May 2016 issue - Newark United Methodist Church

May 2016
Celebrating Rising Young Leaders in Worship
We are so thankful for all of those who came to worship with our youth on April 10.
It was a wonderful service, and we hope that you felt God’s presence with you.
A publication of the Newark United Methodist Church
Thank you for the ways you support our youth. God Bless!
Listen & Celebrate!
On Saturday, May 14, Chelsea Spyres will
be one of two young adults speaking to the
General Conference of the United
Methodist Church. This international
quadrennial meeting is happening in
Portland, Oregon. The scheduled time for
the Young People’s Address is 8:45am
(Pacific Time). I invite you to join me in
Memorial Lounge for a livestream of
Chelsea’s address. Please be at the church
by 11:30. If you choose to watch at home,
you may go to GC2016.UMC.org.
Let’s gather and listen and then celebrate
Chelsea’s address to General Conference.
-Rev. Palmer
To the Wonderful People of
Newark UMC,
The Laughter of the
Resurrected Christ Be With
You!!
302/368-8774
This past Sunday, April 17, I had fun. While telling jokes
and coming up with puns are NOT my strength, reading
the scripture can produce such laughter in me. Then to
see the children running around the building with their
red noses—what holy hilarity!
www.newark-umc.org
[email protected]
Lay Leaders:
Stacey Altemus, Karen DeMonte,
Danny Fisher, Richard Gaines
STAFF
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. David M. Palmer
ext. 214
Pastor of Congregational Care
Rev. George Ayer Tigh
ext. 212
I am quickly coming to the end of my time with Newark
UMC as your pastor. You have been a rich blessing in my
life and in Cara Lee’s.
We will return after taking a hiatus. I’m not sure how
long that will be, but we will be back. We have never
been in a church with such wonderful people, who are so
hospitable to all.
Beginning in May, I will be in the pulpit every Sunday. I
will be using some of my favorite scripture passages and
link them to important themes of living in the manner
and spirit of Jesus.
Campus Pastor
Rev. Mary K. Haggard
ext. 216
Assistant Campus Pastor
Rev. Ward Mesick
Director of Education Ministries
Donna Hitchner
ext. 225
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Melanie Hartley
ext. 217
Sunday School Administrative Assistant
Lisa Santare
On May 1, 15, & 29, I will be in all three liturgical
services. On May 8 and 22, I will be in the 8 and 9:30
liturgical services and at SonSpirit at 11am. In June, we
will only have three services (no liturgical service at
11am), and I will be at all of them on June 5.
Director of Music Ministries/Principal Organist
Ned Perwo
ext. 220
On June 12, my last Sunday, we are having a single
service at 9:30am. There is more information elsewhere
about this Sunday on page 8 of this issue of the Parish
Notes.
Business Manager
Rob Cappiello
ext. 218
Office Manager
Danette Eberly
ext. 213
Bookkeeper
Connie Wright
ext. 215
Facility Manager
Rob Taylor
ext. 227
Custodian
Piedad Luna
ext. 227
I look forward to these final Sundays. I hope my
preaching themes will help you on your spiritual journey.
Shalom,
Rev. Dr. David M. Palmer
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Associate Organist/Bell Director
Lauren Cataldi-May
ext. 299
MUSIC MINISTRIES
Delaware ACDA
Church Choir Festival
Sunday, May 22, 7pm
Aldersgate UMC
Join us as we make a joyful noise, celebrating music from each
of the seasons of the church!
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BELIEVERS IN ACTION, OUTREACH
Believers in Action: NUMC Opening Doors
Thanks to the dedication of the NUMC church
family—including phenomenal staff!—our
church opens doors every day! Those doors
provide two-way passage: ways for us to enter
our building where we experience the
community and spirit within our walls, and
passage back out into the world where we can
radiate and share God’s love with the world!
The Believers in Action (BIA) team challenges
YOU (all of us!) to think about how NUMC
opens not only physical doors, but also these
“doors” for you and others:
three doors. Recognizing that different “door
openers” will work better at different times in
life, BIA asks that everyone add to the “Open
Doors” displays (front narthex, Cokesbury
Lobby, Heritage Hall), writing your “door
openers” on sticky papers corresponding to
your age group (Builders, Boomers, Generation
X, or Millennials). For example, has NUMC’s
music program opened a door to the
community for you or your family? Has a
Covenant Discipleship group opened a door
for your spiritual journey?
At the June 12 Church Family Picnic, BIA will
reveal the age group that contributed the most
to the “Open Doors” displays and will share
the various “door openers” you have shared.
 Doors to Spiritual Journeys
 Doors to the Community (local and
worldwide)
 Doors to Ministry
Each of these doors is important, and we want
to know how NUMC helps you through these
Outreach
Adult Mission Trip to Detroit: Saturday, June 18-Saturday, June 25
Come experience this mission trip with us--it will be a great time of helping others, spending time
together, and growing closer to God.
Projects:
Est. Cost:
Lodging:
Interested?
NOAH – Networking, Organizing, and Advocating for the Homeless
The Flood Recovery
The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative
$150 per person, plus travel
Note: A church member has anonymously offered to fund anyone who would like
to go but is in need of financial assistance.
Group Housing (apartments or church-bound)—TBA
Mandatory Meeting: Sunday, May 1 at noon in Room 121
Please contact Linda Steinkrauss or Karen DeMonte ([email protected];
[email protected]).
May 22: Peace With Justice Sunday
On this Special Sunday in the United Methodist Church, we recognize our mission to spread God’s
love while having a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of national
and global programs.
If you wish to give to Peace With Justice Sunday online, please go to the NUMC Online Giving
webpage (http://newark-umc.org/wp/online-giving/) and enter Peace With Justice under Optional.
The Outreach Committee is looking for new members who care about spreading the love of God by
reaching out to and serving others. If you’re interested, please contact any church staff member or Linda
Steinkrauss ([email protected]).
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Bunting Library News
BUNTING LIBRARY
The library has many books for young children to hear and learn about Jesus, about God's love
and caring, about prayer, and about the Bible. See the special display—some of the books are new
to our collection. LISTEN! The most important questions you'll ever answer are those your child
asks about Jesus, about God! It's never too early to start in their learning for a child's faith
foundation!
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Who Is Jesus?, by Kathleen Long Bostrom
I Know Who Jesus Is, by Helen Caswell
Jesus at the Temple, retold by Pamela Broughton
Jesus Performs Miracles, adapted from Matthew 14:15-33 by Judith Wolman
What Is God Like?, by Kathleen Long Bostrom
God's Love Is for Sharing, by Helen Caswell
God Is Always with Me, by Helen Caswell
What Is a Christian?, by Carolyn Nystrom
What Is the Bible?, by Carolyn Nystrom
What Is Prayer?, by Carolyn Nystrom
I Can Talk with God, by Helen Caswell
Praying with my Fingers/An Easy Way to Talk with God, inspired by Pope Francis
Baptism/God Makes Me His Child, by Janet Wittenback
My Big Church Family, by Helen Caswell
A collection of parables (rewritten for children by Helen Caswell) is also available: Parable of the
Leaven, Parable of the Mustard Seed, Parable of the Lost Sheep, and Parable of the Lost Coin.
Recent Reads
The Recent Reads Book Group will meet
in Bunting Library on
Monday, May 9, 1:15-2:15pm
Come share books, laughter, refreshments…
we look forward to seeing you!
5
EDUCATION MINISTRIES
Youth Announcements
Young Adult Announcements
May 7, 10am-2pm: Youth Fundraiser
at Blue Hen Car Wash
Blue Hen Car Wash, 1008 Capitol Trail,
Newark, DE 19711
Young Adult Bible Study
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm in Rm109
Please come out to support our youth summer
mission trip!
Students will be towel-drying and vacuuming
cars to raise money for our summer mission
trip to West Virginia.
Details will be in the bulletin. We hope to see
you there!
Join us weekly for a not-so-typical Bible study.
Young adults gather for dinner and discussion
about the Bible—it’s still relevant for us today.
There’s lots of laughs and intellectual discussion.
Theology on Tap
Wednesday, May 11, 6:30-8pm
Folks are invited to join us for a night out on
Main Street for a brew and discussions about
theology, current events, politics and outreach.
All adults—all faith identities and backgrounds—
are welcome.
Contact Melanie Hartley ([email protected] or 302-368-8774, x217)
for more information concerning any Youth Ministry or Young Adult event.
Graduation time is here!
We love celebrating the accomplishments of our
youth and young adults! If you would like us to
include information about your high school or
college grad in the June/July Parish Notes,
please contact Melanie Hartley by May 10.
Information should include the following:
 Name of graduate
 Where they are graduating from
 Future plans (optional)
6
We’re exploring big changes in the NUMC Sunday School program!
After three years of Spark (workshop rotation) Sunday School, the Children and
Family/Christian Education (CF/CE) team is up for a change. In looking at the
present Sunday School program, the team considered the following:
EDUCATION MINISTRIES
 What do children gain from school today?
 What are some additional skills which may help them be successful?
In his day, John Wesley saw people suffering from a lack of basic literacy, and the
Sunday School was born to fill that need while also providing spiritual formation.
Today, critical-thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills are given
less and less attention in a typical school day, yet these are essential skills for
success in the real world—along with, of course, a strong spiritual foundation.
This next-generation jump to a student-driven, project-based Sunday School
program is designed to address the 21st-century needs of our children and youth.
It’s also an opportunity for the whole congregation—members of any age—to
explore and honor the creative drive in all of us.
Check out the FAQ page here, then submit your additional questions using this
form. We’ll post your questions with our best answers as they become available.
Of particular importance is how this program can be of unique benefit to our
youth and their families. Find out more here.
Finally, take a look at what’s planned for the summer pilot program here.
Sunday Morning (9:30am) Adult Learning Opportunities
 Sunday Morning Bible Study (Rm 121) is discussing material from the
book of Romans.
 Teachables (Samuel Wesley Room) will spend most of May finishing a
short study about Islam.
 Trying Christians (Memorial Lounge) will be viewing Adam Hamilton’s
Making Sense of God’s Will on 5/1, 8 & 22, with curriculum planning on
5/15 & 29.
Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study
We’ve finished up our year-long study of
Adam Hamilton’s Making Sense of the
Bible. We’ll begin meeting again in
September. Watch for an announcement
of our fall study in the August Parish
Notes.
Chick Flicks will resume
after the changes to the
parking lot have been
completed over the summer.
7
IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Sunday, June 12
Celebrating Rev. Palmer’s Ministry, Recognizing His Retirement
8
As announced in church on February 6, Reverend David Palmer has
elected to retire effective July 1, 2016. His last preaching Sunday is
June 12.
Don’t miss the fun and surprises planned for June 12!
Join us to celebrate David’s retirement at two very special events on
that day:

A single combined worship service held in the sanctuary at 9:30am
will include Communion and will be followed immediately by a
casual reception in the sanctuary (Heritage Hall will be unavailable
due to ROF construction).
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Beginning at noon, a potluck church family picnic will take place at
White Clay Creek Park (co-sponsored by SPRC and BIA), and our
celebration for David and Cara Lee will continue there! Bring your
salads and other cold entrees. Dessert, cold beverages, paper
products will be supplied, along with games and SURPRISES for fun
to be had by all! Note that, in the event of bad weather, this may be
moved to the NUMC dining room.
More details will be coming to help you fully enjoy this great day (and
to help you plan carpooling to the park).
A note from George Tigh—
IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Cheryl and I have two daughters. Later this year, one of them, Karen, will celebrate a birthday
with a “0” after the first number. I won’t tell which birthday it is, but it rhymes with “nifty.”
Years ago, at a time in my life when I was commuting nearly daily from upper Montgomery
County, PA to attend seminary in Philadelphia, doing my best to prepare sermons and Bible
studies, attend official meetings, provide pastoral care to a growing congregation and still try
to be an attentive and loving husband and father, little Karen asked, “Dad, when you’re done
seminary—I mean all done—are you going to get a job?”
It is funny how being a preacher is not really equated with work. Those of us who are clergy
get used to quips such as, “If you ministers ever went on strike, who would know it?” Or, “I sure
wish I had your job, Pastor. You work just one day a week and on Sunday it takes four men to
carry all the money you make.” My customary retort to comments like these was, “Next
payday, what say we trade paychecks?!?!” Never had any takers…I’m just saying.
One thing I have greatly valued in the 2 ½+ years I held the part-time position of Pastor of
Congregational Care here at NUMC is the realization and appreciation you have for the
quality and quantity of effort we clergy expend seeking to fulfill our vows of ordination. We
may not punch a time-clock, but we know what it is to heave an exhausted sigh of relief on
leaving a hospital room, or concluding an official meeting scarred by discord, or presiding at a
funeral even as our own hearts were breaking under the weight of personal loss, or feeling a
shiver when the phone rings in the middle of the night…
What I am saying is: you all get it! The affection and affirmation I received on April 3 is a
memory I will treasure always. Thank you. I love you back.
To:
All Golfers
From: Rev. George Tigh
Re:
Fore!!!
Again this year, I will be honorary chaplain at the 24th
Annual Joseph and Marian Munizza Memorial Golf Outing
to be held Saturday, June 4, at the Avalon Golf Club in Cape
May County Courthouse, NJ. In 2015, NUMC fielded 2
foursomes. The event primarily benefits the Fox Chase
Cancer Center but also supports individuals and families
struggling with the ravages of cancer.
A 1 o’clock shotgun start is scheduled. Registration includes
golf, cart, on-course beverage (from cold water to
Yuengling’s), a delicious dinner, event favors, door prizes,
etc. The cost is $115 per golfer. Non-golfers who may wish
to enjoy the Cape May area and return for the post-golf
dinner and presentation of awards are invited, as well.
We’ll plan to meet at the church
parking lot at 10am and carpool it to
the event together. Contact me for
details and registration. Men and
women golfers alike are invited. Please
notify me no later than May 15 if you
intend to register (733-0203;
[email protected]).
9
IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Social Justice at NUMC: An Act of Love
On April 10, NUMC screened the documentary
An Act of Love. We had a good crowd of 50 folks
from the NUMC community and beyond to watch
this documentary film telling the story of Rev.
Frank Schaefer and the struggle for LGBTQ
inclusion in The United Methodist Church. A brief
discussion after the film followed, in which all had
an opportunity to share their insights and
concerns. The screening came to us through
Reconciling Ministries Network, a group
dedicated to the full inclusion of LGBTQ
communities in The UMC.
For more information about NUMC’s LGBTQ
Inclusion team, please contact Ruth Oatman
([email protected]). New members are
always welcome!
Wesley Foundation
Alumni Weekend!
June 3-5 is Alumni Weekend! We'll send out a postcard to our alumni, family,
and donors with more details about how we'll gather together. We'll keep it
simple, there will be food, and we will have fun. (We're Methodists—of course
there’s food. It's Wesley—of course we'll have fun.)
Brunch Angels—The End of the Semester is Near!
The students are overworked and underfed. This is the time they need the taste
of home most.
We still have some spots open in May to sign up to be Brunch Angels: you
name it, we'll eat it. The sign-up sheet is just outside Wesley Lounge. We have
around 15-20 people. If you have any questions about what to bring, or what
our favorites are, please email Rev. Mary at [email protected].
Mission Trip Shirts!!!
We still have a few "He Lives!" t-shirts left. They are long-sleeved and hunter
green, and go for $10. Size M, L, XL are available.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
4th Quarter Camp Pecometh
Mission Project:
Help us reach our goal by June 30!
NUMC is in the last year of a five-year pledge
of $15,000 that is being used to construct a
meeting room at the Pecometh Adult Retreat
Center. We will be collecting contributions
over the next three months with the goal of
raising a total of $3000. Please consider giving
to this mission through special gifts in your
weekly envelope or with a check payable to
Newark UMC (indicate Camp Pecometh on
your envelope or on the memo section of your
check).
Pecometh Camp & Retreat Ministries partners
with over 400 churches of the Peninsula
Delaware Conference of The United Methodist
Church to provide camps, retreats and outdoor
programs to persons of all ages and from all
walks of life. Pecometh has operated
continuously since 1946 on the Chester River
near Centreville, Maryland and emphasizes
spiritual formation, leadership development
and programming for life needs to equip and
inspire guests for service in and to the world.
Emmanuel Dining Room:
Cookies Needed
We are asking for pre-packaged storebought cookies to fulfill our monthly
commitment to Emmanuel Dining
Room. We appreciate your help in
bringing these to the church office by
9am on Thursday, May 19.
Questions? Call 368-8774.
Go-Bags
The Outreach Team needs the following
items to complete 250 Go-Bags for the
Empowerment Center:
Gallon-size Ziplock plastic bags
Protein meals, easy-open flip lids
Fruit cups
Breakfast bars
Peanut butter/cheese crackers
Juice boxes (real fruit juice)
Dessert/pudding cups (optional)
Please leave donations for Outreach GoBags in the Main Office, clearly marked
for OUTREACH.
Looking for a way to make a difference?
Our congregation is active in many, many ways to serve in our community and beyond. On
the NUMC website, visit the Serving Others page. There is so much we can do!
11
69 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711-4645
www.newark-umc.org
302-368-8774
Return Service Requested
TAIZ SERVICE
Wednesday, May 4, 7pm in the Chapel
A time of healing,
A place apart...
Parish Notes Deadline May 15—email [email protected]