T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXX September 2009 No 5 modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available:  2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

 

 

FROM THE PASTOR

      Is it Rally Day or is it Faith Renewal Sunday? What's in a name? Like many in our church, I was brought up in a congregation where every September on the Sunday after Labor Day, we celebrated Rally Day. I must admit that for a while as I was growing up, I couldn't understand why we were talking about car races in church. But over time I began to see how every year, the church needed a time to call people back from vacations and summertime activities to the asks of another year together. There was an excitement and expectation that good things were about to happen because we were all being called together again. And rather than a rally around the flag, we would rally around the cross of Jesus Christ and recommit ourselves to being disciples, to being followers of Christ. 

    Is it a Rally or is it a Renewal? We may have called it a rally but this was definitely a time of spiritual renewal. In the church that I grew up in, what we realized was that faith is not immune to erosion and fatigue. And yet only faith could allow us to undertake the work that was ahead. But if the challenges of another year were to be met, non of us could do it alone. We needed the help of God and we needed the combined efforts of one another. Faith is not as private as we might have once thought. Faith is a gift of God that is formed and nurtured in an atmosphere of togetherness and mutual trust and caring. In truth, we do need each other not just for the work that we accomplish together, but also for the faith that flourishes in each of us as we are supported and encouraged by one another. 

    Rally Day or Faith Renewal? This is a tradition worth observing. This is an opportunity to re-gather and to be renewed by our experience of the Spirit of God as we congregate. This is a time to recommit ourselves to the vows made at our baptism and as we joined the church, to live and grow in Christ and follow wherever Christ may lead us in the paths of Christian discipleship. Join us as we rally around the cross to celebrate Faith Renewal Sunday on September 13th. As we begin another program year together, I look forward to sharing the journey with each one of you as we gather together as the people of St. Mary's United Church of Christ.

Grace and peace,   Dick

FAITH RENEWAL SUNDAY

Our fall season begins with Faith Renewal Sunday on September 13th. Everyone is encouraged to gather for a blended worship service beginning at 10:30 AM when the sacrament of Holy Communion will be served in the pews. This year's Member Anniversary picture will be taken immediately following the service and Table Fellowship will be served after worship downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Again this year, regular Sunday School classes will begin on this Sunday with adult classes meeting at 9:15 AM and children's classes meeting at 9:30 AM. We hope that all will take this opportunity to nourish our faith and renew our commitment as we begin this new program year together.
 

GIFTS FOR THE NEEDY

As part of our observance of Faith Renewal Sunday on September 13th, we will be receiving a special offering to support our Gifts for the Needy program. As a source of funds for those in need, our Gifts for the Needy program has enabled us to reach out directly to the people of our surrounding community with help and hope in their time of need. Pew envelopes can be used on that Sunday to make your contribution. Thanks to all of you who are willing to share to help meet the needs of others in our community. 

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

At this year's Faith Renewal observance on September 13th, the Caring For Our Own Committee will again honor church members who are celebrating special anniversary years as members of St. Mary's church. Special recognition will be given this year to those who have member anniversaries of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years in 2009, and all those who have been members of our St Mary's for 60 years or more. Special invitations have been sent out to those we would like to honor, and a commemorative picture will be taken of all of our honorees in attendance of Faith Renewal Sunday. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join in this special celebration. 

WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHURCH ORGANIST

On Sunday, September 6th, our new church organist will assume his new duties at the organ console. We are pleased to welcome Melvin Pittinger as our new Church Organist. Mel comes to us for St. Benjamin's Lutheran Church after 15 years as their organist and he looks forward to providing our traditional organ music and accompanying our church choir. Mel has had an opportunity t visit our church in recent weeks and we hope that many of us will have the chance to meet and welcome him in the weeks ahead. 

FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

From the information provided by our church treasurer, we note that by mid summer our General Fund is running a deficit of over $12,000. While a strong attendance in August may have helped to chip away at that number, we remember that in September, quarterly bills will be due. As re return to a new program year and especially in these times of economic uncertainty, please keep in mind how much your church depends on you to continue the God given ministries entrusted to us. Let's make this September, a time not only to renew our faith, but also renew our commitment and loyalty to St. Mary's United Church of Christ wit our monetary support. Together we can make this a banner year in our church's history, but our church needs each one of us. Our church needs you!

SHARING GIFTS AND SERVICE

In the 2nd quarter Giving Statements, we enclosed a Talent and Interest Survey that allows our members to indicate ways they are serving and are willing to serve St. Mary's in the future with their time, talents, and service. Unfortunately, we found that some of the survey forms were copied on ly on the front side. Please be sure that your copy has a front and back side and if you already sent in an incomplete form, you are welcome to pick up another in the church office or at the back of the sanctuary. These surveys can be mailed to the church office or at the back of the sanctuary. These surveys can be mailed to the church office or brought to any worship service during the weeks of September. If you haven't had the opportunity t serve St Mary's as a volunteer before, this is a great way to find your path into broader participation and the excitement and satisfaction that comes with serving your church. Please be sure to respond.!

CHOIR RESUMES

Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, September 2nd starting at 7:30 PM. We welcome back our returning choir members and invite new voices to join with us in this ministry that adds so much to our worship life together. 

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Beginning on Faith Renewal Sunday, September 13th, adult Sunday School classes will resume with two classes being offered at the 9:15 Am hour. The traditional lecture class continues to meet in the Chapel Room with all our regular teachers returning. This year in the North Room, Pastor Scott will lead the Electives Class in a video series on th work of the apostle, Paul, called "Eclipsing Empire". Both classes invite new folds to join with us as we look forward to a new year together of learning and fellowship. 

ATTENTION ALL CHILDREN

Beginning Sunday, September 13th, the Children's Sunday School will begin a new program year. Classes will start at 9:30 AM and end at 10:15 AM. Children Age 3-Kindergarten will meet in the Preschool room upstairs, and students in Grades 1-5 will gather downstairs. We will again be using the LIVE B.I.G. curriculum. Please join us for the beginning of an exciting and fun-filled Sunday School year. For further information please contact the church office. 

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend Sunday School. Your class will begin September 13th from 9:30 AM - 10:15 Am and still meet in the old Youth Room downstairs. The curriculum will be "Way to Live" edited by Dorothy Bass and Don C. Richter. Please plan to attend. For further information contact the church office.

KIDS NIGHT OUT

Kid's Night Out will resume on Sunday, September 27th. Join us the last Sunday of every month fro 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM for an evening of fun & games. All kids in Grades K through high school are welcome. Bring a friend! A light snack will be provided. Contact the church office for more information. 

STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER

During the worship services in September, Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders will take a few minutes to highlight our Stephen Ministry here at St. Mary's.

This lay caring ministry had its beginning at St. Mary's in August 2006 when its three leaders went to Pittsburgh for their Stephen Ministry training. Since them, the leaders have trained four members of our congregation to be Stephen Ministers. The ministry continues to try to meet the needs of those members who are facing challenging times by connecting them with a Stephen Minister who is there for them during such times. We are presently seeking anyone who may be interested in the possibility of becoming a Stephen Minister and thus would be participating in the upcoming Stephen Ministry training, which would begin in January. IF interested, please ask for a Stephen Ministry packet/application form the church office and then return the completed application to a Stephen Leader or the church office by November 15. For more information, please contact on of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen. 

MOTHER'S CLASS NEWS

At our recent class meeting the Mother's Class members decided to disband our class effective August 1, 2009. We were an organized class for many years and have supported the church financially in many ways wit our various money making activates. Our records, which are not complete, show we donated over $30,000 plus a lot of small contributions.

This year we completed 55 years of sponsoring the Mother's Day Bulletin collecting 655 names. We took on the project of the Father's Day Bulletin in 2004 and collected 476 names this year. Both projects have been very successful. The class would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone that supported our class in all of our activities over the years. We could not have done ti without you.

Our annual Family Banquet was always a huge success and enjoyed by everyone that attended. Our class always had a special program planned and ti was a great night of fellowship.

We have closed our checking account and are donating $4,500 to the Renovation Fund and the remaining small balance will be used to provide altar flowers on a future Sunday. 

Thanks again to everyone. 

 

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