FEBRUARY 2012

 

     

                                                

 

From the Pastor’s Desk

 

Ezekiel 37: 11 “Our bones are dry, our hope has gone; we are done for.”

 

Dry bones feelings often arise in places where winter wears on and on.  The lack of sunshine or the look of brown, drab earth can cause the liveliest spirits to feel some depression and weariness.  When this occurs our life can seem bleak, very unsuccessful or unrewarding, even though it may not be so.  We just feel like we’ve run out of gas or that we are dead inside. 

On those days when we say, “Can these bones live?” we need to ask ourselves what may be missing from our lives.  What are we ignoring or forgetting?  Are we avoiding something? 

It is in this deadness of spirit that a truth may be trying to break through for us.  We need to look.  Pay attention.  Is there something we have ignored for too long?  Perhaps an old memory or a past anger is rising up and trying to get our attention.  We need to be open, to pray for guidance and direction.  It is in the dryness that God’s spirit says, “Now is the time.  Take whatever it is that is causing you hurt or anger and send it on its way.  Make room for more of my goodness to grow in you.”

God’s breath caused those dry bones to live and move and yes, even dance.  And God’s breath will help our dry bones to dance too!  If you are experiencing dry bones, try praying daily this prayer by Joyce Rupp:

God, breath of life, there are moments when we feel like the dry bones filling Ezekiel’s valley.  When those times come upon us, help us to trust in you, to believe in your dance of life in us.  Do not allow us to lose heart or to abandon hope.  You can take the dry bones of our lives and enliven them in a way we have never dreamed possible.  Bless our dry and dusty spirits with your deep and stirring love.  Renew our dreams.  Fill us with enthusiasm for life.  May we always look to you as our source of Life.  Amen.

 

Pastor Deb

 

Treasurer's Report

 

As most of you know we have changed our Church year to a calendar year from a fiscal year.  The reason for doing this was to get our records on the same time frame as the Conference.  Before, we were having to take parts of two years and do lots of maneuvering to make them compatible.  Because we made this change, we ended our year in December with 2011 being a six month year.  We ended December with a checkbook balance of $5,200.00, however, we still have about $4,200.00 from Chocolate Fest to pay out, and we are paying for oil as we are billed.  We did not pay Administrative Apportionment for the last six months, per direction of the Finance Team, so we are really $5,000.00 short.  We will receive equitable compensation for 2012 in the amount of about $620.00 per month.  However, with that comes the responsibility to at least pay part of the Administrative Apportionment.  How all of this will work out remains to be seen.  It does seem that we will need to make some adjustments.

The offerings for the last few weeks are as follows:

 

12-18 --- $3,178.25

12-24 --- $749.00 Christmas Eve

12-25 --- $2,083.51

 

01-01 --- $3,870.11

01-08 --- $3,481.83*

01-15 --- $1,847.29

 

* Includes $2,000.00 quarterly transfer from trustees.

 

Bert Ladd,

Treasurer

 

Bottles For Missions

 

Thanks to all who donated bottles and cans.  Most of all, thanks to the Challengers who, month after month, match those donations. 

Beth Fernandes was the Challenger for January, 2012.  Thanks, Beth! 

The 2012 signup sheet is in the rear of the Chapel.  The months of February through December are available. 

 

CareNet Pregnancy Center

 

The CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rutland Sanctity of Human Life Baby Bottle Campaign fundraiser is underway and will run through March 4^th.  Bottles are in the rear of the Chapel.  Please take one and fill it up!

 

Operation Christmas Child

 

The Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child collection will continue year round, an announcement will be made each month for the item(s) of the month.

 

Thank you

 

A big THANKS to all the generous individuals who donated supplies to the church.

 

 

 

Prayer Corner

 

Giving Thanks!

 

I want to thank everyone for the cards, notes and phone calls.  I can't tell you how much they were appreciated!

And now after 25 years of serving as the Prayer Concerns Coordinator, and due to my heart condition, I feel it's best to resign that position.  This was a very difficult decision to make.  I do want my name on the list of those to call when someone has a concern or blessing. 

I have been truly blessed by being a part of this wonderful ministry and know that prayers truly do help.  I will miss the contact.  May God bless each one who made this such a successful ministry.

 

Walking with the Savior,

   Elizabeth Smith

 

Souper Bowl of Caring

 

On February 5^th, "Souper Bowl" Sunday, the youth of our church will collect money and nonperishable food items to be donated to The Rutland Community Cupboard foodshelf.  Please mark monetary donations "Souper Bowl".

 

February

Meetings and Events

 

Sundays

·         8:00 & 10:00 a.m. worship services in the Chapel

 

Tuesdays - 10:30 a.m.

·         Pastor Deb hosts Bible Study

 

Thursdays

·         5:15 p.m. Handbell Choir practice  (No practice on February 16 and 23.)

·         7:15 p.m. J.O.Y. Choir practice

 

Sunday, February 5^th

·         Communion Sunday

·         "Souper Bowl" Sunday

 

Sunday, February 12^th

·         Bells of Joy play at

10:00 a.m. worship service

 

Monday, February 20^th

·         Presidents Day -

church office closed

 

Tuesday, February 21^st

·         1:00 p.m. United Methodist Women meeting

 

February

Fellowship Time Hosts

 

Feb. 5 - Ann Archer (Need one more person to volunteer to provide refreshments)

Feb. 12 -Trustees

"    19 - George/Jane Jepson

Walt/Nancy Kelly

"     26 - Karen Barnouw

Judy Blair

 

Annual Church Camping at Lake St. Catherine

 

Every year we have a fun- filled time camping.  This year the annual church camping trip has been moved to Lake Saint Catherine.  Camping dates are Thursday - Monday, July 19th - 23rd.  We share a potluck dinner on Saturday evening.

Please call Lake Saint Catherine State Park or visit their website to reserve your site.  Camp one, two, three, or even four nights, or join us during the day at the camping area and beach.  Pets are welcomed at the camping sites.

From the website:  "The campground contains 50 tent/trailer sites and 11 lean-to sites. Grassy open areas, wooded sites and lake access make this camping area very popular. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The park has picnic, play, and swimming areas. There is a snack bar concession with canoes, kayaks, rowboats & pedal boat rentals."

Lake St. Catherine State Park
3034 VT Route 30

South Poultney, Vermont

Park Phone: 802-287-9158

Website: www.vtstateparks.com/htm/catherine.htm

Directions: From Poultney: Go three miles south on Rt. 30.

 

Egg Decorating Workshop

 

Pastor Deb will be hosting a Ukrainian egg decorating workshop on March 3^rd and

17^th.  She will be ordering supplies ahead of time (for those who did not attend last year's workshop), so please let her know if you are interested in participating ASAP.  The cost of supplies is $9.00. 

 

Chocolate Festival 2012

 

This is the monthly update on Chocolate Festival 2012. Most of the solicitation letters are written and being addressed at this time.  The letters to the Killington businesses will be sent out mid February.  We are in need of one more person to help call on these businesses.  This should happen late February or early March.  If you are willing to help, either contact Faith Berg (773-7179) or Bert Ladd (235-2334) as soon as possible. Looking down the calendar to about July 1^st, we need a number of people willing to spend some time calling on businesses to solicit donations.  If we have ten or twelve people that would help, the workload per person would be manageable.  Again, contact Faith or Bert, and if you don't volunteer, we will be calling asking for help.  Please be thinking of what you might do for a basket or donation next October, because as our major fundraiser, it is important to be successful.  Many people suggested we have more items aimed at men.  Finally, keep this event in your prayers, not only does it raise funds, but equally as important, it brings us together as a church family.

 

Bert Ladd,

Treasurer

 

Historian’s Report

 

History of Rutland United Methodist Church

1949 - 1950

 

A goodly share of the Official Board minutes are missing.  The notes from the 48^th quarterly Conference are, however, available.   Rev. Harold Buckland presided.

Elected as trustees were:  Alvin Graves, Albert Cree, Robert Noble, William Fanning, John Davenport, Edward Aldous, Samuel Bradford, John Eddy, Charles Bruce.  Honorary trustees:  Mrs. Harley Perkins and Mrs. Charles W. Spencer.  STEWARDS:  Martha Adams, Paul Adams, Homer Ashland, Mrs. Charles Benedict, Edward G. Briggs, Gerolimo Bianchi, Clifford Brown, George Clark, Howard Clarke, Mrs. Howard Clarke, Norman Davidson, John Davidson, Max Davis, Edward Downs, Harold Durgin, Arline Dutton, Benjamin Gale, Scott Gooding, Newton Owens, Harris Perkins, Mrs. Ethel Potter, Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Rice, Henry Robbins, Mary Rudin, Edwin F. Sharp, Alden Smith, Charles W. Spencer, Arthur Steele, Stewart Stevens, Mrs. John Stone, William Tarbell, Robert Teachout, E.

Turner White, Kenneth White,

Royal White, Charles Willard.  HONORARY STEWARDS:  Julian Kavanaugh, Charles Palmer, Mrs. Mary Porter.  Recording steward: Mrs. John Davenport.  Lay Leader: E. Turner White.  The pastor’s salary was $333.33 a month and the sexton was paid $125.00 a month.

Outstanding events in the church year was an unusually large Palm Sunday confirmation and reception of members totaling an even 50, the service featuring special music and colored slides shown by Rev. Porter on great paintings.

A number of gifts to the church included an outside bulletin board, donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Davenport, a guest register by the Philathea class, and two flower stands and a pulpit lamp.

The Couple’s club continued with baby-sitting service during worship, and sponsored a large collection of clothing to be sent overseas to displaced persons through World service.  They showed the film “king of Kings” to over 250 people.

The Women’s Society elected Ms. Homer Ashland as president in May.  Membership in the Society was listed at about 200.  The Community Child Care, for preventative as well as curative purposes, was actively supported financially as well as with personnel by the Ladies group.  The Society had their second Annual bazaar and netted $585.00.

Much of the data for this

period and that to follow was

made available through Rev.

Porter’s foresight in that he saved the church News Letters, which he started in his first year in Rutland.  He set up a flower chart in the narthex whereon donations might be registered by those interested.  It was most successful and been a custom ever since.

The Junior choir numbered 41, and crosses were awarded for perfect attendance to the participating children.  Mrs. John Huizing, a graduate of Westminster Choir School, was director of both choirs, Mrs. Robert Noble, organist.  A Versper concert by both Junior and adult choirs was very largely attended.

Coin card collectors were used during the Lenten season and netted over $500.00.  An early morning service at 9:00 was started and well attended.   The Easter service number over 600 and many people had to be turned away.  It was decided to schedule three services next Easter.

Vacation school, directed by Mrs. John Davidson, ran for two weeks and had 91 children in attendance.

 

Note:  Please pay special attention to the attendance numbers.  You could say these were the days when church was very important in American Society.

 

1949 - 50 cont’d in January Spire

 

           Sharon Parke,

Historian