As church members and friends share with me the titles to books that in one way or another move them, I’ll add the titles to our list.  In sharing some of the writings that speak to us, we’ll be sharing a bit of ourselves as well.  Take a look at the list from time to time (because it will grow.)  See what peaks your interest.  If you read something from the list that impacts you in a special way, take a moment to touch base with the person who suggested it.  And, if you’ve recently read something that you would like to add to the list send me an email and tell me what you appreciated about the book.  What a great way to learn from one another and about one another!  God bless, Pastor Tim (pastorhumc@sbcglobal.net)

Tinkers, by Paul Harding

            One of Harding’s great themes in this short novel is the mystery of life as both fleeting and sacred, temporary and eternal.  The writing is dense and the subject in not cheery – a dying man’s hallucinations and memories – yet, the book is deeply enjoyable.  Despite its hardships, life is precious.  In its brokenness it is yet beautiful and ultimately mysterious.  (Pastor Tim)

Have a Little Faith, by Mitch Albom

            This is a short book and an easy read, “but I thought it was really a beautiful story: relevant, and full of wisdom, but not in a ‘beat you over the head until you get it’ kind of way…  On some level as humans we all really long for the same thing, despite our differences in class, religion, whatever…  There are so many different ways to make the journey…  It was a tearjerker for sure!”  (Trish Cleary)

That Old Cape Magic, by Richard Russo

            I’ve spent some time trying to capture the essence of this book in a summary, but can’t seem to do it.  I’ll say that it’s about the important things in life: love, family, decisions, loss, joy, failure, forgiveness, closure, reconciliation, self-discovery, and…  It is introspective, realistic, humorous, and ultimately hopeful.  I’m glad I read it.  Russo is good at saying a lot in a simple way.  (Pastor Tim)

A N N O U N C E M E N T S ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

_________________________________________________________

Welcome Visitors

We’re so glad to have you with us today!  Please join us after worship for coffee hour in Bovee Hall. 

Baptism Today

            Brayden Peter Tait, son of Sean and Carrie Tait will be baptized at this morning’s service.  His proud grandparents are Stan and Joy Tait and his sponsors are Lauren Bailey and Andrew Tait.

Tool Sunday Today For Father’s Day

In honor of Father’s Day, the Mission Committee is hosting a table in Bovee Hall during coffee hour this morning.  Please visit the table and pick up a gift card after making a $5 donation. All donations will help pay for tools for gardening, nets for fishing, education for career skills and blankets.  Thank you for your continued support!  Diane Walsh                                                   

One Room Summer Sunday School

Beginning today and for the summer, we will need four volunteers each Sunday for our summer Sunday school.  Please contact Patti Schif if you can help out at 203-929-7252.

Final Early Service Today / Summer Worship

Our early Sunday morning gatherings have been a special time for a group of 8-12 of us who meet to read scripture, share thoughts and prayers, and celebrate Holy Communion. Our final Early Service worship will be this morning.  Next Sunday, June 27 we will meet at 10 AM only. 

Our summer worship hour of 9:30 AM will begin on July 4 and run through to September 5.  Sunday school will be available for the children.  Please mark your calendars.  (Reminder: No early service during summer months.)

Summertime Small Groups

During the summer months our two groups will merge into one.  If you’ve never been to a small group gathering we would love for you to join us.

Come and hear what small groups are all about.  We’ll have 5 additional gatherings throughout the summer: June 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23.  We’ll meet at Karen Allen’s home and we’ll go from 7-9pm.  Why not give it a try?  It’s fun!  It’s easy!  And, it’s good for the soul!

HUMC Gardener’s Market Has Returned

The Market, featuring locally produced food and items, will be open every Sunday during coffee hour and will run throughout the summer.  Gardeners are welcome to bring produce, plants, cut flowers, baked goods or other home-made craft items.  All proceeds will benefit HUMC ministries.  Interested in volunteering at the market?  Call Sheri Szymanski, 452-0177 or May Wentz, 929-6588.

Pastor Tim’s Vacation Schedule

Pastor Tim will be away from the pulpit on Sunday, June 27 and for three consecutive Sundays in July: the 11^th, 18^th, and 25^th. 

Guest Preachers

            Ximena Varas will be our preacher on June 27.  On July 11 we’ll welcome back Rev. Brian Bodt.  On the 18^th, Susan Agamy, Executive Director of ACT/Spooner House will lead us.  And on July 25, our very own Chuck Schif will preach.

Pastoral Coverage

             July 5-11:  Rev. Lucille Fritz, Huntington Congregational, 203-929-1223.

            July 12-19:  Rev. Shephard Parsons, Shelton Congregational, 203-924-5724.

            July 20-25:  Rev. Ken Smith, First Baptist Church, 203-929-7704.

________________________________________________________________________________

Mission Pin Recipients

            Our annual UMW Mission Pin Sunday took place last Sunday at the 10 AM service.  Our recipient’s this year were Kathy Miccinello, John Walton and Sandy Kelly.  Congratulations to all! 

September Volunteers Needed for Spooner House

The Mission Committee is looking September volunteers to prepare the Spooner House meal. HUMC along with other area churches provide a meals for the local homeless shelter. Our church provides dinner the 2nd Sunday of every month. Please consider helping out with this important mission. The sign up sheet along with the meal Preparation instructions are in Bovee Hall on HUMC the bulletin board. If you have questions please contact Diane Walsh (203)926-9589 or email dianewwalsh@yahoo.com.  Thank you to all who have volunteered for Spooner House meals during the months of July and August!

Volunteer at The CT Hospice, INC.

            If you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity to serve others in your community, we would like to hear from you.  Our patients and families are in need of your care and support.  As a Connecticut Hospice Volunteer, you can fill your hours (weekdays/evenings or weekends) by assisting in an administrative capacity of offering direct care as a friendly visitor, provide pastoral or bereavement care, help in the arts or meet transportation needs.  For more information, please call Pat Corradino, Director of Volunteer Services at 1-800-8 HOSPICE, ext. 510. 

Birdies for Charity (a way to raise money for Covenant to Care for Children!)            Make a donation in any dollar amount or pledge to pay for each birdie scored in the Travelers

Championship played at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, June 21 – 27, 2010, with ALL proceeds going to CCC (Covenant to Care for Children).  For example, pledge 1¢ for each birdie – if there are 1500 birdies, you would play $15.  Pledge 5¢ a birdie for 1500 birdies and you would pay $75.  Ask for a pledge card or answers to your questions about this event.  You may also go to Covenanttocare.org and pledge online.  – Louise Ryon

UMCOR Project “Health Kits”

            The Mission committee would like to thank everybody who donated to the UMCOR project “Health Kits.”  We set a goal of 100 and have made our goal plus.  We sent 121 kits to the annual conference.  We can be very proud of the way we embraced this project.  Thank you! - Kathy Miccinello, Mission Committee Chair.

Save Campbell Soup Labels

The United Methodist Women (UMW) are collecting labels to help the Red Bird Mission, a non-profit agency that helps the impoverished rural communities of Appalachia.  Remove labels from Campbell Soup and give them to Margaret Rose or Diane Walsh.

SWS Summer Program

We are still accepting enrollement for our summer program.  If you sign up for more than one week, you’ll receive a discount and current SWS student’s registration fee is waived!  We are also still accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year for 3’s & 4’s also.  For more info or to register, contact SWS Office at 203-925-1076.

The Bridgeport Blue Fish (at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard!)

2010 United Methodist Church Night, $5 of each ticket sold will go directly to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, Thursday, August 5^th, 2010.  Game Time: 7:05 p.m. Ticket price: $15. To reserve your tickets, please contact Stacy Kweder at (203) 881-1588 (home) or (860) 681-5793 (cell) or preferred -  email at sltoy@sbcglobal.net.   Deadline for ticket sales is June 30^th.  Payment is due at that time.

Cooperative School of Mission / July 22-24

Western Connecticut University, University Boulevard, Danbury, CT 06810.  THEME:  Faith-Hope-Love In Action.  STUDIES:  “For The Love Of God: John’s Letters”, “Sudan” & “Mission & Evangelism”.  Registration forms are available on the School of Mission website: www.gbgm-umc.org/nyaccsocm.  Registrations will not be accepted after June 23, 2010.  Questions, contact Doug Nicholson, Registrar at 190 Springdale Dr., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (631-588-0924).  Make checks payable to NYAC-SOM.   

April 4, 2010

Acts 10:34-43

Easter Sunday

In the year 449 a priest named Flavian was the Archbishop of Constantinople.  Though certain fundamentals of the faith had been determined by then, such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the canon of scriptures we call the Bible, other matters hadn’t been decided upon.  So, a council was convened in Ephesus to debate certain theological issues.  At a critical moment in the debates a band of monks and soldiers stormed the meeting hall, taking over control, and forcing bishops to sign a blank paper on which the winning side would later fill in it’s favored statement.  Yelling, “Slaughter him!” the monks attacked Flavian, beating him so badly that he died a few days later from the injuries.

Do you know what the fight was about? (more…)

Palm Sunday: March 28 (free breakfast at 9 am followed by worship at 10 am.  Easter egg hunt for children during the worship hour.)

Holy Thursday: April 1 (A service of healing at 7:30 pm centered around the sacrament of Communion in remembrance of the Last Supper.)

Good Friday: April 2 (A candlelight service at 7:30 pm of scriptures and choral music retelling the story of Christ’s passion.)

Prayer Vigil: April 2 (Enjoy quiet meditation between 9 pm and midnight.  Soft music, candles, and prayer suggestions will be provided.)

Easter Sunday: April 4 (Join us at 10 am in celebration of Christ’s victory over the cross.  A special coffee hour will follow.)

January 24, 2010

Psalm 19

I told Katarina that I wasn’t really a big poetry fan.  She told me that I should buy the book anyway.  She said it was the most spiritual thing she’s read in a long time.

            I’ve also never read a whole poem to a congregation before.  I’m not sure that poetry translates well in sermons.  We like stories better.  But, when you come across a good thing you want to share it.  And besides, this poem has a couple of stories in it.

            Here goes: (It’s called “Musical Notation: 1”)

  (more…)