow's Day (cf. Christmas, Candlemas), and the vigil on the night before was called Hallowe'en, short for Hallow's Even.

Before this Christian observance began, there had already been a custom in the British Isles associated with these same days. The ancient Druids, a priestly class of Celts, practiced a religion in which Nov. 1 was the beginning of the New Year and a festival of the sun god. Because the sun's light was growing shorter during this season, they lit bonfires to honor of him on the night before. It was further believed that as the old year "died," the lord of death gathered all the souls of the dead on this night and decided what form they should take for the next year. The punishment of the wicked, condemned to become animals, could be lightened by the living if gifts and prayers to the god were offered on this night. At the same time, anticipation of the New Year meant that Oct. 31st was observed with due fun and excitement…

Halloween traditions in America have been influenced by all that has gone before, as immigrants from Britain, Europe, and Mexico have brought their religious and folk customs with them. Halloween as a night of spirits, mischief and frolic continues to this day. The ancient practice of costuming to ward off evil spirits has combined with the 17th century house visits by Irish peasants to give us the now-familiar visits of costumed children seeking candy, a very recent 20th century development in the tradition. Lighted pumpkins survive from the old bonfires burning in honor of the dead. Parties with games for adults and children continue to add fun to the season. Cider and bobbing for apples remind us of the season's ancient link with the Roman fruit goddess Pomona…

So it is with all the Halloween traditions, I believe. While Christian scripture speaks of death as being the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), it also speaks of not being afraid of it because we are baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Nor should we fear evil or the devil (Psalm 23:4). Or witches or black cats or anything else (Psalm 118:6). That is why I believe that Christians should not have a problem with Halloween, but should enjoy the fun. Halloween has an honorable Christian association with the remembrances of All Saints. If we teach our children appropriate traditions about this holiday as we teach Christian love and respect for neighbor and property, then those who would corrupt and abuse Halloween will not prevail

Romans 12:12  

Be glad for all God is planning for you. 

Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful.

Thanks to the Trustees…

WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM…

By:  Madelyn Schmidt  

The Auction Committee has been busy amassing over 150 items to go to the highest bidder at the annual auction on Saturday, October 1^st.  This year's format is a little different from previous, in that the Silent Auction (of about 40 items) will run from 9 a.m. to 10:15 and then Pastor Bill will conduct the "Live Auction", starting at 10:30, until all is sold.

There is a wide variety of items including many gift certificates from area merchants and restaurants, theme baskets filled with items both fun and useful, dinners, fun things to see and do, and food, so many goodies - even Heidi's Famous Fudge.

What a great place to start your holiday shopping.  How about giving a certificate for a massage, tickets to the North Pole, Sylvan Beach, or Renaissance Faire, a certificate for fishing on Lake Ontario or a luncheon cruise on Skaneateles Lake?   For holiday entertaining, be the highest bidder on a pan of lasagna, huge pot of chili, and specialty cakes.

Okay, so what's the problem mentioned in the heading?  We need bidders more than ever – many bidders for the many items.  So won't you please come October 1st, join in the fun and maybe pick up a bargain or two?

Important Dates

October 1:  Annual Church Auction, 9am-2pm

October 2:  World Communion Sunday
                     CROP Walk, Park United Methodist  Church, Pulaski, 1pm

October 3:  Administrative Council Meeting,  6:30pm

October 4:  Church Kitchen Brainstorming Meeting  6:30pm

October 6:  Outreach Bequest Meeting, 6:30pm.

October 9:  Shoebox Mission Kickoff
                     Sr. High Youth Group Meeting, 6:30pm at Freihofers.

October 11:  Worship Committee, 7pm  Myers home in New Haven.

October 15:  Hands 4 NY Event – Creation of 800 
                       Blizzard Bags, 9-2pm

October 20:  Trustees, 6pm

October 22:  UMMen’s Monthly Breakfast  Meeting, 8:30am

October 22: All Things Apple Sale @ Big M October 22:  
                     UMMen’s Roast Pork Dinner, 4-7pm

October 23:  Sr. High Youth Group Meeting,  6:30pm

Thank You, Thank You, to…

~  Carol and Jim Watros for all the fresh potatoes from their garden given to Monday’s Meal.

~  The Bake Shop Eatery, on Main Street in Mexico, for faithfully donating bread every week to Monday’s Meal.

~  Carol Aldrich for hosting the six week Women’s Bible Study at her home. 

~ Jim and Brenda Hotchkiss for answering the call for volunteers at the Mexico Food Pantry.

~ Dotty Parker, Sue Morton, Maggie Palmer, Sharon Anderson, Bonnie LoForte, and Grant DeLong for baking apple creations for the Sr. High Youth Annual Apple Tasting Contest on September 25. 

~Sue Morton for driving seven women to hear the Shoebox Story in Watertown on September 16.

~All who continue to contribute returnable bottles and cans to the UMMen’s Club.  

Our Sympathy to…

The Family of…

Eva Main

Who passed on September 22, 2011

Eva was Connie Main’s mother.

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza!

Five years ago Carolyn Hiler, music director and organist at Mexico Methodist Church, started Pedals, Pipes and Pizza as a free annual educational event at our church.  The initial purpose was to introduce the pipe organ to the audience in an informal setting in order to attract more attention to the pipe organ and hopefully inspire more people to learn about, listen to, and hopefully be drawn to want to learn to play this marvelous musical instrument.  The sixth annual Pedals, Pipes and Pizza event, to be held Saturday, November 5, at 11:00 am, will once again feature organist Abel Searor, and for the third consecutive year, his student, Elliot Ringwald.

This year's presentation will include Abel Searor and Elliot Ringwald telling stories about the organ and performing pieces to demonstrate the pipe organ's enormous musical range.  After experiencing the musical event of Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza, one will appreciate why they call the pipe organ “the king of instruments.”

As part of the Pedals, Pipes and Pizza program following the organ presentation, there will be a hands-on “instrument petting zoo” where children and adults can handle and play many different instruments.  At minimum, the “zoo” will include appearances of the trombone, trumpet, bugle, violin, cello, clarinet, electric guitar, tin whistle, recorder, auto harp, flute, baritone, and perhaps several others.  During this time audience members will also be encouraged to come up to the pipe organ console to see it close up, ask questions of Abel and Elliot, and even experience what it is like to play the pipe organ.  Abel Searor is a graduate of Syracuse University and the organist and choir director for St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt, NY.  His student, Elliot Ringwald is a senior at Mexico Academy and Central High School and organist and choir director for the Pulaski Baptist Church, Pulaski, NY.

Pizza and apple cider will be served following the organ presentation.

Women’s Bible Study  

There is still time to join in the Tuesday morning 10 am Bible Study held at Carol Aldrich’s home on Spring Street.

(.Oct 4, 11, 18,25 )

Our Coffee Hour Hosts…

October 2:  Friendship Unit
October 9:  UMMen
October 16:
October 23:
October 30:

If you are able to host a coffee hour please sign the clipboard in the kitchen. 

Thank you very much.

THE POWER OF A SIMPLE GIFT - SHOE BOX PROJECT

This will be the 11th year our church has participated in the Operation Christmas Child, Shoe Box Project, and in the past ten years we filled and collected nearly 1500 shoe boxes.  Sunday, October 9th, will be the "Kick Off', with collection continuing until Sunday, November 20th. You may bring your filled shoe boxes to the church any time before that date.  On November 6th, after the church service, the Outreach/Missions Committee will host a packing party.  In addition to filling our own boxes along with our families, we hope to bring together some of the items we have collected in quantity and fill more boxes.  So join us for the joy of knowing that a simple gift box will bring a smile to a child's face, somewhere in the world.  Empty shoe boxes and brochures will be available in the church entry.

 For more information call Madelyn Schmidt 963-3646 or Kathy Rose 963-7443.

October Birthdays and Anniversaries  

 

October 1- Kare Munger

              2- Charles Bateman.   A: Lennie & Jill Watkins

              3- Bill Palmer

              5- A:Joe and Jean Wallace

              6- Betsy Tubolino, Rae Ann Earl.  A: Gary & Alicia Weber

              7- A: Harold & Doanne Hurlbut

              8- Leah Greenhouse, Norma Griffin

              9- Tiffany DeLong, Linda Jordal, Tracy Rector.  A: Don & Shirl Field

            10- Cynthia Hanley, Judy VonZagorski

            11- Deric Behling, Ray Granger   A: David & Pam Knox, and Tom & Judy Perlet

            12- Donald Albrecht, Frank DeLong, Carol Watros, Trenton Williams, and Evan Lenhart 

            13- Shanna Martin, Marjorie Perth, Monique Riley, Julie Riehle 

            15- Virginia Cone.  A: Had & Linda Fravor

            17- Sandy Dunn.  A: Robert & Susan Thompson

            18- Deanna and Elizabeth Spencer, Heidi Hinckley  A:  David & Sharon Anderson

            19- Tommie Farr, Karissa Parvese, Stephanie Perlet Locke 

            20- Andy Delong  

            21- Had Fravor, Philip Kugler, Isabella and Morgan Russ, Diane Sanderson

            22- Kyra Grimshaw, Heather Knox Fenske.  A: Andy & Cindy Ross

            23- Jacob Cleveland, Traci Kugler

            24- Morgan Dimon 

           25- Jack Jackson, Addison Lenhart

            26- Cathie Cich, Alexander and Philip Watros A: Doug & Jean Irwin 

            27- Carol Aldrich, Kathryn Myers                                                

            29- Chase Chavers, Rick Sherman

            31- John Aldrich, Susan Comerford 

"ANYTHING APPLE"

BAKE SALE  

The Outreach/Missions Committee is planning a bake sale of "Anything Apple" on Saturday, October 22, at Mexico Big M.  The sale will begin at 9am and will stop when all the delicious home baked apple goods are sold.   The proceeds from the sale will be used to help defray gas and other traveling expenses of the Shoe Box Mission Trip.  The sale will also spread the word about Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry.  Come one, come all! 

UMMen Giving…

Our Monday’s Meal Cooks:  

October 3:   Sue M. & Shawne H.

October: 10:  No meal/holiday

October 17:  Maggie P. & Georgia H.

October 24:  Myers and Shermans

October 31:  Jane Backus &______

Many thanks to all who contribute to Monday’s Meals and to all who come to eat. 

Thank you to…  

All who contributed to  

 Velma Smither’s Memorial Fund.  

The memorial fund was bequeathed to our church.  

Do You Have Extra Room?

The Outreach Committee is in search of clean dry space to store items for the spring Attic Treasure Sale.  If you have space to share please let the church office know. 

Sunday School has Started!  

Note:  An adult Sunday School class meets, upstairs, at the same time. 

Flood Bucket Donations

On Sunday, Sept 25, a collection was taken during the worship service to buy supplies for flood buckets to be sent to our neighbors in southern New York State and Pennsylvania who have been devastated by the hurricanes and subsequent flooding.  A total of $447   was collected that Sunday.  Leslie & Rick Sherman volunteered to purchase the specific items needed for each flood bucket.  It is estimated that there is enough money to complete 10 buckets.  Once completed, the buckets will be delivered to a United Methodist Church in Cortland.  Thank you to all who extended a hand. 

THE LATEST ASAP NEWS

 After waiting nearly five months, the proposal from Woodford Brothers for the construction of the 'elevet' has been received.  The elevet will go from the Fellowship Hall to the sanctuary level and then on to the upper floor.  The proposed cost came in less than expected (great news), so with the money in the ASAP fund account, supplemented by monies from the Buck's Bequest, it's a GO!   Work is expected to begin the end of October.  After this, ASAP's next project will be work making the kitchen safer and more efficient.  Many thanks to all who have pledged, made memorial donations and participated in the many ASAP fund raisers which makes all of this possible.

Note:  There will be a ‘Church Kitchen Brainstorming’ meeting on Tuesday, October 4, at 6:30pm.  All are invited.

Hands4NY  

A new United Methodist Conference Program has the goal of feeding one million people in one year (June 2011-June 2012) The Raise a Hand to Stop Hunger day is October 15.  We are the host site for making Blizzard Bags for the senior Nutrition Meals on Wheels program.  Eight hundred bags are needed for this winter season in Oswego County.  They will be distributed to senior citizens in the Meals on Wheels program to be used by them in the event of a blizzard and the meals on wheels driver not being able to deliver their meal that day.  All are welcome to help on October 15, from 9am – 2pm.

Visit Hands4NY.org for further details including the listing of food items needed for the bags.

RECIPE CORNER: This month’s recipe comes to us from the MACS Alumni Cookbook created in the early 1990’s.  The recipe is by David A. Williams, son of Nancy Williams and he was a 1981 MACS graduate.  This is a perfect recipe for the fall season here in apple country!  

Fresh Apple Dessert  

1 pkg. yellow cake mix                                    1 egg (or ½ cup frozen and thawed

1 teaspoon cinnamon                                      cholesterol-free egg product)

¼ cup packed brown sugar                  ½ cup margarine or butter, softened

2 large cooking apples,                                    1 cup sour cream or lo-fat sour cream

pared and thinly sliced