April 2015 - Langley United Methodist Church

 April 2015
Langley United Methodist Church Newsletter
An Advocating, Greening, and Reconciling Congregation
April 2
Holy Thursday
Service
6pm Fireside
Rm.
April 3
Good Friday
Ecumenical
Service 12–1pm
Trinity Lutheran
March 29
Palm – Passion
Sunday
April 3
Eternal Light
Concert
7:30pm LUMC
April 5
Easter
Brunch
After
worship
April 5
Community
Egg
Hunt
after
worship
April 5
Easter Sunday
9:30am
Worship
March 15, 2015
Dear Langley UMC Family,
“Home is where the heart is” – the oft’ quoted phrase that is so true. And
sometimes, on occasions when other parts of our lives change, we are called
to respond to other’s needs that take us away from the “place” we call home, if
temporarily, to a place that requires our “heart” presence and attention.
For Bill and Donna Humphreys, after living in Langley for most of our lives,
Whidbey Island is the place we call home. And “home” is also our church
family of nearly 37 years. Our hearts will never leave our Langley church and
community families.
As many of you know, a stronger call over the last several years has been to provide certain help
to our daughter’s family in New Mexico. We have traveled there sporadically since 2010, primarily
to help with child care. The situation there now requires more attention, and we have determined
that we can only provide the help needed by relocating to Santa Fe for longer stretches of time.
All of this, of course, means potentially big changes in our Whidbey Island lives. Anticipating the
possibility of a move, we sold our home on Edgecliff Drive last July, in order to free ourselves to
make the adjustments necessary. (We are now situated in a lovely rental house just blocks from
the church and downtown Langley which we hope to retain.) In the meantime, we are making
arrangements to relocate to the Santa Fe area for the fall and winter months of the next several
years. (This sounds counter intuitive to those who know that these months in high desert northern
New Mexico are cold, not warm! So we are definitely not becoming “snow birds” in the strict
sense.)
Another big change in our lives will be my decision to retire from responsibilities as Director of
Music at Langley United Methodist Church. Our target date for this “passing of the baton” is June
1st of this year. I am officially giving notice of my retirement as of this date. I will, of course,
continue in that position through May, albeit with rehearsal and worship service assistance during
periods of my absence in order to make arrangements for housing and family responsibilities in
New Mexico.
There are times in our lives when certain dramatic changes simply must occur, whether we
imagined them or not. Changes dictated by shifts in one’s physical or financial health, personal or
family relationships, or other life-changing events, often require one to make big adjustments. My
reasons for retiring at this time are all positive, and I count the opportunity to assist our daughter’s
family as a blessing, not a chore.
As I approach my 75th birthday, I am certainly fortunate to have served the Langley United
Methodist Church as Director of Music for so long - coming up on 35 years! Few church musicians
are blessed with such a long and happy tenure. That said, there is, of course, accompanying
sadness in my decision, but also solace in knowing that our church family understands these
changes in lives, supports us as individuals, as you have through all these years, and will be
blessed with new leadership in music.
Heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to serve such a loving and caring church family. Many
blessings are still to come as you continue the ministry of bringing Good News to the South
Whidbey community, and the Light of Christ to all who enter these doors.
In the love of Christ,
Bill and Donna Humphreys
Mary McLeod’s beautiful calligraphy has graced both altar and bulletin covers this
Lenten season. This Sunday, the luminaria will be completed, glowing with the word of God.
That has been the focus this Lent. Often drawing on the Psalms, we began with “Lead me in
your Word,” then moved to “Remember God’s word and return.” “Creation’s Word” recalled
Psalm 19 where the heavens tell God’s glory. “God’s healing word” was goodness, mercy and
grace, love. Finally we considered the passage from Jeremiah 31, where God engraves his
word on our hearts. I am so grateful for Mary’s work—her sensitivity to the meaning is
expressed in the beauty of letters and shapes. We are so blessed to have this true artist with us.
As Lent comes to an end we move into Holy Week and we remember that last week of Jesus’ life.
On Palm/Passion Sunday we remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem to cries of Hosanna! Then we hear
the story of false accusation, betrayal, and a painful death. We know this is not the end of the story, but
daring to walk again this painful journey, we realize the depth of joy on Easter morning, as we bring the
A-words back with great delight.
Thursday night we’ll gather in the fireside Room at 6:00 to remember the Last Supper Jesus had
with his disciples, when he told them that they must love and serve one another. It is a quiet service, in the
tradition of Taize, filled with candlelight and gentle music. We will share communion as we remember.
The annual South Whidbey ecumenical Good Friday Vigil will begin this year with a one hour
traditional service of readings and reflections on the biblical Good Friday narrative at Trinity Lutheran
Church from 12-1 pm on Friday, April 3. Following the service at Trinity, for those who wish to do so, we will
process across 525 to participate in a public interfaith silent peace vigil at the corner of 525 and Fish Rd.
from 1:30-2:30. Participants may wish to join either or both of this two part vigil.
Our Good Friday concert, “Eternal Light,” offers a way to mourn, both for Jesus and for those we
love. There will be poetry by Judith Adams and others, orchestra and choir.
On Easter Morning, we find the church transformed, filled with the beauty of flowers. Choir and
orchestra play praise to God, as we celebrate the good news of Easter joy. The Youth Choir will sing as
well. Following worship there is an Easter Egg Hunt for the community—invite your friends with children.
And we feast at a glorious brunch.
You have heard the news that Bill Humphreys will retire as Music Director of Langley United
Methodist on June 1, becoming Music Director Emeritus. I am so sad to hear this. It has been an incredible
delight to work with Bill. He is an amazing musician, has a deep understanding of how music is an important
part of worship, and has such wonderful connections with other musicians in the community. Preparing for
concerts has been a rich delight for me, as we weave together poetry and music. The conversations are
deep and thoughtful and I feel the presence of the Holy with us.
We do wish Bill and Donna well as they move to a new stage in their lives, spending more time with
family and caring for grandchildren. They will still be a part of this community for some of the year and we
will treasure our time together.
And I trust that God is at work in all of this, and we will find a new Music Director for Langley UMC.
The new person won’t be Bill, but will bring us new gifts, and new possibilities. This congregation is deeply
committed to Worship Arts, especially music, and we will continue that ministry.
We pray that God will be with us in this time of transition.
Blessings,
April 2: Holy Thursday
6:00 Fireside Room
Exodus 12:1-14
April 19
Psalm 116
April 5: Easter Day
Native American Ministries
(no Communion)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Sunday
Acts 10:34-43
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 118
Psalm 4
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
April 3: Good Friday
1
John
3:1-7
John 20:1-18
12:00-1:00 Ecumenical Good
Luke 24:36b-48
Friday service
April
12
Trinity Lutheran
April 26
COMMUNION
followed by
Acts 4:5-12
Acts
4:32-35
Procession to Highway 525
Psalm 23
Psalm 133
and Vigil for Peace
1
John
3:16-24
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 10:11-18
John 20:19-31
7:30 Concert
Paper Cranes for Peace
This August is a horrendous anniversary: the 70th year since the United States
dropped two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 80,000
women, children, and men instantly; and over 150,000 in total.
As Russia and the U.S. increase hostilities, and rogue actors come closer to
obtaining nuclear weapons, citizens around the world are calling for peace and disarmament.
Campaign Nonviolence is planning a national gathering to hold a vigil, a peace march, and to
deliver 70,000 paper cranes for peace to "the cradle of the bomb", Los Alamos National
Laboratory, New Mexico, on August 6-9, 2015.
LUMC will be a part of this gathering for peace by making 500 paper cranes to send to New
Mexico. The project will enlist our youth and all who wish to be involved. Paper and instructions will
be available in Fellowship Hall in mid- April.
The symbolism of the paper crane began with Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when the
blast from the Hiroshima bomb threw her out a window. She was ten when purple spots formed on
her arms and legs. Hospitalized for leukemia, the popular girl died in October 1955. In her last year
of life, she folded 1300 paper cranes as a prayer for healing. The paper crane is now an
international symbol of peace, and a poignant reminder of the human costs of nuclear bombs.
With such great human needs in our country and around the world, the trillions of dollars spent on
weapons of war are truly sinful. Our faith calls for a response. Making cranes for peace is one way
to put our hands and hearts into this critical issue.
Missions/Church and Society
April 12 Special Offering for Friends of Friends
Friends of Friends received hundreds of phone calls or written requests for
assistance in paying medical bills in 2014. We did intake for 212 different residents
of South Whidbey who met our guidelines, and helped pay expenses for 189 of
them, in some cases responding to more than one request from a given
individual. Of those served, 69% were women, 19% unemployed, 21% with no income, 26% with
no health insurance.
The total paid out for medical bills in 2014 was $ 57,951. This total was several thousand less
than the previous year, when our expenses far exceeded our fundraising. [Fortunately we had
some reserves to draw on in 2013.] Early in 2014 the Friends of Friends service coordinator
began encouraging people who requested assistance to apply for Affordable Care Act
insurance. From the subsequent drop in requests, especially for prescriptions, it appears that a
number of them have acquired that insurance. At the same time, requests for other types of
assistance have grown, in particular, for medically related transportation.
For more info http://www.fofmedicalsupportfund.org/
Fault Lines
Whidbey Island Community Education and Langley United Methodist Church are cosponsoring a special presentation of the current situation in the Middle East.
There will be two identical presentations, giving people the opportunity to attend the
one which best suits their schedule.
1. Wednesday, April 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Langley United Methodist
Church
2. Thursday, April 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Freeland Library meeting room.
The topic: “FAULT LINES: The Layperson’s Guide to Understanding America’s Role in the
Ever-Changing Middle East”
The presenter is Don Liebich, whose recent book has a title similar to the topic of the address. His
book will be available for purchase. Don Liebich is a native of New York and a graduate of the
University of Rochester and Harvard Business School PMD program. After a career spent with the
U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine service and as the President of Sysco Corporation, he engaged in
numerous international consulting projects. Don has been directly involved with economic
development, citizen diplomacy, and human rights projects throughout the Middle East and has
conducted and taught courses on Islam, religious fundamentalism, U.S. Middle East foreign policy
and Iran. Don and his wife, Marcia, live in Hailey, Idaho.
Duncan Ferguson
Worship Committee Opportunities!
The Worship Committee offers many volunteer opportunities, which are a way to serve our Church
community. Training is available for all.
Communion Set Up: You could set up communion every 4 to 6 weeks. Betsy Shapiro is happy
to walk you through the process.
Pedestal arrangements: A fun opportunity to learn at a workshop with Connie Clark and Harriet
O'Neil, how to make arrangements for the Church. Bring out your inner flower child, or talent
using weeds and sticks.
Committee member: Join the committee, which meets once a month, usually the 2nd Thursday,
bring your ideas and talents to planning worship.
Liturgists: Share your voice by sharing the Word of God.
Please contact me, Susan Gilles, if you would like to volunteer for any of these worship
opportunities. [email protected] 579-1341
Hoping to hear from many of you
Helping Hand
Benefit Salmon Dinner
April 17 5-7pm
LUMC Fellowship Hall
$15 suggested Donation
All proceeds will go toward assisting Helping
Hand clients with rental and PSE expenses.
Thursday, April 16
10 am Community/Business
Program – 10:45 am
(Fireside Room with snacks and coffee/tea)
Join Nancy Tipton for a program on her
recent trip to Israel. They had a 14 day private
tour for family, led by a pastor from Israel. It was
completely wheelchair accessible to
accommodate her brother. Nancy says having
seen where Jesus lived has added understanding
to her reading of scripture. All are welcome to
attend!
Thanks to Paul Morris for a most
interesting program on Mary of
Magdala last month! We learned
about the myths and truths
connected to her presence with
Jesus and the other disciples, and
her life as a message of
transformation – a “woman at the
heart of Christianity” in many ways.
There are good books on this
subject, if you want to know more!
It’s not too soon to think about going to Mission
u July 17-20 in Ellensburg! Paul Jeffrey will be
the leader for the Latin America study – an area
our church has many past connections with.
The youth will study that also. The spiritual
focus is on Happiness - Understanding Your
Life in God. Now that’s something we can get
behind! Early discount registration ends May 30
for Full Time or Weekend packages.
Scholarships are also available from UMW and
the Conference. See info in the office and at
our April meeting.
The Chair of the General Board of
Global Ministries, Bishop Hope
Morgan Ward, will visit the four
corners of the Pacific NW
Conference this month and speak at
celebrations of UMW Mission. The
closest to us is April 12, 4:30 pm,
Bothell UMC. Tickets are $8.00. Info
contact is Joan Hackett:
[email protected] .
Eve Carty may be going so contact
her for carpooling.
Whidbey Earth and
Ocean Month
A whole month of events
all over Whidbey!
LUMC, as part of the
Ecumenical Greening Group, will
participate in the Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 25 from1-6pm at the
Greenbank Farm. Lots of activities and
exhibits—something for the entire family.
Free admission. For more info visit
http://www.whidbeyearthday.org/film.html
4 Fred Olson
7 Dana Kelly
11 Jim Balkowitsch
13 Leneen Carr
17 Marcia Dunigan
17 Saranell
DeChambeau
19 Nancy Roger
20 Irene Bullock
21
22
23
23
23
23
24
26
26
Judy Furukawa
John Worthington
Jolene Coleman
Johan Iverson
Marilyn Brown
Marilyn Furman
Joan Benson
Nancy Tipton
Drake Loeser
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR APRIL
God's work done in God's way will never lack for funds. Generosity is contagious.
God never promised to meet our budget, only our needs
J Hudson Taylor
2015 ACTUAL VS BUDGET
January 1, 2015 thru March 9, 2015
ACTUAL
BUDGET
$45,889.
$42,716.
Wages & Benefits
$28,372.
$28,548
Conf. Support
$5,819.
$6,664.
Trustees
$7,269.
$6,161.
Programs
$2,070.
$2,054.
Office
$1,361.
$1,372.
TOTAL
$44,691.
$44,798.
Excess Income
Over Expenses
$1,197.
($2,082.)
Checking &
Savings
$136,791.
INCOME:
EXPENSES:
Less:
Designated Funds
Scholarship
Prepaid Pledges
3 Month Reserve
$18,859.
$14,067.
$20,054.
$59,667.
Excess Cash
$25,143.
Trustees are over budget $1,l09.00.
The major portion is in electricity account.
The last bill for 2014 was paid in early 2015.
The Finance Committee
Scholarships Available
The Scholarship Committee invites young
members of the LUMC community who plan
on attending college in the academic year
2015-16 to apply for a LUMC scholarship.
Application forms will be available on the
table in the Narthex on April 1.
Completed forms should be returned to the
church office by May 15th.
Funds for scholarships are made available
through the bequest of Elizabeth Sime and
supplemented by donations from the LUMC
congregation. According to the terms of the
bequest, awards can be made to deserving
students who wish to attend a college or
university and are members of the LUMC.
Langley United Methodist Chancel Choir and Orchestra
Presents
Eternal Light
A concert of reflection & hope
Through Music and word
Selections from: Faure•Rutter•Goodal l Requiems
Judith Ada ms, Poet
Anna McLeod & Suzi stonebridge, Sopranos
Glor ia Ferr y-Brenna n, violin
Fra nces K enney, oboe
James Hinkley, cell o • K athryn f ox, piano/organ
- Also Brian Kenney, violin, Linda morris & louise Fiori, viol as
R. William Humphreys, conductor
Friday, April 3 – 7:30pm
Langley United Methodist –
3rd & Anthes
Free-will donations will be gratefully accepted
Kids
Easter
Celebration
Sunday, April 5th
During Sunday School
Singing, crafts, games
After Church
Community Easter Egg Hunt
Everyone is invited to enjoy
Breakfast Casseroles
fruit
Assorted Breads
Delicious desserts, including the Chocolate Fountain
Coffee/Tea/ Juice
Our gift to you in Fellowship after worship
Jim and Bruce
Jennifer and Paul
Terri and Jim
Many Thanks to Al Tuck, Chuck Brengle, Jim
Pugh, Steve Boyd, and Dale Lyski for
installing a new Fence at the parsonage.
The Trustees
A huge Thank You to Jim Balkowitsch who
always signs up for Friday afternoons in the
office when Irene is on vacation. That is
worship bulletin day and it help enormously
that Jim knows what to do…..
1 Taizé Service
7pm
2 Holy Thursday Service 7PM LUMC
3 Good Friday Ecumenical Service 12pm
3 Eternal Light Concert
He will be at the Clinton
Community Hall at 4pm on
Thursday, April 2. Talking
about his new book “The
Widow Wave”. A riveting
nonfiction courtroom drama, a
tragic sea story, and a widow’s determination
to clear her husband’s name. I know we
have all read and loved the book but bring
a friend who hasn’t!
Office Hours:
Mon.-Fri. 9 – 2:30
“A Christian community in
communion with God preparing
people for fullness of life and for
transforming the world”
7:30pm LUMC
5 Easter Sunday - Brunch and Egg Hunt
Meet our own Author
Jay Jacobs!
Worship at 9:30am
Nursery available
Sunday School for
youth and kids at 9:45
Fellowship Time
following worship
Adult forum at 11am
St. Hubert
8 Church Council 6:30pm
FR
12 Special Offering Sunday
16 UMW
10am FR
17 Helping Hand Benefit 5-7pm FH
22 Fault Lines Presentation 7pm
FH
23 Fault Lines Presentation 7pm Library
25 Earth Day Festival Greenbank Farms
Langley United Methodist Church
rd
3 and Anthes (PO Box 374) Langley, WA 98260 360-221-4233
Pastor Mary Boyd
Address Service Requested