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January 2012
Dear Friends, As another year begins, many of us make resolutions, determined that this is the year we will lose weight, get organized, and spend more time with our loved ones. January 1 offers a fresh start. As Christians, we are invited to a fresh start each and every day. That’s the message of the gospel, God’s invitation to enter into new life. Do you remember the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17-31, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30) The young man is not able to accept Jesus’ response challenging the young man to let go of those things he considers sacred in order to follow Jesus and enter the Kingdom. This story speaks to the heart of Christian transformation. What is keeping you from following Jesus? It doesn’t have to be a bad thing; even good things can consume our lives in such a way that we don’t follow Jesus with all our heart and mind and strength. Jesus does not condemn the young man. Jesus lets him walk away. Not everyone is ready for transformation. But the seed has been planted and perhaps the young man will be ready in another week, month, or year. Not every New Year’s resolution is kept. Our resolutions may not last past February 1 this year, but they will give us a new awareness of our habits and move us closer to living a new life. Transformation is God’s work. Accept Jesus’ challenge this year. Take the next steps. Blessings for the coming year! ~ Pastor Kim So, We Merged...What Do We Do Now?
On January 27 and 28, our coach Dirk Elliott will lead us through a time of planning and organizing for the next steps in our vital merger. Please make every effort to participate!
When: Friday January 27, 2-6 PM (optional dinner and conversation to follow) and Saturday, January 28, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (pastries and coffee available in the morning, lunch provided) Please let us know that you are coming so we can be sure to have a big enough room and plenty of food. RSVP to the church office (413) 458-3138 or pastorkim.fumcna@verizon.net by noon on Wednesday January 25. The New England Annual Conference Office of Congregational Development is underwriting the cost of this training. A couple pastors and lay members from other congregations exploring vital mergers will be sitting in as we lead the way in rethinking church. Dirk Elliott is our vital merger coach. He is the Director of Congregational Development for East Ohio Conference and a trained associate certified coach with the International Coaching Federation. He has worked with 6 other projects just like ours - 2 or more churches that sold their buildings and came together to start something new. Why I Dive by Barb Toll
A few people have asked me why I am so enthusiastic about diving. What is it about the underwater world that calls to me? As a child, I dreamed of being a marine biologist and studying sharks. This dream did not stem so much from a love of biology as from the desire to take photos from inside a shark cage. As an adult, I discovered that they actually allow anyone with basic SCUBA certification to do this! So diving and shark cages became things that I just had to do. Something happened as I was training for that first shark cage dive--I became hooked on SCUBA. During my training dives in Lake George, I discovered the great peace to be found underwater where the only sound comes from your own bubbles. Nothing to worry about except breathing and floating weightlessly among the fish. This became meditative for me. I discovered just how beautiful the oceans are. They are truly a wonder of creation. I wondered what the oceans could teach me about the nature of our Creator. The colors of coral reefs and the millions of fish that inhabit them are not exactly created for the sake us humans. After all, we are not aquatic animals, and most of us will never see the beauty that these delicate ecosystems have to offer. Perhaps God painted the colors and crafted the fish for the simple joy of doing so. Perhaps God approached the reefs like an artist who desires to paint a masterpiece, knowing that it may never even be viewed by anyone else. There are some things underwater that are just funny - octopus, cuttlefish, reef squid and even lobsters. What’s the thought process that goes into designing a reef squid? Could it be that God was just having fun? Could it be a small piece of anecdotal evidence that God does indeed have a sense of humor? I believe we are created to explore. There is a desire planted in human beings to push further than what we know. It is why people sailed across oceans to lands they had never seen. It is why astronauts strap themselves to tons of explosive rocket fuel and hurl themselves away from the comforts of earth. It is why I put a steel tank on my back and jump off the boat. I think it is also why two United Methodist congregations in the northern Berkshires stepped out of their buildings in search of a new life together. We want to explore all the new things that God can do in this community. We are not willing to simply survive; we are partnering with God to thrive. Church World ServiceWhite Gift Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to donate items for the Baby, School, and Hygiene Kits we assemble for Church World Service. Any of the items below can be wrapped for "White Gift Sunday" which will be celebrated on January 8th. Baby washcloths Baby undershirts (no onesies) Size: 6-12 mos. Baby gowns or sleepers Size 6-12 mos. Wide-tooth combs Nail clippers Pencil sharpeners We especially need items for the Baby Kits. As always, if shopping is difficult for you and you would rather make a monetary donation, let me know and I’ll do the shopping for you. Feel free to contact me via email (bkour@roadunner.com) or by phone 458-2798. Thank you! ~ Barbara Kourajian From the NBIAA Friendship Center:
The volunteers and members of the friendship center food pantry wish to thank you for the generous donations of 13 lbs of food that was delivered Dec. 6th . May God bless you for your generosity! Northern Berkshire’s 19th Annual Martin Luther King “DAY Of SERVICE”PLEASE HELP the local Northern Berkshire Food Pantries and BCAC Fuel Assistance by donating items or checks made out to the Martin Luther King Committee C/O the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main St, Suite 281, North Adams. Please note in memo whether you would like your donation to go to Fuel Assistance of the Food pantry ITEMS NEEDED: Toothpaste Toothbrushes Dental floss Detergents Hand and body soap Deodorant Trash bags Tampons and/or sanitary pads Diaper and/or pull-ups Baby wash Baby bottles/sippy cups Paper towels Toilet paper Shampoo/conditioner Angel Tree Project
A big thank you to those who donated to the Angel Tree project this year. We took 12 overflowing bags of clothing and toys to the Salvation Army. There was truly a spirit of Christmas in those bags. Thank you for your overwhelming generosity this year. ~ Marc & Michou Toureille Prayer Shawl Outreach
Dear ladies of the First United Methodist Church, Attn: Shawl Ministry On Saturday December 4, while at my stay at the Sweetbrook Nursing Care Center, I was pleasantly surprised with a gift, a lovely white trimmed with red, shawl. It’s beautiful! Thank you for your thoughtfulness. May God bless you. ~ Ruth Graziola Thank you to Karen Dean for organizing this outreach visit to Sweetbrook! Poinsettias
In memory of Christopher and Robert Butler from Nancy and George Parrino In Honor of Christa Levesque from her VBS family Donations received in lieu of flowers: In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Chalmers and Mr. and Mrs. Johns Deans given by their granddaughter Cheryl Chalmers In loving memory of Harland, Alice, Robert and Richard Dunn from Miss Florence A. Dunn Building Committee update
Please email info@umcwilliamstown.org should you wish to see the detailed report from this committee. HOLIDAY BAZAAR CONGRATULATIONS !!!
There are many people whose names were omitted in last month’s report on the Holiday Bazaar. I regret having missed them because their contributions to the bazaar also led to the fantastic results. Donating to Attic Treasures were Sally Ottman, Jane Marino and Lisa & Bill Allen. Jane also made donations to the bake sale and the craft tables. Silent Auction donations were also made by Grace Williams, Don & Carol Reese and Shirley Martin. Teddy Marino also assisted at the Luncheon and Cathy Crowther was a great help at the Silent Auction. Thank you all. Congratulations to you all for an outstanding effort and a bazaar well done. With much appreciation – Jeanne Moulthrop. SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday March 17 Spiritual Gifts Workshop George Button, Certified Lay Minister, will lead us as we explore our spiritual gifts and discern how to best work together to be the church God is calling us to be! Special Thanks
What a wonderful Christmas Pageant! Thank you to our fabulous teachers Karen Marino, Karen Dean, Sally Ottman and Shenna Santelli! And our great cast—Narrators Olivia Case, Nicole Allen and Catherine Marceau; Joseph: Zachary Leveque; Mary: Madison Marceau; Angel Gabriel: Grace Singleton; Angels: Emma Berridge, Lilly Marceau, Erin Marceau, Macie Hodgson, Heather Hodgson; Shepherds: Shelby Allen. Corey Hodgson, Andrew Levesque; sheep: Alan Marceau; donkey: Hunter Marceau; Magi: Caleb Case, Keigan Case, Anthony Carvalho.
Learn Some Methodist History
What do you know about John Wesley? Francis Asbury? The beginnings of the Methodism? Come and join the Confirmation Class on Sunday January 15 and February 8 from 11:30-1 and learn more. Pastor Kim will lead a session on John Wesley and the beginning of Methodism January 15 and Francis Asbury and the American Methodist movement February 8. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know our youth who are preparing to claim their faith and join the Church! 2012 Leadership (elected at charge conference 12/10/2011)Lay Leader/Lay Member to Annual Conference: Corinne Case Staff Parish Relations Committee Janean Laidlaw (2014) Karen Marino (2014) Shirley Mullen (2013) *Lay Leader (Corinne Case) *Pastor (Kim Kie) Church Council Brad Berridge, Chair Shenna Santelli, Secretary Lisa Allen, Finance Co-Chair Ashley Berridge, Communications Coordinator and Finance Co-Chair Corinne Case, Lay Leader Joanne Hurlbut, Historian Criss Laidlaw, Treasurer Priscilla Northup, Historian Judy Turbin, Financial Secretary Faith Formation Chair SPRC Chair/Representative Trustees Chair/Representative *Pastor (Kim Kie) *Community Ministries Coordinator (Barb Toll) Members at Large: Herb Rice, Marilyn Rice, Marc Toureille, Michou Toureille Faith Formation Committee Lay Leader (Corinne Case) Friendly Circle Leader (Nancy Parrino) Karen Marino Sally Ottman Carol Reese Donald Reese Shenna Santelli Ruby Scott Anne Singleton Marc Toureille Michou Toureille *Music Director (Robin Kibler) *Community Ministries Coordinator (Barb Toll) *Pastor (Kim Kie) Finance Lisa Allen, Co-Chair Ashley Berridge, Co-Chair Criss Laidlaw, Treasurer Judy Turbin, Financial Secretary Cheryl Chalmers Herb Rice *Pastor (Kim Kie) Trustees John Carvalho Cheryl Chalmers Bruce Dean Robert Scott Ron Turbin Judy Turbin *Pastor (Kim Kie) Choir NewsPerhaps your New Year’s resolution is to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! If so, please join our choir. Let Robin Kibler know of your interest. Rehearsals are most Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (depending on weather).
God Did in Jesus! Christmas wishes from Bishop Peter and Linda Weaver. |
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