Common Worship Space
Will be meeting Saturday, April 2 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at FUMC-Williamstown, 777 Main St., Williamstown. Rev. Lemmel will spend the morning with the combined congregation. All are invited to give input and hear others’ perspectives on where to meet for common Sunday worship, and to give guidance to the interim site committee as they search for a common worship space. Please make every effort to attend this gathering – youth are especially encouraged to attend – your thoughts matter. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak in this circle process.
Worship
Until a commonplace of worship is agreed upon, Sunday worship will continue to be held at 9:30 am at the Congregational Church in North Adams and at the First United Methodist Church of Williamstown at 10:30 am. On the third Sunday of each month, combined worship will be at the First United Methodist Church of Williamstown.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday
We will worship together at 10:30 a.m. in Williamstown, celebrating both Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and the Passion of the week. This service is a good way to prepare your heart for the events of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday
A service of Holy Communion, remembering Jesus Last Supper with his disciples, will be offered at 7:00 p.m. on April 21 at Williamstown. Come and be a part of this holy night.
Good Friday
St. John’s Episcopal church along with the Williamstown UMC church offers a Good Friday service from 12-3 p.m. on April 22nd. This is a service of word and meditation. There is a good deal of silence at this service which allows one to reflect personally on the death of Christ. All are welcome at this sacred service. You do not have to stay for the whole three hours.
Easter Sunrise
We will worship together at 6:15 a.m. at Linear Park in Williamstown as we rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior. As the sun rises, we bear witness to the rising Christ. Come to this very joyous service.
Pastor’s Message
Wandering in the wilderness. We’re all growing tired of this metaphor. While we don’t expect it to last forty years, it might as well be. It’s not always much fun most days.
Or is it? Maybe the wilderness is what we make it. Certainly the Hebrew Bible prophets thought so. We’re most familiar with the description in the Exodus story. We know about the murmuring (AKA whining) and the rebellions against Moses’ leadership, the worship of idols, the frustrated cry of “let’s just go back to Egypt—we may have been slaves but we knew what to expect.” No wonder we think of it as a trial.
Later prophets retell this amazing story of God leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. They retell it in different ways to illustrate God’s work in the world. Hosea paints a beautiful picture of the wilderness wanderings. He describes it as a honeymoon period where God and God’s chosen people grow in relationship. When the people are hungry, God feeds them. When the people are thirsty, God provides water from the rock. Maybe this story isn’t as much about being miserable and whiny as it is about seeing God’s gracious love and mercy for God’s people.
Where do you see God in our wilderness? What manna has come from Heaven? What rocks have provided water? What cry has God answered for you?
There has been good news on our journey. The Williamstown building is under contract to be sold. While there is no deal yet, there has been some interest in the North Adams building. We share a vision of serving the community and growing together in grace. Maybe it’s time to reframe this time of transition as a honeymoon period where we build relationship instead of a time of trial and struggle. This is the time to focus on our relationship with God and with each other. God calls us to be God’s people. Let us respond by calling God our God.
I will establish my people in the land and make them prosper. I will show love to those who were called Unloved, and to those who were called Not-My-People I will say, You are my people, and they will answer, You are our God. (Hosea 2:23 Good News Translation)
Trusting with you in God’s amazing grace,
Pastors Kim and Michelle
Purpose of Merger
On March 20, members of the congregation spent the afternoon with consultant Rev. Barbara Lemmel discussing where we are in our merger process and setting priorities for next steps. Barb opened the meeting by asking people to name what they saw as the purpose of our churches merging.
*makes things easier/possible by having more people to share the work
*opens new possibilities
*regenerate the church
*to do things differently (the old ways don’t seem to work as well anymore)
*maintain a United Methodist presence in Northern Berkshire
*overcome boundaries
* more opportunities to draw close to God together
Let’s remember these reasons as we continue moving forward on the journey to be one church. We are in God’s cable hands as we learn and grow together.
Healing Service
Heidi Chamberland will be offering a healing service at the Williamstown church on April 10th at 4:00 p.m. A Service of Healing is not necessarily a service of curing, but it provides an atmosphere in which healing can happen. The greatest healing of all is the reunion or reconciliation of a human being with God. When this happens, physical healing sometimes occurs, mental and emotional balance is often restored, spiritual health is enhanced, and relationships are healed. For the Christian, the basic purpose of spiritual healing is to renew and strengthen one’s relationship with the living Christ. Come, and be a part of this very special service, for we are all in need of healing.
Sunday School News
On Sunday, April 17th, all Sunday School children and youth are invited to celebrate the Passover Meal in the Williamstown Sunday School room. We will start promptly at 10:30 a.m. Come directly to the Sunday School room. Youth, we are counting on you to be “big brothers or sisters” to the younger children.
On Easter Sunday, April 24th, there will be an Easter egg hunt for the Sunday School Children of Williamstown.
Newsletter Help Needed
Help is needed in the N. Adams office at the end of each month to collate the newsletter, stamp envelopes with return address and permit number. With two or three people it can be accomplished in about 2-3 hours. Please call 664-9655 and leave your name and telephone number to volunteer. It will be greatly appreciated.
Help Needed at Williamstown
Volunteers are needed to help with custodial duties. Please sign up at church or see Rev. Michelle. Many hands make light work!!
Yarn for Mittens
We still have yarn that was donated exclusively for mittens. (1 skein of cherry red, 1 soft navy). If you would like to make mittens you may pick up the yarn at the North Adams office. 664-9655
Proceeds from Corned Beef Dinner
We are happy to report that our last take out dinner took in $412.50. This money will be donated to the “Relay for Life Team.”
Take and Eat
Take and Eat is a weekend meal delivery program. We participate in the Williamstown area Take and Eat every other 1st Sunday of the month. You might be interested in baking desserts on occasion, helping to fill dinner trays or bags of fruit, bread, etc. or you might even be interested in delivering meals. Some of the delivery routes are very short, but even the longer ones don’t take more than an hour…not too much time to give to a very worthwhile cause. Please let one of our coordinators know if you would like to help. Jeanne Moulthrop 663-3630 or Judy Turbin 458-9930.
Celebrating Frances Jones Sneed
On February 26th, Frances Jones-Sneed won the Sarah A. Lewis Social Justice Award. She was presented the award at the Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement. The award recognizes Frances for her scholarship and understanding of the contributions made by African-Americans in local and national history.
“Founded in 1987, the Hall of Black Achievement’s mission is to identify the triumphs and involvements of people of color. According to the Hall of Black Achievement chairperson Michael P. Henry, [Frances] was chosen to receive this award because of her work promoting social justice and education. ‘Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and advocacy for women, and those in marginalized communities,’ he said in a press release. ‘She recognizes and explores privilege, and has affinity and empathy for those who are not able to find their way in mainstream educational environments.’”*
Frances, we are proud of you. You are a witness to your faith, a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for the oppressed. Although we celebrated you on March 20th, one day is not enough to bear witness to all you do for others. You are indeed deserving of any award you receive, and we are grateful that you are part of our church family.
(* Quotes taken from the North Adams Transcript, Saturday, February 26, 2011)
Dear Church Family
Thank you for all the kindness you showed me during the 13 March 2011 morning worship. It was a total surprise, and I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am to know each and every one of you.
Sincerely, Frances Jones-Sneed
A Poem for Frances by Priscilla Northrup
Congratulations, Frances,
For what you’ve done to date!
Because we’re proud of you,
We want to celebrate!
Our Margaret Hart was always late,
But she got there just the same.
She was talented, frugal, and one-of-a-kind.
Now everyone knows her name!
Francis Phillips was a blessing to us
In the choir, as Lay Leader, and more.
As a Lay Leader in our Conference,
No black man had gone before.
These are some of the people you champion
As history’s pioneers
Who promoted the cause of justice
And inclusion of their peers
.
A Heritage Celebration
Is something we all should share.
Your efforts for social change
Should help us to prepare.
Celebrating a New Journey
Dear Church Family,
Many of you have seen me grow from a small child; you have been with me on my spiritual journey and witnessed my call into ministry. I feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Thank you for your love, support, and care over the years.
I am pleased to share the news that Bishop Peter Weaver has appointed me Pastor of the Cheshire United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2011. This is an exciting time and I look forward to the many opportunities God has planned for me. While it is exciting, I am also saddened that I will not be worshipping with you each week. I ask that you keep my family and myself in prayer as we begin this new journey.
Peace, blessings, and love, Christa Levesque
Newsletter Mailings
We continue moving toward a “Green” e-mail newsletter, for those who prefer to receive it that way. We invite those who wish to have it mailed, please consider making a special donation to off-set the expense -- $12.00 per year is suggested. Please call Diane 413-664-9655 if you would like to receive it by regular mail, or if you would like us to send it by e-mail, contact us at infro@umcwilliamstown.org. We also have printed copies available in both churches the beginning of each month and in the church offices.
Please help us keep our files up to date by reporting any changes of address, phone numbers or e-mail to the church office. This will help us save money on returned mail! 664-9655
Church World Service
By the time you read this, we will have just little over a month to collect the remaining items for our Church World Service Kits. Most of the items that we needed have been ordered online. For the past two years, we have ordered from All Together Enterprises, a company which offers wholesale prices on diapers, diaper pins, and baby gowns to groups providing these items for relief organizations.
Other hard to find items will be ordered online as well. We would be most appreciative of any cash donations, which will go directly to pay for these items. Our order of 300 diapers, 50 diaper pins and 72 baby gowns will be several hundred dollars. We will also need an additional $450 to cover the costs of shipping and handling for our 225+ kits.
The list of items that we need is shrinking. Perhaps you can help by purchasing something from the list below and leaving it in the Church World Service basket. We still need:
* 18 wide-tooth combs (please make sure
they are WIDE-TOOTH)
* 28 nail clippers
* 360 standard size Band-aids
We will be assembling the Kits on Tuesday, May 3rd. Further information on this will follow. Thanking you in advance for any help you can provide,
Barbara Kourajian 458-2798
You Can Help
Japan Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317 is the designated giving channel for contributions to respond to the crisis in Japan. This advance originally was called Pacific Emergency, when the risk of tsunamis was expected to affect the entire region. (Make your check out to your church and note UMCOR #3021317 on the memo line)
100% of donations to this advance help the people of Japan recover from this still unfolding disaster. Your generosity will support the rebuilding of communities, and may address the reconstruction of homes and places of worship, among other needs. Please keep the people of Japan in your prayers.
Easter Lily Order Form for N. Adams
The Administrative Council invites you instead of purchasing an EASTER LILY, to make a donation to the general expense in loving memory or in honor of your loved one. If you would like to order a lily the cost will be $15.00 each; please fill out the form below and send it or bring it to the church with pay-ment in full to be received no later than Monday, April 11th. Or you may call the church office at 664-9655 Tues. through Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Please use one order form, OR piece of paper for each plant or donation to the general expense fund.
Payment Required at Time of Order
___I wish to order a Lily through the church.
___I will provide my own flower.
___I wish to make a donation to the General
Expense Fund
____________ (amount)
Given in Memory / Honor of (circle one)
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Given by ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Phone_______________________________
____I will take my flower
____Give my flower to a shut-in
(if not marked, flowers will be given to a shut-in)
Wesley Walkers
We have a church team up and running for this year’s American Cancer Society “Relay for Life.” The Wesley Walkers will walk again. Go to this link below and search for the Wesley Walkers. It costs $10 to register and you will receive a t-shirt. They already had a deadline for t-shirts to guarantee your size, but last year we registered late and everyone did get their size. If you register on line it is so easy and you can immediately pay by debit or credit card. Or you can also pay later and pay cash or check made payable to American Cancer Society. Lisa Allen (743-3060) and Christa Levesque (664-6190) are again co-captains. We had a Corned Beef dinner in March to benefit the relay. You may also fundraise for the cause yourself. You are not obligated to collect $100, it is only suggested. No one will be turned away from walking. Christa and I will have a sheet with time slots for people to choose when you are available to walk. You may also stay all night with us. We have a site set up and have a lot of fun. The Relay runs from Friday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. to Saturday the 21st till noon.
Food for Thought
Have you checked out our church website at www.umcwilliamstown.org? The website is a useful tool for us, but, more significantly, it is a way for seekers to find out about us. The way people find information has changed. Over 60% of all searches for businesses and services (this includes churches) begin on the Internet these days. Of course, the website is just one part of a seeker’s journey. While our website needs to be inviting, it is the open doors, open hearts, and open minds people discover when they worship with us that helps them decide whether or not to return. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. How would you like to be welcomed if you were a first time visitor? And speaking of open doors, how does a first time visitors figure out which door to enter when they arrive at either of our buildings?
APRIL Take-Out or Eat-In Dinner
Chicken Tetrazini
(chicken, mushrooms, pimentos, cheese, onions) over noodles
green beans, rolls
Easter Cupcakes for dessert
Saturday, April 9th, 2011
TIME: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
PRICE: Adult $9.00 Child $4.50 under 12
Please reserve your dinner in advance by calling the church office at 664-9655 by 5:00 p.m. on FRIDAY, APRIL 8th.
You may leave a message on the answering machine with your name, address, telephone #, & number of dinners; also if you will pick-up, eat-in, or need delivery.
